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Background: Pain and pyrexia are the warning signals, primarily protective in nature, that cause discomfort and suffering and may even be unbearable and incapacitating. The modern drugs (such as opioids, NSAIDs, and corticosteroids) currently used for the management of pain, fever, and inflammatory conditions, present with many known adverse effects. Tinospora cordifolia known as Giloe or guduchi, widely used in folk medicine due to its property to cure several diseases. Aims and Objectives: The present study was undertaken to explore the analgesic activity of water-soluble extract of T. cordifolia in albino rats in experimentally induced pain. Materials and Methods: The present study was done in the Department of Pharmacology, Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad. Albino rats were used to study the analgesic activity of T. cordifolia aqueous extract at the dose of 300 mg/kg and 1 g/kg and tramadol 50 mg/kg per orally. Eddy’s hot plate was used for the antinociceptive study. Results: In Eddy’s hot plate, an increase in reaction time was observed with peak effect at 90 min. Results were close to the standard drug tramadol. Conclusion: Aqueous extract of T. cordifolia was effective in model of pain suggesting its possible action by central and peripheral mechanisms, and in higher doses, it was found to be effective like that of tramadol.

Background: This study highlights the use of plants as a vital part of Iraq’s health care. One of the most significant plants for medicine is Camellia sinensis. Objectives: phytochemically and chromatographically evaluation of C. sinensis and its antibacterial activity. Materials and Methods: The phytochemical analysis revealed the occurrence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and phenols, but glycosides are not found in extracts of C. sinensis leaves. Antibacterial efficacy of the herbal extracts revealed that both aqueous and ethanol extracts showed some degree of inhibition of growth in Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumonia, and Staphylococcus aureus. Results: Nine functional groups were identified through Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometer, and 10 phytochemical compounds were identified through gas chromatography–mass spectrum in the ethanol extract. The antibacterial activity of aqueous and ethanolic green tea extracts was tested. Both types of extracts showed clear biological activity against the studied bacterial species; the inhibitory effect increased with increasing concentration, with the highest activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts against Salmonella spp.(inhibition zone 40, 36 mm, respectively) at 200 mg/mL, but less inhibitory effect appears on S. pyogenes when using aqueous extract (12 mm) at 50 mg/mL and (18 mm) at 200 mg/mL. Conclusions: Various therapeutically active compounds are present in the aqueous and ethanolic extract of C. sinensis, which encourages its use in the treatment of microbial infections. Further investigations are needed for the chemical composition of green tea, and other techniques like HPLC may be used. Further tests are necessary for its antimicrobial activity, either in vitro or in vivo.

Introduction: Maytenus macrocarpa (MM) "Chuchuhuasi" is a native plant from the Amazon region of South America, widely used in traditional medicine due its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-tumor properties. However, its effects on reproductive physiology and male fertility have not been elucidated. Methods: Preclinical experimental study of cases and controls. Male mice with eight weeks from birth were administered orally for 70 days (two spermatogenic cycles) an aqueous extract MM: GC (n = 8) 0 mg / kg body weight (bw) control group and treated group GT (n = 8) 1000 mg / kg bw. Later the animals were euthanized, the reproductive organs were weighted, also motility and sperm count were recorded. During the days 60 or 65 of treatment, males were mated and pregnant females were sacrificed in the fourth day of pregnancy for evaluating development, quality and degree of blastulation. Results: The weights of reproductive organs did not differ significantly between the two groups (p> 0.05). However, progressive motility (32.81 vs. 15.27 ± 4.17% ± 2.08%) and sperm count (7.75 ± 0.34 x 106 / ml vs. 2.56 ± 0.42 x 106 / ml) decreased significantly between GC and GT, respectively. 87.5% (7/8) of the pregnant mice produced 15 litters (GC) and only 50% (4/8) of the pregnant GT yields 4 litters. However, no significant differences were found in the percentage of blastocyst stage embryos, good quality embryos, or embryos with greater than 50% the size of the embryo between the two groups (p> 0.05) blastoceles. Conclusion: the aqueous extract of Maytenus macrocarpa (1000 mg/kl) could have possesses anti-reproductive action in male mice.

