Journal of Medicinal Plants
Volume:12 Issue: 46, 2013

Glycyrrhiza glabra L (Licorice) as native and pasture medicinal plant has most important export rule. Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) or Glycyrrhizin as a main active component of licorice root and rhizomes، is a triterpenoid saponin claimed to be up to 30-50 times sweeter than sucrose and to be used in pharmaceuticals، food and tobacco industry. Licorice root is a traditional medicine used mainly for the treatment of peptic ulcer، hepatitis C، and pulmonary and skin diseases، although clinical and experimental studies suggest that it has several other useful pharmacological properties such as antiinflammatory، antiviral، antimicrobial، antioxidative، anticancer activities، immunomodulatory، hepatoprotective and cardioprotective effects. A large number of components have been isolated from licorice، including triterpene saponins، flavonoids، isoflavonoids and chalcones، with glycyrrhizic acid normally being considered to be the main biologically active component. Understanding of the limitations and challenges in the medicinal plant are need for planning principles for development activities and conservation in this field. In this review summarizes the phytochemical، pharmacological and pharmacokinetics data، together with the clinical as one of the most important herbs in exports and adverse effects of licorice.

Ganoderma lucidum Karst. is an annual medicinal fungus which belongs to the Ganodermataceae family. Ganoderma lucidum، also known by the common names Reishi or Mannentake (Japanese)، Ling Zhi (Chinese) and Yung Zehi (Korean). Ganoderma is the symbol of happy living، chance، immortality and health in China. In orient folk medicine Ganoderma was used for treating insomnia، asthma، kidney and liver diseases as well as arthritis. The major chemical constituents of G. lucidum are polysaccharides، triterpenes، sterols، lectins and some proteins having beneficial properties for the prevention and treatment of a variety of ailments. Both triterpenes and polysaccharides contain anticancer properties thus making them important nominees for the researches. Spores، fruiting body and mycelium have been investigated for biological active compounds. In recent years، a number of researches were performed for the identification of biological compounds and medicinal properties of Ganoderma lucidum. The latest findings regarding G. lucidum are discussed in this review article.

Spinal cord compression is one of causes for disability. Nowadaysto minimize these complication is a goal. The effect of aquae extract of Aloe vera on motoneuron death and chemical neurotransmitter for cell signaling in paralysed rats. We used 32 female rats from Razi institute. They were randomized divided to 4 groups: 1- control 2- treated with Aloe vera 3- treated with Aloe vera + spinal cord compression by clips aneurysm 4- control+spinal cord compression by clips aneurysm. Perituneal injection continued for 4 weeks (every day). We used 2. 5 mg/kg aquae extract of Aloe vera. Compression hascaused، motoneuron in ventral horn decreases with cavitation. Insecond group these changes are less (p≤ 0. 05). Aloe vera increasessynaptophysin in complete and partial model (p≤ 0. 05). For the first time Aloe vera has studied for synaptic reaction. It seems the number and percentage of motoneurons increased، as the same as synaptophysin in complete and partial model.

Intra uterine device is a safe، effective and reversible method of family planning. Unfortunately، IUD insertion associated with anxiety. The lavender essential oil has anti-anxiety and analgesic effect however it''s anti anxiety efficacy before intra uterine device insertion is to be evaluated. The present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-anxiety effect of lavender essential oil before intra uterine device insertion. Total 135 Iranian women candidate for intra uterine device insertion that had eligible criteria were randomly recruited into three lavender، placebo and control group. Data was collected by demographic questionnaire، spiel Berger questionnaire. The candidate apparent and acute anxiety was determined according to 20 questions present in Spiel Berger Questionnaire before and after aromatherapy just before intra uterine device insertion. The 20 questions were given four options including slight، moderate، high and very high with score 20 to 80. The women''s were given a box containing a cotton ball soaked with three drops of lavender essential oil or sesame oil. The women''s were asked to inhale the box for 5 minute from 7 to 10 centimeter from nose. The apparent and acute anxiety was determined in all three groups before and after aromatherapy just before intra uterine device insertion compared to each other. Data analysis was performed by SPSS software & descriptive & analytic statistics methods. The average anxiety score was decreased in lavender group after aromatherapy compared to before aromatherapy (p<0. 001) and also as compared to placebo and control groups (p<0. 001). The Results of this study suggest that aromatherapy with inhalation of lavender essential oil is effective as anti- anxiety before IUD insertion.

