IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS
Year:2007 | Volume:23 | Issue:1 (35)|Papers Count:17

Atherosclerosis occurs principally in medium and large arteries and is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. Epidemiologic study indicates that coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis is less in societies which use herbal medicines. Glycyrrhiza glabra is an herb of Papilionaceae family which contains hypolipidemic compounds and flavonoids with high antioxidant properties. This study was conducted to determine the effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract on blood lipid levels and atherosclerosis in rabbits fed with high cholesterol diet. Fifteen male rabbits were randomly divided into three groups, normal diet group, highcholesterolemic control group (1% cholesterol) and high-cholesterol + Glycyrrhiza glabra group (50 mg/kg body weight every other day). The concentration of total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and HDL cholesterol were determined in rabbits in the beginning of experiment, and in the end of the first and second month of the study. In the end of the experimental period the rabbits were killed having overdose chloroform and their aortas were removed for assessing atherosclerotic plaques. Results showed that Glycyrrhiza glabra decreased TC, LDL and TG levels and increased HDL, significantly. The lesion atherosclerotic significantly reduced in high-cholesterol + Glycyrrhiza glabra group as compared to highcholesterolemic control group. It could be suggested that the Glycyrrhiza glabra extract can effectively prevent the progress of atherosclerosis and extensive studies are needed to investigate the effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra in prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Efficiency of essential oils from Artemisia sieberi Besser and A. scoparia Waldst et Kit on nutritional indices of Tribolium castaneum Herbst was tested in this study. Several experiments were designed to measure the indices such as relative growth rate (RGR), relative consumption rate (RCR), efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) and feeding deterrent index (FDI). Treatments were evaluated by the method of flour disk bioassay in the dark, at 27 ±1 oC and 65 ±5% R. H. Several concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5 and 2 mL/disk were prepared from each essential oil and 10 adult insects were introduced into each treatment. Then, ingested food and weight gained were measured three days later. Results showed that A. sieberi oil was highly effective compared to A. scoparia, and significantly decreased the RGR and RCR. Moreover, in higher concentration (2 mL/disk), the ECI (9.81%) was significantly low. The A. sieberi oil was more effective on FDI than A. scoparia.

Gracilaria salicornia (C.Agardh) Dawson is an agarophytic alga which has wide distribution in tropical seas. The species has formed small communities in northeast of the Qeshm island in south of Iran. In this study seasonal changes of biomass and two communities of the species were studied since October 2001 for a year. The transect–quadrate method used in this study and monthly production and percentage cover of the species were measured in different depths of the intertidal regions of the two communities. In this study Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that there are significant differences in percentage cover and production (dry weight) of Gracilaria salicornia with respect to depth ranges (shore elevation) (P<0.01). The highest dry production (598.9±67.2 g/m2) and percentage cover (%69.12±3.7) of Gracilaria salicornia were determined between 2.7 to 3.5 m. depth of sea water.

In this investigation, the leaves of five Eucalyptus species as Eucalyptus microtheca F. Muell, E. gongylocarpa Blakely, E. gillii Maiden, E. woodwardi Maiden and E. salubris F. Muell were collected from two regions of Khuzistan province (Shushtar and Dezful, South Iran) in spring. After drying the plant materials in shade, their essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation. The oils were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography, using flame ionization and mass spectrometric detection. The oils of E. microtheca were obtained at yields of 0.43% and 0.37% (w/w) from Shushtar and dezful, respectively. These yields were 2.37% and 1.78% for E. gongylocarpa, 3.5% and 3.9% for E. gillii, 1.18% and 1.13% for E. woodwardi, 2.05% and 1.02% for E. salubris. The main compounds of E. microtheca oils were 1, 8-cineole (26.7% and 16.9%), P-cymene (14.8% and 20.4%) and a-pinene (12.5% and 12.0%) in the Shushtar and Dezful samples, respectively. The major constituents of E. gongylocarpa oils were 1, 8-cineole (66.8% and 78.6%) and a-pinene (5.2% and 7.2%). The main components of E. gillii oils were 1, 8-cineole (58.5% and 81.3%) and a-pinene (13.9% and 11.0%). The main compounds of E. woodwardi oils were 1, 8-cineole (58.7% and 45.1%) and a-pinene (23.1% and 21.4%). The major constituents of E. salubrisoils were 1, 8-cineole (62.0% and 71.0%) and a-pinene (8.0% and 10.0%). Differences in the percentage of the main components of these oils in two regions could be due to some differences in habitats like soil structure or humidity.

