Camel Thorn Research Articles

Changes in Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Mellitus in Rats: Role of Alhagi maurorum Extracts.

Alhagi maurorum (camel thorn plant) is a promising medicinal plant due to the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds as major contents of its constituents. No previous study has been conducted before on A. maurorum extracts as an antioxidative stress and/or antidiabetic herb in STZ-induced DM in rats. Therefore, four groups of rats were allocated as control (C), STZ-induced DM (D), and STZ-induced DM supplemented with 300 mg/kg BW of either aqueous extract (WE) or ethanolic extract (EE) of A. maurorum. The plasma levels of glucose, TG, TC, LDL-C and VLDL-C, MDA, and bilirubin and the activities of transaminases and GR were significantly increased in the diabetic group. Also, diabetic rats showed severe glucose intolerance and histopathological changes in their livers. In addition, levels of insulin, total proteins, GSH, and HDL-C and the activities of SOD, GPx, and GST were significantly decreased in the diabetic rats compared to those of the control group. The ingestion of A. maurorum extracts lowered the blood glucose levels during the OGTT compared to the diabetic rats and restored all tested parameters to their normal levels with the exception of insulin level that could not be restored. It is concluded that A. maurorum extracts decreased elevated blood glucose levels and hyperlipidemia and suppressed oxidative stress caused by diabetes mellitus in rats.

Comparison between infants receiving traditional supplements (camel thorn, flix weed, and sugar water) and exclusively breast fed infants.

Although breast milk is considered the best nutritional option for neonates, use of traditional supplements such as sugar water, camel thorn, and flix weed in the first week of life of infants is quite common in Iran and many other countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether consuming such supplements has any impact on infant's breastfeeding behavior. Four hundred fifty four term infants who were referred to the neonatal clinic of Ghaem hospital were enrolled and divided into two groups. Control (exclusively breastfed infants, N=243) and case (breast milk feeding plus traditional remedies such as sugar water, camel thorn, and flix weed, N=211). Spss 19.5 was used for statistical analysis. T-test and Man-Whitney tests were used. A p-value of <0.05 was considered as significant. The two groups were similar in their baseline data. Regarding duration of breastfeeding and breastfeeding frequency, use of these supplements resulted in a reduction in both breastfeeding frequency and duration (p<0.05). Breastfeeding problems such as poor let-down reflex and incorrect breastfeeding position were more common among mothers feeding these supplements to their infants. Moreover, infants with delayed initiation of first breastfeeding were more likely to receive these supplements. Based on the results of this study, feeding infants with sugar water, camel's thorn, and flix weed is clearly associated with breast feeding problems such as poor let down reflex and incorrect breast feeding position. Use of these supplements resulted in a reduction in frequency and duration of breast feeding. Infants with delayed initiation of breast feeding are more likely to receive these supplementations. Therefore, any attempts to improve the community's culture would be of great benefit to the health and well being of our babies.

Ranking Plant Species for Stabilizing SandDune to Combat Desertification by Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods of ELECTRE and LINEAR Assignment

In this study, it is attempted to rank plant species in order to stabilize sand by the application of ELECTRE, andLiner assignment methods in Rig, Sirjan, Iran. The results suggest that in linear assignment method among 7plant species, milk vetch species is in the first ranking with one score, and is the best species to stabilize sand inthe studied area and the Camel's thorn species lies at the bottom of the ranking chart and can't be suitable forsand stabilization. Artichoke, Espand, Glasswort, Sagebrush and Charkha lie in the next rankings respectively bytheir importance. In ELECTRE method, among 7 plant species studied in this research, the milk vetch specieswith four dominances and one defeat with 3 scores is in the first ranking and the Camel's thorn and Artichokespecies with five defeats and no dominance with (-5) score lie at the bottom of the ranking. Glasswort, Charkha,Espand and Sagebrush with (1,1,1,3) dominances and (4,4,4,2) defeats with (-3,-3,-3,1) scores respectively lie inthe next ranks. It should be noticed that Artichoke, Camel's thorn, Glasswort, Charkha and Espand species mustbe omitted because the number of their dominances were less than the number of their defeats. The results of thelinear method were more compatible with reality and were more accurate and precise.

Camel Thorn Extract Reduces Activity of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme in Rat Aorta Increased during Aging and Treatment with NO-Synthase Inhibitor

We studied the effect of camel thorn extract on activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme in rat aorta increased in animals during aging or treatment with NO-synthase inhibitor. Intake of camel thorn extract with drinking water reduced activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme; the effect increased with increasing the dose of the extract. Angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in older rats and animals treated with NO-synthase inhibitor decreased to the values observed in young control rats at extract concentration of 0.2%. Comparison of the effects of camel thorn extract with those of flavonoid taxifolin showed that the extract was not inferior to taxifolin in preventing the early stages of aortic atherosclerosis caused by increased activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme.

