s.n. ostad

Trachyspermum ammi is one of the prominent plant in traditional medicine of the east with several medicinal effects such as improvement of stomach disease, digestive disorder, diarrhea, hemorrhoid, bladder stones, respiratory disease and etc. Medicinal plants is one of the important reason of toxicity particularly in children and the elderly therefore, evaluation of the toxic effects of a plant is important. The aim of present study was evaluation of toxicity of ajowan oil in experimental animals. Initially, essential oil of the plant fruit was extracted to study the acute toxicity to rats by gavage. The animals were treated with 1000 mg/kg of the essential oil for 23 and 45 days to determine chronic. Hematological and biochemical parameters of rats’ blood samples were collected and spleen, kidney, liver and lung of rats were isolated for histopathologic examination. According to acute studies result lethal dose, 50% (LD50) of ajowan essential oil was about 2294 mg/kg. Chronic evaluation showed that there is no statistical difference between weight, food and water consumption of test and control groups. Further, tissue analysis showed no serious change in examined tissues in the treated rats. Finally according to results, no chemical parameters of blood and histological pattern of tissue were affected by T. ammi oil; however the oil could be classified as moderately toxic due to its LD50 value.

Otostegia persica (Labiatae) is an endemic plant of Iran and is used for its anti-inflammatory properties in folk medicine of Sistan and Baluchestan province. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of O. Persica different fractions and identification of the natural compounds from the most active fraction.

Total extract of O. Persica was fractionated with petroleum ether (PE), chloroform (CL), ethyl acetate (EA), n-butanol (BU) and methanol (ME). The analgesic activities of different fractions were determined by formalin test. Then, activity of effective fractions was investigated on carrageenan-induced paw edema assay. Finally, the compounds of effective fraction were isolated and their structures were elucidated.

Anti-nociceptive activity of EA and BU fractions (100 mg/kg) and ME fraction (100 and 200 mg/kg) demonstrated significant difference with normal saline during the second phase of the formalin test. ME fraction showed higher analgesic effects in comparison to indomethacin (p<0.05), with IC50 equal to 85.87 mg/kg. Among EA, BU and ME fractions which were selected for anti-inflammatory investigation, EA could not reduce rat paw edema after 6 h. The swelling inhibition percentage of ME was similar to that induced by indomethacin at the same time (p>0.05). Vicenin-2 and isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside were elucidated from ME as the effective anti-inflammatory fraction.

It was concluded that the existence of flavonoids in O. persica extract could play an important role for its anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects similar to various non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS).

 Squill [Drimia maritima (L.) Stearn] is an important medicinal plant that has been used for medicinal purposes such as cardiovascular diseases and asthma since ancient times. Bufadienolides are the main compounds of this plant and are responsible for some reported adverse effects. In order to reduce adverse effects, different methods like boiling with vinegar were applied by traditional practitioners. In the present study, the acute oral toxicity, cytotoxic effects, proscillaridin A content and antibacterial properties of methanol and vinegar extracts of squill white variety were compared for exploring the efficacy of traditional processing method.

Different doses of extracts (1000-5000 mg/kg) were administered during oral gavage in rats to analyze the acute oral toxicity. Cytotoxicity against HT-29, Caco-2 and NIH3T3 cell lines and antibacterial activity (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli) were investigated using MTT assay and conventional agar dilution method, respectively. Proscillaridin A content was evaluated in the extracts (vinager and methanol) by a validated high performance liquid chromatography method.

During the in vivo research no death or observed effect occurred in animals that received the extracts. Our results showed that all of the extracts exhibited no cytotoxic effects in experimented cell lines (IC50>1000 μg/mL). Proscillaridin A was only detected in the methanol extract and no significant antibacterial effect was detected in methanol extract.

According to results of the present study, processing squill with vinegar according to traditional experiences can reduce possible the side effects of bufadienolids.