In this investigation, effects of aqueous extract from leaves of Zhumeria majdae on seed germination of Lycopersicon esculentum, Lactuca sativa, Brassica oleracea, Allium porrum, Raphanus sativus, Allium cepa, Lipidium sativum were studied. Aqueous extract from leaves of Zhumeria majdae inhibited seed germination. In the Lipidium sativum and Brassica oleracea, seed germination rate was reduced to zero. Statistically, in percentage of seed germination, there were more significant differences between aqueous extract and control in Allium cepa, Lipidium sativum and Brassica oleracea. There were significant differences in Lactuca sativa and Allium porrum and no significant differences were found in Lycopersicon esculentum and Raphanus sativus. In speed of seed germination, there were more significant differences between aqueous extract and control in Lycopersicon esculentum, Lactuca sativa, Brassica oleracea, Allium porrum, Allium cepa and Lipidium sativum and significant differences in Raphanus sativus.

Free radicals especially reactive oxygen species damage biomolecules such as DNA, proteins, enzymes and membrane lipids. Nowadays, it is believed that antioxidant and oxidant systems play an important role in the pathogenesis of many diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancers, aging, etc.  In the present study, antioxidant effects of essential oils from the fruits and twigs of Juniperus excelsa subsp. Excelsa  on several oxidative systems (red blood cells haemolysis , LDL oxidation, insulin and haemoglobin glycosylation and linoleic acid peroxidation) were studied. Plant specimens were identified after collection and essential oils from the fruits and twigs were separately extracted by steam distillation method. Three different concentration of each extracts from the fruits and twigs of plant were used. Experiments were carried out in the presence and in the absence of each concentration by Cu2+ and spectroscopic method for LDL oxidation. 2, 2’-Azobis- (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) was used to hemolysis of red blood cells and the amount of haemolysis was measured by spectroscopic method in 540 nm. Total conjugated dienes (CDs) formation from linoleic acid was determined at the presence of FeSO4 in 234 nm. The results of this study show that insulin and haemoglobin glycosylation were effectively inhibited by the examined essential oil, also LDL oxidation was inhibited in the presence of different concentration of these oils. Inhibitory effect of twigs on LDL oxidation was greater than vitamin C. No anti-oxidation activity on LDL oxidation was observed when the experiments run with examined-concentrations of fruit. Linoleic acid oxidation in the presence of examined-oils was efficiently inhibited and a direct correlation was observed between the level of inhibition and incubation time. The obtained essential oils inhibited red blood cells haemolysis in low concentration and accelerate red blood cells haemolysis by peroxidant properties in high concentration. These results demonstrate that the essential oils prepared from the fruit and twigs of the Juniperus excelsa subsp. excelsa possess antioxidant activity in low concentration in several oxidative systems even them caused red blood cells haemolysis in vitro. Hence, more studies are called to examine the effect of this plant for treatment of some disease including atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, etc.

Staphylococcu  aureus  is an important cause of community and hospital acquired infections. Infections caused by methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) are mainly nosocomial and are increasing in all around the world. Many attempts have been made by the researchers to find new compounds as an appropriate substitute for these antibiotics. In this study antimicrobial activities of aqueous and boilling extracts of 6 medicinal plants species collected from Golestan province on clinical and standard strains of MRSA and MSSA were assessed by disc diffusion method. Each test was repeated 3 times and means inhibition zone was recorded. The boilling and aqueous extracts of 5 and 3 plants showed the best anti staphylococcal effect, respectively. The boilling extract of Artemisia sieberi, Punica granatum, which the maximum inhibition zone was 16.6 mm. raised the most outstanding in vitro antibacterial activities. As a result boilling extracts had better antibacterial effects than aqueous extract.

In order to investigation effect of drought stress essential oil percent and yield and physiological characteristics of medicinal plant Deracocephalum moldavica L. under greenhouse. This research performed in 2004-2005 at research institute of forests and rangelands. Experiment was carried out in a split plot under randomize complete block design with four replications. Main factors were contains of three populations of Deracocephalum moldavica L. that collected from Tehran, Esfahan and Fars provinces. Subplots were contains three level of drought stress 100% Fc, 60% Fc and 40% Fc. The results showed that effect of different populations not significant. The results showed that effect of drought stress on essence yield, amount of solution carbohydrates, amount of a, b and total chlorophyll at two years were significant. So effect of drought stress on proline in second year was significant. The results analysis variation of two years showed that effect of year on essential oil percent and proline amount was significant (a=1%). Comparison mean of treatments showed that at first year highest of essence yield, solution carbohydrate and chlorophyll respectively related to 60%, 40% and 100% of field capacity treatments. At second year highest proline amount, solution carbohydrate and chlorophyll respectively related to 40%, 40% and 100% of field capacity treatments. Comparison mean treatments of plant populations and different levels of drought stress showed that at first year highest of essential oil percent related to Esfahan seed*60% humidity of field capacity. Highest chlorophyll relate to 100% humidity of field capacity in three ecotypes. At second year highest solution carbohydrate and chlorophyll respectively related to 40% and 100% of field capacity in three populations.

