Journal of Medicinal Plants
Year:2009 | Volume:8 | Issue:32|Papers Count:27

Frankincense, also known as olibanum, is a gum resin collected from trees of the genus Boswellia. The gum resin is produced by trees of various Boswellia species. These plants are middle size trees from Burseraceae family. Commertial olibanum in Iran is obtained from Boswellia carteri and Boswellia serrata that are native of Africa and India, respectively. Boswellic acids (BAs), a group of pentacyclic triterpenic acids are main bioactive principles of the gum resins. Gum olibanum has a long history of use, for example in religious ceremonies and for perfume production. Also it has been traditionally used in the ayurvedic system of medicine as an anticancer, antidiahhroea, memory and learning enhancing. Recently, the investigations demonstrated that gum olibanum has pharmacological properties and clinical effectiveness in various diseases. Present review focuses on pharmacological activities of gum olibanum.

Rising challenges in the present drug discovery model are prompting Prompt a renewed interest in natural products as a source of novel, bioactive small molecules. With the current validation of zebra fish as a biomedical appropriate model for functional genomics and in vivo drug discovery, the zebra fish bioassay-guided identification of natural products may be an attractive tactic to generate new lead compounds in a number of indication regions. Here, we review recent natural product research using zebra fish and evaluate the potential of this vertebrate model as a discovery platform for the systematic identification of bioactive natural products.

Background: Linolenic acid (omega 3) and Linoleic acid (omega 6) are essential fatty acids that our body cannot synthesis them, so these fatty acids should be taken via foods.Objective: The aim of this study was measuring of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids in species of linum ssp.  Methods: Seed samples of Linum ssp. including: L. usitatissimum L., L. strictum L., L. mucronatum Bertol, L. nodiflorum L., L. bienne Mill and L. austriacum L. were selected from Agricultural source researches center of West Azarbaijan and grown in its research farm. Oil content was measured using Leiboritz method in three replications. The amounts of fatty acids were detected and measured by gas chromatography. Results: This study indicated; all of investigated Linum species except one species, had more amounts of omega 3 fatty acids content than other oilseeds and all of the wild Linum species had more amounts of omega 6 fatty acids content in comparison with crop species.Conclusion: Oil of the crop Linum had better quality and quantity than oil of the other oil seeds, also these wild species were suitable cases for biotechnological projects and elevate amounts of omega 6 essential fatty acids of crop species.

Background: The genus Ballota (Lamiaceae) is comprised of about 90 species all over the world. Remarkably, three species of this genus are growing in Iran, that is used in traditional medicine [1]. Objective: Investigation on the essential oil composition of Ballota nigra ssp. anatolica. Methods: The aerial parts of B. nigra ssp. anatolica were collected during the flowering stage from Shahnajar village, Kojur, Mazandaran Province, in July 2007. Hydrodistillation was performed using a Clevenger-type apparatus for 3 hours to yield 0.7% (w/w) of yellowish oil. Essential oil was analyzed with GC and GC/MS techniques. The constituents of the essential oil were identified by comparison of their mass spectra and retention indices (RI) with those given in the literature and authentic samples. Results: Twelve components were determined in the essential oil of B. nigra spp. anatolica, representing 91.8% of the oil. Conclusion: Germacrene D (18.1%), Nerolidol epoxyacetate (15.4%), Sclareoloxide (12.1%), Linalyl acetate (11.5%), b- Caryophyllene (10.5%), were found to be the major constituents.The oil of B. nigra spp. anatolica consists of oxygenated monoterpens (18.1%) and sesquiterpens (73.7%).

Background: Poultry Meat is one of the major sources of human food. The cholesterol level in poultry productions could be monitored by feeding different medicinal plants. The medicinal plants have hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties.Objective: The aim of this study was comparison hypolipidemic effect, hematocrit percentage and hemoglobin concentration in broilers given three commercial herbal extracts and virginiamycin.Methods: A total four hundred and eighty 1-d-old male broiler chicks were assigned to the basal diet (control) and 0.15% (V/V) virginiamycin, 0.1% (V/V) extracts of thyme (Thymus vulgaris), coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), garlic (Allium sativum) and blend of extracts with the same dose were added to water. Total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), HDL cholesterol, hematocrit percentage and hemoglobin concentration were measured after 42 day.Results: Garlic (Allium sativum) significantly reduced the levels of TC, LDL, and TG and significantly increased the level of HDL. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) improved hematocrit percentage and hemoglubin concentration, but not significantly.Conclusion: Herbal extracts could improve blood factors in comparison with the control and antibiotic fed birds.

