Antidiarrheal action of Zataria multiflora hydroalcoholic and hexane extracts in mice

Introduction: Zataria multiflora Boiss. is an indigenous herbal plant found in many parts of Iran. This herb is traditionally used as a remedy for treating gastrointestinal disorders including diarrhea. Despite the existence of few pharmacological evidences which support the antispasmodic action of Z. multiflora in vitro, there is no scientific report about therapeutic efficacy of Z. multiflora in animal models. The objective of this research was to investigate the antispasmodic activity of hydroalcoholic and hexane extracts of Z. multiflora on intestinal peristaltic movement as well as assessment of its antidiarrheal action in mice. Methods: Dried leafy branches of Z. multiflora were coarsely powdered and subjected to extraction by ethanol or hexane in a percolator apparatus. Antispasmodic activity of Z. multiflora in vivo was assessed by investigating effect of the extracts on intestinal charcoal meal transit. The antidiarrheal activity of Z. multiflora extracts was evaluated by castor oil and magnesium sulfate-induced diarrhea. The inhibitory effects of the extracts were compared with the standard drug loperamide. Results: The antispasmodic activity of Z. multiflora (20 & 40 mg/kg) hydroalcoholic and hexane extracts was confirmed by a reduction in the distance traveled by charcoal meal alongside the small intestine. Z. multiflora extracts (20 & 40 mg/kg) also significantly attenuated the castor oil and magnesium sulfate-induced diarrhea. Loperamide was more efficacious in reducing number of total stools in both models of diarrhea. Conclusion: The obtained results have established a pharmacological evidence for the folkloric use of the Z. multiflora as an antidiarrhoeal and spasmodic agent

Phytochemical analysis of some plants from Lamiaceae family frequently used in folk medicine in Aligudarz region of Lorestan Province Lorestan ilinin Aligudarz bölgesinde halk ilaci olarak sikça kullanilan Lamiaceae familyasindan bazi bitkilerin fitokimyasal analizi

Many of the plants from the Lamiaceae family have been traditionally used as medicine all over the world. Also, some of the secondary metabolites isolated from this family have shown interesting biological function. In this study we have analyzed phytochemicals of some plants from Lamiaceae family frequently used in folk medicine in Aligudarz region of Lorestan province. In this regard, the plant species were collected and systematically identified during 2014-2015. The traditional and local uses of collected plants were questioned through informed consent semi-structured interviews with local informants. Phytochemical analysis was conducted to test the presence of compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, anthraquinone and glycosides. 25 plant species belonging to 13 genes were collected and identified. The most uses of the plants were in treating cold, gastrointestinal disorders and as flavoring agents. From 25 plant species, a number of 23 species had tannin, 22 species exhibited positive reactions to flavonoids, 4 species showed positive reactions to alkaloids and 1 species exhibited positive reactions to saponins. This research has provided insights on the use of secondary metabolites in folk medicine for promotion of appropriate human health. The studied plants in this article can be seen as a potential source for discovering new drugs

Antispasmodic activity of apigenin and luteolin, two components of Dracocephalum kotschyi extract, on rat ileum contractions

Introduction: Aerial parts of Dracocephalum kotschyi have been used as antispasmodic agents in Iranian traditional medicine. Recent pharmacological studies confirmed antispasmodic activity of D. kotschyi extract. The objective of this research was to investigate antispasmodic activities of apigenin and luteolin to find out if they are responsible for the spasmolytic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of D. kotschyi. Methods: Aerial parts of D. kotschyi were extracted with ethanol. Antispasmodic effect of hydroalcoholic extract of D. kotschyi, apigenin and luteolin were examined on KCl and/or acetylcholine (ACh)-induced contractions in rat isolated ileum. Results: Hydroalcoholic extract of D. kotschyi concentrations-dependently inhibited KCl and ACh induced contractions with IC50 values of 41±10 µg/mL and 133±19 μg/mL, respectively. Apigenin concentrations-dependently inhibited KCl and ACh induced contractions with IC50 values of 57±12 μM and 80±18 µM, respectively. Luteolin concentrations-dependently inhibited KCl induced contractions with IC50 values of 68±14 μM. Loperamide reduced both KCl and ACh induced contraction with IC50 values of 189±44 nM and 82±20 μM, respectively. Conclusion: In this study apigenin and luteolin were identified as two active ingredients responsible for antispasmodic activities of D. kotschyi extract

Study of antispasmodic action of Lavandula angustifolia Mill hydroalcoholic extract on rat ileum

Introduction: Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill) is a herbal medicine widely used for gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. However, its pharmacological action on isolated ileum has not been studied. In this research effect of hydroalcoholic extract of L. angustifolia on isolate ileum contractions was studies and compared with loperamide. Methods: Hydroalcoholic extract of the plant was prepared by percolation method. The total flavonoid contents were assessed by colorimetric technique. A portion of rat ileum was suspended in an organ bath containing Tyrode’s solution. The tissue was kept under 1 g tension at 37°C and continuously gassed with O2. The tissue was stimulated with KCl (80 mM), acetylcholine (ACh, 2 μM) and electrical field stimulation (EFS). Effect of the L. angustifolia extract was studied on ileum contractions and compared with that of loperamide. Results: The yield of hydroalcoholic extract was 17% with total flavonoid content of 185 μg/mL in the stock solution. Loperamide in concentration dependent manner inhibited ileum contractile response to KCl, ACh and EFS. Hydroalcoholic extract of L. angustifolia (8-512 μg/mL) concentration dependently inhibited ileum contraction induced by KCl (IC50 = 88 ± 21 μg/mL), ACh (IC50 = 119 ± 251 μg/mL) and EFS (IC50 = 87 ± 33 μg/mL). The vehicle had no significant effect on ileum contractions. Conclusion: From this study it was concluded that L. angustifolia extract at microgram concentration shows an inhibitory effect on rat ileum smooth muscle. Therefore, isolation and identification of active ingredients are recommended

The Significance of Matrix Metalloproteinases in the Immunopathogenesis and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The major pathological outcomes of the disease are the loss of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and the development of reactive astrogliosis and MS plaque. For the disease to occur, the non-resident cells must enter into the immune-privileged CNS through a breach in the relatively impermeable BBB. It has been demonstrated that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in the immunopathogenesis of MS, in part through the disruption of the BBB and the recruitment of inflammatory cells into the CNS. Moreover, MMPs can also enhance the cleavage of myelin basic protein (MBP) and the demyelination process. Regarding the growing data on the roles of MMPs and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in the pathogenesis of MS, this review discusses the role of different types of MMPs, including MMP-2, -3, -7, -9, -12 and -25, in the immunopathogenesis and treatment of MS

Determination of contamination of Lead and Cadmium in Canola and safflower in around of Isfahan Still Company (ESCO) and Compare this pollution with oil extracted from them

Background and aims: Contaminants are a disturbing factor for ecosystems, among which “heavy metals” are considered as significant due to their physiological effects at low concentrations on organisms. This contamination is concentrated several times more in the products that are available in markets as oil than in natural plant, and in each consumption time, a considerable amount, higher than authorized amount of heavy metals may enter into consumer’s body. This study was designed and conducted for this aim to investigate the contamination rate with lead and cadmium in canola (Brassica napus) and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) in the farms around Isfahan Steel factory and to compare this contamination with oil extracted from them. Methods: The present study was conducted in 2012. The samples were randomly selected from oil seeds of B. napus and C. tinctorius L. in the farms within a 20 to 50 km distance from Isfahan Steel factory. Samples were assigned to two groups and only group 1 underwent washing operation with deionized water. The amount of lead and cadmium in seeds and their oil was measured by atomic absorption. Data were analyzed by SPSS. Results: The results indicated that the lowest lead concentration was 0.00 µg.g in washed B. napus samples and the highest lead concentration was 24.74 µg.g in C. tinctorius L. oil extracted by traditional method. The amount of lead was less in washed seeds than unwashed seeds, with a significant difference for B. napus seeds (P<0.05). No cadmium contamination was observed in B. napus and C. tinctorius L. plants and the oils extracted from them. Conclusion: A rate of contamination with lead was seen in the plants cultivated near Isfahan Steel factory, but no contamination with cadmium was seen. In view of the lead amount being less in the group washed with deionized water than the unwashed group, it is recommended to do washing steps of oil seeds in the factory at low volume, with clean water, and carefully prior to oil tapping

Development of a validated HPLC method for determination of an active component in Pycnocycla spinosa and tablets prepared from its extract

Introduction: Pycnocycla spinosa, a native plant of Iran with approved antispasmodic and antidiarrheal activities, could be a suitable candidate and an alternative remedy for the treatment of diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Therefore, the aim of this study is formulation of an acceptable dosage form and development of a validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for analysis of active ingredients in its extract and pharmaceutical forms.Methods: Different formulations of P. spinosa tablets were prepared by wet granulation method. The prepared tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, disintegration time and drug assay. HPLC was carried out based on the extract active ingredient: 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-hexanoic acid (HMPHA) determination in P. spinosa extract and tablets.Results: The mean weight, friability, hardness, and disintegration time of selected formulation (tablet 5 mg) were 217.26 mg, 0.69, 53.6 N and 95.8 seconds, respectively. Similar acceptable results were also found for 10 mg tablets. The assay test showed that the content of HMPHA in each 5 mg and 10 mg tablets were 1.64 &mu;g and 3.59 &mu;g, respectively. The HPLC method showed a good linearity and suitability in its working range: 4.5 to 15 &mu;g/mL.Conclusion: The data showed that the selected formulation of P. spinosa tablets has acceptable physicochemical features

Evaluation of the Effect of Green Tea Extract on the Prevention of Gingival Bleeding after Posterior Mandibular Teeth Extraction: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background. Removing tooth results in gingival bleeding. Several measures are taken to stop bleeding. In this study, the effect of green tea extract on cessation of bleeding and oozing after removing of mandibular molars was investigated. Methods. This was a randomized controlled clinical trial carried out on 62 patients who were referred for extraction of their mandibular molars. The volunteers were randomly and equally divided into treatment and control groups. In the first group, green tea extract-impregnated sterile gauze was used after removing the tooth while in the second group, green tea extract-free gauze was applied. Active bleeding and oozing monitoring was done every 5 minutes until cessation of bleeding and one hour after that, respectively. The results were compared using t-test. Results. The mean ± SD of bleeding duration in green tea group was significantly lower than control group (5.87±1.76 versus 10.09±3.61 minutes, P=0.001). In addition, the number of people with oozing one hour after surgery was significantly lower in the green tea group (6 versus 29 persons, P=0.001). Conclusion. This study showed that green tea extract contributes to significant decline in bleeding of the socket caused by tooth extraction as well as reduction of oozing

Effects of Echinacea purpurea Extract on Sperm Characteristics and Hematology Following Testicular Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rat

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Echinacea purpurea extract on sperm characteristics following testicular ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Materials and Methods: To evaluate this hypothesis, 30 adult rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham operations, I/R group and 3 groups of treatment with E. purpurea extract (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg). To achieve testicular I/R, torsion (720°) of spermatic cord for 2 hours and reperfusion of the tests for 24 hours were performed. Treatment was done by intraperitoneal injection of 3 different doses of E. purpurea extract, 1 hour after ischemia. Then, the sperm count, motility and mobility were determined. Results: There was a significant increase in sperm count, motility and mobility in treatment groups compared to I/R group (P<0.05). Treatment with E. purpurea extract (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the adverse effect of testicular I/R on sperm mortality compared to the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in hemograms. Conclusions: These results confirmed beneficial effects of E. purpurea extract on sperm characteristics after testicular I/R injury in rats

Effect of Chaerophyllum macropodum extracts on Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro

Introduction: Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) is a protozoan parasite causing trichomoniasis or trichomonal vaginitis. The infection is considered as non-viral sexually transmitted disease (STD). Metronidazole and Tinidazole are now the drugs of choice for the treatment of this infection. However, resistant to these drugs has also been reported. So it is necessary to search for effective alternative drugs with fewer side effects. Chaerophyllum macropodum (C. macropodum) plant have been used against some parasites. Therefore, in this study the effects of different extracts of this plant on T. vaginalis in culture media have been investigated. Methods: In this experimental study hydro-ethanol extracts of C. macropodum leaves were prepared. Anti-T. vaginalis activities of the extracts were tested in concentrations of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100 and 150 mg/ml following 24, 48 and 72 hours of incubation of cultured media. Results: All extract concentrations showed some degrees of growth inhibition activity on T. vaginalis. However crude extract was more efficient. Conclusion: C. macropodum showed an anti-T. vaginalis activity. More investigations are recommended to use this plant as an antiparasitic drug