Rheum Ribes Research Articles

Chemical Constituents of Rheum ribes L.

Chemical investigation of the dichloromethane extract of Rheum ribes has led to the isolation of β-sitosteryl-3β- glucopyranoside-6'-O-fatty acid esters (1), β-sitosterol (2), phytyl fatty acid esters (3), triacylgly c e r o l s (4) and chlorophyllide a (5). The structures of 1-5 were identified by comparison of their NMR data with literature data.

In-Vitro Antimicrobial Effect of Aqueous and Alcoholic Extracts of Rheum Ribes on Some Food-Borne Pathogens

اهداف پاتوژن‌های مواد غذایی گروهی از میکرو ارگانیسم‌ها هستند که باعث بروز بیماری‌های منتقل‌شونده از راه غذا می‌شوند. امروزه تحقیقات زیادی برای یافتن مواد طبیعی مؤثر دربرابر این عفونت‌ها انجام می‌شود. این پژوهش به‌ بررسی اثرات ضدمیکروبی عصاره‌های آبی و الکلی برگ و ساقه گیاه ریواس ایرانی (Rheum ribes) در شرایط آزمایشگاهی پرداخته است.مواد و روش ها در این مطالعه تجربی پس از جمع‌آوری برگ و ساقه گیاه ریواس در فصل بهار و استخراج عصاره‌های آبی و اتانولی آن، غلظت‌های مختلف به‌صورت سریالی برای عصاره‌ها تهیه و اثر ضدمیکروبی عصاره‌های آبی و اتانولی برگ و ساقه گیاه به روش انتشار دیسک و رقت‌سازی در محیط کشت مایع بررسی شد.یافته ها اثر مهارکنندگی عصاره‌های آبی و اتانولی ساقه و برگ ریواس بر استافیلوکوکوس اورئوس نسبت‌به اشرشیاکلی بیشتر بود. بیشترین قطر هاله عدم رشد در غلظت 150 میلی‌گرم بر میلی‌لیتر مربوط به عصاره‌های اتانولی و آبی ساقه ریواس روی باکتری استافیلوکوکوس اورئوس بود که به‌ترتیب برابر با 3/1±23 و 1/1±16 میلی‌متر بود. حداقل غلظت مهارکنندگی (MIC) عصاره اتانولی برگ و ساقه بر باکتری‌های استافیلوکوکوس اورئوس و اشرشیاکلی به‌ترتیب ترتیب 75≥ ، 50≥ ، 100≥ و 75≥ میلی‌گرم بر میلی‌لیتر و میزان MIC عصاره آبی برگ و ساقه روی باکتری‌های استافیلوکوکوس اورئوس و اشرشیاکلی به‌ترتیب 100≥، 100≥، 125≥ و 100≥ میلی‌گرم بر میلی‌لیتر بود. همچنین حداقل غلظت کشندگی (MBC) یا عصاره اتانولی برگ و ساقه بر روی باکتری‌های استافیلوکوکوس اورئوس و اشرشیاکلی به‌ترتیب 100≥، 75≥، 150≥ و 125≥ میلی‌گرم بر میلی‌لیتر بود. هیچ‌گونه اثر کشندگی (MBC) برای عصاره‌های آبی روی این دو باکتری مشاهده نشد.نتیجه گیری باتوجه‌به نتایج به‌دست‌آمده، عصاره‌های آبی و اتانولی ساقه و برگ گیاه ریواس، اثر مهارکنندگی خوبی بر باکتری‌های استافیلوکوکوس اورئوس و اشرشیاکلی داشتند. توصیه می‌شود با استخراج مواد مؤثر این گیاه تحقیقات بیشتری روی عصاره آن انجام شود و از عصاره این گیاه به‌عنوان یک نگهدارنده طبیعی در مواد غذایی استفاده شود.

