Investigating the Effects of Dorema hyrcanum Root Extracts on Selective Induction of Programmed Cell Death in Glioblastoma, Ovarian Cancer and Breast Cancer Cell Lines.

BACKGROUND: Despite remarkable advances, cancer has remained the second cause of death, which shows that more potent novel compounds should be found. Ethnobotanical compounds have a long history of treating diseases, and several approved chemotherapeutic compounds were isolated from plants. OBJECTIVE: The research aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of Dorema hyrcanum root extract on ovarian, breast, and glioblastoma cells while examining its selectivity towards normal cells. Additionally, the study is directed to investigate cell death mechanisms, delineate modes of cell death, and explore intracellular ROS production. METHODS: Cytotoxic effects of alcoholic, dichloromethane, and petroleum ether fractions of Dorema hyrcanum were investigated on cancer and normal cells by using MTT assay, and the concentration around IC50 values was used for flow cytometric assessment of apoptosis, evaluation of the expression of selected genes via RT-qPCR and production of ROS. RESULTS: Methanolic extract exhibited the highest cytotoxicity, impacting A2780CP and MDA-MB-231. All fractions showed comparable effects on U251 cells. Notably, extracts displayed higher IC50 values in normal HDF cells, indicating cancer cell specificity. Flow cytometry revealed induction of apoptosis and non-apoptotic death in all three cancer cell lines. QPCR results showed upregulation of related genes, with RIP3K prominently increased in U251 glioblastoma. The DCFH-DA assay demonstrated ROS induction by the PE fraction exclusively in A2780CP cells after 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. CONCLUSION: Dorema hyrcanum root extracts exhibited potent anti-tumor effects against all studied cell lines. The methanolic extract demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity, particularly against A2780CP and MDA-MB-231 cells. Importantly, all fractions displayed selectivity for cancer cells over normal HDF cells. Unique modes of action were observed, with the petroleum ether fraction inducing significant non-apoptotic cell death. These findings suggest promising therapeutic potential for Dorema hyrcanum in cancer treatment with subject to further mechanistic studies.

Beneficial effects of Teucrium polium hydroalcoholic extract on letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome in rat model.

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that disrupts the menstrual cycle and causes infertility. Considering the increasing use of medicinal plants, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of Teucrium polium L. on letrozole-induced PCOS in female rats. METHODS: Six groups of rats (n=7 each) were evaluated. The control group received 1% carboxy methyl cellulose as vehicle, while the five other groups received letrozole 1 mg/kg orally for 21 days. After PCOS induction, the rats were orally administered T. polium extract (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) or metformin (200 mg/kg) for 28 days. Subsequently, body and ovarian weights and serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone were measured. Finally, the ovarian tissues were isolated for histological examination. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in weekly body weight in any group. After 21 days of letrozole administration, PCOS induction was confirmed by estrous cycle irregularities and increased LH and testosterone levels. After treatment with the hydroalcoholic extract of T. polium, testosterone and LH levels were significantly reduced in all groups (P<0.05). Histological studies of ovaries in the metformin and T. polium groups exhibited normal follicular development with fewer and smaller cystic follicles than those in the PCOS group. CONCLUSION: The hydroalcoholic extract of T. polium improves serum levels of sex hormones, restores ovarian morphology in PCOS-induced rats, and is a good candidate for further clinical trials.

Hydroethanolic extract of Lavandula angustifolia ameliorates vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy in rats.

