Journal of Medicinal Plants
Year:2012 | Volume:11 | Issue:42|Papers Count:27

Autistic Disorders, in the category of pervasive developmental disorders, are devastating neurodevelopmental disturbances mainly characterized by impairment of social interaction, communication and behavior. Complementary and alternative medicine is widely used by families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Prevalence of Complementary and alternative medicine use in children with Autistic Disorders is among the highest of any population, Ginkgo biloba a herbal remedy with a long history in China has been investigated for different psychiatric conditions and has comparable use to other Complementary and alternative medicines The purpose of this review is to review the role of Ginkgo biloba in the management of autism.

Nigella sativais an annual plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to southern Europe, north Africa and southwest Asia. N. sativa seeds contain fixed oils, proteins, alkaloids (such as nigellicine and nigellidine), quinones (such as thymoquinone), saponin and essential oil. In traditional medicine, it has been used for several diseases such as antihelmintic, amenorrhea, asthma, diabetes, cough, diuretic and lactagogue. Pharmacological and biological activities of N. sativa and its constituents such as thymoquinone have been shown to be antioxidant, anti-ischemia, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant and antitussive.

Background: The application of antioxidant films is a promising strategy for controlling chemical spoilage of food.Objectives: Antioxidant chitosan films incorporated with grape seed extract (GSE) were developed with the objectives of investigation of their characteristics.Methods: Chitosan film was developed by casting method and the effect of different concentrations of GSE (0, 0.5, 1 and 2%) on mechanical, color (accordance with hunter system [L* (luminosity), a* (redness), and b* (yellowness)], antioxidant characteristics, total phenol (TP), and swelling index (SI%) of films were evaluated.Results: Generally, the tensile strength of GSE formulated films was influenced by the concentrations of GSE. The 2% GSE/ chitosan films revealed tensile strength similar to unsupplemented film. Concerning color of chitosan film, results indicated that by incorporating GSE, significant changes on L*, a*, b* values were appeared (p<0.05). The antioxidant activity of GSE formulated films was considerable due to the high source of phenolics. This activity was affected by GSE concentrations, which were significant for film containing 0.5% (37.85%) 1% (39.16%) and 2% (41.57%) GSE in comparison with control (12.34%) (p<0.05). The results also revealed that by increasing the amount of GSE, the TP and SI% were significantly increased.Conclusion: The results indicated that all characteristics of films were influenced by the extent of GSE. Improvement in antioxidant and total phenol of GSE assimilated films is appreciated. Such films are suitable for handle in preserving food.

Background: Glycation is a non enzymatic reaction initiated by the primary addition of sugar to the amino groups of proteins.In the early stage of glyction, the synthesis of intermediates leading to formation of Amadori compounds occurs. In the late stage, advanced glycation end product (AGE) are irreversibly formed after a Complex cascade of reaction.Objective: Survey effect of Papaverine on Human Serum Albumin Glycation.Methods: In this study HSA incubate with Glucose and different papaverine concentration for 42 days at 37oC. also HSA incubate alone (control sample), with Glucose (glycated sample) and with different papaverine concentration (without Glucose) respectively under the same conditions. Then samples survey with circular dichroism fluorescence and UV spectroscopy.Results: HSA glycation increase in proportion to papaverine concentration. samples contain Glucose and papaverine show more change in secondary structure, free amino groups and AGE fluorescence in relation to glycated and control samples.Conclusion: In glycatedα helix and b sheet show 5.7% decrease and 3.1% increase in comparison to control respectively. Glycated show 14.2% fluorescence more than control. Free lys number in glycated show 8% less than control sample. All this cases show more change in samples which contain papaverine and Glucose. Seem papaverine change HSA and cause more lys contact with sugar thus papaverine increase glycation.

