Journal of Medicinal Plants
Volume:9 Issue: 33, 2010

The extract of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) has been widely used for many centuries in the traditional Chinese medicine as native anti-allergic agent. Glycyrrhizin (GL), a triterpenoid-saponin, extracted from the roots of licorice is the most effective compound for inflammation and allergic diseases in human body. The biological and pharmacological studies revealed that GL possesses many pharmacological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and liver protective effects, and the biological effects, such as induction of cytokines (interferon- and IL-12), chemokines as well as extrathymic T and anti-type 2 T cells. This review describes (i) the pharmacological property of GL as an effective anti-inflammatory and anti-viral drug; (ii) the biochemical characteristics of several GL-binding proteins (gbPs) involved in the anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effects of 68GL and the GL-induced selective inhibition of the phosphorylation of these gbPs by GL-binding protein kinases in vitro; and (iii) the mechanisms involved in the GL-induced inhibition of the replication of both RNA and DNA viruses. In addition, recent reports concerning the mechanical actions involved in the anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effects of GL in vivo and in vitro and its clinical effects on chronic active liver disease and viral infection are summarized.

The seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Fenugreek) are used in Iranian traditional medicine as blood sugar lowering agent. According to last investigations, hypoglycemic property is related to the amino acids of the plant specially 4-hydroxyisoleucine. In this research, identification and quantitative determination of 4-hydroxyisoleucine in Fenugreek seeds from Shahreza, central part of Iran, has been investigated. Powdered seeds of the plant were defatted and then extracted by using ethanol 50%. In order to isolation of 4-hydroxyisoleucine from the extract, ion exchange chromatography was used and the amino acid content was determined by using high performance liquid chromatography technique. The results showed the presence of 0.4% 4-hydroxyisoleucine in the plant seeds which is considerable amount of the amino acid in the plant collected from Iran. According to the effects of 4-hydroxyisoleucine such as antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic properties, fenugreek can be considered as an herbal remedy in supportive treatment of these disorders.

Depression is a heterogeneous disorder often manifested with symptoms at the psychological, behavioral and physiological levels. Full remission is achieved in fewer than 50% of patients. Therefore, antidepressant or medications that achieve a better rate of success are urgently needed. Herbal medicine has a long and respected history, and holds a valuable place in the treatment of depression. According to medical studies, saffron can be used to treat depression. This paper reviews the clinical studied regarding the antidepressant effect of saffron

Oliveria decumbens Vent. is an endemic plant of Flora Iranica that grows in high temperature areas of south and west of Iran. It is used for indigestion, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever in traditional medicine. In this investigation, chemical composition and antimicrobial effects of Oliveria decumbens has been studied. The essential oil of aerial parts of Oliveria decumbens was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was also investigated against three Gram positive bacteria, two Gram negative bacteria and two fungi using disc diffusion method. 10 components were identified in the essential oil of Oliveria decumbens. The main components were γ-terpinene, myristicin, thymol, ρ-cymene and carvacrol. The essential oil showed high antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Escherichia coli, Aspergilus niger and Candida albicans but low antibacterial effect against Pseudomonas aeroginosa. High amount of thymol, carvacrol and ρ-cymene in Oliveria decumbens essential oil may be a reason of antimicrobial effects of the plant and the plant essential oil can be considered as a natural source of preservatives in food and cosmetic industries.

