In-vitro cytotoxic potential of aerial parts of Leutea avicennae Mozaff. in different Human cancer cell lines.

Medicinal plants such as Leutea avicennae Mozaff. (Apiaceae) have been shown some biological potential for preventing and treating diseases. Fractions and isolated compounds were tested on colon carcinoma (HT-29), cervical carcinoma (HeLa), breast carcinoma (MCF-7), and mouse embryonic fibroblast (NIH/3T3) cell lines. The BSLT method was used for the assessment of the general toxicity of the petroleum ether (PET), chloroform (CHCl3), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and methanol (MeOH) fractions obtained from the aerial parts of L. avicennae. 1H-NMR and 13 C-NMR spectroscopy were used for structure elucidation. Five compounds, including two coumarins, osthole and umbelliferone, a diterpene phytol, ß-sitosterol, and lauric acid, were isolated for the first time from L. avicennae. Osthole showed potent cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 and HT-29 cell lines with IC50 values of 4.23 ± 0.26 and 12.11 ± 0.13 µg/mL, respectively. Phytol demonstrated potent cytotoxic activity towards MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines with IC50 values of 6.80 ± 0.08 and 12.27 ± 0.18 µg/mL, respectively.

New antiprotozoal sesquiterpene derivatives from Dorema glabrum Fisch & C.A.Mey.

Seven undescribed sesquiterpene derivatives, Azerins A-G (3-6, 8, 14 and 15), three known sesquiterpene phenols, kopetdaghin A (1), kopetdaghin B (2) and latisectin (7), together with five known sesquiterpene coumarins (9-13), were isolated from the roots of Dorema glabrum. The structures were elucidated by comprehensive 1D- and 2D-NMR spectral analysis as well as HR-ESI-MS. Compounds were assessed for their in vitro antiprotozoal activity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, T. cruzi, Leishmania donovani, and Plasmodium falciparum. Cytotoxic potentials of the compounds were also tested on L6 rat skeletal myoblasts. Azerin G (15) showed a potent preferential growth inhibitory activity against T. b. rhodesiense with IC50 value of 0.01 µM and selectivity index of 329. Compounds 1, 4, 7 and 8 were also found as the most active compounds with selective growth inhibitory effects toward P. falciparum with selectivity indices ranging from 11.6 to 16.7 (IC50: 1.8-24.6 µM).

Investigation of biological activities of two cultivars of Cicer arietinum proteins mass associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly, with some known classical factors. Cicer arietinum (Leguminosae) is a source of protein for humans and contains albumin, globulin, glutelin, and prolamin. The protein content of two cultivars of C. arietinum, Hashem and Mansour, was isolated to evaluate their inhibition activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholine esterase (BChE), and ß-amyloid peptide (ßA) aggregation. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and molecular docking were also applied to evaluate the content and determine the potential of each chickpea protein to interact with AChE, respectively. Obtained data showed that proteins from both cultivars could inhibit AChE with IC50 of 17.73 (0.03) and 22.20 (0.06) µg/mL, respectively, with no activity on BChE. The 50 µg/mL protein concentration of each cultivar suppressed ßA accumulation (Mansour: 25.66% and Hashem: 21.69%) and showed biometal chelating activity. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed relatively different protein patterns, though the Mansour cultivar contained some protein bands with molecular weights of 18, 24, and 70 kDa were estimated to belong to vicilin and legumin, which were absent in the Hashem protein mass. Molecular docking showed that legumin and especially vicilin have good potential to interact with AChE. The chickpea proteins showed inhibitory activity against AChE, which might be due to the vicilin and legumin fractions. The characterization of the inhibitory effect of each protein band could be promising in finding new therapeutic peptide candidates to treat Alzheimer's in the future, although more experimental work is needed in this issue.

Elucidation of flavonoids from potent Iranian Scutellaria species against Influenza A (H1N1) virus.

