Phytopharmacology and medicinal properties of Salix aegyptiaca L.

Salix aegyptiaca L. is known as Musk Willow. S. aegyptiaca extracts and essential oils are important areas in drug development with some pharmacological activities in the Middle East, especially in Iran. For a long time S. aegyptiaca has been used in traditional medicines for the relief of anemia and vertigo, as a cardiotonic agent, as well as a fragrance additive in the preparation of local candies. S. aegyptiaca has recently been shown to have antioxidant, anxiolytic activity and hypocholestrolemic effect. High amounts of phenols and flavonoids such as gallic acid, caffeic acid, myricetin, catechin, quercetin as well as salicin, are reported from the leaves of this plant. 1,4-dimethoxybenzene, phenylethyl alcohol, carvone, citronellol, methyleugenol, eugenol, n-tetradecane and 4-methoxyacetophenone were identified as the major constituents of the essential oil in leaves of S. aegyptiaca. Due to the easy collection of the plant, being widespread and also its remarkable biological activities, this plant has become both food and medicine in Iran. This review presents comprehensive analyzed information on the botanical, chemical and pharmacological aspects of S. aegyptiaca.Key words: Salix aegyptiaca, Salicaceae, Musk Willow, essential oil

In vitro antiglycation activity of Eremurus persicus (Jaub. Et Sp.) Boiss

Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrine disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and long-term complications affecting the eyes, nerves, blood vessels, skin and kidneys. Increased glycation of proteins and accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEPs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. Glycation and AGEP formation are also accompanied by the formation of free radicals via autoxidation of glucose and glycated proteins. Since this plant Eremurus persicus is used as an antidiabetic agent in Iranian traditional medicine, we were prompted to evaluate the antiglycation activity of this species. Here, we reported the isolation of a known compound, 5,6,7- trimethoxy-coumarinfor the first time for the antiglycation properties of this plant.Key words: Antiglycation, Eremurus persicus, 5,6,7-trimethoxy-coumarin

Study of the antibacterial activity of total extract and Petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of aerial parts of heliotropium bacciferum against staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E.coli, Salmonella enteritidis

Heliotropium bacciferum is One of the plants belonging to the family Boraginaceae , which is Restricted distribution in the south of Iran. It is used for Hypotension, fever, stomach ulcers in traditional medicine. In this study, the antibacterial effects of extracts and fractions of chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous, aerial parts of Heliotropium bacciferum Forssk was evaluated against five bacterial strains. The methanol extract were prepared using the percolation method. Fractions of chloroform, Petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous respectively by Liquid - Liquid fractionation of the total extract were prepared. The antibacterial activity against two Gram positive bacteria, three Gram negative bacterial using Minimum inhibitory concentration in microplate and well plate method. Results showed that H. bacciferum extracts exhibited a significant activity against strains Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E.coli, Salmonella enteritidis. MIC and well plate is between 7.6-125 μg/ml. The results of this study indicate that extracts of the plant H.bacciferum has a antimicrobial effect against strains are listed And among the extracts, aqueous part is that most antibacterial effect of the other fraction and then methanolic extract has the greatest effect

Volatile composition of the peel and leaf essential oils of Citrus nobilis Lour. var deliciosa Swingle

The fruits and leaves of Citrus nobilis Lour. var deliciosa Swingle were collected from south of Iran and their essential oils were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS). The oil yields of the fresh peel and leaves obtained separately by hydrodistillation were 1.2 and 0.2% (V/W), respectively. 17 components accounting for 99.2% of the peel oil and 34 components accounting for 98.5% of the leaf oil were identified. The main classes of compounds were found to be monoterpenes [monoterpene hydrocarbons (96.0%) and monoterpene alcohols (1.8%)] in the peel oil and monoterpenes [monoterpene hydrocarbons (47.6%), monoterpene alcohols (36.9%)] and sesquiterpenes [sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (2.9%) and sesquiterpene alcohols (3.7%)] in the leaf oil. The major constituent of the peel oil were limonene (87.8%) and γ-terpinene (6.1%), while the major constituents of the leaf oil were linalool (32.8%), sabinene (28.8), (E)-β-ocimene (6.2%) and limonene (5.2%).Key words: Citrus nobilis Lour., chemical composition, essential oils, class composition

Antiglycation Activity of Otostegia persica (Burm.) Boiss

Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrine disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and long-term complications affecting the eyes, nerves, blood vessels, skin and kidneys. Increased glycation of proteins and accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEPs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. Glycation and AGEP formation are also accompanied by the formation of free radicals via autoxidation of glucose and glycated proteins. Compounds with combined antiglycation and antioxidant properties may offer therapeutic potential. Since the antioxidant activity of different extracts and fractions of aerial parts of Otostegia persica has been evaluated and this plant is used as an antidiabetic agent in Iranian traditional medicine, we evaluated the antiglycation activity of this species. Here, we report the isolation of known compound 3´, 7-dihydroxy-4´,6,8-trimethoxy-flavone for the antiglycation properties of this plant

Antinociceptive effect of the endemic species Nepeta depauperata Benth

Background: Nepeta depauperata Benth is an endemic species and is extensively exploited as an anti-inflammatory agent in Iranian traditional medicine. Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of methanol extract of N. depauperata in male mice. Materials and Methods: The anti-nociceptive activities of the extract were investigated by the formalin test and Hot plate test respectively. Comparisons between the groups were carried out using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and post Hoc Tukey test. Results: N. depauperata extract showed anti-nociceptive effect. Doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg reduced the paw flexing time in formalin test from the control (P < 0.05 in both phases). The doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg; 100 and 200 mg/kg reduced the pawlicking time in first and second phases of the formalin test from the control, respectively (P < 0.05). The observed effect was not reversed by naloxone. In Hot plate test, doses of 160 and 250 mg/kg significantly reduced the nociception in comparisons to control (P < 0.05). All doses of the studied extract also showed antinociceptive activity. Conclusions: This study revealed that the methanol extract of N.depauperata may minimize both the acute and chronic forms of nociception and may have potent role against inflammation. © 2016, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Antinociceptive effect of the endemic species Glaucium vitellinum boiss and buhse

