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Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products - Volume:12 Issue: 1, Feb 2017

Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products
Volume:12 Issue: 1, Feb 2017

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1396/01/18
  • تعداد عناوین: 12
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  • Hassan Motamed *, Mohammad Davood Sharifi Page 1
  • Esmaeel Ebrahimi, Saeed Shirali *, Reza Afrisham Page 2
    Context: Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disease worldwide and its prevalence is increasing. The development of drugs with fewer side-effects is required when treating this disease. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the use of traditional medicine and medicinal plants in this regard. The various mechanisms by which isolated extracts and herbal compounds exert their effects on different diabetes mellitus factors was investigated.
    Evidence Acquisition: Databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science (from 1990 until the present) were searched, using a detailed list of terms related to the effects and mechanism of herbal ingredients on diabetes mellitus complications.
    Results
    The presence of secondary metabolites, such as phenols, flavonoids and alkaloids in plants, have been used as a source of medication for the treatment of many diseases, including diabetes mellitus. Following an extensive review of the literature, it was found that the secondary metabolites of plants have a wide range of anti-diabetic effects.
    Conclusions
    Plant compounds should be isolated and their effects on diabetes mellitus and its complications examined in order to treatment for diabetes mellitus.
    Keywords: Diabetes Complications, Diabetes Mellitus, Flavonoids, Mechanism, Phenols
  • Esrafil Mansouri, Maryam Ghasemiboroon, Majid Asadi Samani, Fatima Alamiri, Damoon Ashtary-Larky, Najmeh Kafash Farkhad, Wesam Kooti *, Ameneh Hardani, Ashraf Amir Zargar Page 3
    Background
    Infertility is one of the world''s most common problems that affect both males and females. There are a variety of plants used in traditional medicine to increase fertility and determine the gender of the fetus.
    Objectives
    The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of celery leaf on delivery rate in female rats, weight and gender ratio of infants.
    Methods
    In this experimental study, thirty female rats were divided to three groups (n = 10). The control group received distilled water, while the two experimental groups consumed 100 and 200 mg/kg/BW of the celery extract by daily gavage for five weeks. During the fifth week, each of the two female rats was mated with a male rat. In the end, the number of delivered female rats was identified and recorded. In addition, females received celery extract during the mating period until the end; the infants’ weight and gender ratios (male/female) were recorded and compared 30 days after birth.
    Results
    The delivery rate in the experimental groups compared with the control group was not significant (P > 0.05). The mean number of infants in experimental groups 1 and 2 (respectively 8.7 ± 0.5 and 9.12 ± 0.5) compared with the control (6.6 ± 0.3) was significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05). The difference of gender ratio between groups 1 and 2 (respectively 1.25 ± 0.23 and 0.87 ± 0.11), and the control group (0.93 ± 0.1) was not statistically significant. The average weight in experimental groups 1 and 2 (respectively 4.32 ± 0.19 and 4.46 ± 0.22) compared with the control group (5.98 ± 0.20) was significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.05).
    Conclusions
    The results showed that the consumption of celery leaf in females can increase the number of infants, and is associated with weight loss. These changes could be associated with compounds such as phytosterols and flavonoids (such as beta cystosterol and quercetin).
    Keywords: Apium graveolens L., Female Rat, Infant
  • Mohammad Javad Khodayar *, Saeed Salehi, Mohsen Rezaei, Amir Siahpoosh, Ahad Khazaei, Gholamreza Houshmand Page 4
    Background
    Naringenin is a flavonoid with several different biological effects in central nervous system. As mentioned, naringenin has neuroprotective, memory enhancing, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
    Objectives
    In this study, we investigated effects of naringenin on pentylenetetrazole and maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice.
    Methods
    Naringenin was administered at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg intraperitoneally in two models of seizure. Thirty minutes after different doses of naringenin, phenytoin or diazepam and vehicle, the animal received pentylenetetrazole or current stimulus by an electroconvulsiometer.
