Phytochemical properties of some Iranian medicinal plants

There is renewal efforts toward the use of herbal medicines and preparation of natural new drugs. Phanolic compounds are a group of secondary plant compounds with significant antioxidant activity. Herbal based drugs with antioxidant activity are used against radical induced disorders like atherosclerosis. In the present study, antioxidant properties and the contents of phenolics and flavonoid components of hydro-Alcoholic extract of eight medicinal plants (Allium hirtifolium, Stachys lavandulifolia, Nigella sativa, Zataria multiflora, Tripleurospermum disciforme, Punica granatum, Echinophora platyloba and Portulaca oleracea) were measured. The correlation between antioxidant activities and phenolic or flavonoid components were also evaluated. The results showed that there was a correlation between the amounts of total phenolics in hydro-Alcoholic extract and antioxidant activities (R2=0.640). Furthermore, the results revealed that there was not a linear correlation between antioxidant properties and flavonoids or flavonol contents of the examined plants. The antioxidant properties of the examined plants may show the potential property of these plants in prevention or treatment of free radical related disorders. The lack of a linear correlation between antioxidant properties and flavonoids or flavonol contents of the examined plants might result from existence of other compounds with antioxidant properties in these plants

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma infection of women in child-bearing ages in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiyari province, Iran

Introduction: Infection of pregnant women with Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy may cause congenital toxoplasmosis in embryo and a number of serious and even persistent complications in newborns. One of the most effective factors determining the rate of congenital toxoplasmosis is the rate of Toxoplasma infection or immune status of women in child-bearing ages against the parasite. This study was carried out to investigate the immune status of women in child-bearing ages (15-45 year-old) against Toxoplasm

Seroprevalence and some of risk factors affecting Toxoplasma infection in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiyari province, Iran

Background and aim: Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most common causes of latent infection in humans. However, the prevalence and incidence rates of the infection and factors affecting it vary from place to place. The aim of present study was to investigate seroprevalence and some of factors affecting Toxoplasma infection in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiyari province-Iran. Methods: In this descriptive analytical study based on the population age gender pyramid, 990 serum samples were collected by quota sampling from the individuals referred to clinical laboratories of the province. Then samples were examined for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay method. Demographic information was also collected using a questionnaire and data were analyzed using Chi-square and independent t-tests as well as the logistic regression. Results: The individuals aged between 1-85 years (Mean age 27.89±18.23 yr.). Anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were found in 339 samples (34.2%). There was a significant correlation between the age, living style, residence, job, and education level of the participants and seroprevalence of Anti-Toxoplasma antibodies (IgG) (P<0.05). The logistic regression model also showed a significant relationship between age and residence of the participants and Toxoplasma seropositivity (P<0.05). Conclusion: The study indicated that one third of the population was exposed to Toxoplasma and yet the vast majority of them are susceptible to Toxoplasma infection in future. Therefore, the health staffs should be aware of Toxoplasma seroprevalence and potential risk factors of infection in different areas of the region. Health educational programs are needed to improve the knowledge of population about Toxoplasma transmission routes and the standard preventive measures

Seroepidemiological study of Toxoplasma gondii infection of mentally retarded patients (Chahrmahal Va Bakhtiari Province, Iran)

Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonosis disease in the world. Although the infection by Toxoplasmo gondii is widely prevalent, the disease is not common and the most of acquired infections are asymptomatic. Whereas congenital Toxoplasmosis can occur with passing the trophozoite of the parasite from mother to child and the important aspect of this parasitic infection are the probable danger of congenital transmission and its severe effects of the fetus. In this case- control study, a total of 108 mentally-retarded cases inhabited in 3 rehabilitation centers and 50 apparently healthy donors as a control were screened to detect Toxoplasmosis antibodies. In this study serum of all participants (including mental retard & voluntary blood donors) were kept at - 20°C until laboratory examination. Samples were tested by commercial kit to detect anti Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies. The survey showed that 35.2 of the mental retard group and 30 of control group had anti Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies. From 31 cases in the group of mental retard who were positive for IgG antibody of Toxoplasmosis, 22 cases were male and 9 cases were female that indicated a positive relationship between presence of anti Toxoplasma IgG antibody and being male (P<0.05). Out of 50 volunteer blood donors 15 cases (30) had IgG and IgM antibodies of Toxoplasma gondii and statistic tests showed that there was no significant difference between cases and controls for IgG and IgM antibodies of Toxoplasma gondii. The rate of Toxoplasma infection in the mentally retarded group was approximately the same as in the normal control group that indicated Toxoplasmosis is not a serious problem in this individual group and played little or no role as a predisposing factor in the occurrence of congenital mental deficiency in this setting

