Journal of Medicinal Plants
Year:2016 | Volume:15 | Issue:58|Papers Count:24

There is no ideal medication for a number of psychiatric and neurologic syndromes. In another words, some patients do not respond properly to synthetic medications or cannot tolerate the possible side effects. In this situation, alternative medicine and in particular herbal medicine can play an important role in the treatment. Of course, we should consider the principals of evidence based medicine in the application of alternative medicine. In this review, we focus on Crocus sativus, a Persian herb with history as long as the history of Iran. Recently a number of products from saffron have been presented for psychiatric and neurologic syndromes.

In the Eastern and ancient communities, use of fungi in treatment of diseases has a long history.However, this topic in the Western and modern societies has not been good known. Cancer is a life-threatening disease with a lot of side effects on patients. Cancer therapeutic failure and high mortality justifies taking advantage of the experimental methods to discover anticancer drugs and find new ways for treatment. In the recent decade, many researchers have concluded that some of the higher basidiomycetes fungi are capable of producing metabolites with anti-cancer effects. Some researchers have shown that two groups of metabolites derived from some mushrooms include low molecular weight (such as Epoxyquinone, Cerebrosid, Hispidin, Illodin M and S) and high molecular weight (such as Lentinan, Schizophyllan, Polysaccharide krestin and Calvacin) affect cancer cells in various ways. These compounds can interfere to the cellular pathways such as inflammation and metastasis through the increase of antioxidant capacity, direct cytotoxic effect, disrupt the vessel–creating, increasing of apoptosis, inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells and increase of tumor cells death with stimulate and activate of the immune system. Although studies on standardization of certain compounds isolated from natural or semi-synthetic effectively mushroom continues, it is necessary to continue efforts on finding the most effective chemical compounds. Hence, in this study we reviewed scientific literatures (1952-2015) with using combination of key words into internet search engine Google and Thomson Reuters Web of Knowledge. The purpose of this paper is presenting the most important mushroom’s methabolites with antitumor effects and results of researches about the use of them for treatment of cancer.

Background: Rumex turcomanicus Czerep. Locally named Sagh-Torshak, is one of native green vegetable medicinally valuable plant belongs to family Polygonaceae, growing spontaneously in Northeast Iran, where its leaves are highly appreciated and consumed. Despite the high consumption, its knowledge is inconsiderable.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of main phytochemical compound in leaf and root parts of R. turcomanicus Czerep. in different phenological stages.Methods: The wild-growing plants were harvested at vegetative, floral budding, full floweringand mature seed stages and dissected into root and shoot tissues, which were dried separately and subsequently assayed for total phenolics, flavonoid, ascorbic acid, oxalic acid content and antioxidant activity, by spectrophotometric method.Results: The results showed considerable contents of phenol, flavonoid and antioxidant activity in roots and shoots of plant, with the higher contents in roots as compared to shoots. Among different phonological stages the highest total phenol, flavonoid, oxalic acid content and antioxidant activity of shoots was obtained in mature seed stage. Ascorbic acid of shoot was highest in floral budding stage. The greatest total phenol and flavonoid content of root was observed in floral budding stage, while the highest antioxidant activity was obtained in mature seed stage. A high negatively correlation was obtained between ascorbic acid and Oxalic acid.Conclusion: The concentrations of secondary metabolites in Rumex turcomanicus Czerep. depend on the phenological stage and tissue of the plant. As plant aged, oxalic acid and ascorbic acid of shoots were increased and decreased, respectively.

