Rubiadin exerts an acute and chronic anti-inflammatory effect in rodents

Rubiadin is identified as a bioactive anthraquinone that exists in some quinone rich plants. The current research was carried out to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory impact of Rubiadin in acute and chronic inflammation test models in rodents. The anti-inflammatory activity of Rubiadin was examined in cotton pellet-induced granuloma and carrageenan-induced edema as chronic and acute inflammation models in rats. TNF-α level and histopathological changes were assessed using sampled foot tissue of rat in the acute model. Also, the IL-1β level was assessed in the chronic model. One-way ANOVA (post hoc Tukey's) analysis was used for comparing the groups. Rubiadin (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) induced a significant reduction in TNF α level and the paw edema compared to the control group in carrageenan test. Also, it was observed that the anti-inflammatory activity of Rubiadin (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) is comparable to mefenamic acid (30 mg/kg, i.p.) as the standard drug. Rubiadin was effective in granuloma induced by cotton pellet concerning the granuloma and transudate formation amount. Rubiadin's anti-inflammatory effects were associated with a significant IL-1β decrease in this model. The results suggest that Rubiadin as a natural compound can possess significant peripheral anti-inflammatory impacts.

Bunium persicum essential oil reduced acetic acid-induced rat colitis through suppression of NF-κB pathway

Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of B. persicum essential oil on colonic inflammation and the role of suppression of NF-κB pathway in rat colitis induced by acetic acid solution.

Materials and Methods:

Induction of acute colitis was done by intra-luminal instillation of 2 ml of acetic acid (4%) diluted in normal saline. Two hours after colitis induction, 0.2% tween 80 in normal saline, prednisolone (4 mg/kg) or B. persicum essential oil (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) were administered to the rats orally and continued for 5 consecutive days. The severity of macroscopic and microscopic damages was assessed. Myeloperoxidase and TNF-α activity was evaluated by biochemical analysis and ELISA respectively and protein expression of p-NF-κB was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results:

Prednisolone and B. persicum essential oil (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) decreased macroscopic and microscopic injuries compared to the acetic acid group. On the other hand, prednisolone and B. persicum essential oil (200 and 400 mg/kg) decreased the activity of MPO and TNF-α in the colon tissue of rats compared with the acetic acid group. Furthermore, they suppressed the expression of p-NF-κB protein induced by acetic acid administration.

Conclusion:

It is suggested that the anti-inflammatory effect of B. persicum essential oil on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats may be due to the suppression of NF-κB pathway.

The essential oil from Ferulago angulata (Schltdl.) Boiss. fruits exerting potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects

Ferulago angulata is an aromatic herb that its fruits are utilized widely in Persian traditional medicine as a painkiller and reliving inflammation-based disorders. Considering the higher content of essential oil in the fruits, the oil's anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities were investigated in an animal model in vivo. The analgesic effects of F. angulate fruits essential oil was evaluated via testing the writhing triggered by acetic acid examination and hot plate technique. Moreover, the acute anti-inflammatory effects were studied through the paw edema triggered in mice. Using all examined doses (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) of the oil revealed an analgesic impact considering the increment in the reaction time needed for the hot plate approach. Furthermore, 50 and 100 mg/kg doses of the oil caused a reduction in the frequency of writhes in the mice. It was observed that all examined doses of the oil (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) caused inflammatory reduction. The findings indicated that the oil may possess significant activities against acute inflammation. It had both peripheral and central pain-killing impacts. cis-β-ocimene (58.0%) followed by α-pinene (10.0%) as the main constituents of the oil can be considered as the responsible compounds to manage the inflammation and pain.

