RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOGNOSY
Year:2019 | Volume:6 | Issue:3|Papers Count:10

Background and objectives: Eryngium caeruleum M. Bieb. (Syn. Eryngium caucasicum Trautv. ) belongs to Apiaceae family. It is found abundantly in northern provinces of Iran as an edible plant. Hundreds of years ago, Eryngium genus was known as a medicinal herb in Persian medicine books which was named “ Qaracaane” and the plant’ s roots were used in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional parameters in roots, spring and autumn leaves of E. caucasicum for the first time. Methods: The parameters including proximate composition (protein, carbohydrate, fat, fiber, ash, moisture and calorie) were measured by the standard methods of the AOAC, mineral contents (iron, zinc, copper and manganese) were measured by atomic absorption and amino acid contents was measured by RP-HPLC. Results: Regarding the results, it was found that the autumn leaves showed the highest amount of fiber, protein, moisture, zinc, copper and manganese. Also, spring leaves contained the highest levels of calorie, while the roots showed much more ash, carbohydrate and iron content. In terms of amino acids contents, threonine was the dominant among the rest of essential amino acids in all investigated parts of E. caeruleum. The results showed that both the aerial parts and the roots of Eryngium caeruleum could be good sources of nutritional ingredients. Conclusion: According to the obtained results it can be concluded that E. caeruleum has the capacity for prospective production of new natural medicinal supplements in order to improve body health and prevent or treat diseases.

Background and objectives: Lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora H. B. K. ) from Verbenaceae family, as an aromatic and medicinal plant, has attracted interests for its valuable essential oil (EO). This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of various temperatures on phytochemical, biochemical, and allometric traits of lemon verbena leaves. Methods: The experiment was designed on the basis of randomized complete block design (RCBD) with treatments of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 ° C, and three replications. Results: The results showed that the EO content, main components, and chemical classes, except for oxygenated sesquiterpenes were enhanced by increasing the temperature from 5 to 25 ° C, while pigments, total soluble solid, proline, and soluble proteins were conversely decreased by increasing temperature. The highest fraction of variance among these variables was observed in the neral, EO, polyphenols and anthocyanins, respectively. According to cluster analysis (CA), the effect of temperature on the content of EO, main components, and chemical classes were classified into three groups (A: 5 and 10 ° C, B: 15 and 20 ° C, and C: 25 ° C). Also, dendrogram cluster analysis showed three temperature groups (A: 5 ° C, B: 10 ° C, and C: 15-25 ° C) on the basis of biochemical traits. Conclusion: The present study showed that the content of oxygenated sesquiterpenes and antioxidant pigments in contrast to the amount of EO were severely increased by decreasing the environmental temperature. These results clarify the quality and economic value of this plant at the time of harvesting and environmental conditions for the pharmaceuticals, health, and food industries.

Background and objectives: Dracocephalum species are mentioned in Iranian traditional medicine for enhancement of cognitive performance. In the present study, the acetyl cholinesterase inhibitory and butyryl cholinesterase inhibitory activities as well as the anti-oxidant and anti-tyrosinase effects of three Iranian Dracocephalum species (D. kotschyi, D. multicaule, D. polychaetum was analyzed). Methods: The extractions were performed stepwise with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate (EtOAC), methanol (MeOH) and water. AChE and BChE inhibitory properties were measured by a microplate assay. Total phenolic content of all extracts were also evaluated and anti-oxidant activities of the extracts were assessed using DPPH, FRAP assays. Tyrosinase inhibitory activity was measured using the modified dopachrome method with L-DOPA as the substrate. Results: The results showed that the EtOAc extract of D. multicaule and MeOH extract of D. kotschyi were the most active anti-oxidant and anti-tyrosinase extracts which showed the highest amounts of phenolic compounds. Dracocephalum multicaule demonstrated the most considerable activity in AChE inhibition and D. polychaetum the highest activity in BChE inhibition. The aqueous extract of D. multicaule inhibited both AChE and BChE. Conclusion: Dracocephalum multicaule can be suggested as a proper natural candidate for improvement of cognitive disorders.

Background and objectives: Free radicals and other oxidants have important roles in liver cell toxicity. Some natural products are potent scavengers of oxidative agents. Crocus caspius is an endemic species of Caspian forest. Flowers of Crocus genus contain phenolic compound and carotenoid as antioxidant agent. This study investigated the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of Crocus caspius Fisch and Mey flowers (Caspian saffron) hydro-alcoholic extract (CCFE) against acute oxidative hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4 in mice. Methods: The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Crocus caspius flowers were investigated for presence of certain phytochemicals and total phenol and flavonoid contents were determined. For evaluation of hepatoprotective activity, the BALB/c mice were pre-treated with 50, 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg, of the extract intraperitoneally for 5 days and then received CCl4 (0. 5 mL/kg, in olive oil). Liver injury was determined by serum biochemical markers such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutathione content of liver tissue and histopathological studies. Results: The phytochemical screening in Caspian saffron flowers indicated the presence of carotenoids, saponins, sterols, flavonoids, and tannins. The extract exhibited antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging assay (IC50 171. 5 μ g/mL). Pre-treatment groups with the extract demonstrated significant decrease in serum levels of ALT, AST, and ALP (p<0. 05) and concomitant increase in GSH content (p<0. 05). Histopathological observation determined hepatocellular protective effects of the extract. Conclusion: The results represented the protective activity of the extract against oxidative hepatotoxicity.

Background and objectives: Traditionally, Geum species from Rosaceae family have been used for treating inflammatory disorders. Geum iranicum Khatamsaz is endemic to Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Geum iranicum methanol extract G. iranicum methanol extract using classical models. Methods: The methanol extract of G. iranicum roots was evaluated for antinociceptive activity by acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin and hot-plate tests in male Swiss albino mice. The anti-inflammatory effect was investigated by Carrageenan-induced paw edema method. Results: The extract significantly inhibited both the first and second phases of formalin-induced nociception in mice at the dose of 100 mg/kg compared to the control group. In acetic acid-induced writhing test and hot plate method, the extract significantly reduced pain behavior in all doses (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg). The antinociceptive activity of the extract was significantly reduced by naloxone (4 mg/kg). The anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was found to be dose dependent. The extract at the dose of 100 mg/kg exhibited significant reduction of paw edema in all surveyed times. Conclusion: The results showed that the methanol extract of G. iranicum roots possessed central analgesic activity via modulation of opioid receptors as well as anti-inflammatory activity. The observed effects could be attributed to the presence of constituents like triterpenoids, eugenol, sucrose and tannins in the extract.

Background and objectives: The goal of this study was to compare the cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of the corms extracts of two Crocus species (C. sativus L. and C. pallasii subsp. haussknechtii). Methods: n-Hexan, chloroform and methanol extracts of the corms were prepared. Cytotoxic activities of the extracts against human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 were evaluated via MTT assay and dual acridine orange/ethidium bromide fluorescent staining test. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were assessed by DPPH method. Results: The results showed that the methanol extracts of the corms from both species had cytotoxic activity against the breast cancer cells. Cytotoxic activity of the corms extract of C. sativus L. was significantly higher than C. pallasii subsp. haussknechtii. n-Hexan and chloroform extracts from the corms of C. pallasii subsp. haussknechtii and Crocus sativus L. showed no anti-proliferative activity which indicated the polar nature of the cytotoxic agent(s) in the extracts. The results of dual acridine orange/ethidium bromide fluorescent staining test revealed that the methanol extracts of both species corms destroyed cancer cells through apoptosis. Moreover, the methanol corm extracts of the two species showed little antioxidant activity. Conclusion: It can be concluded that C. sativus L. may possess more significant apoptotic properties compared to C. pallasii subsp. haussknechtii.

Background and objectives: The species of Cymbopogon are generally used as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-malarial, and anti-spasmodic agents, as well as in cold treatment. Due to the presence of piperitone in Cymbopogon schoenanthus, we were prompted to evaluate were prompted to assess the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of its essential Oil. Methods: The analgesic activity of C. schoenanthus (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, i. p. ) were examined using writhing, hot-plate, and formalin tests. The control and standard groups respectively received vehicle, morphine (5 mg/kg, i. p. ), and mefenamic acid (30 mg/kg). The anti-inflammatory effect of C. schoenanthus (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) was then assessed by carrageenan method at time intervals of 30 min and 1, 2, 3, and 4 h. Results: Cymbopogon schoenanthus essential oil was analyzed by GC-MASS and 31 constituents were identified which represented 86. 8% of the oil. The major component of the essential oil was piperitone (62. 0%). The administrated doses of C. schoenanthus essential oil could not decrease the number of writhes and hot-plate latency in the mice, compared to the control group. However, it exhibited an analgesic effect, especially in the chronic phase of formalin test. In carrageenan test, all administrated doses of C. schoenanthus essential oil significantly reduced the paw edema, compared to the control (p<0. 05). The anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) was comparable with that of mefenamic acid (30 mg/kg). Conclusion: The results suggest that C. schoenanthus essential oil possesses biologically active constituents that have significant activity against acute inflammation.

Background and objectives: Pain is an unpleasant feeling which affects the quality of life and relieving from pain is an important goal in many treatment protocols. Apium graveolens L. (celery) has been considered as sedative, analgesic, carminative, antispasmodic and diuretic in Iranian traditional medicine. The aim of present study was to evaluate the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect of celery root in mice. Method: Repeated maceration was employed as extraction method. Hot plate and acetic acid writhing test were conducted to assess analgesic effect of celery root. The extract was also evaluated for anti-inflammatory probable effect by formalin induced ear edema and xylene induced paw edema tests. Results: Total flavonoid content determined by aluminum chloride colorimetric method was 0. 0625 mg quercetin/g extract. No significant difference was observed between the positive control group which received morphine and test group in hot plate test and the most effective dose of celery root extract was 200 mg/kg, while the frequency of writhings was significantly different in all test groups in comparison with control group (p value< 0. 05), the extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly suppressed inflammation in formalin induced edema assay, 60 and 120 min after injection. The results of xylene test also demonstrated notable antiedematogenic effect in applying 200 and 400 mg/kg of extract. Conclusion: Celery root has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects which might be related to the flavonoids and resins present in the species.

Damask rose or Rosa damascena Herrm. is one of the most widely-used medicinal herbs in Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM). Because of different types of phytochemicals such as flavonoids, glycosides, terpenes, and anthocyanins, R. damascena flowers have a wide range of pharmacological effects. Five traditional Rosa phytopharmaceuticals are “ Golangebin” / “ Golqand” (the mixture of petals in honey/sugar), “ Jollab” , rose oil, rose water, and rose syrup. In the current study, traditional information about these phytopharmaceuticals was extracted from three medieval manuscripts including “ Al-Shamil fi al-Tibb” (13th century AD), “ Qarabadin Salehi” (1766), and “ Qarabadin Kabir” (1780). Articles on R. damascena petal were found by searching Pubmed, Scopus, and Google Scholar till June 2018. They were mainly related to effectiveness on CNS and GI systems. Numerous studies have been performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of R. damascena extracts and essential oil, but little has been focused on these phytopharmaceuticals as complementary therapies for the mentioned effects. Comparing recent findings and traditional knowledge of these R. damascena phytopharmaceuticals shows a wide gap between these two viewpoints. Therefore, numerous opportunities are provided to evaluate traditional therapeutic notions about R. damascena phytopharmaceuticals leading to increase for their chances of application.

Diabetes mellitus has many complications; one of the most important ones is diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Due to the increasing prevalence of diabetes in the world and evidences of the role of honey in treatment of DFU, we decided to review the effect of honey on DFU. We searched the keywords of “ honey” , “ diabetic foot ulcer” , “ treatment” , “ diabetes mellitus” , “ wound dressing” and “ wound healing” in indexing systems of PubMed, Scopus and ISI Web of Science between 2007 to 1 Jun 2017, in English and Persian languages. Out of 120 articles published, 20 articles met the inclusion criteria, including one in vivo study, four in vitro studies and 15 human studies. The results showed the efficacy of honey as a wound healing agent in some types of wounds. Mechanisms of healing methods included hyper osmosis, stimulating cytokine production, producing transforming growth factor-β 1 and etc. In some articles, honey was used in combination with other medications like Commiphora molmol, Nigella sativa and povidone iodine. Honey showed minor side effects, in some studies, like mild burning or minor sensation. Despite these complications, the treatment was not stopped and in some cases the disorder was resolved by changing the combination ingredients. Although, the reviewed studies showed healing effect for honey in DFU, more studies are needed to confirm the efficacy.