Background: Although several plants and procedures for treatment of kidney stone disease in Iranian folk medicine, Urolithiasis has been an important problem for patients, yet. Objective: Aim of present study, was the investigation of effect of Cucumis melo fruit skin hydro-alcoholic extract on calcium oxalate crystallization was studied in vitro. Methods: At first, hydro-alcoholic extract of plant at doses of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/ml were prepared. Urine samples were collected from 6 individual men without kidney stone history. The urine samples were centrifuged. Calcium oxalate crystallization was induced by adding sodium oxalate to urine samples. Then, number and size of calcium oxalate crystals were measured by spectrophotometer and calibration of ocular lens of light microscope in control (without plant extract) and experimental (in presence of different of doses plant extract) groups, respectively. Results: Different doses of hydro-alcoholic extract of plant increased percent of small crystals (2.5-5 and 6-9), while decreased percent of big crystals (17-21, 22-30 and 31-40 in comparison to control samples. On the other hand, the plant increased mono-hydrate calcium oxalate crystals in comparison to di-hydrate calcium oxalate crystals. Also, the extract increased number of calcium oxalate crystals.Conclusion: Present results showed that hydro-alcoholic extract of Cucumis melo fruit skin could facilitate kidney stones excretion by decreasing size of crystals. So, it could prevent formation of kidney stone primary nucleus.

Background: Ganoderma lucidum belongs to Ganodermataceae family and is a famous medicinal fungus with medicinal properties like antidiabetic, antihypertension, immunomodulating, antiviral and antibacterial effects.Objective: Due to its great medicinal effect and lack of investigation on Iranian species, this study was performed.Methods: In this study, we have investigated antibacterial activity of aqueous extract at four concentrations (50, 125, 250, 500 mg ml-1) against 3 standard Gram positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Entrococcus fecalis) and 2 standard Gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Escherichia coli) by using Disk diffusion method. Total polysaccharide of the aqueous extract and sugar composition were analyzed by phenol sulfuric acid method and GC/MS, respectively.Results: The results indicated that the aqueous extract had antibacterial effect against Pseudomonas aeroginosa at concentration of 500 mg ml-1. The polysaccharide content was 37.751 mg g-1 and the monosaccharide’s constituents were identified.Conclusion: Based on this finding the fungus contains a great amount of polysaccharides that can be use for medicinal properties, but it is not recommended for antibacterial usage according to its weak inhibitory activity.

Background: Historical documents belonging to medicine and pharmacy consist of valuable information about the herb and medicinal plants.Objective: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the antibacterial and phytochemical properties of 10 selected medicinal plants including of Echinophora platyloba D.C., Eucalyptus globulus Labill, Euphorbia denticulata Lam., Hypericum perforatum L., Hypericum hyssopifolium Chaix, Hypericum scabrum L., Juniperus excelsa M.B., Peganum harmala L., Plantago major L. and Scirpus lacustris L. in preventing the growth of pathogenic Nocardia in-vitro. All species of Nocardia are found in nature in the soil and aquatic environments. The bacteria are aerobic, gram-positive, partially acid fast bacilli. Nocardia asteroides a highly pathogenic microorganism infects humans through the respiratory tract. The bacterium is primarily an opportunistic pathogen that causes the infection in patients with immunodeficiency. Nocardia brasiliensis is most commonly responsible for cutaneous infections.Methods: The antibacterial ability and phytochemical properties of methanolic extract of the above herbs against species of pathogenic Nocardia were investigated by means of appropriate agar distribution methods. After incubating of the cultured media, the diameter of the clean zone formed in each concentration was measured and correlated to the ability of the extracts to inhibit the growth of Nocardia strains.Results: According to the results, the various concentrations of the 5 medicinal plants out of the 10 herbs e,g, Hypericum perforatum L., Hypericum, hyssopifolium Chaix, Hypericum scabrum L., Juniperus excelsa M.B., Scirpus lacustris L. have significant antibacterial activity against Nocardia asteroides and N. brasiliensis. Conclusion: Interestingly the results show inhibitory effects of the medicinal plants on different strains of the Nocardia in-vitro. It was found that the 5 medicinal plants out of the 10 herbs have potent antibacterial property. We came to this conclusion formed by 10% concentration of the above herbal extracts in appropriate distribution routs, were similar to that of the clear zones formed by specific antibiotic against Nocardia species, e.g. Amikacin, Amoxicillin, Ceftazidime, Ceftizoxime/Cefotaxime, Cephalothin, Cotrimoxazol. The antibacterial activity of the above herbs is probably associated to the potency of strong antibacterial properties of flavonoids, saponins and tanans presents in the methanolic extraction of the above medicinal plants.