Chemical composition of Zhumeria majdae essential oil and its effects on the expression of morphine withdrawal syndrome and tolerance to the anticonvulsant effect of morphine on pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in mice

Regarding the proven anticonvulsant effect of Zhumeria majdae essential oil (ZMEO) in previous studies we were prompted to investigate the ZMEO effects on the tolerance to the anticonvulsant effects of morphine and the morphine withdrawal syndrome. Tolerance to the morphine anticonvulsant effect was induced in mice by subcutaneous injection of 2.5 mg/kg of morphine for 4 days. Subsequent doses of ZMEO (20 mg/kg) were used to study the expression and development of morphine tolerance. Clonidine was used as the standard drug to inhibit the morphine withdrawal syndrome symptoms. To study the ZMEO effect on withdrawal syndrome, mice received appropriate morphine values for 4 days and on the fifth day, 60 min before administration of naloxone. The effective dose of ZMEO was determined and the number of jumps, stands and changes in the dry stool weight, as symptoms of withdrawal syndrome were evaluated. The dose of 20 mg/kg of ZMEO decreased the tolerance in development and expression groups significantly. Counting the number of jumping, standing and defecation were assessed 30 min after morphine and 1 h after the vehicle and clonidine. The dose of 40 mg/kg ZMEO decreased all the signs of withdrawal syndrome significantly. ZMEO was analyzed by GC/MS and linalool (53.1%) and camphor (23.8%) were characterized as the main components. The results suggest that ZMEO possesses constituent(s) that have activity against tolerance to the anticonvulsant effects of morphine and the morphine withdrawal symptoms.

Anticonvulsant Activity of Essential Oil From Leaves of Zhumeria majdae (Rech.) in Mice: The Role of GABAA Neurotransmission and the Nitric Oxide Pathway

The essential oil from the leaves of Zhumeria majdae Rech. (ZMEO) has been shown to have several beneficial effects in the clinic. In this work we examined the anticonvulsant activities of ZMEO in an experimental mouse model of seizure and aimed to identify any possible underlying mechanisms. ZMEO (5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.)) or diazepam, as the reference anticonvulsant drug (25, 50 and 100 µg/kg i.p.), were administered 60 minutes prior to pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) injection (intravenously (i.v.) or i.p.) and changes in threshold, latency, and frequency of clonic seizure were examined. The PTZ i.p.-induced model of seizure was also applied for examining the protective effects of ZMEO pretreatment against PTZ-induced mortality. In some studies, the anticonvulsant effect of the combination of diazepam and ZMEO was also studied. The protective effects of ZMEO against hindlimb tonic extensions (HLTEs) were also examined by maximal electroshock (MES) seizure testing. The γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic mechanism and nitric oxide (NO) pathway involvement in anticonvulsant activity of ZMEO were assessed by pretreating animals with flumazenil, Nω -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), aminoguanidine, and L-arginine in a PTZ-induced model of seizure. Administration of 20 mg/kg ZMEO significantly increased chronic seizure threshold and latency while reducing frequency of convulsions and mortality in the PTZ-induced model. In the doses studied, ZMEO could not protect mice from HLTE and mortality induced by MES. Pretreatment with L-arginine and diazepam potentiated the anticonvulsant effects of ZMEO, whereas pretreatment with L-NAME, aminoguanidine, and flumazenil reversed anticonvulsant activity. The anticonvulsant activity of ZMEO may be mediated in part through a GABAergic mechanism and the NO signaling pathway.

Essential Oil Chemical Composition of Mentha mozaffarianii Jamzad Seeds

The seeds essential oil of the endemic species <em>Mentha mozaffarianii</em> growing wild in the south of Iran was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Charac-terization of individual components was performed using a commer-cial mass spectrometry library, and 25 components were identified. This analysis showed the presence of 3 volatile components, including piperitenone (35.6%), piperitone (27.1%) and 1,8-cineol (10.7%) as the main components.

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.

Objective: Due to lack of biological research on C. aucheri, we were prompted to investigate the antioxidant activities of leaf total extract and different sub-fractions for the first time. The phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined in the leaves as the interaction between these components and the antioxidant activity.

Methods: The antioxidant effects of total extract and sub-fractions were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride colorimetric methods, respectively.

