Bioactivity assays and phytochemical analysis upon Alcea glabrata; focusing on xanthine oxidase inhibitory and antimalarial properties.

Alcea glabrata from the family Malvaceae, was selected for evaluating its xanthine oxidase inhibitory, anti-malarial, and antioxidant activities. In addition, some phytochemical analysis upon different extracts of A. glabrata were performed. Aerial parts of the collected A. glabrata plant material were dried and solvent extracted via soxhlet apparatus using different solvents. Various chromatographic techniques were used for extra fractionation of the achieved extracts. Xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory, antimalarial and antioxidant activity assays upon different A. glabrata extracts and fractions were carried out and reported in terms of IC50s. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the A. glabrata methanol extract (MeOH) were determined using the 2,2-Di Phenyl-1-Picryl Hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, aluminum chloride colorimetric, and Folin-Ciocalteu reagents, respectively. In addition, A. glabrata essential oil was obtained through hydrodistillation by a Clevenger apparatus. Analysis and identification of essential oil compounds were carried out through gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. MeOH extract showed the highest XO inhibitory activity with the IC50 of 0.37 ± 0.12 mg/mL antioxidant activity with the RC50 of 0.24 ± 0.06 mg/mL. While, chloroform extract revealed the strongest antimalarial activity with the IC50 of 0.4 ± 0.05 mg/mL. The total flavonoid and phenolic contents of the A. glabrata methanol extract were 39.8 mg quercetin equivalent and 6.1 g gallic acid equivalent per 100 g of dry plant material, respectively. GC-MS analysis showed that the monoterpenes were prevailing in A. glabrata essential oil where the major constituents: octacosane (30.7%), eugenol (12.3%), and anethole (12.0%). Concerning the results of this study, A. glabrata extracts and its ingredients could be considered as a novel promising herbal medicine in the design and also treatment of new drugs for the relief of gout and malaria diseases.

Anti-inflammatory Properties of the Genus Symphytum L.: A Review.

The Symphytum genus has been mainly used in traditional medicine, containing its anti-inflammatory activity. Symphytum spp.'s active components, such as allantoin, polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids, can act on several intentions in the signaling pathway, constrain pro-inflammatory enzymes, reducing the construction of inflammatory chemokine's and cytokines, and decreasing oxidative stress, which afterward suppresses inflammation procedures. Preclinical and clinical trials have reported the prevailing anti-inflammatory effect of several Symphytum species. This review presents an overview of the anti-inflammatory activities of different products and bioactive constituents in this genus. The papers with the English language were gathered from 2000 to 2021. This review may provide a scientific base for establishing innovative and alternative techniques for isolating a single individual from this genus to attenuate inflammatory disorders. The Symphytum genus is waiting for researchers to develop safe and effective anti-inflammatory agents for additional investigation of other different mechanisms of action.

Stachys schtschegleevii tea, matrix metalloproteinase, and disease severity in female rheumatoid arthritis patients: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Stachys schtschegleevii (SSC) is a herbal medicine used to treat infections. To date, this is the first study aimed to investigate the effects of SSC tea on disease activity score (DAS), serum inflammatory biomarkers and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1 and MMP-3) among women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: This pilot, triple-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted among forty-four women (age: 30-65 years) diagnosed with moderately active RA. Subjects were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) into either SSC group (2.4 g/day SSC + 2.4 g/day black tea, n=22) or placebo (2.4 g/day black tea, n=22) for 8 weeks. Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), and MMPs were measured using ELISA. According to the American College of Rheumatology guideline considering hs-CRP, DAS28 was assessed. RESULTS: Both study groups had respondent rates above 94.9%. The SSC intervention caused significant reductions in the number and the percent changes of the tender joints (SSC: -74.39% vs. placebo: -57.15%, mean differences= -0.77; P<0.05) and DAS28 [SSC: -32.44% vs. placebo: -22.32%, mean differences= -0.41, P<0.05). Unlike the intervention within SSC group that showed significant reductions in the mean serum levels of hs-CRP, IL-1ß, and MMP-3, SSC caused significant MMP-3 reductions (SSC: -20.59% vs. placebo: 1.29%, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The SSC intervention showed an appropriate clinical efficacy for female RA patients, accompanying remarkable reductions in the number of tender and swollen joints, DAS28, and serum levels of MMP-3. This can provide additional insights to the interventional studies controlling RA-related pathological and inflammatory outcomes. Trial registration Prospectively registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT), linked to the WHO Registry Network ( https://en.irct.ir/trial/11602 , IRCT registration number: IRCT2015032011335N5, Registration date:2015-05-12). Key Points • Stachys schtschegleevii improved clinical outcomes and attenuated disease severity in RA patients. • Stachys schtschegleevii ameliorated serum level of MMP-3 in RA patients.

