Investigating the cytotoxic effect of some medicinal plants from northern parts of Iran

Abstract Background and objectives: Iran owns a rich and prestigious heritage of medicinal herbs but the majority of these plants have not yet undergone chemical, pharmacological and toxicological studies. In the present study some species form northern parts of Iran were evaluated for cytotoxicity. Methods: Sixteen medicinal plants were extracted with methanol and screened for their cytotoxic activities. The inhibition of cell growth for these extracts was evaluated against MCF-7, WEHI-164, HepG-2 and MDBK cell lines. Their 50% inhibitions of growth (IC 50 ) were determined by MTT assay. Moreover, cytotoxic evaluation of different fractions of the most potent species was performed. Results: Among examined samples, the IC 50 values of methanol extract of Centaurea bruguierana (DC.) Hand.-Mzt. on mentioned cell lines were found 47.30-87.40 µg/mL. In addition, the chloroform fraction of the species was cytotoxic with IC 50 values 17.00-23.03 µg/mL. Conclusion: It was concluded that the chloroform fraction of C. bruguierana was the best candidate for identification and isolation of active principles with cytotoxic effects. These results recommend further studies about this species

Cytotoxicity of Libyan Juniperus phoenicea against Human Cancer Cell Lines A549, EJ138, Hepg2 and MCF7

Background: The current study was undertaken to assess the cytotoxicity of the leaves of Libyan Juniperus phoenicea (Cupressaceae) against human cancer cell lines. Methods: The cytotoxicity of the n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (MeOH) extracts of the leaves of J. phoenicea (JP), obtained from sequential Soxhlet extractions, was assessed against four human cancer cell lines: EJ138 (human bladder carcinoma), HepG2 (human liver hepatocellular carcinoma), A549 (human lung carcinoma) and MCF7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) using the MTT assay. Results: The cell line A549 was the most sensitive to the JP extracts, with the highest level of cytotoxicity with the IC50 values of 16, 13 and 100 μg/mL for the DCM, n-hexane and MeOH extracts, respectively. However, generally the most potent cytotoxic extract across the other cells tested was the n-hexane extract, followed by the DCM extract, whilst the MeOH extracts showed little or no cytotoxicity. The percentage of viability of cells decreased as the concentration of test compounds increased. The cytotoxicity of various chromatographic fractions from the extracts was also studied against the A459 cells. For the n-hexane fractions, the IC50 values were 160, 62, 90, 30, 9.5 and 40 μg/mL for fractions 1 to 5 and 7, respectively. Fractions 4 and 5 showed the greatest effect. DCM fractions 2, 3 and 4 had the IC50 values of 60, 92 and 19 μg/mL, respectively, and DCM fractions 5 to 8 were non-cytotoxic. Fractions 1 and 2 of the MeOH extract were non-cytotoxic, whereas cytotoxicity was observed for fractions 3 and 4 with IC50 values of 50 and 85 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: The outcome of the present study suggested that the JP leaves possess cytotoxic activities. The high level of cytotoxicity of the n-hexane and DCM extracts suggested that lipophilicity might affect the cytotoxicity of JP, where the less polar compounds had the strongest cytotoxicity

Topical herbal remedies for treatment of joint pain according to Iranian Traditional Medicine

Joint pain is one of the most common complaints with many possible causes.Some medicines used for joint pain relief such as NSAIDs have substantial and frequent side effects. Topical route possibly reduces adverse reactions by maximizing local delivery and minimizing systemic toxicity. Throughout history, plants have been the most important sources of medicines for human health and Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) is well known for its extensive use of herbal medicines to treat diseases accompanied with joint pain for centuries. In the present study, the plants used topically for relieving joint pain in ITM were searched. Moreover, their pharmacological effectiveness in modern medicine was reviewed. The terms “Waja mafasil” (joint pain), “Waja-ol-mafasil” (joint pain), “Irq-on-nasa” (sciatica), “Waja-ol-warik” (coxalgia), ‘Waja-ol-zahr” (back pain), “Waja-ol-rakbah” (knee pain) and “Niqris” (gout) were searched in three important Iranian traditional books including “Canon”, “Al-Hawi” and “Tohfat al-mu’minin” and topical preparations introduced as “Tela” and “Zemad” were selected. The scientific literatures were searched for their effectiveness related to the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Thirty five plants were selected on the basis of their topical use to relief joint pain. Among these plants, 22 species have been found to exhibit anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities

Plants used to treat hyperpigmentation in Iranian traditional medicine: a review

Skin hyperpigmentation is characterized as increased production and accumulation of melanin, which could be aesthetically unfavorable and develops serious skin diseases. There is a need to find new depigmenting agents, since many current natural and synthetic products present undesired side effects. In Iranian traditional medicine (ITM), plants have been used for the treatment of skin diseases such as hyperpigmentation. In this study, topical herbal medicines, for the treatment of hyperpigmentation were searched in ITM references, and their scientific names were identified, using different comprehensive glossaries. Thereafter, depigmenting mechanisms of these genera were reviewed in recent scientific literatures. Seventy-nine plants were made known as herbal remedies for skin hyperpigmentation. Furthermore, modern literatures have shown depigmenting effect of about 40% of these plants or their isolated compounds, with different melanogenesis inhibitory mechanisms with tyrosinase inhibition as the most revealed method. Regarding the new approach to medicinal plants in recent years, a large number of medicinal herbs that were mentioned in ITM references would be good candidates for exploring new herbal medicines for skin hyperpigmentation disorders

The effectiveness of group training of cognitive behavioral therapy-based stress management on anxiety, hardiness and self-efficacy in female medical students

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) for anxiety, hardiness, and self-efficacy in female students of Birjand University of Medical Sciences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an interventional study. A sample of 30 participants were selected through the available sampling method and randomly assigned into experimental (CBT) and control groups (each group, 15 female student). The data collection instrument was the Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire. The questionnaires of Beck Anxiety Inventory, Ahvaz Hardiness Inventory, and Schwartz's General Self-Efficacy Scale were completed by all participants in two stages (pretest and posttest). A 6-session protocol of cognitive behavioral group therapy was performed only on the experimental group. The data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Levene's F, Mbox, analysis of variance, and multivariate analysis of variance tests. RESULTS: The intervention group showed that the mean of anxiety decreased, whereas (P < 0.001) the means of hardiness and self-efficacy increased in the posttest for the experimental group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that CBT is an effective treatment for anxiety, hardiness, and self-efficacy. Therefore, through managing anxiety, the levels of hardiness and self-efficacy can be increased in students of university to be able to cope with the different challenges in their life. © 2019 Journal of Education and Health Promotion Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow

Investigating the cytotoxic effect of some medicinal plants from northern parts of Iran

Background and objectives: Iran owns a rich and prestigious heritage of medicinal herbs but the majority of these plants have not yet undergone chemical, pharmacological and toxicological studies. In the present study some species form northern parts of Iran were evaluated for cytotoxicity. Methods: Sixteen medicinal plants were extracted with methanol and screened for their cytotoxic activities. The inhibition of cell growth for these extracts was evaluated against MCF-7, WEHI-164, HepG-2 and MDBK cell lines. Their 50% inhibitions of growth (IC50) were determined by MTT assay. Moreover, cytotoxic evaluation of different fractions of the most potent species was performed. Results:Among examined samples, the IC50 values of methanol extract of Centaurea bruguierana (DC.) Hand.-Mzt. on mentioned cell lines were found 47.30-87.40 µg/mL. In addition, the chloroform fraction of the species was cytotoxic with IC50 values 17.00-23.03 µg/mL. Conclusion: It was concluded that the chloroform fraction of C. bruguierana was the best candidate for identification and isolation of active principles with cytotoxic effects. These results recommend further studies about this species

Neuroprotection and anxiety like behavior reduction of Allium hirtifolium and Astragalus hamosus in the Aβ-injected rat

