Search

Background and objectives: Asarum europaeum L. belongs to the family Aristolochiaceae, known as asarum or European wild ginger. It has been traditionally used to treat various diseases such as improvement and enhancement of memory. Herein, phytochemical analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction of the methanol extract of A. europaeum rhizomes was conducted to identify compounds that have not been previously reported for this plant. Methods: Isolation of compounds was achieved using column chromatography of the ethyl acetate fraction eluting with appropriate solvents based on their polarity. The structure of isolated compounds was elucidated using NMR spectroscopy compared with authentic data recorded in the literature. Results: Three compounds including bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (1), 4-(3-glucopyranosyloxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-(E)-3-buten-2-one (2), and neohesperidin (2R) (3) were isolated and identified. Conclusion: This study described the isolation and identification of the structure of secondary metabolites that have not been previously reported for A. europaeum to open new horizons to drug discovery developments.

Chamomile or camomile (Matricaria chamomilla L. syn. Matricaria recutita L.) belongs to the family Asteraceae. It is native to Europe and West Asia and has spread to other parts of the world. The plant essential oils and extracts have been frequently used for thousands of years in traditional and folk medicines across the world, due to their valuable medicinal properties. Currently, it is widely applied in different industries such as pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food industry. Herein, the literature was carefully reviewed via search engines such as Google Scholar, Pub Med, and Scopus using keywords including biological activity, chamomile, flavonoids, pharmacological activity, Matricaria chamomilla, and Matricaria recutita. Sesquiterpenes such as bisabolol oxide B, bisabolone oxide, and bisabolol oxide A have been identified as the major constituents of chamomile essential oil. Also, various phenolic compounds and flavonoids were mostly reported as active compounds in the plant extracts. Although there are various reports pinpointing the mechanisms of action of chamomile and its constituents, some points have remained ambiguous and further well-designed clinical trials are required. Focusing on the importance of valuable biological properties of chamomile, the present review precisely discussed the characterized chemical constituents of the plant along with their mechanisms of action.

Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. commonly known as "meadowsweet", is a perennial herb native to Iran, Europe, and Western Asia. Several medicinal properties of the plant have been reported in Persian medicine. Filipendula ulmaria is traditionally used for fever, pain, inflammatory diseases (arthrosis, rheumatism, and arthritis), gastric disorders, liver dysfunction, and gout. The phytochemical studies indicate the presence of several active compounds, mainly phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids. Salicylic acid and its derivatives are the most important compounds found in essential oil and extracts of different parts of the plant. Pharmacological evaluations have shown the anti-arthritis, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-coagulant, anti-microbial, immunomodulatory, gastro-protective, and hepato-protective activity of F. ulmaria. Despite pharmacological activities, traditional uses and herbal supplements, there is no complete review article on this herb's properties. In this paper, we have provided a review on traditional uses, phytochemicals, pharmacological properties and medical information of this valuable medicinal plant.

Background and Objectives: Novel drug delivery systems improve bioavailability of standardized plant extracts which enables them to cross the biological membranes. Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticle systems are an approach to circumvent problems in drug delivery. Tribulus terrestris growing in subtropical areas has exhibited some biological and pharmacological activities; it contains compounds like flavonoids and steroids. To improve bioavailability of active compounds of the plant, its extract was subjected to prepare nanoparticles. Methods: Aqueous ethanol 80% extract of the whole plant was used for preparation of encapsulated nanoparticles using poly DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) polymer. Mean particle size, polydispersity, drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of the nanoparticles systems were evaluated in various ratios of T. terrestris extract. Results: All the applied concentrations of the extract provided particles in nano-scale size (163-214 nm). By increasing the extract ratio encapsulation efficacy also increased ranging between 40.3-78.5%. Above 50% of the loaded extract released in the first 3 h and it continued for 10 days. Conclusion: the plant extract has been successfully encapsulated into PLGA polymer. The quantification of encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release also showed that application of the plant in pharmaceutical field can be improved using nanoparticles.

