JOURNAL OF HERBAL DRUGS
Year:2012 | Volume:2 | Issue:4|Papers Count:10

Background and Aim: Aphids are of serious pests and vectors of multitude of viral diseases of field crops, vegetables, ‎and greenhouse crops. They have displayed a remarkable ability to establish resistance to ‎almost every insecticide with which it has been treated. To reduce the damage of these pests ‎and dependence on the sometimes unwise use of synthetic pesticides in crop and vegetable ‎plantations, the toxicity of ethanolic seed extract of Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) was ‎assayed against 3-4 days-old individuals of Aphis gossypii Glover and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) ‎‎(Hemiptera: Aphididae).‎Experimental: In this study, M. azedarach L. seeds were collected from Kerman, Iran. They were milled and ‎powdered and extracted with ethanol (95%) solvent. All experiments with different ‎concentrations were conducted by topical test bioassay in laboratory. The treated aphids were ‎reared at 25±1oC temperature, relative humidity of 60±10% and 16 hours of artificial light at ‎an intensity of about 4000 lux. Ethanol (95%) was used as control treatments.Results and Discussion: The results indicated that in the concentration 60 ml/ml, the mortality of A. gossypii treatment ‎after 24 h was 95% and it was significantly higher than M. persicae treatment (p<0.005). ‎Also the LC50 of ethanol seed extracts of M. azedarach for A. gossypii and M. persicae after ‎‎24 hr was 13.7 and 15.0 ml/ml, respectively.‏‎ It is concluded that the ethanolic seed extract ‎of M. azedarach may be applicable as a safe insecticide to aphid's control in IPM programs‏.Industrial and Practical Recommendations: According to this research, ethanolic seed extract of Melia azedarach L has good pesticide effects and can be used as a low-risk pesticide for controlling aphids in IPM. Due to the less destructive effects of herbal pesticides on humans and environment than chemical ones, these compositions can be recommended as a low-risk pesticide or as a model for making new pesticides for eradicating the pests.

Background and Aim: Because of seed germination ability of medicinal plants seed is low and, generally exposed to problem. Priming is one of the techniques that help seeds to be germinated faster and uniformly.Experimental: A laboratory experiment was carried out on germination and growth improvement in Heracleum persicum Desf. by seed osmo-primming in Seed Technology Laboratory of Faculty of Agriculture in Birjand University, Iran. Statistical design was factorial RCBD with three replications. Factors were priming media (Polyethylen glycol 6000 (PEG), KNO3 and CaCl2), osmotic potential of solution (-0.5, -1 and -1.5 MPa) and time of treatment (12 and 24 h).Results and Discussion: The results showed that priming media had significant effect on all of evaluated characteristics. Germination rate significantly was affected by osmotic potential of solutions. Time of treatment was also effective on germination rate and MGT. However, CaCl2 in 24h and -0.5 MPa, PEG in 24h and -1 MPa, PEG in 12h and -1.5 MPa and KNO3 in 24h and -1 Mpa were best treatments in germination percentage and rate, seedling vigor index and MGT respectively. Therefore, suitable priming treatments are able to improve germination traits in Heracleum persicum.Industrial and Practical Recommendations: The findings showed that priming leads to increasing the traits of blossoming in hogweed. Since cumarin is used in various industries and its seed is week in blossoming, using priming can be helpful for blossoming and fixating of this plant and can be increase the production.

Background and Aim: The plants of the greenhouse have been affected by infestation of the pest Trialeurodes vaporariorum, called greenhouse whitefly, which markedly reduced production. Synthetic insecticides have been widely developed and, their extensive use has brought about disadvantages, like environmental disturbance, pest resistance, lethal effects on non target organisms and toxicity to users and consumers. One alternative for control this invasive pest is the use of natural insecticides, active component isolated from the plants. Green insecticides tend to have broad spectrum activity relatively specific in their mode of action and easy to process and use. The effects of methanolic extracts of Melia azedarach L. and Peganum harmala L. on nymphal and pupal developmental duration of T. vaporariorum investigated under laboratory condition. Experimental: In both of the experiments, the leaf discs of bean plants with new hatched nymphs or pupae were placed into the round plastic petri-dishes (5 cm diameter) that filled with agar gel. The individuals of the nymph and pupa instars were treated with the concentration of M. azedarach and P. harmala extracts (80 mg/ml). In control group, water distilled was applied.Results and Discussion: The results indicate that the both methannolic extracts significantly increased nymphal developmental duration as compared to control. While, there was no significantly difference on pupal developmental duration in different treatments. The effect of plant extracts on nymphal developmental duration could be controlled on population dynamic of T. vaporariorum. Also, they could be delayed immature stages of greenhouse whitefly. Moreover, botanical pesticides appear to have potential as a good organic insecticide and provide for pest control an alternative to currently used pesticides.Industrial and Practical Recommendations: According to this experiment, substituting conventional pesticides with methanol extracts of M. azedarach and P. harmala are an attractive prospect. However, formulating the plant extract is essential for commercial use of the botanical extracts. Therefore, scientific studies on tech-biochemistry of the extract are necessary.

