Journal of Medicinal Plants
Volume:14 Issue: 56, 2015

Pomegranate is a fruit-bearing plant belongs to punicaceae with long time antiquity cultivation. Its origin is Iran and surrounding countries and found as wild and cultivated in most regions of Iran. Different part of the plant such as seed, peel, juice, flower, leaves, bark and roots have various biochemical constituents that show different pharmacological activities. The chemical composition of fruits differs depending on the cultivar, growing region, climate, maturity, cultural practice and storage. Pomegranate contain high levels of polyphenols, sugars, fatty acids, aromatic compounds, amino acids, tocopherols, sterols, terpenoids, alkaloids etc. During recent years, various studies were done on antioxidants, anticancers, anti inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of pomegranate constituents in order to treat and prevent cancers, cardiovascular disease, bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance and dentistry. In this review, it tried to introduce chemical constituents of the plant as well as the most recent scientific founding focusing on mechanisms and key reactions resulting to them.

Considering the importance of using new technologies such as nano-technology the sustainable agriculture, and increase the yield and quality of crops, research in this direction is necessary. In this study was investigated the effect of foliar application of nano-iron and potassium chelate fertilizer on yield and quality of psyllium. In this research, the factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and 3 replications was carried out. The treatments of this experiment were consisted of three levels of nano-iron chelate (0, 1 and 2 g.L-1) and four levels of nano-potassium chelate (0, 2, 3 and 4 g.L-1) fertilizer. The interaction of nano-iron and potassium chelated fertilizer treatments had a significant effect on the seed yield (P<0/01) and shoot dry weight (P<0/05). The independent effect of nano-iron and potassium chelated fertilizer were significant on themost traits (P<0/01), number of seeds per plant, and yield of mucilage (P<0/05). Interaction of 2 g.L-1 of nano-iron and 3 g.L-1 of potassium chelate fertilizer treatments, and also their independent effects had the most impact on the measured traits, especially yield of shoot dry weight, seed yield, mucilage content and yield of mucilage. According to the results, the use of nano-iron and potassium chelate fertilizer had positive effects on the efficiency of psyllium.

It has been reported that strenuous acute exercise induces the oxidative stress in active muscles and organism. However, exercise-induced oxidative stress may reduce by supplementation with antioxidants. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of short-term ginseng supplementation on malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in young athletes after exhaustive aerobic exercise. Twenty young male boxers athletes in semi-experimental study randomly were divided into two placebo and supplement groups. Subjects in supplement group consumed 2gr of ginseng capsules daily for one week, whiles other group received the same amount of placebo (2gr of dextrose). After seven days of supplementation all subjects of both groups underwent in an exhaustive aerobic exercise test that performed on treadmill. Venous blood samples were collected in four phases; 1) before supplementation 2) immediately before of exercise 3) immediately after and 4) 24 h after exercise. The results of this research indicated that the range change of MDA significantly higher in placebo versus to ginseng group at immediately and 24 hours after aerobic exercise (P=0.001). Moreover, SOD enzyme activity significantly increase in supplement group compared to the placebo group after exhaustive exercise (P>0.05). In general it can be said that short-term ginseng supplementation inhabits aerobic exercise- induced oxidative stress by decreasing the levels of MDA and increasing of SOD activity as an antioxidant enzyme in young athletes, and therefore it can be prevent of free radicals damaging effects.

Any types of pepper are widely used in traditional medicine. Secretion of pituitary-gonad axis hormones may affected by the pepper. This study aimed to investigate the possible effects of black and red pepper on serum levels of Luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone hormone was performed. 21 male NMRI mice were divided into three groups (n=7), consisting of a control group and two treatment groups receiving red pepper and black pepper, respectively. Treated groups received pepper powder mixed with pellet food at a ratio of 6/6% for one month. At the end of treatment, animals were anesthetized with chloroform and blood samples were collected from the heart directly. After separating the serum, LH, FSH and testosterone hormones were measured by ELISA method. Data statically evaluation using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test for ANOVA was performed and calculated. Red pepper increased testosterone (P<0.01). Red pepper and Black pepper increased FSH (P<0.001) and P<0.01 respectively) and have no effect on the LH levels. Hematocrit levels also increased in the treatment groups (P <0.001). Oral intakes of red and black peppers powder have increasing impact on FSH and testosterone hormones. Therefore, these peppers may have androgenic properties. Increases in hematocrit may be the result of an increase in testosterone.

