Journal of Medicinal Plants
Volume:10 Issue: 38, 2011

The Nigella sativa L. seeds have been used as herbal medicine in several countries for the treatment and prevention of a wide range of diseases like cough and bronchial asthma, headache, nasal congestion, toothaches, intestinal worm, menstrual disorder, digestive abnormality, and impotence. The aim of this review was to collect updated available data focused on the pharmacological effects of Nigella sativa seeds. A computerized search was performed using the electronic database such as Medline and SID for selection and collection of articles focused on the pharmacological effects of Nigella sativa seed published from 1980 to 2010. The large number of articles published on pharmacological effects of Nigella sativa seeds oil and extract over recent three decade. Results indicates that Nigella sativa seeds oil and seed extract with anti-inflammatory, anti - oxidant, antihistamine and immunomudulator properties has wide spectrum protective effects in various diseases such as cancer, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, digestive and psychiatric disease observed in experimental and clinical studies. No side effects were reported in clinical study on therapeutic dosage of Nigella sativa seeds. The present scientific-based evidence indicates that Nigella sativa seeds have protective effects on liver, kidney and gastrointestinal, cardio vascular and nervous system, as well as beneficial effects on inflammatory, cancer, microbial and parasites diseases in experimental studies. Furthermore its efficacy on diseases such as diabetes hyperlipidemia and hypertension observed in experimental as well as clinical studies without any side effects. This information may be useful for scientist for induction of clinical trial for further investigation of efficacy and adverse effects of Nigella sativa seeds in treatment of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetic disease.

Thyme is a plant in Labiata family which different species of this herb affects the menstrual cycle and therefore is avoided in high doses especially during the gestational period. Assessing the effect of thyme Decoction consumption in 2nd gestational week on placenta and fetus in rats. In this study 10 pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 equal groups. Animals in test group received thyme Decoction in 2nd week of gestation. On 20th day of pregnancy, the placenta was removed and weighed. The number of live, dead or reabsorbed fetuses were recorded. All fetuses were weighed and stereomicroscopically examined for any morphological abnormalities in limbs, vertebral column, or head. Fetal height, fetal biparietal and placental diameters were also precisely measured. There were no significant differences in the number of live fetuses, between 2 groups. No dead or reabsorbed fetuses and no morphological abnormalities were observed in live fetuses. The live fetuses in both groups showed the same weight, height and biparietal diameter but the length of tail in test group was longer than control group (p<0.05). The placental weight was approximately identical in 2 groups, but its diameter in test group was smaller than the control group (p<0.05). According to our findings, although the thyme Decoction consumption in 2nd gestational week did not lead to any abortion, due to its adverse effect on tail length and placental diameter, it is recommended that the thyme consumption be with precaution especially during the pregnancy.

Using plant crude extracts on the control of microbial agents is increasing, because of medicinal, antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant properties of plant-based secondary metabolites. The present work was conducted to find out antifungal activity of peppermint and access to the best solvent to elicit antifungal metabolites from peppermint. Aerial parts of peppermint were dried and crude extracts were obtained using water, methanol, ethanol, acetone and chloroform. The antifungal activity of this plant was evaluated on mycellial growth of phytopathogenic fungi, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Phytophthora dershleri and Bipolaris sorkiniana using two different methods, paper disc and agar diffusion. The results of the tested solvents demonstrated that water is the best to elicit the inhibitory compounds from peppermint. Methanol and acetone extracts had little inhibitory effects on B. sorkiniana while ethanol and chloroform extracts could not elicit inhibitory compounds against all of tested fungi. The mycellial growth of F. oxysporum and B. sorkiniana was inhibited at the concentration of 2mg/paper disc while the other two fungi was affected at the concentration of 4 mg/paper disc. In agar diffusion method, aqueous extract completely supperesed the growth of P. dershleri and B. sorkiniana at 500 and 1000 ppm of the crude extract, respectively. However, the mycellial growth of R. solani, F. Oxysporum was not completely supperesed even at 2000 ppm. From these results it was concluded that peppermint possesses sufficient in vitro activity on the control of tested phytopathogenic fungi. Besides, it can be stated that water is the best solvent among the tested solvents for extracting the antifungal compounds from peppermint.