Study of antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging power of Rheum Ribes flower extract

In recent years, the use of synthetic antioxidants and the degradation products derived from them is limited, because they are toxic and carcinogenic. So, studying on the use of natural antioxidants to replace the synthetic antioxidants is very important. Natural antioxidants are healthier and have more benefits and fewer harmful side effects. In this study, first, the Rheum Ribes of flower was extracted by maceration method with methanol. The extract’s phenolic compounds and inhibitory activity of free radicals were evaluated in different concentrations (100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 ppm) by Folin-Ciocalteu method and DPPH test, respectively and then, compared with the synthetic antioxidant of BHT at the constant concentration of 200 ppm. The results showed that the highest antioxidant properties of the extract was related to the concentration of 300 ppm and also the concentration of 250 ppm of the extract of Rheum Ribes of flower was equivalent to a concentration of 200 ppm of BHT in terms of free radical scavenging properties. Keywords: Rheum Ribes flower, Free radical scavenging power, Natural antioxidants, Phenolic compounds

An Investigation of the Growth Inhibitory Capacity of Several Medicinal Plants From Iran on Tumor Cell Lines

Background:Traditional herbal medicine is a valuable resource that provides new drugs for cancer treatment. Objectives:In this study we aim to screen and investigate the in vitro anti-tumor activities of ten species of plants commonly grown in Southern Iran. Materials and Methods:We used the MTT colorimetric assay to evaluate the cytotoxic activities of the methanol extracts of these plants on various tumor cell lines. The IC50 was calculated as a scale for this evaluation.Results:Satureja bachtiarica, Satureja hortensis, Thymus vulgaris, Thymus daenensis and Mentha lonigfolia showed the inhibitoriest effects on Jurkat cells with > 80% inhibition at 200 µg/mL. Satureja hortensis (IC50: 66.7 µg/mL) was the most effective. These plants also strongly inhibited K562 cell growth; Satureja bachtiarica (IC50: 28.3 µg/mL), Satureja hortensis (IC50: 52 µg/mL) and Thymus vulgaris (IC50: 87 µg/mL) were the most effective extracts. Cichorium intybus, Rheum ribes, Alhagi pseudalhagi and Glycyrrihza glabra also showed notable effects on the leukemia cell lines. The Raji cell line was mostly inhibited by Satureja bachtiarica and Thymus vulgaris with approximately 40% inhibition at 200µg/ml. The influence of these extracts on solid tumor cell lines was not strong. Fen cells were mostly affected by Glycyrrihza glabra (IC50: 182 µg/mL) and HeLa cells by Satureja hortensis (31.6% growth inhibitory effect at 200 µg/mL).Conclusions:Leukemic cell lines were more sensitive to the extracts than the solid tumor cell lines; Satureja hortensis, Satureja bachtiarica, Thymus vulgaris, Thymus daenensis and Mentha lonigfolia showed remarkable inhibitory potential.

Effect of Rheum Ribes Hydro-Alcoholic Extract on Memory Impairments in Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Some animal models have been used to study Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is an irreversible progressive neurodegenerative disease and the most common cause of dementia. Animal studies have shown that there is a relation between decrease in cholinergic functions in the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) and loss of learning capability and memory. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Rheum ribes extract (RR) on memory deficit in one of the rat models of AD. Plant (1500gr) was collected from Saman (kahkesh) region of Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari province in Iran. RR hydro-alcoholic extracts were prepared using maceration method. Rat model of Alzheimer was induced by Nucleus Basalis of Meynert lesions (NBML). Animals (n = 32) received extracts for 20 days and then passive avoidance and Morris water maze tasks were performed for memory evaluation. FRAP and HPLC methods were used for measurement of the antioxidant and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in blood. In water maze experiment, probe trial results showed that NBML group spent significantly less time in target quadrant, in which the platform was located on the preceding day. In addition, the time spent in target quadrant was significantly increased in NBML + RR groups (250 and 500 mg/kg) compared to the NBML group. In passive avoidance task, mean initial latency time and step-though latency were significantly decreased in NBML group. RR extracts significantly prolonged step-through latency in NBML + RR groups. Results of this study suggest that Rheum ribes extracts can improve memory deficits induced by bilateral NBM lesions in rats.

