Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Volume:16 Issue: 10, Oct 2014

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Curcuma longa extract on the telomerase gene expression in QU-DB lung cancer and T47D breast cancer cell lines. The present study is an experimental research. Using 3 different phases n-hexane, dichloromethane and methanol, total extract of Curcuma longa in a serial dilution was prepared and three phases was analyzed for determining which phase has more curcuminoids. Then the extract cytotoxicity effect was tested on breast cancer cell line (T47D), and lung cancer cell line (QU-DB) by 24, 48 and 72 h MTT (Dimethyl thiazolyl diphenyl tetrazolium) assay. Then, the cells were treated with serial concentrations of the extract. Finally, total protein was extracted from the control and test groups, its quantity was determined and telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay was performed for measurement of possible inhibition of the telomerase activity. Cell viability and MTT-based cytotoxicity assay show that the total extract of Curcuma longa has cytotoxic effect with different IC50s in breast and lung cancer cell lines. Analysis of TRAP assay also shows a significant reduction in telomerase activity on both cancer cells with different levels. Curcuma longa extract has anti-proliferation and telomerase inhibitory effects on QU-DB lung cancer and T47D breast cancer cells with differences in levels of telomerase inhibition.

Skin wound healing is very significant physiological procedure. It is quite obvious that promoting this healing is important too. One of the most popular compounds used ever for skin care is Vaccinium arctostaphylos essential oil. In this study we tried to compare the effects of V. arctostaphylos and zinc oxide on secondary intentioned open-wound healing in rats. In this experimental study, 75 male rats included in 5 groups: eucerin, zinc oxide, Vaccinium extract 10 and 20%, not treated. The whole operation was taking place under general anesthesia circumstances. Took photos continuously 21 days after wound creation and catch biopsy intervals were 3, 7, 14 and 21 days. Wounds areas are measured by Scion Image ™ software. At last, all data were analyzed using SPSS-17. As a result V. arctostaphylos with dose of 20% has significant healing properties compared to zinc oxide. These data were validating under confidence surface of 99% (p<0.01). Base on earned data it will be suitable to use of zinc oxide ointment for healing reason but there is opportunity to researcher to survey higher dose of this plant extraction in contrast of zinc oxide.

The aim of this study was the effect of Myrtus communis extract on liver enzymes and blood biochemical factors in diabetic adult male rats. This study has been carried out experimentally and completely random. Seventy adult male Wistar rats were divided in 7 groups including: control which received no treatment, sham who received 2 mL of distilled water, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd experimental groups which received 0.75, 1.5 and 3 mg/kg Myrtus communis leaf extract respectively, the 4th experimental group as the diabetic control group who received streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) and the 5th experimental group as the diabetic treatment group who received 3 mg/kg of extract. This experiment lasted 14 days with prescript orally. After this period, all the rats, were weighted, anesthetized and blood samples were taken from the heart centrifuged and sera were evaluated for the concentration of various factors. In addition liver were removed and sliced. According to the obtained results, the plasma concentration of liver enzyme (alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase), cholesterol and glucose presented a significant decrease at (p≤0.05). Whereas no significant change were seen in body weight, triglyceride, urea, albumin and total protein. Histological studies of the liver tissue showed no significant difference among various groups. Myrtus communis is comprise of collections of flavonoids and other various components with antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties. Thence it can effective in treatment of liver diseases and decrease of blood sugar and cholesterol in diabetes mellitus patients.

Over the past centuries, global population has increased at different rates and so has been the case with cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, given the importance of population and cholesterol control, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Chelidonium majus (C. majus) aerial parts extract on the lipid profile and prolactin levels and the activity of pituitary-gonadal axis in hypercholesterolemic rats. In this experimental study, 35 Wistar rats were selected and categorized into 5 groups. The control group had ordinary diet, the model group had high-fat diet, and experimental groups consisted of hypercholesterolemic rats that respectively received minimal dosages of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg of C. majus extract. After 21 days, blood samples were taken and the factors of interest were measured. Then, the gathered data were analyzed using SPSS-11.5. The amount of triglyceride and cholesterol were increased in the model group compared to the control group whereas the same items were decreased in the experimental group. C. majus extract also decreased testosterone and increased prolactin and gonadotropins. In this study, C. majus extract resulted in decreased fat and testosterone levels as well as increased prolactin level; however, since many sources have informed of the toxicity of this plant, cautious use of the plant is advised.

