Phytochemistry and pharmacologic properties of Myristica fragrans Hoyutt.: A review

Myristica fragrans is known as “nutmeg”, its extracts and essential oil are important in drug development with numerous pharmacological activities in South Africa, India and other tropical countries. For a long time, M. fragrans has been used in traditional medicines as a carminative, stimulant, narcotic, emmenagogue and abortifacient. Nutmeg is also prescribed for the treatment of many diseases, such as rheumatism, muscle spasm, decreased appetite and diarrhea. M. fragrans has recently been shown to have antioxidant, anticonvulsant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antibacterial and antifungal activities. Trimyristin, myristic acid, myristicin, safrole and elimicin are reported from nutmeg. Due to the easy collection of nutmeg and being widespread and also remarkable biological activities, it has become both food and medicine in tropical countries especially in India and China. This article presents comprehensive analyzed information on the botanical, chemical and pharmacological aspects of M. fragrans.Key words: Myristica fragrans, Myristicaceae, phytopharmacology, essential oil

Analgesic and antiinflammatory activities of the essential oil from Artemisia sieberi Besser

The analgesic activity of Artemisia sieberi oil was assessed by acetic acid-induced writhing test and Eddy’s hot plate method; while the acute anti-inflammatory effect was investigated by inflammatory paw edema test in rats. The administration rout of the essential oil, standard drugs and the vehicle used in all assays was intraperitoneal injection. The 1 and 2.5 mg/kg doses of the studied oil significantly decreased the number of acetic acid-induced writhes in mice. The dose of 1 mg/kg of the oil also exhibited a central analgesic effect as evidenced by a significant increase in reaction time at several time points after 15 min treatment in the hot plate method. In addition, the 1 mg/kg dose of the oil significantly reduced carrageenan induced paw edema in rats at the first hour of the test by 72.7% inhibition and lasted to the third hour of the test by 74.3% inhibition found to be very close to that of the standard drug, diclofenac sodium (50 mg/kg). The major components of the oil were characterized as camphor (31.2%) and 1,8-cineole (20.0%). The results suggest that A. sieberi essential oil has a significant effect against acute inflammation and has central and peripheral anti-nociceptive effects

The essential oil composition of Carthamus tinctorius L. flowers growing in Iran

The composition of the essential oil obtained from the dried flowers of Carthamus tinctorius L. growing in Iran was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS). 29 compounds were identified in the oil. The major compounds of the oil were 1-hydroxy-3-propyl-5-(4-methyl-penten)-2-methylbenzene (25.2%), 2,5,5 trimethyl-3-propyl,tetra hydro 1- naphtol (19.8%) and benzaldehyde (8.0%).Key words: Carthamus tinctorius L., Asteraceae, essential oil composition, flower

Anti-inflammatory Activities of Nannorrhops ritchieana (Griff.) Aitch Inflorescence Extract in an Animal Model

Materials and Methods: The carrageenan-induced paw edema method was used to evaluate the acute anti-inflammatory effects of the NRE extract (50,100, and 200mg/kg, i.p.). The postive and negative control groups received mefenamic acid and normal saline, respectively. Then, the rats’ paw tissues were removed and collected for studying tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) level. In addition, the cotton pellet-induced granuloma method was utilized to assess the chronic anti-inflammatory effects of the extract (100 and 200 mg/kg daily for 8 days, i.p.). The postive and negative control groups received indomethacin and saline, respectively. On the last day of the cotton pellet test, the rat’s serum was collected for interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) determination. Results: In the carrageenan test, the extract significantly reduced the paw edema compared to that of the control (p<0.05). The anti-inflammatory activity (100 and 200 mg/kg) of the extract was similar to that of the mefenamic acid group (P<0.05). TNF-α levels demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects just at the dose of 200 mg/kg. In granuloma induced by cotton pellets, NRE was also effective based on the granuloma formation and the transudate amount. The anti-inflammatory activity of the inflorescence extract was found to be the same as the indomethacin group, whereas IL-1β did not represent significant changes

In vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the essential oil from Tanacetum balsamita L.

