Journal of Medicinal Plants
Volume:18 Issue: 70, 2019

Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.), commonly known as hemp, is an annual herb belongs to the family Cannabacea. The seeds of this plant have considerable content of oil and unsaturated fatty acids, and its fiber is used in the paper and textile industries. Tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol are main cannabinoid compounds of this plant, which have high importance for their well-known pharmaceutical properties. Therapeutic effects of secondary metabolites of hemp on different diseases, such as cancer, Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.), and AIDS and their anxiety and palliative characteristics have been reported in several studies. Considering oil content, and therapeutic and industrial properties of the hemp as well as, its high diversity in Iran, more studies are needed to better recognize this plant and the economic production of its therapeutic compounds. In the present paper, a comprehensive review of agronomic, therapeutic and phytochemical characteristics of hemp is presented.

Tropane alkaloids such as scopolamine (C17H21NO4), atropine (C17H23NO3) and hyoscyamine (C17H23NO3) are the most important plant secondary metabolites in the pharmaceutical industry due to anticholinergic activity, competition with muscarinic receptors and also treating different human diseases. Scopolamine, hyoscyamine and atropine are the most important tropane alkaloids used as anticoagulants and spasmolytic drugs in the digestive system and urinary excretion. Tropane alkaloids are natural phytochemical compounds, which are present in different plant families. These compounds are the main secondary metabolites in Solanaceae family plants such as Hyoscyamus niger and Atropa belladonna. The main source of raw material for the production of tropane alkaloids in the world is Duboisia spp. leaves which contain 2-4% alkaloids (more than 60% scopolamine, and 30% hyoscyamine). Common methods of analysis of tropane alkaloids include gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE), in which liquid chromatography is mostly adopted. Various enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of tropane alkaloids, in which N- Putrescine methyltransferase (PMT), tropinone reductase I and II, and hyoscyamine 6-beta-hydroxylase (H6H) have a key role. To increase the biosynthesis of these important alkaloids, many studies were focused on the manipulation of key genes expressing enzymes in the biosynthesis pathway such as pmt and h6h genes. Although many biotechnological and agronomic studies have been done to increase the biosynthesis efficiency of these metabolites, further investigations are necessary. This paper is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of these tropane alkaloids.

One of the most important aspects of research is the evaluation of scientific production, and this is important in traditional medicine due to its specific application in the treatment of diseases today. The purpose of this study was to analyze the scientific products of faculty members of Traditional Medicine in Iranian Medical Sciences Universities indexed in Scopus Citation Database between 2005 and 2015. This study is a descriptive survey with scientometric approach. Required data were extracted from Scopus Citation Database by September 21, 2015 and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Scientific production of the faculty members of the traditional medicine had a sustained upward trend, Tehran University has been known as the best in production (95 certificates) and the best in citation (369 citations).Iranian Journal of Public Health and Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal have both published the largest scientific publications of the faculty members of traditional medicine in the country (each 16 certificates). Articles of journals (58.4%) and books (15.4%) were the most used sources by traditional faculty members. 8 magazines were selected as the core journals in the field of traditional medicine; the Journal of Ethnopharmacology was the first journal in this field. The maximum rate of citations is related to the references since 2007 to 2015. Access of researchers to core journals in the field of traditional medicine through valid databases, increase the research budgets, apply incentive programs, facilitation for sabbatical leaves, and the provision of research laboratories are some ways to Improve the quality and quantity of scientific production in this field.

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is an herbaceous annual plant of the Lamiaceae family. Chia seeds are rich source of omega-3 fatty acids (a-linoleic acid), proteins, soluble and insoluble fibers, vitamins, minerals and natural antioxidants. Study of growth, development, yield and oil quality of white and black Chia seeds in different planting dates. In order to study the possibility of Chia production in Iran, a factorial field trial was carried out based on a completely randomized block design with four replications, at Safiabad Agriculture Research Center (Dezful). Treatments included two different varieties of Chia (black and white) and six planting dates. Planting date altered vegetative and reproductive characteristics of both Chia varieties. The best yield from both Chia varieties was observed in plants grown from the first planting date (October). Black Chia showed better yield in terms of seed production (76.68 g/m2) and oil content (36.6%) compared to the white variety. α-linolenic acid was the major component of both black (54.0%) and white Chia (61.0%). Both varieties of Chia showed suitable adaptation in the climate of Dezful. By planting on October, Chia plants could receive enough short days and produce seeds. Suitable oil yield and quality was obtained for both Chia varieties. By optimizing of other parameters, economic seed yield will be achievable.