Background: Strengthening endogenous antioxidant body system and reduction lipid peroxidation people exposed metabolic syndrome by using resistance training along with herbal supplements is important research topics in the field of health, but in this area are still numerous questions remain unanswered.Objective: The aim of this study was to the effect of nonlinear resistance training and supplementation of licorice on the blood lipoprotein profile in overweight untrained young men.Methods: In a double-blind trial quasi-experimental design, 48 healthy young men overweight by using simple random sampling and were divided into six groups of 8: Nonlinear resistance training with 250 mg of licorice supplementation, Nonlinear resistance training with 500 mg of licorice supplementation, 250 mg of licorice supplementation, Nonlinear resistance training with 250 mg of placebo and Control with 250 mg of placebo.Exercise program was carried out 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Before and after the end of the last training session were measured functional characteristics and anthropometric along with blood samples to measure lipoprotein profile.Results: After 8 weeks, highest percentage of significant changes in serum levels of HDL-C (-10.22 %) observed in the nonlinear resistance training with dose of 500 mg of licorice supplementation.Conclusion: It is suggested, use of licorice along with nonlinear resistance training could be an effective therapy for favorable changes in the lipoprotein profile and reduction start the process of arteriosclerosis.

Background: Using of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors is one of the methods for treatment of Alzheimer disease currently. Plants are rich sources for many bioactive compounds. So searching for new drugs with better properties and fewer side effects from plants is the aim of many studies.Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate acetylcholinesterase activity inhibition by methanol extract of the aerial parts of screened plants, Alcea kurdica (Schlecht.) Alef and Astragalus glumaceus Bioss.Methods: Using a modified version of Ellman’s microplate assay method, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of methanol extracts from various aerial organs (flowers, stems, leaves) of plants Alcea kurdica and Astragalus glumaceus at four different concentrations were investigated. Electric eel acetylcholinesterase was used in this study. Galanthamine, dissolved in methanol, used as a positive control and each experiment was done in triplicate.Results: The results revealed that the methanol extract from flower organ of Alcea kurdica and leaves of Astragalus glumaceus, at 2 mg/ml concentration, inhibited the enzyme activity with 63.45 and 53.58 inhibition percent respectively. Their IC50 values were 0.114 and 0.216 mg/ml respectively. According to the results enzyme inhibition kinetics analysis, methanol extract from flower organs of Alcea kurdica and leaves of Astragalus glumaceus showed competitive and mixed (competitive – noncompetitive) inhibition, respectively.Conclusion: These results suggest that the most effective plant’s organ extracts in this study, be worthy of further investigation with the aim of obtaining new acetylcholinesterase inhibitors with pharmacological applications.

Background: The vermicompost and compost as an alternative of chemical fertilizers for plant nutrient and improvement soil conditions is one of the principles of sustainable agriculture, environmental protection and food safety.Objective: This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of different amounts of municipal solid waste compost and vermicompost on quantitative and qualitative traits of lemon verbena.Methods: Greenhouse experiment was conducted as factorial based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications. In this study three the ratio of the volume of municipal solid waste compost and vermicompost with loamy soil containing 0: 100, 90: 10 and 80: 20 were studied.Results: Effects of municipal compost and vermicompost on all traits were significant (P<0.05) and caused increasing dry weight, plant height, number of leaves, chlorophyll index, photosynthesis, essential oil percentage and oil components. So that level of 20% for each fertilizer had the greatest impact on the studied traits than the control. The interaction effect of compost and vermicompost were significant on dry weight and essential oil percentage (P<0.01), photosynthesis, limonene and linalool percentage of essential oils (P<0.05), But had no significant effect on plant height, number of leaves, chlorophyll index and percentage of essential oil linalool.Conclusion: The effect of vermicompost application was better than compost in all studied traits. Combined use of compost and vermicompost improved qualitative and quantitative traits of lemon verbena compared to individual consumption. But in the treatment of 20% vermicompost with 20% compost was obtained best result. Therefore fertilizers complete each other’s effects.