HPLC analysis and antidiabetic effect of Rheum ribes root in type 2 diabetic patients

Background and objective: Rheum ribes (polygonaceae) roots are used traditionally to treat diabetes, hypertension, obesity, ulcer, diarrhea, anthelmintic and expectorant. The purpose of this study was to investigate clinically the antidiabetic activity of Rheum ribes in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and phytochemical study for the correlation of antidiabetic activity with the active constituents in the plant. Methods: The antidiabetic activity of Rheumribes given alone and in combination with standard oral hypoglycemic agents was investigated in type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study was conducted on 120 patientswith type 2 diabetes mellitus for a period of 12 weeks. Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out followed by high performance liquid chromatography analysis for the identification of flavonoid constituents in the root of Rheumribes. Results: Rheumribes root showed significant blood glucose reduction (P <0.01) on 12th weeks of the observation period with 39.63% percent blood glucose reduction. The combination treatment of Rheumribes root and glibenclamide showed a significant difference (P <0.05) with the treatment group of glibenclamide and metforminwith maximum percent of reduction in blood glucose level of 48.91%.The results of preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, and quinones. Quercetin was identified by high performance liquid chromatography. The proposed high performance liquid chromatography method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision and limit of quantitation. Conclusion: Rheum ribes root was found to reduce significantly blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.Quercetin was identified by high performance liquid chromatography as an important flavonoid constituent.

Screening of the Essential Oil, Hexane Extract, Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity, andAntimicrobial Acitivity of the Flower Rheum ribes L. from Iran

The hexane extract of the flower Rheum ribes L., which was collected from north-western Iran, was obtained by Soxhlet apparatus, and the essential oil composition was obtained by hydro distillation and analyzed by using GC-GC/MS. The extract from the flowers was characterized by a high amount of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) (66.0 %) and some long chain hydrocarbon compounds. The main components of the hexane extract were 9-octadecenoic acid (ω-9) (42.8 %), 9, 12-octadecadienoic acid (linoleic acid or ω-6) (19.6 %), hexadecanoic acid, (palmitic acid) (8.6 %), 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid diisooctyl (5.7 %), dodecane (3.7 %) and γ-linolenic acid (3.6 %). The hexane extract from the Rheum ribes flowers detected an important source of ω-6 and ω-9 compounds. This study revealed that the flowers of this plant have a good source of oily components, especially the essential ones. It also showed that the flowers have natural source of unsaturated fatty acids. Twenty three compounds representing 97.5% of the distilled oil of R. ribes flowers were identified. The major constituents were germacrene D (22.3 %), α-pinene (13.5 %), terpinolene (12.4%), p-cymene (10.6 %), bicyclogermacrene (9.6 %) and limonene (8.6 %). The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and hexane extract were compared with some bacteria, and both samples had a moderate effect on the some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The antioxidant activity of the extract and essential oil were evaluated by DPPH method. The results indicated that hexane extract of this plant flowers possessed considerable antioxidant activity.

Chemical composition of essential oil and anti trichomonas activity of leaf, stem, and flower of Rheum ribes L. extracts.

Trichomoniasis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in humans and is caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis. Nowadays, increasing resistance to drugs such as metronidazole resulted in many problem, so new effective remedies are needed. In this study, we evaluate constituents of essential oil and anti-trichomonas activity of Rheum ribes. The essential oil from Rheum ribes L. flower growing wild in Iran was analyzed by GC/MS. The parasites were treated with different extract and fractions of the flower, stem, and leave of the plant. Anti-trichomonas activity was evaluated using an in vitro assay. In all, 19 compounds were identified; palmitic acid [27.08%], n-eicosane [9.9%], n-tetracosane [7.34%], linoleic acid [6.56%], and ethyl linoleate [4.76%] were the main components of the oil. Rheum ribes extracts and fractions concentration dependently inhibited the ability of parasites to growth. This was associated with polarity of solvent used for fractionation and plant parts used for extraction. Findings demonstrate the potential of Rheum ribes extracts as an anti-trichomonas agent for human use. Further studies are required to evaluate its toxicity and safety.

Discovery of Thecaphora schwarzmaniana on Rheum ribes in Iran and Turkey: implications for the diversity and phylogeny of leaf smuts on rhubarbs