Background: Allelopathy is the process of a plant's chemical release into the environment having direct or indirect, beneficial or negative effects on another plant. In the present work, we investigated the allelopathic interaction of Acacia modesta in the different extracts to show significant effects regarding the growth and germination of test species. Objective: The main objective of this research is to study how the allelopathic activity of Acacia modesta affects the growth of three Brassica species in various extracts (Aqueous extracts, litter & mulching). Methodology: Fresh leaves of Acacia modesta were collected from the Botanical Garden, Islamia College Peshawar, dried in the shade, and ground, whereas the glass ware was rinsed and sterilized for at least 4 hours at 170°C. Seeds of the Brassica crop were used and checked for viability in H2O. The Petri dishes were incubated at 25°C for 72 hours, then the effects of various extracts were examined, and lastly, readings from the Petri dishes were obtained. Results: According to our findings, the leaf extracts of Acacia modesta had a substantial effect on the germination and growth of Brassica species. Brassica campestris (10g/48h dry & 5g/24h fresh), Brassica napus (10g/24h), and Brassica juncea (10g/48h dry & 5g/48h fresh) leaf extracts have a greater effect than the control. Conclusion: Our outcomes concluded that in comparison of the test species in all the experiments, Brassica campestris and Brassica juncea were highly affected by the allelopathy of A. modesta which necessitates further evaluation.

Objective Some plants have antiseptic properties with no harm to humans or animals. In this study, we aim to assess the effects of Ailanthus altissima and Salvia nemorosa extracts on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Proteus vulgaris in vitro. Methods Ailanthus altissima leaves and flowered branch of Salvia nemorosa were collected and dried in shade and powdered. Their aqueous, hydroalcoholic and methanolic extracts were prepared separately from the plants by Maceration method at four concentrations of 20, 30, 40, 50 mg/mL which were used in Mueller-Hinton Agar culture medium by the well diffusion method. Saponin was extracted was using 20% ethanol. The statistical results were analyzed in GraphPad Prism v.7 software. Results The aqueous extract of Salvia nemorosa was more effective on Pseudomonas aeruginosa (mean non-growth halo diameter = 26±1 mm). The diameter of the non-growth halo with Ailanthus altissima methanolic extract was 17.5±0.5 mm in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 16.5±0.5 mm in Staphylococcus aureus, and the effect was significant (P

Introduction: Allium genus with more than 900 important breeding and wild species, as a natural and bioactive antioxidant, is widely used in the pharmaceutical and food industries. This study aimed to investigate the effect of antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of Allium canadense and its effect on the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase enzyme and recovery of the inhibited enzyme activity. Material & Methods: After the preparation of Allium canadense aqueous extract, the antioxidant activity of the extract at the concentrations of 100, 500, and 1000 μg/ml was investigated using DPPH free radical scavenging method. Following that, the activity of serum acetylcholinesterase and its reactivation after inhibition by organophosphate diazinon was evaluated at the concentrations of 100, 500, and 1000 μg/ml of the extract by the Ellman method. Findings: Inhibition concentration of 50% (IC50) of free radicals of DPPH was 360/19 μg/ml. Aqueous extract of Allium canadense did not inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity and was added to the concentration dependently. The regeneration of the inhibited enzymes activity was also observed in the vicinity of different concentrations of the aqueous extract of the plant. Discussion & Conclusion: The aqueous extract of Allium canadense does not inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity; however, it can reactivate the enzyme inhibited by diazinon. The reason for this positive effect may be related to the high antioxidant activity in the extract.

