Native Plant Of Iran Research Articles

An iridoid, lamiide, its extraction method from <em>Phlomis bruguieri</em>, and evaluation of its antioxidant capacity

Phlomis bruguieri is a native plant in Iran, which deserves phytochemical study. The aim of this study was evaluation of its iridoid contents along with its antioxidant capacity. Aerial parts of the plant material were extracted with methanol and applied on repeated normal column chromatography using hexane: chloroform (70:30), chloroform: methanol (90:10), and methanol (100%). The fraction eluted with methanol (100%) containing polar glycosides was selected and medium pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC) on a RP-18 cartridge. Fraction elute by MeOH: water 30:70 was loaded on HPLC on RP-18 column for final purification. Structure elucidation was done using 1D and 2D NMR, and mass spectra. Antioxidant activity including total antioxidant capacity, DPPH and FRAP methods were designated to assess the in vitro antioxidant capacities. This study indicated the presence of lamiide as iridoid compound in the aerial parts of Phlomis bruguieri for the first time in this plant [350 mg/2 kg; 0.0175 % (w/w)]. Lamiide showed moderate antioxidant activity using TAC (EC50: 55 μg/mL; ascorbic acid EC50: 7.5 μg/mL), DPPH (EC50: 116.2 ± 3.51 μg/mL; ascorbic acid:34.7 ± 0.97 μg/mL), and FRAP (EC50:>200 μg/mL; quercetin: 7.5 ± 0.68 μg/mL) methods.

Removal of reactive black 5 dye using zero valent iron nanoparticles produced by a novel green synthesis method

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze zero valent iron nanoparticles (NZVIs) by a novel green method, taken from Thymus vulgaris (TV) plant extract, were synthesized and applied to degrade reactive black 5 (RB5) azo dye. Design/methodology/approach The optimum conditions for the highest removal of RB5 dye were determined. Characterization of NZVIs was done by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The NZVIs were used for the removal of dye RB5, and the parameters affecting were discussed like pH, initial concentration, contact time and NZVIs dosage. Findings The characterization results of NZVIs by SEM, TEM, FTIR and XRD show that polyphenols, organic acids and proteins reduce not only the green synthesis of NZVIs but also the aggregation of nanoparticles. The maximum dye removal efficiency of 99.6 per cent occurred at pH 4, NZVIs dose of 600 mg/L, and contact time of 5 min. The adsorption of RB5 dye onto the NZVIs surface and scavenging of the azo bond (−N = N) by the strong reduction of NZVIs were the proposed mechanisms for dye removal. The application of NZVIs to treat wastewater containing reactive dye shows high degradation efficiency. Research limitations/implications The findings may greatly benefit the application of the NZVIs taken from Thymus vulgaris (TV) in the fields of dye adsorption. Practical implications The present study is novel because it incorporated the morphological and structural properties of the synthesized NZVIs using a native plant of Iran and studied the capability of green-synthesized NZVIs to remove RB5 as a water contaminant. Social implications The native plant presented here can be developed for reduced environmental pollution before discharge to accepted water. Originality/value The NZVIs is prepared via green-synthesized method, which is prepared with leaves of TV. There are two main innovations. One is that the novel NZVIs is prepared successfully by native plant via green-synthesized method. The other is that the optimized conditions were obtained for the removal of RB5 dye as a water contaminant. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, no study has ever investigated the removal of RB5 by NZVIs produced using a native plant in Iran.

Synergistic effects of Ferula gummosa and radiotherapy on induction of cytotoxicity in HeLa cell line.

Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer among women, worldwide; and for treatment of this type of cancer radiotherapy is commonly used. Ferula gummosa Boiss ("Barije" in Persian, from the family Apiaceae), (F. gummosa), is an extremely precious medicinal plant which naturally grows throughout the Mediterranean and Central Asia and is a native plant in Iran. The present study examined the cytotoxic effects of F. gummosa in terms of induction of apoptosis and radiosensitivity in HeLa cells. In order to determine F. gummosa cytotoxicity in HeLa cells, the cells were incubated with different concentrations of the plant resin (0-1000 µg/ml) for 24, 48 and 72 hr. Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay. The role of apoptosis in F. gummosa cytotoxicity was investigated using flow cytometry following propidium iodide (PI) staining of DNA. For radiosensitivity assessment, F. gummosa-treated cells were exposed to 2 Gy γ-rays, and cytotoxicity was determined in irradiated and non-irradiated (control) groups by MTT and the synergism factor was calculated. F. gummosa decreased cell viability in HeLa cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that apoptosis is involved in F. gummosa-induced cytotoxicity. Co-administration of F. gummosa and radiotherapy, showed that this plant at non-toxic low doses, could result in almost 5-fold increment in sensitization of cells towards radiation-induced toxicity. The concurrent use of F. gummosa and radiation increases radiosensitivity and cell death. Therefore, F. gummosa can be considered as a potential radiosensitizer agent against cervical cancer.

Evaluation of the Wound Healing Activity of Chenopodium botrys Leaves Essential Oil in Rats (A Short-Term Study)

Chenopodium botrys (CB) is a native plant in Iran which has been used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiviral agent in traditional medicine of Iran. In this study, the authors describe the effects of essential oil of CB on cutaneous wound healing markers in Sprague-Dawley male rats. The results of GC-MS indicated that the most frequently found chemical constituents in CB essential oil were α-Eudesmol, Epi-α-muurolol, and Cubenol. Full-thickness excisional wounds (2×2 cm) were induced on the back of 24 rats. In this study, rats were randomly divided into four main groups (n=6), including untreated (control), treated with 1 ml basal cream (Placebo), treated with 1 ml tetracycline (3 %), and treated with 1 ml CB essential oil (6 %) for 10 days. The animals of each group were euthanized at 10 days post-injury (DPI), and wounds were evaluated by gross, histometrical and histomorphological analyses. In gross study, the animals treated with CB demonstrated a considerable decrease in the wound area during the experiment, compared to control, basal cream, and tetracycline groups (p<0.01). Parameters such as alignment of the healing tissue, re-epithelialization, and epithelial formation in CB treated group showed a significant increase, compared to other groups. In addition, treatment with CB decreased the wound surface area and the number of lymphocytes and neutrophils and increased the number of blood vessels, ratio of collagen to total and ratio of collagen to cell, in comparison with control and basal cream groups (p<0.01). Thus, the present research indicates the cutaneous wound healing activity of CB, suggesting it to be used as a therapeutic supplement.

Assessment of In Vitro Antibacterial Properties of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Scrophularia striata Against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC No. 25923)

Scrophularia striata (S. striata) is a native plant in Iran, which the plant has been used as an antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, and antiflammatory agent in Iran. Based on knowledge of authors, as we know, there is low documented proof on antibacterial properties of S. striata hydroalcoholic extract against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (ATCC No. 25923) in west of Iran. As a screen test to discover antibacterial properties of the extract, agar disk and agar well diffusion methods were employed. Macrobroth tube test was performed to specify MIC. The results of agar disk and agar well diffusion tests showed S. striata have prevented the growth of S. aureus and destroyed it. Also, by increasing the concentration of S. striata, the inhibition zone in many of samples increased. The MIC and MBC value was 0.031 g/ml for S. striata. This study confirmed the antibacterial effects of the S. striata on S. aureus. Additional in vivo studies and clinical trials would be needed to justify and further evaluate the potential of the plant as an antibacterial agent in topical or oral applications.