Satureja khuzestanica, an endemic plant of Iran, has been reported to be used traditionally to treat diabetes. We examined possible protective effect of Satureja khozestanica essential oil (SKE) on glomerulosclerosis in alloxan-induced type 1 diabetic rats. In this experimental study, 30 Sprage-dawley male rats were divided into 3 groups randomly; group 1 as control, group 2 diabetic untreated, and group 3 treatments with SKE by 500 ppm in drinking water, respectively. Diabetes was induced in the second and third groups by alloxan injection subcutaneously. After 8 weeks, animals were anaesthetized; livers and kidneys were then removed immediately. Kidney paraffin sections were prepared and stained by periodic acid Schiff method. Glomerular volume and leukocyte infiltration were estimated by stereological rules and glomerular sclerosis was studied semi-quantitatively. Flow treatment of diabetic animals with SKE could significantly inhibit glomerular hypertrophy (22%) leukocyte infiltration (31%) and glomerulosclerosis (20%) in comparison with the diabetic untreated group. The findings showed that SKE alleviates loss of glomerular volume, leukocyte infiltration, and glomerulosclerosis and exerts beneficial effects on the lipid peroxidation in alloxan-induced type 1 diabetic rats.

Owning to therapeutic properties, flixweed and marsh mallow have traditionally been very important in Iran. In this research study the effect of various concentrations of ethanol flixweed seed and marsh mallow root extracts, collected from different areas of Iran, was studied on Streptococcus pyogenes; the effect of the extract with antibiotics of penicillin, erythromycin and amoxicillin was compared in a completely randomized design with four replications. In this experimental study, discs impregnated with concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 250 mg/mL were prepared from ethanol extract of flixweed concentration in Jiroft, Baghin, Rafsanjan and Kohbanan as well as marsh mallow root extract in Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd and Kerman. Then, they were placed on culture medium of blood agar that S. pyogenes has grown on. Finally, inhibitory effect was evaluated. The results showed that, among different areas and available antibiotics, the highest inhibition zone was related to marsh mallow root extract of Yazd in concentration of 250 mg/mL with 14.5 mm. Beta hemolysis was observed on concentrations of 50, 100 and 250 mg/mL of flixweed seed extracts in all areas; thus, these concentrations are not suitable for producing herbal medicine. Concentration of 25 mg/mL, however, showed no hemolysis in all areas. The best extract to produce herbal medicines with flixweed seed was related to concentrations of 25 mg/mL. Penicillin had the highest inhibition zone with 8.31 mm. Considering the significant difference in the level of 0.01%, marsh mallow root extracts have more anti-bacterial effect than flixweed seed extracts.

Due to occurrence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, There is a need for a reliable method to treat clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa that increasingly reported from worldwide. Also the prevalence of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa producing betalactamase reported from different parts of the world during the last decades. The Eucalyptus contains a number of compounds with antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties and used to control several diseases derived from microbial infections. In this experimental study, Eucalyptus camaldulensis (E. camaldulensis) was used to evaluate the antimicrobial effects against lactamase-producing strains of P. aeruginosa methanol extract of the leaves of this plant, with concentrations of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/mL were prepared, and antibacterial activities were evaluated by well diffusion method on strains P. aeruginosa isolated from patients. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determine by the microplate method.The frequency of the gene encoding bla OXA-10 was studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In this study, methanol extract of eucalyptus leaves at concentrations of 400 mg/mL was high activity against P. aeruginosa. Minimum inhibitory concentration of the extract on the growth of these bacteria was change to 25 mg/mL. Also MBC of extract showed range from 50 mg/mL respectively. Result from these finding suggest that, eucalyptus extract, has an inhibitory effect on strains that carrier betalactamase. Also, the effect of extract, risesed by increasing the concentration. The results of this study suggest the traditional use of E. camaldulensis leaves as an antibacterial agent.

The purpose of this study was to determine antibacterial activity of essential oil of Satureja khuzestanica against Listeria monocytogenes (PTCC1295) and strains isolated from breast milk show that. In this descriptive-analytic study, Essence of leave’s plant was extracted and identified its compounds and then carvacrol was isolated. Antibacterial activities were examined by agar dilution method against L. monocytogenes. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bacterial concentration (MBC) were carried out by micro dilution method. Then bacterial suspension injected the BALB/c mice. Forty-eight h after seeing the listeriosis disease signs were started the treatment. Ampicillin (10 μg/disc) and trimethoprim (5 g) were used as controls. The results showed that the inhibitory zone diameter standard and essential oils for strains isolated species were respectively 59 and 50 mm. This amount was determined by carvacrol, respectively, 60 and 48 mm. Inhibition zone diameter measurements for standard strains of ampicillin and trimethoprim tedious strains, respectively, 21, 40, 18 and 33 mm, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration of essential oils, carvhttp://www.zjrms.ir/files/0allsites/wysiwyg_en.gifacrol and ampicillin than standard strains, respectively 1.56, 1.56 and 155×10˗8 μg/mL and MBC 3.125, 3.125 and 125×10-7 μg/mL was determined by the ratio of the strain 3.125, 3.125 and 0.0062 μg/mL and MBC was 6.25, 6.25 and 0.025 μg/mL. This study showed that bacterial cleansing properties of essential oil of this plant have a strong and effective combination that is carvacrol.

Due to excessive consumption of synthetic drugs, drug resistance rate of pathogenic bacteria is increasing and the need to find new compounds is necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial effect of ethanol extract of, sage to the four species of common pathogenic bacteria resistant to multiple drugs in vitro such as: Staphylococcus aureus (50 strains), Escherichia coli (50 strains), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (50 strains) and Klebsiella pneumonia (50 strains). In this experimental study, antibacterial effect of ethanol extract of sage plants on the development of multi-drug resistant bacteria was performed by well diffusion at concentrations of 50, 400, 100 mg/mLand microdilution method. Ethanol extracts of sage in well diffusion method showed significant inhibitory effect on the growth of isolated bacteria. The results indicate the inhibitory effects of ethanol extract of sage with MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration)=18.75 mg/mL for S. aureus, MIC=26.56 mg/mL for E. coli, MIC=33.75 mg/mL for P. aeruginosa and with MIC=31.25 mg/mL for K. pneumoniae. In relation with the antibacterial effect of ethanol extracts of Sage on the multi-drug resistant bacteria the use of herbs as an alternative to antibiotics after pharmacological studies, for treatment recommended.

Bacillus cereus is one of the most common causes of food spoilage, keratitis, endophthalmitis, and panophthalmitis. These bacteria produce spores which are resistant to chemical and physical agents. Nowadays, the sporicidal properties of plants have been considered as alternatives to chemical sporicidal agents. In this empirical-experimental study the effect of ethanol extract of edible burdock (Arctium lappa) root has been studied on Bacillus cereus spores. In this investigation, the suspensions of tested microorganisms were cultured in sporulating agar.Sporulation process was assessed by optical microscopy following the staining of spores. Then the produced spores were exposed to various concentrations (100, 150, 200, 250, 300 mg/mL) of ethanol extract of edible burdock (Arctium lappa) root and finally the remaining spores were counted. With increasing concentrations of ethanol extract, the number of spores declined. Pearson correlation showed inverse relation between the spores count and concentration of ethanol extract of edible burdock (Arctium lappa) root (r=-0.765, p<0.001). The most effective extract concentration was 300 mg /mL. Ethanol extract of edible burdock (Arctium lappa) root, has sporicidal activity. Only, the sporicidal nature of ethanol extract has been evaluated by this study; therefore, the assessment of other extracts and essences is necessary.

Plants used for traditional medicine contain a wide range of substances which can be used to treat various infectious diseases. Hence, antibacterial activities of ethanol extracts of 6 plant species were studied against multi-drug resistant clinical isolates. A cross-sectional study was performed. Plant extract from leaf of Marribum vulgari, Saturja montana, Myrtus comminus L., Amaranthus retraflexus, seed of Cumminum cyminum L. and Peganum harmal specie was performed using rotary. Sampling was carry out from urine culture of hospitalized patients (Boo-Ali hospital, Zahedan, south-eastern of Iran) suffered from urinary tract infections during the years 2010 and 2011. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bacterial concentration (MBC) of plant extracts of plants on bacteria was determined using micro dilution broth method at 6 different concentrations. The results show P. harmal and M. comminus L. were a potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae) bacteria respectively. Moreover, all 6 plants extracts showed relatively same antibacterial activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus saprophyticus and S. aureus) and S. Montana extracts showed relatively same antibacterial activity against all Gram-negative bacteria and Morganella morgani was the more resistant bacteria for all plants extracts. This investigation showed that the mixes of P. harmal and M. comminus L. extracts have a potent antimicrobial activity against some Gram-positive pathogenic and Gram-negative bacteria. The present studies confirm the use of this extracts as antibacterial agent. Further research is required to evaluate the practical values of therapeutic applications.