Abstract Background oxidative stress and inflammation remain the main health problems often linked to degenerative diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of onion growth in Cameroon. Methods Aqueous extracts were produced from two varieties of onion (Violet of galmi; Goudami) and were quantified for their polyphenols content. Concentrations of extracts (0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5 mg/mL) were also prepared, their in vitro antioxidant properties evaluated by using standard methods. Anti-inflammatory effect of onion extracts was assessed by applying carrageenan sub plantar test to Wistar rats, but acetic acid test was used to study analgesic effect. Results The polyphenols content and antioxidant activities of onion extracts changed significantly (p

Background and Objective: Cancer can spread to distant parts of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream. Angiogenesis is a fundamental step in the transition of tumors from a dormant state to a malignant. Some changes in cancerous cells can be improved and treated using herbal extracts. Salvia species in Iranian traditional medicine were used against various infections, inflammatory diseases.This study was done to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Salvia atropatana leaf on subcutaneous tumor model of CT26 colon carcinoma in Mice. Methods: In this experimental study, for the induction of colon carcinoma, 26CT cells were injected into 18 BALB/c male Mice. Subcutaneous injection was done in the right side of the animal. When the size of the tumor was 50±350 mm3, 18 Mice were randomly allocated into 3 groups, including controls, aqueous extracts a breakdown of each dose 50 and 100 mg/kg/bw. The group containing the aqueous extracts of Salvia atropatana leaf was injected for 14 days, daily. To monitor the therapeutic effects, the parameters of the stopping rate in the growth of the tumor, the relative volume changes and the doubling of tumor volume were evaluated. After sacrificed the animals at the end the fourteenth day of the study, tumors were dissected for histological study. Results: The volume of tumors and the mean density of the number of vessels was significantly reduced in treated group 1 (50 mg/kg/bw of aqueous extracts of Salvia atropatana leaf) and treated group 2 (100 mg/kg/bw of aqueous extracts of Salvia atropatana leaf) in compared to control group (P

Introduction: Recently, much attention has been paid to the biosynthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) due to their eco-friendly, cost-effective, and easily applied nature. This study aimed to synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs using Eriobotrya Japonica seed aqueous extract. Moreover, it was attempted to evaluate their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Materials & Methods: Initially, the Eriobotrya Japonica seed aqueous extract was prepared, and the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured in this study. After the preparation of ZnO NPs by the extract, the antioxidant activity of ZnO NPs was evaluated using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging method. In addition, the antibacterial activities of the extract and NPs were determined using a disc diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus gram-positive bacteria and Escherichia coli gram-negative bacteria. Ethics code: Ir.ausmt.rec.1398.11.33 Findings: The results showed that aqueous extract had a specific amount of phenolic and flavonoids (9.86 mg/g and 27 mg/g dry weight of extract, respectively). Moreover, the synthesized ZnO NPs were

Abstract Objectives Cigarette smoke aqueous aerosol extracts (AqE) have been used for assessing tobacco products, particularly with in vitro models such as oxidative stress and inflammation. These test articles can be generated easily, but there are no standardised methods for the generation and characterisation or stability. We investigated the effects of pro-oxidant smoke-derived chemicals by using 3R4F AqE generated under standardised conditioning and smoking regimes and assessed the stability over 31-week timeframe. Twenty batches generated from ten puffs per cigarette bubbled through 20 ml cell culture media were used fresh and thawed from frozen aliquots stored at – 80 ºC. Results Nicotine levels quantified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and optical density at 260 nm showed chemical and physical stability from week 0 (fresh sample) to weeks 1, 4, 8 and 31 (frozen samples). No significant change in H292 human bronchial epithelial cell viability or oxidative stress were observed between fresh AqE at week 0 and frozen AqE at 31 weeks. AqEs generated by our protocol were stable for up to 31 weeks for all tested end points, suggesting that it may not be necessary to use freshly generated AqE for each study, thus reducing batch-to-batch variability.

Abstract Background Chemotherapy is the most widely used means of controlling trypanosomosis, however, effectiveness of the drugs available is limited by a number of factors. This study investigates the oxidative stress profile of aqueous extract of the fruit pulp of Adansonia digitata on some organs in rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Methods Thirty-five male albino rats were divided into 7 groups of 5 rats each. Groups B, C, D, E, F and G were inoculated with 0.20 ml of suspension containing 106 T. b. brucei. Group A were neither infected nor treated. Group B were infected but not treated. At onset of parasitaemia, rats in group C were treated with diminazene aceturate at 3.5 mg/kg body weight once, while rats in group D were treated with vitamin C at 200 mg/kg body weight for 3 days consecutively. Rats in groups E, F and G were treated orally for 3 days with the aqueous extract of fruit pulp of A. digitata at a dosage of 40 mg/kg, 80 mg/kg and 160 mg/kg body weight respectively. Liver and kidney tissues of the rats were collected at necropsy (10 days PI) for oxidative stress analysis. Results There was a significant (p

Abstract Background Vitellaria paradoxa (V. paradoxa) is a plant used in traditional medicine in the treatment of many diseases including diabetes mellitus. Although the different parts of this plant are used empirically as antidiabetic drug, no scientific work to our knowledge has yet been undertaken to evaluate its effects on blood glucose, and lipid and antioxidant parameters of diabetic animals. The objective of this study is therefore to evaluate the hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract of V. paradoxa barks in diabetic rats. Methods Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (120 mg/kg bw). Thirty male albino rats were divided into groups and orally treated for 14 days with distilled water, glibenclamide (2.5 mg/kg bw) and aqueous extract of V. paradoxa (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg bw). Glycaemia, insulin level, relative body weight, hepatic glycogen level, some liver enzymes, and lipid and antioxidant parameters were evaluated. Results The results showed that the extract caused a significant increase in relative body weight, insulin level, HDL-cholesterol, hepatic glycogen rate, and fructose-1,6-biphosphate and glucokinase activities. A significant decrease in glycaemia, glucose-6-phosphatase activity, total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol were also observed after the administration of V. paradoxa. Glutathione level and the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase increased significantly while the nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels decreased significantly in the liver of animals treated with the extract of V. paradoxa. Conclusion These results justify the hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of aqueous extract of V. paradoxa barks, which can reduce the complications associated with diabetes.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of the aqueous extract from the fruit walls of Phaseolus vulgaris pods and to examine the potential mechanism underlying the improvement of the glycemic level. In the course of the study, diabetes mellitus was induced in rats with a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (45 mg·kg−1 b.w.). Diabetic and control rats were then orally administered with a single-dose or repeated-dose (28 day) of P. vulgaris extract (200 mg·kg−1). Results show that the extract was found to possess significant hypoglycemic activity, and the study of glucose utilization by isolated rat hemidiaphragm suggests that the aqueous extract may enhance the peripheral utilization of glucose. The subsequent experiments have revealed that the P. vulgaris extract could increase glucose transporter 4 (GLUT-4) content in skeletal muscle cells of control and diabetic rats. Our data also indicate that the P. vulgaris extract did not affect the content of the insulin receptor, but significantly reduced the total tyrosine kinase activity in skeletal muscle cells of both experimental groups of rats. The present results clearly indicated that P. vulgaris extract may be beneficial for reducing hyperglycemia through its potency in regulation of glucose utilization via GLUT-4, but the current mechanism remains to be unidentified.

Background and Objectives: Today, with increasingresistance of bacteria to antibiotics, the use of medicinal plants has increased. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial properties of Carla extract on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus to investigate the inhibitory properties and to find alternative drugs. Materials and Methods: In this research, the antimicrobial activity of Carla inaqueous and alcoholic extraction on escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus was performed by means of well diffusion method. Consequently, theinhibitory zone, MIC and MBC were determined. Results: MIC and Mbc for escherichia coli showed the highest sensitivity to alcoholic extract of leaf with mean of 62.5 mg/ml and 125 mg/ml and staphylococcus aureus showed the highest susceptibility to fruit alcoholic extract with mean of 64 mg / ml and 64 mg / ml. The diameter of the inhibition zone of the alcoholic extract of the leaf for E. coli is 19 mm and the diameter of the inhibition zone of the alcoholic extract of fruit for staphylococcus aureus is 2/26 mm, which confirms the results of MIC and Mbc. Minimum inhibitory concentration of E.coli was related to the alcoholic extract of leaf and the minimum concentration of fecundity was related to alcoholic beverage. Conclusions: Results for staphylococcus aureusac company from the order of aqueous extract of leaf