Triterpenoid corosolic acid attenuates HIF-1 stabilization upon cobalt (II) chloride-induced hypoxia in A549 human lung epithelial cancer cells.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 is a target for the management of cancer. Here, the anti-proliferation properties of corosolic acid (CA) against A549 human lung epithelial cancer cells in CoCl2-induced hypoxia is reported. CA was isolated from the roots of Salvia syriaca based on a bioassay-guided isolation platform and identified by 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Several cytotoxicies and genotoxicity analyses were performed using MTT, DAPI, cell cycle, DNA ladder, and annexin V/PI detection. Cobalt chloride (CoCl2) was used to stimulate hypoxia. The adaptation of A549 cells to a stimulated hypoxic condition in the presence of CA was evaluated. CA decreased the growth of A549 cells with an IC50 of 12 µg/mL at 48 h. Also, chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation were detected as signs of apoptosis occurrence. CA induced ~85% apoptosis and even 1% necrosis. The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α (HIF-1α), HIF-1ß and downstream genes was strongly suppressed in the presence of CA in CoCl2-stimulated hypoxia condition. Results indicated that CA has remarkable cytotoxicity against the cancerous cell in hypoxia condition and may be regarded for preparation of new formulations for possible uses as supplement and medicine in cancer therapy.

Evaluation of Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity on Astragalus Chrysostachys Boiss. Roots.

Astragalus is a well-known genus in Leguminosae family that represented more than 800 species growing in Iran. Nevertheless, there are a few reports on Astragalus plants endemic to Iran. The roots of Astragalus plants are rich in saponins, flavonoids and polysaccharides that possess various pharmacological activities. In the present study, chemical components, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Astragalus chrysostachys Boiss. roots were evaluated. For determination of phytochemicals in Astragalus chrysostachys Boiss. roots, total hydroalcoholic extract was fractionated with ethyl acetate and n-butanol. Ethyl acetate extract as a flavonoid rich extract was analyzed using vacuum liquid chromatography and preparative TLC and consequently a major flavonoid was isolated. The structure of the obtained compound was elucidated with 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Additionally, the essential oil of the roots was analyzed by GC-MS. Antioxidant activity of all extracts was evaluated by different assays. Moreover, antibacterial activities of the extracts were also investigated against 2 Gram-positive and 2 Gram-negative bacteria using Micro-dilution Broth method. Apigenin-6, 8-di-C-glucoside was detected in ethyl acetate extract for the first time in genus Astragalus. In addition, m-tolualdehyde, acetophenone, croweacin were found to be characteristics of the volatile oil of roots. Ethyl acetate extracts revealed notable antioxidant activity in DPPH scavenging assay with IC50 value of 14.6 µg/mL. Evaluation of antibacterial activity on the tested extracts showed mild activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Since there have been no reports on Astragalus chrysostachys Boiss. to date, the present data might be promising for application of this plant derivatives in phytotherapeutic practice.

Herbal Medicine for Oligomenorrhea and Amenorrhea: A Systematic Review of Ancient and Conventional Medicine.

INTRODUCTION: Menstrual bleeding cessation is one of the most frequent gynecologic disorders among women in reproductive age. The treatment is based on hormone therapy. Due to the increasing request for alternative medicine remedies in the field of women's diseases, in present study, it was tried to overview medicinal plants used to treat oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea according to the pharmaceutical textbooks of traditional Persian medicine (TPM) and review the evidence in the conventional medicine. METHODS: This systematic review was designed and performed in 2017 in order to gather information regarding herbal medications of oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea in TPM and conventional medicine. This study had several steps as searching Iranian traditional medicine literature and extracting the emmenagogue plants, classifying the plants, searching the electronic databases, and finding evidences. To search traditional Persian medicine references, Noor digital library was used, which includes several ancient traditional medical references. The classification of plants was done based on the repetition and potency of the plants in the ancient literatures. The required data was gathered using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, and web of knowledge. RESULTS: In present study of all 198 emmenagogue medicinal plants found in TPM, 87 cases were specified to be more effective in treating oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea. In second part of present study, where a search of conventional medicine was performed, 12 studies were found, which had 8 plants investigated: Vitex agnus-castus, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Foeniculum vulgare, Cinnamomum verum, Paeonia lactiflora, Sesamum indicum, Mentha longifolia, and Urtica dioica. Conclusion. Traditional Persian medicine has proposed many different medicinal plants for treatment of oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea. Although just few plants have been proven to be effective for treatment of menstrual irregularities, the results and the classification in present study can be used as an outline for future studies and treatment.