Results: Total extract of C. aucheri leaves was found to possess desirable antioxidant activity in vitro in comparison with standard antioxidant BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene). The highest phenolic and flavonoid contents were observed in the methanol sub-fraction. Results showed weak and moderate correlations with phenolics and flavonoids, respectively, and therefore other metabolites of C. aucheri leaves might be responsible for antioxidant activities.

Conclusion: The results suggested that C. aucheri leaves possess desirable antioxidant activity when compared with BHT and support the ethnomedicinal claims of the use of the leaves in the management of some oxidative-based diseases.

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

Introduction: Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile belongs to the Fabaceae family and the subfamily Mimosoideae; and commonly called Gum arabic tree. As the young pods and seeds are eaten roasted by the people in South Iran. Objective: The oil composition of the mature seeds of A. nilotica collected from natural habitats of the south of Iran were analyzed in order to determine their potential for human or animal consumption. Methods: The extracted oil was analyzed by gas-chromatography/mass spectroscopy method (GC/MS). Results: The oil content in these edible seeds was found to be 3.4% (v/w) fresh weight. A rare phytosterol, six fatty acids, nine hydrocarbons and one diterpenoid were identified which constituted about 83.5% of the oil. The phytosterol, 26-ethylcholesta-5,25(Z)-dien-3.β-ol (20.8%) as well as essential saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were the main components. Other components were present in amounts lower than 5%. Conclusion: It is concluded that the seed oil could be a new natural source for human nutrition.

Total phenolic and flavonoid content and antibacterial activity of Punica granatum L. var. pleniflora flowers (Golnar) against bacterial strains causing foodborne diseases

BACKGROUND

Flowers of Punica granatum L. (Punicaceae) var. pleniflora, known as "Golnar" in Iranian traditional medicine have been used for the prevention and treatment of foodborne diseases. In this study, antibacterial activities of ethanol extract of Golnar and its fractions were scientifically evaluated against bacteria causing foodborne diseases including Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Shigella dysantriae, and Salmonella typhi. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extract and its fractions were also determined.

METHODS

The antibacterial effect of the ethanol extract and its fractions were primarily evaluated by agar well diffusion and their MIC and MBC were determined by broth macro dilution method. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extract and its fractions were measured based on gallic acid and rutin equivalents (GAE and RE), respectively.

RESULTS

After evaluation of total phenolic and flavonoid content the chloroform fraction showed the lowest phenolic and flavonoid contents (3.8 mg GAE/g and 1.1 mg RE/g respectively) and the methanol fraction showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents (18.1 mg GEA/g and 3.3 mg RE/g respectively). The total phenolic and flavonoid content was positively associated with the antibacterial activities of the fractions with chloroform extract exhibiting lowest antibacterial activity against E. coli (MIC 25 mg/ml) and the methanol fraction exhibiting the highest antibacterial effect against S. aureus (MIC 0.19 mg/ml).

CONCLUSION

Golnar extract showed antibacterial activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria causing food poisoning. Therefore, the extract can be used for prevention or treatment of foodborne diseases or as preservative in the food industry. The methanol fraction with the highest phenolic and flavonoid content showed the highest antibacterial effect. This indicates that the phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the extract can be responsible for the effect.

Analgesic and Antiinflammatory Activities of the Essential Oil of the Unique Plant Zhumeria majdae

The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of Zhumeria majdae essential oil were investigated in mice and rats. The analgesic activity of the oil was assessed by acetic acid-induced writhing and Eddy's hot plate methods while the acute anti-inflammatory effect was investigated by inflammatory paw edema in rat. Z. majdae oil significantly decreased the number of acetic acid-induced writhes in mice compared with animals that received vehicle only. Also it exhibited a central analgesic effect as evidenced by a significant increase in reaction time in the hot plate method. The oil also significantly reduced carrageenan induced paw edema in rats. The inhibitory activity of Z. majdae essential oil was found to be very close to that of the standard drug, diclofenac sodium (50 mg/kg). The studied oil was analyzed by GC and GC–MS and seventeen constituents were identified, representing 99.2% of the oil. The major components of the oil were characterized as linalool (63.4%) and camphor (27.5%), which might be responsible for these observed activities. The results suggest that Z. majdae essential oil possesses biologically active constituent(s) that have significant activity against acute inflammation and have central and peripheral antinociceptive effects which support the ethnomedicinal claims of the plant application in the management of pain and inflammation.

