Comparison of the antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents in some Stachys species

The methanolic extracts of the aerial parts of nine Stachys species: S. persica Gmel., S. fruticulosa M. B., S. laxa Boiss. & Buhse., S. inflata Benth., S. turcomanica Trautv., S. subaphylla Rech. F., S. setiferaC. A. Mey., S. byzantina C. Koch and S. trinervis Aitch. & Hemsl. were investigated for their antioxidant activity and total phenolic content using FRAP and Folin-Ciocalteu assays respectively. S. persica Gmel. and S. fruticulosa M. B. had the highest antioxidant activity (61.42 and 62.02 mmol FeII/100g) and total phenolic content (3294.96 and 4450.36 mg gallic acid/100 g) among these nine species. There was a direct correlation between total phenol and antioxidant activity (R2 = 0.9446, p 0.001) which indicates that polyphenols are the main antioxidants

Azeroside C: a new phloroacetophenone glycoside from the roots of Dorema glabrum Fisch. & C.A. Mey

Background and objectives: Dorema glabrum Fisch. & C.A. Meyfrom Umbelliferae family is a monocarpic species distributed in north-west of Iran, Azerbaijan republic and Armenia. The gum-resin of this species is traditionally used for the treatment of bronchitis, catarrh and diarrhea, as well as for its diuretic properties. Recently, we have reported the isolation of five phloroacetophenone glycosides including echisoside, pleoside, hyrcanoside, azerosides A and B from the roots of D. glabrum. The work is a part of our ongoing research on phytochemical constituents of this medicinal plant. Methods: The air dried and ground roots of D. glabrum collected from Jolfa region (East-Azerbaijan, Iran) was macerated, successively with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol-water (8:2). The hydroalcoholic extract was subjected to phytochemical analysis using Sephadex-LH20 and RP-18 column chromatography. Structure of the isolated compound was elucidated by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMBC, HSQC, EI-MS and CHNS elemental analysis. Results: A new structure of 2-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1''→3')-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-4-O-methyl-phloroacetophenone, which was named azeroside C, was isolated and identified from D. glabrum roots. Conclusion: The presence of new phloroacetophenone glycosides in D. glabrum highlights this species as a source of this group of natural products which can be used for further pharmacological and toxicological studies

Standardization of a galactogogue herbal mixture based on its total phenol and flavonol contents and antioxidant activity

Abstract Background and objectives: Dairy companies always try to increase the quantity and quality of milk production. According to the positive impact of different plants on milk production of cattle, this study was carried out to standardize a galactogogue herbal mixture based on its total phenol and flavonol contents and antioxidant activity. Methods: A mixture of Galega officinalis L. and Nigella sativa L. powders (4:1 w/w), which had shown milk stimulating activity on Holstein cows in a previous study, was extracted with hydro alcoholic solvent (80% aq. methanol) and its 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and total phenol and total flavonol contents were measured according to standard methods. Results: The inhibition concentration 50% (IC 50 ) value of radical scavenging activity in DPPH test and the total phenol and total flavonol contents were found to be 154.29 µg/mL, 77.720±0.104 µg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and 0.231±0.018 µg of quercetin equivalent (QE) per mg of dry extract, respectively. Conclusion: This herbal extract can be standardized based on its antioxidant activity or total phenol and total flavonol contents and the standardized extract can be formulated as a veterinary galactogogue supplement

Standardization of a galactogogue herbal mixture based on its total phenol and flavonol contents and antioxidant activity

Background and objectives: Dairy companies always try to increase the quantity and quality of milk production. According to the positive impact of different plants on milk production of cattle, this study was carried out to standardize a galactogogue herbal mixture based on its total phenol and flavonol contents and antioxidant activity.  Methods: A mixture of Galega officinalis L. and Nigella sativa L. powders (4:1 w/w), which had shown milk stimulating activity on Holstein cows in a previous study, was extracted with hydro alcoholic solvent (80% aq. methanol) and its 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and total phenol and total flavonol contents were measured according to standard methods. Results: The inhibition concentration 50% (IC50 ) value of radical scavenging activity in DPPH test and the total phenol and total flavonol contents were found to be 154.29 µg/mL, 77.720±0.104 µg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and 0.231±0.018 µg of quercetin equivalent (QE) per mg of dry extract, respectively. Conclusion: This herbal extract can be standardized based on its antioxidant activity or total phenol and total flavonol contents and the standardized extract can be formulated as a veterinary galactogogue supplement

Monoterpene synthase from Dracocephalum kotschyi and SPME-GC-MS analysis of its aroma profile

Dracocephalum kotschyi (Lamiaceae), as one of the remarkable aromatic plants, widely grows and also is cultivated in various temperate regions of Iran. There are diverse reports about the composition of the oil of this plant representing limonene derivatives as its major compounds. There is no report on cloning of mono- or sesquiterpene synthases from this plant. In the present study, the aroma profile of D. kotschyi has been extracted and analyzed via Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction technique coupled with Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectroscopy. In order to determine the sequence of the active terpene synthase in this plant, first mRNA was prepared and cloning was performed by 3’ and 5’-RACEs-PCR method, then cDNA was sequenced and finally aligned with other recognized terpene synthases. The results showed that the plant leaves mainly comprised geranial (37.2%), limonene-10-al (28.5%), limonene (20.1%) and 1,1-dimethoxy decane (14.5%). Sequencing the cDNA cloned from this plant revealed the presence of a monoterpene synthase absolutely similar to limonene synthase, responsible in formation of limonene, terpinolene, camphene and some other cyclic monoterpenes in its young leaves