Background: Glaucium vitellinum is an endemic species and is extensively exploited as an anti-inflammatory agent in Iranian traditional medicine. Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the antinociceptive activities of G. vitellinum methanol extract in male mice. Materials and Methods: The formalin and hot-plate methods were used for pain evaluation in mice. Glaucium vitellinum extract (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight IP), saline and morphine (2 mg/kg, IP) were administered 15 minutes prior to the formalin test. The nociceptive responses were divided to two phases; phase I (0 - 15 minutes) and phase II (15 - 60 minutes) were compared to the control and morphine. In the hot-plate test, G. vitellinum extract (80, 160, 200 and 250 mg/kg IP), saline and morphine (5 mg/kg, IP) were administered and, behavioral responses were immediately tested, 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after the injection. Comparisons between the groups were carried out using the analysis of variance (ANOVA), and post hoc Tukey's test. Results: All doses of G. vitellinum extract induced anti-nociception activity during the first and second phases of the formalin test. The extract showed a significant (P < 0.05) dose-related inhibition during the first phase compared to the control group. In the second phase of the formalin test, the extract showed analgesic activity comparable to the effect of morphine. In pre-treatment with non-selective opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone could reverse the anti-nociceptive effect of the extract in the formalin test. In the hot-plate method, with the highest dose of 250 mg/kg, the anti-nociceptive activity of the studied extract was comparable to the standard drug, morphine. Conclusions: This study revealed that G. vitellinum extract possessed a significant anti-nociceptive activity in formalin pain models and hot-plate test in mice and might have a potent role against pain. © 2016, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Anticonvulsant Activity of Essential Oil From Leaves of Zhumeria majdae (Rech.) in Mice: The Role of GABAA Neurotransmission and the Nitric Oxide Pathway

The essential oil from the leaves of Zhumeria majdae Rech. (ZMEO) has been shown to have several beneficial effects in the clinic. In this work we examined the anticonvulsant activities of ZMEO in an experimental mouse model of seizure and aimed to identify any possible underlying mechanisms. ZMEO (5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.)) or diazepam, as the reference anticonvulsant drug (25, 50 and 100 µg/kg i.p.), were administered 60 minutes prior to pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) injection (intravenously (i.v.) or i.p.) and changes in threshold, latency, and frequency of clonic seizure were examined. The PTZ i.p.-induced model of seizure was also applied for examining the protective effects of ZMEO pretreatment against PTZ-induced mortality. In some studies, the anticonvulsant effect of the combination of diazepam and ZMEO was also studied. The protective effects of ZMEO against hindlimb tonic extensions (HLTEs) were also examined by maximal electroshock (MES) seizure testing. The γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic mechanism and nitric oxide (NO) pathway involvement in anticonvulsant activity of ZMEO were assessed by pretreating animals with flumazenil, N�-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), aminoguanidine, and L-arginine in a PTZ-induced model of seizure. Administration of 20 mg/kg ZMEO significantly increased chronic seizure threshold and latency while reducing frequency of convulsions and mortality in the PTZ-induced model. In the doses studied, ZMEO could not protect mice from HLTE and mortality induced by MES. Pretreatment with L-arginine and diazepam potentiated the anticonvulsant effects of ZMEO, whereas pretreatment with L-NAME, aminoguanidine, and flumazenil reversed anticonvulsant activity. The anticonvulsant activity of ZMEO may be mediated in part through a GABAergic mechanism and the NO signaling pathway. © 2020 The Authors. Clinical and Translational Science published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Safety assessment of Mentha mozaffarianii essential oil: Acute and repeated toxicity studies

Background: Mentha mozaffarianii, an endemic species from the Labiatae family, is used in Iranian traditional medicine. This study evaluated the acute and repeated oral toxicity of the Mentha mozaffarianii essential oil (MMEO) in rats and mice. Methods: To assess the toxicity profile of the MMEO, we administered the essential oil to 48 rats and mice of both sexes by gavage in acute and repeated models. In acute toxicity, the animals were administered the MMEO (2000 mg/kg) and were monitored for 14 days. In the repeated toxicity, the MMEO was administered (100 mg/kg) daily for 4 weeks. On the 28th day, all the animals were scarified and blood and tissue samples were prepared. All the clinical, biochemical, and histopathological changes were assessed and compared with those in the controls. Statistical significance was determined by one- and two-way analyses of variance, followed by the Tukey test using GraphPad Prism 6. Results: In the acute test, there was no mortality; therefore, the oral LD50 value determined in the mice and rats of both sexes was greater than 2000 mg/kg. In the repeated test, the animals received the MMEO and there was no mortality. In the biochemical analysis, there were significant increases in blood glucose, cholesterol, ALT, AST, ALP, and TSH in the female rats and also in BUN in the male rats. The histopathological studies revealed evidence of microscopic lesions in the liver, kidney, stomach, and small intestine tissues of the MMEO group. Conclusion: The results indicated that the acute toxicity of the MMEO in the mice and rats was of a low order and it revealed slight tissue damage to several organs when given subchronically at a dose of 100 mg/kg. © 2018, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved