Journal of Medicinal Plants
Year:2012 | Volume:11 | Issue:SUPPLEMENT 9|Papers Count:32

Cassia angustifolia Vahl. is a valuable medicinal plant and drought-resistant shrub belonging to Caesalpinaceae that, in general, known as senna. The origin of this plant is Saudia Arabia and Somalia where it has naturalized in India. The leaves and pods contain two anthraquinones: Sennoside ‘A’ and ‘B’, which are extensively used as a laxative in pharmaceutical industry. The plant also contains rhein, chrysophenol, emodin and aloe-emodin. Besides being an excellent laxative, senna is also used as a febrifuge in splenic enlargements, anaemia, typhoid, cholera, biliousness, jaundice, gout, rheumatism, tumours, and bronchitis. This study reviewed the most important chemical constituents in senna and its therapeutic properties.

Background: Mentha piperita and Thymus vulgaris are two important species of family Lamiaceae that abundantly used in pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and hygienic industries.Objective: Objectives in this study were the effect of different concentration of auxin and fungi Piriformospora indica and Sebacina vermifera on the growth and development of peppermint and thyme in vitro condition.Methods: Two distinct experiments were conducted; the first evaluate the effect of different auxin levels (IAA، NAA، IBA) on M. piperita and T. vulgaris growth, and the second examined the effect of two fungi Piriformospora indica and Sebacina vermifera on plant height, root length, shoots and root weight in in vitro in a completely randomized design.Results: The first study suggested the most effective hormone dose for the M. piperita growth was 1mg per liter of IBA and in the T. vulgaris it was 1 mg per liter of IAA. Increasing of the hormone doses resulted in growth decrease. The second study evolved that growth of the plants inoculated with fungi increased significantly. The data indicated that the plants inoculated with S. vermifera were the highest of all and the plants inoculated with P. indica had the most weight. The nodes of M. piperita and numbers of shoots in T. vulgaris increased significantly.Conclusion: These results indicate that the best hormone for tissue culture peppermint and thyme are 1mg per liter of IBA and IAA, respectively. Also using these fungi can increase grow and development of plants.

Background: Essential oils contain a large variety of volatile secondary metabolites such as terpenes, terpenoides, phenolic and aliphatic derivative. Nowadays, These compounds extensively used in Pharmaceutical, sanitary and cosmetic industries. Antimicrobial activity of these oils and their components such as a-pinene and b-pinene, the main essential oil constituent of some Hypericum spp., have been reported.Objective: This study was conducted to identify the constituents of essential oil in three Hypericum species in Iran to compare differences among their major volatile constituents.Methods: Essential oils were extracted by hydro-distillation of fresh plant materials using Clevenger apparatus. The essential oils were analyzed by both gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography −mass spectrometry (GC-MS).Results: Monoterpens were found as the major constituent of essential oil in H. perforatum L. and H. patulum Thunb. However, n-alkans were the major constituent of the oil in H. tetrapterum Frise. In this study, a-Pinene (21.88%) was found to be the most abundant compound in the H. perforatum whilst b- Pinene (30.20%) and n-undecane (30.84%) were the main constituents of H. patulum and H. tetrapterum essential oils respectively.Conclusion: In this study, we found that the different plant species made a remarkable difference in the essential oil constituents. In this study the most component of essential oils of H. perforatum and H. patulum were a-Pinene and b-Pinene respectively and this component can be make them promising for treatment of infectious diseases such as infectious endocarditis.

