RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOGNOSY
Year:2018 | Volume:5 | Issue:3|Papers Count:10

Background and objectives: Garden lettuce, Lactuca sativa L. (Asteraceae), is an herbaceous plant cultivated in different parts of Iran including Isfahan. In Iranian traditional medicine, it is classified as a medicinal food because it is nutritive and has therapeutic effects. As the therapeutic effects of the plant parts may be related to some volatile active constituents, it was aimed to determine the chemical constituents of the essential oils obtained from seeds and fresh leaves of the plant grown in Isfahan. Methods: Essential oils from seeds and fresh leaves of Lactuca sativa L. were obtained by hydro-distillation method and were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) method. Results: Identified volatile constituents in the essential oils of the seeds and fresh leaves samples were representing 96. 1% and 91. 8% of the oils, respectively. Major volatile constituents of the seeds oil were: linoleic acid (38. 8%), oleic acid (17. 9%), palmitic acid (4. 9%), 3-methyl heptane (3. 2%), 1-decene (2. 8%), 1-hexyl-3-methyl cyclopentane (2. 3%), 2, 4-decadienal (E, E) (2. 2%), limonene (2. 1%) and carvone (2. 0%). While the main volatile constituents of the fresh leaves oil were: linoleic acid (37. 7%), oleic acid (19. 6%), palmitic acid (16. 7%), 3-methyl heptane (4. 6%), 1-ethyl-3-methyl cyclopentane (4. 2%), 1-decene (2. 0%), n-octadecane (1. 7%) and n-tetradecane (1. 5%). Conclusion: The essential oils from the seeds and fresh leaves of the plant grown in Isfahan mainly composed of a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.

Background and objectives: The rhizomes of Eremostachys azerbaijanica Rech. f., as an indigenous plant in East Azerbaijan province of Iran, were studied for isolation and identification of possible phytoconstituents. Methods: The air-dried and ground rhizomes were extracted with n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (MeOH) using a Soxhlet apparatus. The 10%, 20% and 80% MeOH in water C18 cartridge solid phase extraction products )Sep-Pak fractions( of the MeOH extract were subjected to preparative reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and the isolated pure compounds were identified by one-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (1D-NMR) spectroscopic technique. Results: The spectroscopic data of the compounds were compared with the respective published data and the obtained results showed the presence of four pure components, 6-Hydroxy loganin (1), Shanzhiside methyl ester (2), Eremostachiin (β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→ 2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester of phlomisoic acid) (3) and Phlomisoside II (4), with iridoid and furano labdane-type diterpene glycoside structures. Conclusion: The occurrence of these types of chemical structures might be a confirmation to close relation and similar pharmacological and biological activities between Eremostachys and Phlomis genera.

Background and objectives: Aseprugo procumbens is used as antianxety and depression in Iranian traditional medicine; however no clinical trial has been performed about these properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidepressant efficacy and safety of hydroalcoholic extract of A. procumbens. Methods: In this double blind study, 30 outpatients with mild to moderate depressive disorder (according to DMS-IV-TR criteria who had a score of 18-25 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) were randomly divided in two group, 1) received 10 mg fluoxetine capsule, 2) received 1. 2 g dried extract of A. procumbens capsule (6 mg flavonoid, ) orally per day. Patients were followed up for 6 weeks; the recovery process was assessed by the HDRS in weeks 0, 2, 4 and 6. Results: A significant decrease in HDRS was observed in both groups after the fourth week. After the sixth week, fluoxetine had a greater anti-depressant activity than A. procumbens (p value =0. 03). There were no significant differences in terms of adverse effects in both groups. Conclusions: The hydroalcoholic extract of A. procumbens can be considered as an effective and safe remedy for mild to moderate depressive disorder.

Background and objectives: Menthol and menthone are two important components in the essential oil of peppermint (Mentha piperita L. ) which are commercially used in the pharmaceutical industries. This study has presented the allometric ratio of menthol and menthone to pulegone affected by the induction of bioregulators. Methods: The experiment was conducted in controlled condition based on completely randomized design (CRD) in three replications. The plants were subjected to different bioregulator treatments including distilled water; 5 %v/v methanol; 40 ppm GA3 (gibberellic acid) + 5%v/v methanol; 40 ppm IBA (indole butyric acid) + 5%v/v methanol, and 40 ppm GA3 + 40 ppm IBA + 5%v/v methanol. Essential oils analysis were performed using different methods of gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Results: The application of 40 ppm IBA + 5%v/v methanol increased the essential oil content. With the use of bioregulators, the content of menthol and menthone increased and the amount of pulegone was conversely reduced. The lowest content of pulegone was measured in the treatment with 40 ppm GA3 + 40 ppm IBA + 5%v/v methanol. Allometric analysis of components showed that the ratios of menthol/pulegone, menthone/pulegone, and (menthone+menthol)/pulegone increased by bioregulators application, especially with 40 ppm GA3 + 40 ppm IBA + 5%v/v methanol. Conclusion: Using plant bioregulators could be a suitable procedure to increase pro-health potential through increasing the amount of menthol with decreasing the content of pulegone in the essential oil. It is possible that the bioregulators were able to convert pulegone to menthol and menthone.

Background and objectives: Although weed plants are considered undesirable in a particular situation, some weed seeds can be a valuable and cheap source of therapeutic natural compounds. Securigera securidaca (L. ) Degen & Dorfl (Fabaceae) is widely distributed in Europe, Australia and Asia as a weed plant. This study investigated the bioactive compounds of S. securidaca seeds as well as its potential anti-inflammatory properties. Methods: The fatty acid and sterol content were investigated with gas chromatography– mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and phenolic compounds were detected using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). The thermostability of the oil was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Formalin-induced paw licking test and myeloperoxidase activity were investigated. The study was conducted by creating six groups of rats including a control group (vehicle-treated rats, 250 μ L/kg, i. p. ), formalin group (50 μ L of 2. 5% formalin), positive control (paracetamol, 100 mg/kg, i. p), and groups of S. securidaca seed oil (250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 μ l/kg, i. p). Results: S. securidaca seeds contained a high level of polyunsaturated fatty acid content including linoleic acid (64. 602 ± 0. 793%) and oleic acid (15. 353 ± 0. 461%). Stigmasterol and campesterol were not detected in the oil but it contained esterified β-sitosterol (6. 621 ± 0. 08 mg/g). The seed oil couldn’ t create a significant reduction in the MPO activity. It showed a slight but not significant effect on formalin-induced pain reduction. Conclusion: The seed is a rich source of linoleic acid which makes it a good candidate to be used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Background and objectives: Gastric cancer is currently known as one of the most important causes of cancer-driven death all over the world. In patients with gastric cancer, a significant proportion of death occurs due to metastasis. On the other hand, down modulated E-cadherin level has been reported as an important contributor to tumor cell invasion and metastasis. In this regard, the present work was aimed to evaluate the impact of silibinin, a flavonolignan with established anti-tumor efficacy, on cell viability and E-cadherin expression in the gastric cancer cell line MKN-45. Methods: To determine cell viability, MTT assay was performed 48 h after silibinin treatment (at concentrations of 100, 200 and 400 μ M). In addition, quantitative real-time PCR was done following total RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, to assess E-cadherin level in cells treated with silibinin. Results: The MTT results showed concentration-dependent reducing effect of silibinin on viability of MKN-45 cells. The findings of quantitative real-time PCR analysis demonstrated upregulated E-cadherin expression in cells treated with silibinin (significantly (p≤ 0. 05) at concentration of 200 μ M) compared to the control cells. Conclusions: The current study suggested that silibinin may exert anti-migratory/invasive effects on gastric cancer cells by enhancing E-cadherin expression, which needs to be further investigated.

Background and objectives: Urinary incontinence is a public complaint that causes discomfort, embarrassment and costs. Also, there are some limitations and insufficiencies of drug therapy and surgical complications. This study has compared the effect of Saussurea costus (qost) oil as an Iranian traditional medicine product and other contemporary medicine treatment methods on female urinary incontinence. Methods: A parallel double blinded placebo-controlled study was conducted. Thirty to 70 years old women with urinary incontinence were allocated in placebo and intervention groups, 41 patients in each group. Intervention and placebo groups received qost oil and placebo, respectively by local application twice daily below the navel without massage. The results were evaluated with valid questionnaires (ICIQ-SF and I-QOL). For evaluation, Chi-square test, independent-sample t-test and repeated measure analysis of variance were used. Significant p value was <0. 05. Results: A significant decrease in mean scores of the questionnaires during the study was noted in the qost group compared to the placebo group (p<0. 001). Before the intervention, thirty one patients in the placebo group and 33 patients in the qost group had mixed urinary incontinence (p=0. 794). Urge symptom s(nocturia, urine frequency and urgency to urination) were completely discontinued in 25 patients in the qost group (78. 1%) and 7 patients in the placebo group (22. 6%) (p<0. 001). Conclusion: The results suggested the oil to be effective in treatment of urinary inconsistence.

Background and objectives: Achillea millefolium has been used in medicine as an anti-fungal, antibacterial and antioxidant agent. The present study was carried out to assess the hematoprotective and nephroprotective activities of Achillea millefolium aqueous extract (AMAE) in diabetic mice. Methods: Seventy mice were used and diabetes was experimentally induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/kg) in 60 mice. The mice with serum glucose level>250 mg/dL were considered diabetic. After three days, they were divided randomly into 7 groups. Group 1 and 2 were non-diabetic and untreated diabetic controls, respectively. Group 3 received 30 mg/kg glibenclamide orally. Groups 4, 5, 6 and 7 were given 10, 30, 90 and 270 mg/kg of AMAE, respectively for 20 days orally. At 20th day, the mice were dissected, and the blood and kidney samples were collected for hematological and pathological parameters analysis. Results: Daily treatment of diabetic mice with 10, 30, 90 and 270 mg/kg doses of AMAE at all doses especially 90 and 270 mg/kg significantly declined blood glucose, creatinine and urea levels and improved RBC (Red blood cell), platelet and WBC (White blood cell) parameters, compared to the untreated diabetic control. Also kidney of the treated diabetic mice with AMAE at all doses especially 270 mg/kg indicated significant improvement of the renal tissue compared to the untreated diabetic mice. Conclusion: The present research demonstrated the hypoglycemic properties of AMAE, offering to be suggested as an anti-diabetic supplement.

Background and objectives: Plumeria rubra L. (Apocynaceae) is a deciduous shrub or small tree cultivated in subtropical and tropical countries. Its bark is prescribed to treat amoebic dysentery, dropsy, jaundice, scabies, gonorrhea, venereal affections and wounds. In the present research, we aimed to isolate and identify the chemical constituents of the bark of P. rubra. Method: An air-dried bark powder of P. rubra was exhaustively extracted with methanol. Methanol was removed afterwards under vacuum to get a dark brown mass. The extract was dissolved and adsorbed on silica gel (60-120 mesh) for preparation of slurry. The slurry was loaded over silica gel column packed in petroleum ether. The column was eluted with organic solvents successively in order of increasing polarity to isolate the chemical constituents. The structures of the phytoconstituents, isolated from the plant for the first time, have been elucidated by analyzing the spectral data and on the basis of chemical reactions. Results: Phytochemical investigation of a methanol extract of the stem bark led to isolate n-octyl n-octadecanoate (n-octyl stearate, 1), lauryl-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl– (2ʹ → 1ʹ ʹ )-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (lauryl diglucoside, 2), stearyl-α-L-xylopyranosyl– (2ʹ → 1ʹ ʹ )-α-L-xlyopyranosyl-2ʹ ʹ-(3ʹ ʹ-oxy-4ʹ ʹ ʹ-hydroxy-5ʹ ʹ ʹ-methoxy)-benzoic acid (stearyl dixylosyl methoxygallic acid, 3), vanillic acid 4-O-β-D-arabinopyranosyl-(2a→ 1b)-O-β-D-arabinopyranosyl-(2b→ 1c)-O-β-D-arabino-pyranosyl-(2c→ 1d)-O-β-D-arabinopyranosyl-2d-stearate (vanillic acid 4-O-tetra-arabinosyl stearate, 4), vanillic acid 4-O-β-D-arabinopyranosyl-(2a→ 1b)-β-D-arabinopyranosyl-(2b→ 1c)-β-D-arabino-pyranosyl-(2c→ 1d)-β-D-arabinopyranosyl-(2d→ 1e)-β-D-arabinopyranosyl-(2e→ 1f)-β-D-arabino-pyranosyl-2f-stearate (vanillic acid 4-O-hexa-arabinosyl stearate, 5), β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2a→ 1b)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2b→ 1c)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2c→ 1d)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2d→ 1e)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2e→ 1f)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (β-D-hexaglucoside, 6) and β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2a→ 1b)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2b→ 1c)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2c→ 1d)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2d→ 1e)-O-D-glucopyranosyl-(2e→ 1f)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2f→ 1g)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2g→ 1h)-O-β-D-rhamnopyranoside (β-D-heptaglucosyl-β-D-rhamnoside, 7). Conclusion: The stem bark of P. rubra contained a variety of chemical constituents like a fatty ester, acyl glycosides, vanillic acid glycosides and polyglycosides.

The Apiaceae family includes some of the most known medicinal, food and spice species in the world some of which have been used by humans since antiquity. Local people in different regions use many species of the family but the information regarding their uses is scattered. Traditionally used species are good candidates for bioprospecting. Combining traditional uses with phylogenetic data helps in selecting species for bioprospecting. In the present study, an ethnobotanical literature review was conducted to outline a comprehensive overview of the ethnobotanical importance of the family in Iran. To highlight the most ethnobotanically used groups in the family, ethnobotanical data were overlapped with generic phylogeny tree of the subfamily Apioideae. In total, 72 species (17. 27%) from 42 genera (33. 87%) were found to have ethnobotanical uses. Main uses of the family members were medicinal purposes (67. 30%) followed by culinary (25%) and ethnoveterinary (11. 11%) uses. Two categories of potential species groups for further bioprospecting investigations have been identified based on the phylogenetic analysis. Based on the findings of the present study, phylogenetic analysis can help in identifying potential groups for bioprospecting studies. More rigorous phylogenetic analysis that combines chemotaxonomy data, ethnomedicinal data and phylogenetic data are necessary to pinpoint exact lineages for specific medicinal properties.