The enzyme tyrosinase is a copper-containing polyphenol oxidase, which is involved in melanogenesis. It catalyzes the conversion of tyrosine to melanin pigments in mammals. Tyrosinase plays an important role in enzymatic browning, which causes discoloration and loss economic value of many plant food products. This enzyme is widely distributed in fungi, higher plants and animals. The aim of this study was to determine the tyrosinase inhibitory effect of hexane extracts of different aerial parts of Astragalus vegetus Bungi and Gundelia turnifortii L. Later the kinetics and antioxidant activities of the extracts with the highest inhibitory properties were assessed. Aerial parts of the plants were divided to stems, leaves and flowers and air-dried. Hexane extract of each part has obtained by maceration in n-hexane. Inhibitory effects assayed at four different concentrations, using a microplate reader at 492 nm. Kojic acid used as positive control. DPPH method used to determine the antioxidant activities of the extracts and ascorbic acid (positive control). GC/MS device utilized to determine the composition of the extracts. Main inhibitory activity detected at 1 mg/ml concentration of hexane extract of leaves of Astragalus vegetus Bunge (66.6%), and the leaves and flowers of Gundelia turnifortii L. (71.7 and 68.7 percent respectively). IC50 values for Astragalus vegetus Bungi leaves was 0.5 mg/ml. and for Gundelia turnifortii L. leaves and flowers, were 0.5 and 0.32 mg/ml respectively. Astragalus vegetus Bungi.plant leaves also showed a considerable antioxidant activity. GC/MS analysis of extracts didn't show any reliable result. These results suggest that some of the most effective extracts from analyzed plants in this study, may be worthy for further investigation to obtain some new tyrosinase inhibitors with pharmacological applications.

Coagulation activity of platelets plays an important role in thrombosis formation, Atherosclerotic plaque establishment and cardiovascular disorders. ASA are using as an anti platelet activity drug for patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Using of plant extraction as a complementary medicine for these patients (CAD) is mostly recommended by traditional medicine specialist. In this study we investigated platelet activity after treatment with extract of Artemisia dracunculus (Tarragon) and it’s synergic with ASA treatment. After preparation of platelets from healthy volunteers, platelets confronted with desired concentrations (125-1000 µg/ml) of methanol extract of Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon) and (0.31-1.26 µg/ml) of (ASA) alone and in combination.  The platelet function such as adhesion, aggregation and protein release were assayed on treated platelets and controls. Our results demonstrated that Tarragon extract significantly effective on adhesion, aggregation and protein release in comparison with healthy volunteers platelets (P≤0.001). The Tarragon extract also raised the anti-platelet activity of ASA on these platelets. Tarragon extract, either as single agent or combination with ASA, has been able to induce anti-platelet activity. Therefore, it would be suggested to use of the tarragon extract with or without common treatments, i.e. ASA, in treatments of cardiovascular disorders and patients with deep vein thrombosis.

Thymus persicus is one of the Iranian endemic medicinal plants, that its decoction and various products have plenty of food and pharmaceutical uses. Evaluation of T. persicus products metabolite contains and determination of the best antioxidant, anti-diabetic and anti-Alzheimer extract. Samples total phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu, AlCl3, Folin-Denis reagents and for saponin content vanillin-sulfuric acid method were used. To the investigation of products antioxidant effect, DPPH and OH radical scavenging and phosphomolybdenum and ferrous ion chelating methods were employed. To evaluate of samples anti-diabetic properties α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects, and to investigate of anti-Alzheimer potential, acetyl and butyryl cholinesterase inhibitory effect were measured. Decoction and hydroalcoholic extract of T. persicus showed the highest phenol, flavonoid and tannin contents in comparison with the others. Ethyl acetate extract had the highest saponin content. According to the antioxidant assays, decoction and hydroalcoholic extract exhibited the best potential. In anti-diabetic (inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes) and anti-Alzheimer (inhibition of acetyl and butyryl cholinesterase) assays, decoction and hydroalcoholic extract showed significantly higher power. The high ability of decoction and hydroalcoholic extract of T. persicus in antioxidant, anti-diabetic and anti-Alzheimer can be related to their high phenol, flavonoid and tannin content.