A Survey on Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activity of Zygophyllum fabago from Iran.

Purpose: Zygophyllum fabago L. (Z. fabago) is a widespread perennial herb which is used as a medicinal plant in traditional medicine of Iran, Turkey and China. The present study was a survey on phytochemical constituents and biological activities of this plant. Methods: Methanolic extract of the roots was fractionated over a C-18 pre-packed cartridge (Sep-pak) and chromatographic separation was performed on a reversed-phase preparative HPLC. Structural elucidation of the isolated compounds was carried out using UV, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectral analyses. Furthermore, the chemical compositions of the essential oil of the aerial parts were identified by GC-MS analysis. Antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of all extracts from aerials were determined by MTT and DPPH assays, respectively. Results: Phytochemical investigation on the plant roots led to the isolation and identification of two the 60% methanol-water Sep-pak fraction, a prenylated flavone glycoside, 6-C-prenyl-7-O-[ ß -D-4'''-O-acetyl-glucopyranosyl-(1'''→2'')-ß-D-glucopyranosyl] apigenin, which was named as a Zygocaperoside and also, other flavonoid, was named as the Isorhamnetin -3-O glucoside. None of the extracts showed antiproliferative effect against cancerous cells. However, among the extracts, methanolic extract indicated antioxidant activity. Moreover, essential oils of flowers and leaves of plant have high amounts of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and diterpenoides. Conclusion: The results of present study introduce Z. fabago roots as a new source of flavonoid glycosides and suggest it as an appropriate candidate for further pharmacological studies.

Evaluation of the Effect of Psyllium on the Viability of Lactobacillus Acidophilus in Alginate-Polyl Lysine Beads.

Purpose: Psylliumseeds are used in traditional herbal medicine to treat various disorders. Moreover, as a soluble fiber, psyllium has potential to stimulate bacterial growth in digestive system. We aimed to substitute alkali-extractable polysaccharides of psyllium for alginate in beads with second coat of poly-l-lysine to coat Lactobacillus acidophilus. Methods: Beads were prepared using extrusion technique. Poly-l-lysine as second coat was incorporated on optimum alginate/psyllium beads using immersion technique. Beads were characterized in terms of size, encapsulation efficiency, integrity and bacterial survival in harsh conditions. Results: Beads with narrow size distribution ranging from 1.85 ± 0.05 to 2.40 ± 0.18 mm with encapsulation efficiency higher than 96% were achieved. Psyllium concentrations in beads did not produce constant trend in bead sizes. Surface topography by SEM showed that substitution of psyllium enhanced integrity of obtained beads. Psyllium successfully protected the bacteria against acidic condition and lyophilization equal to alginate in the beads. Better survivability with beads of alginate/psyllium-poly-l-lysine was achieved with around 2 log rise in bacterial count in acid condition compared to the corresponding single coat beads. Conclusion: Alginate/psyllium (1:2) beads with narrow size distribution and high encapsulation efficiency of the bacteria have been achieved. Presence of psyllium produced a much smoother and integrated surface texture for the beads with sufficient protection of the bacteria against acidic condition as much as alginate. Considering the health benefits of psyllium and its prebiotic activity, psyllium can be beneficially replaced in part for alginate in probiotic coating.

Fast analysis of volatile components of Achillea tenuifolia Lam with microwave distillation followed by headspace single-drop microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

This article investigates the effect of microwaves on the amount of volatile compounds Achillea tenuifolia Lam with two methods, headspace single-drop microextraction and microwave-assisted headspace single-drop microextraction (MA-SDME), for the analysis of essential oil. Solvent selection, solvent volume, microwave power, irradiation time and sample mass were optimised by the simplex method.