Background: Bacillus cereus is a spore-forming food-borne pathogen often associated with food products such as meat, vegetables, soup, rice, and milk and other dairy products. The use of plant-derived antimicrobial compounds such asZataria multifloraBoiss. and Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees. essential oils as natural preservatives inhibits the growth of several pathogens.Objective: The objective of this survey is evaluation the antibacterial combination effect ofmultiflora Boiss. and Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees. essential oils on Bacillus cereusin a food model.Methods: Effects of different concentrations of Zataria multiflora Boiss. and Cinnamomum zeylanicumNees. essential oils on growth of Bacillus cereus were evaluated in commercial barely soup in two storage temperature (10 and 25oC) at certain intervals.Results: The growth of Bacillus cereus was significantly decreased by Zataria multifloraBoiss. essential oil 45 ml 100 ml-1 concentration, combination with Cinnamomum zeylanicumNees. essential oil 30 ml 100ml-1 in 10oC (p<0.05). In 25oC by Zataria multifloraessential oil 30 and 40 ml 100ml-1, the growth of B. cereus was lower significantly (p<0.05).Conclusion: The combination of Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil and Cinnamomum zeylanicumNees. essential oils in 10oC, and Zataria multiflora single in 25oC exhibits inhibitory effects on growth of B. cereus. Combination of these essential oils together in small amounts can inhibit growth of B. cereus significantly; so be maintain the acceptable sensory properties of foods.

Background: The accumulation of beta-amyloid peptide (Ab) in the brain, is the main characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) that cause oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. Melissa officinaliscan protect cells against oxidative damages. This plant is also used in traditional medicine as a memory enhancer and diseases that are associated with neurological disorders.Objective: This study investigated the effects of ethanolic extract of Melissa officinalis on Ab induced neurotoxicity and its antioxidant mechanism.Methods: Aerial parts of Melissa officinalis were extracted with ethanol 80% using maceration method. PC12 cells were incubated with the extract prior to incubation with Ab and cell toxicity, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase activity were measured 24 h later.Results: Incubation of PC12 cells with Ab significantly caused cell death in PC 12 cells, this was accompanied by increasing in ROS and lipid peroxidation but decreasing in glutathione peroxidase activity. Pretreatment withMelissa officinalis extract significantly protected PC 12 cells against Ab induced toxicity and attenuated Ab induced changes in oxidative stress biomarkers in PC 12 cells.Conclusion: Melissa officinalis extract, prevents Ab induced neurotoxicity through attenuating oxidative stress. It may act as an ROS scavenger and can be a candidate for AD therapy.

Background: Because of some adverse effect of chemical food additives such as synthetic antioxidants, it has been considered by researchers to replacing these materials by natural products.Objective: To measure the total phenolic content of Malva sylvestris extract (MSE); to evaluate the antiradical activity of this extract by DPPHo, ABTSo+ and b-carotene bleaching methods (BCB) and to study its application as natural antioxidant in soybean oil.Methods: Total phenolic content (TPC) of MSE was determined by Folin- Ciocalteau method. Antiradical activity was measured by DPPHo, ABTSo+ and BCB methods and compared with synthetic antioxidant BHA. The antioxidant activity of extract was studied in soybean oil (oven test at 70oC) by measuring peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid value (TBA) and conjugated diene (CD) and compared with BHA and BHT (at two level 100 and 200 ppm).Results: MSE was possess 4.5% phenolic compounds in base of dry matter. In DPPHo assay, EC50 of MSE was 0.37±0.01 mg/ml. In ABTSo +assay, maximum antioxidant activity was related to 5 mg/ml concentration of MSE (70% inhibition). In BCB test, maximum antioxidant activity of 0.05-10 mg/ml concentration of MSE was related to its 10 mg/ml concentration of it (52.6%). This extract could retard oxidation process of soybean oil at 400 ppm that was almost equal to BHA at 100 ppm.Conclusion: MSE showed antiradical activity and it seems it can be applied as natural antioxidant in foods containing edible oils.

Background: Urtica dioica, or stinging nettle, is traditionally used in much frequency in northern Iran. A total of nine extracts were prepared using different organic solvents and by two extraction methods, either by using soxhlet extractor or sequential partitions. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of crude extracts were tested.Objective: The main purpose of this study was to determine and compare two methods of extraction and the ability of different kinds of U. dioica crude extracts to inhibit various pathogenic microorganisms.Methods: A selection of extracts that showed any activity was further tested for the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) on nutrient agar and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) on Muller-Hilton agar.Results: Only one extract, ethyl acetate extract of Method II (EAE II) was moderately active against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Vibrio parahaemyticus were 8.33, 8.33 and 0.13 mg/ml for both MIC, respectively. All others were practically inactive. Conclusion: Our finding showed that the method I had high effect on food poisoning bacterial than the method II especially against Bacillus cereus and Vibrio parahaemolytiucus.

Background: Various blood cells with different functions are produced in bone marrow in a process called hematopoiesis.Objective: The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the effect (s) of MS14, as an immunomodulator with natural origin (plant-marine) on the hematopoiesis.Methods: Eight 6-8 weeks old female BALB/c mice were divided to control group (receiving normal saline) and MS14 group (receiving MS14 at 100 mg/kg). Administration of MS14 and normal saline prolongs for five days, and then the mice were anaesthetized and killed. Smear of peripheral blood cells was provided and bone marrow cells were counted and cultured for 48 h. Erythropoietin (20 ng/ml) was added to half of samples.Results: 5 days administration of 100 mg/kg MS14 has augmented the percent of red blood cell of bone marrow (about 2 times). An increase (about 60%) in the percent of peripheral blood neutrophils has been observed as well. Erytroid colonies in bone marrow culture have been increased about 2 times in MS14 group e.i. the mean colony number in each well increased from 7 in control group to 14 in MS14 group and at the presence of erythropoietin from 13 colonies in control to 23 in MS14 group.Conclusion: According to increasing effect of MS14 on the number of erytroid colonies and percent of red blood cells, it can be concluded that hematopoietic processes not only does not adversely affected or inhibited by MS14 but could be significantly augmented when MS14 administered.

Background: Scrophularia striata plant containing anti-inflammatory compounds and have nitric oxide production inhibiting properties. So can be an analgesic and act particularly on inflammatory kind of pain.Objective: The effect of ethanolic extract from aerial parts of Scrophularia striata was investigated on pain with formalin test in the male rats.Methods: In this study 40 Wistar male rats (250 to 300 g) were used and 8 animals were divided into five groups: 1.Control: (solvent), 2- Diclofenac (5 mg/kg), 3-6.Groups: Use extract with doses 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg intraperitoneally. At test time, the extract solved with 10 ml DMSO and diluted by adding PBS and injected into the peritoneum (0.5 ml volume). After 30 minute, 50 ml formalin 2.5% injected to the right foot floor subcutaneously and the animal’s pain behavior were recorded every 15 seconds for about 60 minutes. The final data of both acute and chronic pain phases were analyzed separately by using one-way ANOVA.Results: In the acute phase, administration of 100 and 200 mg/kg doses of Scrophularia striata decreased symptoms of pain than the control group (p<0.05, p<0.01). In the chronic phase, the extract caused a significant reduction in pain scores compared to controls, especially in doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg (p<0.01).Conclusion: Our results showed that peripheral injection of ethanolic extracts of Scrophularia striata can significantly produces analgesic effects and provides most pain alleviation on the chorionic phase of the formalin test.

Background: Increasing human knowledge about adverse effects of chemical preservatives has increased public interest to consume products with natural preservatives such as plant extract and their essential oils.Objective: In this study chemical composition of essential oil of Afsantine and antibacterial effect of its essential oil and aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts against the most important food borne pathogens, salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157: H7, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated.Methods: Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) method was used for chemical composition analysis of the essential oil. Disk diffusion method was done to screen bacterial sensitivity. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) of extracts were evaluated by broth micro-dilution method.Results: The essential oil components were identified and the major constituents of the oil wereBeta Thujone (29.75%) and Phellandrene (20.20%). In disk diffusion method the most sensitive strain to the essential oil and the extracts wasS. typhimurium and E.coli O157: H7. MICs of Afsantine essential oil against S. aureus and L. monocytogenes were estimated 3000 ppm. The methanolic extract showed antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes, E.coli O157: H7, B. cereus and S. aureus were estimated 10, 10, 8 and 4 mg ml-1, respectively.Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that the essential oil and methanlic extract of Afsantine have greater antimicrobial effects on given strains and might be used as a natural preservative in food system.

Background: Trigonelline is known as a valuable metabolite of alkaloids group with the therapeutic affects, especially on diabetes.Objective: In this study the effect of 3 levels of nitrogen compounds (2x, full, and half) of basic MS media including KNO3 and NH4NO3 were evaluated on trigonelline production in suspension culture for normal and hairy roots.Methods: In order to hairy root induction, 2 strains of Agerobacterium rhizogenes (ATCC15834 and K599) via co-cultivation and injection methods were used. After appearing of hairy roots a molecular analysis by PCR and genes primers ofrolB and virDwas conducted to confirm insertion of T-DNA segments in root genome and that the roots were bacteria-free. Then, the hairy and normal roots for investigations of trigonelline production ability were cultured in suspension MS media and the treatments were arranged in an experimental based on Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replications. After 28 days, the trigonelline contain of roots were analyzed by HPLC method.Results: The hairy roots were induced in the parts of plant such as crown, stem and leaf by the both strains of bacteria. The highest amount of trigonelline contain was achieved of the hairy roots cultured in MS2x media and the lowest was achieved in MS1/2N media. (13.98 and 8.74 mM/g dry mater respectively).Conclusion: the results indicate a main role of nitrogenous compounds (especially NH4+) and quick growth of hairy roots in enhancing of trigonelline production.

Background: In Persian traditional medicine, many medicinal plants have been used as analgesics; in which one of them is the distillate ofPhoenix Dactylifera Spathe (PDS) known as "Tarooneh".Objective: This study was conducted to assess the antinociceptive effect of Tarooneh (PDS) hydro alcoholic extract on inflammatory pain induced by formaline in mice.Methods: In this study, 28 male albio mice weighting 25-30 grams, were randomly and equally divided into 4 groups.2, 20 and 200 mg/kg PDS extract and vehicle were administered intraperitomeally to the test and control groups respectively in a volume of 10 ml/kg. Animals were subjected to Formalin test as an animal model for inflammatory pain assessment.Results: Mean pain score induced by formalin test in control group was 1.665±0.0599 while in test groups receiving 2, 20 and 200 mg/kg PDS extract were 1.079±0.0666, 0.9192±0.0822 and 0.3842±0.0658 respectively.Conclusion: data from this study revealed that PDS extract, significantly and dose dependently, attenuated the inflammatory formalin induced pain in mice.

Background: The genus Lippia contains more than 200 species that Lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora) has a high medicinal value. Therefore expansion of its acreage using development of rapid and new propagation methods has a high importance.Objective: The aim of this study was to present a rapid, new and effective method, using nodal segments, for large scale propagation of this plant.Methods: In order to the shoot micropropagation, lateral buds on nodal segments were placed on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of auxin and cytokinin hormones. Root induction was studied in the media containing IBA, NAA and activated charcoal. For acclimatization, plants were transferred to plastic bags containing a mixture of vermiculite, perlite and soil.Results: The highest number of shoots was obtained on the MS medium supplemented with 3 mg/L BAP in combination with 0.1 mg/L IBA and well-developed shoots were rooted on the MS medium with 0.5 mg/L IBA and 2 gr/L activated charcoal.Conclusion: According to the high rate of proliferation in the media supplemented with BAP and IBA (3 and 0.1 mg/L, respectively), this technique can be used instead of conventional propagation methods, as a quick and economical technique to propagation of a wide range of the same plants.

Background: Apoptosis provides solutions for the treatment of cancers and its induction is used as a strategy for preparing drugs that destroy pre-neoplastic cells. Many plant compounds have anti-tumoral activity. ACA-1 plant product is an aqueous extract and has been used in traditional medicine in Iran and has cytotoxicity effect on melanoma cancer cells.Objective: In this study, anti-cancer effect of ACA-1 plant product on gastric adenocarcinoma cells was evaluated and the mechanism of its action was studied.Methods: Cytotoxicity of ACA-1 on gastric adenocarcinoma cells (AGS) and fibroblasts (HgF) was determined after 24 hours of incubation by MTT assay. Annexin V-FITC and PI staining method was used for measuring the cell apoptosis. Activity of Caspase 8 and 9 was assayed by enzymatic method. An ECMatrix was used for determining invasion ability of AGS cells.Results: ACA-1 showed strong and dose - dependent toxicity on AGS cells by induction of early apoptosis. Increase in caspase 8 and 9 activities was involved in this process. Also, ACA-1 decreases the invasion ability on AGS cells.Conclusion: ACA-1 induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells by activating caspase 8 and 9. With respect to decreasing cell invasion of AGS cells, ACA-1 may be considered as a potential candidate against human gastric cancer.