A leaf smut discovered on wild rhubarb Rheum ribes in Iran and Turkey is evaluated to identify the species. Based on morphological analyses using light and scanning electron microscopy and molecular phylogenetic analyses using ITS and LSU ribosomal DNA sequences, it is shown that the smut fungus belongs to Thecaphora schwarzmaniana, a rare species previously known on Rheum cordatum, R. lobatum, R. macrocarpum, and R. turkestanicum in some central Asian countries. This is the first documented case of Thecaphora schwarzmaniana on Rheum ribes and significantly expands the range of the species on the Asian continent. The ITS and LSU sequences of the Iranian and Turkish material differed from sequences of Thecaphora schwarzmaniana from Rheum palmatum from China. The re-study of the morphology of the respective specimen revealed morphological differences allowing the conclusion that Thecaphora on Rheum palmatum belongs to a distinct species. The new species is not described here due to the paucity of available material. Molecular phylogenetic analyses, based on ITS and LSU sequences, recovered Thecaphora on Rheum spp. in a clade including species on host plants from diverse unrelated families, indicating that multiple inter-family host jumps took place in the course of evolution of Thecaphora species. Vast similarity of ITS and LSU sequences of Thecaphora spp. on Rheum spp. point to their close relation suggesting that co-evolution could shape the diversification of Thecaphora species on Polygonaceae following an initial host jump from another host plant family.

Antimicrobial potential of root, stalk and leaves extracts of Rheum Ribes

Antimicrobial potential of root, stalk and leaves extracts of Rheum Ribes

Iranian Medicinal Plants for Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review

In the Iranian traditional medicine a significant usage of herbs is promoted for their anti-diabetic activity. The aim of this review to assess the efficacy of glucose lowering effects of medicinal plants cultivated in Iran. An electronic literature search of MEDLINE, Science Direct, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library Database, Ebsco and Google Scholar from database inception conducted up to May 2012. A total of 85 studies (18 humans and 67 animals) examining 62 plants were reviewed. The quality of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) assessed by using the Jadad scale. Among the RCTs studies, the best results in glycemic control was found in Aloe vera, Citrullus colocynthus, Plantago ovata, Silybum marianum, Rheum ribes and Urtica dioica. The majority of plants that have been studied for antidiabetic activity showed promising results. However, efficacy and safety of the most plants used in the treatment of diabetes are not sufficient.

Effect of aqueous extract of Rheum ribes on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rat

Objective:The purpose of the present study was to examine whether Rheum ribes extract prevents cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.Materials and Methods:The animals were divided into three groups: Group A considered as control group, group B were treated with cisplatin (3 mg/kg B.W. for 3 alternative days), and group C further to cisplatin received the aqueous extract of Rheum ribes (150 mg/rat).Results:Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level increased in group B on days 14 and 42 compared to day 0 (P < 0.001); it was also increased in group B vs. group A on day 14 (P < 0.001). Rheum ribes extract decreased the serum BUN level on day 14 compared to group B (P < 0.001). Serum creatinine level in group B had a similar profile as serum BUN level but Rheum ribes had no effect on blood creatinine level. Serum cholesterol level was increased in group B on days 14 and 42 compared to day 0 (P < 0.001). Also, cholesterol level was significantly increased in group B when compared to group A on day 14 (P < 0.001). Rheum ribes decreased the blood cholesterol level on day 42 in comparison to group B (P < 0.001). Serum glucose level was increased in group B on days 14 and 42 vs. day 0 (P < 0.001). Also, glucose level was significantly increased in group B when compared to group A on day 42 (P < 0.001). Rheum ribes increased the serum glucose level on days 14 and 42 compared to day 0 (P < 0.05). Histology of kidneys exposed to cisplatin showed renal injury, but Rheum ribes had no effect on the kidney architecture.Conclusion:Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity was confirmed in our study. Although Rheum ribes had some effects on biochemical parameters; its effect on renal histology in injured kidney was insignificant.

Chemical composition and general toxicity of essential oil extracted from the stalks and flowers of Rheum Ribes L. growing in Iran

Chemical composition and general toxicity of essential oil extracted from the stalks and flowers of Rheum Ribes L. growing in Iran

Large scale screening of commonly used Iranian traditional medicinal plants against urease activity

Background and purpose of the studyH. pylori infection is an important etiologic impetus usually leading to gastric disease and urease enzyme is the most crucial role is to protect the bacteria in the acidic environment of the stomach. Then urease inhibitors would increase sensitivity of the bacteria in acidic medium.Methods137 Iranian traditional medicinal plants were examined against Jack bean urease activity by Berthelot reaction. Each herb was extracted using 50% aqueous methanol. The more effective extracts were further tested and their IC50 values were determined.Results37 plants out of the 137 crude extracts revealed strong urease inhibitory activity (more than 70% inhibition against urease activity at 10 mg/ml concentration). Nine of the whole studied plants crude extracts were found as the most effective with IC50 values less than 500 μg/ml including; Rheum ribes, Sambucus ebulus, Pistachia lentiscus, Myrtus communis, Areca catechu, Citrus aurantifolia, Myristica fragrans, Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Nicotiana tabacum.ConclusionsThe most potent urease inhibitory was observed for Sambucus ebulus and Rheum ribes extracts with IC50 values of 57 and 92 μg/ml, respectively.

