Journal of Medicinal Plants
Year:2008 | Volume:7 | Issue:26|Papers Count:15

Background: It has been shown that Salvia leriifolia Benth. has various pharmacological effects such as anti-hyperglycemia, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, muscle relaxant and sedative effect. There is a considerable potential for usage of this plant during pregnancy. However, its effects on embryonic development have not been examined. Objective: In this study, the in vivo fetotoxicity of S. leriifolia aqueous and alcoholic extracts were evaluated in mice. Method: For this purpose, 10% and 30% of the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) of aqueous or alcoholic extracts were daily injected intraperitoneally in pregnant mice on GD=6 (Gestation Day) to GD=14. On GD=18, embryos were harvested by Cesarean section and then morphological structures and skeletal anomalies were evaluated. Other embryos were fixed and stained for bone and cartilage assessments.Results: Both doses of alcoholic and aqueous extracts caused significant decrease in weight gain of pregnant mice; length and weight of fetuses were also reduced remarkably compared to the control group. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts caused some abnormalities such as spina bifida, limb abnormalities, abdominal bleeding, and bone abnormalities. Conclusion: This study presents strong evidence that S. leriifolia can cause numerous embryotoxicities. Thus, pregnant women should be careful in using this herb during pregnancy and it is best to avoid its use until further studies are performed.

Background: Garlic (Allium sativum Linn.) has been used as a spice in many ancient cultures from olden times. Today, biochemical investigations have shown different components responsible to nutritional and therapeutic properties of garlic, in particular antimicrobial effect of it.Objective: Aim of this study is in vitro assessment of potential of inhibitory function of aqueous extract of garlic on pathogenic microorganism isolated from wounds and clinical injuries.Method: The garlic bulbs were used in this investigation, produced in east of Gilan. Aqueous extract of garlic was prepared on Shukla and Taneja method19. The extract was used in five dilutions (10%, 20%, 40%, 60% and neat). Also microorganisms were used in this examination were divided in two categories: Control and clinical isolated microorganisms. The agar disk diffusion test was used as microbiological examination.Results: According to results of this investigation, minimum inhibition concentration was approximate 60% and also the most sensitive organism to aqueous extract of garlic  was Streptococcus pyogenes  and the least sensitive organism to this extract was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (p<0.05).Conclusion: With attention to our finding and other related reports in this field, it could be concluded aqueous extract of garlic has considerable antimicrobial effect on current clinical wound pathogen microorganism. Therefore, before application of this extract as antimicrobial agent, it must be evaluated in vivo and clinically.

Background: Silybum marianum has been recognized as an antihepatotoxic plant. The active constituents of Silybum marianum include a group of flavonolignans known collectively as silymarin. Slymarin production by cultured cells of Silybum marianum has already been reported. Also, it was reported that physiochemical factors can influence silymarin production in S. marinum cell cultures.Objective: Evaluation the affect of sugar source on flavonolignan production in S. marianum callus cultures.Method: Callus culture of S. marianum were established by transferring seedling on solidified MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l 2, 4 dichlorophenoxy acetic acid and 0.2 mg/l kinetin. Optimal callus were subcultured to medium containing different concentration of sugars including fructose, glucose, and sucrose. Then cultures were harvested after 28 days, dried and extracted with methanol. Quantitative analyses of flavonolignans were carried out using spectrophotometric method.Results: Higher levels of flavonolignans accumulation were observed in cultures containing 6% of all three sugars comparing with concentrations of 3% and 1.5%.Conclusion: It seems flavonolignans production in callus culture of S. marianum influenced by concentration of sugars rather than of sugars type.