Background: Kazeroon, with about 4060 km2, is situated in the west of Shiraz (Fars province). This region is an important area which shows a great plant biodiversity. Also this ancient region is one of the most important human migration roads in Iran and so traditional usage of medicinal plant is a familiar therapeutic way for native people.Objective: The traditional usages of the medicinal plants of region were focused and therefore some beneficial information was gathered using native people questioning.Methods: Medicinal plant flora of region was studied during 2007-2009. All ancient villages were discovered using various geographical maps and then the vernacular information of plants and their usages were collected from well experienced people and finally the collected plants were identified scientifically.Results: 91 species (87 genera and 39 families) were reported from the rangelands around the Kazeroon. Lamiaceae, with 11 species, and Asteraceae with 9 species were the largest families respectively, andPlantago (Plantaginaceae) with 3 species was the largest genus in the medicinal flora of area.Conclusion: Medicinal plant species are used mainly in remediation of Digestive, Blood Transfer and Urinary system diseases respectively. Studied region shows high degree of species richness and its people are familiar with medicinal plants use. Therefore these traditional and local medicinal usage information of plants are more important and useful for future farmacological investigations.

Objectives: Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of long-term ginger consumption and progressive resistance training on lipid per oxidation and insulin resistance in obese men.Methods: In a randomized double-blind design, 32 obese men (BMI³30) were assigned in to one of four groups: a Placebo (PL, n=8), Ginger group, that consumed 1 gr ginger/d for 10 wk (GI, n=8), resistance training plus Placebo (PLRT, n=8), and 1gr ginger plus resistance exercise (GIRT, n=8). Progressive resistance training was performed three days per week for 10 weeks and included 8 exercises. At baseline and after 10 weeks venous blood samples were obtained from the antecubital vein, and Malondialdehyde (MDA) as an indicator of lipid peroxidation, pectrophotometrically were assayed by measurement of TBARS assay. Moreover, insulin resistance was determined using a homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). Two-way ANOVA were used in the statistical analysis.Results: After 10 weeks of intervention, we observed a significant decrease for MDA concentration in all groups exception Placebo group (P<0.05). Moreover, significant decreases in the mean values of insulin resistance were observed in CIRT and PLRT groups (P<0.05). While it remained unchanged in GI and PL groups (p>0.05)Conclusion: Therefore, according to this results it can be said, that, long term ginger consumptionand resistance training has been an effective therapeutic devise to favorable changes inlipid peroxidation and insulin resistance in obese men.

Background: Health concerns due to adverse effects of chemical preservatives have increased public interest to consuming preservative-free products or product containing natural preservatives such as plant extract and their essential oils.Objective: In this study the antibacterial effect of aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts from petal of saffron against the most important foodborne pathogens salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157: H7, Bacillus cereusand Staphylococcus aureuswere evaluated.Methods: Disk diffusion method was done to screen bacterial sensitivity. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of extracts were evaluated by agar dilution and broth microdilution method Results: The most sensitive strain to extracts was S. typhimurium, and the most resistant strains wereS. aureus and E. coli O157: H7. MICs of all extracts were estimated 40 mgml-1, against all bacteria using agar dilution method. The aqua and methanolic extracts showed antimicrobial activity against all of bacteria by broth microdilution and MIC estimated 40 mgml-1, however MIC of ethanolic extracts estimated 40 mgml-1 for L. monocytogenes, S. aureusand B. cereus, while the MICs for S. typhimurium and E. coli O157: H7were estimated>40 mgml-1.Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that the studied extracts might be potential sources of natural antimicrobial agents, and propose their potential application in food system as a natural preservative.