In vitro and in vivo acute antihyperglycemic effects of five selected indigenous plants from Jordan used in traditional medicine

Achillea santolina L., Pistacia atlantica Desf, Rheum ribes L., Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach and Teucrium polium L. have traditionally been used as herbal antidiabetic medicines. However their alleged benefits and mechanisms remain elusive. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of water extracts of these plants in in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vitro enzymatic starch digestion with aqueous extracts from plants at concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg/ml was assayed using α-amylase and α-amyloglucosidase. Acarbose was used as control and glucose liberation was determined by glucose oxidase method. Oral starch tolerance test (OSTT) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were determined for the plant extracts at concentrations 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg b.wt. on Sprague-Dawley rats. Blood glucose levels in rats treated with plant extracts and drugs (acarbose or metformin and glipizide) were measured at -30, 0, 45, 90 and 135 min. Compared to acarbose (IC(50)=1.2 μg/ml), water extracts of Pistacia atlantica, Rheum ribes and Sarcopoterium spinosum exerted significant dose dependent dual inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase in in vitro enzymatic starch digestion bioassay, with IC(50)s; 46.98, 58.9 and 49.9 mg/ml, respectively. Comparable in vivo results were obtained for starch-fed rats, exhibiting significant acute postprandial antihyperglycemic efficacies. While Achillea santolina and Teucrium polium extracts lacked any favourable in vitro anti-α-amylase and anti-α-glucosidase effect, other modes of action can possibly explain their substantial acute antihyperglycemic activities in starch-treated rats. Except for Pistacia atlantica extracts, none of the investigated extracts qualified for improving the glucose intolerance in fasted rats on glucose loading. Pistacia atlantica, Rheum ribes and Sarcopoterium spinosum can be considered as potential candidates for amelioration/management of type 2 diabetes.

The Efficacy and Safety of Herbal Medicines Used in the Treatment of Hyperlipidemia; A Systematic Review

This review focuses on the efficacy and safety of effective herbal medicines in the management of hyperlipidemia in human. PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and IranMedex databases were searched up to 11th May 2010. The search terms were "hyperlipidemia" and ("herbal medicine" or "medicine traditional", "extract plant") without narrowing or limiting search elements. All of the human studies on the effects of herbs with the key outcome of change in lipid profiles were included. Fifty three relevant clinical trials were reviewed for efficacy of plants. This study showed significant decrease in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol after treatment with Daming capsule (DMC), chunghyul-dan, Glycyrrhiza glabra, garlic powder (Allicor), black tea, green tea, soy drink enriched with plant sterols, licorice, Satureja khuzestanica, Monascus purpureus Went rice, Fenugreek, Commiphora mukul (guggul), Achillea wilhelmsii C. Koch, Ningzhi capsule (NZC), cherry, compositie salviae dropping pill (CSDP), shanzha xiaozhi capsule, Ba-wei-wan (hachimijiogan), rhubarb stalk, Silybum marianum, Rheum Ribes and Jingmingdan granule (primrose oil). Conflicting data exist for red yeast rice, garlic and guggul. No significant adverse effect or mortality were observed except in studies with DMC, guggul, and Terminalia belerica, Terminalia chebula, Emblica officinalis, ginger, and garlic powder (Allium sativum). Amongst reviewed studies, 22 natural products were found effective in the treatment of hyperlipidemia that deserve further works to isolate and characterization of their constituents to reach novel therapeutic and more effective agents.