Eremostachys azerbaijanica (family Lamiaceae) is one of the 16 endemic Iranian herbs of the genus Eremostachys. In Iran، the root of E. azerbaijanica is traditionally used as local analgesic and anti-inflammatory. In this research، roots of E. azerbaijanica were phytochemically studied until perhaps by identification of chemical content of this plant، a step to be taken toward correct use from this natural product in treatment of diseases. Methanolic extract from the root of E. azerbaijanica was prepared by Soxhlet method and its three compounds were isolated by SPE method and reversed-phase preparative HPLC. Finally، the compounds have been elucidated by UV and 1D NMR spectroscopic analysis. Three iridoid glycosides، Lamalbide (Lamiridoside)، Pulchelloside I and Sesamoside were isolated from the root of E. azerbaijanica. The comparison of the results obtained from the present study and former published results، shows that three iridoid glucosides which identified in this research، have been previously elucidated in some species of Eremostachys.

Consumption of contaminated seafood with Vibrio parahaemolyticus results in gastroenteritis in consumer. Thermostabledirecthaemolysin is one of the major virulence factors of this emerging pathogen which has an important role in its pathogenicity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil and acetic acid on the production of TDH toxin of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in subinhibitory concentrations of these preservatives. The toxin production under specific condition including the combination of different concentrations of the essential oil (0، 0. 005، 0. 015، 0. 03 and 0. 045%)، pH values (5. 5، 6. 5 and 7. 5) modified with acetic acid and 3 incubation temperatures (8، 25 and 35°C) in BHI broth medium was studied and the number of the bacteria have been counted and the toxin production has been evaluated after the growth of the organism and subsequent turbidity in the medium using the KAP-Rpla commercial kit. Toxin titerproduced in a broth with pH value of 7. 5 and 35°Cand in the absence of essential oil was 1/256 while it was 1/32 in the same condition and with the presence of 0. 015% essential oil. Also the titer of this toxin in 25°Cand pH of 6. 5 equals 1/256 while with adding the 0. 015% ofZataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil، It reduced to 1/8. According to the results the essential oil in combination with different pH values and incubation temperatures has a decreasing effect on the toxin production of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. It suggests that further studies with the same conditions as current study in a food model is needed to confirm the positive effect of these natural preservatives.

Dashtestan، with 6371 km² area، is situated at 85 km in the east of Bushehr city. Influence of some important ecological factores، such as neighboring to the Persian Gulf، passing two rivers of dalaki and shapoor and also presence of southern continuation of Zagros Mountains are leading to high importance of region in plant biodiversity view point. Study on the medicinal plant flora of the region and introducing some information of folk medicine and the most useful medicinal species were objected here. All ancient regions of the Dashtestan were discovered using appropriate geographical maps and then the plant species were gathered from various localities respectively. Vernacular information of collected plants and their usages in the folk medicine were questioned from well experienced people. In final stage the collected plants were identified scientifically after deposition in the herbarium. A total of 85 plant species representing 70 genera and 39 families are identified in the area. The most abundant families of the region are Asteraceae (10 species) and Lamiaceae (8 species) respectively، and the largest genera is Ziziphus (Rhamnaceae) with 6 species. The most folk medicine usage of them is in the remediation of digestive diseases. Traditional usage of medicinal plant is more accepted among the people of area. The most of medicinal herbs are used mainly in remediation of digestive diseases. Considering the culture of society and attention of people to medicinal plants، it may be an attractive object from the farmacological view point.

Nowadays، one of the methods for treatment of Alzheimer is using of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs). Discovering the drugs with better effects and fewer side effects especially from natural sources is the aim of many researchers. In the present investigation، AChEI effects of six Ferula species have been studied. Total extracts of six species of Ferula including F. persica var. persica، F. hezarlalezarica، F. ovina، F. oopoda، F. hirtella and F. szowitsiana were obtained by using methanol 80% and different fractions of the species were prepared by using hexane، chloroform، ethyl acetate، methanol، methanol 50% and water، respectively with maceration method. AChEI activity of each extract in concentration of 300 µg/ml was determined by Ellman method in 96 -wells plates in 405 nm. The results revealed that among examined samples، only F. persica var. persica chloroform fraction showed reasonable AChEI activity (27. 3%) while other extracts had trace activity or no effect. It seems that relatively non-polar components of F. persica var. persica had AChEI activity. Since، sesquiterpene coumarins are the major compounds in Ferula species، they may be considered as AChEI agents in Ferula persica var. persica، but more investigations are necessary to establish the idea.

Pomegranate skin is used in traditional medicine and it posseses potent antioxidant properties. Thisresearch studied the effects of ethanol (80%) extract of pomegranate skin on isolated heart activity. Isolated rat hearts (n=8) were perfused using Langendorff technique. Following stabilization for at least 20min، lyophilized extract of pomegranate skin at concentratations equal to 0. 1، 0. 5 and 1% (5min each، respectviely) were added to the perfusion (Krebs) solution. During the experiment، the heart rate، cardiac contractile force and coronary perfusion pressure (as an indicator for coronary tone) were studied. Upon addition of pomegranate skin extract، the mean heart rate gradually declined، a reduction from 223 beats per min at the beginning to 79 beats per min at the end of treatment course (p<0. 001). Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) showed a significant reduction following addition of the extract (p<0. 001). Coronary perfusion pressure gradually increased and was 23% higher by the end of the treatment (p<0. 001). The current research suggests potent cardiodepressant effects for water alcoholic extract of pomegranate skin.

Nutrition is an important factor in plant growth and phytochemical compound. Application of natural fertilizers in medicinal plants production can improve their yield and medicinal indices. This study investigated the possibility of substituting chemical fertalizers by biofertalizer (Nitroxin، biophosPhorus and bioSulfur) in purple coneflower production. We compared vegetative yield and total phenolic compounds of purple coneflower in response to biofertalizers and chemical nitrogen. Experiment was conducted at field of Tarbiat Modares University on 2009-2010 growing seasons using a RCBD with three replications. Twelve experimental treatments included: chemical nitrogen as urea (C)، biosulfur (S)، biophosphorus (P) nitroxin (N)، urea+biosulfur (CS)، urea+biophosphorus (CP)، urea+nitroxin (CN)، biophosphorus+biosulfur (PS)، Nitroxin+biosulfur (NS)، nitroxin + biophosphorus (NP)، integration of three biofertilizers (NPS) and the control (without fertalizers). Treatments had significant effect (p≤ 0. 05) on the number of lateral branches، number of flowers، diameter of flower، stem and root، plant height، root length، dry biological yeild، harvest index، plant nitrogen and phosphor content. NP treatment produced maximum leaf dry weight، biological yield، root length، root and stem diameter and number of lateral branches. Biofertilizers improved yield of purple coneflower. The NP treatment could be introduced as a superior treatment in quantitative traits. Also the PS treatment with the highest yield of root phenolic compound (%116 more than control) could be identified as the best nutritional system for quality. Therfore biofertilisers application can decrease the chemical fertilizer consumption and can bring us closer to the goals of sustainable agriculture.

Oral candidiasis، caused by Candida albicans، is one of the most common infections in immunocompromised patients، especially in HIV+ individuals. The aims of this study were to evaluate the susceptibility of C. albicans isolates to azole drugs and Trachyspermum ammi essential oil. Oral swabs were cultured from 70 HIV+ patients and In order to identify and confirm of C. albicans isolates، Chrom agar، Corn meal agar، germ tube production، carbohydrate assimilation، growth at 45˚C and PCR were performed. Sensivity to fluconazol، ketoconazole and clotrimazol were assessed by disc diffusion and also the effect of T. ammi essential oil was determined by disc diffusion and microdilution broth methods. The causative agent، in 50 patients with oral candidiasis، was C. albicans (71. 4%). In sensivity determination survey to antifungal drugs، the resistance of isolates to fluconazole، ketoconazole and clotrimazole were determined 32%، 28% and 14%، respectively. In disc diffusion، all isolates have an acceptable sensivity at 10 - 20 μL of the oil and 30 μL inhibit the growth completely in plate. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrsation (MIC) by microdilution broth method was 500ppm and 750ppm in 72% and 28% of isolates، respectively، and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) in 70% of isolates were 750ppm and for the rest of the isolates (30%) were 1000ppm. We conclude that use of this native plant، as an antifungal compound، could act as a treatment of the patients with mucosal candidiasis، beside of other drugs in to the future.

Malva sylvestris (M. S) with various drug effects، especially on mucociliary system as dilutor drug and sputum collection is known. This study examined the effects of M. S and Bromhexine HCL (B. H) in mucociliary system of trachea chicken. In this experimental study five groups of Leghorn chickens were studied under identical conditions. Four groups received oral B. H & oral M. S extract & nebulas normal saline & nebulas M. S extract during 12 days، respectively andone group was considered as control. After 12 days the chicks were killed and the biopsy samples from the middletracheal were taken for histopathology study using PAS and H & E methods under light microscopy. Finally Image tools II Software were used for counting of size and number of mucous glands and cilia. Results of the analysis of data showed that nebulizing of M. S increases the number and the size of mucous glands، also the size of cilia compare to 3 groups: control، oral B. H، normal saline significantly. The oral M. S extract group showed significant differences in number of the mucous glands compared with other 3 groups. According to more mucolitic effects of M. S extract than Bromhexine HCL and side effects for drugs mucolitic is recommended to be used that respiratory and inflammatory diseases of the M. S extract.

Nitrogen is one of the very effective elements in increasing the phytochemical and agronomical yield of medicinal plants. Therefore it is necessary to examine the effect of nitrogen on essential oil and dry matter production of lavender. This research was carried out to evaluate changes of essential oil content and dry matter of lavender under different nitrogen treatments for reduces of nitrogen fertilizer uses. The study was conducted at the research field of Islamic Azad University (IAU)، Shahr-e-Rey branch، on basis of Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 4 replication and 7 treatments. The treatments were spraying of 0، 1. 5، 3، 4. 5، 6 and 7. 5 percent N and 180 kg ha-1 nitrogen as urea. Different traits including plant height، stem diameter، branch number، leaves and stems dry weight، foliage dry and fresh weight، essential oil content and composition were recorded. Effect of treatments on all of the plant traits (p<0. 01)، essential oil content and linalool (p<0. 05) were statistically significant differences. The highest amount of plant height and number of stems was observed in spraying of 4. 5 percent nitrogen per hectare. Also، the maximum stem diameter، shoot fresh weight، stem، leaves and shoot dry weight، and essential oil content، linalool and 1،8-cineole was obtained in soil treated with 180 kg of nitrogen per hectare. The foliar application of 4. 5% of N ha-1 and 180 kg N ha-1 treatments hadn’t significantly effect on shoot dry weight and essential oil content. The results showed that nitrogen spraying at appropriate concentration could be improved growth and essential oil content، and also، reduced nitrogen using، contamination، and cost production.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that is characterized by hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency or cellular resistance. Silymarin is an effective agent that reduces cell resistance to insulin and improves lipid profile. In this study the effects of silymarin on insulin resistance and blood lipid profile in first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients were evaluated. This randomized clinical trial was performed on first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients (n=60) with BMI above 25 kg/m2. After completing questionnaire and obtaining written consent، participants were randomly assigned to give placebo or silymarin group. The patients in silymarin group received two 140 mg capsules of silymarin daily and placebo group 140 mg placebo capsules similarly for 12 weeks. Fasting blood glucose، HbA1c، cholesterol، triglyceride، and LDL، HDL، insulin and 2hpp blood glucose level were determined before and after the study. In silymarin treated group، insulin resistance and serum insulin level were reduced significantly (p < 0. 05) compared with beginning as well as compared with placebo group. The blood glucose level and lipid profile didn’t change significantly after silymarin therapy compared with placebo group. According to our results silymarin positively influence insulin resistance and insulin level in first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients but its effect on lipid profile need further studies.