Adiantum capillus-veneris Linn. (Maidenhair fern) in modern phytotherapy

Background and objectives: Maidenhair fern is an herbal medicine belonging to the family Pteridaceae which is extensively found in Atlantic coast as far as Ireland, America and Iran. The fronds of Adiantum capillus-veneris are prescribed for treatment of different diseases. Different phytochemical compositions such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, etc. have been found in this species. Due to the various phyto-compositions, the plant has been investigated for its pharmacological properties. Methods: Databases were searched for “Adiantum capillus-veneris”, “Maidenhair fern” without limitation up to 2016. Data on the herb were collected via electronic databases including Web of science, PubMed, Scopus, SID (for Persian papers), Science direct and Cochrane Library. Results: Maidenhair fern revealed to possess numerous pharmacological effects such as anti-diabetic, analgesic, hypocholesterolemic, goitrogenic, anti-thyroidal, antibacterial effects, etc. in modern medicine. Conclusion: Maidenhair fern grows in many places. Because of different phytoconstituents of the species, many pharmacological effects are ascribed to the plant. So, the herb can be a good choice for clinical studies

Investigating the synergistic antioxidant effects of some flavonoid and phenolic compounds

Phenolic and flavonoid compounds are secondary metabolites of plants which possess various activities such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-diabetes and anticancer effects. It has been established that these compounds can scavenge free radicals produced in the body. Because of this ability, not only the plants containing phenolic and flavonoid compounds but also, the pure compounds are used in medicinal products for prevention and treatment of many disorders. Considering that the golden aim of the pharmaceutical industries is using the most effective compounds with lower concentrations, determination of the best combination of the compounds with synergistic effects is important. In the present study, synergistic antioxidant effects of four phenolic compounds including caffeic acid, gallic acid, rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid and two flavonoids,  rutin and quercetin, have been investigated by FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) method. The synergistic effect was assessed by comparing the experimental antioxidant activity of the mixtures with calculated theoretical values and the interactions of the compounds were determined. The results showed that combination of gallic acid and caffeic acid demonstrated considerable synergistic effects (137.8%) while other combinations were less potent. Among examined substances, rutin was the only one which had no effect on the other compounds. The results of ternary combinations of compounds demonstrated antagonistic effects in some cases. This was more considerable in mixture of rutin, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid (-21.8%), chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid (-20%), rutin, rosmarinic acid, gallic acid (-18.5%) and rutin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid (-15.8%), while, combination of quercetin, gallic acid, caffeic acid (59.4%) and quercetin, gallic acid, rutin (55.2%) showed the most synergistic effects. It was concluded that binary and ternary combination of quercetin, rutin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid and rosmarinic acid could influence the antioxidant ability; therefore, to obtain the best antioxidant effects in products containing these materials, the interactions should be mentioned

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effects of some plants from Rosaceae

Background and objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age dependent disorder. AD is associated with decrease of brain acetylcholine level. Nowadays, one of the methods for progression inhibition of AD is using acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Rosaceae is a large plant family. Different biological effects of some species of this family have been reported. The aim of the present study was to assess the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory (AChEI) activity of the selected plants belonging to Rosaceae family. Methods: AChEI activity of six species from Rosaceae including Cotoneaster nummularia, Cerasus microcarpa, Amygdalus scoparia, Agrimonia eupatoria, Rosa canina and Rosa damascena were evaluated based on Ellman’s method in concentration of 300 µg/mL using total extracts and methanol fractions which were obtained by maceration. Results: The results showed that the total extract and methanol fraction of the aerial parts of A. eupatoria demonstrated significant AChEI activity with 46.5% and 56.2% inhibition of the enzyme, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results of the AChEI activity of the methanol fraction of A. eupatoria, it seems that the polar components of the species such as flavonoids may be responsible for its effectiveness

Evaluating the antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of some plants from Kohgiluyeh va Boyerahmad province, Iran

Background and objectives:Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder. Nowadays, many investigations are performed to find new drugs for AD and medicinal plants are considered as one of the most important sources for developing new drugs. According to the role of oxidant agents and acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) in AD, plants with antioxidant and AChE inhibition properties could be good candidates for AD studies. In the present investigation, acetylcholinesterase inhibition (AChEI) and antioxidant effects of some plants from Kohgiluye va Boyerahmad province of Iran have been determined. Methods: The plants collected from Kohgiluyeh va Boyerahmad province (56 species) were extracted with methanol by using maceration method. AChEI activity of the extracts was determined using Ellman method in 96-well microplates. Antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH and FRAP methods. Results: The results showed that aerial parts of Amygdalus scoparia had the highest AChEI effect (50% inhibition in concentration of 300 µg/mL). The plant also demonstrated suitable antioxidant effects. Epilobium minutiflorum found to be the most potent species for DPPH inhibition and reduction of ferric-TPTZ complex (IC50 3.6 µg/mL and FRAP value 335.0 mmol FeSO4.7H2O/100g Extract). Conclusion: Our results confirmed that almost all species with AChEI activity showed to be effective as potent antioxidant agents

