Efficacy of ergosterol peroxide obtained from the endophytic fungus Acrophialophora jodhpurensis against Rhizoctonia solani.

AIM: To investigate antifungal activity of the extract and major metabolite of the endophytic fungus Acrophialophora jodhpurensis (belonging to Chaetomiaceae) against crown and root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani (teleomorph: Thanatephorus cucumeris), as an important pathogen of tomato. METHODS AND RESULTS: The endophytic fungus A. jodhpurensis, has high inhibitory effect against R. solani AG4-HG II in vitro and in vivo. The media conditions were optimized for production of the endophyte's metabolites. The highest amounts of secondary metabolites were produced at pH 7, 30°C temperature, and in the presence of 0.5% glucose, 0.033% sodium nitrate, and 1 gl-1 asparagine as the best carbon, nitrogen, and amino acid sources, respectively. The mycelia were extracted by methanol and the obtained extract was submitted to various chromatography techniques. Phytochemical analysis via thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy showed that ergosterol peroxide was the major component in the extract of this endophyte. Antifungal activities of the methanolic extract and ergosterol peroxide in the culture media were studied against R. solani. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of the extract and ergosterol peroxide against the pathogen were 600 and 150 µg ml-1, respectively. Ergosterol peroxide revealed destructive effects on the pathogen structures in microscopic analyses and induced sclerotia production. Histochemical analyses revealed that it induced apoptosis in the mycelia of R. solani via superoxide production and cell death. Application of ergosterol peroxide in the leaf disc assay reduced the disease severity in tomato leaves. CONCLUSIONS: Antifungal metabolites produced by A. jodhpurensis, such as ergosterol peroxide, are capable of controlling destructive Rhizoctonia diseases on tomato.

Pomegranate: A review of the heavenly healer's past, present, and future.

In the great Persian Empire, pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) had a wide reputation for use both as an herbal medicine and nutritious food. It was also a symbol of peace and love according to Achaemenid limestones in the great Persia. This paper aims to review the traditional uses of pomegranate in Persian and Islamic traditional medicine and have thorough and current information regarding the pharmacology and phytochemistry of this valuable plant for practical use and further research. Relevant information about P. granatum was collected from scientific publishers and databases including Elsevier, Wiley, PubMed, and Google Scholar between 1950 and 2022. The traditional knowledge was extracted from Persian and Islamic traditional textbooks. Based on traditional textbooks, pomegranate has beneficial effects on diseases related to gastrointestinal, upper and lower respiratory, visual, and reproductive systems. In addition, pomegranate and its preparations have been prescribed for treating metabolic disorders, skin problems, and wounds as well as dental protection. Preclinical and clinical evidence supports many therapeutic potentials of pomegranate in traditional medicine. Its therapeutic effects are mostly attributed to its polyphenols. The knowledge in Persian and Islamic traditional textbooks about pomegranate and its preparations can be used as a guide for further preclinical and mainly clinical studies to discover the therapeutic potential of this valuable plant.

Comparative LC-ESIMS-Based Metabolite Profiling of Senna italica with Senna alexandrina and Evaluating Their Hepatotoxicity.

Senna Mill. (Fabaceae) is an important medicinal plant distributed worldwide. Senna alexandrina (S. alexandrina), the officinal species of the genus, is one of the most well-known herbal medicines traditionally used to treat constipation and digestive diseases. Senna italica (S. italica), another species of the genus, is native to an area ranging from Africa to the Indian subcontinent, including Iran. In Iran, this plant has been used traditionally as a laxative. However, very little phytochemical information and pharmacological reports investigating its safety of use are available. In the current study, we compared LC-ESIMS metabolite profiles of the methanol extract of S. italica with that of S. alexandrina and measured the content of sennosides A and B as the biomarkers in this genus. By this, we were able to examine the feasibility of using S. italica as a laxative agent like S. alexandrina. In addition, the hepatotoxicity of both species was evaluated against HepG2 cancer cell lines using HPLC-based activity profiling to localize the hepatotoxic components and evaluate their safety of use. Interestingly, the results showed that the phytochemical profiles of the plants were similar but with some differences, particularly in their relative contents. Glycosylated flavonoids, anthraquinones, dianthrones, benzochromenones, and benzophenones constituted the main components in both species. Nevertheless, some differences, particularly in the relative amount of some compounds, were observed. According to the LC-MS results, the amounts of sennoside A in S. alexandrina and S. italica were 1.85 ± 0.095% and 1.00 ± 0.38%, respectively. Moreover, the amounts of sennoside B in S. alexandrina and S. italica were 0.41 ± 0.12 % and 0.32 ± 0.17%, respectively. Furthermore, although both extracts showed significant hepatotoxicity at concentrations of 50 and 100 µg/mL, they were almost non-toxic at lower concentrations. Taken together, according to the results, the metabolite profiles of S. italica and S. alexandrina showed many compounds in common. However, further phytochemical, pharmacological, and clinical studies are necessary to examine the efficacy and safety of S. italica as a laxative agent.