Taraxacum officinale and Berberis vulgaris have long been used as herbal remedies for treatment of a variety of complaints including liver dysfunction and gallbladder disease. However scientifically reliable data are needed to verify their minimum effective doses. In present study, the effects of Taraxacum officinale L. and Berberis vulgaris L. root extracts at the different doses 10, 20 and 30 times higher than average dose (THD) used in traditional systems of medicines were tested against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver toxicity in rats. The root extracts of T. officinale at doses of 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg/day and B. vulgaris at doses of 300, 600 and 900 mg/kg/day, relative to 10, 20 and 30 THD average doses used in traditional systems of medicines were prepared by dissolving dry extracts in 5% dimethyl sulfoxide in distilled water. Eighty male Wistar rats, 5 months old, were divided in 8 groups of 10 rats each. Liver intoxication was induced in 7 groups by intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml/kg of 1:1 CCl4 in olive oil for two successive days. One group was kept as control and six different doses of medicinal plants extracts were administered to six groups simultaneously with CCl4 administration. After three days the serum levels of ALT, AST and ALP, liver tissue glutathione level and catalase activities as well as liver tissue microvesicular steatosis and pericentral coagulation necrosis were determined. In control group the blood levels of ALT, AST, ALP and liver tissue injury were increased whereas the serum GSH level and catalase activity decreased significantly after 3 days of beginning of carbon tetrachloride liver toxicity as compared to normal group.In T. officinale treated group at the dose of 750 mg/kg/day, the serum ALT and ALP levels and in B. vulgaris at the dose of 900 mg/kg/day, the serum ALP levels reduced significantly as compared to control group. The liver micro vesicular steatosis was inhibited significantly in both groups at the doses of 30 THD as compared to control group. In the present study administration of T. officinale and B. vulgaris root extracts at with 30 THD ameliorated CCl4 induced liver damage.

Essential oils and various extracts from plant are of great interests in the industry and scientific research. This study was designed to examine the chemical composition of essential oil and of Echinophora platyloba from Iran. The chemical composition of the hydrodistilled essential oil of the air-dried aerial parts of Echinophora platyloba growing wild in Iran was obtained by hydrodistillation and was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The species is poor in essential oil (yield = 0.7%). Twenty-nine constituents representing 97.43% of total oil have been identified. The main constituents of the oil were found to be (Z)-β-ocimene (26.71%), Δ-3-carene (16.16%), Limonene (6.59 %). Other representative compounds were identified as Cis-3-hexylbenzoate (4.57%), Spathunenol (4.57%), Myristicin (4.48 %), Myrcene (4.31%), 4-decanolide (4.2%) and α-Pinene (4.03 %). The oil of Echinophora platyloba consists of 16 monoterpenoids (69.55%) and 5 sesquiterpenoids (7.08%).

Hypoglycemic effect of Juglans regia leaves was reported in other previous researches. To investigate the mechanism of hypoglycemic action of Julans regia Leaves Methanolic Extract (JRLME), we designed the following study. Male wistar rats were classified in five groups, each of six, including alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with JRLME at doses of 250 (D+JRLMEa), 500 mg/kg (D+JRLMEb), Acarbose at dose 20 mg/kg (D+Ac), vehicle alone (DC) and normal rats treated with vehicle alone (NC). The Postprandial blood glucose level was examined in a short time (after a single dose treatment) and a long time (after three weeks daily treatment) model. After three weeks of treatment, all groups’ animals were killed to dissect pancreatic and myocardium for RNA extraction and RT-PCR, to assess insulin and glut-4 genes expression, respectively. In addition, other normal rats were killed to extract intestinal brush border membrane for α-glucosidase solution preparation. The effect of JRLMEa on α-glucosidase activity was evaluated by an in vitro method, compared to Acarbose as a reference drug. The plant extract had a significant hypoglycemic action in both short and long term models. Decrease in PBG level was the most at 8 hour after treatment and more in D+Ac (53%), D+JRLMEa (40%) and D+JRLMEb (29%) versus DC, respectively. There was also permanent PBG reduction in treated groups in comparison with the DC one during long term period. We did not find change in the insulin and glut-4 genes expression. On the other hand, the in vitro assay of α-glucosidase activity displayed inhibitory action of JRLME, like Acarbose, but less effectively.

Vitex agnus - castus extract (Vitex) is available in dosage forms for female disorders treatment. This extract has shown controversial effects against seizures induced by Maximal electroshock (MES) or pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). In the present study the anti-seizure activity of Vitex against acquisition of amygdala kindling was evaluated in male rats. Intact male rats were stereotaxically implanted with a tripolar and 2 monopolar electrodes in amygdala and dura respectively. The threshold of AD emerging was determined in each animal. Then, Vitex or solvent was injected and AD threshold was determined again. Also, Vitex injection was continued daily and seizure stages (S1 to S5) and ADDs were recorded 30 min post Vitex injection till development of full kindling. Vitex treatment increased the AD threshold significantly more than 2.5 times and decreased the after-discharge duration (ADD). Although, the number of trials increased significantly by Vitex for exhibition of stages 1 (S1) to S3, but this effect was not significant for development of S4 and S5 (generalized seizures). The cumulative ADDs difference between control and Vitex group was only significant for S3 - S5. Vitex may induce a protective effect via increment of stimulation threshold and decrement of ADD at least against focal epilepsy in amygdala neurons. Regarding to its limited effects on kindling acquisition at late stage with generalized seizures, Vitex may postpone the progress of epileptic activity at initial stages.

Antioxidants have essential effect on tissue regeneration after cells injury. Enhanced oxidative stress and changes in antioxidant capacity are considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic diabetes mellitus. Ginger rhizome and carrot seed are strong antioxidants and long-term treatment of Streptozotocin induced–diabetic animals with these herbs, has been shown to reduce oxidative stress. Evaluation to treatment effect of Ginger rhizome and extract of carrot seed on nephropathy after diabetes inducement. Wistar male rat (n=70) were allocated into seven groups, control group, carrot seed extract group, ginger group, control- Diabetic group received 55mg/kg (IP) streptozotocin (STZ), treatment diabetic group that received carrot seed extract, treatment diabetic group that received ginger and treatment diabetic group that received carrot seed extract plus ginger. Animals were kept in standard condition. In 30 day after inducing diabetes, 5ml blood were collected for analyzing of TAC and MDA levels, and kidney tissues of Rats were removed in all groups then prepared for analysis. Pathological changes in diabetic group which received carrot seed and ginger together was decreased compared to control group. The rate of serum TAC significantly increased in diabetic groups which received carrot seed and ginger together significantly in comparison to control-diabetic group (p<0.05). Since in our study 25 mg/kg carrot seed extract and 100 mg/kg ginger have prevented kidney tissue injury by reducing level of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in serum, so it seems that using it can be effective for treatment nephropathy in Diabetic rats.

As increased outdoor activities of people, they are more exposed to UV radiation, which causes harmful effects on skin. Silymarin has protective potentials against DNA damage and non-melanoma skin cancers, and also it has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune regulation characteristics. Nano formulation of plant material showed to be more effective than common ones. In present study, nano-formulated silymarin was used in a cream, and its effects were investigated against destructive effects of UV rays. Silymarin standardized extract was prepared, nano formulated in cream base, and applied to skin of the animals. Four groups of animals (n=15) were examined; Group 1; without any treatment (control), Group 2; Vaseline, Group 3; nano-formulated silymarin extract cream, and Group 4; silymarin-carnosine. UV was radiated on the shaved area of the four groups for 45 minutes with dose of 180 mJ/cm2. Dermal scaling, skin irregularity, erythema, skin hyperpigmentation, and edema were evaluated in animals. Histopathological observation was done on the skin samples of the animals. silymarin nano-formulation was effective in decreasing both physical damages and histopathological injuries significantly. from the observed results, it can be concluded that the cream containing nano-formulated silymarin can prevent UV radiation lesions better than pure silymarin.

Roses are one of the most important groups of ornamental plants referred to as the queen of flowers and their fruits and flowers are used in a wide variety of food, nutritional products and different traditional medicines. A large diversity is expected to be found in Iranian Damask rose landraces with different biological properties. The antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxicity of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Rosa hemisphaerica Herrm. were studied. The agar disc diffusion method was employed for the determination of antimicrobial activities. Total phenol contents of both extracts were estimated. Antioxidative properties of the extracts were determined by bleaching of beta carotene or 2, 20-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The Ferric-Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) was expressed as gallic acid equivalents. Cytooxicity of the extracts were tested using Hela and human healthy peripheral blood cells. of various microorganisms tested, only S. aureus was found susceptible. The total phenol contents of the methanolic and aqueous extracts were 138.33 ± 11.37and 129.67±4.51 μg Gallic acid equivalent/mg sample respectively. DPPH scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibition effects were higher than those of the synthetic antioxidants. Ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of the methanolic and aqueous extracts were determined as 96.134 ± 4.25 mg/g and 98.63 ± 2.51 mg/g respectively. The 50% cytotoxic concentrations were found to be 0.327 mg/ml 0.177 mg/ml for Hela cells and human lymphocytes respectively. It can be concluded from the above results that R. hemisphaerica extract exhibited antimicrobial activity only against S. aureus. The extracts provided better antioxidative activity as compared with synthetic antioxidants. The extracts were toxic to the Hela cells as well as human lymphocytes. Hence, the R. hemisphaerica extract may be exploited as a natural antioxidant and health promoting agent.