Background: Pyrus glabra (wild pear: Pyrus glabra Boiss) is a perennial plant of the Rosaceae family which is endemic Iran’s flora. Seeds are containing essential oil and substances that had many medicinal and nutritional properties.Objective: The experiment was carried out to determine the oil composition and fatty acids amount of Pyrus glabra seeds. The present research is the first report on the quality, oil content, and Fatty acids of the oil extracted from Pyrus glabra in Iran.Methods: In order to determine the seed oil percent and composition of fatty acids, the soxhlet method and gas chromatography (GC) were used.Results: Amount of oil obtained from Pyrus glabra seeds was 33%. Based on the analysis of fatty acids by GC, major fatty acids in seeds of Pyrus glabra plant were ten compounds. Oleic acid (48.70) and linoleic acid (39.62) were recognized major fatty acids of oil. Other fatty acids identified were Palmitic, Palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, acid hepta decenoic, margaric acid, acid arachidic, arachidonic acid and linolenic acid.Conclusion: Overall, we can use Pyrus glabra seed in native sanitary and pharmaceutical industries because of its proper oil content, unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant properties.

Background: Environmental factors have obvious effect on the growth, yield and quality of effective materials of the medicinal plants, then it is necessary to study the factors effectiveness on the medicinal plants and specially the nutrition and fertilizer are important considerably. Fennel is one of the most important medicinal plants in Iran which is applied in pharmacy and cosmetics care industries very much.Objective: Study of effectiveness nitrogen levels on qualitative and seed yield in fennel.Methods: This investigation was carried out as splite plot design with three replications and N fertilizer and fennel population factors in spring 2008. Main factor included fertilization levels (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg/ha N) and sub factor were fennel populations (Esfahan, Tehran, Yazd and 11486).Results: There was significant difference among populations for essential oil% content in seed, essential oil% in aerial parts, protein%, ash% and seed yield. The effect of different N levels was significant on the essential oil% content in seed, essential oil% in aerial parts, protein%, fiber% and seed yield.Conclusion: The highest seed yield was belonged to Esfahan and Tehran populations at 160 kg/ha N rate, the Maximum essential oil% was in seed obtained 40 kg/ha N rate application in 11486 population. Result showed that response of different populations of fennel to Nitrogen was different and also showed the genetic had important role.

Background: Galbanum is one of the endemic medicinal-industrial plants of Iran that is extincting because of irregular and unsuitable harvesting from natural habitats and its propagation problems.Objective: In this study, in vitro germination of zygotic embryo of galbanum (originated from Esfahan) was investigated.Methods: The effects of medium (B5 and 1/4 MS), hormonal treatment (0 and 0.5 mgl-1 GA3), duration of cold treatment of cultured embryos (0 and 6 days) and light condition of cultures (for first week in darkness and then under 16-h photoperiod or only under 16-h photoperiod) factors on embryo germination and characteristics of obtained plantlets were investigated.Results: Maximum embryo germination (100%) was obtained. GA3 caused more height of shoot and less diameter of basal ring in obtained plantlets. Production of primary leaves in plantlets was mainly observed in 1/4 MS medium and the highest production of secondary roots in plantlets was obtained in the both media. Cold treatment of cultured embryos had negative effect on production of primary leaves and secondary roots in plantlets. Production of primary leaves in obtained plantlets from cold treated embryos (for 6 days) was observed in hormone-free media, that were incubated for first week in darkness and then under 16-h photoperiod, and in media containing GA3, that were incubated only under 16-h photoperiod. Also, production of secondary roots in those plantlets was observed in the media incubated only under 16-h photoperiod.Conclusion: Embryo culture of galbanum is a useful method for overcoming seed dormancy and it also improves germination.

Background: Ploidy manipulation is always accompanied by conspicuous changes in morphology and biochemical characteristics in plants. So that it is suggested as a rapid and useful strategy for breeding the quality and quantitative traits related to the secondary metabolite production in medicinal plants. Egyptian henbane is one of the most important sources of tropane alkaloids specially hyoscyamine and a trace of scopolamine.Objectives: The main objects of this research were study of the stability of ploidy manipulation and its effects on the qualitative and quantitative changes of tropane alkaloid production in Hyoscyamus muticus plant.Methods: The stability of ploidy level in autotetraploid plants (that already obtained by colchicine treatment) of Egyptian henbane was investigated by morphological, microscopic and flow cytometry methods. The changes in the production of tropane alkaloid compounds were also analyzed by GC-MS in diploid and tetraploid plants.Results: The results of morphologic, microscopic and flow cytometry methods confirmed the stability of autotetraploidy in Egyptian henbane plant. Tetraploid plants showed a higher potential in production of scopolamine, than diploid ones.Conclusion: Regard to the higher commercial value of scopolamine than other tropane alkaloid coumpounds, Ploidy manipulation can efficiently be used to improve scopolamine production in Hyoscyamus muticus plant.

