Comparison of the antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents in some Stachys species

The methanolic extracts of the aerial parts of nine Stachys species: S. persica Gmel., S. fruticulosa M. B., S. laxa Boiss. & Buhse., S. inflata Benth., S. turcomanica Trautv., S. subaphylla Rech. F., S. setiferaC. A. Mey., S. byzantina C. Koch and S. trinervis Aitch. & Hemsl. were investigated for their antioxidant activity and total phenolic content using FRAP and Folin-Ciocalteu assays respectively. S. persica Gmel. and S. fruticulosa M. B. had the highest antioxidant activity (61.42 and 62.02 mmol FeII/100g) and total phenolic content (3294.96 and 4450.36 mg gallic acid/100 g) among these nine species. There was a direct correlation between total phenol and antioxidant activity (R2 = 0.9446, p 0.001) which indicates that polyphenols are the main antioxidants

Effects of physalis alkekengi, aerial parts extracts, on morphine withdrawal syndrome in mice

The effect of Physalis alkekengi aerial part extract on the withdrawal syndrome was determined in mice. After induction of dependency by morphine, mice were intraperitoneally administered different concentrations of Physalis alkekengi extract (dichloromethane, methanol and waterf). Morphine-withdrawal, induced by naloxone, was assessed by recording the incidence of escape jumps for 60 minutes. All the concentrations of the methanol extract produced statistically significant decrease in development of morphine dependence compared to the control group. Aqueous extract also induced jumping decrease in mice of test group at doses 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. We can therefore suggest this plant using successfully in treatment of addiction

Azeroside C: a new phloroacetophenone glycoside from the roots of Dorema glabrum Fisch. & C.A. Mey

Background and objectives: Dorema glabrum Fisch. & C.A. Meyfrom Umbelliferae family is a monocarpic species distributed in north-west of Iran, Azerbaijan republic and Armenia. The gum-resin of this species is traditionally used for the treatment of bronchitis, catarrh and diarrhea, as well as for its diuretic properties. Recently, we have reported the isolation of five phloroacetophenone glycosides including echisoside, pleoside, hyrcanoside, azerosides A and B from the roots of D. glabrum. The work is a part of our ongoing research on phytochemical constituents of this medicinal plant. Methods: The air dried and ground roots of D. glabrum collected from Jolfa region (East-Azerbaijan, Iran) was macerated, successively with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol-water (8:2). The hydroalcoholic extract was subjected to phytochemical analysis using Sephadex-LH20 and RP-18 column chromatography. Structure of the isolated compound was elucidated by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMBC, HSQC, EI-MS and CHNS elemental analysis. Results: A new structure of 2-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1''→3')-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-4-O-methyl-phloroacetophenone, which was named azeroside C, was isolated and identified from D. glabrum roots. Conclusion: The presence of new phloroacetophenone glycosides in D. glabrum highlights this species as a source of this group of natural products which can be used for further pharmacological and toxicological studies

Standardization of a galactogogue herbal mixture based on its total phenol and flavonol contents and antioxidant activity

Abstract Background and objectives: Dairy companies always try to increase the quantity and quality of milk production. According to the positive impact of different plants on milk production of cattle, this study was carried out to standardize a galactogogue herbal mixture based on its total phenol and flavonol contents and antioxidant activity. Methods: A mixture of Galega officinalis L. and Nigella sativa L. powders (4:1 w/w), which had shown milk stimulating activity on Holstein cows in a previous study, was extracted with hydro alcoholic solvent (80% aq. methanol) and its 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and total phenol and total flavonol contents were measured according to standard methods. Results: The inhibition concentration 50% (IC 50 ) value of radical scavenging activity in DPPH test and the total phenol and total flavonol contents were found to be 154.29 µg/mL, 77.720±0.104 µg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and 0.231±0.018 µg of quercetin equivalent (QE) per mg of dry extract, respectively. Conclusion: This herbal extract can be standardized based on its antioxidant activity or total phenol and total flavonol contents and the standardized extract can be formulated as a veterinary galactogogue supplement