Tanacetum balsamita locally called Shahesparam is an aromatic plant that grows widely in Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Due to the widespread use of T. balsamita as a pain killer and relief of inflammatory based disorders in Iranian folk medicine and considering the high content of essential oil in T. balsamita aerial parts, we were prompted to investigate the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of T. balsamita essential oil (TBEO) for the first time. The carrageenan-induced Paw Edema was used for inflammation evaluation in rat, and hot-plate method was used for pain assessment in mice. Different doses of TBEO were administered. Morphine and Mefenamic acid were used as the standard drugs in antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory evaluation tests, respectively. TBEO (100 mg/kg) showed significantly anti-nociceptive activity in hot-plate test. The anti-inflammatory activity of TBEO was found to be more than mefenamic acid. The studied oil was analyzed by GC and GC–MS. The major component of the oil was characterized as carvone (39.8%) which might be responsible for the observed activities. The results suggested that TBEO possessed biologically active constituents that had significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects which support the ethno-medicinal claims of the plant application in the management of pain and inflammation

Safety Assessment of Menthamozaffarianii Essential Oil: Acute and Repeated Toxicity Studies

Background:Menthamozaffarianii, an endemic species from the Labiataefamily, is used in Iranian traditional medicine. This study evaluated the acute and repeated oral toxicity of the Menthamozaffarianii 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

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA" lang="EN-US">Phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of <i>Myrtus communis</i> L.</span>

82-87Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae) is known as True Myrtle. M. communis extracts and essential oil are important in drug development with some pharmacological activities in the Middle East especially in Iran. For a long time M. communis has been used in traditional medicines for the treatment of lung disorders and as an antiseptic, anti- inflammatory, mucolytic, carminative and astringent remedy. M. communis has recently been shown to have antioxidant, analgesic, antibacterial and antifungal activities and larvicide, insecticide and repellency effects. Myrtucommulone A & B and semi-myrtucommulone are oligomeric, nonprenylatedacylphloroglucinols which are reported from leaves of myrtle. α-pinene, 1,8-cineol, limonene and linalool were identified as the major constituents in M. communis essential oil. Due to the easy collection of the plant and being widespread and also the remarkable biological activities, this plant has been regarded as an important medicinal plant in Iran. This article presents comprehensive analyzed information on the Botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of M. communis

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA" lang="EN-US">An overview on phytopharmacology of <i>Pelargonium graveolens </i>L.</span>

558-563<span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="" lang="EN-US">Since ancient, Pelargonium graveolens L. is well organized for its therapeutic values. Only recently, its new medicinal aspects have been award by scientists. Regarding new multi-functional properties of P. graveolens and valuable ongoing reports we were prompted to update phytochemistry and pharmacology of it. Data were collected using of journals, articles, scientific books and websites such as Scopus and PubMed. P. graveolens extracts and essential oil are important in drug development with many pharmacologic properties in China and Middle East especially in Egypt and Morocco. P. graveolens has been used in traditional medicine for the relief of hemorrhoids, dysentery, inflammation and cancer<span style="font-size:11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:="" "times="" roman";mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;="" mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="" lang="EN-US">, as well as <span style="font-size: 11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif";="" mso-fareast-font-family:calibri;mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:="" en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="" lang="EN-US">in the perfumery, cosmetic and aromatherapy industries all over the world<span style="font-size:11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:="" "times="" roman";mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;="" mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="" lang="EN-US">. P. graveolens has recently been shown to have antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal activities and acaricidal effects. The valuable therapeutic aspects of P. graveolens are mostly correlated to the existence of volatile constituents, terpenoids and flavonoids. Due to being widespread and the easy collection of this plant and also remarkable biological activities and containing a high amount of essential oil, this plant has become a medicinal plant in pharmacy especially in aromatherapy. This overview presents comprehensive analyzed information on the phytochemical and clinical properties of P. graveolens.</span

Antioxidant activity and total phenolic and flavonoid contents of Chrysopogon aucheri (Boiss.) Stapf

Introduction:Chrysopogon aucheri is a species native to the South of Iran. It is used for the treatment of some oxidative-based disorders

Seed oil composition of Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile from Iran

Wstęp: Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile należy do rodziny Fabaceae, podrodziny Mimosoideae; otrzymuje się z niej gumę arabską. W południowym Iranie są spożywane pieczone młode strąki i nasiona tej rośliny Cel: Badano skład oleju z dojrzałych nasion A. nilotica zebranych z naturalnych stanowisk na południu Iranu w celu określenia jego przydatności do spożycia przez ludzi i zwierzęta. Metody: Wyekstrahowany olej analizowano metodą chromatografii gazowej sprzężonej ze spektrometrią mas (GC/MS). Wyniki: Zawartość oleju w jadalnych nasionach wynosiła 3.4% (v/w) świeżej masy. Olej zawierał rzadko spotykany fitosterol, sześć kwasów tłuszczowych, dziewięć węgolwodorów i jeden diterpenoid; związki te stanowiły łącznie około 83.5% oleju. Głównymi składnikami oleju były: fitosterol, 26-ethylcholesta-5,25(Z)-dien-3.β-ol (20.8%) oraz nasycone i nienasycone kwasy tłuszczowe. Zawartość pozostałych składników nie przekroczyła 5%. Wniosek: Olej z nasion omawianego gatunku może być nowym naturalnym środkiem odżywczym dla ludzi