بررسی ترکیبات شیمیایی و ویژگی های آنتی اکسیدانی پوسته و هسته میوه پسته وحشی (PistaciaKhinjuk Stocks)

هدف از این پژوهش، مطالعه و بررسی ترکیبات شیمیایی و تغذیه ای پوسته و مغز هسته میوه پسته وحشی گونه خینجوک (Khinjuk) بود. برای این منظور، از پوسته و مغز هسته میوه به روش سرد با هگزان روغن گیری شد و پروفایل اسیدهای چرب با روش کروماتوگرافی گازی بررسی گردید. همچنین از روغن های استخراجی نگهداری شده به مدت 3 ماه در دمای اتاق، هر 30 روز آزمون های عدد پراکسید، عدد اسیدی و مقدار کلروفیل اندازه‌گیری شدند. از پوسته و مغز هسته خشک شده میوه به روش پرکولاسیون با اتانول عصاره گیری شد و میزان ترکیبات فنلی و قدرت مهار رادیکال‌های آزاد DPPH عصاره ها مورد ارزیابی قرار گرفت. همچنین عصاره ها در درصدهای 1، 2 و 3 درصد به روغن کلزا اضافه شدند و پایداری اکسیداتیو آن ها با دستگاه رنسیمت بررسی گردید. نتایج نشان داد نوع و درصد اسیدهای چرب غالب در پوسته و مغز هسته میوه به ترتیب اولئیک اسید 33 و 2/41، لینولئیک اسید 6/10 و 5/21، آلفالینولنیک اسید 6 و 1/3، پالمیتیک اسید 2/17 و 11، پالمیتولئیک اسید 1/13 و 1/3 بودند. میزان ترکیبات فنلی در پوسته و مغز هسته به ترتیب 6/25 و 3/6 میلی گرم اسید گالیک درگرم نمونه خشک بدست آمد. عدد پراکسید و عدد اسیدی در طول 4 ماه نگهداری به طور معنی داری افزایش پیدا کرداما مقدار کلروفیل در طول زمان به طور معنی داری کاهش پیدا کرد (01/0≥p ). بیشترین پایداری اکسیداتیو روغن کلزا مربوط به تیمار 3 درصد عصاره پوسته بود (05/0≥p ). عصاره پوسته تاثیر بیشتری بر مهار رادیکال های آزاد (88 درصد) نسبت به مغز هسته (75درصد) داشت که این دو می توانند ناشی از مقادیر بالاتر ترکیبات فنولیک پوسته باشد.

Antioxidant and Antiacetylcholinesterase Activity of Teucrium hyrcanicum.

Background:Teucrium hyrcanicum belonging to the Lamiaceae family is a native plant in Iran; it is called Maryam nokhodi-e-jangali in Farsi.Objective:The aim of this study is to evaluate acetylcholinesterase inhibition (AChEI), antioxidant activity and flavonoids content of T. hyrcanicum methanol extract.Materials and Methods:The air-dried and the ground aerial parts of T. hyrcanicum were extracted by percolation method with methanol. Antioxidant activity of the extract was investigated by using 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) methods. In addition, AChEI and flavonoid content of T. hyrcanicum methanol extract were measured.Results:The results showed that total flavonoid content of T. hyrcanicum in reference to the standard curve for quercetin was 20.70 ± 0.05 mg quercetin equivalents/g of extract. In the FRAP method, the antioxidant activity of T. hyrcanicum extract and butyl hydroxyanisole (BHA) (as a positive control) were 657.5 ± 0.04 and 880 ± 0.06 mmol Fe II/1 g dried extract. According to results of DPPH assay, half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value for DPPH radical-scavenging activities of T. hyrcanicum methanol extract, vitamin E and BHA were 74.6, 14.12 and 7.8 μg/mL, respectively. IC50 value for AChEI of T. hyrcanicum and donepezil as a positive control were 2.12 mg/mL and 0.013 mg/mL.Conclusion:The results of the present study showed T. hyrcanicum is a natural antioxidant that the flavonoid content can be responsible for extract effects.

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LIPOSOMES CONTAINING METHANOL EXTRACT OF AERIAL PARTS OF PLATYCLADUS ORIENTALIS (L.) FRANCO

Platycladus orientalis or Thuja orientalis is a native plant of Iran. Different parts of the plant are used in the treatment of various diseases such as: gout, rheumatoid arthritis, common cold, cough, bronchitis, asthma, high blood pressure and hormonal disorders like hirsutism and baldness. Also, various organs of this species have been used as appetizer. The purpose of this study was to prepare and characterize liposomal formulations that contain methanol extract of aerial parts of P. orientalis for hirsutism treatment. Material and Methods: Plant's leaves were dried in room temperature, and powdered by grinding. Then, methanol extract was prepared by maceration method. Liposomes containing mathanol extract were produced by two methods of fusion and solvent evaporation. To evaluate mathanol extract and encapsulation efficiency of liposomes, quercetin was chosen as standard. The amount of quercetin in samples was determined by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Results: Mean size of liposomes prepared by solvent evaporation and fusion methods was 373 and 320 nm, respectively. According to the quercetin concentration, encapsulation efficiency of liposomes containing menthanol extract was 69.3±3.1% for solvent evaporation and 62.2±4.9% for fusion method. Conclusion: In the current study, a suitable liposomal formulation was prepared. The pharmacological activity of these carriers should be evaluated in the future study.

Evaluation of in vivo immune response activity and in vitro anti-cancer effect by Scrophularia megalantha

Many studies have showed that plant extracts possess immunomodulatory and anti-cancer effects. In this study, these effects of Scrophularia megalantha extract, a native plant in Iran, were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Microculture tetrazolium test (MTT assay) was employed to evaluate the effects of S. megalantha on human Jurkat (lymphoblast-like) cell line cytotoxicity. Furthermore, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and hemagglutination tests in mice employed to evaluate the effects of S. megalantha on cellular and humoral responses, respectively. In vitro exposures of the Jurkat cells with various concentrations of S. megalantha extract (0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/mL) significantly suppressed their growth in a dose-dependent manner. The maximum tumor cell growth inhibition was observed with 0.2 mg/mL of the extract. Moreover, the production of specific antibody to sheep red blood cell (SRBC) antigen in immunized mice significantly increased by different concentrations of S. megalantha extract. In conclusion, our results indicated that S. megalantha extract could be an immunomodulator plant and a good candidate for further investigations in order to develop a natural compound as an immunomodulator and anticancer agent.

Etiology of Chinaberry Gall Disease in Iran

Chinaberry (Melia azedarach L.) is a beautiful tree indigenous to the Himalayas that grows as a native plant in Iran. Symptoms similar to bacterial gall have been observed on the crown, shoot and twig of chinaberry, a recent landscape tree since 2003-2004 in Shiraz, Fars province, south of Iran. A gram negative bacterium was isolated from the galls. The isolates did not produce fluorescent pigment on King's B medium, were negative in oxidase, levan production, potato soft rot, casein, gelatin hydrolysis, nitrate reduction, growth at 5 o C, uease production and indol production, but were positive in arginine dihydrolase, catalase, growth at 35 o C, and also produced hypersensitive reaction on tobacco. Wound inoculated bacterial suspension into chinaberry seedlings produced galls from which the bacterium was reisolated. Systemic movement of the isolates into the vascular system of chinaberry was shown by the formation of gall above the inoculation site on the stem. On the basis of biochemical, physiological and pathogenicity characteristics, the isolated bacteria were identified as Pseudomonas meliae. Electrophoretic pattern of cell proteins showed that chinaberry isolates were different from P. syringae, P. viridiflava, P. fluorescens, P. savastanoi . The current article is the first report of bacterial gall disease of chinaberry in Iran .