Background and objectives:Traditional medicine is an important approach to achieve new therapeutic strategies in basic and clinical pharmacology. Allium hirtifolium Boiss. and Astragalus hamosus L. have been mentioned in Iranian Traditional Medicine references for a kind of dementia with features and symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, the neuroprotective effect of these herbs has been evaluated as new therapies in neurotoxicity model. Methods: Two separate groups of rats were fed with A. hirtifolium or A. hamosus extract (100 mg/kg/day) from 1 week before amyloid beta (Aβ) injection, for 16 consecutive days. One day after the last oral administration, behavioral test was done. The effect of these two extracts were assessed in anxiety-like behavior test using elevated plus maze. Furthermore, molecular pathways involved in apoptosis were assessed by Western blotting analysis. Results: The results showed that oral administration of both A. hirtifolium and A. hamosus decreased anxiety-like behavior and ameliorated the effect on apoptosis factors including Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 in the rats with intra-hippocampal injection of Aβ. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed the potential neuroprotective properties of A. hirtifolium and A. hamosus as herbal remedies that could play a role in fostering healthy aging and be considered as useful candidates in decreasing AD related symptoms

Neuroprotective activity of Leontice leontopetalum extract against H2O2-stimulated oxidative stress in PC12 cells

Background and objectives: Neuronal toxicity can be induced by oxidative stress via free radicals production. In recent years, great interest has been expressed to the traditional and herbal medicines. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the neuroprotective activity of Leontice leontopetalum methanol extract against H2O2-stimulated oxidative stress in PC12 cells. Methods: The plantLeontice leontopetalum was selected based on the ethnobotanical approach, which is used traditionally for the treatment of diseases related to inflammation and pain in Turkmen Sahra, Iran. Cytotoxicity of different concentrations of the methanol extract against PC12 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Then PC12 cells were exposed to H2O2 in the presence or absence of the extract. In the next step, the total protein concentration was measured via Bradford assay and cyclooxygenase inhibition was determined by a screening assay kit. Nitrite accumulated in culture medium of supernatant was measured by Griess reaction. Results: Our results indicated that the methanol extract of Leontice leontopetalum significantly inhibited cyclooxygenase activity in the presence of H2O2; however, it was not able to inhibit nitric oxide generation in the stimulated PC12 cells. Conclusion: The results suggested that Leontice leontopetalum may be useful in reducing risk of neurodegenerative related diseases such as Alzheimer Disease

Formulation and quality control of a topical gel product for treatment of melasmaFormulation and quality control of a topical gel product for treatment of melasma

Background and objectives: Melasma is one of the most common pigmentary disorders. It has a considerable impact on quality of life. The treatment of melasma has still remained a challenge because the efficient treatment has not been proven until now and there is still a need to find new depigmenting products.Allium cepa L. and Cucumis melo L. seeds as well as tragacanth have been introduced in Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) as depigmenting agents. Moreover, modern studies have shown their antioxidant and inhibitory mushroom tyrosinase effect.In this study, a topical gel containing Allium cepa L. and Cucumis melo L. seeds extract was prepared with tragacanth and quality control evaluations have been accomplished. Method: After performing quality control of plants seeds and tragacanth according to pharmacopoeia, the ethanol extract of A. cepa and hydroalcoholic extract of C. melo seeds were prepared. An appropriate gel formulation was selected on the base of suitable viscosity. The gel product was formulated using 5% of each plant extracts in tragacanth gel base. In addition, the herbal gel was evaluated using pharmaceutical behavior such as physical appearance, pH, viscosity, spreadability as well as phenolics content. Results: The herbal gel product showed acceptable pharmaceutical behavior as well as considerable phenolic content (1.43±0.01 mg/g). Conclusion: The prepared topical gel product could be a good natural formulation candidate for clinical studies in the field of hyperpigmentation. Moreover, phenolic content of the product could be considered as an indicator for its quality control