Artemisia Absinthium Extract Attenuates the Quinolinic Acid-Induced Cell Injury in OLN-93 Cells.

OBJECTIVE: Increased quinolinic acid (QA) accumulation has been found in many neurodegenerative diseases. Artemisia absinthium (A. absinthium) has been reported to have neuroprotective and antioxidant activities. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of A. absinthium in QAinduced neurotoxicity in OLN-93 Cells. METHODS: OLN-93 cells were cultured in a DMEM medium containing 10% (v/v) fetal bovine serum, 100 units/ml penicillin, and 100 µg/ml streptomycin. The cells were pretreated with concentrations of A. absinthium extract for two h and then exposed to QA for 24 h. After 24 h cell viability, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptotic cells were quantitated in OLN-93 Cells. RESULTS: Pretreatment with A. absinthium extract prevented the loss of cell viability in OLN-93 cells. ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis in QA-injured OLN-93 cells were reduced following A. absinthium extract pretreatment. CONCLUSION: A. absinthium extract exerts its neuroprotective effect against QA-induced neurotoxicity via oxidative stress and apoptosis modulation.

Hypericum perforatum: Traditional uses, clinical trials, and drug interactions.

Hypericum perforatum (Hypericaceae), known as Saint John's wort (SJW), has been used in different systems of traditional medicine such as Chinese traditional medicine, Greek traditional medicine, and Islamic traditional medicine. The plant and its active constituents such as hyperforin and hypericin have a wide range of medicinal uses, particularly as anti-depressant, wound-healing, and antibacterial agents. In recent decades, many clinical trials have been performed to investigate the safety and efficacy of this medicinal plant. However, to the best on our knowledge, there is no comprehensive review article in this regard. In the current study, we aim to have a comprehensive review of the clinical trials of SJW to evaluate its efficacy and safety as well as its application in traditional medicine. Clinical studies investigating the safety, interactions, and efficacy of SJW were identified and summarized, including contributions from 2000 until December 2021. According to the results, these clinical studies were divided into three main categories based on the type of disease: psychiatric, endocrine, and skin problems. Important details of the studies, including the type and duration of the study, the type and percentage of the effective compounds or the extract used, the number of patients, and the obtained results were also discussed. In addition, co-administration and drug interaction of SJW with other drugs were summarized. SJW is a valuable medicinal plant, especially for psychiatric disorders. However, precautions should be taken while administrating the plant.

Phytochemistry and pharmacology of alkaloids from Glaucium spp.

Glaucium Mill. comprising 28 species with 78 synonyms, 3 subspecies, and 3 varieties worldwide belongs to the Papaveraceae family. The plants are well known for their different types of alkaloids. In the present study, we attempted to review the chemistry and pharmacology of the alkaloids from the genus Glaucium. For this purpose, the relevant data were collected from different scientific databases including, "Google Scholar", "ISI Web of Knowledge", "PubMed", "Scopus", and available books and e-books. Our results showed that aporphine alkaloids are dominated in the species; however, other types of alkaloids including protopines, benzophenanthridines, benzylisoquinolines, protoberberines, and morphinanes have also been reported from the genus. The pharmacological studies have shown that the alkaloids from Glaucium species have several biological activities of which anti-cancer and anti-cholinesterase effects have been highly reported. Besides, the data indicated that most of the species have been investigated neither phytochemically nor pharmacologically. Glaucium flavum, known as yellow horn poppy, is the most studied species. According to the reports, the plants from this genus have anti-cancer and anti-cholinesterase potentials and can be used as a source for aporphine alkaloids.