Background and purpose: Peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common adverse effects of cancer chemotherapy. Vincristine is prescribed to treat a variety of carcinomas, including lymphoma and leukemia, and may cause progressive peripheral neuropathy due to the damage of microtubules and mitochondria of neurons and affects inflammatory processes. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Lavandula angustifolia hydroalcoholic extract (LHE) of aerial part on vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy in a rat model. Experimental approach: Neuropathy was induced in rats by daily intraperitoneal administration of vincristine (0.1 mg/kg for 2 weeks). Following the induction of neuropathy, animals were treated with the LHE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) or pregabalin (20 mg/kg, IP) for 2 weeks, and their responses to vincristine-induced hyperalgesia and locomotor impairment were measured. Findings/Results: LHE, at the dose of 400 mg/kg, showed analgesic effects in response to thermal hyperalgesia, tactile allodynia, and gait impairment. Also, pregabalin (20 mg/kg, IP) improved the symptoms of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy. Conclusions and implications: According to the results, we can conclude that LHE alleviates neuropathic symptoms of vincristine and the effect is probably related to the presence of phenols and flavonoids in the extract.

Effect of Ziziphus jujube on cardiometabolic factors and systemic inflammation in type 2 diabetic patients: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In the current study, we aimed to assess the effect of dried Ziziphus jujube on blood glucose, lipid profiles, anthropometric indices, and inflammatory factors in type 2 diabetic(T2D) patients. METHODS: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 48 patients, aged 30-65 years, were randomly assigned to two intervention(n = 24) and control(n = 24) groups. The subjects in the intervention group received 30 g Ziziphus jujube daily for 12 weeks. At baseline and the end of the 12th week, 10 ml of blood was taken from each patient after a 12- to 14-h overnight fasting. Plasma levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglycerides(TGs), total cholesterol(TC), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP), and interleukin-6(IL-6) were measured. Anthropometric indices were determined. RESULTS: Plasma FPG, TG, TC, and LDL-C decreased significantly up to -11.36%, -13.59%, -7.46%, -7.65% in the Ziziphus jujube group at the end of week 12 compared to baseline, respectively (P < 0.05), and this reduction was significant in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). The plasma hs-CRP reduced significantly up to -24.46% in the Ziziphus jujube group at the end of week 12 compared to baseline (P < 0.05), however, this reduction was not significant in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). Also, there were no significant differences between the two groups in mean changes of body mass index, plasma HDL-C, and IL-6. CONCLUSIONS: The current study showed that daily consumption of Ziziphus jujube may have beneficial effects on the lipid profiles and blood glucose levels in T2D. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: T his clinical trial was registered at the Iranian registry of clinical trials (IRCT registration number: IRCT20181210041913N1).

Study on constituents of Scutellaria nepetifolia as a potent source of phytochemicals with NO inhibitory effect.

Based on the long history of Scutellaria plants in east traditional medicines, several species of Scutellaria showed promising antioxidant, anti-inflammation and neuroprotection effects in pharmacological researches. Using bioassay-guided fractionation of various extract of Scutellaria nepetifolia, an endemic species that grows widely in Iran, based on on nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity against H2O2 induced NO production in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells led to the isolation of two iridoid compounds namely, as 6ß-hydroxy 8-epiboshnaloside (1) and 1,5,9-epideoxy loganic acid (2) and Verbascoside (3). Finally, the interaction of isolated compounds with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein was simulated by molecular docking study. It is the first report of these two iridoid glycosides from Scutellaria spp. All three isolated compounds showed strong interaction with iNOS enzyme in molecular docking simulations. So, they possibly contributed in the NO inhibitory effect of S. nepetifolia.

The 4-month effect of Vitex agnus-castus plant on sexual function of women of reproductive age: A clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction in women is a common disorder. Yet, there is no consensus on its treatment. Few studies have shown that Vitex agnus-castus improves sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women; the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of V. agnus-castus on the female sexual function in the reproductive age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a double-blinded randomized control clinical trial on the women of reproductive age referred to the gynecology clinic of Al-Zahra Medical Center in Rasht, Iran, from February 2018 to December 2019. The intervention group received Agnugol tablet containing 3.2-4.8 mg dried extract V. agnus-castus (51 participants) and the control group received a placebo tablet (51 participants). All participants received one tablet daily for 16 weeks. The participants were asked to complete the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire at the beginning of the study and after 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Data were analyzed in SPSS statistics (version 21) using Chi-square test, t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, analysis of variance, and mixed model to examine the differences between the groups. RESULTS: The results showed that the difference between the two groups was not significant in each domain, but there was a significant difference in the overall sexual function mean score so that the intervention group had a higher score than the placebo group after 16 weeks (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the present study, it was observed that the consumption of V. agnus-castus during 16 weeks was more effective than the placebo in improving sexual dysfunction. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to be able to decide on the prescription of this drug in the clinics.