Background: Inulin has been increasingly used due to its beneficial nutritional attributes as prebiotic ingredient and nutritional values. The burdock tuberous could be a source of inulin. Now a day's Ultrasound has attracted considerable interest in food science and technology due to its promising effects in food processing and preservation. The ultrasonically induced cavitations were shown to increase the permeability of the plant tissues. The mechanical effects of ultrasound provide a greater penetration of solvent into cellular materials. In some cases direct sonication increased the efficiency of extraction at lower temperatures and shorter time.Objective: Optimization of extraction conditions for burdock tubers using sonication.Methods: In this research, a series of statistically designed studies such as central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology (RSM) were performed to investigate the effect of each of the independent variables, ultrasonic waves (20-100%), exposure time (5-25 min) & treatment temperature (20-60 oC) on yield of inulin extraction from burdock tubers. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize multiple variables to predict the best performance conditions with a minimum number of experiments. According to Determination of inulin content of extraction liquid, Total carbohydrate and Reducing sugar were determined and finally the inulin content was measured with the difference between total carbohydrate and reducing sugars. Inulin extraction yield (%) was calculated using the following relationship = (inulin content × volume of extraction liquid/mass of Burdock tuber powder) ×100.Results: Based on canonical analysis, the optimal conditions for maximizing inulin extraction yield (24.36%) were at 36.85 oC for 25.4 min and amplitude of 83.2%.Conclusions: application of ultrasound would be a promising method to enhance the extraction process.

Background: In order to reach to quality increasing, environment conservation and society health, organic manures and biofertilizers application in medicinal plants production in sustainable agriculture is very important.Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the Effects of Cattle Manure and Biofertilizer Application on Biological Yield, Seed Yield and Essential oil in Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.).Methods: Research was carried out as factorial experiment by using two factors of cattle manure (5, 10, 15 and 20 ton/ha) and nitrogenic biofertilizer (inoculation with azotobacter, inoculation with azospirillum and inoculation together) in the base of randomized complete blocks design with twelve treatments and three replications at homand research station in Damavand of iran in 2010. These treatments with a control treatment (without fertilizer) were also evaluated.Results: Results showed that the highest biological yield (10946.1 kg/ha) with consumption of 20 ton/ha cattle manure, the maximum seed yield (1587.7 kg/ha) and essential oil yield (4.09 kg/ha) with consumption of 15 ton/ha cattle manure and the highest essential oil content in seed (%0.277) with application of 10 ton/ha cattle manure were obtained. Also, the maximum biological yield (10082.3 kg/ha) in inoculation together with azotobacter and azospirillum, and the highest seed yield (1517.8 kg/ha) with azospirillum inoculation were obtained. Positive and synergistic interactions were observed between factors on essential oil content and essential oil yield. Differences between treatments and control were significant, as seed yield in treatment of 20 ton/ha cattle manure application and inoculation with azospirillum, and essential oil content in seed in treatment of 10 ton/ha cattle manure application and inoculation with azotobacter were more than control.Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the maximum seed yield and essential oil yield with consumption of 15 ton/ha cattle manure and the highest essential oil content in seed with application of 10 ton/ha cattle manure and also the highest seed yield with azospirillum inoculation were obtained.

Background: Domestic cultivation under natural habitat may help to genetic diversity conservation and sustainable utilization of medicinal plant. Since alkaloids are nitrogenous compounds, the availability of nitrogen is expected to play an important role in the biosynthesis and accumulation of alkaloids in plants.Objectives: The aim of this research was to study the effect of bio-fertilizer and chemical fertilizer on corm and colchicine yield in Colchicum kotschyi under natural habitat.Methods: The experiment was performed in a randomized complete block design with eight treatments including of three levels of urea as nitrogen fertilizer (50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1), three levels of Nitroxin (20, 40 and 60 L ha-1), combined treatment (urea 100 kg ha-1 + Nitroxin 40 L ha-1) and no fertilizer as control with three replications at the natural habitat, during 2009 -2010.Results: results showed that the application of Nitroxin 40 L ha-1 resulted in the highest corm dry yield (101.4 g), while the lowest corm dry yield was obtained in control (42.39 g). The yield of colchicin was higher in application of urea 100 kg ha-1 (40.44 mg) or Nitroxin 40 L ha-1 (37.58) than to other treatments, while the lowest colchicine yield was obtained in control (15.56 mg).Conclusion: Generally moderate levels of chemical and biological fertilizers (urea 100 kg ha-1 or Nitroxin 40 L ha-1) had the best results on corm and colchicine yield than to other treatments.

Background: One of the most values of medicinal plants is Plantago ovata. That is belonging of Plantaginace family. Low and irregular germination is the most problem of medicinal plants which that occur in stage of germination under the low temperature at the first of spring.Objective: This study has evaluated the effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on seed germination and seedling growth of Isabgol (Plantago ovate forsk), under low temperature conditions.Methods: This study was conducted as a factorial experiment in the form of randomizes complete design with four replications. The treatments consisted of different bacterial strains of pseudomonas (Putida 108, Fluorescens 112 and 11), Azotobacter Chroococum strains (5, 15 and 35), Azospirillum strains (lipoferum, Brasilense and Irakines), Mesorhizobium strains (Ic59, Ic2091 and SWRI7), control (without rhizobacteria infection) and temperatures (5, 10 and 20oc).Results: Germination parameters were significantly affected by temperature, bacterial strains and the interaction of treatments. In 5oc temperature conditions, Psedumonas strains have the most effected on germination index, radicle and hypocotyl length, seedling vigor index, germination duration index. In 10oc temperature conditions, the maximum germination percentages, germination rate, hypocotyl to radical ratio were obtained by using azotobacter and Mesorhizobium.Conclusion: We suggest that apply of plant growth promoting batteries content of ACC di-aminaz could be decrease ethylene production of cold stress.

Background: Trichimonas vaginalis is a flagellate protozoon that causes trichomoniasis. Metronidazole which is drug of choice for treatment of this infection has many side effects so the patients are unsatisfied with its using, so it is necessary to seek for alternative drugs. Eucalyptus camaldulensis herb with strong anti-microbial affects is considered as an alternative drug.Objectives: Investigating the effect of Eucalyptus camaldulensis as an alternative drug Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro.Methods: Eucalyptus camaldulensis extraction was prepared using perculasion method. In test tubes containing parasite culture medium different concentrations of the plant extract were added. In other test tubes metronidazole or extract solvent as controls were added. 100 live Trichomonas vaginalis added to each tube and all tubes kept in 37oC and tested for presence of the parasite every 24 hours up to 72 hours. For this purpose 10 microliter of each tube examined under microscope.Results: in tubes with higher concentration of Eucalyptus camaldulensis extract and also in tube containing metronidazole no parasite was observed. In negative control tubes parasite had a normal growth.Conclusion: According to results of this study Eucalyptus camaldulensis extract had strong effects on Trichomonas vaginalis growth. Further investigation is recommended to use this plant as alternative drug for treatment of trichomoniasis.