Turmeric and Curcumin: From Traditional to Modern Medicine.

The rhizome of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) has been used as an herbal medicine, coloring agent, spice, and food additive for thousands of years in different parts of the world particularly in Asian countries. It has been used for a range of diseases in many traditional medical schools, including Islamic traditional medicine, Chinese traditional medicine, and Ayurveda. It has been used mainly for digestive problems, as a cardio-, hepato-, and neuroprotective agent as well as in many inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and for enhancing immune system. Curcumin, a diarylheptanoid derivative found in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties; controls obesity and metabolic problems; and improves memory and mood disorders. Therapeutically, curcumin exhibits promising potential in preclinical and clinical studies and is currently in human trials for a variety of conditions, including metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, premenstrual syndrome, ulcerative colitis, knee osteoarthritis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, atherosclerosis, liver cirrhosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, depression, psoriasis, and Alzheimer's disease. Among all beneficial activities reported for curcumin, the research toward the obesity and metabolic-preventing/suppressing aspects of curcumin is growing. These findings emphasize that most of the traditional applications of turmeric is due to the presence of its key constituent, curcumin. According to the traditional background of turmeric use and clinical values of curcumin, further preclinical studies for unstudied properties and clinical studies with larger sample sizes for confirmed activities are expected.

Pain-relieving effects of Lawsonia inermis on neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury.

The aim of this study was to determine the role of Lawsonia inermis (L. inermis) extract in the chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain. Following CCI surgery, L. inermis extract (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) and gabapentin (100 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally for 14 consecutive days. Heat hyperalgesia and allodynia were assessed by radiant heat, aceton drop, and von frey filament tests, respectively. Rat pain behaviors were evaluated on -1sh, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th and 14th days post CCI surgery. At the end of the study, the spinal levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total thiol, IL1-ß, and TNF-α were estimated. Treatment of L. inermis extract reversed the decreased level of thiol and the elevation of MDA level in the spinal cord of CCI rats. Besides, L. inermis extract treatment decreased the elevation of inflammatory markers including IL1-ß, and TNF-α in the spinal cord of CCI rats. These results indicated that L. inermis has potential neuroprotective effects against CCI induced neuropathic pain due to its anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Medicinal Species of the Genus Berberis: A Review of Their Traditional and Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology.

Discovering new drugs for treating different health problems is one of the basic needs of human societies. There are various strategies to find new lead compounds. One of the most important strategies in this regard is using the knowledge in traditional and folk medicines as a valuable guide. Islamic traditional medicine (ITM) is a well reputed school of medicine with a long history. In the textbooks of this medical system, the properties and applications of many medicinal plants have been described. As a part of an ongoing project on plants used in ITM, in this study we investigated botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Berberis spp. The great genus Berberis (Berberidaceae) consists of 594 species worldwide which have been used in different traditional medicines for a wide range of diseases. In ITM reference books such as Al-Hâwi fi'at-Tibbe (Comprehensive Book of Medicine), Kâmel al-Sinâh at-Tibbiyah (Complete Book of the Medical Art), Al-Qânun fi' at-Tibbe (Canon of Medicine), Dakhireh Khârazmshâhi (Treasure of Khârazmshâh), and Makhzan al-Adwyah (Drug Treasure), different parts of B. vulgaris and B. integrimma, known as Zereshk, have been mainly prescribed for skin, liver, stomach, kidney, and eye problems. There are several pharmacological studies reporting beneficial effects of various Berberis plants confirming traditional uses. Most of the activities reported for Berberis is attributed to the presence of an important class of alkaloids namely isoquinolines. Nevertheless, clinical studies are necessary to confirm the therapeutic effects of different species of this genus.

Therapeutic Potential of Pomegranate in Metabolic Disorders.