Selectively targeting cancer stem cells: Current and novel therapeutic strategies and approaches in the effective eradication of cancer.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subgroup of cells in malignant cancers, which possess self-renewal capacity, tumor-initiating capability, and pluripotency, as well as being responsible for tumor maintenance, metastasis, relapse, and chemoresistance. The treatment modalities previously established for cancer included surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The majority of tumor cells of non-CSCs could be eradicated using conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Therefore, novel and promising therapeutic strategies that selectively target CSCs are of great importance. In this review, we described different therapeutic strategies such as immunotherapy, metabolism-based therapeutic strategies, and additional potential therapeutic approaches (targeting microRNAs [miRNAs], histone deacetylase, and DNA methyl transferase) against CSCs. Taken together, due to the inefficiency of anticancer single therapies, targeting CSCs through their metabolism and using immunotherapy and miRNAs besides classical chemo- and radiotherapy may exert better therapeutic effects.

Effects of cinnamon supplementation on expression of systemic inflammation factors, NF-kB and Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) in type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double blind, and controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: NF-kB, SIRT1 and systemic inflammation factors including hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α accelerate atherosclerosis pathogenesis. Our purpose was to evaluate the effect of daily supplementation of three-gram cinnamon on plasma levels of NF-kB, SIRT, hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α among type 2 diabetes patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A randomized, double blind, and controlled clinical trial was performed with 44 adult patients who were 25 to 70 years old with type 2 diabetes, randomized to two intervention (n = 22) and control (n = 22) groups differing by daily three grams cinnamon supplementation and placebo for 8 weeks, respectively. The plasma levels of NF-kB, SIRT, hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA assay at the beginning and end of the study. RESULTS: After 8-week intervention, 39 subjects (n = 20 in the cinnamon and n = 19 in the placebo groups) ended up the trial. It was not observed significant difference in levels of hs-CRP (P = 0.29), TNF-α (P = 0.27), IL-6 (P = 0.52), and Sirtuin-1 (P = 0.51) in between group comparison. While, the result showed significant difference in levels of NF-kB (P = 0.02) between groups. As well as, in among group comparison, there was not observed significant differences except in hs-CRP (P = 0.008) in placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: This study elucidated that cinnamon supplementation has no beneficial effects in reduction of NF-kB, SIRT1, hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in type 2 diabetes patients which have a considerable role in development of atherogenesis.

A randomized controlled trial to determining the effect of cinnamon on the plasma levels of soluble forms of vascular adhesion molecules in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Soluble forms of vascular adhesion molecules, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, accelerate atherosclerosis pathogenesis. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of daily supplementation of 3 g cinnamon on the plasma levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 among patients with type 2 diabetes. This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was performed on 44 adult patients with type 2 diabetes aged 25-70 years. The patients were randomized to two groups of intervention (n = 22) and control (n = 22), differing by daily cinnamon supplementation or placebo (3 g) for 8 weeks. Plasma levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were measured at the beginning and end of the study. After 8 weeks, 39 subjects (n = 20 in the cinnamon and n = 19 in the placebo groups) completed the trial. There was a significant reduction in the mean levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 within cinnamon and placebo groups (P < 0.001). But there was no significant difference in ICAM-1 (P = 0.75) and VCAM-1 (P = 0.72) between the groups at the end of the trial. According to the results, cinnamon supplementation has no beneficial effect on the reduction of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, which have a role in the development of atherogenesis.

