Journal of Medicinal Plants
Volume:21 Issue: 82, Jun 2022

Trigonella L. is a well-known worldwide growing genus of the Fabaceae family. In addition to food, the plants have various medicinal properties, including reducing fat and blood sugar, antibacterial, anti-ulcer, and analgesic.

Variability in agro-morphological traits, phenolic compounds, and proximate composition of the aerial parts of some Iranian Trigonella and its relative e.g. Medicago L. species was studied to introduce the superior species for further use in breeding and exploitation programs.

The seed samples of T. astroides, T. elliptica, T. filipes, T. foenum-graecum, T. spruneriana, M. crassipes (syn: T. crassipes), M. monantha (syn: T. monantha), M. monspeliaca (syn: T. monspeliaca), M. orthoceras (syn: T. orthoceras), and M. phrygia (syn: T. aurantiaca) were collected from different regions of Iran, and then were cultivated at the same agronomic conditions. Morphological traits were measured by a ruler, digital caliper and scales. Proximate composition (moisture, ash, fibre, protein, fat, and carbohydrates) and phenolic acids of the aerial parts were determined by the AOAC method and HPLC, respectively.

Significant morphological differences among the studied species were observed. The highest protein content was measured in M. orthoceras (13.4 ± 0.4 %), followed by T. filipes (11.5 ± 0.8 %), and T. spruneriana (11.1 ± 0.4 %). Fibre content was ranged from 0.7 ± 0.04 % to 4.9 ± 0.4 %. In the extracts of the studied species, catechin, chlorogenic acid, and p-coumaric acid were found in abundance (0.01 ± 0.05 - 69.32 ± 0.7 mg/g DW).

Trigonella filipes and T. spruneriana could be selected as suitable species for further exploitation in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Nepeta crispa, is an annual plant native to certain regions of Hamadan province in Iran.

This study aims to investigate the antioxidant potential of N. crispa.

Hydro-distillated essential oil and methanol extract from aerial parts of N. crispa were obtained. They were subjected to several assays (DPPH, FRAP, TBARS, peroxide value and β-carotene-linoleic acid assay) in order to evaluate their antioxidant properties and their effect on prevention of oxidation in sunflower oil.

The extract consistently exhibited more activity than the essential oil in each and every one of the assays. The activity of the essential oil was not significant compared to positive controls or even the extract. The results from DPPH and FRAP assays correlated well with one another but those obtained from β-carotene-linoleic acid assay were to some extents inconsistent with the others. The results from TBARS and peroxide value assays revealed that certain concentrations of the extract effectively prevent the oxidation process in sunflower oil.

Our data suggest that the methanol extract of N. crispa may be considered as novel bio-resource of natural antioxidants for using in pharmaceutical and food industries. Hopefully as the future research progress, new lights will be shed on characterization of components in the extract and the mechanisms through which they provide antioxidant activity.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) continues to be a leading cause of cancer related death in the world and approximately 70 to 75 % of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer survive for up to 1 year after diagnosis. Curcumin (CUR) is a potential chemotherapeutic agent used to treat cancer. There is ample evidence of the inhibitory effects of Hypericum perforatum L. extract (HPE) on cell proliferation and its effects on the induction of apoptosis in various human cancer cell lines.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the proapoptotic effect of HPE and its nanoliposomes (HPE-Lip) and to scrutinize the synergistic and therapeutic potential of HPE/CUR-loaded nanoliposome (HPE/CUR-Lip).

In the present in vitro study, SW1116 and SW48 cell lines were cultured and then treated with different doses of HPE, CUR, bare liposome solely (Lip-Sol), and nanoliposomes loaded with HPE (HPE-Lip), CUR (CUR-Lip) and CUR/HPE (HPE/CUR-Lip) for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Cytotoxicity was measured by MTT assay and apoptosis rate by an annexin-V FITC/propidium iodide double-staining method using flow cytometry.

The results showed that cell viability was inhibited in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner in all groups compared to the control group. The use of nanoliposomes improved the outcomes. HPE/CUR-Lip exhibited higher in vitro cytotoxic and proapoptotic activity against SW1116 and SW48 cell lines (P < 0.05).