Background and Aim: Deanaie thyme (Thymus daenensis Celak.), a member of the Lamiaceae family. Thymus in one of the most important medicinal and aromatic plants that was used in pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics hygienic industries in most of developed countries. Recent studies have showed that thyme have strong antibacterial, antifungal, spasmolytic and antioxidant activities. Experimental: This experiment was done in a random block design with three replications conducted in field of Islamic Azad University, Khorasgan (Isfahan) 2010. Treatment phonological stages such as: before flowering stage, at beginning of flowering stage, 50% flowering stage, at full flowering stage and at fruit set stage Results and Discussion: The results obtained in our study, showed that effects phonological stages had very significant effect (p<0.01) on plant height, diameter, fresh and dry herb weight and thymol percentage. The highest plant height (31.83 cm) and highest plant diameter (38.50 cm) were at the fruit set stage. The highest fresh herb weight (10621 kg/ha) and the highest dry herb weight (4243 kg/ha) was at the fruit set stage. The lowest Fresh herb weight (5545 kg/ha) and the lowest dry herb weight (2035 kg/ha) was at the before flowering stage. The highest essential oil content (1.41%) was extracted at the 50% flowering stage. The highest thymol content (84.1%) was extracted at the before flowering stage. Industrial and Practical Recommendations: According to the findings of this research, the fruit set stage can be introduce as a the most appropriate time of harvesting for gaining the highest function of wet and dry Thymus daenensis, but for achieving to highest rate of thymol, the flowering stage can be recommended.

Background and Aim: Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. (Apiaceae) is one of the medicinal plants and endemic in Zagros Mountains, Iran, which unfortunately due to illegal harvest is endangered. In order to break dormancy and to evaluation of effect of different treatments on traits a factorial experiment base on completely randomized design was created on the seed zone Sar-aghaseyed functions in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province, in four replications in Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrekord University, Iran. The treatments were included three temperatures 4, 8 and 22oC and years in the successive years 2009 and 2010.Experimental: In this experiment, germination characteristics, rootlet length and diameter, hypocotyls, and petiole, and also leaf length and width were recorded 100 days after planting. The results indicated germination was affected significantly (p<0.01) by temperature, year and interaction of these two factors. The highest germination was related to the 4oC degrees, however at 22oC the seeds did not germinate. Furthermore, the seeds of 2009 were germinated, but the seeds related to 2010 did not germinate.Results and Discussion: The traits means comparison of 4oC and 8oC degreases indicated all the traits were expressed better in 8oC degrees with the exception of germination, However leaf length and width were significantly (p<0.01) higher in 8oC. According to that the most important reason for reduction of this plant is the period of seed dormancy, so using the results of this research will help to reduction the period of seed dormancy and thus expansion of this medicinal plant.Industrial and Practical Recommendations: Since the most important reason in decreasing the percentage of this plant is the rate of sleep duration of seed, using the findings of this research can help to decrease the duration of germination and, as a result, to domesticate this kind of medicinal plant.