Analgesic and antiinflammatory activities of the essential oil of the unique plant Zhumeria majdae

The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of Zhumeria majdae essential oil were investigated in mice and rats. The analgesic activity of the oil was assessed by acetic acid-induced writhing and Eddy's hot plate methods while the acute anti-inflammatory effect was investigated by inflammatory paw edema in rat. Z majdae oil significantly decreased the number of acetic acid-induced writhes in mice compared with animals that received vehicle only. Also it exhibited a central analgesic effect as evidenced by a significant increase in reaction time in the hot plate method. The oil also significantly reduced carrageenan induced paw edema in rats. The inhibitory activity of Z. majdae essential oil was found to be very close to that of the standard drug, diclofenac sodium (50 mg/kg). The studied oil was analyzed by GC and GC-MS and seventeen constituents were identified, representing 99.2% of the oil. The major components of the oil were characterized as linalool (63.4%) and camphor (27.5%), which might be responsible for these observed activities. The results suggest that Z. majdae essential oil possesses biologically active constituent(s) that have significant activity against acute inflammation and have central and peripheral antinociceptive effects which support the ethnomedicinal claims of the plant application in the management of pain and inflammation.

Composition and antifungal activity of Zhumeria majdae essential oil

Background and Purpose:

Essential oils extracted from different plants are extensively used in perfume, beverage, and food industries and are reported to exhibit antimicrobial activities against a variety of fungi. Zhumeria majdae belonging to the Lamiaceae family is a rare and endemic medicinal plant species in Iran, with a strong and pleasant odor. The leaves of this plant have been used for many years as an antiseptic carminative agent for the treatment of stomachache (especially in infants) and dysmenorrhea.

Materials and Methods:

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was performed to determine the main constituents of the essential oil extracted from the aerial parts of Z. majdae. Also, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined, using serial dilution method.

Results:

Based on the GC/MS analysis, 31 compounds representing 95.36% of the essential oil, extracted from the aerial parts of the plant, were identified, among which linalool (63.40%) and camphor (27.48%) were recognized as the major constituents. The total phenolic content was 42.74 GAE (mg)/DW (g). The hydro-distilled essential oil from the aerial part of the plant displayed potential antifungal activities against all the tested pathogenic fungal species (i.e., Candida albicans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Aspergillus flavus, Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, and Epidermophyton floccosum). Based on the inhibition zone (29 mm) and MIC value (0.015 μl/ml), all the tested strains were sensitive to Z. majdae essential oil.

Conclusion:

The present results support the traditional and possible use of Z. majdae essential oil in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Volatile Constituents of the Fruit and Roots of Cymbopogon olivieri

The essential oil contents of the fruit and roots of Cymbopogon olivieri growing wild in south of Iran were found to be 0.7 % and 0.4% (v/w), respectively based on the fresh weight. The oils were analyzed by GC and GC–MS. Forty and twenty six constituents, representing 93.1 % and 93.4% of the oils were identified, respectively. The major components of the C. olivieri fruit oil were identified as piperitone (44.1%), α-terpinene (13.7%), neral (6.3%), elemol (5.6%) and β-eudesmol (5.3%). while the main components of that of roots were characterized as piperitone (20.6%), α-muurolol (9.5%), β-eudesmol (8.5%), selina-6-en-4-ol (7.9%), 5-epi-7-epi-α-eudesmol (6.8%) and elemol (5.8%).