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a global health challenge with the increasing drug-resistant organisms even in community. Hence, there is a need for search of other alternatives to the antimicrobials which can replace or boost the activity of existing antimicrobials. Camellia sinensis (C. sinensis) is one of the most popular beverages worldwide and has been reported to demonstrate the antimicrobial activity against various pathogenic bacteria. Aim: The aim is to evaluate the antimicrobial property of green tea extract and its synergistic effect on antimicrobials showing resistance in clinical isolates. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, prospective, analytical study was conducted after due approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Green tea was procured and shade dried, and extraction was done by percolation and infusion method. The antimicrobial activities of these extracts were studied against standard strains and then on nonrepetitive clinical isolates from bacteriology laboratory showing resistance to the primary line of antimicrobials. Results: Our study showed antimicrobial action of green tea extract by percolation method against standard strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa but not against Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of green tea were found to be 12.5 μg/ml against standard strain of P. aeruginosa. The green tea extract exhibited synergistic activity against 21/30 clinical strains of nonfermenters tested from various clinical samples. No antibacterial action was found for extract prepared by infusion method against the standard American Type Culture Collection strains. Conclusion: C. sinensis could be explored as one of the alternatives or for synergistic action in combination with other antimicrobials for nonfermenters. Further investigation for potential toxicity and pharmacodynamic profile of the polyphenols is required.

Abstract Background: Aflatoxins are natural fungal toxins produced by Aspergillus species such as A. flavus. The toxins are poisoning and can cause tissue necrosis and liver cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the control of Aflatoxin B1 production by extracts and essential oils. Materials and Methods: Aqueous extracts were prepared by heating and essential oil by Clevenger's apparatus. Antifungal activity of essential oil and aqueous extract of Mentha pulegium and Satureja hortensis were determined by disc diffusion and microplate dilution methods. Production control of Aflatoxin B1 was investigated with concentrations under MIC(Minimum inhibitory growth concentration) of two materials and were determined by HPLC method. Results: The most zone of inhibition was 10% belonging to Satureja essential oil and its aqueous extracts with diameters of 26mm and 12mm, respectively. These values for Mentha extract and 10% essential oil were 18mm and 8mm respectively. MIC of the aqueous extract of Satureja and Mentha were 0.031 and 0.063mg/ml respectively, and 1% essential oil of two materials was 0.039 and 0.078 mg/ml, respectively. Aflatoxin B1 produced by A. flavus in concentrations of 1%, 2% and 10% Satureja essential oil were 122, 113 and 134 ppb, in 1%, 2% and 10% Mentha were 163, 168 and 171 ppb, respectively. The aqueous extracts of 1% Satureja reduced the production of toxin as 58.1 and the 1% aqueous extract of Mentha as 39.6. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that both Satureja hortensis and Mentha pulegium have the ability to inhibit the growth of Aspergillus flavus fungus, as well as control of aflatoxin B1 production in low concentrations and recommended for further studies.

Introduction: The violet flower is a plant that has long been considered by traditional medicine due to its sedative properties. Since testicular damage is one of the complications of diabetes, this study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic effect of the violet flower aquatic extract on testicular damage caused by diabetes. Materials and Methods: In this study, forty male Wistar rats weighing 200-220 g were divided into four groups: control group, diabetic group (induced by intraperitoneal injection of 55 mg/kg streptozotocin), experimental group 1 (diabetic + 100 mg/kg aqueous extract of violet flower), experimental group 2 (diabetic + 200 mg/kg aqueous extract of violet flower). The experimental groups received the aquatic extract by gavage after two months of diabetes for five weeks. At the beginning of the fifth week, blood samples were taken and hormonal factors of blood and tissue sections of testes were evaluated. Results The diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in diameter 0/98± 0/053 and number of spermatogonia 61/2±2/10 in the seminiferous tubules. In the experimental groups 1 and 2, the morphological changes in the testicular sections which induced by diabetes increased significantly, and production of germ cells were decreased in the germinal layer. Conclusion: The use of the violet flower aqueous extract significantly increased testicular damage in diabetic rats, and this extract did not have the ability to treat the testicular damage and increasing the germ cells.