As application of chemical fertilizers has been recognized to cause pollution soil, water and agricultural products, today bio-fertilizers are an alternative to mineral fertilizers for increasing soil productivity and plant growth in sustainable agriculture. To determine the effects of biological and chemical fertilizers on qualitative and quantitative yield of Shirazian Babooneh (Matricaria recutita L.) This study was done in a randomized complete block design with three replications and six treatments along 2009- 2010. The treatments were A (Control or no applying fertilizer), B (Bio-fertilizer as Nitroxin+ 53 Kg/ha chemical fertilizer), C (Bio-fertilizer as Super nitro plus + 53 Kg/ha chemical fertilizer), D (Bio-fertilizer as mix of Super nitro plus & Nitroxin + 35 Kg/ha chemical fertilizer), E (Bio-fertilizer as Bio-sulfur) and F (106 Kg/ha chemical fertilizer). The fertilizer treatments had significant effects on plant height (p<0.05), plant dry weight (p<0.05), capitol diameter (p<0.01), fresh weight of capitol per ha (p<0.01), dry weight of capitol per ha (p<0.05), essential oil yield per ha (p<0.01), chamazulene content (p<0.01) and total flavonoid content (p<0.01). The chemical fertilizer had not significant effect on qualitative and quantitative yield of Shirazian Babooneh and the lowest qualitative and quantitative yield of Shirazian Babooneh was related to control (A) and chemical fertilizer (F) treatments. Although, the application of bio-fertilizers significantly increased the yield in respect of all studied parameters, the highest dry weight of capitol and content of essential oil were observed in biosulfur (E) treatment. The application of the bio- fertilizers increased qualitative and quantitative yield of Shirazian Babooneh and Bio-sulfur treatment was the best treatment. Also, the application of the bio- fertilizers can be in order to reduction in application of chemical fertilizers in agro-ecosystem which is attitude toward minimize of environmental pollution and sustainable agriculture.

Glycyrrhiza glabra contain antioxidant and phytoestrogens with cell protective properties. So its consumption during pregnancy may be effective on the mental features of who birthed. We evaluate the effect of glycyrrhiza glabra consumption during pregnancy on memory retrieval of the second generated mice. We used 15 females and 6 male mice (NMRI) with 20-30 gr weight. Pregnancy confirmed after coupling with vaginal plaque formation. Then the mice were singly caged and randomly assigned to 3 equal groups: Control, sham (solvent gavage) and treatment group (aqueous extract of glycyrrhiza root with 150 mg oral daily treatment from 3 until 19 day of gestation). Two mounts after birthing, the offspring’s were randomly assigned to 2 male and female groups and introduced to the memory retrieval test with using the shuttle box. The data were analyzed statistically by using ANOVA and Tukey test by using SPSS software. The delay time for entering on the dark room were increased in male mice that exposed to extracts of glycyrrhiza during pregnancy in comparison to control group and it was significant in the period 1 and 2 weeks after training (p <0.05). The Latency for entering on the dark chamber was increased on the female animals that exposed with extract during pregnancy in comparison of the control group. This difference was significant in periods of 24 hours and 2 weeks after training (p <0.01, p <0.05). The prenatal consumptions of aqueous extract of the glycyrrhiza can increase memory retrieval of both sexes.

Recently, undesirable symptoms have been reported from the consumption of synthetic antioxidant and in the laboratory animals have been led to carcinogenesis and liver damage. There have been many efforts to replace the synthetic antioxidant with natural antioxidants extracted from plant sources. The comparison of different rootstock of tompson orange regarding to phenolic and flavonoid compounds in both peel and pulp of the fruit and evaluation of antioxidant activity of selected extracts in soybean oil. Peels and pulps of four orange rootstocks were examined for their phenolic and flavonoid compounds. In order to investigate the antioxidant activity of selected extracts, different concentrations were added to soybean oil (without antioxidant). Peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbitoric acid (TBA) index were measured at certain period of time and their activities were compared with synthetic antioxidant (butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)). The results showed that content of phenolic compounds in peel of poncirus rootstock was 31.1 mg GAE/g extract and was higher than other rootstocks and the minimum content of phenolic compounds was measured from pulp part of sour orange rootstock (6.9 mgGAE/g extract). The lowest and highest amount of flavonoid compounds were related to the pulp part of citromela rootstock (1.4 mgQuE/g extract) and the peel part of citrange rootstock (41.3 mgQuE/g extract) respectively. The phenolic and flavonoid contents in peel part were higher than pulp part in all the fruits tested. For the oven test, selective extracts in peel and pulp part of the fruit were poncirus and citromelo rootstocks respectively. More concentrated extracts (600 and 1000 ppm) could be to protect the crude soybean oil from oxidation. The peel extract with 1000 ppm concentration was the only natural extract which was comparable with BHT antioxidant of 200 ppm concentration. The results showed that the phenolic and flavonoid contents were different based on the type of rootstock. Peel and pulp extracts (peel, particularly) can act as a natural antioxidant and can be added to foods after supplementary experiments.

It is appear, that the harvesting time of fruit is one affecting factor on the amount of flavor constituents existed in fruit peel oil (aldehydes, alcohols and esters). The goal of the present study is to investigate on flavor constituents of page mandarin peel and their variations during a season. In the last part of November and February 2009, ten mature fruit were harvested and their Peel oil was extracted by using cold-press and eluted by using n-hexan, then analyzed by GC and GC-MS. In the last part of November, the amounts of aldehydes, alcohols and esters existed in the fruit peel oil were 1.34, 1.87 and 0.17, respectively. In the last part of February, these amounts were 0.46, 1.06 and 0.04, respectively. Oxygenated constituents, especially decanal and linalool, showed remarkable decreased in their relative concentration as the fruit harvested lately, where as the concentration of limonene showed a corresponding increase.

Laurus nobilis is a small tree, especial to Mediterranean regions that its leaves are used as flavoring agents in food. Now, this plant is cultivated in Iran and many parts of the world. In this research, the effects of different distillation methods on essential oil yield and composition of Laurus nobilis leaves was studied. The fresh leaves of Laurus nobilis L., cultivated in National Botanical of Iran were collected at July 2009. The essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation, hydrosteam distillation and direct steam distillation from the leaves of Laurus nobilis. The oils were analyzed by capillary GC (UFM) and GC-MS. The oils were obtained at yields of 2.53%, 2.45% and 1.63% by hydro, hydrosteam and direct steam distillation, respectively. Twenty-five components were identified in the oil of Laurus nobilis obtained by different extraction methods, including 1,8-cineol (47.3, 37.8, 47.7 %), sabinene (11.1, 12.3, 12.2 %) and α-terpinyl acetate (12.9, 19.3, 12.9 %) by hydro, hydrosteam and direct steam distillation, respectively. Conlusion: Statistical analysis showed significant difference between oil yield (w/w) of hydro-distillation method (2.53%) compared to steam distillation (1.63 %). Significant difference was observed between 1,8-cineol and α-terpinyl acetate percentage in the oils obtained by different distillation methods.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) a member of the Lamiaceae family is used in traditional medicine in treatment of different human diseases. Also, this plant used as a culinary herb and a source of flavouring principles. Mycorrhizal fungi have been observed to be associated with plants cause to improve their productivity. Study of growth changes and some physiological parameters of basil after colonization with a native mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus etunicatum. The effect of a mycorrhizal fungus Glomus etunicatum on the growth and some physiological parameters of two cultivar of basil (green and purple) were investigated under greenhouse conditions in three replications. Results showed that the roots of basil cultivars were colonized significantly with Glomus etunicatum. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased leaf area, shoot and root fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll a and b, total phenolic and anthocyanin contents of mycorrhizal plants as compared to the non-inoculated plants. The endo-mycorrhizal fungus Glomus etunicatum isolated from Iranian soils affects positively on the growth and physiological parameters of the basil cultivars, and it could be applied for improvement of basil growth.

Portulaca oleracea (PO) and Melissa officinalis (MO) overgrow in the different parts of Iran. In previous studies, systemic administration of the extract of PO and MO induces antinociceptive, anxiolytic and anticonvulsive, sedative effects in animals. This study was designed to evaluate different doses of the aqueous decoction extracts of PO and MO on sleeping time on mice. Male albino mice (25 - 30 g) were used in this study. The animals divided to control (saline), PO (25, 50 and 75 mg/kg) and MO (5, 10 and 25 mg/kg) groups (by IP injection). For measuring of sleeping time we used Angle method. The results have shown that three doses of PO and two doses of 10 and 25 MO significantly increased sleeping time (p=0.000). This finding showed that PO and MO may be play important role on the modulation of sleeping time.