The findings of this study suggest that the HPE/CUR-Lip complex could provide a potential strategy to achieve a synergistic effect of HPE and CUR in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Inulin, a prebiotic, is a mixture of linear chains β-2,1 fructans with a degree of polymerization (DP) of 2 to 60. Different DPs have various applications in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries.

This study aims to find the best method for DP determination.

RSM was applied to optimize the extraction of inulin from Inula helenium. Four factors, including time, temperature, solvent-to-sample ratio, and pH and yield as response were selected. Inulin was purified using a hot water extraction followed by a slurry of calcium hydroxide and phosphoric acid. TLC-FLD, MALDI-TOF, and spectrophotometric methods were used to characterize and compare the DP of inulin.

RSM proposed a maximum yield (10.1 %) at a temperature of 79.6 °C, time of 31.9 min, the solvent-to-sample ratio of 39.9: 1, and pH of 7.7. The quality of extracted inulin was evaluated as follow: FT-IR spectra indicated typical bands at 820, 864, and 932 cm-1 that assigned the presence of 2-ketose, β-(2→1) fructofuranosyl unit, and α-D-glucopyranose residue. Inulin with DP (16) and molecular weight 2633 Da was determined in MALDI-TOF. Furthermore, TLC-FLD confirmed the approximate fructose and DP from (1-15). Also, the spectrophotometric method showed an approximate number of 22.3 ± 0.04 as the DP.

In conclusion, the optimized isolation factors for inulin from the Inula helenium were proposed. In comparison with the spectrophotometric result, TLC-FLD quantitative result is much more confirmable to MALDI-TOF. TLC-FLD technique offered a simple and more precise than the spectrophotometric method for the quality of inulin.

Capparis spinosa is used in Persian medicine for treatment of various diseases. In order to easier use, better patient’s acceptance and more stability, preparing a suitable dosage form is necessary.

The aim of the study was preparing tablet form from caper fruits and quality assessment of the product.

The fruit extraction was performed using ethanol 80% and maceration technique and the extract was dried by freeze dryer. Eight formulations were made using lactose, avicel PH-102, SiO2 and magnesium stearate. The best formulation was failed during stability tests; therefore, the extract was dried by spray drying method along with maltodextrin and SiO2 as excipients. Eight formulations were prepared using lactose, avicel PH-102, croscarmellose sodium, PVP K30 and magnesium stearate and the best one was selected. Physicochemical and microbial assessments were performed on the selected formulation and stability tests were done in 40°C and 75% humidity as well as 30°C.

Caper tablets with freeze dried extract were deformed and their color changed but tablets with spray dried extract were stable in 30°C. They were oblong, green-blue, biconvex, scored tablets with 20.3×9.9×6.7 mm dimensions. Weight, hardness, disintegration time, rutin assay and dissolution were 1115 mg ± 10%, 18.33 ± 1.52 kp, 15±3.5 min, 0.58 ± 0.02 mg/tab and 93.03 ± 3.61 % in 60 min, respectively.

Caper tablets are good candidate for production in industrial scale after in vivo and clinical studies. Moreover stability assessment of the tablets should be performed in suitable packaging in long term study.

Datura species produce a wide range of tropane alkaloids with medicinal values. D. innoxia is a species of the Datura genus which is poisonous and has an unpleasant odor due to the presence of tropane alkaloids.

The study aimed to induction of polyploidy by colchicine treatment on downy thorn-apple and the effect of it on appearance and hyoscyamine content.

In order to induce tetraploidy in downy thorn-apple, a factorial experiment was carried out with two factors: colchicine concentrations (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 %) and exposure time (48 and 72 h) with 3 plants for each treatment with using a cotton ball included colchicine on shoot tip. Morphological changes were observed and the plants were analyzed by flow cytometry in near to the flowering time.

The results showed that the concentration and exposure time of colchicine, and their interaction affected the percentage of tetraploidy. The maximum percent of tetraploidy was observed in concentration of 0.2 % and 72 h. On the other hand, the application of different concentrations of colchicine and exposure time didn’t have a significant effect on plant survival. The number of stomatal guard cells were decreased but no significant differences were observed in the content of total chlorophyll and carotenoids. Also, the hyoscyamine content in tetraploid plants was decreased to half in comparison to diploid ones.