Bachground: The ideal drug for treatment of wide range of supraventricular arrhythmia has yet to be developed. For cardiovascular disease, herbal treatments are suitable alternatives for synthetic drugs due to their availability, minimal side effects and lower price. Previous studies showed antihypertensive, negative inotropic activities of Urtica dioica (Nettle).Objectives: The aims of the present study were: 1) to determine concentration-dependent effects of ethanolic extract of nettle on the nodal basic and functional properties. 2) To campare mechanism of action nettel with ouabaine.Method: Male Newsland rabbits (1-1.3 kg) were used in all of experiments; various experimental stimulating protocols (WBCL; Recovery, Facilitation, Fatigue) were applied to assessing electrophysiological properties of Node. We used isolated perfused AV-nodal preparation (n=24). All protocols were repeated in the presence and absence (control) of different concentration (0.25 - 0.5-1 g/l) of Nettle and ouabaine (0.1mM). Results were shown as Mean ± SE and a probability of 5% was taken to indicate statistical significance. Results: We had considerable depression in basic and functional properties of node after adding Nettle, as WBCL, Effective refractory period, Functional refractory period  and nodal conduction Time significantly increased (p<0.05). In addition magnitude of fatigue (D AH) and D FRP (Amount of facilitation) significantly increased (p<0.05).Conclusion: The above results showed potential antiarrhythmic properties of "Urtica dioica” by increasing fatigue and nodal refractoriness. Therefore, it may be considered for treatment of supraventicular arrhythmias.

Background: There is moment more than 1 billion people who are suffer with malaria disease and each year it causes up to 2 million deaths therefore it is shown that malaria is the worlds worst health problem. The value of insecticides in malaria control is much reduced. Tagetes minuta L. is effective deterrents of numerous insect pests. Tagetes minuta L. is an annual plant, grows to the temperate grasslands and mountainous regions of southern South America, including of Argentina, Brazil and Peru. Tagetes minuta L. have a long history of human use as beverage, condiment and ornamentals as medicinal decoctions. Essential oil of T. minuta is used in perfume, food and cosmetic industries as "Tagetes Oil".Objective: Chemical composition and antilarval effects of the essential oil of Tagetes minuta L. cultivated in Iran was investigated.Method: In this study component of the essential oil of dried and fresh Tagetes minuta L. were investigated by GC and GC/MS and larvicidal effect of these essential oil were evaluated against Anopheles stephensi larvae٫s.Results: The yield of volatile oil of dried plant was 1% and for fresh plant was 1/1%. Major constituents of the essential oil of dried plant were contained: trans-Ocimenone (19.89%), Cis-Ocimene (17.67%), dihydrotagetone (5.56%), Cis-Tagetone (5.03%), and for fresh plant contains: Cis-Ocimene (33.7%), Cis-Ocimenone (9.6%), transOcimenone (8.12%), limonene (5.5%), allocimene (5.4) and Cis-tagetone (4.95%). The effectiveness of various concentrations of total essential oil on malaria vector larvae, Anopheles stephensi were investigated and probit mortality all the parameters including LC50 and 95% of confidence interval, LC90 and 95% confidence interval were determined. They were:     LC50: 1.3015mg/l, LC90: 5.0719 mg/l respectively for dried plant, the figures for fresh were:      LC50: 1.0532 mg/l, LC90: 3.8311 mg/l.Conclusion: In this research, we studied on essential oil of T. minuta to find some natural product with less side effect on ecosystem and maximum efficacy. Result of our study showed that the essential oil of Tagetes minuta L. which was grown in Iran-Tehran (Zard - Band) had a great amount of biological effect on the larvae of Anopheles stephensi. Therefore, the essential oil of this plant offers a valuable candidate for potential development of a botanical larvicide for malaria vectors control.

Background: Artemisia absinthium L. (common wormwood) has been widely used in traditional medicine. The plant contains toxic components: a and b-thujone, therefore, it should be used with caution.Objective: Since common wormwood is considered to be a toxic plant, we decided to evaluate toxic compounds quantities in those used in Iranian folk market.Method: Five samples were purchased from Tehran markets. Essential oil of the flowers was obtained by water distillation. Essential oils were injected to gas chromatograph and their thujone content were determined according to the calibration curve. Results: The results showed that a -thujone is absent in all samples and b -thujone content in the essential oils is much less than its amount reported from other countries.Conclusion: Since the quantities of toxic compounds are low in the plant growing in Iran, it is proposed that Artemisia absinthium L. can be studied for its some medical uses.