Effects of Some Lamiaceae Species on NO Production and Cell Injury in Hydrogen Peroxide-induced Stress.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a key mediator that plays an important role in pathogenesis of various chronic diseases like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Additionally, there is a great attitude for finding natural compounds, which could control and inhibit NO production in pathological conditions. Therefore, we were encouraged to investigate the effects of some Lamiaceae species on NO production and cell injury during oxidative stress in PC12 cells. In this study, cell death determined by MTT assay and NO levels were evaluated using Griess assay. PC12 cells were exposed to total metanolic extracts of three Scutellaria and one Nepeta species. The results revealed that Nepeta laxiflora (N. laxiflora) could protect PC12 cells from hydrogen proxide-induced oxidative stress and all of the plants inhibited NO production in that condition except Scutellaria tournefortii (Sc. tournefortii). In addition, Scutellaria multicaulis (Sc. multicaulis) was meanwhile subjected to fractionation using different organic solvents. The dichloromethan and ethyl acetate fractions of Sc. multicaulis could protect PC12 cells from oxidative stress injury. However, NO production was restrained by the hexane and dichloromethane fractions. Considering the results, N. laxiflora, Scutellaria nepetifolia (Sc. nepetifolia), and Sc. multicaulis are good candidates for further investigations in neuroprotection and anti-inflammation studies.

Evaluation of Anticonvulsant Effect of Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts of Seven Inula Species.

In Iranian traditional medicine, Inula species have been used for the treatment of seizure. In this study we decided to investigate the anticonvulsant activity of seven species from this genus to find an effective remedy for seizure with less adverse effects compared to the available medicines. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of Inula britannica, Inula helenium, Inula viscidula, Inula oculus-christi, Inula aucheriana, Inula thapsoides, and Inula salicina were prepared and their antiepileptic activity was investigated by maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylentetrazole (PTZ) tests on Male NMRI Albino mice. Diazepam was used as positive control in both tests. In addition, two extracts with the best anticonvulsant activities were selected and their sedative and hypnotic effects were evaluated using open field and righting reflex tests, respectively. The effects of the both extracts on memory and motor coordination were also assessed by step-through passive avoidance and rotarod tests, respectively. Aqueous extract of Inula britannica and Inula viscidula showed the best activity in MES model and their ED50 (with 95% confidence interval) was 19.5 (7.9~48.5) mg/kg and 12.7(10.0~16.3) mg/kg, respectively. None of the extracts showed noticeable anticonvulsant effects in the PTZ model. The active extracts also showed sedative-hypnotic effects in righting reflex and open field tests. Furthermore, both extracts did not affect the memory and motor coordination in the experimental models. The anticonvulsant and sedative activities of the extracts were antagonized by flumazenil, indicating that benzodiazepine receptors are probably involved in the effects. This study indicates that Inula britannica and Inula viscidula are good candidates for further phytochemical and mechanistic studies in order to find anticonvulsant and sedative-hypnotic compounds with less adverse effect on memory and motor coordination.

Dietary supplementation with Allium hirtifolium and/or Astragalus hamosus improved memory and reduced neuro-inflammation in the rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

Allium hirtifolium Boiss and Astragalus hamosus L. are mentioned in Iranian traditional medicine documentation as therapy for a kind of dementia with the features and symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, the effects of these herbs on neuro-inflammation and memory have been evaluated as new therapies in amyloid beta (Aß)-induced memory impairment model. Separate groups of rats were fed with A. hirtifolium or A. hamosus extract (both 100 mg/(kg·day)-1) started 1 week before stereotaxic surgery to 24 h before behavioral testing (totally, for 16 successive days). The effects of oral administration of mentioned extracts on the memory and neuro-inflammation were assessed in the Aß-injected rats. The results of this study showed that oral administration of both A. hirtifolium and A. hamosus improved the memory, examined by using Y-maze test and shuttle box apparatus. Also, Western blotting analysis of cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor-α showed that these herbs have ameliorating effects against the neuro-inflammation caused by Aß. These findings suggest that the use of A. hirtifolium and A. hamosus as herbal therapy may be suitable for decreasing AD-related symptoms and treatment of other neurodegenerative disorders.