Volatile constituents of the fruit and roots of Cymbopogon olivieri

The essential oil contents of the fruit and roots of Cymbopogon olivieri growing wild in south of Iran were found to be 0.7% and 0.4% (v/w), respectively based on the fresh weight. The oils were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Forty and twenty six constituents, representing 93.1% and 93.4% of the oils were identified, respectively. The major components of the C. olivieri fruit oil were identified as piperitone (44.1%), α-terpinene (13.7%), neral (6.3%), elemol (5.6%) and β-eudesmol (5.3%), while the main components of that of roots were characterized as piperitone (20.6%), α-muurolol (9.5%), β-eudesmol (8.5%), selina-6-en-4-ol (7.9%), 5-epi-7-epi-α-eudesmol (6.8%) and elemol (5.8%).

Topical Turmeric Microemulgel in the Management of Plaque Psoriasis; A Clinical Evaluation

Psoriasis is an autoimmune and recurrent chronic inflammatory skin disease. About 1-3% of the world wide populations are affected. The characteristic features are hyperprolifration of keratinocytes leading to redness, thickening and scaling of epidermis followed with itching and appearance of the lesions which in most cases bother the patients medically and psychologically. Psoriasis is symptomatically treated by the range of oral and topical medications, however, major side effects in some cases are associated with them. Based on several studies, Curcuma longa can inhibit several inflammatory enzymes mainly involved in the inflammatory process of Psoriasis. Therefore, we decided to target this well-known herbal agent with fantastic safety profile to be formulated as a novel topical microemulgel. The clinical and therapeutic benefit of this novel topical formulation was evaluated on 34 patients with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis in a randomized, prospective intra-individual, right-left comparative, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) Questionnaire and Psoriasis area & severity index (PASI) score as well as photos before and after treatment was used to evaluate the outcomes. The results show that the clinical and quality of life parameters in treated lesions in comparison with untreated lesions have improved (P<0.05). The reported side effects were also recorded and were trivial. Based on our findings, the proposed microemulgel may well be considered as an alternative in some patients and most likely as an add-on therapeutic option for many patients suffering with plaque psoriasis.

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of the endemic species Glaucium vitellinum Boiss. and Buhse

OBJECTIVES

Belonging to Papaveraceae family, Glaucium vitellinum is one of the Persian endemic plants which has not been investigated biologically. The present paper focused on the assessment of the antibacterial and antifungal activities of the total methanol extract and alkaloid sub-fraction of the flowering aerial parts of G. vitellinum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The antibacterial and antifungal activities were investigated using cup plate method and disc diffusion assay, respectively. The MIC values of the active samples were determined using micro plate dilution method.

RESULTS

The crude extract and alkaloid sub-fraction of G. vitellinum had significant inhibition activity on the growth of S. aureus and S. typhi. From antifungal assay, it is concluded that only the yeast C. albicans, showed a high sensitivity to the extract and especially to the related alkaloid sub-fraction.

CONCLUSIONS

Regarding the results, G. vitellinum could be employed as a natural antibacterial and antifungal agent against S. aureus, S. typhi, and C. albicans, respectively. Moreover, based on the results of this study, further in vivo and ex vivo confirmatory tests for total methanol extract and alkaloid sub-fraction are recommended.

Volatile constituents of the seeds and fruit of Pycnocycla nodiflora

The essential oil contents of the fruit and seeds of Pycnocycla nodflora Decne. ex Boiss. growing wild in southern Iran were found to be 0.05% and 0.1% (v/w), respectively based on the fresh weight. The oils were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Twenty-eight and twenty-seven constituents, representing 94.7% and 89.6% of the oils were identified, respectively. The major components of the P. nodiflora fruit oil were identified as E-sesquilavandulol (18.6%), spathulenol (11.9%), δ-cadinol (9.0%), t-cadinol (8.9%) and β-caryophyllene (7.9%), while the main components of that of the seeds were characterized as E-sesquilavandulol (17.2%), lavandulyl acetate (13.5%), β-caryophyllene (11.1%), bicyclogermacrene (10.5%), δ-cadinol (9.0%) and t-cadinol (6.8%).

Volatile Constituents of the Seeds and Fruit of Pycnocycla nodiflora

The essential oil contents of the fruit and seeds of Pycnocycla nodiflora Decne. ex Boiss. growing wild in southern Iran were found to be 0.05% and 0.1% (v/w), respectively based on the fresh weight. The oils were analyzed by GC and GC–MS. Twenty-eight and twenty-seven constituents, representing 94.7% and 89.6% of the oils were identified, respectively. The major components of the P. nodiflora fruit oil were identified as E-sesquilavandulol (18.6%), spathulenol (11.9%), δ-cadinol (9.0%), t-cadinol (8.9%) and β-caryophyllene (7.9%), while the main components of that of the seeds were characterized as E-sesquilavandulol (17.2%), lavandulyl acetate (13.5%), β-caryophyllene (11.1%), bicyclogermacrene (10.5%), δ-cadinol (9.0%) and t-cadinol (6.8%).

Anticonvulsant activity of Citrus aurantium blossom essential oil (neroli): involvment of the GABAergic system

Citrus aurantium L. blossoms are an important medicinal plant part in Iran and some other countries. It is used in traditional medicine as an antiseizure and anticonvulsant natural agent. Early in vitro research of the anticonvulsant activity of the blossom extracts were done but there has been no investigation focused on the blossom essential oil and its anticonvulsant activity. The anticonvulsant activity of the essential oil of C. aurantium blossoms (neroli) was investigated. The anticonvulsant activity of neroli was assessed in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsion by i.v. and i.p. methods and maximal electroshock (MES) in mice, with diazepam as the standard drug. While mechanistic studies were conducted using flumazenil, a GABA A-benzodiazepine receptor complex site antagonist. Neroli produced protection against clonic by i.v adminiatration of PTZ at 20 and 40 mg/kg, compared with protection with benzodiazepine. The mean onset and percentage protection against convulsion in neroli-treated mice were reduced by flumazenil. Intraperitonaeal PTZ also decreased the latency of clonic seizure in the neroli (40 mg/kg) treated group. We also showed that neroli (20 and 40 mg/kg), exhibited inhibition of the tonic convulsion induced by MES and decreased the mortality rate. Neroli was analyzed by GC and GC-MS and twenty three constituents, representing 91.0 % of the chromatographical oil were identified. The major components of neroli were characterized as linalool (28.5%), linalyl acetate (19.6%), nerolidol (9.1%) E,E-farnesol (9.1%), α-terpineol (4.9%) and limonene (4.6%) which might be responsible for the anticonvulsant activity. The results suggest that neroli possesses biologically active constituent(s) that have anticonvulsant activity which supports the ethnomedicinal claims of the use of the plant in the management of seizure.

Investigating the effect of Phlomis lanceolata Boiss and hohen on cancer cell lines

Phlomis lanceolata is a medicinal plant that has long been used to treat various conditions such as diabetes, gastric ulcer, hemorrhoids, inflammation and wounds. As most of Phlomis species have shown cytotoxic activity against proliferation of different cell lines, a biological investigation of P. lanceolata was carried out in this study. The aim of this study was to find out the in vitro cytotoxic activity of total extract and different fractions of Phlomis lanceolata on four cell lines. Cytotoxic activity of the metanolic total extract and partition fractions of chloroform, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether of flowering aerial parts of Phlomis lanceolata on the HT29, Caco2, T47D and NIH3T3 cell lines is examined by MTT. Petroleum ether fraction showed high cytotoxic activity against proliferation of all four cell lines. Presence of heavy triterpens and lipophil compounds recognized by TLC test in Petroleum ether fraction is responsible for high cytotoxic activity. The results emphasize the importance of phytochemical studies which could lead to the discovery of new active compounds.