Background and objectives: Resveratrol is a natural phenol in food particularly the skin of fruits like red grapes. It has shown biological, and antidepressant effects. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the role of adrenergic system on antidepressant and anti-obsessive effect of resveratrol. Methods: Male mice (weighing 27±2 g) were used. A tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor, α-methyl-p-tyrosine (AMPT 100 mg/kg), α1 adrenergic receptors (AR) antagonist (prazosin, 1 mg/kg), α2-AR antagonist (yohimbine, 1 mg/kg), β-AR antagonist (propranolol, 2 mg/kg) and a tricyclic antidepressant (imipramine, 5 mg/kg), were injected before resveratrol (60 mg/kg). Locomotor activity, burring behavior during marble burring test, and immobility time during forced swimming test (FST) were evaluated. Results: No significant difference was observed in the locomotor activity between groups. The immobility time increased following pretreatment with AMPT (147.3±6.35s vs resveratrol alone 85.67±4.51s, p

Background and objectives: Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) is a cytokine with various clinical applications, but it may induce depression by decreasing tryptophan level and producing neuroactive metabolites. Since Linum usitatissimum (flaxseed) is a valuable source for amino acids, α-linolenic acid (ALA), and lignans that could prevent inflammation and neurotoxicity, flaxseed effects on IFN-α induced depressant was evaluated. Methods: Flaxseed was applied either by whole ground flaxseeds in mice diet, or flaxseed oil by gavage feeding tube until effective antidepressant effects were observed. Seventy-eight male albino mice 25±3 g were used and divided in 13 groups, IFN-α 16×10 5 IU/kg was injected for 6 days. After the locomotor test, the forced swimming test (FST) was used to measure the immobility time indicating despair behavior, and the sucrose preference test measured anhedonia. Results: There were only marginal differences in the locomotor activity; however, the immobility time increased by IFN-α (154.5±11.22 s, vs control 121.3±7.14 s; p=0.031), and sucrose preference was 65% indicating depression. The administration of flaxseed 30% or flaxseed oil 25% with IFN-α significantly reduced the immobility time (92.67±11.60 s and 94.17±10.12 s, respectively, vs IFN-α normal diet, p

Background and objectives: Development of new medicines with fewer side effects and more efficacy is needed for treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders. The present study was designed to investigate the antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects of Stachys annua L. methanol extract in mice. Methods: The extract was prepared by maceration method and the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. Elevated plus-maze (EPM) and open field tests (OFT) were applied to evaluate the anti-anxiety and locomotor activity of animals treated with the intraperitoneal (i.p.) extract (12.5, 25, 50, and100 mg/kg), respectively. Antidepressant activity was evaluated by forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Results:The total phenolic content of the extract was 54.13±0.01 mg of gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry extract and total flavonoid content was 67.89±0.005 mg of quercetin as equivalents/ g of extract. Intraperitoneal administration of the extract (50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly increased the percentage of time spent and the percentage of arm entries into the open arms of EPM and decreased locomotor activity, compared with the vehicle control group. In addition, the immobility time of animals significantly decreased in both FST and TST with doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg of the extract, compared with the vehicle control group. Conclusion: The extract of Stachys annua L. might be used as an adjunct therapy in clinical studies for the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders. However, determination of active ingredients needs further evaluation.

Background and objectives: The primary etiology for gingivitis is dental plaque resulting in gum inflammation. Beside mechanical procedures, chemical agents in mouthwash can help in removal of plaques. Oil of Trachyspermum ammi rich in thymol may provide beneficial effect in control of gingivitis; therefore, the present study aimed to compare the effect of mouthwash containing the oil with chlorhexidine to control dental plaque and inflammation of gingivae. Methods: Essential oil of the plant was analyzed using GC-MS and amount of thymol was assayed by GC method. Herbal mouthwash was prepared and applied in an open-label non-randomized study, adult female and male suffering of gingivitis (N=30) entered in two groups after oral prophylaxis. Examining for plaque index (PI), bleeding index (BI), and modified gingival index (MGI) were conducted after two weeks administration of the herbal mouthwash. Results: The herbal mouthwash was stable for two months with no physical change and microbial contamination (0.05). Conclusion: The effect of T. ammi oil in control of inflammation was comparable with chlorhexidine, while chlorhexidine reduced risks of PI, BI, and MGI higher than those receiving the herbal mouthwash.