Chemical constituents of Amygdalus spp. oil from Iran

Abstract Background and objectives: Amygdalus with a number of endemic species grow vastly in Iran. Edible sweet almond (A. communis), is cultivated in many countries due to its pharmaceutical, nutritional and cosmetic importance; while almond oil which is rich in oleic acid is known for its economic interest. In the present study, the amount and constituents of oil of six Amygdalus species including A. communis, A. Iranshahrii, A. scoparia, A. lycioides, A. reticulata and A. elaeagnifolia have been analyzed. Methods: The oil of the plants fruits were obtained with hot and cold methods using n-hexane and their percentages were compared. Then, the oils were analysed by GC after methylation of their constituents. Results: The results demonstrated that the hot method gave higher oil yield than cold method. The amounts of the species oils were almost similar except for A. Iranshahrii which contained the least amount of the oil. The most dominant constituents of the oils comprised of palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids with almost the same pattern, consisting of mostly oleic acid followed by linoleic and palmitic acids. In all samples only little amounts of stearic acid was detectable. Conclusion: Considering the results of the present study, the evaluated species are of high economic value and could be used as alternatives to sweet almond in pharmaceutical, nutritional and cosmetic industries

Burn healing plants in Iranian Traditional Medicine

Burns are known as one of the most common forms of injury with devastating consequences. Despite the discovery of several antiseptics, burn wound healing has still remained a challenge to modern medicine. Herbal products seem to possess moderate efficacy with no or less toxicity and are less expensive compared to synthetic drugs. Burn is a well-known disorder in Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM). Iranian physicians have divided burns into various types based on the cause and recommended treatment for each type. According to ITM references, herbal therapy was the major treatment prescribed by Iranian physicians for burns. In the present study, seven ancient Iranian medical texts were screened for the herbs with burn healing effects along with their applied dosage forms. The medicinal herbs were listed and scored based on the frequency of their repetition. Moreover, the best scientific name that was suitable for each plant as well as surveying modern studies about their biological effects has been carried out. In our investigation eighteen plants with seven topical application categories have been obtained as the most frequent herbs for burn healing in ITM. Modern studies have revealed that these plants have shown some biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant effects which might establish the relationship between the mentioned activities and burn wound healing property. This list can provide a suitable resource for future researches in the field of burn treatment

Formulation of a poly herbal gel for uterus flux

Background and objectives: Over the centuries, herbal drugs have been used as major sources of medicine for the prevention and treatment of diseases. In recent years, there has been an exponential growth in the field of herbal medicines and these drugs are gaining popularity both in developing and developed countries because of their natural origin and less side effects. The present research has been undertaken to formulate and evaluate an herbal gel for uterus flux based on Iranian traditional medicine references. Methods: An aqueous extracts of fruit peels of Punica granatum and leaves of Myrtus communis, ethanol extract of oleo gum resins of Boswellia carterii and hydro-alcoholic extract of Carum carvi fruits were obtained. The gel was prepared by using the plants extract, carbopol 940, propylene glycol, tri-ethanolamine and distilled water. Further, the prepared gel was evaluated for physicochemical and microbial characteristics. Moreover, accelerated laboratory stability tests were performed. Results: The results showed good appearance and homogeneity of the gel. It was yellow-brown in color with acceptable physicochemical characteristics. Besides, the gel was stable towards physical changes and successfully passed microbiological tests. Conclusion: The prepared gel contained tannins which are astringent agents; therefore, this product could be an appropriate candidate for disorders like uterus flux with respect to its traditional use

Synergic antibacterial activity of some essential oils from Lamiaceae

Background and objectives: Despite the vast production of new antibiotics in the last three decades, resistance to these drugs by microorganisms has increased and essential oils (EOs) have been recognized to possess antimicrobial properties. Methods:  In the present study, EOs obtained from aerial parts of Thymus vulgaris L., Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Mentha piperita L., were evaluated for their single and binary combined antibacterial activities against four Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results: The results exhibited that some of the tested essential oils revealed antibacterial activities against the examined pathogens using broth microdilution method. Maximum activity of the testedessential oils was obtained from the combination of T. vulgaris and M. piperita essential oils against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC= 0.625 mg/mL). Conclusion: Combinations of the essential oils in this study showed synergic action against some pathogenic microorganisms which could be considered in medical and food industries as preservatives