Alhagi: a plant genus rich in bioactives for pharmaceuticals.

Alhagi, a plant genus from family Fabaceae, is widely distributed in many countries of Asia, Australia and Europe. Commonly known as camel thorn, Alhagi has many species famous for feed and folk medicinal uses. Different species of Alhagi such as Alhagi pseudalhagi, A. graecorum, A. sparsifolia, A. kirgisorum, A. maurorum, A. camelorum and A. persarum have been explored for their antioxidant potential and nutritive value along with various medicinal properties. A wide array of pharmacologically active secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids (alhacidin and alhacin), steroids, pseudalhagin A, phospholipids and polysaccharides have been reported from different parts of Alhagi species. A broad range of biological activities such as antioxidant, cardiovascular, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective, antispasmodic, antidiarrheal, antinociceptive, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, antibacterial and antifungal have been ascribed to different parts of Alhagi. In addition, Alhagi plants are also valued as a rich source of digestible protein and important minerals. This review focuses on the medicinal applications and detailed profile of high-value bioactive phytochemicals along with pharmacological attributes and therapeutic potential of these multi-purpose plants.

Measurement Of Methanol Contents In Most Commonly Used Herbal Distillates In Mashhad

Background: Herbal distillates had been used for many centuries as herbal medicine in Traditional Persian medicine. Recently, some studies claimed the presence of methanol in different types of herbal distillates which can cause different complications or even death as methanol is highly toxic. The main purpose of this study was to determine methanol content in the commonly-used industrial herbal distillates produced in Mashhad. Methods: A total of forty-five herbal water extracts of five types of most commonly used herbal distillates including peppermint, camel thorn, chicory, fumitory and rose water were randomly bought from market. Methanol content of each sample was measured according to the standard method. Collected data was analyzed by SPSS software using appropriate descriptive statistical tests. Results: The lowest and highest concentration of methanol were found in rose water extract (mean=9.04 ± 3.42 mg/dL) and peppermint extract (mean=93.87 ± 76.59 mg/dL) samples respectively. One-way ANOVA showed statistically significant differences between methanol concentration in the studied herbal distillates (P =0.03). Conclusion: Methanol concentration, especially in peppermint extract was very high that may induce toxicity in people taking these products regularly for a long time. Therefore, considering the harmful effects of methanol on human health, further studies are required for determining permitted levels of methanol in herbal distillates.

Camel Thorn Has Hepatoprotective Activity against Carbon Tetrachloride or Acetaminophen Induced Hepatotoxicity, but Enhances the Cardiac Toxicity of Adriamycin in Rodents

Abstract — In this study the administration of 660 mg/kg of the ethanolic extract of the Alhagigraecorum (Camel Thorn)to mice, showed a significant decrease in the level of transaminases in animals treated with a combination of CTE plus carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) or acetaminophen as compared to animals receiving CCl 4 or acetaminophen alone. Histopatological investigation also confirmed that, camel thorn extract protects liver against damage-induced either by carbon tetrachloride or acetaminophen. On the other hand the cardiac toxicity produced by adriamycine was significantly increased in the presence of the ethanolic extract of camel thorn. Our study suggested that camel thorn can protect the liver against the injury produced by carbon tetrachloride or acetaminophen, with unexpected increase in the cardiac toxicity –induced by adriamycin in rodents. Keywords — Acetaminophen, Adriamycin, Alhagi graecorum , Carbon tetrachloride. I. II.I NTRODUCTION EPATOTOXICITY implies chemical-driven liver damage. Liver plays central role in transformation and clearance of most chemicals and is susceptible to the toxicity from these agents. Certain medicinal agents, when taken in overdoses and sometime even when introduced within therapeutic ranges, may injure the organ. Chemicals that cause liver injury are called hepatotoxins [1]. Chemicals produce a wide variety of clinical and pathological hepatic injury. Biochemical markers (i.e. alanine transferase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin) are often used to indicate liver damage [2], [3]. Liver damage is further characterized into hepatocellular (predominantly initial Alanine transferase elevation) and cholestatic type (initial alkaline phosphatase rise). However they are not mutually exclusive and mixed type

Determination of Volatile Constituents and Antimicrobial Activity of Camel Thorn (Alhagi camelorum) Flowers