    Results
    In maximal electroshock model, naringenin 200 mg/kg reduced the duration of hind limb tonic extension. In pentylenetetrazole seizure model all doses of naringenin increased the latency for convulsion and latency for Straub''s tail but only naringenin 200 mg/kg showed significant reduction in duration of myoclonic seizure.
    Conclusions
    According to the results, naringenin showed significant anticonvulsant and neuroprotection activity in two pentylenetetrazole and electroshock models of convulsion in mice and these effects may be mediated by antioxidant properties, agonist activity on GABAA receptors and weakening of glutamate transmission.
    Keywords: Naringenin, Pentylenetetrazole, Maximal Electroshock, Convulsion, Mice
  • Arezoo Rajabian, Mohammad Hassanzadeh Khayyat, Seyed Ahmad Emami, Zahra Tayarani-Najaran, Reza Rahimzadeh Oskooie, Javad Asili * Page 5
    Background
    The genus Artemisia has various medicinal effects. Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon) is one of the species that belongs to the genus Artemisia, cultivated in Iran.
    Objectives
    The current study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of extracts and essential oil obtained from aerial parts of A. dracunculus.
    Methods
    The total amounts of phenolics, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins as well as the antioxidant activity in the various extracts (methanol, dichlormethane, water, n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts) of A. dracunculus were assessed by four different antioxidant activity tests (DPPH (2, 2’-diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging, reducing power, ferrous chelating activity and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay). Vitamin C, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and quercetin were used as reference compounds. Gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to identify the compositions of the essential oil. Thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) and β-carotene bleaching (BCB) methods were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the essential oil.
    Results
    The methanol extract showed the highest antioxidant activity among others in all methods. Estragole (57.1%) was the major component of the essential oil of the plant. The essential oil showed a weak activity in BCB test.
    Conclusions
    The methanol extract showed the highest activity in all tests and was a rich source of antioxidants, with high level of polyphenolic content.
    Keywords: Artemisia dracunculus, Asteraceae, Antioxidant Activity, Essential Oil, Tarragon
  • Arash Shakouri *, Mohammad Reza Shoushizadeh, Fatemeh Nematpour Page 6
    Background
    Seas and oceans have been recognized as a rich source of metabolites and bioactive compounds with biodiversity and drug activity. These compounds have accumulated in various organisms. Bioactive compounds can be extracted from various animal groups, such as coral, crabs, moss animals, Echinodermata, case-bearers, fishes, and sponges.
    Objectives
    Antimicrobial extracts of the sea cucumber body wall (Stichopus variegatus), collected from Chabahar Bay, were tested for four bacterial, fungal, and yeast species.
    Methods
    The disk diffusion method was used in this study. The McFarland 0.5 standard was used in the preparation of suspensions of the mentioned microorganisms under a hood. Next, the species were cultured with a swab on a Mueller-Hinton agar for bacteria and on a Sabouraud dextrose agar for fungi. Subsequently, the disks, with appropriate concentrations, were placed on microbiological growth media.
    Results
    The results of the study showed that the best effect belonged to the aqueous methanol extract of the sea cucumber body wall, with an 8 mg/mL concentration on E. coli, with an inhibition zone diameter of 12.26 mm. The lowest inhibition zone diameter belonged to the methanol extract of white strands, with a 2 mg/mL concentration on C. albicans and an inhibition zone diameter of 1.16 mm. The n-hexane and chloroform extracts had no effect.
    Conclusions
    Comparison of these tests indicates that sea cucumbers have an innate immunity system, which can be considered a potential source for discovering antimicrobial peptides.
    Keywords: Sea Cucumber, Antimicrobial Activity, Extracts, Body Wall
  • Sharareh Lotfalian, Azizollah Ebrahimi *, Mohammad Reza Mahzoonieh Page 7
    Background
    Bacterial endophytes are colonizers of the inner plant tissues in which they do not normally cause any substantial morphological changes or disease symptoms. Endophytic bacteria are safe microorganisms that reside within the plant hosts and are known to enhance the growth and development of host plants, probably by secreting growth hormones. These bacteria are known to enhance growth and products of plants by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, solubilization of phosphate, production of phytohormones and siderophores, and possession of antagonistic activity, as well as reducing the level of stress ethylene in host plants.