Background: Oxidative stress is the imbalance between production of free radicals and antioxidant defense system. Antioxidants, in little amounts, are substances which delay the oxidation of oxidants. They neutralize free radicals in different ways and consequently prevent the affliction and aggravation of different diseases such as Parkinson and cancer in which oxidants have an important role. Anethum graveolens is a highly consumed plant in Iran.Objective: This study tries to make a comparison between the antioxidant effect of Anethum graveolens and wheat germ oil as the richest source of vitamin E.Methods: This research is designed in the experimental form and 24 male wistar rats those were randomly divided into 3 groups. Anethum graveolens water extract was given to group A orally with the dose 3 gr/kg B.W. Group B received 0.5 gr/kg wheat germ oil and the third group (C) was considered as the control group. After two weeks about 5cc blood was taken from the rats' hearts. The serum total antioxidant capacity was measured by FRAP method with the use of TPTZ indicator and also the rate of serum thiol groups was measured by Hu method with the use of DTNB indicator. In this method descriptive statistics (mean±SD) and Analyze Nonparametric Test (Kruskal-Wallis) were used.Results: The mean and the standard deviation of the serum total antioxidant capacity were as follows: in group A 0.23±0.045mmol/ml, in group B 0.161±0.149mmol/ml and in the control group 0.144±0.175mmol/ml. The data showed a significant difference between A, C groups (P=0.035) and the rates of the serum thiol groups were: in group A: 0.591±0.68mmol/ml, in group B: 1.29±0.576mmol/ml, and in group C: 0.264±0.179mmol/ml; and between groups B and C a significant difference was shown.Conclusion: The results showed that Anethum graveolens water extract decreased the oxidative stress more than wheat germ oil. Therefore antioxidant defense system has been strengthened by consuming Anethum graveolens water extract which can be used as a useful supplement in a diet.

Background: Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Rosmary) is one of the essential oil containing plants from Lamiaceae family. Rosemary is a native of the Mediterranean region of Europe and the Near East. It has been used as a food spice and as a medicine since ancient times. Today rosemary is cultivated in nearly all countries as a medicinal and ornamental plant.Objective: There are some reports about the effect of environmental conditions and genetic on rosemary essential oil. The goal of this work was to investigate the seasonal variation on rosemary essential oil composition. Methods: Aerial parts of plants were dried after collection from Evin, Tehran. Essential oils were obtained by using a Clevenger type apparatus for 90 min and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Results: Rosemary essential oil showed 52 compounds, where 31 of those were similar in different seasons. a-Pinene, Limonene, Camphene, Camphor, 1, 8-Cineol and Bornyl acetate were major components of rosemary oil. The content of 1, 8-Cineol was the highest in September (14.15%). The elevated levels of -Pinene and Limonen were observed in February (28.28% and 17.29% respectively). At least in various seasons from spring to winter constituent of a-Pinene (18.5%, 24.7%, 20% and 28.3 %), Limonene (11%, 6.1%, 8.6% and 17.3%), Camphene (7.5%, 8.3%, 7.3% and 8.1%) and Camphor (7.4%, 13.4%, 8.3% and 4.7%) were compared respectively.Conclusion: Except a-Pinene, Limonene, 1, 8-Cineol and Bornyl acetate, most of these components did not affected by seasonal change. Some of these essential oils components converted to others, thus their concentrations decreased in summer but their amounts were at the highest levels in winter.

Background: Cyperus rotundus L. belongs to Cyperaceae family, which grows in around of Iran and its roots with other herbs uses as antiflatulant and nervous tonic.Objectives: Identification of chemical components of essential oil and antimicrobial effects of rhizomes from Cyperus rotundus L.Methods: The roots and rhizomes of C. rotundus were purchased from Tehran herb shops in June 2007. After confirmation, the essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and was subjected to GC/MS. The antimicrobial effects of the root extract were studied on Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger and Cladosporium herebaceum.Results: The major components of the essential oil were found a-cyperone (32.0%) and spathulenol (11/0%). The study of antimicrobial activity showed that the methanolic extracts have effects on Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus, but any effects on Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Cladosporium herebaceum were not showed.Conclusion: 25 Components (91.2% of the oil) were identified, totally. Sesquiterpenoides are major components (0.82%), and then monoterpenoids (8.8%). a-cyperone as major compound of our oil, was identified in the other research on oil of C. rotundus. Inhibitory concentrations for Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus were 31.25 and 125 mg/ml.

Background: Premenstrual syndrome is a cyclic recurrence of the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle of combination of distressing physical, psychological of sufficient severity to result in deterioration of interpersonal relationships and /or interference with normal activities. Traditionally, Vitex agnus castus fruit extract has been used in the treatment of many female conditions.Objective: Assess of Vitex agnus - castus effect (4.3 – 4.8mg dry extract) on treatment of premenstrual syndrome.Methods: Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group comparison over two menstrual cycles on students of Tehran Medical University and Tehran University, that live in dormitory. Volunteers under vent a preliminary screening interview, completed Daily Symptom Rating (DSR) (contain 18 symptoms) for two cycle, and attended a medical screening visit before being diagnosed with premenstrual syndrome and screening for depression by Beck questionary. 116 students were screened and 99 were evaluated (active: 49; placebo: 50). Participants took Vitex agnus - castus (dry extract tablets) one tablet daily or matching placebo for two cycles. Data were analyzed by descriptive and analytic statistics (chi-square, fisher exact test, willcoxon, mann- whitney u and t test).Results: Decrease of severity of premenstrual syndrome was significantly greater in the Vitex group compared with placebo group in total symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (60.73% versus 20.79%, p<0.001), psychological symptoms (65.62% versus 28.19%, p<0.001) and physical symptoms (57.98% versus 16.22%, p<0.001). Sixteen of eighteen symptoms of premenstrual syndrome indicate significant superiority for Vitex, other symptoms including (suicide and swelling of extremities) being unaffected by treatment. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups in regard to adverse events.Conclusion: Vitex is an effective treatment for the relief of symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome.

Background: Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn is a kind of medicinal plants. Silymarin is a derivate substance from the fruits of Milk Thistle plant which is consists of a large number of flavonolignans. Cell cultures derived from this species could be an alternative for production of flavonolignans. Elicitors cause enhancement in metabolite production by effecting on key enzymes in secondary metabolites pathways. In this study various level of Yeast extract in 5 different exposure time have been used as an biotic elicitor in order to evaluation the effect of Yeast extract on silymarin production and cell growth and nomination the best time and best consistence of the elicitor.Objective: In this study various level of Yeast extract in 5 different exposure time have been used as an biotic elicitor in order to evaluation the effect of Yeast extract on silymarin production and cell growth and nomination the best time and best consistence of the elicitor.Methods: In this work after preparation cell suspension culture of S. marianum, the effects of various level of Yeast extract (1, 2. 4, 6 and 8 mg/50 ml culture) in 6 different exposure time (12, 24, 48, 72, 144 and 216 h) on flavonolignans production by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) have been studied.Results: Determination and quantification of flavonolignans showed that cell suspension cultures of S. marianum were consists of a large number of flavonolignans including silychristin, silydianin, silybin, isosilybin and taxifolin. The results showed that Yeast extract cause improvement in silymarin content in the media treated with 6 (mg / 50 ml culture) Yeast extract at the end of 72h which was 5- fold to compare the control and the maximum cell Dry weight was 5.82 g in the media treated with 4 mg/ 50 ml culture Yeast extract at the end of 24h. Conclusion: In this experiment it has been observed that cell suspension culture of S. marianum are susceptible to elicitation by Yeast extract and it can be extremely useful in increasing productivities in cell suspension culture of Milk thistle plant.

Background: In food industry, quality assurance and prolongation of shelf-life is achieved through control of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms in foods. Regards to much proved adverse effects of synthetic food additives and general concern on the subject, the replacement of these additives with natural based ones such as plant essential oils and natural antibiotics has been raised and researches first at in vitro models and then in food systems is necessary.Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil and nisin alone and in combination against Listeria monocytogen in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth. The specifications of combination of essential oil and nisin were determined.Methods: In this study 600 mg/ml of Z. multiflora essential oil and 2.5 mg/ml nisin in pH value of 5 at 15oC were used.Results: In this study Zataria multiflora essential oil had antimicrobial effects agains Listeria monocytogen (MBC: 19, MIC: 9.5mg/ml). Combination of nisin and the essential oil had also antimicrobial effects against Listeria monocytogen (MIC: 1.2, MBC: 2.4mg/ml).Conclusion: Zataria multiflora essential oil and nisin were effective against Listeria monocytogen alone. This effect was obviously increased in combination with each other and the results were noticeable.

Background: Thymus, one of the important genus of Labiatae family, have been used since ancient times as folk remedies for some medical treatments.Objective: In this study, chemical compositions of essential oil of Thymus caucasicus were analyzed and antibacterial effects of fractions were surveyed.Methods: Thymus caucasicus (lamiaceae) at the flowering stage were collected, from Ardabil province (No. 41and 87 at Central Herbarium of Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR). The essential oil aerial parts of T. caucasicus was collected by Hydrodistillation and Steam distillation method. The essential oils were dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and after filtaration, stored at +4oC until tested and GC/MS analyzed. Antibacterial activities of essential oil and fractions of the plant were studied by agar dilution on eight bacterial strains.Results: In hydro and steam distillation essence of T. caucasicus, 44 and 58 compounds were identified, respectively.In vitro antimicrobial activities showed that was positive effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion: Nerolidol was major compound in hydro and steam distillation essential oil of T. caucasicus. In this study, we showed the essential oil and n- butanol fraction of T. caucasicus have lower MIC against tested microorganisms.

Background: Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is a valuable medicinal plant of Boraginaceae family, which is used in treatment of different human diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to determine optimum levels of agronomical factors affecting plant growth and production.Objective: To determine the effects of foliar application of calcium nitrate on quantitative yield and some quality components of borage.Methods: This study was done in Research farm of ACECR, Institute of Medicinal Plants Research in a randomized complete block design with three replications and four treatments along 2008-2009. The treatments were four concentrations of Ca(NO3)2 foliar application (0, 5, 10 and 15 mM Calcium Nitrate).Results: The results showed that foliar application of calcium nitrate had significant effects (p<0.01) on plant height, dry matter yield of aerial parts and flowers, chlorophyll content and content of total phenol and tannins. With increasing concentrations of calcium nitrate, these parameters increased and  the highest amount of them were observed at 15 mM Ca(NO3)2. Conclusion: The application of calcium nitrate had positive effects on growth and yield of borage. Also, the qualitative and quantitative yield of borage aerial parts increased with increasing concentration of calcium nitrate.

Background: Onion has significant blood sugar lowering action.Objective: Antioxidants have essential effect on spermatogenesis and sperm parameters. Streptozotocin can dioceses oxidative stress and changes in antioxidant capacity are considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic diabetes mellitus.Methods: Wistar male rat (n=30) were allocated into three groups, control group (n=10) and oninon (O) group that received 1cc/rat (gavages); (n=10), and Diabetic group that received 55mg/kg (IP) streptozotocin (STZ) (n=20) which was subdivided to two groups of 10; STZ group and treatment group. Treatment group received  55mg/kg (IP) STZ plus15mg/kg (O), daily for,4 weeks, respectively; however, the control group just received an equal volume of distilled water daily(gavages). Diabetes was induced by a single (IP) injection of streptozotocin (55mg/kg) .Animals were kept in standard condition. In 28day after inducing diabetic 5cc blood were collected for testestrone, TAC, MDA and Ox-LDL levels and testes tissues of Rat in whole groups were removed and sperm was collected from epididymis then prepared for analysis.Results: Sperm population, percentage of sperm viability and motility and Serum total testosterones significantly increased in group that has received 1cc/rat onion (p<0.05) in comparison to control and experimental groups. Testes weights in streptozotocin group significantly decreased in comparison to control group (p<0.05).Conclusion: Since in our study 1cc/rat onion have significantly Preventive effect on Sperm percentage of viability and motility and serum total testosterones by reducing level of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in serum, so it seems that using it can be effective for sperm healthy parameters in Diabetic Rat.