Research Journal of Pharmacognosy
Volume:6 Issue: 1, Winter 2019

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has resulted in a worldwide threat due to the virulence and broad distribution in the hospital and community. Novel antibiotics are required to combat the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria such as MRSA. In the present study, the antibacterial activity of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil alone and in combination with fifteen antibiotics of different classes against a standard and five clinical strains of MRSAs was investigated.

Chemical composition of the essential oil was investigated by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The possible synergistic interaction of several antibiotics in combination with essential oil was screened by disc diffusion method. Interaction of the essential oil and the candidate antibiotic was investigated by checkerboard assay.

The essential oil was rich in thymol (74.2%), p-cymene (16%), and γ-terpinene (7.1%). Combination of sub-inhibitory concentrations of essential oil with vancomycin or gentamicin increased their inhibition zones against MRSA ATCC 33591 and clinically isolated MRSAs. All of the clinically isolated MRSAs were resistant to gentamicin, while combination of gentamicin with the essential oil caused augmentation of the antibacterial activity and 4 to 520-fold decrease in gentamicin minimum inhibitory concentrations was observed against different MRSA strains with fractional inhibitory concentration indices ranging from 0.50 to 0.75. Combination of essential oil with ciprofloxacin or imipenem increased the inhibition zones against some clinically isolated MRSAs.

Combination of sub-inhibitory concentrations of T. ammi essential oil and gentamicin could be considered as a new choice for treatment of infectious diseases caused by MRSA strains.

Tapinanthus globifer is a semi-parasite plant that mostly grows on the branches of the host tree species of the genera Vitellaria, Kola, Citrus, Combretum, Acacia, and Terminalia. The leaf is known for its use in traditional medicine to treat inflammations, malaria, headaches, bacterial infections, ulcers and diabetes mellitus. The current study was aimed to establish standards on purity, identity and quality control of T. globifer.

The pharmacognostic standardization of the leaf was assessed to determine the macroscopic/organoleptic features, microscopical and chemo-microscopical analysis as well as physico-chemical parameters, fluorescence analysis and elemental content.

The leaf was found to be simple, petiolated 10.0 cm long and 4.4 cm wide. Microscopically, the leaf had irregularly shaped epidermal cells with numerous paracytic stomata on the lower surface. It was devoid of trichomes of any kind; however, it possessed clusters of calcium oxalate crystals. The vascular bundles were of concentric type with fitted xylem vessels. Fluorescence analysis of the powdered leaf revealed the presence of yellow colorations under long wavelength. Elemental analysis showed the presence of magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, iron, nitrogen, sulphur, calcium and copper. Physico-chemical parameters (%w/w) such as moisture content (5.53), total ash content (8.40), water soluble ash content (2.10), acid insoluble ash content (1.20), ethanol extractives (25.60) and water soluble extractives (32.4) were also determined.

It is hoped that these findings will be useful towards establishing standards on identity, purity, quality and preparation of monogragh of the drug obtained from the leaves of T. globifer.

 Potentilla reptans L. from Rosaceae family is used as traditional medicine in Iran and other countries. Previous investigations on Potentilla species have reported strong antioxidant activity and cardioprotective effect. In this study, antioxidant activity of aerial parts and root of Potentilla reptans, and the cardio protective role of its root on preconditioning ischemia reperfusion injury have been investigated.

Antioxidant activity of aerial parts and root of this plant were measured by DPPH and FRAP methods and its total phenolics content was estimated by Folin-Ciocalteu assay. Catechin was isolated from ethyl acetate fraction by Paper chromatography. Cardioprotective role of P. reptans root were evaluated by thirty five rats in five groups.The hearts were subjected to 30 minutes of ischemia and 100 minutes of reperfusion. The ischemic preconditioning (IPC) protocol was applied before the main ischemia. The myocardial infarct size was estimated by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. The hemodynamic parameters, arrhythmia scoring and coronary flow were measured during reperfusion.

Potentilla reptans root showed stronger antioxidant activity and total phenolics content compared to the aerial parts. Total extract of root significantly decreased the infarct size and increased coronary flow in a concentration-dependent manner.

Our results showed that the protective effects of Potentilla reptans root appeared by its phenolic compounds and reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibition mechanism.

Severe burn damage and its consequences are life threatening which can complicate patients’ health. Burn damage increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation which leads to severe damage to tissues and is implicated in burn shock. Some medicinal and traditional plants are considered as safe, natural and inexpensive sources for treatment of different of diseases. Pistacia atlantica has shown anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and has also been used traditionally as an ointment for wound healing in some parts of Iran. In this study, the beneficial effect of P. atlantica resin oil on rats’ burn wound healing and its potential effects on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hydroxyproline and antioxidants in wound area was examined.

Thirty male rats (200±10 g) were randomly and divided into three groups (n=10) as follow: Group 1: burn injury, Group 2: burn injury receiving 300 μL/kg/day P. atlantica resin oil topically, Group 3: burn injury receiving 300 mg/kg/day sulfadiazine cream topically. At the end of the study (day 14) the area of wounds were measured and then skins with burn damage were dissected and anti-oxidative parameters, VEGF and hydroxyproline were evaluated.

We found that Pistacia Atlantica oil significantly increased antioxidant defense, VEGF and hydroxyproline and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Pistacia atlantica remarkably reduced wound size compared to burn the control group and showed more beneficial effects compared to sulfadiazine as the positive control.

Pistacia atlantica resin oil could be considered as a new therapeutic agent for treatment of injuries such as burn damages.

Urolithiasis is a common urological disorder. Based on the Persian medicine literatures, Cicer arietinum has a potential to dissolve renal stones. This study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of Cicer arietinum in patients with renal stone.

The extract of C. arietinum seeds was spray dried. A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 74 patients with 6-10 mm renal stones in ultrasonography. Patients were randomly assigned to take 330 mg of C. arietinum extract or placebo capsules three times a day for 30 days. Complete stone dissolution and the change in stone size during the trial was evaluated by ultrasonography. To assess the efficacy and safety of C. arietinum, blood and urine biochemical parameters were checked at baseline and after the intervention.

In the C. arietinum group, complete stone dissolution occurred in 9 (23.7%) patients and reduce in stone size was observed in 17 (44.7%) patients while no response to treatment was observed in placebo group. The mean stone size was reduced from 7.15 ± 1.34 mm to 4.28 ± 3.09 mm in the C. arietinum group (p<0.001) and was increased from 7.08 ± 1.09 mm to 7.15 ±1.09 mm in the placebo group (p=0.13). The changes of the stone size were significantly higher in the drug consumergroup(p˂0.001). The changes of the urinary volume and magnesium level were significantlyhigher in the treatmentgroup (P=0.04 and P=0.02, respectively).

Cicer arietinum extract could be an effective and safe treatment option for patients with 6-10 mm renal stones.

Scrophularia megalantha is a native Iranian plant. In folk remedies, the species of the genus are used to treat stomach ulcers, goiter, eczema, cancer, psoriasis, and gall; however, there is not much research about S. megalantha. The current study aimed at evaluating the therapeutic effect of Scrophularia megalantha, a medicinal plant of Iran, on myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 (MOG)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a model of multiple sclerosis (MS).

The ethanol 80% extract of S. megalantha aerial parts was prepared by maceration method. The extract (100 mg/kg/day) was administered to C57BL/6 mice immunized with MOG (35-55) for 7 days, 3 weeks after EAE induction. The mice brain was removed and Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) was used to stain the sections. Moreover, spleen mononuclear cells from extract-treated or non-treated of EAE model mice were stimulated with MOG peptide and then culture supernatants were evaluated for IFN-ɣ, IL-17 and IL-10 cytokines using Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) kits.

Based on the obtained results, treatment with Scrophularia megalantha areal part extract significantly reduced inflammatory cells infiltration in the central nervous system (CNS) and also the disease severity in the experimental model of MS. Also, findings of the current study indicated that treatment with this medicinal plant in EAE mice model significantly decreased inflammatory cytokines including IFN-ɣ and IL-17 and vice versa significantly increased IL-10 as anti-inflammatory cytokine compared with non-treated of EAE model mice group.

Scrophularia megalantha attenuated EAE by suppressing IFN-ɣ and IL-17 production and also increasing IL-10 cytokine. These findings suggested that this medicinal plant has the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.

Persian scholars such as Avicenna and Zakariya al-Razi have pointed out many uses for henna oil. The present study aimed to propose a method for standardization of this oil.

The luteolin content has been evaluated quantitively by HPTLC method to standardize the henna oil. The oil sample was applied on silicagel plate and the bands were developed using CHCl3-MeOH (95:5). The plate was scanned at λ 254 nm. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined through the broth macrodilution test to examine the antibacterial activity of the oil.

The retention factor of the sample zone of luteolin standard was 0.6±0.01. The concentration of luteolin in henna oil was 56.57±0.66 μg/mL. MICof Henna oil against Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae was 87 μg/mL and against Streptococcus was 870 μg/mL.