Background and Aim: Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum- graceum L.) is a medicinal and edible plant in the family Fabaceae. The aim of this study was the effect of hydro-alcohol extract of fenugreek seed on reproductive system of female Balb/c mice.Experimental: The animals divided to five groups of ten members: control group, placebo and three experimental groups. At first all animals synchronized. The control group received no drugs, while placebo group received physiologic serum. The three experimental groups received i.p injection of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/2days extract for 20 days. After 10 injections, blood samples were taken from all groups, hormonal measurement, including FSH, LH, progesterone and estradiol were performed by RIA technique. The results are analyzed to use of analysis of unilaterally variance and Duncan’s test by SPSSversion11.5 program. Then these groups compared with control group. Ovaries were sectioned and observed by light microscope.Results and Discussion: The data presented in this study showed significant decrease in the level of LH and FSH, also significant increase the level of estradiol in the whole experimental groups, while the level of progesterone only increased in the experimental groups. The results of histological studies of sections showed significant decrease in the folliculogenesis in the three experimental groups. Also significant increase the number of corpus luteum in experimental groups. The degeneration of ovary was observed in experimental group (200 mg/kg/2days extract).Industrial and Practical Recommendations: According to the results of folliculogenesis the ovary tissue in high dosage that indicates anti-fertility effect in female mice.

Background and Aim: Cutaneous infection caused by protozoa the genus Leishmania are a major worldwide health problem, with high endemicity in developing countries including Middle East, Africa and Latin America. In the absence of a vaccine, there is an urgent need for effective drugs to replace and supplement those in current use.Experimental: In this study, the in vivo efficacy of Artemisia auchery extract on Leishmania major cutaneouse infection in murine model in susceptible Balb/c mice. To carry out this investigation, mice were assigned to five groups (each with 5 mice) as healthy negative control, non-treated control, glucantim-treated, treated-groups with herbal extract and normal salin group. Experimental Leishmaniasis was initiated by the subcutaneous (s.c.) application of the 2×106 promastigotes of L. major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) into the basal tail of all groups except the healthy negative control group. The development of lesions was determined weekly by measuring the diameters. At the end of treatment course, all mice were killed humanely by terminal anaestheisa and target tissues including lymph node, spleen and liver from each mouse were removed and weighted and their impression smears were also prepared.Results and Discussion: The results indicated that herbal extract was able to affect on lesion size, its performance and to prevent visceralization of the parasite. This is the first report indicating visceralization caused by the cutaneous form of L. major in the Balb/c mice. During this experiment, no side effects were observed due to the application of herbal extract in the treated-mice. The impression smears showed a reduction of parasite burdens in spleen, liver and lymph node.Industrial and Practical Recommendations: In comparison with glucantim, the present herbal combination was more effective on this murine Leishmaniasis. Therefore, it could be suggested as a substitute for glucantime in treatment of Leishmaniasis for human and animal purposes.

Background and Aim: A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of periodically use of garlic on growth ‎performance, and antibody titer to Newcastle and infectious bursal diseases in broiler ‎chickens.Experimental: Ross broiler chicks randomly allocated into the 10 dietary treatments ‎for 6 weeks. A 3×4 factorial experiment was used as three periods of feeding (starter, grower and ‎finisher) and four levels of garlic powder (0, 0.5, 1 and 3%). Results and Discussion: Feed intake was significantly higher in control group (p<0.001). Addition of 1 and 3% garlic ‎to basal diets, significantly increased body weight gain as compared with 0.5% garlic ‎supplemented groups (p<0.05). Although birds which received garlic in their finisher diet ‎only, had greater body weight gain than others, period of feeding garlic (starter, finisher or the ‎whole of the experiment) had no significant effect on feed intake and body weight gain. ‎Supplementation of 1 % garlic powder, decreased feed conversion rate compared with 0.5% ‎supplemented and control group, significantly (p<0.001). Dietary treatments did not exert any ‎significant effect on antibody titer to Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Supplementation of ‎broilers with 1 and 3% of garlic powder, significantly increased antibody titer to infectious ‎bursal disease virus (IBDV) at 33 days of age as compared to other groups (p<0.001). At 42 ‎day, antibody titer to IBDV was significantly higher in garlic supplemented groups than control ‎group (p<0.001). Period of supplementation, did not significantly affect antibody titer to ‎NDV and IBDV. In conclusion, supplementation of 1 and 3% garlic powder in finisher ‎period, improved growth performance and antibody titer to IBDV.‎Industrial and Practical Recommendations: According to the findings, garlic powder, because of having antibacterial properties and other composition, can have some positive effects on growth function and immune system of broiler chickens. So, using it in culture units and producer companies of animal food for producing of healthy and organic production can be recommended.