Hypertension is a health problem and alternative medicine is offered for its controlling. Nutritional effects of Lavandula angustifolia L. (lavender) oil on high blood pressure (BP), and histological changes of the aorta in rat has been investigated in this study. Therty five male wistar rats were divided into 5 groups; normal, hypertensive and control. Hypertension was induced by daily L-NAME administration in drinking water for 6 weeks and lavender oil (500 mg/kg) or its vehicle was given orally simultaneously. After basal BP measurement, lavender (50 mg/kg, iv) was injected in control groups. Histological evaluation of the thoracic aorta included staining with hematoxylin-eosin and orcein methods. Hypertension induction increased mean arterial BP from 106 to 177 mm Hg and lavender treatment reduced it to 140 mm Hg (P< 0.001). Lavender had no effect on normal rats. Intravenous injection of lavender reduced BP about 75% in normotensive and hypertensive rats (P<0.001). Hypertension induction increased cross-section area, aorta and media thickness, and reduced elastic lamina thickness (P<0.001). Lavender treatment reduced cross-section area of the aorta and media thickness, and increased elastic lamina thickness (P < 0.05). Hypertension and treatment had no effect on advanthia and elastic lamina numbers. Nutritional lavender oil prevented BP increases and pathological changes of the aorta in hypertensive rats. It seems lavender oil is beneficial for prophylaxis of hypertension.

Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) from compositae family is important in the medicinal and nutritional industries and traditional medicine. Mycorrhiza fungi (Glomus intraradices) as an important biological fertilizer and synergist with plants can improve the plants resistance to environmental stresses. The objectives were to evaluate the interaction effects of mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices) inoculation and salinity stress on morpho-physiological characteristics and essential oil content of tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.). This factorial experiment was conducted at research greenhouse of Medicinal Plants Institute (MPI) on the basis of randomized complete blocks design with 10 treatments and 3 replications. First factor was in two levels of inoculation and non-inoculation of mycorrhiza fungi, and second factor was five levels of salinity (control, 2, 4, 6, and 8 dS.m-1). The analysis of variance showed that interaction effects of fungi inoculation and salt stress was significant on the studied parameters except for stem diameter and root length. The results showed that the most essential oil content (1.15%) was observed in the treatment of mycorrhiza fungi non-inoculation and salinity control and the most methyl chavicol content was attained in the inoculated plants by mycorrhiza fungi, and control treatment. In general, treatment of inoculation and control, and also treatment of fungi non-inoculation and control positively improved the dry weight of plant aerial parts and the essential oil content, respectively.

Myristica fragrans is an evergreen aromatic tree cultivated in many tropical countries. Nutmeg, the dried ripe seed of M. fragrans, is a popular spice used in sweet and savory cooking, and a variety of drinks. Nutmeg has a variety of pharmaceutical effects and in this study its effects on immune responses were evaluated. Six groups (each group 8) of Wistar rats were treated as follows: Even groups received Nutmeg extract at dose 300 mg per kg of body weight intraperitoneally (IP), daily up to 12 days. Odd groups received PBS instead of nutmeg extract. The rats of groups 1 and 2 were immunized IP with 1.35×109 Sheep RBC (SRBC) in days 1 and 6. The rats of groups 3 and 4, were immunized IP with 1.35×109 SRBC in days 1 and subcutaneously in right foot pad with 2.7×107 SRBC in a volume of 0.1 ml on the day 9. Titer of anti-SRBC antibody in the groups 1 and 2 and lysozyme and alternative complement pathway activity of groups 5 and 6 were evaluated on day 13. The swelling of footpads in groups 3 and 4 were measured at 24, 48, and 72 hours after challenge with SRBC and these rats euthanized on day 13 and theirs foot were examined histopathologically for infiltration of inflammatory cells. The result showed that nutmeg extract significantly increase anti SRBC titer (P=0.005), inhibit inflammatory cells infiltration (P< 0.001) but has not any effect on serum lysozyme or complement activity (P=0.4). In conclusion nutmeg extract shows a significant suppression on cell mediated immunity and stimulatory effect on humeral immune response to SRBC in Wistar rats.

