Ontogenetic variation of volatiles and antioxidant activity in leaves of Astragalus compactus Lam. (Fabaceae)

The genus Astragalus is a rich source of a variety of biologically active compounds including phenols, saponins, polysaccharides and essential oils. The present study was conducted to determine ontogenetic variation of the volatile organic compounds as well as total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity in leaves of A. compactus. The leaves of plant were harvested at vegetative, flowering and fructification stages and were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Total phenolic content (TPC) was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent and the antioxidant capacity was evaluated with the 1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test. Different classes of volatile compounds were identified including alcohols, esters, hydrocarbons, sterols and terpenoides. Significant variation of these compounds was found during phenological stages of development. Sterols and hydrocarbons were the main components of essential oils at the vegetative stage. The presence of terpenoides (phytol) and alcohols (docosanol) was significant at the flowering stage. Fructification phase was characterized by the high content of sterols and hydrocarbons and absence of phytol. The antioxidant activity and phenolic content were related to the physiological stage and the highest amount detected at fructification phase. The ontogenetic variations of phenolic contents and antioxidant properties are largely contributed by climatic factors such as temperature and solar radiation

Iridoid and Furanolabdane -Type Diterpene Glycosides from Rhizomes of Eremostachys azerbaijanica Rech. f.

Background and objectives: The rhizomes of Eremostachys azerbaijanica Rech. f.,as an indigenous plant in East Azerbaijan province of Iran, were studied for isolation and identification of possible phytoconstituents. Methods: The air- dried and ground rhizomes were extracted with n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (MeOH) using a Soxhlet apparatus. The 10%, 20% and 80% MeOH in water C18 cartridge solid phase extraction products )Sep-Pak fractions( of the MeOH extract were subjected to preparative reversed- phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and the isolated pure compounds were identified by one- dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (1D-NMR) spectroscopic technique. Results: The spectroscopic data of the compounds were compared with the respective published data and the obtained results showed the presence of four pure components, 6 - Hydroxy loganin (1), Shanzhiside methyl ester (2), Eremostachiin (β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester of phlomisoic acid) (3) and  Phlomisoside II (4), with iridoid and furano labdane- type diterpene glycoside structures. Conclusion: The occurrence of these types of chemical structures might be a confirmation to close relation and similar pharmacological and biological activities between Eremostachys and Phlomis genera

In vitro anticancer activity of Scrophularia amplexicaulis extracts on MCF-7 and WEHI-164 cell line

Scrophularia amplexicaulis is an Iranian endemic plant belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family, which is used in traditional medicine to treat many diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anticancer activity of S. amplexicaulis extracts against human breast carcinoma (MCF-7) and mouse fibrosarcoma (WEHI-164) cell lines. The ground aerial parts of S. amplexicaulis were soxhlet-extracted with n-hexane, dichloromethane and methanol. MTT assay exhibited that dichloromethane and methanol extracts remarkably inhibited the growth of MCF-7 and WEHI-164 cancer cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner with little cytotoxicity on normal cell line HUVEC. Cell death ELISA, TUNEL assay, and the cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) uncovered that the cytotoxic effects of dichloromethane and methanol extracts were attributed to apoptosis in cancerous cells. Furthermore, quantitative real-time PCR revealed significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of p-53, caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax, and also a decrease in Bcl-2 expression. These results suggested that the extracts mainly induced apoptosis via a mitochondria-mediated intrinsic pathway. Notably, dichloromethane extract had higher cytotoxic and apoptotic activities than that of methanol extract, against both cancer cell lines, particularly MCF-7 cells. Our results indicate that S. amplexicaulis may serve as a promising source of potent agents for the treatment of human cancers

GC-MS Analysis, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Screening of Volatile Oil of Lepidium vesicarium

Background: Lepidium vesicarium (Cruciferae), one of the important medicinal plants with a long history of medicinal use. The current study was designed to evaluate the free radical scavenging and antimicrobial activities of the L. vesicarium EO as one of the Iranian plant species. Methods: The compositions of the EO from the aerial parts of L. vesicarium were analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. Furthermore, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial potentials were investigated via DPPH reagent and disk diffusion procedure, respectively. Results: A total of 18 compounds amounting 97.70% of the oil have been identified, while Benzyl cyanide (43.94%), Isothio cyanic acid (22.69%) and Benzyl isothio cyanate (20.69%) were the main constituents. The EO showed no activity against the free radicals and studied microbial strains (gram positive and gram negative and also fungi species). Conclusion: On the whole, the presence of cyanide derivatives in studied EO revealed the rational use of this plant in medicine. Comparing with other genesis of Lepidium, anti-oxidant and anti -microbial properties of L. vesicarium essential oil were not noticeable