The effect of Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) on early menopausal symptoms and hot flashes: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Hop on early menopausal symptoms and hot flashes. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 120 women were randomly allocated into two groups, receiving the Hop or placebo tablets for 12 weeks. Early menopausal symptoms were assessed using Greene scale and hot flashes were recorded in a diary before, and 4, 8 and 12 weeks after intervention. RESULTS: The mean Greene score was significantly lower in the Hop group than the placebo group at the end of weeks 4 (adjusted difference: -10.0, 95% confidence interval: -11.1--8.9), 8 (-18.6, -20.1--17.1) and 12 (-23.4, -25.1--21.6). The number of hot flashes was significantly lower in the Hop group than the control group during the weeks 4 (-8.4, -9.8--7.1), 8 (-17.1, -14.9--19.3) and 12 (-23.8, -21.1--26.4). CONCLUSIONS: Hop effectively reduced the early menopausal symptoms. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was approved (code 91209) by the Ethic Committee of Tabriz university of Medical Sciences and registered at the Iranian registry of clinical trials, with IRCT 2013010110324N7 on April 2013.

Rapid analysis of Achillea tenuifolia Lam essential oils by polythiophene/hexagonally ordered silica nanocomposite coating as a solid-phase microextraction fibre.

In this work, a highly porous fibre coated with polythiophene/hexagonally ordered silica nanocomposite (PT/SBA-15) was prepared and used for extraction of essential oils with microwave-assisted distillation headspace solid phase microextraction (MA-HS-SPME) method. The prepared nanomaterials were immobilised on a stainless steel wire for fabrication of the SPME fibre. Using MA-HS-SPME followed by GC-MS, 24 compounds were separated and identified in Achillea tenuifolia, which mainly included limonene (28.6%), α-cadinol (12.7%), borneol (6.7%), caryophyllene oxide (3.2%), bornyl acetate (4.3%), camphene (3.2%) and para-cymene (2.3%). The experimental results showed that the polythiophene/hexagonally ordered silica nanocomposite fibres were suitable for the semi-quantitative study of the composition of essential oils in plant materials and for monitoring the variations in the volatile components of the plants.

Galbanic acid inhibits HIF-1α expression via EGFR/HIF-1α pathway in cancer cells.

Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1 plays a key transcriptional role in the adaptation of hypoxic solid tumors to low oxygen environment. Here, we aimed to investigate galbanic acid (GBA) inhibitory effects on HIF-1 activation during hypoxia and normoxia. MTT survival and Annexin V assays were used to evaluate GBA cytotoxicity and apoptosis in treated cells. Quantitative real time PCR and western blotting were used to estimate mRNA expression and translated protein, respectively. Results showed that GBA dose- and time-dependently decreased the in vitro growth of OVCAR-3 human epithelial carcinoma cells with an IC50 of approximately 37, 12.1 and 10µM GBA at 24, 48 and 72h, respectively. Following phosphatidylserine of outer leaflet of the plasma membrane revealed occurrence of early/late apoptosis in GBA treated cells. In addition, we found that GBA down-regulates HIF-1α and HIF-1ß mRNA expression in both hypoxia and normoxia. To determine the mechanism of action, we showed that GBA did not inhibit Akt and EGFR mRNA expression, yet protein degradation investigation showed that GBA shortened the half-life of EGFR through decreasing its stability with a decrease of nearly 2 and 3h in A549 and OVCAR-3 cell lines, respectively. We also found that downstream genes contributed in glycolysis, including Eno 1 and GluT-1, are underexpressed in GBA treated cells in hypoxia. Conclusively, GBA may inhibit HIF-1 activation through down-regulation of its subunit expression in hypoxia, and increasing of EGFR degradation in normoxia.

Fast determination of Ziziphora tenuior L. essential oil by inorganic-organic hybrid material based on ZnO nanoparticles anchored to a composite made from polythiophene and hexagonally ordered silica.