According to the results of this study, henna oil contains the luteolin. Further studies are needed to identify other henna oil compounds and their effects. Gardnerella vaginalis, N. gonorrhoeae, Group B streptococcus are among the pathogenic agents of cervicitis. The application of henna oil for treatment of uterus diseases in Persian medicine can be justified given the antimicrobial effects of henna oil on these three species of bacteria.

Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) resources have recommended different formulations for overcoming hair loss which is a beauty concern worldwide; one of these recommendations is amla oil which has been mentioned to be considerably effective. In the present study, amla oil has been formulated according to ITM and the quality control assessment of the product has been fulfilled.

Phyllanthus emblica L. fruits (amla)and Myrtus communis L. leaves (myrtle) were provided from local market and their quality was evaluated according to pharmacopeia. The aqueous extract of myrtle was obtained by 24 h maceration; then amla was extracted in myrtle aqueous extract for 48 h. The mixture was filtered and sesame oil wasadded to the filtrate and heatedtill all water was evaporated. The resulting oil was assessed for viscosity, density, total phenolics and total tannins contents and acid and saponification values; the microbial content was also evaluated.

Amla oil was yellow in color with sesame odor. The acid value, viscosity, density, total phenolics and total tannins as pyrogallol were found to be 3.03 mg KOH/g, 102.8 cp, 0.966 g/mL, 0.2 and 0.05%, respectively. The product saponification value was zero and no microbial contamination was detected.

The product showed proper physicochemical and microbial quality and could be suggested for treatment of hair loss after passing clinical trial.

Anal fissure is an ischemic ulcer that occurs in anoderm and it has no obvious etiology and pathophysiology in current medicine. Anal fissure has a profound history in Persian and Persian medicine and wallflower (Erysimum cheiri (L.) Crantz) has been a common medication in this case. Traditional oil and/or dilute decoction of wallflower has been introduced as an effective topical medicine for anal fissure in Persian medicine.The aim of this study was to demystify the ancient wisdom in administration of low-dose wallflower for anal fissure, via the view point of modern pharmacological mechanisms. The basic idea and source of information was according to Persian and Arabic medicine manuscripts of the medieval Islamic era. Electronic literature was searched for related phytochemical and pharmacological studies available in Scopus, Google scholar, Pubmed and ScienceDirect databases from 1900 to 2018. The results showed that different parts of wallflower contain several types of cardiotonic steroids, isothiocyanates and flavonoids. Low-dose topical cardiotonic steroids, below their IC50, could have potential effects on the ischemic condition of anal fissure ulcer and collagen synthesis in the local fibroblasts, by stimulation of Na+/K+ ATPase pump. Furthermore, other active compounds in wallflower are isothiocyanates that could be responsible for tissue protective effects by induction of NRf2 expression and activating TRPA1 channels. Also wallflower flavonoids are responsible for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and wound healing properties. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that low-dose topical wallflower administration is hypothesized to have anal fissure healing potential in conventional medicine. This study has introduced a novel mechanistic approach for anal fissure treatment.

Prasaplai is used in Thai traditional medicine for treatment of primary dysmenorrhea; however, clinical evidence is limited regarding the efficacy of Prasaplai for primary dysmenorrheal outcomes. This study has constituted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate Prasaplai as an effective treatment for primary dysmenorrhea. Randomized controlled trials were retrieved and identified through electronic searches (PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, SCOPUS, Science Direct, and ThaiLis publications until May 2017). A hand search for relevant trials was also conducted. Quality of the selected trials was assessed using Jadad’s scoring and A Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. Studies were recruited for the meta-analysis if 1) they were randomized controlled trials, 2) participants were diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea, and 3) a pain score was included. Related outcomes and adverse events were also evaluated for all groups. Four randomized controlled trials met the criteria, totaling 460 participants. Results revealed that Prasaplai significantly improved pain scores. The pooled mean difference was -1.24 (95% CI -1.90 to -0.59; p = 0.0002). The results did not indicate significant effects of Prasaplai on menstrual characteristics and associated symptoms, compared with NSAIDs; however, participants receiving Prasaplai reported a low frequency of adverse effects compared to the NSAID group. Current evidence suggests that Prasaplai improved pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea. Prasaplai had no effect on menstrual characteristics and associated symptoms. Additional rigorously-designed trials with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm the effects of Prasaplai on primary dysmenorrhea and related outcomes.