Research Journal of Pharmacognosy
Volume:5 Issue: 2, Spring 2018

Research studies indicate that almost 80% of the present day drugs are derived directly or indirectly from medicinal plants. The estimation of a safe starting dose is a concern when a new substance is to be investigated including medicinal plants, in clinical and laboratory studies. This study was intended to explore a simple and reliable method of calculating the starting dose for animal studies. Actually, the method helps to calculate the accurate animal dose based on Persian medicine.

After the botanical names were identified, the dosages of the plants recommended in Persian medicine (PM) were converted to gram unit. Then the body surface area normalization method (BSA) was used for an allometric dose translation.

Ninety eight plants were identified and their effective parts and dosages were determined based Persian medicine.

Dosing calculations for drugs could be performed based both on BSA method and experiences of ancient Persian scholars.

Paeonia daurica ssp. macrophylla, is an herbaceous and perennial plant which belongs to Paeoniaceae family. Two species of this plant grow in northern parts of Iran. The roots in powder form have been used in Persian traditional medicine for treatment of epilepsy, nightmares and gynecological diseases. Several biological activities such as antioxidant and anti-tumor effects of Paeonia species have been reported.

methanol-water (80-20) extract (total extract) was fractionated using n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate. Antioxidant activity of the total extract and fractions were evaluated using DPPH and FRAP assays. Total phenolics content of the extracts was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method. In addition, cytotoxic activity of the fractions was determined against brine shrimp larvae. Column chromatography with normal phase silica gel and preparative TLC were also used for the isolation and purification of compounds.

Evaluation of the results indicated that the ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions with IC50 values of 16.55, 23.9 µg/mL, respectively showed potent radical scavenging activity. As well, the ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions indicated the highest antioxidant power by FRAP assay. Due to the potent antioxidant activity, the chloroform fraction was chosen for further investigations. Three compounds were identified as benzoic acid, veratric acid and oleanolic acid by different spectroscopic methods.

According to our findings in this study, the root of Paeonia daurica ssp. macrophyla has beneficial antioxidant activity without toxicity and the therapeutic use of this plant in traditional medicine can be somewhat justifiable.

Considering the increasing prevalence of depression, many studies are launched to investigate new antidepressant treatments. The present research has shown how psilocybin as an active compound of Psilocybe cubensis (Earle) Singer extract (PCE) can change the parameters related to depression and anxiety in animal models. Both serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine: 5-HT) and glutamate modulate depressive-like behaviors and, therefore, we examined the possible interaction of psilocybin as 5-HT1 agonist with glutamate receptor N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA).

Psilocybe cubensis extract of this mushroom was prepared by ethyl acetate. NMRI mice involved in all experiments and were treated with the vehicle, extract, or standard drug intraperitoneally. Open field (OFT), forced swimming (FST) and tail suspension tests (TST) were applied to measure the intended parameters. OFT was performed to verify the applied doses for measuring the following antidepressant activity. 

PCE at the doses of 100 mg/kg significantly changed the locomotion, time spent in center and velocity of the animals in OFT. While treatment of the animals with PCE 10 and 40 mg/kg or ketamine 1 mg/kg did not alter the locomotor activity, co-administration of these subeffective amounts significantly reduced the immobility time in both FST and TST.

These effects may indicate possible implication of psilocybin with NMDA receptor which consequently produces the antidepressant effects.

Salvia suffruticosa is a perennial plant from Lamiaceae family. Many Salvia species have been employed as medicinal plants; despite the medicinal potentials of S. suffruticosa, there is limited studies regarding its phytochemical profile or biological properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the chemical constituents of the essential oil and extract of the plant and evaluate its biological activities.

Essential oil from the aerial parts of the plant was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Isolation of compounds from methanol and petroleum ether fractions was achieved by using column chromatography with different stationary phases. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by NMR techniques. Cytotoxicity potentials were evaluated using MTT assay and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining method. Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH method.

Hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes were identified as the predominant components of the oil, with β-caryophyllene (27.35%), bicyclogermacrene (22.15%), germacrene-D (9.49%) and β-farnesene (9.08%) as the major constituents. Phytochemical analysis of the extract resulted in isolation of lupeol (1), β-sitosterol (2), stigmasterol (3), caffeic acid (4) and 1-feruloyl-β-D-glucopyranose (5). Among the tested samples, lupeol demonstrated the most potent inhibitory activity toward breast cancer cell lines including MCF-7, T-47D and MDA-MB-231 with IC50 values equal to 33.38±2.6, 36.70±3.1 and 23.66±1.4 μg/mL, respectively; caffeic acid with IC50 value of 12.1±1.2 μg/mL showed the most potent radical scavenging activity.

The results of this study suggested S. suffruticosa as a promising source of bioactive compounds useful in prevention and treatment of cancer.

Carbapenem-resistant and biofilm producing Enterobacteriaceaeare a major health problem. This study was carried to determine the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of grape seed extract (GSE) against carbapenem-resistant and biofilm producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates.

Antibiotics susceptibility patterns were detected by the disk diffusion method. carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) isolates were screened by carbapenems disks and imipenem minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). The biofilm formation was detected by the microplate method. The carbapenemase genes were detected by PCR. The total polyphenolic content of GSE was determinate by Folin Ciocalteu technique. The antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of GSE were tested by the MIC and biofilm inhibitory concentration (BIC), respectively.

In this study, total phenolic content of extracted 1 gram of GSE was equivalent to 700 mg gallic acid. Eighteen non-duplicated CRE isolates were selected. All isolates were fosfomycin susceptible. Variable frequency of resistance to the other tested antibiotics was observed. The blaOXA-48 was the most common carbapenemase type. Among 18 isolates, 13 were biofilm producer while GSE inhibited CRE growth at 1024 µg/mL for 15 isolates and 2048 µg/mL for three isolates. Biofilm production was inhibited by GSE in 2000 µg/mL, 4000 µg/mL and 8000 µg/mL after 72 h incubation.

The significant antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of GSE suggested GSE as a promising candidate for treatment of infections caused by these organisms.

Cervicitis is a common and recurrent gynecologic disease which is usually resistant to treatments. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) product, flixweed- honey, on cervicitis.

A quasi-experimental study was conducted as a clinical trial before and after the intervention at the School of Traditional Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The married women referring to the clinic aged 17-55 years with a diagnosis of cervicitis who were not pregnant and breastfeeding, without any history of cervical polyps and pelvic surgery, and non-concurrent use of herbal or other chemical medicines were included in the study. During this research, 97 patients were treated through the vaginal use of flixweed- honey for two weeks. One week after the treatment, clinical symptoms were examined. 

Among 97 patients who were evaluated in this study, 72 returned for follow-up. All subjective and objective parameters including vaginal irritation, itching, discharge, bleeding and pain after coitus, tenderness, and cervical wound size and friability improved significantly in comparison to the time before taking the medication. There was no treatment; five patients (0.69%) who took the medication had vulvovaginal itching that was resolved after 3-4 days.

Vaginal product of flixweed– honey could be used in the treatment of clinical symptoms of cervicitis regardless of the reason causing cervicitis, without causing severe or serious side effects.

Medicinal oils are one of the most common and special dosage forms in oral and topical therapies of Persian medicine (PM). The oil of Saussurea costus (bitter qust) root is prominent topical oil with different applications in PM. In this study, the oil of bitter qust was prepared according to ancient Persian medical texts.

To prepare traditional qust oil, 100 g of the root was soaked in 600 mL aqueous ethanol 25% overnight. The supernatant was then filtered and boiled in 800 g sesame oil until all water was evaporated. The essential oil of the root and volatile components of its traditional oil were extracted using hydro-distillation method in a Clevenger-type apparatus and were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. Total phenolics, flavonoids, tannins and polysaccharides were determined by spectrophotometric methods to evaluate the chemical parameters of traditional bitter qust oil. 

The content of volatile compounds in both investigated samples was determined (0.5% and 0.1% (v/w), respectively). Dehydrocostus lactone and 1, 3-cyclooctadiene were two similar main compounds in the both analyzed samples. Total phenolics (788.290±0.61 mg/L gallic acid equivalent (GAE)), flavonoids (303.2±2.52 mg/L catechin equivalent (CE)), tannins (23.97±0.52 mg/L GAE) and polysaccharides (9.240±0.13 mg/L dextrose equivalent (DE)) contents were determined.

According to the obtained data, dehydrocostus lactone could be used for determination and evaluation of traditional bitter qust   oil.

Diabetes, a common metabolic disorder, is prevalent in many countries. Nephropathy is a main debate’s side effect. Role of oxidative stress is well known in induction of diabetic nephropathy while carvacrol is a potent anti-oxidant that might attenuate oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of carvacrol in decreasing nephropathy-induced oxidative damage in diabetic rats.

Thirty five Wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided to 7 groups. The rats received alloxan (i.p., 200 mg/kg) for induction of diabetes. After one week, fasting blood sugar (FBS) was assessed and the rats with FBS>250 mg/dL were considered as diabetic. Three weeks after alloxan injection, the blood urea (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) were determined for confirmation of inducing nephropathy. Then, the animals were treated with carvacrol for one week. Finally, they were anesthetized and blood was collected from animal’s heart for calculation of BUN and Cr. Furthermore, the kidneys were for oxidative stress markers such as glutathione capacity, protein carbonyl, lipid peroxidation and catalase activity.

Our results showed that glutathione level and catalase activity significantly increased after treatment with carvacrol. Same results were found in rats that received vitamin E. Also, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content, BUN and Cr levels significantly decreased after treatment with carvacrol in comparison with diabetic rats.

Our results showed that carvacrol improved nephropathy-induced oxidative damage similar to vitamin E. Therefore, it may be suggested that carvacrol can be suggested as a useful supplement in decreasing diabetic complaints along with anti-diabetic drugs.

The Food and drug were developed by pharmacists and physicians, in particular Persian scientists throughout medical history. There was an especial view on the subject of nutrition and medications in Persian medicine (PM). Avicenna was one of the main Persian physicians who contributed to this field in the Canon of medicine “Al-qanun-fi-al-tibb”, his main medical and pharmaceutical text book in the 10th century AD.  In this paper, different categorizations of foods and drugs and their definitions in the Avicenna’s Canon of medicine were considered and compared with the similar categories in current medicine. These groups of foods and drugs included absolute aliment (Ghidhāol-motlaq), functional foods “Ghidhā od-dawā”, pharconutrient “Dawāol-ghadhā”, absolute medicament or drug “Dawāol-motlaq”, and poisons “Sammol-motlaq”. Also, there were several other classifications for foods and drugs in the Canon of medicine that act without their temperaments (qualities) such as “Dho-l-khāsiyyahis”.These definitions and classifications 1000 years ago and matching with current accepted terminologies are important both historically and also in the field of traditional pharmacy.

Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are naturally occurring molecules belonging to highly reactive organosulphur synthons, with the general structure R–N=C=S. The precursor molecule glucosinolate anions are hydrolyzed enzymatically (under the effect of myrosinase enzymes) or unenzymatically to produce nitriles or isothiocyanates depending upon conditions such as pH and temperature. Brassicaceae  Family is known to contain abundant ITCs. A significant number of isothiocyanates has been isolated from different plant sources and some of them have been synthesized. Several isothiocyanates have demonstrated significant pharmacological activities including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial activities, etc. Pharmacokinetic profiles of these sulphur containing compounds are well established. However, safety profiles of ITCs need consideration and a well-designed study with appropriate control, for their production as lead compounds. This review summarises the chemistry, sources, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological activity and toxicity profiles of the isothiocyanates.