Objectives: Influenza A virus (IAV) is a contagious illness. Different species of Scutellaria genus are used as a traditional remedy to reduce influenza symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the anti-influenza capacity of several species of Iranian Scutellaria and identify active compounds of the most potent species for the first time. Materials and Methods: Some Iranian species of Scutellaria were collected from different regions of Iran, including S. pinnatifida with mucida, viridis, and alpina subspecies; S. tournefortii; S. tomentosa; S. persica. They were fractionated to chloroform and methanol. The total phenols and flavonoids of samples were examined by the folin-ciocalteau and aluminum-flavonoid complex methods, respectively. The 50% cytotoxic concentrations (CC50) on MDCK cells and non-cytotoxic concentrations (NCTC) were determined by MTT assay. The percentage of cell protection against IAV and their effect on virus titer were investigated in pre-, post-, and co-penetration treatment groups. Phytochemicals of the most effective species were isolated by various chromatographic methods and identified by different spectroscopic methods. Results: Methanol fraction of S. pinnatifida subsp. viridis demonstrated the highest amounts of flavonoid content and best activity against influenza A virus in all combination treatments, which reduced the virus titer by 5 logs with no cytotoxicity. Kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, apigenin-4'-methoxy-7-O-glucoside, luteolin, and luteolin-7-O-glucoside were purified and identified from this species. Conclusion: Scutellaria pinnatifida subsp. viridis can be introduced as a source of flavonoids with acceptable anti-influenza activity. S. tomentosa also showed potent antiviral effects and is a candidate for elucidation in further studies.

Cytotoxic abietane diterpenoids from Salvia leriifolia Benth.

The Phytochemical profiling of the root extract of Salvia leriifolia, an endemic plant of Iran, was investigated and 16 abietane diterpenes were isolated, and three were original compounds. 1D and 2D NMR and HRMS performed structural elucidation. The absolute configuration of the previously unreported compounds was determined by circular dichroism (ECD). The cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds was investigated against AGS, MIA PaCa-2, HeLa, and MCF-7 cell lines by the MTT assay. The known diterpene pisiferal possesses high cytotoxicity against all investigated cell lines at a concentration between 9.3 ± 0.6 and 14.38 ± 1.4 µM.

Trigonella teheranica: a valuable source of phytochemicals with antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic properties.

Trigonella genus is a member of Fabaceae family, which is used as medicinal plant. The aim of this study was investigation of phytochemicals and some biological activities of Trigonella teheranica for the first time. The essential oils (EOs) of different parts (leaves, fruits and roots) were obtained and analyzed by GC-MS. Also, their chloroform and methanol extracts were prepared, too. The antimicrobial effects, antioxidant activities and cytotoxic effects against cancer (MDA-MB-231, MRC5 and HT-29) cell lines were investigated. N-hexadecanoic acid was the major compound of leaves and fruits EOs, and hexanal was abundant component of roots EO. The extracts showed stronger antibacterial effects than volatile oils against Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. All methanol extracts showed strong antioxidant effects, while the volatile oils, especially of leaves was the most effective in cytotoxic assay. Also, three derivatives of coumaric acid were isolated and identified from T. teheranica.

Possible potential of Astrodaucus genus in development of anticancer drugs.

OBJECTIVE: Many pharmaceutical factories have dramatically improved the quality of herbal remedies in cancer treatment. The results of somestudies have shown anticancer effect of Astrodaucus genus. Therefore, the aim of this article was to review the chemical ingredients and biological effects of Astrodaucus genus especially A. persicus from the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Online databases ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched using the keywords Astrodaucus, Apiaceae, Biologic, Phytochemistry, and Benzodioxole to retrieve studies published between 1970 and 2020. RESULTS: The Astrodaucus genus has two species, Astrodaucus persicus (Boiss.) Drude and Astrodaucus orientalis (L.) Drude. In this genus, 5 new biologically active phytochemicals with benzodioxole structure were introduced and their biological effects were assessed. CONCLUSION: Since many of the most commonly used anticancer drugs such as etoposide, teniposide, podophyllotoxin and sanguinarine have benzodioxole structureand according to the results of biological tests, it seems that more researchwith these perspectives should be done on this genus.

Diterpenoids from Zhumeria majdae roots as potential heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) modulators.