Standardization of a galactogogue herbal mixture based on its total phenol and flavonol contents and antioxidant activity

Background and objectives: Dairy companies always try to increase the quantity and quality of milk production. According to the positive impact of different plants on milk production of cattle, this study was carried out to standardize a galactogogue herbal mixture based on its total phenol and flavonol contents and antioxidant activity.  Methods: A mixture of Galega officinalis L. and Nigella sativa L. powders (4:1 w/w), which had shown milk stimulating activity on Holstein cows in a previous study, was extracted with hydro alcoholic solvent (80% aq. methanol) and its 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and total phenol and total flavonol contents were measured according to standard methods. Results: The inhibition concentration 50% (IC50 ) value of radical scavenging activity in DPPH test and the total phenol and total flavonol contents were found to be 154.29 µg/mL, 77.720±0.104 µg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and 0.231±0.018 µg of quercetin equivalent (QE) per mg of dry extract, respectively. Conclusion: This herbal extract can be standardized based on its antioxidant activity or total phenol and total flavonol contents and the standardized extract can be formulated as a veterinary galactogogue supplement

Determination of cardiac glycosides and total phenols in different generations of Securigera securidaca suspension culture

Background and objectives: The seeds of Securigera securidaca (L.) Deg. & Dorf. (Fabaceae) are used as anti-diabetic remedy in Iranian folk medicine. The aim of the present study was to establish the callus and suspension culture of S. securidaca seeds for the first time and to determine the major secondary metabolites including cardiac glycosides and total phenols. Methods: The culture of S. securidaca from seeds was initiated in hormone-supplemented MS medium containing 1 and 0.1 ppm 2, 4-D solution for solid and suspension cultures, respectively, sucrose and vitamins (B1, B2, B6, Folic acid, Biotin, Nicotinamide and Ca pantothenate) at 25 °C and 12 h photoperiods. The cardiac glycosides were determined based on the calibration curve of securidaside which was isolated from the seeds extract of S. securidaca. Total phenolic compounds of different generations of suspension culture were determined using Folin Ciocalteu reagent. Results: Callus culture of S. securidaca was grown light cream to pale yellow in color and soft in texture while the cells of suspension culture grew cream to yellow with isolated cells and small aggregates. The production of cardiac glycosides in the 7th generation were more than the seeds extract (

Comparative study of the essential oil and hydrolate composition of Lythrum salicaria L. obtained by hydro-distillation and microwave distillation methods

Essential oils are considered as very complex natural mixtures containing numerous components at quite various concentrations. Lythrum salicaria has not been previously subjected to examination of its volatile oil. The present study was carried out to evaluate the essential oil composition of the flowering aerial parts of the plant by using conventionally hydro-distillation (HD) and microwave assisted hydro-distillation (MAH) methods along with the aromatic water obtained by hydro-distillation. Components of these three samples were recognized by GC/MS. Identification of components resulted in recognition of 14 (98% oil), 32 (98.4%), and 10 (95.5%) compounds for HD, its hydrolate, and MAH samples, respectively. The predominant constituents in the HD oil were bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (29.2%), n-hexadecanoic acid (22%), and pentacosane (9.5%). The major constituents of the hydrolate were elucidated as 2(4H)-benzofuranone-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,4,7a-trimethyl (6.4%), neryl acetone (6%), pentanoic acid (5.7%), nonanoic acid (5.6%), and octanoic acid (5.5%). Accordingly, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (43.2%), methyl-cyclopentane (36.5%), and pentacosane (4.7%) were assessed as the main components of MAH oil. Comparing the three samples compositions, it was concluded that the extraction procedure led to variations in quality and quantity of volatiles. Besides, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, the common plasticizer, was identified as the main pollutant in both HD and MAH oils. The presence of this substance in the oils provided the evidence of contaminations that was absorbed from water into the plant suggesting GC/MS as a suitable method for its detection in plant materials