Amla Oil, a Pharmaceutical Product Based on Traditional Knowledge for Hair Loss Treatment

Background and objectives: Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) resources have recommended different formulations for overcoming hair loss which is a beauty concern worldwide; one of these recommendations is amla oil which has been mentioned to be considerably effective. In the present study, amla oil has been formulated according to ITM and the quality control assessment of the product has been fulfilled. Methods: Phyllanthus emblica L. fruits (amla)and Myrtus communis L. leaves (myrtle) were provided from local market and their quality was evaluated according to pharmacopeia. The aqueous extract of myrtle was obtained by 24 h maceration; then amla was extracted in myrtle aqueous extract for 48 h. The mixture was filtered and sesame oil wasadded to the filtrate and heatedtill all water was evaporated. The resulting oil was assessed for viscosity, density, total phenolics and total tannins contents and acid and saponification values; the microbial content was also evaluated. Results: Amla oil was yellow in color with sesame odor. The acid value, viscosity, density, total phenolics and total tannins as pyrogallol were found to be 3.03 mg KOH/g, 102.8 cp, 0.966 g/mL, 0.2 and 0.05%, respectively. The product saponification value was zero and no microbial contamination was detected. Conclusion: The product showed proper physicochemical and microbial quality and could be suggested for treatment of hair loss after passing clinical trial

A REVIEW ON CYDONIA OBLONGA MILLER AS AN HERBAL MEDICINE

Almost all parts of medicinal plant Cydonia oblonga Mill., known as “Quince” belonging to Rosaceae family, such as seeds, buds, leaves, fruit and peel are used to prevent or treat several ailments such as cancer, diabetes, hepatitis, ulcer, respiratory, and urinary infections, etc. It is rich in useful secondary metabolites such as phenolics, pectin, steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, sugars, organic acids, glycosides and essential oils with a wide range of pharmacological activities like cardiovascular, hypoglycemic, nephro, hepato and UV-protective, aphrodisiac, antioxidant, anti-allergic, anti-atherosclerotic, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, diuretic, antidiarrheal, antidepressant, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory effects. It is used as a single drug or as an ingredient in various formulations such as syrup, extract, confection, semisolid preparations and pill. This review focuses on detailed investigations of pharmacological and phytomedicinal attributes of the plant, from past to present, which are reported in Books and Scientific Journals. Keywords: Quince, Cydonia oblonga, Herbal Medicine, Pharmacological Effects

Scientific evaluation of medicinal plants used for the treatment of cervicitis (Qorohe- Rahem) in Iranian Traditional Medicine

Cervicitis is an inflammatory condition of the cervix associated with upper genital tract infection and reproductive complications. Therapy for cervicitis in conventional system is the use of antibiotics and antifungal therapies and surgical interventions, none of these treatments provides the definite efficacy in spite of high cost and side effect. So there is a need for alternate therapy which is safe, effective, easily available and free from side effects. Our study focuses on medicinal plants mentioned in main Iranian Traditional Medicine reference books. Medicinal plants mentioned in Iranian Traditional Medicine for treatment of Cervicitis were elicited and searched in electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Science direct and Google Scholar to find studies that confirmed their efficacy. The findings included 311plants(Which are mentioned below) belonging to 21 families, research findings showed that these plants that have mentioned in the Iranian Traditional Medicine resources can contribute to the recovery and treatment of cervicitis through anti- inflammatory, anti- oxidant, anti- bacterial and anti- fungal, wound healing and analgesic effects. Finding the medicinal plants effective on cervicitis based on ITM could suggest a better strategy for relieving and management cervicitis symptoms especially in recurrent or persistent condition. In following step effect of selected plants were investigated. Results are confirmed the effect of Lawsonia inermis on treating Cervicitis which is currently in progress (Zareshahi et al. 2018).Cervicitis is an inflammatory condition of the cervix associated with upper genital tract infection and reproductive complications. Therapy for cervicitis in conventional system is the use of antibiotics and antifungal therapies and surgical interventions, none of these treatments provides the definite efficacy in spite of high cost and side effect. So there is a need for alternate therapy which is safe, effective, easily available and free from side effects. Our study focuses on medicinal plants mentioned in main Iranian Traditional Medicine reference books. Medicinal plants mentioned in Iranian Traditional Medicine for treatment of Cervicitis were elicited and searched in electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Science direct and Google Scholar to find studies that confirmed their efficacy. The findings included 311plants(Which are mentioned below) belonging to 21 families, research findings showed that these plants that have mentioned in the Iranian Traditional Medicine resources can contribute to the recovery and treatment of cervicitis through anti- inflammatory, anti- oxidant, anti- bacterial and anti- fungal, wound healing and analgesic effects. Finding the medicinal plants effective on cervicitis based on ITM could suggest a better strategy for relieving and management cervicitis symptoms especially in recurrent or persistent condition. In following step effect of selected plants were investigated. Results are confirmed the effect of Lawsonia inermis on treating Cervicitis which is currently in progress (Zareshahi et al. 2018)