In this paper, for the first time, an inorganic-organic hybrid material based on ZnO nanoparticles was anchored to a composite made from polythiophene and hexagonally ordered silica (ZnO/PT/SBA-15) for use in solid-phase fibre microextraction (SPME) of medicinal plants. A homemade SPME apparatus was used for the extraction of volatile components of Ziziphora tenuior L. A simplex method was used for optimisation of five different parameters affecting the efficiency of the extraction. The main constituents extracted by ZnO/PT/SBA-15 and PDMS fibres and hydrodistillation (HD) methods, respectively, included pulegone (51.25%, 53.64% and 56.68%), limonene (6.73%, 6.58% and 8.3%), caryophyllene oxide (5.33%, 4.31% and 4.53%) and 1,8-cineole (4.21%, 3.31% and 3.18%). In comparison with the HD method, the proposed technique could equally monitor almost all the components of the sample, in an easier way, in a shorter time and requiring a much lower amount of the sample.

Evaluating Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Activity of Marrubium crassidens.

PURPOSE: Naturally occurring substances as novel drugs in cancer therapy, at all times, represent a challenge to science since medicinal plants are proving to be brilliant sources of new chemopreventive agents. METHODS: In the present study, methanol extract from aerial parts of Marrubium crassidens was assessed for its antiproliferative activity in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 through MTT bioassay using cell viability and cytotoxicity indices. The antioxidant property of M. crassidens extract together with its phenolic and flavonoids content were evaluated, as well. RESULTS: According to data obtained in the study, M. crassidens exhibited antiproliferative activity with a gradual rise in cytotoxicty effect setting out on 240µg/mL concentration of the extract. Moreover, the RC50 value for antioxidant activity of the extract was determined as 40µg/mL and values for the total phenolic and flavonoids were calculated as 512.64mg gallic acid equivalent and 212.73mg quercetin equivalent per 100g of dry plant material. CONCLUSION: Generally, the observed antiproliferative and antioxidant properties of M. crassidens could be certified to the high amounts of phenolic and flavonoid content detected in the extract.

Chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Heracleum transcaucasicum and Heracleum anisactis roots essential oil.

INTRODUCTION: In vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activity and volatile compositions of two Heracleum species (Apiaceae) including Heracleum transcaucasicum and Heracleum anisactis roots Essential Oil (EO) were investigated. METHODS: The volatile compositions of EOs were analyzed by GC/Mass spectroscopy. To detect the antioxidant activity of essential oils TLC-bioautography and DPPH radical scavenging assay by spectrophotometry was performed. Additionally, the antibacterial activity of two essential oils were studied and compared against four pathogenic bacteria by agar disc diffusion method and MIC values of the EOs were determined using the broth dilution method. RESULTS: Myristicin was the dominant component in both EOs. It was identified as 96.87% and 95.15% of the essential oil composition of H. transcaucasicum and H. anisactis roots, respectively. The TLC-bioautography showed antioxidant spots in both EOs and IC50 of H. anisactis and H. transcaucasicum EO was found to be 54 µg × ml (-1) and 77 µg × ml (-1), respectively. Regarding the antimicrobial assay, H. anisactis EO exhibited weak to moderate antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria and also Escherichia coli, whereas the essential oil from H. transcaucasicum was inactive. CONCLUSION: Based on the results from this study, both tested EOs mainly consist of myristicin. Despite the presence of myristicin with known antibacterial property, the EO from H. transcacausicum showed no antibacterial activity. Thus it is supposed that the biological activity of plants is remarkably linked to the extracts' chemical profile and intercomponents' synergistic or antagonistic effect could play a crucial role in bioactivity of EOs and other plant extracts.

The effect of lemon inhalation aromatherapy on nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: a double-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy are amongst the most common complaints that effects on both the physical and mental conditions of the pregnant women. Due to the increasing tendency of women to use herbal medications during pregnancy, the effect of lemon inhalation aromatherapy on nausea and vomiting of pregnancy was investigated in this study. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of lemon inhalation aromatherapy on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a randomized clinical trial in which 100 pregnant women with nausea and vomiting who had eligibility criteria were randomly divided into intervention and control groups based on four- and six-random block sampling method. Lemon essential oil and placebo were given to the intervention and control groups, respectively, to inhale it as soon as they felt nausea. The nausea, vomiting, and retch intensity were investigated 24 hours before and during the four days of treatment by means of PUQE-24 (24-hour Pregnancy Unique Quantification of Emesis). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the mean scores of nausea and vomiting on the second and fourth days (P = 0.017 and P = 0.039, respectively). The means of nausea and vomiting intensity in the second and fourth days in the intervention group were significantly lower than the control group. In addition, in intragroup comparison with ANOVA with repeated measures, the nausea and vomiting mean in the five intervals, showed a statistically significant difference in each group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.049, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Lemon scent can be effective in reducing nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.