Background: Hemp seed (HS) has high protein with good quality and more than 90% of its fats are polyunsaturated fatty acids.Objective: The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of graded levels of HS on performance, organ weight (OW), and serum cholesterol levels on broilers.Methods: 192 male broiler chicks (1 d old-ROSS 308) were randomly assigned to a completely randomized design with 4 dietary treatments: control (without HS), 2.5, 5 and 7.5% HS in 4 replications (12 birds/pen). Weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured and calculated at the end of each wk. At the end of 6th wk, to determine serum lipids (1 bird/pen) and OW (2 birds/pen) were randomly selected.Results: WG on 0 – 21 d (p<0.01) and 0 – 42 d (p<0.05) were significantly affected by HS levels. Increasing dietary HS levels significantly decreased total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, triglyceride and liver weight relativity percentage (p<0.05) and increased HDL (p<0.01) levels in serum. HS levels had no significant effect on WG 22 – 42 d, FCR, FI and other organs weight relativity percentage (p >0.05).Conclusion: In conclusion highest levels of HS used in this experiment could be apply to reduce serum cholesterol and saturated fatty acids and increasing meat quality to improve human health as target consumer.

Background: Barberry (Berberis vulgaris L. family Berberidaceae) is well known in Iran, and various parts of this plant including its root, bark, leaf and fruit have been used in folk medicine. There are evidences that this plant contains several antibacterial agents and has been used as a food additive.Objective: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of Berberis vulgaris root powder in the diets of broiler chickens on growth performance.Methods: One hundred thirty Arbor Acers day old chicks from both sexes (mean of Body weight: 40 g) were divided into two equal groups in a completely randomized design. Dried roots of Berberis vulgaris were powdered and added to the ration of experimental group at a rate of 1%. The measured traits in this study were: live body weight, feed consumption and eventual side effects (gross and histopathological lesions). Tissue samples of heart, liver and skeletal muscles were collected and fixed in 10% buffered formalin for histopathologic examination. Data were analyzed by two independent sample t-test, using SPSS/PC software.Results: At six weeks of age, there was a significant and greater weight gain in chickens of experimental group (means ± S.D in experimental groups was 1822.2 ± 75.1 g versus 1662.8 ± 85.2 g in control group) (p≤0.05).Conclusion: On the basis of the results, addition of 1% Berberis vulgaris root powder exerts a positive effect on live body weight, reduces FCR and has no particular pathological effect, either macroscopic or microscopic, on the birds.

Background: Glycyrrhiza glabra roots and rhizomes which are extensively used in herbal medicines for them health effects containing more than 100 various useful compounds including phenolics and triterpene saponins (glycyrrizin) grow as a weedy plants in many different localities of Kerman province.Objective: Regards to application of licorice roots in pharmaceutical industry, the mail goal was the comparison of some biochemical compounds content important in pharmacy, food industry and economics in G. glabra root gathering from seven localities of Kerman province.Methods: In this research project, the content of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids and other UV absorbent compounds, tannins, anthocyanins and glycyrrhizin gathered from some natural localities of Kerman province including Baft, Bardsir, Rayen, Zangiabad and Koohbanan was investigated.Results: The highest content of glycyrrhizin was found in Andohjerd. Shahrbabak locality showed the highest content of total phenolic compounds while the lowest was found in Andohjerd. Tannins content were highest in roots gathered from Baft.Conclusion: Based on the results, in seems that the profile of secondary metabolites differs depending on climate parameters and environmental conditions. Therefore, roots gathered from Andohjerd with lowest height show higher quality of regards to glycyrrhizin production and roots form localities with more height like Rayen and Baft have more total phenolic compounds.