Background: Production of anti-Toxoplasma drug with high efficacy and low side effect is one of the main priorities in toxoplasmosis researches. Herbal extracts has considered as a candidate for this purpose.Objective: This study was performed in order to determine lethal effect of Artemisia absinthium L., Carum copticum L. and Gossypium hirsutum extracts on Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites in vitro free cell line.Methods: Tachyzoites of T. gondii RH strain were treated with concentrations of 10, 50, 100, and 200 mg/ml of Artemisia absinthium L., Carum copticum L., and Gossypium hirsutum extracts within 10, 30, and 45 min. Afterward, the tachyzoites were stained with alkaline methylene blue.Mortality rates of tachyzoites treated with extracts were determined. The results were analyzed with one way ANOVA and Post Hoc Test by SPSS software. P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: The overall, 100% of tachyzoites were killed at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 mg/ml of Artemisia absinthium L. and 200 mg/ml of Carum copticum L. after 10, 30, and 45 min treatment.The lowest mortality rates at concentration of 10 mg/ml were 19.6±8.4, 4.30±2.26, and 4.63±2.1 for Artemisia absinthium L., Carum copticum L., and Gossypium hirsutum, respectively. The highest and lowest mortality rate of tachyzoites by Gossypium hirsutumin extract was 13.3 ±7.1. The mortality of tachyzoites were confirmed by bioassay in mice.Conclusion: Anti-Toxoplasma activities of Artemisia absinthium L. and Carum copticum L. were significantly higher than Gossypium hirsutum. Further studies in order to clarify effectors are recommended.

Background: Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is one of the most valuable species of Labiateae family. In order to optimize producing secondary metabolisms in balm, the study was conducted to examine producing of dried material and medicinal substances by using methanol and MgSO4 spraying.Objective: According to provide maximum photosynthesis potential through new carbon and Mg sources and reduce loss of metabolic energies, it is probable to have maximum active substance by using the best recommendation of methanol and MgSO4 spraying on Melissa officinalis.Methods: A factorial experiment using the randomized complete design was conducted in the Science and Research Unit of the Islamic Azad University in 2013 with 12 treatments and 3 replications. The factors included 4 levels of methanol (0, 10, 20, and 40%) and 3 levels of manganese sulfate (0, 0.5, and 1 g/l). After seedling transplantation and establishment, methanol was sprayed three times at 15-intervals at midday (one of these sprays was carried out together with the first methanol spray). At the start of flowering, plant organs were harvested and foliage extraction was performed. The essential oil in each treatment was analyzed using GC and GC/MS.Results: The table of ANOVA showed the mutual effects of methanol and manganese sulfate on percentage essential oil and on its performance were significant at the 1% probability level.Conclusion: Results of GC and GC/MS indicated the maximum percentages of lemon balm essential oil constituents were those of the treatment in which 40% methanol and 0.5 g/l manganese sulfate were applied.

Background: Ginger Zingiber officinale has been used as a medicine since ancient times.Objective: This study has been concentrated on identification of chemical compositions of essential oils of Indian and Chinese gingers. Also, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Chinese oil were determined.Methods: The first species was collected from India Province and other was purchased from Iranian markets. The essential oils were obtained by Hydrodistillation in a Clevenger type apparatus and were dried over anhydrous Sodium Sulphat. The yields of essential oils were 1.45 and 1.3% w/w, respectively. Then, the oils stored at+4oC in the dark place until analysis.The chemical compositions of essential oils were analysis by GC and GC/MS method. The identification of the essential oils components was based on calculation of retention Indices and comparison of mass spectra with standards. The Chinese oil was subjected to screening for its possible antioxidant and cytotoxic activities by means DPPH and MTT assays, respectively.Results: 46 constituents were identified in the essential oils. The major constituents of Indian species were a-Zingiberene (28.25%) b-Sesquiphellandrene (15.65%), a-Curcumene (15.23%) and trans-g-Cadinene (11.88%). In Chinese species a-Zingiberene (35.67%) b- Sesquiphellandrene (15.27%), trans-g-Cadinene (9.25%) and E-Citral (6.0%) were main components. In the DPPH test and the MTT test systems, the IC50 values of Iranian ginger essential oil were 80.7 and 72.6 mg/ml, respectively.Conclusion: The main class of the compounds were found in these species to be sesquiterpenes. Chinese ginger essential oil exhibited the strong cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity at low concentration.

Background: Premature ejaculation is the most common disorder in men. Different methods have been proposed to recover this problem while, often most of them have been unsuccessful in practice due to multiple after comes.Objective: Our study aimed to compare the effect of combination extracts of “Boswellia serrata” and “Lavandula angustifolia” and placebo on recovery of premature ejaculation.Methods: Both plants were extracted and formulized for administration. Choosing patients was based on medical standards, questionnaire of premature ejaculation and standard criteria test. The proper cases were categorized randomly in one of three groups under study regarding DSM5 criteria. The number of samples in each group has hypothesized 30 and investigation continued for two month for all groups: oral extract administered group, placebo treatment group and no premature treatment as a control group. The scores gained form fast ejaculating questionnaire were assessed in early stages of treatment (pretest), one month after treatment (posttests), and two month after treatment (fallow).Results: The results showed that combination therapy with plant extracts was significantly potent to reduce premature ejaculation performance scores index than placebo and control group; the F value calculated for assessing drug effect in recovery of premature ejaculation in various stages will be meaningful in the level of 0.05 (F=14.23, P<0.05).Conclusion: It seems that, compounds of “Boswellia serrata” and “Lavandula angustifolia” extract can be effective in recovery of premature ejaculation opioid addicted patients. The mechanism and effective ingredients causing this effect are needed to be further investigated.

Background: Using of elicitors and different compounds in cell suspension culture is an effective strategy for enhancement and improvement of important secondary metabolites production in in vitro conditions.Objective: Evaluation of the effects of L-tyrosine and its combination with biological elicitors such as chitosan and salicylic acid on thebaine production in Iranian poppy cell suspension cultures at different days after elicitation.Methods: Different concentrations of L-tyrosine (1 and 2 mM) individually and in combination with chitosan (100 mg/L) and salicylic acid (50 mg/L) was applied on cell cultures, and then, pH and EC of medium, and also thebaine content of cells were measured on 2, 4 and 6 days after treatment.Results: The highest thebaine content of cells (42.30 mg/L) was obtained in 1 mM L-tyrosine on six days after treatment, which was significantly higher than the control. In addition, there was a relation between thebaine content of cells and pH and ECof culture medium. With increasing the thebaine content of cells, pH of medium was increased and EC of medium was decreased.Conclusion: Feeding of Iranian poppy cell suspension cultures with L-tyrosine (precursor of alkaloids biosynthesis) was improved thebaine production. So that, 1 mM L-tyrosine increased the thebaine content of cells up to 22.26-fold compared with control.

Background: Retard absorption of glucose by the inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes is one of the therapeutic approaches to decrease the postprandial hyperglycemia.Commercial a-glucosidase inhibitors exhibited some serious side effects. So a great deal of attention has been paid to natural products like plants, as a reliable source for bioactive compounds.Objective: The aim of this study was to find new potent inhibitors for Alpha-glucosidase among plant extracts.Methods: Hexane extracts of 60 plants species were screened for their Alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity at 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/mL concentration. Alpha-glucosidase activity was determined spectrophotometrically at 405 nm on a Sunrise microplate reader (Tecan- Switzerland) by measuring the quantity of p-nitrophenol released from pNPG. Acarbose, dissolved in buffer, was used as a positive control. The assay was performed in triplicate. The concentration of the extract required to inhibit 50% of Alpha-glucosidase activity under the assay conditions was defined as the IC50value. The results are reported as %I ± SD.Results: Descurania sophia (L.) Webb & Berth, Fumaria vailantii Loisel, Ferula Haussknechti Wolf & Rech, Haplophyllum acutifolium (DC.) G.Don, Isatis cappadociaca Desv., Eremostachys laevigata Bunge, Silene aucheriana Boiss., exhibited more than 60% alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Among them, Descurania sophia, Fumaria vailantii and Ferula haussknechti exhibited significant alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 0.9 mg/ml, 24.55 mg/ml and 2.71 mg/ml, respectively.Conclusion: Because of its high inhibitory activity and low IC50, hexane extract of Descurania sophia would be interesting for further detailed studies to find and characterize any new inhibitor for Alpha-glucosidase.

Background: Thyme is one of the mint family geniuses that belongs to Nepetoideae subfamily. This plant has been known as an antiseptic, antispasmodic and antitussive. Thyme essential oil has many properties that one of which is antioxidant activity.Objective: The aim of this study was the investigation of seven thyme oils and the comparison of their antioxidant activities. In this paper, seven species of thyme essential oils from different regions have been collected and dried.Methods: The essential oil was extracted by using a Clevenger-type apparatus as British pharmacopoeia for four hours. Obtained essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) technique.Results: Different compounds were identified in the essential oils with different percentages.The main compound in Thymus daenensis and Thymus vulgaris was thymol with percentage of 43.8 for the former and 45.1 for the latter. The dominate compounds in Thymus migricus, Thymus eriocalyx, Thymus serpylum, Zataria multiflora and Thymus kotschyanus were linalool (41.8%), geraniol (61.8%), para cymene (23.8%), carvacrol (57.7%), and Pulegone (37.2%), respectively. Antioxidant activity of essential oils was measured by 2, 2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging test.Conclusion: Antioxidant activities of Thymus vulgaris, Thymus daenensis, and Zataria multiflora were higher than the other essential oils.

Background: Herbal compounds like Garlic essential oil have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. They could be effective in microbial control of inside contents when combined by natural and biodegradable coating films such as Chitosan and result in strengthened effects.Objective: Antimicrobial effect increase by using Garlic essential oil in Chitosan film for packaging a food stuff for instance was aimed to be investigated.Methods: Chitosan film was prepared by casting method. Glycerol as plasticizer and tween80 as emulsifier were used with different levels of garlic essential oil (0, 0.5, 1 and 2%).Then homogenization and molding were performed. After packaging the food stuff with various kinds of films and storage in 4c microbial tests were conducted in days 0, 2, 4, 7, 10 and 14. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS software.Results: Controls showed a significant difference (P£0.05) for Total Count, Coliform, Staphylococcus aurous and Sychrotrophs when compared with samples packaged with different chitosan films. At the end of the study, Total count in those samples covered with chitosan film containing 2, 1 and 0.5% garlic essential oil was reduced by 1.5, 1.1 and 1 log compared with control respectively.Conclusion: Garlic essential oil addition showed a significant synergistic effect in microbial inhibition with packaging by Chitosan films. Therefore, this combination could be used in future to extend the shelf life of food stuff and may also drug materials.

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a xenobiotic estrogenic compound and can also cause oxidative stress in testis tissue.Objective: This study was preformed to investigate the effect ginger extract against toxicity induced with BPA in mice testis tissue.Methods: Forty adult male mice (NMRI) were divided into 4 equal groups such as: control, bisphenol A (240 mg/kg/day), ginger extract (500 mg/kg/day) and bisphenol A+ginger extract.The mouse were treated orally for 34 days. Finally, the rats were weighted and right testis was removed, fixed, sectioned and stained according to Heiden Hain Azan method. Subsequently the testicular tissue different parameters were studied using stereological methods. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and testosterone levels were also determined. Data were analyzed with one-way Anova and means difference was considered significant when P<0.05.Results: The testis weight, total volume of testis, volume of seminiferous tubules and its diameter and height of the germinal epithelium, total number spermatids, spermatocytes, sertoli cells and spermatogenesis indexs significantly decreased in bisphenol A group compared to the control group (P<0.04). A significant increase in MDA and significant decrease in the serum testosterone levels was found in bisphenol A group compared with control group (P<0.001). Above parameters were partially compensated in BPA+GE group compared with BPA group.Conclusion: Ginger extract seems to have a protective role in bisphenol A induced toxicity in testis tissue. So ginger may be useful in improving the adverse effects of bisphenol A on male reproductive system.