Effect of turnip on glucose and lipid profiles of alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Introduction: In traditional medicine turnip (Brassica napus), is used to reduce blood glucose. Furthermore, Turnip also has antioxidant effects and many plants with antioxidant activities are known to have antidiabetic properties. Therefore in this study, the antihyperglycemic effect of boiled turnip extract and metabolic changes on triglycerides, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) in diabetic rats were investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats, weighing 200 to 250g were divided in to 4 groups: control, diabetic control, diabetic group receiving cooked Turnip and diabetic group receiving Glibenclamide. Diabetes was induced by injection of 120 mg/kg alloxan monohydrate on 3 consecutive days. Rats in the third group received 16ml/kg turnip extract daily for 4 weeks after which the animals were anesthetized and blood samples were taken to measure the factors mentoned. Data were analyzed by Analysis of Variance test using SPSS software. Results: Boiled turnip extract significantly reduced serum glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL, and increase HDL, in diabetic rats compared to the control diabetic group (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that boiled turnip extract can reduce blood glucose and lipid levels in diabetic rats and may be used as complementary or alternative treatment for diabetic patients

The effects of Portulaca oleracea L (purslane) on psychologic symptoms and malondialdehyde level in schizophrenic patients

Background and Aim: Despite the availability of antipsychotic drugs, a large number of patients with schizophrenia do not show a good response to monotherapy with these drugs. In this study we evaluated the effect of purslane on psychologic symptoms and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in schizophrenic patients in Sina Hospital. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was carried out on 60 chronic schizophrenic patients treated with risperidone in Sina Hospital in Joneghan, Iran between 2011 and 2012. Patients were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The control group received risperidone 6mg/day and biperiden 4mg/day for 8 weeks. The Patients in the intervention group received 1g extract of purslane daily in addition to risperidone and biperiden for 8 weeks. The scales for assessment of positive symptoms (SAPS), assessment of negative symptoms (SANS) and MDA level were recorded at the baseline and at the end of the 8th week of study. Data analysis was performed by using mean, SD, student t-test and paired t- test. Results: At the end of the study, the respective mean scores of positive symptoms were 47.93±18.56 in the intervention and 57.1±14.83 in the control group (P<0.05), and the mean scores of negative symptoms were 40.83±11.03 in the intervention and 46.13± 9.34 in the control group (P<0.05).In addition, the MDA levels of the patients in the intervention and control groups were 3.25±1.25 and 5.43± 1.76 respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to findings of this study, simultaneous use of purslane and respridone can lead to improvement of psychological condition and decreased MDA level in the patients with chronic schizophrenia

Antioxidant activity and the lowering effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Allium hirtifolium boisson some haemostatic factors in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Background and purpose: Hypercholesterolemia and the activity of haemostatic factors may trigger cardiovascular diseases. Allium hirtifolium Boiss (Persian shallot) has been shown to have cardioprotective effects. This study evaluated the effects of A. hirtifoliumon on factor VII and serum fibrinogen levels in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Also, the antioxidant capacity of A. hirtifolium was measured. Materials and methods: In an experimental study, 24 NewZealand male rabbits were randomly assigned into three groups of eight. The groups' diet which was followed for 60 days included normal diet, hypercholestrol diet (1%) or hypercholestrol diet (1%) + A. hirtifolium. The blood fibrinogen and factor VII were measured pre and post study in all groups. The A. hirtifolium antioxidant capacity was measured using beta-carotene linoleate. Results: The study showed that serum fibrinogen level and factor VII increased significantly in hypercholesterolemic group (329.22 ± 26.7 and 277.7 ± 17.1 mg/dl) compared to normal diet group (287.25 ± 13.7 and 230.0 ± 18.2 mg/dl), respectively (P<0.05). The amount of serum fibrinogen and factor VII decreased in hypercholesterol+A. hirtifolium group (180.0 ± 23.9 and 237.0 ± 53.3 mg/dl) compared to hypercholesterol diet group (P<0.05). The antioxidant capacity of A. hirtifolium extract was 52.1 ± 3.3% in 0.2 g/L. The plasma antioxidant capacity in the group fed with hypercholesterol + A. hirtifolium was 943.907 ± 249.51 µM which was higher compared to that of the normal diet group (629.675 ± 130.73 µM). Conclusion: A. hirtifolium decreases serum fibrinogen level and factor VII, therefore, it might be helpful in reducing risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. These influences are of great importance in patients with haemostatic disorder

Reversal effect of Achillea millefolium extract on ileum contractions

Introduction: Traditionally Achillea millefolium L. has been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. In this study the hydroalcoholic extract of A. millefolium was evaluated on ileum contractions of Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 32 male Wistar rats were designated into 4 equal groups, including: acetyl choline, KCl, extract plus acetyl choline and the group which received extract plus KCl. The isotonic contractions of ileum (induced by 60 mM KCl or 1 μM acetyl choline) in tyrode solution were recorded, under 1 gr tension. Then, the effects of normal saline or extract (1%) were evaluated. The percentage changes were calculated and compared in different groups using ANOWA and Tukey tests. Results: The mean of ileum contractions in acetyl choline and KCl groups were 18.83±4.91 and 18.31±11.12 (p=0.5). The percentage of contraction relieve in extract plus acetyl choline group was 53.16±12.06 and in extract plus KCl group was 62.96±11.08 (p=0.4). The contractions in extract groups were significantly less than acetyl choline or KCl groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that Achillea millefolium extract inhibits ileum contractions. Therefore, it might be used in patients to reduce ileum spasms