Background and objectives: Traditional medicine could provide a hopeful area of research to mitigate the suffering of patients. “Qust” is one of the medicinal plants that are mentioned in Persian Medicine (PM) for treatment of neurological diseases. There is diversity within the scientific name of “Qust” in different references. Some have introduced Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. (Asteraceae), while others have presented Costus speciosus (J. Koenig) Sm. (Costaceae) as “Qust”. Since “Qust” is not endemic in Iran, there is difficulty to access to the whole plant for its identification. Hence, this study has aimed to identify available bitter “Qust” which is composed of roots of the plant in the Iranian market. Methods: Macroscopic characters and microscopic properties of powders and transverse sections of specimens with essential oil analysis of the Indian and one of the Iran herbal market samples using chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were investigated for identification of bitter “Qust”. Results: Microscopic evaluation showed presence of secretory cavities and their specific size, narrow radial rows of conducting tissue alternating with broad medullary rays in the secondary phloem and xylem, presence of inulin, absence of starch and calcium oxalate crystals in the bitter “Qust” particles. Further, positive response was observed to S. costus identifying test. In the analysis of essential oils, active components of S. costus, such as dehydrocostus lactone, were identified in the examined essential oils. Conclusion: According to the results, it could be concluded that bitter “Qust” in Iran herbal market most probably is S. costus.

Background and objective: Medicinal oils are one of the most common and special dosage forms in oral and topical therapies of Persian medicine (PM). The oil of Saussurea costus (bitter qust) root is prominent topical oil with different applications in PM. In this study, the oil of bitter qust was prepared according to ancient Persian medical texts. Methods: To prepare traditional qust oil, 100 g of the root was soaked in 600 mL aqueous ethanol 25% overnight. The supernatant was then filtered and boiled in 800 g sesame oil until all water was evaporated. The essential oil of the root and volatile components of its traditional oil were extracted using hydro-distillation method in a Clevenger-type apparatus and were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. Total phenolics, flavonoids, tannins and polysaccharides were determined by spectrophotometric methods to evaluate the chemical parameters of traditional bitter qust oil. Results: The content of volatile compounds in both investigated samples was determined (0.5% and 0.1% (v/w), respectively). Dehydrocostus lactone and 1, 3-cyclooctadiene were two similar main compounds in the both analyzed samples. Total phenolics (788.290±0.61 mg/L gallic acid equivalent (GAE)), flavonoids (303.2±2.52 mg/L catechin equivalent (CE)), tannins (23.97±0.52 mg/L GAE) and polysaccharides (9.240±0.13 mg/L dextrose equivalent (DE)) contents were determined. Conclusion: According to the obtained data, dehydrocostus lactone could be used for determination and evaluation of traditional bitter qust oil.

Background and objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has resulted in a worldwide threat due to the virulence and broad distribution in the hospital and community. Novel antibiotics are required to combat the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria such as MRSA. In the present study, the antibacterial activity of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil alone and in combination with fifteen antibiotics of different classes against a standard and five clinical strains of MRSAs was investigated. Methods: Chemical composition of the essential oil was investigated by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The possible synergistic interaction of several antibiotics in combination with essential oil was screened by disc diffusion method. Interaction of the essential oil and the candidate antibiotic was investigated by checkerboard assay. Results: The essential oil was rich in thymol (74.2%), p-cymene (16%), and γ-terpinene (7.1%). Combination of sub-inhibitory concentrations of essential oil with vancomycin or gentamicin increased their inhibition zones against MRSA ATCC 33591 and clinically isolated MRSAs. All of the clinically isolated MRSAs were resistant to gentamicin, while combination of gentamicin with the essential oil caused augmentation of the antibacterial activity and 4 to 520-fold decrease in gentamicin minimum inhibitory concentrations was observed against different MRSA strains with fractional inhibitory concentration indices ranging from 0.50 to 0.75. Combination of essential oil with ciprofloxacin or imipenem increased the inhibition zones against some clinically isolated MRSAs. Conclusion: Combination of sub-inhibitory concentrations of T. ammi essential oil and gentamicin could be considered as a new choice for treatment of infectious diseases caused by MRSA strains.