Metabolic syndrome and associated disorders have become one of the major challenging health problems over the last decades. Considerable attention has been paid to natural products and herbal medicines for the management of metabolic disorders in recent years. Many studies have investigated the therapeutic effects of different parts (arils, peels, seeds, and flowers) of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) for the prevention and treatment of this syndrome. This study aims to provide an updated review on the in vitro and in vivo studies as well as clinical trials investigating the effects of pomegranate and its active compounds on different components of metabolic problems such as hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, as well as obesity over the last two decades. Besides, the key mechanisms by which pomegranate affects these pathogenic conditions are also discussed. The studies show that although pomegranate has promising beneficial effects on diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity in various cellular, animal, and clinical models of studies, there are some conflicting results, particularly for hyperglycemic conditions. The main mechanisms include influencing oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory responses. Overall, pomegranate seems to have positive effects on the pathogenic conditions of metabolic syndrome according to the reviewed studies. Although pomegranate is not suggested as the first line of therapy or monotherapy, it could be only used as an adjunctive therapy. Nevertheless, further large and long-term clinical studies are still required.

Biological and Pharmacological Effects of Gamma-oryzanol: An Updated Review of the Molecular Mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: Gamma-oryzanol (γ-oryzanol) is one of the rice bran oil (RBO) compounds, known as a principal food source throughout the world. In recent numerous experimental studies, γ-oryzanol has been revealed to have several useful pharmacological properties, such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, ameliorating unpleasant menopausal symptoms, cholesterol-lowering, improving plasma lipid pattern, etc. Methods: In this study, we reviewed the scientific literature published up until 2020, which has evaluated the biological and pharmacological activity of gamma-oryzanol. This review summarizes the published data found in PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The present review attempts to summarize the most related articles about the pharmacological and therapeutic potential from recent studies on γ-oryzanol to gain insights into design further studies to achieve new evidence that confirm the observed effects.

A Review of Conifers in Iran: Chemistry, Biology and their Importance in Traditional and Modern Medicine.

Cupressus sempervirens, Platycladus orientalis, Juniperus communis, J. excelsa, J. foetidissima, J. polycarpos var. turcomanica, J. sabina, and Taxus baccata are conifers in Iran. These plants have a long reputation in different systems of traditional medicines for a variety of diseases. This review aims to provide comprehensive and up-to-date information about the ethnopharmacological uses, chemical constituents, and pharmacology of these conifers. Furthermore this study comprises a bibliographical survey of major Islamic Traditional Medicine (ITM) books regarding different medical aspects of these species. A literature search was conducted on the applications of these conifers both in traditional and modern medicines by referencing traditional textbooks and scientific databases. Ethnobotanical literature review indicates that various parts of the plants including cones, berries, leaves, bark, wood, and resin have been used for a broad spectrum of applications. In Iran, C. sempervirens, J. sabina, J. communis, and T. baccata have been used traditionally for the treatment of urinary, digestive, nervous, respiratory, and integumentary systems-related problems. The phytochemical constituents of these plants can be divided into two main categories: volatile and non-volatile components, all dominated by terpenes. Considering the pharmacological and clinical evidence, while some of the traditional applications of these plants are supported by modern medicine, implying the value of the traditional and folklore knowledge for finding new lead compounds in drug discovery, some have remained unexamined showing the need for much more studies in this regard.

HPLC-Based Activity Profiling for Antiprotozoal Compounds in the Endemic Iranian Medicinal Plant Helichrysum oocephalum.

In a screening of Iranian plants for antiprotozoal activity a dichlomethane extract from the aerial parts of Helichrysum oocephalum showed in vitro antiprotozoal activity against Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania donovani, with IC50 values of 4.01 ± 0.50 and 5.08 ± 0.07 µg/mL, respectively. The activity in the extract was tracked by HPLC-based activity profiling, and subsequent targeted preparative isolation afforded 24 compounds, including pyrones 22-24, phloroglucinol derivatives 12-19, and compounds containing both structural motifs (1-11, 20, and 21). Of these, 15 compounds were new natural products. The in vitro antiprotozoal activity of isolates was determined. Compound 3 showed good potency and selectivity in vitro against L. donovani (IC50 1.79 ± 0.17 µM; SI 53).

Analysis of the Essential Oils of Five Artemisia Species and Evaluation of their Cytotoxic and Proapoptotic Effects.