Four undescribed and 17 known diterpenoids were isolated from the roots of Zhumeria majdae Rech.f. & Wendelbo. Using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, ECD spectroscopy, and HRESIMS data analysis, the structures of the undescribed compounds were elucidated. The anti-proliferative activity of isolated compounds was evaluated against HeLa and MCF7 cancer cell lines. The binding affinity of all compounds to HSP90, one of the targets for the modern anticancer therapy, was investigated using surface plasmon resonance. The results demonstrated that lanugon Q interacted with the chaperone. To explain its mechanism of action, experimental and computational tests were also conducted.

Free Radical Scavenging Principles of Salvia reuterana Boiss. Aerial Parts.

Salvia reuterana Boiss. is an aromatic perennial plant traditionally used for its anxiolytic and sedative properties. In the present study, various fractions and essential oil of S. reuterana aerial parts were investigated to find its free radical scavenging principles. Hydroalcoholic fraction with IC50 value of 112.6 ±3.2 µg mL-1 in DPPH assay demonstrated the highest free radical scavenging activity and was selected to further phytochemical investigation. RP-18 and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography of the hydroalcoholic fraction resulted in the isolation and structural elucidation of four phenolic derivatives, including apigenin-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1), luteolin-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2), rosmarinic acid (3), and luteolin (4). Isolated compounds showed potent free radical scavenging activities (5.1-34.2 µg mL-1), compared with BHT (21.30 ± 1.9 µg mL-1). Twenty four compounds were also identified in GC-MS analysis of the plant essential oil, of which benzyl benzoate (26.64%), n-hexyl benzoate (22.99%) and n-hexyl isovalerate (6.04%) were the main compounds. The results of the present study introduced S. reuterana as a valuable source of natural phenolic antioxidants which can be utilized in prevention of oxidative stress related diseases. Moreover, interesting composition of S. reuterana essential oil, dominated by non-terpenes compounds (76.17%) especially aromatic derivatives, make it an appropriate candidate for more detailed studies.

Antiprotozoal activity of diterpenoids isolated from Zhumeria majdae- absolute configuration by circular dichroism.

PURPOSE: Zhumeria majdae, a unique species of the Zhumeria genus, is an endemic Iranian plant in the Lamiaceae family. Phytochemical investigation and biological activity of this plant are rarely reported. The current study aimed to find new antiprotozoal compounds from the roots of Z. majdae and to determine the absolute configuration of isolated compounds by circular dichroism. METHODS: The extraction process from roots and aerial parts of Z. majdae was carried out by hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol followed by testing their antiprotozoal effects against Leishmania donovani, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, T. cruzi, and Plasmodium falciparum, respectively. Structure elucidation was done using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and HREIMS spectrometry. In addition, experimental and theoretical circular dichroism spectroscopy was used to establish absolute configuration. RESULTS: In comparison with aerial parts, the hexane extract from roots showed superior activity against T. b. rhodesiense, L. donovani and P. falciparum with IC50 values of 5.4, 1.6 and 2.1 µg/ml, respectively. From eight abietane-type diterpenoids identified in roots, six were reported for the first time in the genus Zhumeria. 11,14-dihydroxy-8,11,13-abietatrien-7-one (6) exhibited a promising biological activity against P. falciparum (IC50 8.65 µM), with a selectivity index (SI) of 4.6, and lanugon Q (8) showed an IC50 value of 0.13 µM and SI of 15.4 against T. b. rhodesiense. CONCLUSION: Altogether, according to the results, of 8 isolated compounds, dihydroxy-8,11,13-abietatrien-7-one (6) and lanugon Q (8) exhibited a promising activity against T. b. rhodesiense and P. falciparum. In conclusion, these compounds could be potential candidates for further analysis and may serve as lead compounds for the synthesis of antiprotozoal agents. Graphical abstract.

Effects of Monoterpenes of Trachyspermum ammi on the Viability of Spermatogonia Stem Cells In Vitro.