Analgesic activity of the methanolic extract and total alkaloids of Glaucium paucilobum

The species of Glaucium have been used in Iranian herbal medicine as laxative, hypnotic, narcotic, and antidiabetic agents and also in the treatment of dermatitis. The analgesic activity of the aerial parts of Glaucium Freyn (Papaveraceae), a native plant of Iran, were studied using formalin, hot plate, and writhing tests in rodents. The methanolic extract and total alkaloids of Glaucium paucilobum caused graded inhibition of both phases of formalin-induced pain. In the hot plate test, i.p. administration of G. paucilobum extract at the doses of 50-90 mg/kg and total alkaloids at the dose of 10-60 mg/kg significantly raised the pain threshold at an observation time of 30 min in comparison with control (p < 0.001). In the writhing test, the extract at the doses of 30-90 mg/kg and total alkaloids at the doses of 10-60 mg/kg produced a significant decrease in the number of writhings in comparison with the control group (p < 0.001). The methanolic extract and total alkaloids of G. paucilobum, at antinociceptive doses, did not affect the motor coordination of animals when assessed in the rotarod model. The results showed that analgesic activity of this plant may be related partly to the alkaloids.

Constituents of the Essential Oil of Echinophora platyloba DC. Growing Wild in Iran

The composition of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from aerial parts of Echinophora platyloba DC., a native plant of Iran, was analyzed by GC/MS. Twenty-nine components were characterized representing 95.3% of the oil. (E)β-ocimene (49.9%) was the main constituent of the oil, followed by γ-decalactone (8.4%), α-pinene (6.0%) and linalool (5.6%).

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic activity and acute toxicity of Glaucium grandiflorum extract

The species of Glaucium have been used in Iranian herbal medicine as laxative, hypnotic, antidiabetic agents and also in the treatment of dermatitis. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the aerial parts of Glaucium grandiflorum Boiss & Huet (Papaveraceae), a native plant of Iran, were studied using carrageenan induced edema, formalin and hot plate tests. The G. grandiflorum extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg had more edema inhibition than indomethacin at the doses of 10 ( P<0.01) and 8 mg/kg ( P<0.001) in the carrageenan test. The ED 50 (i.p.) in the edema induced by carrageenan was 13.59 mg/kg. In formalin test, the extract (60–90 mg/kg, i.p.) caused graded inhibition of both phases of formalin-induced pain. In hot plate test, the i.p. administration of the extract at the doses of 60, 70, 80 and 90 mg/kg significantly raised the pain threshold at a observation time of 45 min in comparison with control ( P<0.001). The extract, at the antinociceptive doses, did not affect motor coordination of animals when assessed in the rotarod model. The 72 h acute LD 50 value of this extract after i.p. administration in mice was 797.94 mg/kg.

Composition of the Volatile Oil of Ferula stenocarpa Boiss. & Hausskn

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of Ferula stenocarpa Boiss., a native plant of Iran, was examined by using GC and GC/MS. Twenty-six compounds constituting 97.8% of the total components detected were identified. α-Pinene (48.8%) and β-pinene (30.1%) were found to be the major components in the oil

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of Biebersteinia multifida DC. root extract

The root of Biebersteinia multifida DC (Geraniaceae), a native plant of Iran, has been used topically for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders as a folk medicine. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the root extract were studied using carrageenan induced edema and formalin tests. A similar activity was seen between Biebersteinia multifida root extract (10 mg/kg; i.p.) and indomethacin (4 mg/kg; i.p.) in carrageenan test. The results of formalin test showed the analgesic activity of the root extract (50 mg/kg; i.p.) was comparable with morphine (10 mg/kg; i.p.) at the first phase of formalin test. Furthermore, the probable ulcerogenic activity of the root extract was also studied. The extract did not show any ulcerogenic effect at anti-inflammatory doses (10 mg/kg; p.o.).

The Essential Oil of Semenovia suffruticosa (Freyn et Bornm.) Manden

The essential oil of the aerial parts of Semenovia suffruticosa (Freyn et. Bornm.) Manden, which is a native plant of Iran, has been analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major constituents were linalool (13–9%), lavandulyl acetate (11.5%), (E)-β-ocimene (8.6%), terpinen-4-ol (7.7%) and lavandulol (6.6%).