Phytochemistry and bioactivity of Pedicularis sibthorpii growing in Iran

The methanol extract of the aerial parts of the medicinal plant Pedicularis sibthorpii Boiss., Scrophulariaceae, growing in the Azerbaijan province of Iran, was found to be active in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and the antibacterial agar well diffusion assays, but no general toxicity was observed in the brine shrimp lethality assay. A combination of solid-phase extraction (SPE) and preparative reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (prep-RP-HPLC) analyses of the methanolic extract afforded three phenylethanoids (verbascoside, martynoside and isomartynoside), an iridoid (aucubin), a flavonoid (luteolin 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside) and mannitol, and the structures of these compounds were elucidated unambiguously by spectroscopic means. The distribution of the isolated compounds within the genus Pedicularis has also been discussed.

Antiproliferative activity of Marrubium persicum extract in the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line.

AIM: Developing antitumor drugs from natural products is receiving increasing interest worldwide due to limitations and side effects of therapy strategies for the second leading cause of disease related mortality, cancer. METHODS: The antiproliferative activity of a methanolic extract from the aerial parts of Marrubium persicum extract was assessed with the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line using the MTT test for cell viability and cytotoxicity indices. In addition, antioxidant properties of the extract were evaluated by measuring its ability to scavenge free DPPH radicals. Moreover, the total phenolic and flavonoid content of the extract was determined based on Folin-Ciocalteu and colorimetric aluminum chloride methods. RESULTS: The findings of the study for the antiproliferative activity of the methanolic extract of M. persicum showed that growth of MCF-7 cells was inhibited by the extract in a dose and time dependent manner, where a gradual increase of cytotoxicity effect has been achieved setting out on 200 µg/mL concentration of the plant extract. The antioxidant assay revealed that the extract was a strong scavenger of DPPH radicals with an RC50 value of 52 µg/mL. The total phenolic and flavonoids content of the plant extract was 409.3 mg gallic acid equivalent and 168.9 mg quercetin equivalent per 100g of dry plant material. CONCLUSION: Overall, M. persicum possesses potential antiproliferative and antioxidant activities on the malignant MCF-7 cell line that could be attributed to the high content of phenolics and flavonoids, and therefore warrants further exploration.

Evaluation of antimalarial, free-radical-scavenging and insecticidal activities of Artemisia scoparia and A. Spicigera, Asteraceae

Artemisia species (Asteraceae), widespread throughout the world, are a group of important medicinal plants. The extracts of two medicinal plants of this genus, Artemisia scoparia Waldst. & Kit. and A. spicigera C. Koch, were evaluated for potential antimalarial, free-radical-scavenging and insecticidal properties, using the heme biocrystallisation and inhibition assay, the DPPH assay and the contact toxicity bioassay using the pest Tribolium castaneum, respectively. The methanol extracts of both species showed strong free-radical-scavenging activity and the RC50 values were 0.0317 and 0.0458 mg/mL, respectively, for A. scoparia and A. spicigera. The dichloromethane extracts of both species displayed a moderate level of potential antimalarial activity providing IC50 at 0.778 and 0.999 mg/mL for A. scoparia and A. spicigera, respectively. Both species of Artemisia showed insecticidal properties. However, A. spicigera was more effective than A. scoparia.

Armenin and isoarmenin--two prenylated coumarins from the aerial parts of Artemisia armeniaca.

The reversed-phase (RP) preparative HPLC analyses of the MeOH extract of the aerial parts of Artemisia armeniaca yielded four prenylated coumarins, 7-hydroxy-8-(4-hydroxy-3-methylbutoxy)coumarin (named armenin), 8-hydroxy-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methylbutoxy)coumarin (named isoarmenin), lacarol, and deoxylacarol, together with five other compounds, including three flavonoid glycosides, quercetin 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, rutin, and kaempferol 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, and chlorogenic acid, and tryptophan. (10E,12Z)-9-Hydroxyoctadeca-10,12-dienoic acid (ß-dimorphecolic acid) was isolated from the CH(2)Cl(2) extract. Armenin and isoarmenin were new coumarins. Structures of all compounds were determined by spectroscopic means, including UV, MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR. The in vitro free-radical-scavenging property of the extracts and isolated compounds was evaluated by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay.