JOURNAL OF REPORTS IN PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
Year:2018 | Volume:7 | Issue:3|Papers Count:9

Pistacia atlantica subsp. kurdica is an important food source and a well-known medicinal plant in Zagros Mountains of Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate phytochemical composition and biological activity of P. atlantica hulls. The phenolics profile of P. atlantica hulls extract was analyzed using the Reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography equipped with photodiode array detector (RP-HPLC-PDA) and the chemical composition of essential oil was determined using the Gas chromatography– mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Gas Chromatography – Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of hydro-alcoholic extract of P. atlantica hulls were measured by Folin– Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. The antioxidant activity of hydro-alcoholic extract was studied by using 2, 2-diphenyl, 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Quantitative HPLC analysis indicated that ferulic acid, quercetin and naringenin are the main phenolic compounds in plant extract. In total, 55 compounds were identified and the main identified compounds of the essential oil were α-pinene and bornyl acetate. The hydro-alcoholic extract showed moderate antioxidant activity with IC50 =75 μ g ml-1. The total phenolic content of extract was 15. 9 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight, and the total flavonoid content of extract was 28 mg quercetin /g dry weight. The data of this study suggests that P. atlantica has potential for application as an antioxidant agent in pharmaceutical and food industries.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant activities from anthraquinones fractions from leaves of Morinda citrifolia. Anthraquinones fraction from the leaves of M. citrifolia exhibited significant inhibition against the test of bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Anthraquinones fraction of the leaves have antioxidant activities. LC-MS analysis of anthraquinones of the M. citrifolia leaves identified specific compounds in these fractions. Scanning electron microscope results of these substances showed significant morphological changes of cell wall membrane and destruction of bacterial cell. It could be concluded that the anthraquinones of the part of this plant had a good antibacterial and antioxidant effects. The results suggest the anthraquinones of the part of this plant can be a new source of antimicrobials against pathogenic bacteria and antioxidant source.

A number of risk factors could potentially affect the process of arsenic-induced kidney diseases. Arsenic is a common environmental and occupational contaminant dispersed world-wide, which can have an influence on developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) by several mechanisms. In recent years, alteration in the lifestyle as well as food habits among the people led to an increased use of food comprising a high-fat level. This important susceptible factor can have an effect on toxicity induced by arsenic. The present study was designed to evaluate the chronic exposure high fat diet (HFD) on arsenic-induced oxidative stress in kidney tissue of mice. Mice were randomly divided into 6 different groups (n=12). A low fat diet (LFD) control, LFD + arsenic 25 ppm, LFD + arsenic 50 ppm, HFD control, HFD + arsenic 25 ppm, HFD +arsenic 50 ppm. At the end of experiments, body weight and kidney weight to body weight ratio, biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers, and kidney histological were evaluated. Our study showed that HFD increased arsenic-induced kidney damage through oxidative stress in mice. These investigations could be important for clinical research to protect against arsenic-induced kidney toxicity.

The repellent is a material that works in protecting humans from mosquito bites. Langsat peel (Lansium domesticum Corr. ) is one of the plants having function as repellent, anti-mosquito containing triterpenoid compound. The purpose of this research was to formulate the langsat peel ethanol extract into anti-mosquito lotion and to determine the effectiveness of repellent anti-mosquito from the best formulation of the langsat peel ethanol extract. The Optimization of the lotion basis was performed on three variations of cetyl alcohol concentrations i. e. 3%, 5%, and 7% respectively and obtained F2 containing 5% Cetyl alcohol as the optimum base. The F2 lotion basis formula was formulated into lotion with three concentrations of 10%, 20%, and 35%. The three lotions formula of the langsat peel ethanol extract was tested by organoleptic test, preparation, spreading test, adhesion test and stability test, including pH and viscosity exposed at 15-30oC, 4oC and 40oC. All formulas were tested for irritation using rabbits for 3 days and did not show any erythema and edema. Tests of the effectiveness of anti-mosquito were done on rabbit using mosquitoes. The results obtained showed that langsat peel extract 20% and 35% had effectiveness as anti-mosquito repellent and can be formulated into lotion dosage form.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has spasmolytic activity and is used in gastrointestinal complains in traditional medicine. In this study, the effect and potency of different concentrations of hydroalchoholic extract of the plant were evaluated on isolated rat ileum. The extract of the leaves of lemon balm was prepared by maceration method and different concentrations of the extract were tested on isolated N. Mari rat ileum in an organ bath containing tyrode solution. To evaluate the potency, the relaxing effect of the extract was compared with the corresponding values for atropine and verapamil (10-6 and 10-7 M, respectively). The findings showed that the extract is able to inhibit contraction induced by carbachol (6. 8×10-7 M) and KCl (20 M) at concentrations of 4 and 5. 6 mg/ml, respectively, and leads to the relaxation of the smooth muscle of the intestine. It was also observed that 4 mg/ml concentration of the extract can exert an inhibitory effect similar to that of 10-7 M verapamil. The results show that the antispasmodic effect of Melissa officinalis' hydroalcoholic extract is associated with the involvement of muscarinic receptor and calcium channels and that the plant can be proposed as therapeutic agent for gastrointestinal spasms due to its potency.

Aging is a complex process characterized by a progressive decline in physiological function, followed by dysfunction, and ultimately, death. Increase activity of hyaluronidase, elastase and collagenase, are documented in skin aging. Free radicals can stimulate skin aging through antioxidant system destruction, wrinkle formation, and melanogenesis. Antioxidant and anti-aging agents have been recently developed from herbal plants. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant and anti-aging activities of Jasminum sambac extract (JSE). The phytochemical assay was performed with modified Farnsworth method. Antioxidant assays were measured by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenger, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and 2, 2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS)-reducing activities. Anti-aging properties were measured through inhibitory activities of collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase. Phytochemical analysis showed presence of phenols, triterpenoids, and flavonoids in low level, and terpenoids in high level. JSE showed higher DPPH-scavenging activity (IC50=94. 13 ± 10. 54 μ g/mL) than eugenol (2. 28 ± 0. 12 μ g/mL), but lower than hesperidin (226. 34 ± 4. 96 μ g/mL). JSE showed lowest ABTS-activity (IC50=39. 20 ± 0. 45 μ g/mL) compared to hesperidin and eugenol (IC50= 8. 10 ± 0. 60 and 1. 56 ± 0. 03 μ g/mL, respectively). The FRAP-reducing activity of JSE, hesperidin, and eugenol showed JSE was the lowest activity at highest concentration (65. 46, 178. 16 and 402. 42 μ M Fe(II)/μ g) respectively). JSE showed the lowest anti-collagenase activity (IC50=339. 30 ± 7. 87 μ g/mL), anti-elastase (IC50=249. 94 ± 16. 51 μ g/mL), and anti-hyaluronidase (IC50=269. 26 ± 90. 52 μ g/mL) compared to hesperidin, and eugenol. Overall, JSE has low antioxidant activity compared to hesperidin and eugenol, as well as low anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, and anti-hyaluronidase activities.

Based on epidemiological evidences, cardiac glycosides such as digoxin have been recently proposed as an anticancer drug. However, the outcomes are controversial and even application of digoxin as an anticancer agent is doubtful. Hence, in the present study, the anticancer properties of digoxin and its potential mechanisms have been investigated in a liver cancer cell line i. e. HepG2. hep G2 cell line was cultivated in RPMI-1640 with %15 FBS and 2μ M digoxin for 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours. Apoptosis was detected in the cells treated with digoxin using in situ cell detection kit. Furthermore, the cells were stained by Giemsa to study the occurrence of senescence following administration of digoxin. Expression of HIF-α was determined by RT-PCR after the cells exposed to digoxin as well. Our findings revealed that digoxin induces apoptosis in a time dependent manner. A significant number of apoptotic cells were observed after 48hours exposure to digoxin (P<0. 05). It seems that digoxin elicits senescence in hepG2 cell line in time dependent manner as well. Following digoxin treatment, down regulation of HIF1-α was considerably detected in the liver cancer cell line. Again, the result was prominent after 48hrs. Our findings strongly suggest that digoxin exerts its antitumor properties through inducing of apoptosis, cellular senescence and changing of HIF1-α gene profile. Due to cytotoxic effects of digoxin on the cells, it would be essential to determine the minimum toxicity dose and the drug mechanisms before its application in clinics for the patients.

Seeds of Ocimum basilicum (Basil) have many phytochemical components with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant property like its leaves. Aim of this study was to determine anti-inflammatory effect of O. basilicum seeds extract (OBSE) and mucilage (OBSM) on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. Three doses of OBSE and OBSM (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) were administered orally to separate groups of male Wistar rats, 2 h before ulcer induction (acetic acid 4%) and continued for 5 days. Normal saline (5 ml/kg) and dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) were administered in control and reference groups, respectively. All rats were sacrificed 24 h after the last dose (at sixth day) and tissue injuries were assessed macroscopically, pathologically and for myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. All three doses of OBSM and OBSE reduced ulcer score, area and index as well as weight of wet colonic tissue compared to the control group significantly. In addition, OBSM (at three doses) and OBSE (400 mg/kg) were statistically effective in attenuation of mucosal inflammation severity and extent, crypt damage, total colitis index, and mono-amino oxidase (MPO) activity compared with controls. While both fractions were effective in amelioration of colitis in rats, OBSM was more effective than OBSE especially with greater doses (200, 400 mg/kg). It seems that mucilage form of O. basilicum could exert more protection against oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in colitis tissue suggesting a suitable candidate for colitis prevention or treatment as alternative or complementary therapy.

This study was carried out to test the activity of the methanol-water (20: 80 V/V) extract of the leaves of Urtica dioica L. on the DNA and sperms in Rat. The antioxidant activity of the extract was tested using two systems: the β-carotene spray method and measuring the coupled oxidation of β-carotene and linoleic acid. The rats were treated with the extract at 100, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight, and the extracted DNA from white blood cells. The results showed the presence of good antioxidant activity in the extract through the appearance of 3 positive bands (Rf= 0. 4, 0. 94, 0. 96) that kept the yellow color of β-carotene. This activity was also confirmed from the ability of the extract to keep the of absorbance (at 470 nm) stable, relatively high, and close to the positive control curve for BHT that shows antioxidant activity when using the coupled oxidation of β-carotene and linoleic acid. Treating the rats with the extract at concentrations of 100 and 500 mg/kg did not have the effect on the DNA, while the third concentration (1000 mg/kg) caused DNA destruction. This was clear from the appearance of DNA smear with a molecular size approximately 0. 3-20. 5 Kbps. The study of the effect of the extract on rat sperm, the result shows different abnormalities in sperm, especially in high dose.