BACKGROUND: In this study, the essential oil composition and cytotoxic activities of five Artemisia species were determined. METHODS: The collected plants were water-distilled separately to obtain oils which were then subjected to gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry GC/MS analyses to identify their compositions. Cancer cells were exposed to different concentrations of samples and cell viability was measured using AlamarBlue® assay. Apoptotic cells were analyzed by propidium iodide (PI) staining and flow cytometry. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: To study the amount of pro-apoptotic proteins and the apoptosis mechanism, Western blot method was used. Although all samples were cytotoxic at the highest concentration, the oil of A. kulbadica showed the strongest activity among other plants. Carvacrol (IC50 21.11 µg/ml) had the most cytotoxic effects among other components. Carvacrol, 1,8-cineole and 4-terpineole caused an increase in the amount of Bax protein and cleaved peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) and caspase proteins in DU 145 cells.

Cytotoxic Activity of Thirteen Endemic and Rare Plants from Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province in Iran.

Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province is one of the most important endemism states of the flora of Iran with a considerable plant species diversity. In the present study, the cytotoxic activity of 13 plant species grown in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari have been evaluated on prostate (PC-3), breast (MCF-7), liver (HepG2), ovary (CHO), and melanoma (B16-F10) cancer cell lines. The cytotoxicity and apoptotic activity of methanol extracts was evaluated using resazurin reagent and flow cytometry of PI stained cells, respectively. Methanol extracts of Dionysia sawyeri, Stachys obtusicrena and Cicer oxyodon on CHO cell line (p <0.05) and D. sawyer and Linum album on B16/F10 cell line (p <0.05) showed significant cytotoxic effects and increased apoptosis. It is generally suggested that the plant extracts with low IC50 values are likely to be used as anti-cancer compounds in reducing cancer progression in scientific studies.

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Anti-Melanogenic Activity of Different Extracts of Aerial Parts of N. Sintenisii in Murine Melanoma B16F10 Cells.

Nepeta (Lamiaceae) is an important genus with beneficial medicinal properties. N. sintenisii Bornm. has been used in folk medicine of Iran to cure various diseases. We investigated the anti-melanogenesis effects of n-hexane, MeOH, CH2Cl2, n-BuOH, EtOAc, and H2O extracts isolated from the plant in B16 melanoma cells. Various assays including cytotoxicity, mushroom tyrosinase inhibition, inhibition of cellular tyrosinase, melanin content, the amount of reactive oxygen species and western blotting were done to assess the plant activities on melanogenesis inhibition. All extracts of N. sintenisii could significantly reduce both tyrosinase activity and the cellular melanin content. Reactive oxygen species were also significantly decreased following the treatment of cell with n-BuOH and EtOAc extracts with no cytotoxicity. The plant significantly decreased the amount of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor proteins. Collectively, N. sintenisii inhibited melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in B16 melanoma cells with no cytotoxic effects. Hence, it might merit further investigations for elucidation of anti-hyperpigmentation agents.

Protective effects of saffron and its active components against oxidative stress and apoptosis in endothelial cells.

In this study, we investigated the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in mediation of the protective effects of saffron extract, saffron essential oil, safranal and crocin on bovine aortic endothelial cells against oxidative injury. The viability of cells in response to H2O2-induced toxicity (0.4, 2 and 10 mM) was measured using resazurin assay in the presence or absence of saffron extract (2-40 µg/ml), saffron oil (2-40 µg/ml), safranal (2-40 µM) and crocin (2-40 µM). Dichlorodihydrofluorescin diacetate was used as an indicator for the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells at the same concentrations of samples as the former test. In addition, propidium iodide staining of the fragmented DNA was performed to measure the level of apoptotic cells by the application of 2-10 µM of crocin and safranal. Finally, the proteins involved in apoptosis were detected using western blotting at the concentration of 0, 2, 10 µM for crocin and safranal. The results indicated that all tested moieties improved viability and reduced ROS production in H2O2-treated cells (p < 0.001 compared to H2O2). In addition, a significant decrease in apoptosis (3-35%) was observed in the cells that were treated with crocin and safranal. The observed protective effects of crocin and safranal were associated with the activation of SAPK/JNK and inhibition of ERK ½ that are related to MAPK pathways. The antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activities of saffron and its ingredients in endothelial cells are mediated via MAPK signaling pathways and might be of therapeutic potential for endothelial dysfunctionalities.

Evaluation the ethno-pharmacological studies in Iran during 2004-2016: A systematic review.