Characterization and application of medicinal plants essential oils may be useful in counteracting drug-resistant infections. To evaluate the antifungal efficacy of myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) essential oils on oral candidiasis in immunosuppressed rats. The essential oil of myrtle was extracted by hydrodistillation method and its components and content were recognized by GC and GC-MS apparatuses. The MIC of essential oil and nystatin was determined by broth macrodilution procedures. Thirty five rats weighting 200 ± 20g was randomly arranged in 5 treatment groups including: (1) placebo group, (2) myrtle essential oil-treated group (2-fold MIC), (3) nystatin-treated group, (4) Non-immunosupressed-infected group, and (5) Immunosupressed-noninfected group. The strong pathogen was isolated from the vaginal secretion of a patient suffering from acute vaginitis. Infection level and therapeutic effects was evaluated by microbiological, histopathological methods and clinical examinations. Alpha-pinene, limonene, linalool, alpha-terpineol and linaleol acetate were main components of the essential oil. The MIC of the essential oil and nystatin was 2 mg/ml and 4µg/ml against Candida albicans, respectively. Microbiological and histopathological evaluations indicated that the essential oil of Myrtus communis had significant activity against C. albicans (p < 0.01). Of course, there was still limited area of infection in some region of mocusa in the back of tongues in which it can remain dormantly and result in illness appearing. The treatment by myrtle essential oil at concentration of 2 fold MIC was not sufficient to remove completely oral candidiasis in immunosupressed rats. Therefore, it should be evaluated the doses of essential oil more than 2-fold MIC in the formulation in order to the completely eradication of candidiasis.

Ferula gummosa is one of the most important pharmaceutical, industrial and aromatic plants in Iran. The extract and essential oils of this species are used in different industrial, such as, pharmacy, nutritious, manufacture of perfumes, gluing and military industries. In this research, genetic diversity in the landraces of Galbanum taken from different zones in Iran was studied. In this rummage, the genomic DNA was extracted from young leaves and genetic diversity of these landraces was perused. Totally 296 bands were numbered that 89% of them were polymorphic. The number of alleles per each primer combination varied from 20 to 43. The highest and the lowest levels of genetic similarity were 0.87 and 0.56 respectively. The maximum of similarity was observed among landraces of Aridineh-garnadeh velar (Damavand-Tehran) and Polour (Mazandaran), while the minimum of similarity was observed between Ardineh – ashkrizeh valley 3200 (Damavand –Tehran) and Namad kousar lar (Shemiranat_Tehran). Cluster analysis using UPGMA method and DICE similarity coefficient indicated a high genetic diversity among F. gummosa landraces. There was not any relationship between genetic diversity and geographic distribution. The results of this research shows, the existence of high genetic diversity among existing Galbanum landraces. With considering, that Galbanum landraces are from different geographic zones and their essence components are different, the existence of genetic diversity in such plants denotes that phytochemical differences in samples are not just controlled by environmental effect, but it also controls by genetic factors. The result of this study is useful for genetic resource management in f. gummosa landraces.

In traditional medicine, the roots and rhizomes of Valeriana officinalis (Valerian) have been used to decrease gastrointestinal tract motility in intestinal spasms, colic and gastrointestinal disorders of nervous origin. It has been also suggested for alleviation of nausea. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiemetic effect of V. officinalis extract (aqueous-ethanolic) for documentation of reports available in traditional medicine. The antiemetic effect of V. officinalis extract (aqueous-ethanolic) against emesis induced by copper sulfate (60 mg/kg, orally) and ipecac (600 mg/kg, orally) was investigated. The number of emesis was counted for 50 and 20 minutes after copper sulfate and ipecac administration, respectively. The extract at doses of 0.28, 0.49 and 0.7 g/kg (ip) exhibited significant protection against copper sulfate and ipecac induced – emesis. The dose of 0.7 g/kg lowered the number of copper sulfate induced- and ipecac induced – emesis of negative control (saline), respectively 65.704% and 79.88%. According to the results, the antiemetic effect of Valerian was significant and it confirms the traditional uses of Valerian in attenuation of nausea.

Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven - hoofed animals and has severe economic consequences. FMD causes painful sores and blisters on the feet, mouth and teats of animals. Clinical evaluation of Myrtle oil (Myrtus communis L.) caused by foot and mouth disease (FMD) in cattle. 76 cows and calves between one and five years of age and weight between 80 to 600 kg with clinical sing of FMD were selected randomly in two groups, receiving myrtle oil and control group. The data recorded during the three stages of clinical examination before treatment, second day and fourth day after treatment was performed. Results indicated that recovery of mouth lesion with myrtle oil was remarkable as compared with control group. This difference was very statistically significant in two stages after treatment (p<0/001). Cases of oral lesions improved in the group treated with the oil in the second and fourth days, respectively, 80.9 and 93.6 percent and the rate control group were 20.6 and 58.6 percent, respectively. The result also indicated that amount of purulent-free secretion in myrtle oil group was 68.1 and 89.4 percent in the 2nd and fourth day respectively. The number was 48.3 and 62.1 percent for control group. The medication of myrtle oil on the wounds of FMD, causes mouth ulcers faster improvement and reduce discharge purulent.

Studies have demonstrated that plant extracts have various biological effects including immunomodulatory effect. In the present study, the immunomodulatory effects of Lavandula officinalis on lymphocyte proliferation and tumor necrosis factor alpha cytokine production were investigated. [3H] - thymidine incorporation assay on stimulation of the peripheral lymphocytes with PHA and determination of tumor necrosis factor alpha production was assayed, using LISA method. The herbal extract in a concentration of 50 g/ml and lesser, in the presence of mitogen increased peripheral blood lymphocytes proliferation. However, there was not significant effect in concentrations more than 50 μg/ml. Also, the extract in the concentration of higher than 50 g/ml suppressed the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha in the exposed cells. The extract showed immunomodulatory effect by increasing of lymphocyte proliferation in a concentration of 50 g/ml and lesser. Also, decreasing in tumor necrosis factor alpha in the concentration of more than 50 g/ml was observed. Further studies, should focus on identifying the immunomodulatory mediator of this herbal extract.

Some of plants have antifungal properties because of special compounds in their contents, The present study was conducted to evaluate the antifungal activities of five plant species collected from Kermanshah including Anthemis altissima, Eucaliptus sp. Euphorbia heteradenia, Asparagus officinalis and Carthamus oxyacantha against Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Phytophthora drechsleri and Bipolaris sorkiniana. The fungitoxicity of crude extracts of the different parts of Anthemis altissima, Eucaliptus sp., Euphorbia heteradenia, Asparagus officinalis and Carthamus oxyacantha on the Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Phytophthora dershleri and Bipolaris sorkiniana was verifed in vitro by means of paper disc method, Crude extracts were obtained using water, methanol and ethanol, Each paper disc was impregnated by 5mg of each extract. Methanolic extracts of Carthamus oxyacantha in seeding stage and leaves of Eucaliptus sp, showed the highest inhibitory property against the mycelial growth of B, Sorkiniana, Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Carthamus oxyacantha and aqueous extract of Anthemis altissima significantly inhibited the growth of P, dershleri, Methanolic extract of Eucalyptus sp, and Carthamus oxyacantha supperesed the mycelial growth of F, oxysporum, Ethanolic extract of Carthamus oxyacantha showed highest inhibitory activity against R, Solani. Results indicated that extracts of Carthamus oxyacantha, Anthemis sp., Eucaliptus sp., Euphorbia sp. and Asparagus sp. have broad ranges of antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi, surprisingly; all of extracts of Carthamus oxyacantha did not show any inhibition against all tested fungi.

The genus Achillea (Asteraceae) is comprised of about 115 species in over the world. Remarkably, 19 species of this genus are found in the flora Iranica. This genus has been used in folk medicine. Investigation of the essential oil from leaf and flowers of Achillea nobilis L. subsp. neireichii. The aerial parts of A. nobilis L., subsp. neireichii were collected during the flowering stage from Damash village, West of Roodbar, Gilan Province, in July 2007. Leaves and flowers were separately hydrodistilled for 3 hours, using a Clevenger-type apparatus to yield 1.8% (w/w) and 1.0% (w/w) of yellow oil, respectively and analyzed with GC and GC/MS. The constituents of the essential oil were identified by comparison of their mass spectra and retention indices (RI) with those given in the literature, co-injection and authentic samples. Forthy-four (86.8%) and forthy - two (93.4%) compounds were characterized in the oil of flowers and leaves of A. nobilis subsp. neireichii, respectively. 1,8-cineole (10.3%) and geranyl isovalerate (8.4%) were the major constituents in the oil of the flowers, also 1,8-Cineole (17.0%) and trans-verbenol (14.1%) were the major constituents in the oil of leaves. The oil of flowers and leaves of A. nobilis subsp. neireichii consist of monoterpens (59.8% and 72.2%) and sesquiterpens (22.2% and 12.6%), respectively.