    Objectives
    In this descriptive study, we focused on the isolation of bacterial endophytes from three medicinal plants Cichorium intybus L, Pelargonium hortorum, and Portulaca oleracea and screened them for activities against nosocomial isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii.
    Methods
    Random samples from asymptomatic leaves and branches of three medicinal plants (Cichorium intybus L, Pelargonium hortorum, and Portulaca oleracea) were collected. To isolate the endophytic bacteria, the disinfected portions of the plants were distributed onto the isolation media. To examine endophytic bacterial contents, bioassays were conducted using growing colonies in PA and YEA, inactivating them by chloroform. To test the antibacterial activity of the endophytic bacterial culture broth, filter-sterilized supernatants were poured into cylinders on each bacterial plate.
    Results
    A total of 24 phenotypically distinguishable bacterial endophytes were isolated in pure form from three medicinal plants. In part of the chloroform-inactivated colonies of all 24 isolated endophytes, the most effective herb was C. intybus L, followed by Po. oleracea, and in part of the supernatant culture broth, the most effective herb was Po. oleracea, followed by C. intybus L.
    Conclusions
    Endophytic microorganisms residing in Cichorium intybus L, Portulaca oleracea, and Pelargonium hortorum are a very promising source for production of bioactive compounds. In general, most isolated endophytes had an acceptable effect against indicator bacterial pathogens.
    Keywords: Medicinal Plants, Endophytes, Antibacterial Activity, Iran
  • Hoda Mojiri Forushani, Ali Asghar Hemmati *, Ali Khodadadi, Mohammad-Ali Assarehzadegan, Mohammad Rashno Page 8
    Background
    Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is among the world’s most prevalent and common respiratory system diseases. Several previous studies have revealed the contribution of angiotensin in the pathogenesis of PF; subsequently, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor antagonists (ARDs) have been proposed for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis using therapeutic approaches.
    Objectives
    This study aimed to investigate the anti-fibrotic effect of valsartan as an angiotensin receptor blocker.
    Methods
    Rats were given a single intratracheal administration of bleomycin (7.5 IU/kg); valsartan (20, 40, 80 mg/kg/day) was administrated to the rats orally, starting seven days before the induction of lung fibrosis and continuing until the end of the study. The control group received a vehicle.
    Results
    The rats that received valsartan exhibited decreased hydroxyprolin content and pulmonary index values. Pathological examination showed that valsartan could prevent inflammation and fibrotic scarring induced by bleomycin.
    Conclusions
    Valsartan displayed an anti-fibrotic and protective effect against bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in an animal model.
    Keywords: Valsartan, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Angiotensin, Bleomycin
  • Hossein Danafar * Page 9
    Background
    Natural products derived from plants play a significant function in healthcare in many cultures, both ancient and modern. curcumin (CUR) is a chemical constituent of turmeric with anticancer activity, but its poor water solubility limits its use clinically.
    Methods
    To improve the bioavailability and water solubility of curcumin, we synthesized five series of poly (caprolactone)-poly (ethylene glycol)- poly (caprolactone) (PCL-PEG-PCL) triblock copolymers. The structure of the copolymers was characterized by HNMR, FT-IR, DSC, and GPC techniques. The nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using a solvent evaporation method. To achieve the best delivery system, we assigned the effect of the length of the copolymers’ hydrophilic and hydrophobic chains on the encapsulation of hydrophobic CUR, performed entrapment efficiency and drug loading assignments, as well as evaluated the particle distribution and in vitro release using the direct dispersion method.
    Results
    CUR was encapsulated with 71% and 83% efficiency in biodegradable nanoparticulate formulations, based on NP4 and NP5. Dynamic laser light scattering (DLS) indicated a particle diameter of 112 nm and 110 nm for NP4 and NP5, respectively. FT-IR and DSC analysis of the NPs showed that CUR was encapsulated into the NPs. The in vitro release experiments showed that NP5 controlled the release of CUR more effectively, with only 51% of CUR released after 120 hours.