Multiple medicinal properties of Acorus calamus, a recently rediscovered plant species in Iran were reported. It is not available any information about chemical composition of essential oil of the species in Iran, therefore such study is necessary. In this research essential oil composition of aerial parts of three populations of Acorus calamus was studied. Plant materials were collected from their natural habitats in Mazandaran Province (Arzefoon, Pelesk and Alandan). Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed using GC and GC-MS. In total, 41 components were characterized, and are reported for the first time from Iran. The essential oil yield is 0.5 %, 0.45% and 0.48 % in Arzefoon, Pelesk and Alandan populations respectively. The main compounds identified in the oils are cis-asarone (27-53 %), calamusenone (6.6-9.8 %), (E)-caryopyllene (6.3 – 7.3 %), trans-asarone (4.7 – 6.6 %), acorenone (3.6 – 4.9 %) and (E)-β-farnesene (0.8 – 5 %). The results revealed that essential oil compositions of three studied populations are quantitative and qualitatively different from each other and also other samples from various origins which could be attributed to their ecological growing factors such as altitude.

Today, the relationship between asthma and obesity in many studies is reviewed and weight control is used as a way for control of symptoms and severity of asthma along with other treatment protocol. Portulaca oleracea is consumed for weight loss in some countries. The experiment is designed to study the effect of Portulaca oleracea seeds on anthropometric measurements in asthmatic patients. In a randomized clinical trial, 59 patients with asthma disease divided to intervention (n=31) and control (n=28) groups. First group received asthma treatment and consisting 10g/day P. oleracea seeds in two doses in the morning (fasting) and before dinner with a glass of water for 8weeks. Participants in second group received only asthma treatment. At the beginning and end of the study, anthropometric measurements were measured on each subject. The anthropometric measurements including weight, body mass index and waist circumference indicated any significant differences between two groups after completion of the study (P˃0.05) but hip circumference and waist-to-hip ratio had significant decrease (P= 0.003) and increase in intervention group (P= 0.04), respectively. Consumption of Portulaca oleracea seeds influence on some anthropometric measurements likes hip circumference and waist-to-hip ratio in asthmatic patients. However, the effects of them on other anthropometric measurements need further investigations.

Different species of Hyoscymaus are rich sources of tropane alkaloids, especially hyoscyamine and scopolamine. These compounds medicinally are important tropane alkaloids that exclusively are produced by plants. Evaluation of hyoscyamine and scopolamine tropane alkalolids content in shoots and roots of Hyoscyamus species including H. kotschyanus, H. squarrosus, H. pusillus, H. kurdicus, H. scoparia, H. othocarpus. This research was done as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications. Seeds of Hyoscyamus species were grown in growth room under 25 C° temperature and 16/8 h light/dark period conditions. Samples of dried shoot and underground organs of 6 to 7 month plants were extracted and then content of hyoscyamine and scopolamine was evaluated by HPLC. Hyoscyamine and scopolamine content in H. orthocarpus were more than the other species and total of these two compounds in H. orthocarpus (15.81 mg/gr dry weight) was approximately 2 times more than H. kotschyanus (7.45 mg/gr dry weight) and manifold of the other studied species. Hyoscyamine was the main compound in H. orthocarpus. The least amount of hyoscyamine and scopolamine was in H. pusillus. H. orthocarpus and H. kotschyanus because of higher content of hyoscymine and scopolamine with more studies can be used as rich sources of these tropane alkaloids in pharmacy industries.

Increased oxidative stress in women with polycystic ovary syndrome attracted attentions to antioxidant treatments. Calligonum Comosum is a planet with antioxidant propertis. This study aimed to investigating Calligonum effect on polycystic ovarian histology of polycystic ovary mouse model. Thity two female NMRI mice with 25-30 gr weight and 8 weeks age were investigated. A single dose of estradiol valerate (40 mg/kg; im) was used for induce polycystic ovarian morphology. Calligonum Comosom extract (20 mg/kg/ week; ip) was injected for 4 consequent weeks. In sham group, only DMSO was used. After 4 weeks, blood and histological samples were prepared to study. There was no significant effect of 20 mg/kg Calligonum on polycystic ovarian morphology mouse model. The effect of other doses of Calligonum Comosum on fertility or adverse effect of this planet need to be more investigated.

Grape berries are valuable nutraceuticals, due to the presence of different types of flavonoids as anthocyanins and flavonols, however, type and percentage of the components are influenced by genotype and environmental conditions. To identify anthocyanins and flavonols of some important grape cultivars with different color profiles. Berry skins of grape cultivars including Angoorab, Bidane-Ghermez, Fakhrie-Ghermez, Muskat of Hamburg, Flaim seedless, Sorkhak, and Ashe-Siahe-Shiraz were extracted using water/methanol as solvent. Anthocyanins and flavonols compositions were studied by HPLC. Highest total anthocyanin and total flavonol contents were 0.44 (Ashe-Siahe-Shiraz) and 0.67 (Angoorab) mg.100 g-1, respectively. Highest percentage of cyanidin in Bidane-Ghermez (91.6 %), peonidin in Fakhri-Ghermez (91.43 %), delphinidin in Flaim seedless (4.95 %), malvidin in Sorkhak (87.69 %) and petunidin in Muskat of Hamburg (4.36 %) were observed. Quercetin (61.21 in Ashe-Siahe-Shiraz to 87.37 % in Muskat of Hamburg) was the major flavonol, among all studied grape cultivars. Highest amounts of laricitrin in Sorkhak (16.73 %), myricetin in Ashe-Siahe-Shiraz (28.4 %), kaempferol in Flaim seedless (21.39 %) and isorhamnetin in Fakhrie-Ghermez (14.41 %) were observed. Also, estimation of hydroxylation and methylation activities showed that for both of the reactions, anthocyanins are much better substrates than flavonols. The present study showed that studied grape cultivars are different for the content, composition and ratio of anthocyanins and flavonols and pattern of hydroxylation and methylation, which could lead to differences in their nutraceutical values specially their antioxidant activity, stability, solubility and color properties.

Salinity is one of the most important factors limiting growth and crop production. Mycorrhizal fungi as a biological fertilizer provides food needs plants and can be useful in decrease the effects of environmental stresses on plants. Improving quantitative and qualitative traits of anise plant using mycorrhizal fungi under salt stress. This study was done in greenhouse of the research farm of the Islamic Azad University (Saveh branch) as factorial based on randomized complete blocks design. The first factor was mycorrhiza inoculation in three levels of non-inoculated, inoculated with Glomus intraradices strain and inoculation by Glomus mosseae strains and second factor was salinity in three levels control or non-saline water, salinity 50 Mm and 100 Mm. The salinity and mycorrhiza affected all studied traits (P<0.01). The interaction of salinity and mycorrhiza was significant on the number of seeds per plant, Essential oil percentage of seed and K concentration in leaves (P<0.01), plant height, plant dry weight, number of umbels per plant, number of shed in the umbrella, number of seeds in the shed and sodium concentration in leaves (P< 0.05). Increasing soil salinity decreased all the studied traits, So that greatest damage was observed at 100 Mm salt. Of course salinity decreased sodium concentration of leaves. Also mycorrhizal inoculation improved all the studied traits in the saline and control condition than non inoculated plants. The results showed that mycorrhizal inoculation with both strains improved plants growth and essential oil of anise in salinity conditions, and effect of Glomus mosseae strain was better on anise than Glomus interaradices strain.

Inhibition of angiogenesis is one of the goals of cancer treatment. In traditional medicine, Allium sativum L. and Ferula assa-foetida are consider as the important medicinal plants. The effect of electromagnetic field (EMF) on different aspects of cell growth has been confirmed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of shoots of Allium sativum L., Ferula assa-foetida extract and low frequency EMF on angiogenesis. 100 fertilized eggs were randomly divided into 10 groups: control (treated with distilled water), sham one (normal saline), sham two (EMF off), experimental one (shoot of Allium sativum L. extract), experimental two (shoot of Ferula assa-foetida), experimental three (combination of Allium sativum L. and Ferula assa-foetida), experimental four (EMF with intensity of 100 gauss), experimental five (Allium sativum L. + EMF), experimental six (Ferula assafoetida + EMF), experimental seven (combination of Allium sativum L. and Ferula assa-foetida + EMF). Extract was injected on the 8th day of incubation and samples were exposed to EMF on 10th day. On 12th day, Chorioalantoic membrane was photographed and the length and numbers of vessels were measured. There was a significant decrease in mean number and length of vessels in experimental groups one, two, four, five and six compared with the control group. The most significant decrease was created in group three, especially in group seven (P<0.05). In addition, extract of Ferula assa-foetida has anti-angiogenesis effect more than Allium sativum L. Allium sativum L. and Ferula assa-foetida have inhibitory effects on angiogenesis and these effects amplifying by EMF.

Matricaria chamomilla L. is a valuable medicine plant that determining of threshold tolerance and assessing of quantitative yield and phytochemical is necessary in different condition, especially of salinity and pH. Determination of essential oil, percent of essential oil efficiency, tolerance threshold to salinity and pH in medicinal plant of chamomile. This research was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Salinity levels was performed with EC; 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 dSm-1 using NaCl and pH levels of 4, 5, 6.4, 8 and 9. The results showed that the maximum of wet and dry weight of flower and number of flower were achieved in EC 2 and with increasing of salinity to more than 2 dSm-1, were decreased (P≤0.01). Percentage of oil yield efficiency was lowest in EC 2 and increased by rising of salinity. Assessing essential oil showed that, with rising of salinity stress α-Bisabolol oxide A (5.2%) and Camazulene (47.9%)were increased and reduced, respectively. The results of pH treatments showed that the maximum of number of flower and dry and wet weight of flower were achieved in pH 8, and reduced significantly (P<0.01) by down and up of optimum pH (8). The α-Bisabolol oxide A(73.1%) increased with rising of pH and was maximum in pH 8. Salt tolerance threshold based on flower yield and total biomass were 2 and 4 dSm-1, respectively. The highest yield was obtained in pH 8, based on total dry weight of flower.

According to the importance of Stevia rebaudiana that it’s sweetener steviol glycosides, has been introduced in recent year as a natural alternative for saccharose, the evaluation of bio-fertilizers effects on growth and development of stevia is necessary. In this research the effect of vermicompost and mycorrhiza on growth traits and steviosid (ST) content in Stevia rebaudiana was studied. This research was conducted in faculty of agriculture of Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran, through a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and 3 replications. The first factor was different levels of vermicompost (0, 10% and 20%) in basal medium including garden soil + 15% by weight Cow manure and also garden soil alone as a control treatment. Second factor was mycorrhiza fungi including inoculation Glomus mosseae and Piriformospora indica and treatment of non-inoculated plants. The bio-fertilizers had significant effect (P≤0.01) on the studied parameters. The maximum amount of growth parameters (chlorophyll content, and fresh and dry weight of aerial parts and root) was obtained treatment of 20% of vermicompost and Glomus mosseae inoculation. The highest content of steviosid was obtained in end of vegetative growth stage and control treatment. Application of vermicompost significantly improved the chlorophyll content and growth traits and also the highest their amounts were obtained in combination treatment of vermicompost and mycorrhizal inoculation.