Aloe vera: An update on its phytomedicinal, pharmaceutical and therapeutic properties

Medicinal plants are a good source for preparation of new drugs. Aloe vera [L.] is one of the valuable medicinal plants native to hot and dry zones and is usually planted outdoors in hot areas. Currently, various products obtained from this plant are produced in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries all over the world. Various products from this plant including beverages and cosmetic products are available. Consideration of this species and development of its processing industries in these regions can be an important step in job creation and proper use of poor agricultural lands. In this paper we aim to present the updates on Aloe vera plant, focusing on, botany, the phytomedicinal compounds, structural properties of the leaves

The effect of rosa damascena Mill hydro-alcoholic extract on the ileum contraction in rat

Background and purpose: Rosa damascena Mill in Iranian folk medicine is used for treating digestive disorders. We assessed the antispasmodic effects of extract of the leaves of this plant on ileum contractions in Wistar rats; possible mechanisms were investigated, too. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 48 male Wistar rats (150-200 g) were divided randomly into six groups of eight members, including control group and the groups received extracts of Rosa damascena Mill, propranolol, naloxone, L-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), and calcium chloride. To evaluate the effectiveness mechanisms, ileum was placed adjacent to antagonist drugs of β-adrenergic receptors, opioid and inhibitor of the synthesis of nitric oxide, and also under the influence of different doses of calcium chloride. The observed effects were recorded. Then, the percent changes were calculated. Statistical analysis was done using parametric tests of repeated measuring design, ANOVA and t tests. Results: Cumulative extract of Rosa damascena Mill (100, 500 and 1000 mg/k) decreased ileum contractions induced by KCl (P < 0.0001). Propranolol and naloxone significantly decreased the inhibitive effect of the extract on contractions induced by KCl (P < 0.0010), but L-NAME was ineffective. Also, calcium led to the contraction of depolarized tissue through KCI and this contractile effect decreased significantly by the cumulative concentration of Rosa damascena Mill (P < 0.0010). Conclusion: Extract of Rosa damascena Mill probably decreases ileum movements of the rat through stimulating the β-adrenergic and opioid receptors and voltage-dependent channels, and it may be used to treat digestive disorders

A review on promising natural agents effective on hyperlipidemia.

Hyperlipidemia is a prevalent disease and a major component of the metabolic syndrome resulting from various factors. This disease increases morbidity and mortality when combined with other prevalent diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. The side effects of the current lipid-lowering drugs have increased the tendency to move toward traditional and alternative treatments. Epidemiological observations indicate that using alternative treatments, consumption of medicinal plants, diet, and consumption of fruits have had satisfactory results on the effects of hyperlipidemia in many societies. It should be noted that in majority of societies, even developed countries, the tendency toward eating lipid-lowering medicinal plants has increased extensively. Using these plants especially when common remedies cannot control the disease is significant. Although consumption of medicinal plants by hyperlipidemic patients may show improvement in disease state, drug interaction and side effects may cause complications in disease control. Therefore, in this review, apart from introducing some of the reliable plants effective in inhibition and decrease of hyperlipidemia, the possibility of their intoxication and drug interaction is also presented

Comparison between the Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Dill and Statins on Lipid Profile

Abstract: Background and Aims: A transient increase of blood concentration of lipids after meal is able to increase the risk of atherogenesis. This study aimed to determine the effects of Anethum graveolens L. (dill) consumption on atherosclerosis and hepatic risk factors. Methods: In an experimental study, 32 male New Zealand rabbits were randomly allocated to four groups to receive normal diet, a diet containing 1% cholesterol, a diet containing 1% cholesterol plus 200 mg/kg dill powder, and a diet containing 10 mg/kg lovastatin. Risk factors of atherosclerosis including glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), nitrite, nitrate, fibrinogen, and factor VII were measured and compared between different groups. Results: Consumption of dill caused a significant reduction in glucose compared to the hypercholesterolemic diet group. Dill powder significantly decreased LDL-C, TC, AST, ALT, and fibrinogen. No significant differences were found between dill group and hypercholesterolemic diet group in ApoB, factor VII, nitrite, and nitrate. Conclusion: According to our findings, postprandial consumption of dill may have beneficial effects on atherosclerosis and hepatic risk factors. Keywords: Anethum graveolens, Atherosclerosis, Dill, Lipid profil