Effects of Cinnamon Consumption on Glycemic Indicators, Advanced Glycation End Products, and Antioxidant Status in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

The aim of the current study was to determine the effect of a daily intake of three grams of cinnamon over eight weeks on glycemic indicators, advanced glycation end products, and antioxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial study, 44 patients with type 2 diabetes, aged 57 ± 8 years, were randomly assigned to take either a three g/day cinnamon supplement (n = 22) or a placebo (n = 22) for eight weeks. We measured the fasting blood glucose, insulin, hemoglobinbA1c, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), carboxymethyl lysine, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde levels at the beginning and the end of the study. Thirty-nine patients (20 in the intervention group and 19 in the control group) completed the study. After an eight-week intervention, changes in the level of fasting blood glucose, insulin, hemoglobinbA1c, HOMA-IR, carboxymethyl lysine, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde were not significant in either group, nor were any significant differences between groups observed in these glycemic and inflammatory indicators at the end of the intervention. Our study revealed that cinnamon supplementation had no significant effects on glycemic and inflammatory indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Hazelnut and neuroprotection: Improved memory and hindered anxiety in response to intra-hippocampal Aß injection.

OBJECTIVES: Corylus avellana L. (hazelnut) is known to be a delicious and nutritious food. This study was carried out to evaluate the use of hazelnut as a therapy for memory impairment because in Iranian traditional medicine, it is recommended for those suffering from a particular type of dementia, with symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: In this study, rats were fed with hazelnut kernel [(without skin) 800 mg/kg/day] during 1 week before stereotaxic surgery to 24 hours before behavioral testing (in general, for 16 consecutive days) and the effect of hazelnut eating on memory, anxiety, neuroinflammation and apoptosis was assessed in the amyloid beta-injected rat. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that feeding with hazelnut improved memory, (which was examined by using Y-maze test and shuttle box apparatus), and reduced anxiety-related behavior, that was evaluated using elevated plus maze. Also, western blotting analysis of cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein, and caspase-3 showed that hazelnut has an ameliorating effect on the neuroinflammation and apoptosis caused by Aß. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that hazelnut, as a dietary supplement, improves healthy aging and could be a beneficial diet for the treatment of AD.

Preliminary investigation of the effects of topical mixture of Lawsonia inermis L. and Ricinus communis L. leaves extract in treatment of osteoarthritis using MIA model in rats.

BACKGROUND: Many plants have been introduced in Iranian traditional medicine for treatment of different joint problems including knee pain. Topical application of the mixture of Lawsonia inermis L. leaves (Henna) with aqueous extract of Ricinus communis L. leaves have been mentioned to have significant effects on reducing knee pain. The present study was designed to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the mixture of these two herbs in male rats. METHODS: We induced knee osteoarthritis as a model of chronic pain by intra-articular injection of mono sodium iodoacetate (MIA). Mechanical allodynia, hotplate latency test, spontaneous movements and gait analysis were used for the evaluation of analgesic activity. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by measuring the diameter and the volume of the injected paw compared to contralateral paw. These tests were monitored at days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 of MIA administration. Histopathological evaluations were also used to assess the efficacy of the treatment on inflammation and lesions in knee tissue. In all tests, diclofenac topical gel was used as a positive control. The herbal extracts, their mixture, and vehicle or diclofenac gel were administered daily for 14 days by topical route. RESULTS: The mixture of these two extracts significantly reduced the knee joint width and volume of the injected paws and also improved foot prints in gait analysis after 3 days of MIA injection. Analysis of mechanical allodynia (after 21 days), hotplate latency test (after 10 days), spontaneous movements (after 7 days) and in positive control group (after 3 days in all tests and in mechanical allodynia after 14 days) compared to the vehicle group, showed significant effects. Topical usage of the selected formulation made significant histopathological changes on the knee of the rats. Compared to the vehicle group, the tests and diclofenac groups showed less reactions characterized by negligible edema and a few scattered inflammatory lymphoid cells. CONCLUSION: The present findings showed that the present formulation not only was able to mitigate pain and inflammation in the paws but also made significant histopathological changes on the knee of the rats. Further studies are necessary to confirm the effect of the formulation.

Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Nociceptive Effects of Defatted Fruit Extract of Olea europaea.

Fruits of Olea europaea L. have been used for centuries in folk medicine to treat many inflammatory diseases. In order to evaluate the anti-nociceptive activities of the methanolic and aqueous extracts of defatted fruits of O. europaea, formalin test was used and for evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects of the extract, the volume of paw edema was measured. The results revealed that both extracts did not exhibit significant analgesic activity in the first phase of formalin test, whereas methanolic extract at the 600 mg/Kg dose and aqueous extract at the 450 and 600 mg/Kg doses could inhibit induced pain in the second phase of formalin test. Furthermore, the results of paw edema volume measurement indicated that the aqueous extract has anti-inflammatory effects at dose of 600 mg/Kg. Induced anti-nociception by aqueous olive extract was not reversed by naloxone, which indicates that the opioid receptors are not involved in the analgesic effects of the extracts. The present data pointed out that the extracts of olive defatted fruit have anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in rats but further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism(s) of action and active components which are involved in analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Medicinal plants used in Iranian traditional medicine to treat epilepsy.

Antiepileptic drugs used to treat epilepsy can cause severe, life threatening side effects. In Iranian traditional medicine, herbal remedies have been used for centuries to treat seizures. In this study, the five most important herbals in Iranian traditional medicine, namely Canon, al-Hawi, al-Abniah 'an Haqaeq al Adwia, Tuhfat al-Mu'minin, and Makhzan ul-Adwia, were searched for the term "sar-e", which means epilepsy, to identify the herbs used for treatment in ancient times. We also searched scientific literature for pharmacological evidence of their effectiveness. Twenty-five plants were identified as herbal remedies to treat epilepsy. Pharmacological data related to the antiepileptic activity of eleven of these plants exists. A large number of these plants which have not been investigated pharmacologically for antiepileptic activity would be good candidates for study in exploring new herbal anticonvulsant remedies.

New cucurbitane-type triterpenoids from Bryonia aspera.

Phytochemical investigation of the chloroform extract of BRYONIA ASPERA roots resulted in the isolation and structure elucidation of two new cucurbitacins (1, 2) together with eight known cucurbitane derivatives (6-13), the pentacyclic triterpene bryonolic acid (5) and two hydroxybenzoic acid amides (3, 4). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR techniques.

Screening of antiplasmodial properties among some traditionally used Iranian plants.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: An investigation of plants was undertaken through interviews and literature surveys on plants used to treat malaria or cancer or microbial diseases in Iran. AIM OF STUDY: In vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial tests were carried out on selected plants traditionally used in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two plants were extracted with methanol and tested for their in vitro (pLDH assay) activity against Plasmodium falciparum, in vivo activity against Plasmodium berghei and assessed for any cytotoxicity against the human cancer cell line MCF7 and the normal cell MDBK. RESULTS: Extracts from four plants, Buxus hyrcana Pojark. (Buxaceae), Erodium oxyrrhnchum M. Bieb. (Geraniaceae), Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae) and Ferula oopoda (Boiss and Bushe) Boiss. (Apiaceae) were found to have significant antiplasmodial activity (IC50 ranging from 4.7 to 26.6 microg/ml). These findings lend support to the use of Buxus hyrcana and Glycyrrhiza glabra in traditional medicine. The chloroformic fraction also was active against K1 and 3D7 strains. The chloroformic fraction was studied at 10 mg per kg body weight mouse per day. This fraction reduced parasitaemia by 86.1% compared to untreated control mice. CONCLUSION: Glycyrrhiza glabra showed antiplasmodial activity and has selectivity for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei when tested on mammalian cells. This is the first report that mentioned in vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra.