Journal of Medicinal Plants
Year:2005 | Volume:4 | Issue:15|Papers Count:13

New Page 1 Background: A growing body of research has confirmed that saffron stigma extract and its main constituents have anticancer properties. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible cytotoxic and antitumor activities of the ethanolic extracts of Crocus sativus stigma and petal using simple brine shrimp and potato disc assays. Method: The MIC of stigma and petal extracts were determined using microplate method. In brine shrimp assay, for each concentration, three wells containing 10 larva were tested. After 24h, the number of dead larva were counted. In potato disc assay, discs were cut of potato with specific diameter and transferred onto 1.5% agar under a laminar air cabinet. 50 μl of a mixture containing suspension of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and the solution of stigma and petal extracts were inoculated on potato discs in plates. The plates were incubated at 25 °C for 21 days, and the tumors were counted. Results: The MIC of stigma extract was 10 mg/ml. The Petal extract did not show any antibacterial activity in the of concentration range 1-16 mg/ml. The IC50 values of stigma and petal extracts against tumor were 5.3 and 10.8 mg/ml, respectively. The LC50 values of stigma and petal extracts against brine shrimp were 1678.7 and 1356.8 ppm, respectively. Conclusion: This study indicated that the ethanolic extracts of saffron stigma and petal have anti-tumor activity and the stigma extract has more potent anti-tumor efects than the petal extract but with less toxicity.  

Hyperlipedimia especially increased blood cholesterol level is a chronic metabolic disease with several risk factor in etiology. Although several lipid-lowering drugs are prescribed but still hyperlipedimia is a main corn stone of attention in patients suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Presently, the use of herbal medicines for prevention and control of chronic hyperlipidemia is in the focus of attention for both the patients and physicians. The reasons for such shift toward the use of herbal medicine include: the expensive cost of conventional drugs, adverse drug reactions, and good efficacy of lipid lowering herbal medicine. Epidemiological studies indicate that diet restriction, alternative treatment and use of herbal medicine are a low coast and good direction in for controlling hyperlipedimia. Presently the use of herbal medicine by hyperlipedimic patients is considerably increases even in industrialized societies. However its uses is more pronounce among those patients which are resistant to conventional drug therapy. Although herbal therapy may induce beneficial effect, but due to irregular consumption and unspecified doses may render unsatisfactory lipid control and even herbalconventional drug interaction. In present article the efficacy, drug interaction and side effect of common antihyperlipidemic herbal medicine is reviewed.

Importance of yew tree (Taxus spp.) originates from the entering of Taxol (Paclitaxel) in the treatment of breast cancer since 1982. Taxus spp. is one of the Taxaceae family, distributed in North America, Europe, meditranean region, Asia and North forests of Iran. Efficacy of Taxol in the treament of some cancers and low concentration of this compound in tree, stimulated semi synthetic preparation of taxol from other more aboundant compounds such as baccation–III which is found with higher concentrations in all tree tissues. Despite entering some other routs for preparation of taxol e.g. cell culture, cultivation and studies on yew tree is in high importance, therefore review on this plant was made by authors.

New Page 1 Background: Zataria multiflora Boiss is used in traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal disorders and menrrhalgia. The inhibitory effect of this herb on rat ileum contractions has also been reported. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Zataria multiflora Boiss hydroalcoholic leaf extract (ZHLE) on isolated rat uterus in the presence of some known uterus stimulants. Method: Pieces of virgin adult rat uterus were mounted in an organ bath containing Tyrode or De Jalon solutions. Uterus contractions were induced by KCl, oxytocin and BaCl2 in presence and absence of ZHLE. Animals in oxytocin studies received an injection of oestradiol valerate (5mg/kg, s.c.) 24 h prior experiment. Results: ZHLE (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/ml) relaxed the uterus precontracted by KCl (60mM) in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.0001) and at 2mg/ml attenuated the BaCl2 (4mM)- induced uterus contraction significantly (p<0.001). The inhibitory effect of ZLHE on KClinduced uterus contraction was unaffected by propranolol (1μM). In normal De Jalon solution, ZHLE (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, and 1mg/ml) reduced the oxytocin (10mU/ml)-induced contraction dose-dependently (p<0.0001) but in Ca2+-free De Jalon solution, the stimulatory effect of oxytocin was weaker and also the inhibitory effect of ZHLE was more consistent. In presence of atropine (0.5μM), acetylcholine (0.5μM) failed to induce contraction but KCl (30mM)-evoked contraction and extract diminished the contractile response of KCl. The spasmolytic effect of extract (2mg/ml) on KCl-induced contraction was unaffected by naloxone (1μM). Conclusion: From the obtained results it may be concluded that, the ZHLE may induce its inhibitory effect through blockage of the voltage dependent calcium channels and releasing calcium from intracellular stores in rat uterus smooth muscle. The ineffectiveness of propranolol and naloxone on ZLHE inhibitory effect indicates that adrenergic and opoids agonist substance(s) did not exist in the extract. It seems that there was no anticholinergic substance(s) in the extract. The results support the usage of this plant in traditional medicine.  

Introduction: The premenstrual syndrome is characterised by Physical and Psychological symptoms apearing regularly during the week prior to menstruation and disappearing within a few days of its onset, causing disruption to occuptional, family and personal functioning. Anecdotal evidence suggests that Hypericum is useful in releving the symtoms of premenstrual syndrome, but as yet there has been no clinical investingation of this. Objective: To compare the efficacy of Hypericum with placebo to treat the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Methods: A double blind, placebo controlled, randomised design was used in the clinical study. 70 Students of Tehran University with premenstrual syndrome who were in otherwise good Physical and mental health, completed Daily symptom Ratings for two cycles. Then participants devided were in two groups (active 35, Placebo 35) and took Hypericum or placebo for two complete menstrual cycles (2×30 drops for 7 days before menstruation). Results: Hypericum obtained a mean reduction of %46.45, in symptoms and placebo %18.1. There were significant reductions in all symptoms between two groups. (p=0.000) Treatment was well tolerated and there was not any discontinuation or complication with Hypericum. Conclusion: Hypericum treats premenstrual syndrome, and offers a therapy limited to the luteal phase for at least two cycles.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a constant dose of aqueous extract of Echium amoenum. Method: Thirty - three patients with obsessive - compulsive disorder who had a score . 21 on the Yale - Brown scale were enrolled in the study and were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or 500 mg of aqueous extract of Echium amoenum . Patients were followed for 6 weeks. Efficacy was assessed by the Yale - Brown Obsessive - Compulsive Rating Scale, in week 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6. In the week 4 and 6, drug was superior to placebo. Results: This difference was significant in the sixth week (p = 0.003) and marginally non significant in the fourth week (P =0.053). The extract of Echium amoenum did not cause more adverse effects than placebo during the study. Conclusion: It is concluded the aqueous extract of Echium amoenum can be considered as an effective and safe treatment for obsessive - Compulsive disorder. However further studies at warranted.

Objectives: Use of surfactants and chemicals for washing and parasite decontamination from vegetables is not recommend-ed by W.H.O. due to its penetration in vegetables parenchyma and probable cause of improper taste and odor and toxicity. Some surveys showed “soap-roots” rhizomes (Chubak) to contain Saponin like constituents. Those are effective on surface tension reduction and so are prefered to chemical washers. This research was designed to study plant effect on Parasite removal from vegetables and its comparison with disinfectant and commercial detergent in Sari City (Mazandaran Province-north of Iran). Material and methods: Soap-roots aqueous extract (1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 percent) was prepared from the Acanthophyllum squarrosum (Caryophyllaceae) rhizome by maceration method. 100 g of parsley vegetable samples was taken randomly from shopping centers. The samples were placed in contact with Soap-roots aqueous extract for zero and 15 minutes according to the W.H.O. guidelines. Then the effluent was centrifuged and evaluated for parasite decontamination as qualitatively and quantitatively by Mc-master counting slide (0.3 mm). In addition in this research parasite decontamination by commercial detergent (10%) was performed with contact times 0 and 15 minutes and also pure water as blank. Results: Maximum parasite decontamination by Soap-roots aqueous extract and commercial detergent (10%) at 0 minute contact time obtained was 84 and 97 parasite eggs (parasite), respectively. Also maximum parasite decontamination by Soap-roots aqueous extract and commercial detergent (10%) and blank water at 15 minutes contact time obtained was 230, 26 and 64 parasite ova (parasite), respectively. In this research the best parasite decontamination range by Soap-roots aqueous extract was obtained at concentrations of 10 to 20 % and contact time of 15 minutes. Quantitavely, maximum parasite ova (parasite) decontamination from vegetable samples by Soaproots aqueous extract (10%) and 15 minutes contact time released 230 parasites. This numbers included 22 alive and active nematode larva, 197 alive larvas and 20 Parameciumia.

Background: The name “badrashbu” has been applied to some species of Dracocephalum (Labiatae) in Iran. Dracocephalum kotschyi is an indigenous herbaceous plant, used in folk medicine as a flavor in Iran. D. subcapitatum grows in both Iran and Turkmenistan. D. arguense is another species of Badrashbu found in Japan. Objective: In this study we aimed to examine the phylogenetic relationship between some Dracocephalum species. Method: Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis (RAPD), a molecular biological method, and analysis of volatile extracts (GC) were used. Results: Genetic distances were calculated to construct phylogenetic dendrograms of closely related samples. Based on the results the genetic distance between two samples of D. kotschyi was fonud to be short and their RAPD banding patterns were quite similar, also there was a close relationship between two samples of D. arguense. Gas chromatography analysis supported the taxonomic classification. Iranian samples of D. subcapitatum and D. kotschyi contained of limonene- 10- al which could not be detected in Japanese samples of D. arguense. Conclusion: D. subcapitatum show very close relationship to D. kotschyi rather than D. arguense in both phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic aspects.

Background: Foeniculum vulgare Miller. is a traditional herbal medicine used widely in world. This paper focuses on the analysis of the chemical composition of essential oil from the whole plant and calli of Foeniculum vulgare Miller.. Method: Growing the calli of Foeniculum vulgare Miller. and production its secondary metabolites studied and compared with those in the whole plant. Seeds were immersed in water for 5 min, surface-sterilized in 70% aqueous ethanol for 2 min and rinsed three laid on autoclaved agar (0.8%) and after 10 days the upper parts of the resultant seedlings were transferred to autoclaved MS (Murashige and Skoog) basal medium which were containing 2,4- D (1 mg/l), IAA (1 mg/l) and K (0.2 mg/l) as plant grow regulators. The callus were produced and subcultvred every 20-22 days. Results: Callus volatile constituents were consisted of monoterpene hydrocarbons (14.13%) and oxygenated monoterpenes (34.83%) the typical components were (E, E) 2,4 – Decadienal (22.64%) and 1,8 cineole (17.35%). In the whole plant 37 major compounds were detected in the oild totally 91.37 to 96.93% of the essences were consisted of these compoundes. E Anethole, Estragole and D-(+)- Fenchone were the most frequent compounds.

Background: Iranian herbal medicine has high capacity for disease prevention and remedy and can help to resolve health and medical problems. Identifying consumers’ needs and paying attention to their recommendations is an important factor for the proper use and marketing of these products. Method: This Survey Research was performed on the use of herbal medicines women in Isfahan on the base of cluster sampling. The population was categorized to three groups, including poor, middle income and wealthy. The data was collected through interviewing and filling a questionnaire. The data was analyzed statistically by chi-square test and also evaluated on the base of descriptive statistics. Conclusion: Results indicated that high percentage of the three groups used medicinal plants. Only about 11% of population in these levels had no tendency to use these materials. Also, despite of expressing satisfaction with herbal medicine, some problems such as high cost and contaminations of these materials lead to restriction in their use. 45.4% of people questioned these products two or three time each year. Also, there were significant differences among the three groups of population with respect to using herbal medicine. In general, 65.8% of population used these products and the highest (44.9%) and the lowest (18.4%) amount were related to middle income and poor groups, respectively.