Alteration in Thymoquinone Content of Nigella sativa Seeds After Processing by a Traditional Method and Stability Assessment of Raw and Processed Seeds

Background and objectives: Nigella sativa L. is one of the most important species in Iranian traditional medicine (ITM). According to ITM, the plant seeds can cause bronchospasm in patients with hot temperament; therefore it is recommended to process the seeds with grape vinegar before usage. This process may influence some components of the seeds; thus, in the present investigation, the effect of processing on thymoquinone, which is one of the most important active ingredients of the seeds, has been studied. Moreover, the stability of Nigella capsules containing raw and processed seeds and Nigella-honey mixture, “Maajoon”, were assessed. Methods: Nigella sativa seeds were processed by two methods: vinegar was added to the whole intact seeds, then the seeds were dried and crushed; the second method consisted of first crushing the seeds and then performing the vinegar adding and drying steps. The essential oil of the powders was obtained by using hydrodistillation method and thymoquinone content of the oils was measured by gas chromatography. In order to estimate the stability of the Nigella capsules and “Maajoon”, thymoquinone content of the products was measured after one, two and three months at room temperature. Results: The results showed that thymoquinone was absent in the processed seeds which were powdered before processing; but thymoquinone percentage had decreased in processed seeds which were powdered after processing (maximum content: 64.1%). The reduction of thymoquinone after three months was 40.1 and 78.5% in raw and processed capsules, respectively. No thymoqinone was found in the “Maajoon”. Conclusion: Since many effects of Nigella is due to thymoquinone, it seems that grinding before processing and making “Maajoon” are not suitable methods for Nigella preparation. Powdering after processing had decreased thymoquinone content which might result in decrease in bronchospasm as the side effect of thymoquinone; therefore, this method of processing seems to be suitable.  Due to low stability of Nigella powder, powdering just before usage is recommended when necessary

Antidepressant Effect of a Polyherbal Syrup Based on Iranian Traditional Medicine

Background and objectives: Depression is a common and costly public-health disease. It has been considered in Iranian traditional medicine and many herbal combinations have been used for healing depressive-like disorders. Traditional herbal medicines should be converted into common dosage forms for patient acceptance and easier usage. Methods: In the present research, a poly herbal syrup containing Echium amoenum, Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa officinalis, Cuscuta chinensis, Vitis sp., Prunus domestica and Alhagi camelorum was formulated and its physicochemical characteristics including physical appearance, pH, viscosity, density, dried residue, physical stability and microbiological levels were evaluated. Furthermore, the antidepressant activity was determined by tail suspension test (TST) and also the effect of the formulation on the serum levels of dopamine and adrenaline was assessed in mice. Results: The syrup showed to be stable regarding physical changes and microbiological quality control tests. It significantly reduced the time of immobility in TST (pConclusion: Regarding the modern evidences about the plants used in the poly herbal syrup and physiochemical stability and the considerable results of the in vivo experiments, it could be suggested as a suitable antidepressant agent.<br /

Utjecaj esencijalnog ulja biljke Echinophora platyloba i primarnog kondenzata dima na suzbijanje rasta bakterije Staphylococcus aureus u goveđem mesu

In the current study, the antibacterial effect of Echinophora platyloba essential oil and common liquid smoke (individually and in combination) against Staphylococcus aureus in beef meat samples is investigated. Using an automated microbiological growth analyser and the turbidimetric technique, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of the essential oil and liquid smoke were determined. Anti-S. aureus activity of essential oil and liquid smoke (individually and in combination) was defined by disk diffusion assay, generation time and cell constituent release. Apart from that, the interactions between these two compounds were measured by the checkerboard assay and by calculating the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices. Related MIC values of essential oil and smoke were found to be 7200 and 5500 mg/L, and MBC values were 8500 and 8000 mg/L, respectively. The conducted organoleptic assay showed that the addition of 0.05 g of essential oil and 0.6 g of liquid smoke to 100 g of meat samples did not have adverse effect on the overall acceptance. Weaker antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus was observed when only Echinophora platyloba essential oil was used than when it was used in combination with liquid smoke.U radu je ispitan pojedinačni i zbirni učinak esencijalnog ulja biljke Echinophora platyloba i primarnog kondenzata dima na suzbijanje rasta bakterije Staphylococcus aureus u uzorcima goveđeg mesa. Pomoću automatskog sustava za detekciju mikrobiološkog rasta i turbidimetrije određene su minimalna inhibicijska koncentracija i minimalna baktericidna koncentracija esencijalnog ulja i primarnog kondenzata dima. Pojedinačni i zbirni antibakterijski učinak esencijalnog ulja i primarnog kondenzata dima ispitani su disk difuzijskom metodom, određivanjem generacijskog vremena i mjerenjem apsorbancije otpuštenog staničnog sadržaja bakterije Staphylococcus aureus. Osim toga, ispitana je interakcija između ta dva antimikrobna agensa mikrorazrjeđenjem u bujonu (tzv. checkerboard testom) i određivanjem indeksa interakcije. Minimalna inhibicijska koncentracija esencijalnog ulja bila je 7200 mg/L, a primarnog kondenzata dima 5500 mg/L, dok je minimalna baktericidna koncentracija esencijalnog ulja bila 8500 mg/L, a primarnog kondenzata dima 8000 mg/L. Ispitana su organoleptička svojstva uzoraka mesa i utvrđeno je da dodatak 0,05 g esencijalnog ulja i 0,6 g kondenzata dima u 100 g uzorka nije utjecao na prihvatljivost proizvoda. Esencijalno ulje biljke Echinophora platyloba imalo je slabiji učinak na suzbijanje rasta bakterije Staphylococcus aureus od kombinacije esencijalnog ulja i primarnog kondenzata dima

Potassium Alum Vaginal Suppository: Irritation Assessment in Rabbit

Background and objective: Potassium alum, called “Zaj-e-abyaz” in Iranian traditional medicine, is used vaginally in traditional clinics as an astringent agent for uterine fibroids. Before evaluating its efficacy, it is necessary to prepare a suitable dosage form and assess the possible irritation in animal model which was the aim of the current research. Methods: Vaginal suppositories were prepared using 400 mg potassium alum, 200 mg honey and different proportions of poly ethylene glycol (PEG) 600, 1000 and 4000 in each suppository. The best formulation was used for evaluation of possible irritation in rabbit. The suppositories were used in rabbit’s perineum daily for 5 consecutive days in 3 albino rabbits and the appearance of the vaginal opening and perineum for signs of erythema and edema were recorded every day. The final results were calculated as a primary irritation index (PII). Results: The best formulation contained potassium alum 20%, honey 10%, PEG 600 18%, PEG 1000 12%, PEG 4000 30% and water 10%. According to the animal test, the irritation of the vaginal mucus membrane was considered moderate in rabbits. Conclusion: Regarding the results, potassium alum could not be used in form of suppository in PEG vehicle and other formulations should be prepared for acquiring the least irritation

Anti-Fatigue Effect of Viola odorata L. in Forced Swimming Test in Rat

Fatigue is a complex phenomenon that is explained as difficulty starting or keeping voluntary physical or mental activity leading to negative impacts on life and work performance. This study aimed to investigate the anti-fatigue effects of Viola odorata L. in an animal model. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of V. odorata were prepared and total phenolics content was determined. Then, the anti-fatigue activity of the extracts was evaluated via a weight-loaded forced swimming test in the rat. To this end, 48 male Wistar rats were randomly classified into 6 groups. The control group using distilled water and other groups with ethanol (EVO; 50, 100, 200 mg/kg) and aqueous extracts of V. odorata (WVO; 50, 100mg/kg) were gavaged once daily for four weeks. Then, the forced swimming was conducted and swimming time, as a fatigue factor was measured. In addition, to validate the effect of V. odorata on the endurance capacity of the rats, biochemical factors including glucose (Glc), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) were examined in the serum. Hepatotoxicity was also assessed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Our Data indicated that the forced swimming time of the EVO-100, EVO-200, and WVO-100 groups was significantly increased. The serum Glucose in the group which received EVO-200 was increased significantly, while serum LDH levels in all treated groups were significantly decreased. Also, the serum level of TNF-α in the groups which received EVO-100 or 200 was increased significantly. However, there was no considerable difference in serum TNF-α level and no hepatotoxicity within aqueous extract groups. Pathology results showed fewer effects of the aqueous extract rather than ethanol extract on the liver. The results provide evidence for the development and use of V. odorata aqueous extract as an anti-fatigue supplement

Fennel-Lemon Balm Syrup for Alleviating Hot Flash in Post-Menopausal Women, a Pilot Study

Background and objectives: Hot flash is one of the most common problems in post-menopausal women. The usual treatment is hormone therapy with estrogen and progesterone, which presents side effects such as heart attack, cancer, and depression. In Iranian traditional medicine, some prescriptions have been recommended for treatment of hot flash; in the present study, a syrup was formulated based on traditional medicine and the efficacy in hot flash was evaluated in a pilot study in post-menopausal women. Methods: Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) and Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) were used for preparing the syrup. Physicochemical and microbial quality control tests were performed and the syrup was standardized based on rosmarinic acid and total phenolics content. The effect in post-menopausal women was evaluated in a pilot study with Carpenter Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale questionnaire. Results: The results of the quality control and accelerated stability tests after six months were in agreement with the acceptance criteria. The pH, density, viscosity, dry residue, total phenolics and rosmarinic acid contents were 5.29, 1.12 g/cm3, 42.15 cP, 43.43, 4 mg/mL (as pyrogallol) and 1.28 mg/mL, respectively. In the pilot study, the number and intensity of hot flash decreased (p0.05). Conclusion: Considering the promising effect of the formulated syrup on hot flash and the acceptable quality and stability of the product, it can be suggested in larger clinical trials for confirming the efficacy