The major concern in diabetes is increased oxidative stress. Maintaining a balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants is a major mechanism in preventing damage from oxidative stress. Quercetin (QR) is a well-known flavonoid and a strong antioxidant derived from the onion, Allium cepa, and it has been shown to reduce oxidative stress in the long-term treatment of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in animals. We aimed to study on beneficial effects of QR & Allium cepa on regulation of blood glucose in diabetic model. Seventy male 8-week-old Wistar albino rats weighing 250 ± 10 g were obtained, the rats were divided into seven groups comprising ten animals in each group. Diabetes induced with single intraperitoneal injection of STZ. Diabetic rats treated with quercetin (15mg/kg/day, started 48 hours after STZ injection) and Allium cepa juice (2cc/rat/day, started 48 hours after STZ injection). After 28 days treatment, analysis on blood glucose and insulin was done. The mean TAC showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the QR compared to the control, STZ and STZ + QR groups. Both QR and onion Juice had significant effect in lowering blood glucose (355.3 ± 104 mg/dl and 353.4 ± 103 mg/dl respectively) (p<0.05) in STZ induced diabetic animals. Both QR and onion juice had lowering effect in Serum insulin in healthy animals and significant increasing effect on serum insulin level in diabetic animals. Both QR and onion juice had good effect in modifying diabetes related biochemical parameters and they are recommended to be studied more in order to being used in the therapy.

Many studies have focused on oxidative stress induced damage and hence, the protective effects conferred by antioxidants. An example is neurodegenerative diseases which is thought to occur due to neuronal loss associated with oxidative stress. However, some antioxidants such as vitamin E have been shown to also exert pro-oxidative effects at high concentration. In this study the cytotoxicity and neuroprotective potentials of Chlorella vulgaris (CV), Momordica charantia (MC) and Piper betle (PB) were investigated and correlated with the antioxidant potential. Tocotrienol Rich Fraction (TRF) served as positive control since it had been shown previously to have high antioxidant potential as well as to exert neuroprotective and neurocytotoxic effects. Free radical scavenging activities of hot water extract of CV, aqueous extract of MC, aqueous extract of PB and TRF were determined by using DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl) assay. Cytotoxicity and neuroprotective effects were measured by using 3 - (4, 5 -dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium salt (MTS) against BSO-induced neuron cell death. Results showed that TRF has the highest radical scavenging activity followed PB> MC> CV. The MTS results showed that TRF (1-50 µg/ml) as positive control, PB (0.001-100µg/ml) and MC (1-500µg/ml) conferred significant protection against BSO-induced cell death. These plants were cytotoxic at high concentrations. However CV extract did not show significant neuroprotective effect against BSO-induced cell death nor cytotoxic effect. The present findings showed that plant extracts with the higher free radical scavenging activity showed neuroprotective effects at low concentrations but were cytotoxic at higher concentrations.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of important opportunistic pathogen, that cases serious infections. It produces many virulence factors, and this bacterium usually is resistance against antimicrobial agents. The aim of this study was evaluate the effects of sub-MICs of essential oils of Mentha spicata and Cumminum cyminum on alginate production, biofilm formation, swimming, twitching and adhesion in P. aeruginosa 8821M. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of essential oils of Mentha spicata and Cumminum cyminum were determined by macrodilution method. Alginate production, biofilm formation, swimming, twitching and adhesion in the present of sub-MICs (1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 MIC) of essential oils were determined in mucoid P. aeruginosa 8821M and compared with controls. The MICs of essential oils against P. aeruginosa for M. spicata and C. cyminum oils were obtained 16 and 32 μg/ml respectively. The results show that all oils at 1/2 and 1/4 MICs were significantly reduced all tested virulence factors. At 1/8 MICs, M. spicata had effect just on adhesion but C. cyminum had effect on Alginate production, biofilm formation, swimming and twitching. This study showed that sub-MIC levels of M. spicata and C. cyminum essential oils affected alginate production, biofilm formation, swimming, twitching and adhesion in P. aeruginosa 8821M and it is probable to use of these medicinal plants for treating.