Trachyspermum ammi (Apiaceae) plants have several medicinal and condimentary applications and are considered an aphrodisiac agent in Iranian Traditional Medicine. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of oil from Iranian T. ammi plants on the viability of spermatogonial stem cells in vitro. The essential oil of T. ammi fruits was extracted by hydrodistillation, and the amount of thymol was calculated by a gas-chromatography method. Spermatogonial stem cells were isolated from the testes of mice using enzyme digestion. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied to assess the gene expressions of promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (Plzf), DNA-binding protein inhibitor (ID-4), tyrosine-protein kinase (c-Kit), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) and Bcl2-associated X protein (BAX). The number and diameter of colonies were also measured in the treated cells. The amount of thymol in the oil was 130.7 ± 7.6 µg/mL. Flow cytometry analysis showed that 92.8% of all cells expressed stimulated by retinoic acid 8 (Stra8), a spermatogonial stem cell marker. Expression of Plzf and ID-4 genes significantly increased in the treatment groups, while c-Kit and BAX decreased, and Bcl2 increased in the presence of essential oil. The numbers and diameters of cells were also improved by the application of the plant oil. These data indicated that monoterpenes from the oil of T. ammi improved the quality and viability of spermatogonia cells in the cell culture.

Strong insecticidal potential of methanol extract of Ferulago trifida fruits against Anopheles stephensi as malaria vector.

Many researchers have focused on controlling pest insects and vectors by natural products because of their low environmental pollution. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant and larvicidal activities of chloroform and methanol extracts of the leaves, fruits, roots, and isolated coumarin compounds (prantschimgin, oxypeucedanin, and 6-hydroxymethylherniarin) of Ferulago trifida from the Apiaceae family against Anopheles stephensi as one of the main malaria vectors. For insecticidal evaluation, A. stephensi larvae were exposed to different concentrations of the extracts and pure compounds (0.625-1280 ppm) according to the WHO protocol. The mortality percentages were measured 24 h after treatment and lethal concentration values were calculated. In addition, radical scavenging activities of the mentioned extracts and compounds were measured by the DPPH method. The methanol extract of fruits showed potent insecticidal properties with LC50 and LC90 values of 2.94 and 18.12 ppm, respectively. The chloroform extracts of the fruits and leaves were the second and third extracts with larvicidal effects. Among pure compounds, only oxypeucedanin showed moderate toxicity against A. stephensi with LC50 and LC90 values of 116.54 and 346.41 ppm, respectively. The antioxidant activities of the methanol extracts of leaves and fruits were stronger than other extracts with IC50 values of 155.83 and 159.32 ppm, respectively. In conclusion, the methanol extract of F. trifida fruits can be used as a potent bio-insecticide in green control programs of mosquitoes, especially A. stephensi.

Biological Evaluation of the Isolated Compounds from Methanol Fraction of Leutea avicennia Mozaff.

Leutea avicennia Mozaff. That belongs to Apiaceae family is an endemic species distributed in the west of Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity and acetylcholinestrase (AChE) inhibition of the crude extract, fractions, and isolated compounds from methanol fraction of L. avicenniae. Five compounds were detected from methanol fraction; three phenolic compounds as p-coumric acid, caffeic acid, salicylic acid and also, two flavonoids as quercetin and astragalin. These structures were identified by spectroscopic techniques such as 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and UV. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by the free radical scavenging assay using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl- hydrazyl (DPPH) method. Ellman colorimetric method was used to determine acetylcholinestrase (AChE) inhibition. In the DPPH assay, Quercetin exerted the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 10.24 ± 1.3 µg/mL). Caffeic acid inhibited AChE with IC50 = 12.06 ± 2.01µg/mL which were comparable to Galanthamine as positive control (IC50 = 62.44 ± 2.2µg/mL). In conclusion, methanol extract of L. avicenniae contains bioactive components with antioxidant and AChE inhibitory effects.

Larvicidal Activity of Bunium persicum Essential Oil and Extract against Malaria Vector, Anopheles stephensi.

BACKGROUND: Malaria, a mosquito-transmitted disease, is still a major human health problem all over the world. Larviciding is a component of comprehensive control program to overcome the disease. Negative aspects of synthetic insecticides application, such as environmental safety concerns, have favored use of natural insecticides. METHODS: Larvicidal activity of essential oil, extracts and fractions of a wild grown and a cultivated type of Bunium persicum fruits against malaria vector Anopheles stephensi was assessed according to the method described by WHO. RESULTS: Bunium persicum showed remarkable potency against An. stephensi larvae. LC 50 values for essential oil, total extract, petroleum ether fraction and methanol fraction were 27.4284, 64.9933, 85.9933 and 255.7486ppm for wild type, and 21.3823, 63.2580, 62.7814 and 152.6357ppm for cultivated one. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest B. persicum as a valuable source of natural insecticides against malaria vector Anopheles stephensi.

Bioactive coumarins from the roots and fruits of Ferulago trifida Boiss., an endemic species to Iran.

Phytochemical analysis of the Ferulago trifida Boiss. from Apiaceae family led to the isolation and identification of suberosin (1), isoimperatorin (2), prantschimgin (3), oxypeucedanin (4), oxypeucedanin methanolate (5), suberenol (6), 6-hydroxymethylherniarin (7), oxypeucedanin hydrate (8), ulopterol (9), bergapten (10), xanthotoxin (11), imperatorin (12) and grandivittin (13) from chloroform extracts of the roots (1-9) and fruits (1, 2, 8, 10-13) of this species. Oxypeucedanin methanolate and suberenol demonstrated a potent antioxidant power with 268.2 ± 5.4 and 251.2 ± 6.2 mmol FSE/100 g, respectively, compared by BHT (267.2 ± 4.2 mmol FSE/100 g) in FRAP method. The potent antibacterial effects were found for oxypeucedanin methanolate on S. epidermidis (IZ; 26 mm, MIC; 250 µg mL-1) an oxypeucedanin hydrate on K. pneumoniae (IZ: 21 mm, MIC: 250 µg mL-1). Moreover, suberosin showed higher preferential toxicity against MDA-MB-23 cells (IC50: 0.21 mM, SI: 5.0), in comparison with tamoxifen (IC50: 0.012 mM, SI: 2.45) in MTT assay.

Chemodiversity of Nepeta menthoides Boiss. & Bohse. essential oil from Iran and antimicrobial, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and cytotoxic properties of 1,8-cineole chemotype.

The essential oil of Nepeta menthoides Boiss. & Bohse., from Iran, was analysed by GC/MS. Two types of multivariate analyses were done based on the chemical composition of the investigated sample in this study and 12 other samples reported in the literature to show the chemodiversity in essential oil composition. Antimicrobial, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and cytotoxic activities of the essential oil and its major component were assessed. Twenty-one compounds were identified, representing 96.81% of the total oil and the major constituent was 1,8-cineole (70.06%). Multivariate analyses revealed two chemotypes, i.e. nepetalactone and 1,8-cineole. The essential oil of the sample investigated in this study which was a 1,8-cineole chemotype and 1,8-cineole showed moderate antimicrobial activity and significantly inhibited the activity of acetylcholinesterase enzyme. Cytotoxicity evaluation against three breast cancer cell lines showed a potent inhibitory activity. Further investigations are necessary to confirm the variety in several populations of N. menthoides.

Antimalarial and cytotoxic activities of roots and fruits fractions of Astrodaucus persicus extract.

OBJECTIVES: Astrodaucus persicus (Apiaceae) is one of the two species of this genus which grows in different parts of Iran. Roots of this plant were rich in benzodioxoles and used as food additive or salad in Iran and near countries. The aim of present study was evaluation of antimalarial and cytotoxic effects of different fractions of A. persicus fruits and roots extracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ripe fruits and roots of A. persicus were extracted and fractionated by hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol, separately. Antimalarial activities of fractions were performed based on Plasmodium berghei suppressive test in mice model and percentage of parasitemia and suppression were determined for each sample. Cytotoxicity of fruits and roots fractions were investigated against human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), colorectal carcinoma (SW480) and normal (L929) cell lines by MTT assay and IC50 of them were measured. RESULTS: Hexane fraction of roots extract (RHE) and ethyl acetate fraction of fruits extract (FEA) of A. persicus demonstrated highest parasite inhibition (73.3 and 72.3%, respectively at 500 mg/kg/day) which were significantly different from negative control group (P<0.05). In addition, RHE showed potent anticancer activities against MCF-7 (IC50 of 0.01 µg/ml), SW480 (IC50 of 0.36 µg/ml) and L929 (IC50 of 0.70 µg/ml) cell lines. CONCLUSION: According to the results, RHE and FEA fractions of A. persicus could be introduced as excellent choice for antimalarial drug discovery. In addition, cytotoxic activity of RHE was noticeable.

Astrodaucus persicus as a new source of bioinsectisides against malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the larvicidal activities of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of roots and fruits extracts of Astrodaucus persicus from Apiaceae family against malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi (An. stephensi). METHODS: Twenty five third instar larvae of An. stephensi were exposed to various concentrations (10-160 g/L) of fractions and were assayed according to World Health Organization protocol. The larval mortality was calculated after 24 h treatment. RESULTS: Among tested fractions, the highest larvicidal efficacy was observed from ethyl acetate fraction of fruits extract with 50% and 90% mortality values (LC50 and LC90) of 34.49 g/L and 108.61 g/L, respectively. Chloroform fraction of fruits extract was the second larvicidal sample with LC50 of 45.11 g/L and LC90 of 139.36 g/L. Petroleum ether fractions of fruits and roots and methanol fraction of fruits showed moderate toxicity against An. stephensi. CONCLUSIONS: Astrodaucus persicus is a potential source of valuable and natural larvicidal compounds against malaria vector, An. stephensi and can be used in mosquitoes control programs as an alternative to synthetic insecticides.

A two-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Viola odorata, Echium amoenum and Physalis alkekengi mixture in symptomatic benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) men.

CONTEXT: As an alternative approach, administration of phytotherapeutic agents in management of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), is rapidly growing each day. Different authors have indicated effectiveness of Viola odorata L. (Violaceae), Echium amoenum Fisch. & C.A.Mey. (Boraginaceae) and Physalis alkekengi L. (Solanaceae) in treatment of BPH. However, none have reported the beneficial outcomes of the mixture yet. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the therapeutical effects of V. odorata, E. amoenum and P. alkekengi mixture on symptomatic BPH patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty six symptomatic BPH patients with International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of more than 13 and prostate volume of more than 30 cm3 were randomly allocated to receive a two-week course of placebo (control group) or 1 mL of mixed hydro-alcoholic solution of P. alkekengi, E. amoenum and V. odorata extracts (1.5, 1 and 1.5% respectively) (treatment group). RESULTS: IPSS score of incomplete urination (42.3 ± 2.04%), frequency of urination (20.08 ± 1.02%), intermittency (40.78 ± 2.16%), urgency (60.91 ± 3.14%), weak stream (50.58 ± 2.14%), straining (55.67 ± 2.53%) and nocturia (40.14 ± 1.89%) in treatment group were significantly decreased after treatment compare to placebo receiving group. Furthermore, the prostate volume (16.92 ± 0.89%) and extant urine volume (28.12 ± 1.36%) also significantly decreased in treatment group compared to control group. No significant side effects or abnormalities in biochemical tests and urinalysis were observed throughout the study. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Based on results, mentioned mixture is safe and effective in improving life quality of patients suffering from BPH.

Antinociceptive effect of extracts of Marrubium astracanicum Jacq. aerial parts.

OBJECTIVE: The genus Marrubium is used for treatment of joint pain, gout, stomach-ache and colic in Iranian Traditional Medicine. Marrubium astracanicum Jacq. (M. astracanicum) is a native species in the flora of Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive properties of various extracts of aerial parts of M. astracanicum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antinociceptive activities of total hydroalcoholic extract (THE) and its n-hexane (non-polar) and residual partition (polar) fractions were analyzed using formalin test in mice. Morphine (5 mg/kg) and normal saline were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal administration of THE (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg), non-polar fraction (200 mg/kg) and polar fraction (100 and 200 mg/kg), 30 min before formalin injection, caused significant analgesic activity in acute phase (0-5 min after formalin injection) of formalin test (p<0.05 as compared to control and p>0.05 in comparison with morphine). In chronic phase (15-60 min after formalin injection), non-polar and polar fractions (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) showed significant analgesic activity (p<0.001 as compared to control and p>0.05 in comparison with morphine). CONCLUSION: Different extracts of M. astracanicum demonstrated antinociceptive activity that support the traditional usage of Marrubium genus for the treatment of arthritis, gout and other inflammatory diseases.