    Conclusions
    The results indicate the successful formulation of curcumin-loaded PCL-PEG-PCL nanoparticles and improved water solubility of curcumin, which may have potential application in cancer treatment.
    Keywords: Curcumin, Drug Release, Drug Loading, PCL, PEG, PCL Copolymers
  • Mehtap Tugce Ozkan, Rezzan Aliyazicioglu, Selim Demir *, Sema Misir, Ibrahim Turan, Sermet Yildirmis, Yuksel Aliyazicioglu Page 10
    Background
    Primula vulgaris has been used in traditional treatment, and its biological functions are attributed to its polyphenolics content.
    Objectives
    The aim of this study was to determine the phenolics composition and the antioxidant activity of water extract of P. vulgaris (WEP) and to determine its probable preventive effects against H2O2-induced DNA damage in human fibroblast cells.
    Methods
    The total polyphenolic content (TPC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and radical scavenging activity of WEP were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Phenolic compounds and antigenotoxic effects of WEP were evaluated using HPLC and comet assay, respectively.
    Results
    The TPC and FRAP values of WEP were 15.023 ± 0.84 mg gallic acid and 82.63 ± 0.31 μM trolox per g sample, respectively. ρ-coumaric acid and rutin were detected as major phenolics. Moreover, WEP reduced H2O2-induced DNA damage in a concentration dependent manner in fibroblast cells compared to the positive controls (only 20 μM H2O2 treatment).
    Conclusions
    Primula vulgaris can be used in food, cosmetics, and drug industries because of its antioxidant and antigenotoxic activities.
    Keywords: Antioxidant Effect, Antigenotoxicity, Comet Assay, DNA Damage, HPLC, Primula vulgaris
  • Neda Ghamarzad Shishavan, Mehran Mesgari Abbasi *, Rogayeh Amini Afshar, Parvin Zakeri Milani, Fariba Yahyavi Page 11
    Background
    Methotrexate (MTX), as one of the most pivotal drugs in treatment of some malignancies and autoimmune diseases, is associated with damages to different tissues particularly the liver tissue through impairing the balance between antioxidant and pro-oxidants. Pomegranate peel is a great source of polyphenols with antioxidant function that has recently become a center of attention.
    Objectives
    The current study was undertaken to investigate the effects of MTX and pomegranate peel methanolic extract (PPME), alone and in combination, on liver antioxidants of rats.
    Methods
    Antioxidant capacity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of PPME were analyzed. 32 rats were divided into (1) control, (2) orally received 500 mg/kg PPME, (3) intramuscularly received 10 mg/kg MTX, and (4) PPME (for 18 days) and MTX (for 3 days beginning from the 10th day) groups. After the experimental period, the rats were euthanatized and tissue samples were obtained for antioxidant analysis.
    Results
    PPME had a considerable antioxidant capacity, as well as total phenolic and flavonoid contents. There were low liver contents of Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Catalase and a high level of Malondialdehyde and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the Methotrexate group compared to the control group (P
    Conclusions
    Methotrexate can surprisingly increase SOD and Malondialdehyde and decrease Catalase contents. PPME can decrease GPx and relatively prevent the effects of Methotrexate on SOD and Catalase contents of the liver tissue. However, further studies are recommended.
    Keywords: Liver, Methotrexate, Oxidative Stress, Pomegranate Peel Extract
  • Zahra Ramezani *, Mitra Zamani Page 12
    Hypericin was extracted from Hypericum perforatum L. using a different extraction procedure. Highest amounts of hypericins were extracted by ultrasonic methods using methanol: acetone 2:1 as an extracting solvent. Hypericin contents of the extract was purified by passing it through 2 series of 70 × 5 mm glass columns, each filled with 800 mg of 35 - 70 mesh silica gel, followed by elution with MeOH: acetone: CH2Cl2 (75:10:15). The extent of purification was determined by HPLC. The amount of purified hypericins, which was extracted from Hypericum perforatum, was 5.105 mg per gram dried plant leaves.
    Keywords: Hypericin, Pseudo, hypericin, HPLC, Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction, Hypericum perforatum L