Background: The kinds of pollutants such as heavy metals, especially, can be removed from water and waste water by biological materials via biosorption. These heavy metals can be also recovered by adsorbents. The mentioned methods have more importance due to the advantages such as cheapness. Method: In this study marine red alga Gerasilaria sp. was used as an aquatic fern to remove Ni2+in the flow operation. Glass columns with an internal diameter of 2 Cm and 35 Cm in length were investigated as a packed column.Results: The adsorption process with influencing factors such as initial concentrations, pH, retention time (15, 30 and 45 min), and adsorbent dosage (2.5 and 3.5 g) in temperature home were considered. Synthetic solution of Ni (II) in distilled water was prepared using NiCl2.6H2O (97%) with initial concentrations 25, 40, 70 mg/L.Conclusion: The maximum uptake at pH=5 were obtained 83.01%, 80.69% and78.23% respectively. An atomic absorption spectrometer (GBC-932) was used for analyses of the artificial waste after exposure to alga. It was shown that the non-living Gerasilaria sp. adsorb according to Langmuier physical low and the kinetic studies was appeared that all of the used non-living alga samples adsorbed according to a second order model of kinetic

Background: Broccoli inflorescences are rich in health promoting compounds such as vitamin C which may contribute to the high antioxidant capacity found in freshly- harvested broccoli. However, high looses of this essential compound has been reported after harvesting.Objective: Modified atmosphere packaging has been shown to be potentially useful in storability and quality retention of Broccoli florets; however, supplemental methods of extending shelf life are desirable because of the high fermentation product.Method: In this way florets were treated post harvest with benzyl adenine at 50 ppm before packaging in polymeric bags (polyethylene and polypropylene) and storage at 1ºC. Factors including ethylene production, chlorophyll, vitamin C, fermentation product, appearance, pH and titrable acidity were measured every three day intervals. Results: During storage of cytokinin treated florets under MAP, all changes related with loss of quality were reduced and delayed with time. Additionally vitamin C remained almost unchanged. This improved retention was mainly due to decreased ethylene production. Conclusion: Cytokinin treatment significantly reduced fermentation product in packaged broccoli.

Background: Achillea millefolium has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. It has many indications including treatment of heart weakness, hypertension cerebral and coronary thrombosis in traditional system of medicine.Objective: The purpose of this study is an investigation on effects of Achillea millefolium total extract on electrocardiogram, cardiac enzymes and serum electrolytes in sheep.Method: In this study, 12 clinically healthy sheep were divided into 2 groups of treatment and control. The treatment group were administered intravenously a total extract of Achillea millefolium in the dose of 20 mg/kg. The control group received normal saline. Base-apex electrocardiogram was recorded in 0, 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after administration and blood samples were collected in 0, 2, 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours after administration. Serum cTnT, CK-MB, AST, Na, P, K, Ca, Mg and Cl were measured. Results: Total extract of Achillea millefolium significantly (p<0.05) increased P amplitude after 5 and 90 minutes and S amplitude after 120 minutes; and decreased T duration after 15 minutes following administration. Achillea millefolium had no significant effect on serum enzymes and electrolytes.Conclusion: Regarding that Achillea millefolium extract increased cardiac contractility after 2 hours, detailed studies on the active constituents are needed which might provide new insight in cardiovascular drugs.