Background: Borage is a valuable medicinal plant and its production to meet the needs of the pharmaceutical industry has a high value. Thus, the study of bio-fertilizers effect on its qualitative and quantitative yield seems to be necessary.Objective: To determine the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus biofertilizers on morphological, agronomical and phytochemical characters of borage and feasibility of replacing chemical fertilizers with biological fertilizers.Methods: This experiment was done in the Research farm of ACECR, Institute of Medicinal Plants along 2009 –2010 on the base of factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments combination was three levels of biofertilizers (Control or no applying fertilizer, Nitroxin and Bio- Phosphor and three levels of chemical fertilizers (0, 50 and 100 percent of the nutritional needs of the farm).Results: The biological and chemical fertilizers as well as their interactions had significant effects on flower number, grain yield and content of total phenol, oil and g-linolenic acid. The chemical and biological fertilizers significantly increased the morphological and agronomical characters. Although the oil and g-linolenic acid content significantly decreased with application of chemical fertilizer, the application of bio-fertilizers significantly increased the g-linolenic acid content.Conclusion: Although the qualitative yield decreased with consumption of chemical fertilizers, the borage performance in respect of all studied traits increased with application of bio-fertilizers. Therefore, the biofertilizers can be an alternative to replacing chemical fertilizers for increasing borage production which is in order to minimize of environmental pollution and sustainable agriculture.

Background: Rosa damascena Mill. is one of the most important medicinal and aromatic plants mountainous areas Kashan. This plant have different genotypes that they are very various in size and colour of flowers, number of petals, amount of essential oil and components.Objective: Extraction and determine of essential oil combination of three genotypes from Rose of Kashan area.Methods: The flowers of these three genophytes fully double link, white and yellow was collected from mountainous areas Kashan. The essential oil, by hydrodistillation using an all-glass Clevenger-type apparatus. The analyses of the oils were performed by using GC and GC-MS methods.Results: Yields of essential oil of fully double link genotype was 0.025% (v/w) and 39 components was identification. The major components of this genotype were citronelool (%34.7), nonadecane (%14.5) and heneicosane (%10.3). A yield of the essential oil of white genotype was 0.035% (v/w) and 21 components was identification, that major components were found as citronellol (%53.61), nonadecane (%17.75) and geraniol (%12.59). A yield of the essential oil of yellow genotype was 0.7% (v/w) and 29 components was identification, that major components were found as heneicosane (%32), nonadecane (%30) and 9-nonadecene (%10.5).Conclusion: Monoterpene citronelool was more than 30-50% from essential oil of genotypes fully double link and white, but this component wasn’t in yellow genotype. On the other hand, heavy hydrocarbon component was more than 50% of essential oils component of yellow genotype, but amount of this component was 17% in fully double link and white genotypes.

Background: Delivery pain is one of the most severe pain that women experience in their life. Recently drug interventions are more effectiveness than non-drug intervention for reduction labor pain but those are more expensive and harmful. Aromatherapy with lavandula is one of the non-pharmacological methods for pain relief.Objective: This study objective is the effect of massage aromatherapy with Lavender oil on pain intensity of active phase of labor in nulliparous women.Methods: This research had been a single blind randomized clinical trial on, term pregnant women who admitted to mahdieh hospital in tehran city in 2007 – 2008 that referred to vaginal delivery. Ninety women divided into three groups. First group took only massage. Second group took massage with Almond oil, and third group took massage aromatherapy with Lavender oil. Each group received back effleurage massage for 20 minutes. Their pain severity evaluated before and after intervention with VAS scale. Then data were analyzed by in paired t, chi square, Anova and post hoc test.Results: Massage aromatherapy with Lavandula has decreased pain intensity of active phase of labor before and after intervention significantly (p=0.0001), whiles mean labor pain intensity has decreased before intervention from 6.56 ± 1.63 to 4.78 ± 1.50 after intervention. Also aromatherapy has decreased pain intensity of active phase of labor after intervention (P=0.001) and has caused patient satisfaction from delivery (P=0.014).Conclusion: With regard to efficacious massage, particular massage with Lavender oil and parturient satisfaction of massage aromatherapy then it can be used in relief delivery pain and patient’s satisfaction until not only create good memory of delivery but also prevention from elective section due to fray of vaginal delivery and medical high expenses.