With regard to the rapid emerging antibiotic resistance bacteria, plants as one of the most common natural sources of antimicrobial agents can be used as alternative for treatment of infectious diseases. This study was designed to investigate antibacterial activity of Mentha pulegium L. (Lamiaceae family). In this experimental study, the antibacterial effect of 4, 8, 16 and 24 mg/disc of alcoholic extracts were assessed using standard disc diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were also determined. Furthermore, the structural changes following to the exposure with these extracts were also investigated in test bacteria. Both extracts of this plant showed considerable antibacterial activity against some Gram positive (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) and also Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis) bacteria. All of the tested bacteria were resistant to nafcillin. The maximum effects was observed in the case of both ethanolic and methanolic extracts in all concentrations on P. mirabilis (25 mm) and the lowest effect was on P. aeruginosa. MIC and MBC values of both extracts against S. aureus were equal (MIC=MBC=8 mg/mL) and P. mirabilis were MIC=4 mg/mL and MBC=8 mg/mL. The SEM analysis revealed deformation and cell wall disruption of affected bacteria. Based on these results it can be suggested that M. pulegium L. is an effective antibacterial plant that can be used as a new source for antibiotic discovery against bacterial pathogens especially food poisoning pathogens such as S. aureus, B. cereus and also for treatment of P. mirabilis infection.

Herbal medicines are the major remedy in traditional medical systems and made a great contribution in maintaining human health and in preventing many infectious diseases. The present study was carried out to determine the potential antibacterial effect of ethanol extracts and essential oil of Marrubium vulgare L. against Staphylococcus aureus which is antibiotic resistant. All 17 strains of S. aureus isolated from nose and throat sample from 160 healthy subjects, hospital staffs and inpatient in the city of Zabol (Amir Al-Momenin hospital, Zabol, south-eastern Iran) were screened during years 2010-2011. In this study, the essential oil of Marrubium vulgare L. obtained by hydrodistillation was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in order to determine their chemical composition. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were investigated to characterize the antimicrobial activities of this essential oil and extract. Thirty-one components in the oil of Marrubium vulgare were identified. The results demonstrated that the major components of the essential oil were γ-Eudesmol (11%), Germacrene (10%), D-Citronelly formate (10%), β-Citronellol (8%), Geranyl tiglate (7.1%), Geranyl formate (6.02%). The least MIC value of extract M. vulgare was 2.5 mg/mL and the highest MIC value of essential oil M. vulgare was 2.5 mg/mL. This investigation showed that the M. vulgare essential oil and extract has a potent antimicrobial activity against S. aureus. The present studies confirm the use of this essential oil and extract as antibacterial agent. Further research is required to evaluate the practical values of therapeutic applications.

Biofilms directly influence the virulence and pathogenicity of a pathogen, it is optimal to employ a strategy that effectively inhibits the formation of biofilm. In this study, the antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities of extract Capsicum annuum L were examined. The eight strains were isolated from urine culture of hospitalized patients; growth and biofilm formation of strains were determined by microtiterplate method. The results revealed that the concentrations of 5 and 10 mg/mL are the most restrain in the biofilm formation of the isolated plates. Results of this study suggest that the extract of C. annuum L may be useful alone to treat bacterial infections.

Physalis alkekengi by effective ingredients such as alkaloids, glucocorticoids and because of antioxidant property can play a role in homeostasis. The aim of this study was to examine the possible effects of fruit extract of P. alkekengi on blood homogram. Forty male rats were divided to control, sham (normal saline) and experimental groups (highest, moderate and minimum doses of alcoholic extract). Then, the blood samples were taken in order to perform laboratory test by Sysmex analyzer, and were analyzed using ANOVA. Results showed that the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit increased and white blood cells decreased. Fruit extract of P. alkekensi is probably effective in treatment of anemia.