In general, induction of tetraploidy in this plant could change some phenotypic traits but has a negative effect on hyoscyamine content.

Remarkable properties of Matricaria chamomilla L. (Mch) have caused it to be considered widely in the treatment of different ailments including gastrointestinal disorders.

In the present study, the Mch extract-loaded coated pellets were developed with the aim to mask its bitter taste and to improve its dosing flexibility and patient compliance, especially in children.

The plant extract was obtained by maceration with ethanol 70 % and dried using rotary evaporating and freeze drying methods. Then it was used for pellet preparation along with different proportions of various additives such as Avicel, starch and lactose by extrusion-spheronization technique. The pellets were analyzed for their size, sphericity, aspect ratio and friability. The optimized formulation, subjected for coating by Eudragit E, was evaluated for taste-masking efficiency, dissolution and morphology.

The optimized pellets were produced with particle size, sphericity and aspect ratio equal to 1.13 mm, 0.924 and 1.172, respectively. Low friability, suitable flow properties (carr’s index = 3.01 %) as well as dissolution led this sample to be considered for taste-masking coating. Based on in vitro dissolution studies, although the coating layer significantly decreased the release of the components at higher pH compared to the uncoated particles, acceptable dissolution was observed at pH 1.2. Appropriate taste-masking of the product was also confirmed by in vivo analysis.

The taste-masked Mch-loaded pellets with suitable characteristics could be an appropriate delivery system with improved patient compliance.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia that has been cited in traditional Persian medicine (TPM) manuscripts under the heading "Farāmūshkārī", "Fesād-e-Zekr" and "Nesiān". Since AD is a significant challenge for health professionals, searching for natural and effective compounds is crucial.

Given the importance of AD, this study has provided a standardized plant-based tablet based on TPM.

Related preparations were extracted from leading pharmaceutical manuscripts of TPM. Out of 127 gathered compound formulations, a preparation containing Bunium persicum (Boiss.) B.Fedtsch. (Persian cumin) and Piper nigrum L. (black pepper) was selected from the Canon of Medicine of Avicenna. After evaluating various excipients for tablet preparation, the proportions of Persian cumin (40 %), black pepper (40 %), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as solution binder (20 %) were chosen. The final formulation was undergone through ethanol and dichloromethane and essential oil extractions to prepare for HPTLC fingerprints and GC assessments, respectively. The total alkaloid in the tablet's ethanol extract was also determined via spectrophotometry.

The final tablet was standardized via GC based on trans-caryophyllene (29.22 %) and g-terpinene (17.72 %). Each tablet contains an average of 0.041 mg of trans-caryophyllene and 0.018 mg of g-terpinene. The amount of the total alkaloid in each tablet was determined 0.06 mg, equivalent to atropine.

This prepared simple natural formulation can be considered a traditional-based product to be evaluated clinically and presented as a memory enhancer supplement.

Tobacco is a plant that has anti-nematode and anti-inflammatory properties, due to that it contains compounds such as nicotine sulfate. It is utilized as a medicinal plant in the therapy of infectious diseases; also, it has been used to kill insects’ larvae and plant pests.

The goal of this work was the evaluation of tobacco extract effects on the scolices of hydatid cysts.

Hydatid cysts of the infected sheep livers were gathered from the Qazvin abattoir and their protoscolices were isolated under sterile conditions. Fertility and viability of protoscolices were confirmed before the experiments. The protoscolices were exposed to the ethanolic extract of Nicotiana tabacum, at different concentrations (3, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/ml) and various exposure times (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 min). Sodium chloride 0.9 % was selected as negative control. The viability of protoscolices was evaluated by staining via 0.1 % eosin.

At 100 mg/ml, the tobacco extract caused the death of 91.19 % of protoscolices after 10 minutes of contact, and other exposure times (20 to 60 minutes) resulted in the death of 100 % of protoscolices.

This medicinal plant showed a good scolicidal effect and it may be used for improving the procedure of hydatid cyst surgery. But, further studies are required.