A direct analysis headspace method coupled to gas chromatography– mass spectrometry (GC–MS) is reported for the determination of volatile compounds and antimicrobial activity in the flowers of Alhagi camelorum. The method was used for the determination of volatile compounds in dry as well as methanol extracts of the flowers. The highest efficiency of the headspace method was achieved at 140°C and 10 min of incubation time. Forty compounds were identified by this technique. In comparison with generally used hydro-distillation method, the headspace GC–MS method was very simple, required low amount of sample, was convenient to handle without using any solvent, and required shorter analysis time. It also offered high trapping ability for volatile and thermally sensitive compounds. The major components identified by this method were furfuraldehyde derivatives, which indicate the presence of higher carbohydrate content. In addition, methanol extracts of Alhagi camelorum flowers were investigated for their antimicrobial activity with two species Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacterium) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive coccal bacterium). The extracts had remarkable antibacterial activity against these species with minimum inhibitory concentration values of 50 and 70 µg · mL−1 for E. coli and S. aureus, respectively.

Camel Thorn Has Hepatoprotective Activity against Carbon Tetrachloride or Acetaminophen Induced Hepatotoxicity, but Enhances the Cardiac Toxicity of Adriamycin in Rodents

Camel Thorn Has Hepatoprotective Activity against Carbon Tetrachloride or Acetaminophen Induced Hepatotoxicity, but Enhances the Cardiac Toxicity of Adriamycin in Rodents

Persian Manna in the Past and the Present: An Overview

Persian Manna is the most economically important manna in Iran which is collected mainly in Iran and Transoxiana. It is exudates from stems and leaves of camel's thorn (Alhagi persarum Boiss. & Bush.), probably by action of an insect. It forms sweet, semisolid resinous tears on the shrubs. Persian manna has different uses in Persian traditional medicine, ethno medicine and sweetmeats. Among the various effects attributed to Persian manna, laxative and cholagogue properties are more prominent than the others. On the basis of indications and contraindication described in old writings, it is used as an immunostimulant agent. Phytochemical profile of this manna shows some controversies between studies that are discussed briefly.

In vitro antifungal activity of three Saudi plant extracts against some Phytopathogenic fungi

Abstract The antifungal activities of ethanolic extracts of three Saudi plants; camel thorn (Alhagi maurorum Medic.), caper (Capparisspinosa L.), and pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) were investigated in vitro against Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, Phomadestructiva, Rhizoctonia solani, and Sclerotium rolfsii at concentrations of 0, 3, 6, and 9% (v/v). All tested plant extracts; seeds, roots, and rinds had different degrees of antifungal activity against the tested fungi. When compared with the control, the highest antifungal activity was recorded for camel thorn seeds extract at a concentration of 9%, while, pomegranate rinds extract at 9% came in second. Camel thorn rinds extract came in last even when used at a high concentration. The ethanolic extract of camel thorn seeds may be recommended as a potent bio-fungicide. Extensive studies should be undertaken for the ethanolic extract of camel thorn seeds as a strong antifungal agent against fungal plant diseases.

Screening the methanolic extracts of some plants for tyrosinase inhibitory activity

Melanin is responsible for pigmentation of skin and hair. It protects the skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation; however, its abnormal production may lead to different diseases such as hyper-pigmentation or vitiligo. Tyrosinase is a key enzyme in melanin production, therefore inhibitors of this enzyme should have broad application. Due to the adverse effects of synthetic inhibitors currently being used, the search for new inhibitors, especially natural ones, is needed. The methanolic extracts of 80 plants were tested for their tyrosinase inhibitory activities by spectrophotometry at 492 nm. The inhibition mode of effective plant extracts was determined using the Lineweaver-Burk plots. Among these plant extracts, Alhagi camelorum (camel thorn), Camelia sinensis (green tea), Cuminum cyminum (Cumin), Lawsonia inermis (henna), Quercus infectoria (masso), and Vaccinium arctostaphylos (Caucasian whortleberry) were identified as tyrosinase inhibitors with inhibitory effect of more than 50% at concentrations of 1.14 g L−1. The inhibition mode of four newly found effective plant extracts showed that A. camelorum and V. arctostaphylos inhibit the enzyme in a competitive manner whereas L. inermis and Q. infectoria have mixed inhibitory effect. To recommend these plant extracts for hyper-pigmentation disorders and other applications, further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed.

Determination of free phenolic acids and antioxidant capacity of methanolic extracts obtained from leaves and flowers of camel thorn (Alhagi maurorum)

The present study comprises the determination of some phenolic acids from the leaves and flowers of Alhagi maurorum by HPLC-DAD, confirmed by LC-MS-APCI. The antioxidant properties and measurements of the total phenolic contents of the extracts were assessed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and Folin–Ciocalteu methods, respectively. It was found that the leaf extract had higher antioxidant potential (83.5%) than the flower extract (72.3%). The antioxidant properties and total phenolic contents of the leaves were higher than those of the flowers.

Effects of camel thorn distillate on recurrent oral aphthous lesions

Near 20 % of people suffer from recurrent oral aphthous ulcers. These painful ulcers are found on the oral mucosa. We conducted this study to evaluate the effect of the camel thorn distillate on this condition. 93 patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers were selected and divided into two groups. One group was given a placebo (n = 44) and the other was given camel thorn distillate (n = 49). The diameter of the lesions and the severity of the pain were measured 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days after initiation of therapy. The lesion diameters and pain scores of the two groups were compared using the t-test. Complete resolution time ranged from 3 to 7 days (mean = 4.02) in the group treated with camel thorn distillate, whereas in the control group, complete resolution time ranged from 7 to 14 days (mean = 8.9, p < 0.001). The efficacy of camel thorn distillate is comparable to that of other drugs used to treat oral aphthous ulcers. Its therapeutic effect may be due to the flavanones (alhagitin and alhagidin) that are present in this plant.

TheAspalathusCaper

Aspalathus, a plant mentioned in Pliny the Elder's Natural History, Dioscorides' De Materia Medica, Theophrastus' Enquiry into Plants, and Ecclesiasticus is most probably caper (Capparis sp.). It has an Akkadian linguistic cognate, supalu. Ethnobotanical, archaeobotanical, and linguistic evidence show that this plant has played a role in the ancient, but ongoing cultural tradition in the Near East. In the same region [Cyprus] grows camel's thorn [aspalathos ], a white thorn of the size of a moderate-sized tree, with the flower of a rose; the root is in request for unguents. People say that any shrub over which a rainbow forms its arch gives out a scent as sweet as that of the aspalathus, but that if this happens in the case of an aspalathus a scent rises that is indescribably sweet. Some call this shrub red scepter [erysisceptrum] and others scepter. The test of its genuineness lies in its fiery red colour, firmness to the touch and scent like that of beaver-oil. It is sold for 5 denarii a pound (Pliny, Nat. Hist. 12.52.10). Aspalathus, somme call... Erysisceptron [i.e., red scepter]. It is a woody kind of shrub hauing many prickly thornes, growing in Istrus, & Nisyrus, & Syria, & Rhodes, which the oyntment-makers vse for the thickning of their ointments. That is good which is heauie, & after it is barked about, enclining to a red or a purple colour, thick, odoriferous, & bitter in the tast (Dioscorides, De Materia Medica I, 19). I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon and aspalathus, and I yielded a pleasant odour like the best myrrh, as galbanum, and onyx, and sweet storax, and as the fume of frankincense in the tabernacle (Ecclesiasticus 24:15). Now this is a general list of the plants used for perfumes: cassia cinnamon cardamom spikenard nairon balsam of Mecca aspalathos storax iris narte kostos all-heal saffron-crocus myrrh kypeiron ginger-grass sweet-flag sweet marjoram lotos dill. Of these it is the roots, bark, branches, wood, seeds, gum or flowers which in different cases yield the perfume. Some of them grow in many places, but the most excellent and most fragrant all come from Asia and sunny regions. From Europe itself comes none of them except the iris (Theophrastus, Enquiry into Plants 9.7.3).

In a Persian Oil Field: a Study in Scientific and Industrial Development

THE Tigris and Euphrates join north-west of Basrah and thence flow to the Persian Gulf as the broad, silt-filled stream known as the Shattel-Arab. For some hundred miles the combined rivers wind their way between low banks of alluvium, on which, except for the small areas cultivated around the Arab villages, nothing of value grows save the date palm. The scene and the surrounding country have probably been much the same for the past two thousand years, although evidences of Roman irrigation works indicate that, at one time, vast areas of the country must have been under effective cultivation and,iave remained so until the system, lapsing into disrepair, enabled the highly charged waters of the two rivers again to impreg nate the soil with mineral salts so as to render it productive of little but the camel thorn. In a Persian Oil Field: a Study in Scientific and Industrial Development. By J. W. Williamson. Pp. 189 + 24 plates. (London: Ernest Benn, Ltd., 1927.) 7s. 6d. net.