Background: Wound and its management are the most common health problems in human and veterinary medicine. Herbal therapy is becoming increasingly popular among patients and physicians.Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of 5% Urtica dioica ointment on full thickness wounds of nine cattle, were assessed by microscopic and macroscopic methods.Methods: After preparing the operating site, a total of two full thickness skin wounds (3×4 cm) were created on the both sides of neck of each cattle. The wounds were treated by Urtica dioica, and saline solution twice daily. On days 5, 11 and 21 specimens was collected from wounds and evaluated histologically.Results: Our study showed significant difference between treated and control groups, in wound contraction and epithelization on days 21. In group treated with Urtica dioica ointment, the healing process was higher than from control group. There is not any different between treated and control groups on days 5 and 11 significantly.Conclusion: In conclusion, this study shows that the application of Urtica dioica increased the coetaneous wound healing in cattle.

Background: Thyme extract had shown to have antimicrobial and autoxidative activities. It is claimed that it causes reduction in serum cholesterol and improves immune system.Objective: An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary Thyme extract on serum cholesterol, yolk cholesterol and immune system under heat stress in laying hens.Methods: for six weeks with 108 hens from Lohman strain of 45 weeks old. The experiment had a 2×2×3 factorial arrangement. Treatments include cyclic hot and neutral temperature, two fat sources of saturated and unsaturated and tree experimental treatments of control group (without additive), vitamin E and thyme extract. To determine the factors which effect on antibody production, the Sheep Red Blood Cell (SRBC) was injected on the day 30 and 37 following the start of experiment.Results: Statistical analysis has shown a significant increase differences between the level of serum cholesterol and yolk cholesterol significantly under heat stress (p<0.05). Saturated fat significantly increased yolk cholesterol (p<0.05). However, thyme treatment decreased serum and yolk cholesterol (p<0.05). In addition, temperature had significant effect on first and second antibody titer (p<0.05). Furthermore, in second SRBC injection, thyme had the highest significant effect on antibody increment (p<0.05).Conclusion: Phenolic compounds within thymol reduced serum cholesterol and improved immune response especially in high environment temperature.

Background: Various plants are used in traditional medicine to increase fertility and to affect fetus gender.Objective: The effects of chicory roots and fennel and dill seeds water extracts on fertility rate and neonate gender in rats were studied.Methods: 184 Wistar rats weighing 230-250 g in 4 groups each comprising 23 males and 23 females kept separate from each other were used. Water without extract was gavaged to the control group and chicory, fennel and dill extracts were gavaged at the doses of 45, 100 and 100 mg/kg respectively to each of the other 3 groups for 5 weeks. During the fifth week, each male rat was put close to one female rat in a separate cage to mate. The number of parturitions and number and gender of neonates were determined later.Results: The number of parturient rats and the total number of neonates in the fennel group were increased very significantly compared to the control group and other groups (X2 = 18.65, p < 0.01), but the number of male and female neonates in the fennel group and the number of parturient rats, total number of neonates and number of male and female neonates in the chicory and dill groups did not differ significantly from the control group (p > 0.05).Conclusion: Fennel increases fertility rate and neonates number in rats, but chicory and dill do not have such effects. None of the plants affect the neonates' gender in rats.

Background: Due to side effects of the drug and also tendency of people in using herbal medicine, this study aimed to evaluate the sinerjhist effects of three herbs Achillea millefolium, Artemisia absinthium and Juglans regia leaf combained extract on Leishmania major, so that in case of effectiveness in further studies possible alternative drugs can be formulated.Objective: Access to formulation drug without harmful chemical material and without side effects.Methods: In an experimental study four tubes were selected and the mixtures of three herbs leaf extracts with concentrations of 25 mg/ml were prepared. After 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours sample were tested for dead or alive and also for their mobility of the parasite. Data were analyzed by ANOVA test.Results: This study showed that combaind extracts of these three herbs caused an increase in immobility of the parasites. The rate of immobility had direct relationship with time and immobility was continuously increased after 24, 48 and 72 hours. The result were suggestive that three herbs leaf hydroalcoholic extracts were significantly more effective in reduction of parasite, in vitro (p<0.05); however, Glucantime after 24 hours and amphotericin B after 30 minute caused immobility of parasite versus 24 hour for plant extract.Conclusion: Our study showed that the extracts of three mentioned herbs had effect on growth of Leishmania major, however further studies are needed to show effects of these herbs in animal models and voluntary infected people.

Background: Zataria multiflora is medical plants in Traditional Medicine of Iran. It is necessary to study on antimicrobial effects of essential oil on foodborne pathogens. Nisin is bacteriocin, antimicrobial food preservative. It is regarded as natural because it is a polypeptide produced by certain strains of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis (hereafter referred to as L. lactis), during fermentation.Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil and Nisin on the shelflife of light salted fish fillet, silver carp.Methods: Effects of different concentrations, Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil (0, 0.045, 0.135, 0.405 and 0.810%) and Nisin (0, 0.25 µg/ml) were studied on shelf life in light salted fish fillets of silver carp at unfavourable refrigeration storage temperature (10oC) by measuring of microbial flora and chemical values such as pH, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and perioxide compared with control group.Results: The results showed that higher used concentrations of Zataria multiflora essential oil (0.135, 0.405 and 0.810%) and Nisin (0.25%) had a significant effect on the shelf life of fish fillets (p>0.05).Conclusion: The results showed that Z. multiflora essential oil and nisin have antimicrobial effects and are as a food natural preservative in fish fillet. Also, Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) increased with growth of microbial flora and TVN in the study was best factor for shelf life changes.

Background: Sesame oil is applied in physiological research as a solvent. It contains unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid, sesamol and lecithin. In his research effect of dietary sesame oil on pain perception was studied.Objective:Methods: N-MRI male rats (360±20 g) were used. Animals divided to two groups: 1) control group and 2) experimental group (three subgroups that ate dietary plats that contain 10% sesame oil for 28, 42 and 56 days respectively and a subgroup ate dietary plats that contain 1% lecithin). After 28, 42 and 56 days pain was evaluateded by digital hot plate and formalin test. Data was analyzed by one way ANOVA or T- test.Results: Hot plate test: Sesame oil diet decreased pain in the 28, 42, 56 days significantly.Formalin test: Sesame oil diet decreased pain only in 42 days (p<0.02) significantly in early phase. Sesame oil diet decreased pain in the 28 days (p<0.0001) and 42 days (p<0.03) and 56 days (p<0.001) significantly in late phase of formalin test and also we found significant difference between control and lecithin group (p<0.006) in late phase.Hot plate test: Dietary plats (10% sesame oil) decreased acute pain perception in all experimental groups (p<0.03).Conclusion: Our data indicated that dietary sesame oil could increase pain threshold. It seems that sesame oil lecithin (as a source for acetylcholine) or unsaturated fatty acid (altered plasma membrane properties or PGs metabolism) involve in this pain threshold alternation.

Background: Pain is an unpleasant sensation experience that motivates when tissues are damaged or threatened. Therefore, humans have always tried to discover how to struggle against it. Nowadays people willing to use plant drugs more than chemical drugs, because chemical drugs have detrimental side effects.Objective: In this research we studied the analgesic effects of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extract of Eugenia caryophyllata.Methods: In this study 70 NMRI adult male rats (250 – 350 g) were randomly divided into 10 groups. In four groups of rats Aqueous extract, and in other four groups hydroalcoholic extract was injected IP at doses, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg. The 9th group treated with normal saline, and the last group" sham positive" received methylsalicylate (300 mg/kg). In order to evaluate analgesic effect, the formalin test was used.Results: The results showed that the hydroalcoholic extract in comparing with normal saline decrease the pain in both parts of formalin test especially in the first 5 and 10 minutes (p<0.05). Also the results showed that the aqueous extract had analgesic effects at all doses, and the most effective doses was 100 mg/kg doses. In this research was defined the analgesic effect of methylsalicylate was better than both of extracts.Conclusion: The results suggested that at least a part of analgesic effect of Eugenia caryophyllata can be attributed to its methylsalicylate, and eugenol.