Comparison of royal jelly effects with gentamicin and ceftriaxone on the growth of Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, in a laboratory environment

objectives Royal jelly is a product of honey bee which has great food qualities and contains water, protein, lipid and minerals. Despite the vast studies done on royal jelly, some of its charac- teristics such as antimicrobial properties still is not clearly understood, and there are controversial reports about it. It is believed that these characteristics refer to the enhancement of the immune system and existence of some antibacterial elements in the product. Due to increasing resistance of microbes to different antibiotics, the need for other alternatives such as royal jelly is considered. In this study the antibacterial effect of royal jelly and two antibiotics (Gentamicin & Ceftriaxon ) is compared. methods Escherichia coil, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeru- ginosa , Staphylococcus aureus were provided by microbiology reference laboratory, Tehran, Iran. Three set of 6 tubs were selected and 3 mils of culture media were added to each tubes. Two tubes of each set were used as positive and negative controls for. Four tubes of each set were selected and to each set of tubes Escherichia coil, Bacillus cereus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus were added. To each above mentioned sets of tubs Gentamicin and Ceftriaxone with 50, 100, 200 & 300 microgram/ml doses and royal jelly 50, 100, 200, 300 mg/ml doses were separately added. After 24 hours incubation period the growth of bacteria were estimated by cloudy appearance of the culture media in tubes. To confirm the accuracy of the test, the bacteria were also cultured in BA and EMB culture media and their MIC were measured afterwards. results Our experiment results showed that doses of 50 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml of royal jelly had no effect on the growth of cultured bacteria, but no bacteria growth was seen with 200 mg/ ml and 300 mg/ml of royal jelly. The MIC for Ceftriaxone on, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus Cereus, Escherichia coil and Staphylococcus aureus, were 200, 50, 50 & 200 mg/ml and for Gentamicin were 300, 50, 100 & 300 respectively. conclusion Royal jelly has equal and even more antibacterial effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus compared to Gentamicin and Ceftriaxone. Although Gentamicin and Ceftriaxone have lower MIC on Escherichia coli compared to royal jelly but since today most bacteria are considered to be resistant to vastly used old and new antibiotics with many side effects, the use of royal jelly and other immune enhancers materials with no side effects could be more useful, but needs to be studied much mor

Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Cydonia Oblonga Seed on the Healing of Second-Degree Burn Wounds

Abstract Background & aim: It has been shown that antioxidants may contribute to the healing of wounds caused by burns. This study was designed to determine the effects of the ethanolic extract of Cydonia oblonga seeds on second degree burn wounds. Methods: In a preclinical study, 48 mice were divided into 4 groups of 12. Group-I (sham) received no treatment, Group- II (negative control) was treated with Vaseline, Groups-III was treated with 1% Cydonia oblonga seed ointment and Group IV (positive control) received silver sulphadiazine twice per day. In the treatment groups, 1 gr ointment twice per day until complete wound healing was used. Animals were assessed by measuring the percent of wound healing, the remained gap of incision injury and total time required for complete healing. The data were statistically analyzed with SPSS software using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s tests. Results: The results showed that concentration of 1% of Cydonia oblonga seed extract had significantly better burn wound healing effects (99. 502 %) in treatment group in comparison with the control group (92.97%).This is because the percentage of burn healing was higher and the length of healing was shorter in Cydonia oblonga seed group compared to the control groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that the Cydonia oblonga seed ointment might be beneficial in patients with second degree burn wounds. Further studies are recommended to establish the optimal dose of the extract. Key words: Burn, Cydonia Oblonga, Extract, Healin

Chicory: A review on ethnobotanical effects of Cichorium intybus L

The history of taking medicinal plants goes back to the existence of man on the Earth. Almost all tribes and nations have used medicinal plants in their history. Cichorium intybus L. which is known to have various effects including anti-hepatotoxic, anti-malaria, blood glucose decreasing, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects has been widely used in Iran and many other countries. It was traditionally taken as diuretic, laxative, and also a medicine that improves liver and gall bladder function as well as the appetite. Some of these effects have been approved with preclinical and clinical evaluations. In this study, we have tried to introduce the plant and its effects in traditional and modern medicine. This is achieved by reviewing the references published in recent years

Pharmaceutical, phytochemical, and economical potentials of Glycyrrhiza glabra L: A review

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Licorice) is one of the most important medicinal plants indigenous to Iran. The main component of this species is a triterpenoid saponin compound called glycyrrhizic acid or glycyrrhizin that is 30-40 times sweeter than sucrose and is used in medicine, food and tobacco industries. Licorice has different therapeutic implications as it is used against Hepatitis c, skin and pulmonary diseases, and heart failures. It also improves the immune system and has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer properties. The aim of the present study is to demonstrate the pharmaceutical, phytochemical, and economic potentials of this plant