Because in today's societies, not only the nutritional role of plants and fungi is very high, but also the main basis of many drugs are plants and plant products, therefore one of the problems of clinical toxicologists is the toxicity of these products. This study aimed to define the prevalence, symptoms, complications, effective treatments, type of substance use, the cause of intake, location, gender distribution and age of poisoning with herbs and mushrooms in hospitalized patients of Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran. This is a retrospective study with questionnaire formulation. Patients reviewed from the beginning of 2007 to the end of 2013. of 103 cases of poisoning with plants and mushrooms 64.1% were male, and 35.9% were female. The mean age of patients was 21.59 ± 30.51 years. The most commonly used substance is Datura (34%). On the other hand, sole mushroom ingestion was found in 5.8% of cases. The most significant source of plants and mushrooms was reported from herbal-shops (27.18%). The reason behind intake was either random or euphoria. Four patients were admitted to the intensive care unit, and three patients needed intubation. The mean hospital stay was 1.64 ± 1.28 days. Ninety percent of the treatments were supportive, and 75.7% of the patients recovered without any clinical complications. Poisoning with toxic plants and mushrooms is one of the frequent causes of intoxication that is often accidental. In children poisoning is inadvertent, but youth are more likely wanted to have euphoria. Treatment strategies are supportive and symptomatic.

The use of knowledge of indigenous people in the use of plants can provide valuable information in the field of nutrition, treatment, and provide the basis for the production of drugs used in modern medicine. The present study aimed to evaluate the level of recognition of the Ardestanian people to the medicinal plants of the region and introduction to some poisonous plants for the first time. In order to obtain information on the kind of medicinal treatment, the medicinal properties and consuming method of medicinal plants, the collected plants after identification provided to indigenous people and the results were provided in the form of questionnaires. Also, some poisonous plants of the region were identified with credit references. In the present study, the total of 120 medicinal and poisonous plant species was identified. Of these, 106 species belonging to 41 families and 98 genera had medicinal applications. Among them, Asteraceae (17 genera and 17 species) and Apiaceae (9 genera and 10 species) were the most important. It was also discovered that 25 species of the 120 introduced species have toxic properties, of which 11 species are also medicine at low doses. In this research, the most commonly used parts of medicinal plants were aerial parts in boiled form. Also, the most common use of medicinal plants in this area is as pain relief, relief of digestive disorders and metabolic disorders such as diabetes and blood lipid. The existence of 106 species of medicinal plants in the Ardestan area indicated the richness of this area in terms of medicinal plants and relatively high knowledge of Ardestanian people in using these plants.

Obesity is associated with increased oxidative stress. In addition, exercise can increase oxidative stress effects. However, the use of dietary supplements may moderate these indices. The present study is conducted to assess the effect of flaxseed supplementation on the total antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation after four weeks concurrent training in overweight women. Thirty six overweight women with BMI> 25 were randomly divided into four groups of 9 people, including supplementary training, concurrent training, supplementation flaxseed and control. All written consent was taken. Concurrent training included aerobic exercises with an intensity of 65% of heart rate and resistance training with intensity of 60% 1RM In between the Flaxseed powder (0.62 g per kg of body weight per day) was supplemented during the four-week period. Hypothesis research at the level of significance P <0.05 was used to analyze the variance (ANOVA) with repeated measurements with inter-group factor. The results showed that the concentration of malondialdehyde biomarker in the non-flax seed group increased significantly after the concurrent training (P <0.05). However, the total antioxidant capacity of plasma was not significantly different (P> 0.05). The results of this study indicated that acute concurrent Physical activity give rise to increased MDA concentration in overweight women. The application of flaxseed extract employed as an antioxidant supplement might ameliorate this marker and prevent the oxidative stress damage.

Few studies have been done considering the effectiveness of aqueous extract of cinnamon in neurological diseases. In previous studies, reducing the pain of hydro-alcoholic cinnamon extract in the second phase (chronic) of the formalin test and reduction of inflammation in animal models as well as in humans following cinnamon administration have been emphasized. There are also studies on the anti-Alzheimer's effects of this extract. However, the effects of CWE of this plant on the incidence of diseases associated with the nervous system, especially depression, have not been investigated. In the present study, the effects of CWE on depression induced by forced swimming test (FST) in mice were investigated. Cinnamon aqueous extract was obtained by boiling method of cinnamon powder. Male NMRI mice (25-30 g) were used (n=8/group). Different doses of CWE (25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally to the animals 30 min before the (FST). In addition, fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) was administered to distinct animals as positive control. Intraperitoneal (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) injections of CWE significantly reduced the animals’ immobilization in a dose-dependent manner which in doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg was similar to fluoxetine effect. It could be concluded that the CWE can inhibit depression induced by FST in mice. Since the exact composition of the extract is not identified, the exact mechanism(s) by which the extract reduces the FST is not clear.

Disability due to headache in migraine and being chronic of it can lead to sadness and depression. This study was aimed to determine the effect of lavender aromatherapy on depression and headache disability. This clinical trial study was conducted on 60 migraine patients referred to Toba Clinic of Sari (Mazandaran, Iran) during 2016-2017. Patients in the experimental group inhaled 2-3 drops of lavender essence for 15 min, three times a week for 4 consecutive weeks. The dose, duration and inhalation method of paraffin (as placebo) in control group were similar to those in the experimental group. Before the intervention, at the end of the second and fourth weeks, the intensity of depression and headache disability were measured by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-13) and Jacobson questionnaire. For analyzing in each group and groups, repeated measure tests and Boneforeni were used. In experimental group, depression (P <0.001, F=64.49) and headache disability scores
(P <0.001, F=29.95) were significantly different in the pre intervention, two and four weeks after the intervention. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of the depression (P = 0.13, f = 2.6) and headache disability (P = 0.15, f = 1.93) scores before, two and four weeks after intervention. Lavender essential oil can be useful for reducing depression and headache disability in migraine patients.

Nowadays, the optimization of the culture conditions in bioreactors is considered as an approach to produce secondary metabolites such as thebaine.
Thebaine is the dominant alkaloid in Iranian poppy that is used as a precursor for the synthesis of analgesic compounds. Optimization of culture conditions of Papaver bracteatum adventitious roots in bioreactor for the scale-up thebaine production. In this study, adventitious roots was induced from the stem explants and then cultured in a bubble column bioreactor. The research was conducted as a factorial experiment based on randomized complete design. The bioreactor temperatures were 14, 20, 26 and 32 °C, as well as aeration volumes were 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 vvm. The results showed that the temperature and aeration volume had significant effect on root fresh weight and thebaine content. The highest root dry weight was related to aeration volume of 0.2 vvm and temperature of 26°C. The maximum content of thebaine was observed in aeration volume of 0.2 vvm and temperature of 26°C. According to the results, aeration volume and temperature were two important factors for large-scale production of Papaver bracteatum biomass and thebaine in bioreactor conditions.