Wound healing Benefits of Curcumin for Perineal Repair after Episiotomy: Results of an Iranian Randomized Controlled Trial

Pain and discomfort related to episiotomy have been reported to interfere with women's daily activities postpartum, such as sitting, walking and lifting the baby. To compare the effects of curcumin and Povidone-iodine solutions for episiotomy healing in primiparous women. 120 healthy primiparous women with a vaginal delivery at term were evaluated in this double-blind randomized clinical trial. Randomization was done using a table of random list numbers. Perineal healing was evaluated by research midwives blinded to random allocation at 24-48 hours and 10 days postpartum. Pain was assessed via a visual analogue scale and wound healing via the REEDA scale. Analysis was done on the intention-to-treat principle. The main outcome measure was the changes in wound healing between the two groups as measured by the REEDA Scale. Secondary outcome measures were perineal pain and wound healing 24-48 hours and 10 days after delivery. There was a greater decrease in the total scores of the REEDA in the curcumin group than in the Povidone-iodine (P < 0.001), however; there weren't significant differences between the groups on the VAS scores. The application of curcumin may assist in the episiotomy healing process and could be suitable replacement for Povidone-iodine. Esmaeili Vardanjani SA, Sehati Shafai F, Mohebi P, Deyhimi M, Delazar A, Ghojazadeh M, Malekpour M. Wound healing Benefits of Curcumin for Perineal Repair after Episiotomy: Results of an Iranian Randomized Controlled Trial. Life Sci J 2012;9(4):5536-5541] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 82

Evaluation of the Effect of Aerial Parts of Scrophularia atropatana Grossh Total Extracts on Analgesic Activity and Morphine Induced Tolerance in Mice

Background: Scrophularia atropatana contains chemicals activating the GABA system and inhibiting glutaminergic system. As well as we know, drugs inhibiting glutamate system have analgesic effects and reduce tolerance to the analgesic effects of morphine. In the present study, effect of methanol extract of aerial parts of S. atropatana on tolerance to the analgesic effects of morphine was evaluated. Methods: The aerial parts of S. atropatana were extracted with methanol by maceration and was further analyzed to determine the content of total phenols, antioxidant activity (DPPH method) and analgesic activity. Several groups of mice received drug regimens for 4 days. Group I: Saline (10 ml/kg, i.p.) + Saline (10 ml/kg, i.p.), group II: Morphine (50mg/kg, i.p.) + Saline (10mg/kg, i.p.) and group III: Morphine (50mg/kg, i.p.) + Extract of S. atropatana (100, 200, 400 mg/kg, i.p.)]. On the fifth day the test dose of morphine (9 mg/kg, i.p.) in different groups were assessed. By using hot plate test, the analgesic activity of different doses of the extract was evaluated. Results: Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of total phenolics content of the extract (152 mg GAE/g) and antioxidant activity (RC50 =143µg/ml) in DPPH method. All doses of the extract had analgesic activity. It was found that treatment with extract (100, 200 mg/kg, i.p.) attenuated the development of tolerance to the antinociceptive effect of morphine. Conclusion: The results of the study demonstrate that S. atropatana strongly reduced tolerance to morphine and has analgesic effects. The suggested analgesic effects may be related to the phenolics content and antioxidant activity of the plant alongside inhibition of glutaminergic system

Effect of peppermint water on prevention of nipple cracks in lactating primiparous women: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Nipple pain and damage in breastfeeding mothers are common causes of premature breastfeeding cessation. Peppermint water is popularly used for the prevention of nipple cracks in the North West of Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of peppermint water in the prevention of nipple cracks during breastfeeding in comparison with the application of expressed breast milk (EBM). METHODS: One hundred and ninety-six primiparous breastfeeding women who gave birth between February and May 2005 in a teaching hospital in Tabriz, Iran, were randomized to receive either peppermint water or EBM. Each woman was followed for up to three visits or telephone calls within 14 days and then by telephone call at week six postpartum. RESULTS: Women who were randomized to receive peppermint water were less likely to experience nipple and areola cracks (9%) compared to women using EBM (27%; p < 0.01). Women who used the peppermint water on a daily basis were less likely to have a cracked nipple than women who did not use peppermint water (relative risk 3.6, 95%CI: 2.9, 4.3). Nipple pain in the peppermint water group was lower than the expressed breast milk group (OR 5.6, 95% CI: 2.2, 14.6; p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that peppermint water is effective in the prevention of nipple pain and damage. Further studies are needed to assess the usefulness of peppermint water in conjunction with correct breastfeeding techniques. Trial registration number: NCT0045640