Although Iran has a deep history in herbal medicine and great heritage of ancient medical scholars, few efforts have been made to evaluate ethnopharmacological aspects of medicinal plants in this country. In the present study, the authors have reviewed all important literature about the ethnopharmacological investigations on medicinal plants used in the last decade in Iran. All provinces of Iran were categorized according to a phytogeographical division. Information was collected through bibliographic investigations from scientific journals and books. Afterward, the data were analyzed through the construction of specific ecological regions of the country. Fifty-five references reporting medicinal plants in five ecological zones were retrieved. The Irano-Turanian subregion has produced the greatest number of publications in this field among others (47%). Results illustrate that the most reported botanical families were Lamiaceae and Asteraceae (28.57% and 27.73%, respectively). Among various illnesses reported for these plants, gastrointestinal (30.15%), respiratory problems (14.28%), diabetes (11.11%), and cold/flu (11.11%) were the most cited. The most frequently cited medicinal uses were attributed to decoction and infusion preparations. Iran has a rich history of knowledge about phytotherapy and has also a diverse geographical regions, and a plant flora that is a good candidate for drug discovery. Documentation of indigenous knowledge about herbal medicine used by Iranian tribes is vital for the future development of herbal drugs. Ethnopharmacological studies of Iranian folk medicine with quantitative analytical techniques are warranted to find drug candidates, and also to preserve the precious knowledge of the Iranian folk medicine.

A glance at black cumin (Nigella sativa) and its active constituent, thymoquinone, in ischemia: a review.

OBJECTIVES: Black cumin (Nigella sativa) belonging to Ranunculaceae family has a long history of medicinal use in various folk and traditional systems of medicine, including Iranian traditional medicine (ITM). These valuable medicinal seeds have been used traditionally against a variety of diseases such as dyspepsia, diabetes, headache, influenza and asthma. In addition, several scientific investigations have reported the therapeutic properties of N. sativa and thymoquinone (TQ), one of the most important constituent of black cumin, for treatment of a large number of diseases, including ischemia. As there is no comprehensive review study about the anti-ischemic activity of black cumin and its mechanism of action, in the current study, we aimed to review the anti-ischemic activities of N. sativa and TQ in different organ-related disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched the words N. sativa or black cumin and ischemia in the combination of related organs through available databases including Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. RESULTS: Several studies were found reporting the anti-ischemic activity of black cumin and its active constituent on different organs including brain, kidneys, heart, and liver. Black cumin exert its beneficial effects as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis, and anti-necrosis agent through inhibition of growth factors, biochemical and oxidative stress markers and regulating gene expression. CONCLUSION: Thus, N. sativa could be a potential candidate for treatment of ischemia related disorders in key organs such as brain, liver, digestive system, kidney, and heart. To figure out the exact mechanism of action, further investigations are proposed in this regard.

Therapeutic effects of Aloe spp. in traditional and modern medicine: A review.

Traditional medicine is a useful guide in medical sciences. In the Islamic Iranian traditional medicine, the medicinal properties of many plants have been mentioned that could be exploited in drug discovery. We aimed to explore the nature and properties of Aloe spp. As described in some major Islamic traditional texts including Ferdows al-Hekmah fi'l-Tibbe (The Paradise of Wisdom in Medicine), Al-Hawi fi'l-Tibb (Comprehensive Book of Medicine), Kamel al-Sanaat al-Tibbyyah (Complete Book of the Medical Art), Al-Qanun fi'l-Tibb (Canon of Medicine), Zakhireh Kharazmshahi (Treasure of Kharazmshah), and Makhzan al-Adwiah (Drug Treasure), and assess the conformity of traditional medicine instructions with the findings of modern pharmacological studies. Gastrointestinal activities, hepato-protective properties, beneficial effects against skin problems such as wounds, injuries, and infective diseases are among the most frequently mentioned properties of Aloe spp. Several activities of Aloe spp. described in traditional medicine have been the subject of recent in vitro and in vivo studies as well as clinical trials. Owing to the positive findings, different preparations of Aloe spp. are now present in pharmaceutical markets such as Aloe cosmetic products. On the other hand, there are many traditional therapeutic effects of Aloe spp. which have not been studied and require confirmatory experimental or clinical investigations. It is hoped that the present study could stimulate further research on the unexplored aspects of the medicinal properties of Aloe spp.