Diets rich in simple carbohydrates can induce obesity and metabolic syndrome. In this study we investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Inocutis levis on the levels of serum lipids and liver tissue in high sucrose fed (HSF) rats. Thirty two male wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: 1- control, 2- a group that were fed with high sucrose solution for 12 weeks and 3&4- groups were intraperitoneally treated with doses of 50 and 150 mg/kg body weight aqueous extract I. levis for two weeks following high sucrose drinking. After 12 weeks serum lipids, liver enzymes and liver tissue were evaluated.  Liver tissue was stained with hematoxylin & eosin. The results showed that HSF in rats increased triglyceride and liver enzymes and induced low grade inflammation in liver tissue compared to control group (P<0.001). In HSF rats treated with aqueous extract of I. levis, the levels of triglyceride were reduced in blood serum, and liver enzymes levels as AST were also lowered (P<0.001) (P<0.01). Moreover, aqueous extract of I. levis decreased leukocyte infiltration in liver tissue. On the Base of these results, I. levis may have the potential to control hypertriglyceridemia, and may reduce inflammation in liver tissue.

Obesity and weight gain can cause health risks for people with metabolic disorders. Endurance activities and some herbal supplements can reduce the risks of metabolic syndrome by affecting hormonal indices and body weight. The present study examined the effect of 8 weeks of endurance training and supplementation of flax seed on BDNF and IGF-1 in obese women. 48 female obese 30-40 years old were selected and randomly divided into four groups: control (Con), endurance training (ET), supplemented flax seed (Sup) and combination (endurance training + Supplementation of flax seed (ET + Sup)). Endurance training included 8 weeks of increasing activity with an intensity of 30% to 70% of VO2 max. Flax seed supplements were consumed in powdery form at a dose of 6 g per day. T-test and one way ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. The turkey's post hoc test was used at the level of 0.05. Body weight showed a significant change in exercise, exercise + supplementation groups. The results of significant increase in BDNF showed a significant decrease in IGF-1 in both ET and ET + Sup groups compared to Con and Sup (P≤0.05). But the difference between the ET and ET + Sup groups was not significant. The findings of this study showed that aerobic training with flaxseed can be more effective in reducing body weight and improving metabolic parameters in obese women. These effects were associated with an increase in BDNF and a decrease in IGF-1 levels.

Ethnobotany is the study of a region's plants and their practical uses through the traditional knowledge of a local culture and people. Traditional plant usage for medicinal purposes is a main part of indigenous people culture which has been formed during centuries in rural area. This knowledge has played important role in the development of new drugs on the modern medicine. The present study was conducted with the purpose of introducing the traditional usage of medicinal plants of Shazand city for medicinal purposes. The data were collected through field surveys, face-to face interviews with local botanist and documentary studies. After samples collection, plant species were identified and local name, life form, therapeutic characteristics, used plant organs, routes of administration were gathered. In this study, 56 plant species belong to 23 families were identified. The most frequently used plant was as comforting, healing wounds, stomach tonic, painkiller and anti-inflammation and other use in traditional medicine that they can be exploited with careful planning and management. Shazand with 56 medicinal plant species is considered a rich source of these valuable plant; and this provide suitable field to increase the area under cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants, afterwards to reduce wild-harvesting medicinal plants from natural areas.

Ethnobutany, as a part of every region’s national capital, contains local beliefs and knowledge about plants and their characteristics being the result of centuries of trial and error in the natural environment. Though, it is unwritten and exposed to degeneration. The purpose of this study was to acquire and document the culture of traditional use of Zebarkhan rangeland medicinal plants from Neyshabur in Razavi Khorasan province. In this study, the traditional knowledge of the people about the plants was collected in free interviewing and participatory observations. Questions posed about local names, growth form, harvest methods, organ usages and properties of plants. Interviews then went on until the repeated responses confirmed the reliability and validity. Collected Plants were identified by applying valid botanic sources. In this study, 70 medicinal plant species belonging to 29 families were identified. The largest proportion of plant species were respectively related to Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, Brassicaceae and Polygonaceae. Among traditional uses, the most belonged to diseases treatment related to digestive, colds, neurological problems and sedation. The most commonly used organs were floral branches, leaves and young stems. Investigating and comparing different uses of plants in the study area as well as the other parts of Iran proves the similarity usage of similar plant species in different regions of the country. The existence of 70 medicinal plants in Neyshabur rangelands confirms the richness of this region, so identification and documentation of their indigenous knowledge can pave the way for a better usage of medicinal plants and their products.