Background: Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), is a member of a Lamiaceae family with antibacterial and antioxidant properties in essential oils which composed of phenylpropanoids.The evidence shows that plant hormones effective on the genes expression and increases the production of secondary metabolites.Objective: The aim was to determine chanes in the content of total phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanin and antioxidant of basil at different stages, using growth regulators.Methods: This research was carried out at the Biotechnology research institute of university of zabol, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete design with 3 replications. The treatments were growth regulators (with 0.1 mM/l gibberellic acid, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid and control (sprayed with distilled water without growth regulators)) and growth stages (seedling, perflowering and flowering) and harvested after 24 hours post treatments at different stages.Results: Results showed a significant effect of growth regulators and different growth stages on the content of total phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanin and antioxidant.Total phenolics, flavonoids indicate a significant increased. Generally, the maximum amounts of the content of total phenols, flavonoids was obtained in 0.1 mM jasmonic acid, gibberellic acid in compared to the control at flowering stage. factors consist of anthocyanins, ascorbate, catalase and guaiacol peroxide activity, considerably were increased by salicylic acid and gibberellic acid compared to the cotrol at flowering stage (P£0.05).Conclusion: The phenol compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanin and antioxidant enzymes which were increased oxidative stress, resulting from the absorption of hormones, activation of antioxidant plant and the key role of PAL.

Background: Common cold is the most common infection in children and has multiple complications including acute otitis media, sinusitis and pneumonia.Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Echinacea in lowering the incidence of common cold and its complications in 1 to 5 years old children.Methods: In a randomized clinical trial 100 children aged 1 to 5 years old were included in the study. Children were randomly assigned either to receive Echinacea (0.5 ml daily for children 1- 2 y/o and 2 ml daily for children 2-8 y/o) and the other group as control did not consumed medication for 3 months. Children were followed for 3 months for occurrence of acute upper respiratory tract infection (URI), sinusitis and otitis media. Chi-Square and T-test were used for data analysis.Results: Two groups were similar in baseline characteristics. The incidence of URI and sinusitis was lower in Echinacea group (P<0.05) but the incidence of acute otitis media was not different in two groups. The frequency of URI, sinusitis and otitis did not differ between two groups.Conclusion: Echinacea is effective and safe and is recommended for prophylaxis of common cold and for prevention of its complications in children.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of major public health problem in many countries. Pentavalent antimonite components as first line treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis has many limitations and side effects.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigatethe cytotoxic effect of methanolic extract of Terminalia chebula Retz fruit on the Leishmania major in vitro.Methods: Terminalia chebula Retz fruit extract with 80, 125, 250 and 500 mg/ml concentrations with leishmania promastigotes were added to 96-well plate as 4-time repeated and incubated in 21oC. Viability percent of promastigotes was estimated by direct counting and MTT assay; after 24, 48 and 72 hours. Terminalia chebula Retz extract with80 and 250 mg/ml were added to infected macrophages. The mean of amastigotes in each macrophage was obtained after 24 and 48 hours. Statistical analysis of data was done by SPSS software and one-way ANOVA test.Results: viability percent of promastigotes in groups treated by maximum and minimum concentrations (500 and 80 mg/ml) of Terminalia chebula Retz after 24 hours was 19.01% and 98.65%, respectively.Viability of this groups after 48hours was 7.81% and 97.26% and after 72 hours it was 31.61% and 97.26%, respectively. IC50 for 24 hours was 114.10 mg/ml. Cytotoxicity of Terminalia chebula Retz extract (80 and 250 mg/ml) in amastigotes after 24 hours was 40.35% and 29.99%; and after 48 hours was 45.21% and 41.11%, respectively.Conclusion: extract of Terminalia chebula Retz fruit has cytotoxic effect on the promastigotes and amastigotes of L. major in vitro.