This study was conducted at Research Center of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Kerman province in 2004-2006. Nine Damask rose accessions collected from different parts of Kerman province were planted using a three replicated randomized complete block design (RCB). Flower yield, flower number, single flower fresh and dry weight, flower dry matter percentage, petal/flower weight, petal, stamen and pistil numbers were evaluated. Results of ANOVA showed significant differences among accessions for all the traits. Also, significant correlation was observed between different traits, and flower yield showed maximum correlation with flower number and single flower weight. Comparison of means (Duncan method) classified the accessions into different groups based on the above characteristics. The accession collected from Rafsanjan showed the highest flower yield.

The effects of hormonical, chemical and physical treatments were studied on seed germination of seeds of Eremurus olgae. The ripening seeds were collected from National Botanical Garden of Iran. Seeds were treated under physical stimulator pretreatments including soaking seeds in the water for 24-48h, cutting seeds top, making abrasion on seed cortex, subjecting to light for 24h, 12h and absolute darkness and chemical stimulator like sodium hypochloride, citric acid and gibberellic acid in different densities for finding the appropriate methods of seed germination and dormancy breaking were applied. The results showed that the most suitable pretreatment and treatment were soaking seeds in water for 24-48h, removing seed cortex, cutting seed top, temperature 10-15oC, white light, 24h (4500-5000 lux) and treating in gibberrelic acid (0.08 Molar) for 45 minutes in 1-3 weeks makes the germination percentage (80%), germination speed 1.6, seed vigor 13.65 and treating in citric acid (30 mg/lit) with germination percentage (70%), germination speed (1.27) and seed vigor (7.3). The results showed some important differences comparing to controls.

 Jashir (Prangos ferulacea Lindl.) is a permanent, tall and fragrant plant which belongs to Umbelliferae family grows wild in most regions of Iran. The aerial parts have been used as rich herbs in animal feeding and the folk medicine. This plant was collected from Broujerd Mountains of Lorestan province in Iran. The air-dried aerial parts were subjected to hydro-distillation. Identification of essential oil constituents was made by GC and GC/MS. The highest yield of oil was obtained from pre-flowering stage (2.1%) and the least amount from fruiting stage (1.2%). The essential oils were characterized by high hydrocarbon and oxygenated monoterpenes. The main constituents in different growth stages were a-pinene, b-pinene and α-terpinolene. In all samples a-pinene and b-pinene constituted more than 65% of the oil. a-pinene and b-pinene are abundant in pre-flowering stage more than other stages. Other differences in oil composition in different growth stages like presence of b-aryophyllene in fruiting stage and absence of g-terpinene and a-phellandrene in pre-flowering stage were observed.

Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss. is an aromatic and medicinal plant which grows in high and mountainous parts of Iran. It is a considerable plant for its high amount of essential oil. The aim of this study is comparing the essential oil of cultivated plant with its natural samples. The aerial parts of wild sample were collected from Jeirod of Tehran province and cultivated sample gathered from field in Research Institute of Forest and Rangelands. Essential oils isolated by hydro-distillation and analyzed by a combination of capillary GC and GC/MS. The results showed that there are some similarities in the cultivated and wild samples. In the oil of wild sample limonene (29.1%), methyl geranate (17.7%), geranial (15.8%) and neral (11.9%) were the major components. In the oil of cultivated sample myrthenol (30.1%), limonene (23.6%), geranial (14.3%) and neral (9.3%) were the main components.

In order to study the effects of plantation date and irrigation regimes on quantity and quality of herbal essential oil of Cuminum cyminum factorial experiment was carried out on the basis of randomized complete block design by three repetitions in research field of Agricultural Faculty of Tabriz University in 2002-2003. The cuminaldehyde compound which possesses the highest percent of Cuminum cyminum L. oil, was affected significantly (at 0.01 level) by planting date. However, different levels of irrigation did not have significant effect on cuminaldehyde. The p-cymen compound was in the second rank in term of percentage rate in the oil of Cuminum cyminum. Different levels of irrigation had significant effect on the amount of p-cymene (at 0.05 levels).

Parthenium argentatum Gray. (Guayule) is a perennial shrub and a source of latex. The essential oil of flowers and latex has distinctive odor and honey bees which are effective pollen carriers of this species, are mostly being attracted to its flowers. Therefore, the flowers oil of cultivar UC/100, collected in July 2004 from Research Institute of Forest and Rangelands field, was investigated. The essential oil isolated by hydro-distillation was analyzed by a combination of GC and GC/MS. The mean oil content was 0.8% (w/w). A total of sixteen components were identified representing 97.6% of the oil. The main constitutes of the essential oil were a-pinene (27.2%), b-phellandrene (17.0%), g-eudesmol (11.3%), b-pinene (10.0%), b-eudesmol (9.0%), bicyclogermacrene (4.0%). Other components present in appreciable amounts were sabinene (7.3%), a-eudesmol (1.9%), bornyl acetate (1.6%), germacrene D (1.4%) and (Ε)-b-ocimene (2.2%).