Abstract Background This study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic benefits of oral administration of extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves on some serum parameters that are indicators or risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, in salt loaded rabbits. Method Thirty experimental rabbits used for this study were randomized into five groups (A to E) of six rabbits. Rabbits in groups A to D were given salt loaded diets. Groups B and C animals were also treated with aqueous and ethanol extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves respectively while rabbits in group E served as control. Results Salt loading resulted in a significantly (P

Aristolochia ringens Vahl. (Aristolochiaceae (AR); 馬兜鈴 mǎ dōu líng) is used traditionally in Nigeria for the management of various disorders including oedema. Preliminary investigation revealed its modulatory effect on the cardiovascular system. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of the aqueous root extract of A. ringens (AR) on haemodynamic parameters of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The effect of oral subacute (21 days) and intravenous acute exposure of SHRs to the extract were assessed using tail cuff and carotid artery canulation methods respectively. In the latter, the effect of chloroform, butanol and aqueous fractions of AR were also evaluated. The extract significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressures in SHRs, with peak reductions of 20.3% and 26.7% respectively at 50 mg/kg by the 21st day of oral subacute exposure. Upon intravenous exposure, AR (50 mg/kg) reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure by as much as 53.4 ± 2.2 and 49.2 ± 2.8 mmHg respectively. A dose-dependent reduction in heart rate, significant at 25 and 50 mg/kg was also observed. Hexamethonium (20 mg/kg) and atropine (1 mg/kg) inhibited the extract's reduction of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate significantly. The extract's butanol fraction produced the greatest systolic and diastolic blood pressures reduction of 67.0 ± 3.8 and 68.4 mmHg respectively at 25 mg/kg and heart rate reduction of 40 ± 7 beats per minute at 50 mg/kg. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and quercetin in AR. The extract's alterations of haemodynamic parameters in this study show that it has hypotensive effect on spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Abstract Background In traditional medicine, Acalypha wilkesiana is frequently used solely or as a composite part of many herbal preparations for therapeutic purposes. This study was therefore conducted to evaluate the effects of oral administration of extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves, on some serum diagnostic enzymes in normal experimental rabbits. Methods Eighteen adult male experimental rabbits were randomized into three groups (A, B and C), comprising of six animals each. Group A animals were given aqueous extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves, while group B animals were given ethanol extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves. The extracts were administered orally at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight for a period of twenty-one (21) days. Group C animals were given water, thus they served as control. Data are represented as Mean ± S.E.M (n = 6). Significance of Difference was tested by ANOVA at P 0.05) lower serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and creatinine kinase (CK), as compared with the control animals. Conclusion In view of the effects of the plant extracts on ALP and LDH levels, the use of Acalypha wilkesiana leaf in traditional medicine should be with caution.

Abstract Background: Stress oxidative factors are known to causes diseases resulting from metabolic disorders. Therefore, preventing, or at least decreasing the amount of these factors may have a positive impact on prevention or improvement of the metabolic problems. Recently, the herbal medicines are more considered due to more effectiveness. We designed the present study to evaluate anti-oxidant effect of aqueous extract of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). Materials and Methods: For extract preparation, the dry aerial part of lavender mixed with boiling water for 4 hours and then the container was filtered and condensed in a bain marie. Finally, the extract was powdered by freeze dryer. The anti-oxidant activities of the herbal medicine samples in 5, 10, 20 and 40 ppm concentrations were determined via DPPH method. This method is based on free radical scavenging of 2, 2- dipheny L-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) reflected in the color and absorbance changes in spectrophotometery method in 520 nm. Finally the IC50 was calculated and compared with that of for vitamin C as a standard. Results: All doses of the aqueous extract of the lavender showed dose- dependent potent anti-oxidant activity, So that, their differences were significant compared to control sample. The IC50 of the herbal medicine was 24.66 ppm that was less than the vitamin C of 2.3 ppm. Conclusion: As a potent anti-oxidant, the lavender aqueous extract can be effective in treatment of metabolic diseases.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent carcinogenic mycotoxin that contaminates numerous crops pre- and post-harvest. To protect foods and feeds from such toxins without resorting to pesticides, the use of plant extracts has been increasingly studied. The most interesting candidate plants are those with strong antioxidative activity because oxidation reactions may interfere with AFB1 production. The present study investigates how an aqueous extract of Mimosa tenuiflora bark affects both the growth of Aspergillus flavus and AFB1 production. The results reveal a dose-dependent inhibition of toxin synthesis with no impact on fungal growth. AFB1 inhibition is related to a down-modulation of the cluster genes of the biosynthetic pathway and especially to the two internal regulators aflR and aflS. Its strong anti-oxidative activity also allows the aqueous extract to modulate the expression of genes involved in fungal oxidative-stress response, such as msnA, mtfA, atfA, or sod1. Finally, a bio-guided fractionation of the aqueous extract demonstrates that condensed tannins play a major role in the anti-aflatoxin activity of Mimosa tenuiflora bark.

ABSTRACT Background and Objective: Although antibiotics are commonly used for treatment of infectious diseases, these treatments are often associated with several problems such as unwanted side effects and resistance to antibiotics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Nasturtium officinale on Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. Methods: All experiments were performed using the well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of N. officinale against the pathogenic bacteria studied were determined by microdilution method. Results: In the well diffusion method, S. aureus and L. monocytogenes were the most sensitive bacteria with MIC of 8 μg/ml, while E. coli and S. typhimurium were the most resistant bacteria to the aqueous and alcoholic extracts. In addition, the inhibitory activity of the alcoholic and aqueous extracts of N. officinale was higher against gram-positive bacteria compared to gram-negatives. The lowest MIC (6.25 μg/ml) and MBC (12.5 μg/ml) of the plant extract were against S. aureus. Conclusion: The aqueous and alcoholic extracts of N. officinale affect the growth of gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus and L. monocytogenes) but not the gram-negatives (S. typhimurium and E. coli). These extract could be used for treatment of infections. Keywords: Nasturtium Officinale, Aqueous Extract, Alcoholic Extract, Antibacterial Effect.

Introduction: Considering growing increase of antibacterial resistance to antibiotics and existing of anti-bacterial compounds in plants, in this study the antibacterial effect of aqueous and methanol extracts of Allium jesdianum plant on some species of pathogenic bacteria was evaluated. Methods: In this experimental study, the aqueous and methanol extracts of Allium jesdianum plant were prepared from Allium jesdianum plant. The antimicrobial effects of the extracts were evaluated by two methods: broth microdilution and agar-well diffusion on the bacteria in comparison with Gentamicin. The data were analysed by two independent samples T-test (SPSS-16). Results: The methanol extracts had a significant antibacterial eeffect on all examined Gram-positive and gram negative bacteria, except for Enterococcus faecalis (P

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: damage to peripheral nerves stimulates a series of morphological and biochemical changes in neurons, which are not concentrated only in the injured region, but are also observed in the cell body of neurons of the spinal cord and in the nerve ganglion. The aim of this study was evaluation of the protective effects of aqueous extract of Achillea millifolium on neuron density of ventral horn of the spinal cord after sciatic nerve compression. METHODS: In this experimental study, 30 Wistar rats were divided randomly into 5 groups: group I (control), group II (compression), group III (compression + injection of the aqueous extract at a dose of 25 mg/kg), Group IV (compression+injection aqueous extract at a dose of 50 mg/kg), and group V (compression+aqueous plant extract at a dose of 75 mg/kg). Mice were anesthetized and the skin of the right thigh was incised, then the muscles were parted to expose the sciatic nerve. Using forceps, the sciatic nerve cord blood was severely compressed, then the muscles and skin were sutured. Administration of the aqueous extract with group specific doses was performed for three weeks, with one injection per week. 28 days after the surgery, the rats were fixed and the lumbar spinal cord (L4, L5) was removed. Tissue sections were prepared from the spinal cord sample and through toluidine blue staining and photography, the density of alpha motor neurons of the spinal ventral horn was investigated. FINDINGS: The neuronal density in the compression group compared to the control group showed a significant decrease (943±59 vs. 1620±51.1, p