Background: Phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP) catalyses the dephosphorylation of phosphatidate to diacylglycerol and Pi. This reaction is a rate limiting and regulatory step in glycerolipid metabolism. The diacylglycerol is a precursor to the synthesis of phospholipids and triglycerides.Objective: In this study, the effect of Pistacia atlantica nut powder on liver PAP activity, liver triglyceride and serum lipid profile were investigated.Method: Four groups of rats (n=6/group) were fed with normal diet or normal diet plus10% W/W of pistachio nut powder for 15 and 60 days. At end of two periods, liver PAP activity, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL - C, LDL-C, VLDL - C and liver triglyceride content was measured. Results: Results showed that feeding rats with pistachio nut powder for 15 days had significantly increased cholesterol in all lipoprotein fractions and reduced liver content of triglyceride.(p<0.05). Although, liver PAP activity was reduced approximately 11%, it was not significantly different as compared to the control group (p>0.05). On the other hand, rats fed for 60 days with pistachio nuts had no significant difference compared with the control group in all lipoprotein fractions (p>0.05), whereas the liver content of triglycerides significantly decreased (p<0.05). In addition, liver PAP activity also decreased nearly 16% in compare to the control group.Conclusion: It can be concluded that pistachio nut had ability to reducing the rats liver content of triglyceride.

Background: Diabetes mellitus type II is a chronic disease that is defined as insulin resistance situation and results in hyperglycemia and even some metabolic complications. Most of the uncontrolled type II diabetic patients preferred to continue oral therapy or alternative therapy such as herbal medicine instead of insulin therapy.Objective: We conducted this study to assess the effects of Silybum marrianum L. seed extract (silymarin) an herbal medicine on glycemic control in type II diabetes mellitus in patients who are intended to be under insulin therapy.Method: A 2-month randomized clinical trial study was conducted in two-well-matched groups of type II diabetes patients candidate for insulin therapy. One group (n=30) received 200 mg silymarin tablet three times per day plus standard therapy, while the control group (n=30) received placebo plus standard therapy. The patients were visited monthly and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), fasting blood glucose (FBS), blood sugar 2 hour post prandial (BS 2hpp), total cholesterol, LDL and HDL, triglyceride, creatinine, SGOT and SGPT levels were determined at the beginning and the end of the study after two months.Results: There was significant decrease in HbA1C levels from 9.81 to 8.25 at the end of the study in silymarin treated group but it was increased from 9.83 to 10.21 in placebo treated group. In silymarin treated group the fasting blood glucose 196 mg/dl blood sugar 2 hour post prandial 268 mg/dl, total cholesterol 211mg/dl, and LDL cholesterol129 mg/dl was decreased significantly to 160 mg/dl, 218 mg/dl, 193 mg/dl and 107mg/dl respectively. In placebo treated groups there was no significant change in any blood parameters after 2-months as compare to beginning of the study. Statistical analysis indicate that the decrease in HbA1C, fasting blood glucose and blood sugar 2 hour post prandial levels after two months was significantly decrease in silymarin treated group as compare to placebo treated group.Conclusion: Treatment of silymarin 600 mg in 3 divided doses showed positive glycemic control as well as hypolipidemic effect in type II diabetic patients need to be under insulin therapy.

Background: Tribulus terrestris L. is a traditional herbal medicine used for treatment of hypertension, urinary tract inflammation, kidney and bladder stones.Objectives: The present study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of Tribulus terrestris (T.T.) fruit extract on rat blood glucose at acute and chronic phases compered with glibenclamide as the standard hypoglycemic drug.Method: 60 wistar male rats with 200-250 gr weight were selected and caged in same environmental condition. Diabetes was induced by 50mg/kg streptozocin intraperitoneal (ip) injection. After 15 days the rats with fasting blood sugar (FBS) above 200mg/dl were selected and divided into 10 groups of 6 rats each. The T.T. fruit extract in doses of 15, 30, 60, 150, 250, 500, 750, 1000 mg/kg for acute phase and 500, 750, 1000 mg/kg for chronic phase were selected for ip injected. FBG and 2 hour post prandial blood sugar (2hrPPBS) were determined every 20 days during 2 month of the study and fasting blood insulin were determined at the end of the study.Results: The results of this study indicate that in 750 and 1000mg/kg doses of  T.T. fruit extract groups FBS and 2hrPPBS reduced significantly (p=0.000) compere to glibenclamide group.Conclusion: T.T. fruit extract at the doses of 750 and 1000mg/kg has antihyperglycemic effect in diabetic rats.