Ziziphora clinopodioides is a perennial herb and grows widely in west and northwest of Iran. The aerial parts are used as appetizer, carminative and antiseptic as well as for the treatment of medical conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma hyperhidrosis, palpitation and insomnia

The aerial parts of Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam. were extracted by ethanol (70%) and fractionated by n-hexane. The n-hexane fraction was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. This fraction and the total extract were further investigated for in vitro cytotoxic activity against HT-29 (colon carcinoma), K-562 (leukemia), T-47D (breast ductal carcinoma) and NIH-3T3 (Swiss mouse embryo fibroblast) cells using MTT assay.

 Nineteen compounds were identified by GC/MS. The main constituents of the n-hexane fraction were pulegone (24.35%), menthol (14%) and menthone (9.61%). The results of cytotoxicity evaluation showed that the n-hexane fraction strongly exhibited cytotoxic activity against T-47D and K-562 cells with IC50 value of 77.41±12.89 and 80±2.56 μg/mL. The total extract did not show considerable activity against any of the cell lines in comparison to the n-hexane fraction.

The presence of compounds such as pulegone, menthol and menthone could explain the cytotoxic activity of the n-hexane fraction of Z. clinopodioides Lam on K-562, T-47D and HT-29 cell lines.

Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and its ligands play a major role in many tumors by mediating extracellular matrix degradation and signaling cascades leading to tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. Recently we introduced uPAR decapeptide antagonist with cytotoxic effect on MDA-MB-231 cell line. In this study we assessed the alteration in uPAR downstream signaling following treatment with the peptide antagonist. In this regard, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 from mitogen-activated protein kinase family and Bcl-2, Bim and Bax from Bcl-2 protein family were investigated. Our data revealed that the peptide caused p38 activation and low ERK activation. On the other hand, the peptide induced down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bim without Bax modulation. Changes in target protein expression/activation explain the apoptotic property of the peptide and highlight its potential to be used as a therapeutic agent in cancerous cells expressing high levels of uPAR.

There is more need for pharmacy managers’ development regarding pharmaceutical care after Heath Reform Project. In this study, we designed, delivered and evaluated a virtual one-year short course of pharmaceutical care for pharmacy managers. We interviewed with five hospital pharmacy managers for educational need assessment. Then we developed the curriculum and performed a systematic instructional design for its blended delivery. Faculty members participated in a three-day workshop and then developed their course plans, multimedia e-contents and completed their assessment (courses’ panels) in the university Learning Management System. We delivered the one-year MBA in three modules. At the end of each module, participants evaluated the courses via a researcher-made questionnaire. In total, 38 pharmacy managers participated in the course. Ten participants (26%) left the study and 28 participants succeeded to pass the final written exam with the overall score of 18.0/20 (±0.45). The participants found the program useful for their career. Considering the participants’ feedback, We recommend this virtual pharmaceutical care are program for hospital pharmacy managers.

Salvia is one of the largest genera of  Lamiaceae family. Several species of this genus are perfumed and wealthy in essential oils. Some of them are used in industry, pharmacy and aromatherapy. They have shown different biological effects such as antibacterial and antioxidant activity. For the present study, Salvia verticillata L. was collected from Shahrestanak, Mazandaran, Iran. Hydrodistilled essential oil from the aerial parts of this plant was obtained with a Clevenger type  apparatus  and was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Moreover, the cytotoxic activity of the essential oil was investigated against HT-29 (colon adenocarcinoma), Caco-2 (colorectal adenocarcinoma), T-47D (breast ductal carcinoma) and NIH-3T3 (Swiss mouse embryo fibroblast) cell lines by MTT test. 59 components were characterized from the oil with trans-caryophyllene (24.40%), β-phellandrene (9.08%), α-humulene (8.61%), bicyclogermacrene (6.32%), spathulenol (5.89%) and β-pinene (5.00%) as the major constituents. These compounds represented 97.67% of the essential oil and included monoterpenes (34.83%) and sesquiterpens (61.84%). The results of the cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that the essential oil of S. verticillata showed higher cytotoxic effect on Caco-2 cell line.

The genus Stachys belongs to Lamiaceae family with about 300 species and worldwide distribution. In the present study, the cytotoxic activity of four fractions of different Satchys species (S. byzatina C. Koch., S. inflata Benth., S. setifera Ten. and S. persica Gmel.), has been investigated against HT-29 (colon carcinoma), Caco-2 (colorectal adenocarcinoma), T-47D (breast ductal carcinoma) and NIH-3T3 (Swiss mouse embryo fibroblast) cell lines by MTT test. The samples were extracted by percolation method with four solvents; petroleum ether (60-80 ºC), chloroform, ethyl acetate and 80% aqueous methanol, susseccively. All cell lines were cultured in proper medium. Concentrations of 62.5-750 μg/mL from partition fractions of all samples, dissolved in 1% (v/v) DMSO were tested on each cell line. Cells with no treatment and methotrexate were examined as negative and positive controls, respectively. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Some fractions showed good cell inhibitory activity with IC50S. setifera was the most cytotoxic sample with high selectivity toward cancerous cell lines, and it could be investigated for its pharmaceutical active components in future studies.

Cornus sanguinea L subsp australis (C. A. Mey.) Jáv. (Cornaceae) is a native species in north and northwest of Iran. It is locally named Siah-al. The genus Cornus is rich source of anthocyanins. In this study the antioxidant activity، total phenol and total anthocyanin contents of different extracts of C. sanguinea L subsp australis. were investigated for the first time. The fruits were extracted with ethyl acetate، methanol (1% HCl) and water. DPPH and FRAP assay were performed for investigation of antioxidant activity of each extract. The total phenols were measured by Folin-Ciocalteu method while total anthocyanins were detected by spectroscopic method modified by Peksel. The results showed that C. sanguinea L subsp australis methanol (1% HCl) extract (CME) had the highest amount of anthocyanins (12. 56 ± 0. 01 µmol/g extract) as well as the highest amount of total phenolics (88. 56 ± 0. 04 mg GAE/ g dry extract). The CME were found to have the highest antioxidant activity in DPPH assay (IC50=90. 43 µg/ml) and in FRAP method (1419. 167± 0. 025mmol FeII / g dry extract). Radical scavenger activity of CME at 100 μg/ml was comparable with α-tocopherol (20 μg/ml) and with BHA (200 μg/ml)، p>0. 05. There was a significant correlation between the total phenolic content an antioxidant activity of CME as well as total anthocyanin and antioxidant activity in DPPH assay (R2 = 0. 99). The results suggest that C. sanguinea L subsp australis is a natural sources of anthocyanin and have considerable antioxidant activity.

Numerous molecules in Papaveraceae family display interesting cytotoxic activities against tumor cell lines in vitro and hints of anticancer activities in vivo have been reported in a few cases. Numerous molecules in this family display interesting cytotoxic activities against tumor cell lines in vitro and hints of anticancer activities in vivo have been reported in a few cases. In this study we evaluated the cytotoxic effects of total and alkaloid extracts of Glaucium flavum Crantz and Glaucium grandiflurom Boiss. & Huet, the two species of this genus, on cell proliferation of HT-29, Caco-2, T47D, and NIH/3T3 cell lines by MTT method and their IC50s were determined. The aerial parts of G. grandiflurom and G. flavum were collected from Jajrud in Tehran Province in June 2011. The effect of total extract and alkaloid extract of them on HT-29, Ta7D, NIH/3T3 and Caco-2 cells was determined by MTT assay. Alkaloid extracts showed a moderate cytotoxic effect on the cell lines. IC50 values confirmed that the growth and proliferation of NIH/3T3 cells were less affected in comparison to other cell lines. The effects of alkaloid extracts of both plants on human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines (HT-29, Caco-2), showed that these extracts contain certain compounds that can inhibit the proliferation of colon cancerous cells.

Sulfur mustard, a bifunctional alkylating agent, causes severe eye injury. The injury is a result of late inflammation, which is mediated by prostaglandins. Theoretically, inhibition of prostaglandins by reagents such as indomethacine could result in alleviation of clinical adverse effects. In this study, the protective effect of topically applied indomethacine against sulfur mustard toxicity was assessed on the rabbit eye. Ocular toxicity was studied by using light microscopy, electron microscopy and visual inspection methods. Methods used in this assay showed that 100 µL of indomethacine solution (0.5% W N) two hours before exposure and throughout the experiment could markedly decrease the toxic effects of mustard.