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants in Sivrice (Elazığ-Turkey)

This study aimed to identify wild plants collected for medical purposes by the local people of Sivrice County, located in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, and to establish the uses and local names of these plants. Field study was carried out over a period of approximately two years (2005-2006). During this period, 146 vascular plant specimens were collected. In addition, the relative importance value of the species was determined and informant consensus factor (FIC) was calculated for the medicinal plants included in the study. A total of 81 medical plants belonging to 32 families were identified in the region. 9 plants out of 81 were recorded to be used for curative purposes for the first time. It was determined that the local names of five different kinds of plants used in Sivrice were same as the different kinds of plants used in different regions. The most encountered medicinal plant families were Asteraceae (>19% of use-reports), Rosaceae and Urticaceae (>17%), Lamiaceae and Fabaceae (>11%), Polygonaceae (>8%), Poaceae (>5%); the most common preparations were infusion and decoction. Urtica dioica L. was found out to be the plant most commonly used by the local people. Thymus haussknechtii Velen, Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata, Malva neglecta Wallr., Rosa canina L., Hypericum perforatum L., Rheum ribes L., Rubus discolor Weihe & Nees, Portulaca oleracea L. were the other plants commonly used for curative purposes. The medicinal uses of Echinophora tenuifolia L. subsp. sibthorpiana (Guss.) Tutin, Onopordum tauricum Willd., Vaccaria pyramidata Medik. var. grandiflora (Fisch. ex DC.) Cullen, Astragalus gummifer Lab, Quercus pubescens Willd, Erodium cicutarium (L.) L'Hérit. subsp. cicutarium, Scutellaria orientalis L., Rumex scutatus L., Rubus discolor Weihe & Nees were recorded for the first time. These plants, used in the treatment of many different diseases, are freely harvested in this region at abundant amounts. Plants which are used in different parts of the world for the treatment of similar diseases may be deemed to be effective in pharmacological terms.

Efficacy of hydroalcoholic extract of Rheum ribes L. in treatment of major depressive disorder

Traditionally Rheum ribes L. has been used in Iran as sedative and mood enhancer. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of a hydroalcholic extract of R. ribes in treatment of mild to moderate major depression disorder 33 patients were randomly assigned to receive either Rheum ribes hydroalcoholic extract (1200 mg/day) or placebo in a 6-week, double blind and parallel-group trial. Patients were assessed before the study and during weeks 1, 2, 4 and 6 by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and a score sheet on adverse effects. In week 4 and 6, the extract showed a significant superiority over placebo in reducing depressive symptoms. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of adverse effects. The results suggest that Rheum ribes hydroalcoholic extract has some anti depressive effects. However, further studies are needed to confirm these findings. Key word: Rheum ribes, depressive disorder, clinical trial.

Cheminformatics based selection and cytotoxic effects of herbal extracts

Bioinformatics and traditional medicine can be used in discovery and design of novel candidate drugs to efficient cancer chemotherapy. In this study, similarity search tools employed to screen and introduce novel herbs with antitumor property. Several novel herbs have been selected by using logical computational algorithms and assayed on six cancerous cell lines. Complementary assays involved hemolytic and antifungal MIC tests have been performed to determine selectivity and their biocompatibility with RBC of herbal extracts. Final findings may point at selective activity of herbal extracts Rheum ribes, Ficus bengalensis, Morus alba, Musa sapientum, Arnebia decumbens, Citrus limon, Fraxinus excelsior, Rumex acetosella, Arnebia echioides in inducing cytotoxicity on cancerous cell lines. In the present research, in vitro results confirmed predicted findings from our in silico work. Complementary assays including antifungal MIC and hemolytic tests were carried out also to determine selectivity of herbal extracts. Findings resulted from hemolytic test showed that candidate herbal extracts did not induce hemolysis similar to negative control, also antifungal test results indicated that six herbal extracts had antifungal activity in concentration of 250 μg/ml.

Geobotany and Biogeochemistry of Serpentine Soils of Neyriz, Iran

In this study, soils and plants of ultramafic areas of Neyriz, in the south of Iran, were collected, identified, and analyzed for “serpentine” metals. Soil analysis of total element concentrations indicated that maximum total concentrations (µg g-1) of Ni = 1250, Cr = 200, Co = 295, Mn = 1850, Fe = 105,300, Mg = 73,000, and Ca = 2800. The maximum concentration of exchangeable Ni in these soils was of 4.7 µg g-1. During this study, 116 plant species belonging to 30 families were collected and a few species were endemic to ultramafic soils of these areas. Analysis of the plant leaves did not reveal any hyperaccumulators of Ni or any other “serpentine” metals. The highest concentrations of Ni (140 µg g-1) and Co (47 µg g-1) were found in Rheum ribes. The highest concentration of Cr (76 µg g-1) was measured in Nepeta glomerulosa.