Cytotoxic and epigenetic effects of berberine-loaded chitosan/pectin nanoparticles on AGS gastric cancer cells: Role of the miR-185-5p/KLF7 axis, DNMTs, and global DNA methylation.

Poor bioavailability, solubility, and absorption of berberine (Ber) limit its widespread application. Here, we formulated novel chitosan/pectin nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with Ber to address delivery problems and promote the anticancer properties of Ber in AGS gastric cancer cells. The ionic gelification method was used to synthesize NPs-Ber. Physicochemical characterization of NPs-Ber was performed using FE-SEM, DLS, PDI, ζ potential, and FTIR. The cytotoxic effects of NPs-Ber on AGS cells were evaluated using the MTT assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were examined by flow cytometry. The gene expression levels of miR-185-5p, KLF7, caspase-3, and DNMTs were determined using RT-qPCR. In addition, the 5-methylcytosine level in the genomic DNA was quantified using ELISA. FE-SEM images revealed a denser and more packed matrix for NPs-Ber, and FTIR analysis confirmed the formation of NPs-Ber. The size (550.39 nm), PDI (0.134), and ζ potential (-16.52 mV) confirmed the stability of the prepared NPs-Ber. NPs-Ber showed a continuous release pattern following the Korsmeyer-Peppas model such that 81.36 % of Ber was released from the formulation after 240 min. Compared to NPs and free Ber, NPs-Ber was found to possess higher anticancer activity in AGS cells. This result was indicated by the viability test and further clarified by augmented apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. The IC50 value of NP-Ber against AGS cells was significantly lower than those of free Ber and NPs. Interestingly, our results showed that NPs-Ber considerably changed the expression levels of miR-185-5p, KLF7, caspase-3, and DNMTs (DNMT1, 3A, and 3B) compared with unloaded NPs and free Ber. Additionally, 5-methylated cytosine (5-mC) levels in cells treated with NPs-Ber were significantly higher than those in cells treated with unloaded NPs or free Ber. In summary, the present study demonstrated that Ber encapsulation in NPs enhances its cytotoxic and epigenetic effects on AGS cells, suggesting the promising potential of NPs-Ber in GC therapy.

Anti-obesity effects of aerobic exercise along with Rosa canina seed extract supplementation in rats: The role of irisin and adipolin.

Aerobic exercise and some bioactive compounds in medicinal plants have anti-obesity effects and can suppress body weight. The aim of this study was to determine the anti-obesity effects of 6 weeks of aerobic exercise (AE) and supplementation of the hydroalcoholic extract of Rosa canina fruit seed (RC) in obese male rats. In this experimental study, 24 high-fat diet (HFD) obese male Wistar rats were used. The animals were randomly divided into 4 groups (6 rat in group), including 1. HFD (the control group), 2. HFD + AE, 3. HFD + RC and 4. HFD + AE + RC. An obesity protocol was implemented for 12 weeks with the consumption of HFD along with the consumption of water containing 1 % fructose. Afterwards, the animals were given access only to HFD food until the end of the study in all the groups. After the obesity protocol, 6 weeks of exercise (50-70 % VO2 max) and access to the extract (1 % of the consumed food) were given. Bodyweight, subcutaneous adipose tissue mass, and some serum lipid profiles were measured in the experimental groups. The serum levels of irisin and adipolin were evaluated by the ELISA method. Expression of FNDC5 and CTRP12 in adipose tissue were determined by real-time PCR. The findings of this study showed that body weight (P = 0.001), subcutaneous adipose tissue mass (P = 0.001), and lipid profile were significantly reduced in HFD + AE and HFD + AE + RC groups compared with the HFD group. Irisin was significantly increased in the HFD + AE and HFD + AE + RC groups compared with the HFD group (P = 0.019 and P = 0.001; respectively) and in the HFD + AE + RC group compared with the HFD + RC group (P = 0.004). Moreover, adipolin, expression of FNDC5 and CTRP12 were significantly increased in the HFD + AE + RC group compared with the HFD group (P = 0.004, P = 0.023, and P = 0.001; respectively). Altogether, HFD + AE with HFD + RC diet supplementation could reduce weight and the risks of obesity, at least, through the up-regulation of irisin and adipolin.

Toxicity of green synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) on zebra fish.

Nanoparticles (NPs) is usually fabricated by physical and chemical methods which, consequently, may have adverse effects for human and environment. Therefore, novel environmentally friendly synthesis methods for are essential and preferred. The purpose of this study was to synthesize TiO2 NPs using Echinophora cinerea extract and evaluate its toxicity on zebra fish. In the work, extraction phase was performed using a water as solvent. FTIR, XRD, SEM, and DLS analyzes were performed to determine the characteristics of synthesized TiO2 NPs. The effect of different parameters such as pH, extract concentration, TiO2 concentration, and temperature were investigated on TiO2 NP and optimized. Then, the acute toxicity of synthesized TiO2 NPs at different concentrations was investigated for 96 h on zebra fish. The bioassay data was analyzed via probit regression technique. Based on the obtained results, the optimal conditions for the synthesized TiO2 NPs were 9, 20 g/L, 0.4 g/L, and 25 °C for pH, extract concentration, TiO2 concentration and temperature, respectively. Both FTIR and XRD analysis confirmed the stability and structure of the synthesized NPs. According to SEM and DLS analysis, the synthesized NPs were spherical in shape and about 244.7 nm in diameter. Based on bioassay, LC50 for green synthesized TiO2 NPs with Echinophora cinerea extract at 48 h was 300 mg/L, which revealed a less hazardous material.

Native Iranian Medicinal Plants with Anti-Vaginal Infection Properties: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The use of herbs has recently been considered an effective method in the treatment of infections. The purpose of this study was to introduce Iranian medicinal plants with an effect on vaginal infections. METHODS: In our systematic review study, keywords including 'medicinal plants', 'Iranian medicinal plants', 'vaginal infection', 'essential oils', and 'extracts' were searched in PubMed, Web of Science Direct, Scopus, Scientific Information Database, and Google Scholar. This study focused on the articles published from 2000 to 2019. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: According to our investigation, Stachys lavandulifolia, Thymus vulgaris L., Origanum vulgare L., Allium jesdianum, Cichorium intybus, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Azadirachta Indica, Stachys lavandulifolia, Coriandrum sativum L., Rosmarinus officinalis, Ferula gummosa L., Origanum syriacum, Eucalyptus globulus, Myrtus communis, Zingiber officinale, Punica granatum, Vitex agnus-castus, Mentha suaveolens, Quercus Brantii Lindl, Zataria multiflora, Berberis vulgaris, Thymus vulgaris L., Echinophora platyloba, Stachys lavandulifolia, Viola odorata, Menthe piperita, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Ziziphus mauritiana, Quercus infectoria, Hypericum perforatum, Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Calendula officinalis, Origanum vulgare, Ziziphus nummularia, Satureja Bachtiarica, Foeniculum vulgare, Nigella sativa, Anethum graveolens, Salvia officinalis, and Calendula officinalis are used to treat vaginal infections. CONCLUSION: Therefore, native plants of Iran have been reported to have antimicrobial properties for the treatment of vaginal infections and can be used as a suitable and effective alternative to antibiotics in future research.

The efficacy of olive leaf extract on healing herpes simplex virus labialis: A randomized double-blind study.

OBJECTIVE: Herpes simplex virus (HSV), as a common infection in healthy individuals, is treated symptomatically, but drug resistance and the side effects of drugs have drawn the attention of researchers to complementary medicine. Olive Leaf Extract (OLE) has antiviral effects that may treat HSV. The current study aimed to compare the clinical effects of OLE and Acyclovir on HSV-1. METHODS: This randomized double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 66 patients who had already been diagnosed with HSV-1. The participants were randomized into two groups, receiving 2% OLE cream or 5% acyclovir cream five times a day for six days. The symptoms were evaluated before, and three and six days after the interventions. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software through the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, chi-squared, t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: The results showed clinical symptoms decreased in both groups during the study and both medications were effective in the treatment of HSV-1. However, the OLE group experienced less bleeding (P = 0.038), itching (P = 0.002), and pain (P = 0.001) on the third day as well as less irritation (P = 0.012), itching (P = 0.003) and color change (P = 0.001) on the sixth day compared to the acyclovir group. The treatment course for participants in the OLE group was shorter than in the acyclovir group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The evidence from these trials suggests the OLE cream is superior in the healing of episodes of HSV-1 over the acyclovir cream. Future studies are recommended to investigate if OLE could be an adjunct to acyclovir treatment.

Pectin/chitosan/tripolyphosphate encapsulation protects the rat lung from fibrosis and apoptosis induced by paraquat inhalation.

BACKGROUND: Paraquat poisoning leads to lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis. The effect of paraquat encapsulation by previously described Pectin/Chitosan/Tripolyphosphate nanoparticles on its pulmonary toxicity was investigated in present study in a rat model of poison inhalation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The rats inhaled nebulized different formulation of paraquat (n = 5) for 30 min in various experimental groups. Lung injury and fibrosis scores, Lung tissue enzymatic activities, apoptosis markers were determined compared among groups. RESULTS: Encapsulation of paraquat significantly rescued both lung injury and fibrosis scores. Lung MDA level was reduced by encapsulation. Paraquat poisoning led to lung tissue apoptosis as was evidenced by higher Caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl2 expressions in rats subjected to paraquat inhalation instead of normal saline or free nanoparticles. Again, nanoencapsulation reduced these apoptosis markers significantly. Alpha-SMA expression was also reduced by encapsulation. Nanoparticles per se have no or little toxicity as was evidenced by inflammatory and apoptotic markers and histological scores. CONCLUSION: In a rat model of inhalation toxicity of paraquat, loading of this herbicide on PEC/CS/TPP nanoparticles reduced acute lung injury and fibrosis. The encapsulation also led to lower apoptosis, oxidative stress and alpha-SMA expression in the lung tissue.

Myrtus communis Essential Oil; Anti-Parasitic Effects and Induction of the Innate Immune System in Mice with Toxoplasma gondii Infection.

BACKGROUND: Myrtus communis (M. communis) is a wild aromatic plant used for traditional herbal medicine that can be demonstrated in insecticidal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity of its essential oils (MCEO). AIM: The present study aimed to evaluate the prophylactic effects of M. communis essential oil (MCEO) against chronic toxoplasmosis induced by the Tehran strain of Toxoplasma gondii in mice. METHODS: Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was performed to determine the chemical composition of MCEO. Mice were then orally administrated with MCEO at the doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg/day and also atovaquone 100 mg/kg for 21 days. On the 15th day, the mice were infected with the intraperitoneal inoculation of 20-25 tissue cysts from the Tehran strain of T. gondii. The mean numbers of brain tissue cysts and the mRNA levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ in mice of each tested group were measured. RESULTS: By GC/MS, the major constituents were α-pinene (24.7%), 1,8-cineole (19.6%), and linalool (12.6%), respectively. The results demonstrated that the mean number of T. gondii tissue cysts in experimental groups Ex1 (p < 0.05), Ex2 (p < 0.001) and Ex3 (p < 0.001) was meaningfully reduced in a dose-dependent manner compared with the control group (C2). The mean diameter of tissue cyst was significantly reduced in mice of the experimental groups Ex2 (p < 0.01) and Ex3 (p < 0.001). The results demonstrated that although the mRNA levels of IFN-γ and IL-12 were elevated in all mice of experimental groups, a significant increase (p < 0.001) was observed in tested groups of Ex2 and Ex3 when compared with control groups. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study demonstrated the potent prophylactic effects of MCEO especially in the doses 200 and 300 mg/kg in mice infected with T. gondii. Although the exceptional anti-Toxoplasma effects of MCEO and other possessions, such as improved innate immunity and low toxicity are positive topics, there is, however, a need for more proof from investigations in this field.

Pectin/Chitosan/Tripolyphosphate Nanoparticles: Efficient Carriers for Reducing Soil Sorption, Cytotoxicity, and Mutagenicity of Paraquat and Enhancing Its Herbicide Activity.

As a potent herbicide capable of contaminating water and soil environments, paraquat, which is still widely used worldwide, is toxic to mammals, algae, aquatic animals, etc. Paraquat was loaded on novel nanoparticles composed of pectin, chitosan, and sodium tripolyphosphate (PEC/CS/TPP). The size, polydispersity index, and ζ potential of nanoparticles were characterized. Further assessments were carried out by SEM, AFM, FT-IR, and DSC. The encapsulation was highly efficient, and there was a delayed release pattern of paraquat. The encapsulated herbicide was less toxic to alveolar and mouth cell lines. Moreover, the mutagenicity of the formulation was significantly lower than those of pure or commercial forms of paraquat in a Salmonella typhimurium strain model. The soil sorption of paraquat and the deep soil penetration of the nanoparticle-associated herbicide were also decreased. The herbicidal activity of paraquat for maize or mustard was not only preserved but also enhanced after encapsulation. It was concluded that paraquat encapsulation with PEC/CS/TPP nanoparticles is highly efficient and the formulation has significant herbicide activity. It is less toxic to human environment and cells, as was evidenced by less soil sorption, cytotoxicity, and mutagenicity. Hence, paraquat-loaded PEC/CS/TPP nanoparticles have potential advantages for future use in agriculture.

The synergistic effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of Origanum vulgare, Hypericum perforatum and their active components carvacrol and hypericin against Staphylococcus aureus.

AIM: This study was designed to evaluate the synergistic activities of hydroalcoholic extracts of medicinal plants Origanum vulgare and Hypericum perforatum and their active components, carvacrol and hypericin against Staphylococcus aureus. METHODS: The synergistic effects of the plants, as well as carvacrol and hypericin, were examined using a checkered method against S. aureus (ATCC 12600). RESULTS: A fractional inhibitory concentration of 0.5 was obtained for combination of O. vulgare and H. perforatum and 0.49 for combination of the active ingredients carvacrol and hypericin, both of which indicated a synergistic effect. CONCLUSION: This preliminary evaluation demonstrated a synergistic property of O. vulgare and H. perforatum extracts in treating S. aureus infection. This study indicates that combination of the plants, as well as combination of carvacrol and hypericin, might be used as a new antibacterial strategy against S. aureus.

Mentha piperita essential oils loaded in a chitosan nanogel with inhibitory effect on biofilm formation against S. mutans on the dental surface.

Mentha piperita essential oils (MPEO) were loaded into chitosan nanogel to use as antibiofilm agent against Streptococcus mutans and to protect its dental plaque. Chitosan nanoparticles (CsNPs) were prepared by sol-gel method using linking bridge of tripolyphosphate (TPP). Physiological properties of MPEO-CNs were assessed by FTIR, SEM/EDX, DLS and zeta potential. Release kinetics, MIC and MBC were determined for MPEO-CNs. Expression of biofilm-associated genes including 8 genes: grfB, C and D, brpA, spaP, gbpB, relA and vicR was investigated at the presence of sub-MIC of MPEO-CNs. Most abundant bioactive compounds of MPEO were l-menthol (45.05%) and l-menthal (17.53%). SEM/EDX exhibited successful entrapment of MPEO into CsNPs followed by the changes in abundance of elemental peaks. A signal at 1737 cm-1 on chitosan spectrum was attributed to the carboxylic (CO) groups overlapped by MPEO incorporation. A new signal at 2361 cm-1 was assigned to electrostatic interactions of amine groups in chitosan with phosphoric units of TPP within the MPEO-chitosan. MPEO incorporation into porous nanogel decreased monodispersity of the nanoparticles and then raises z-average. Maximum release of MPEO was about 50% during 360 h in a hydroalcoholic solvent at ambient temperature. The adherence of bacterial cells showed high sensitivity to the nanoformulation of MPEO compared with unloaded chitosan-nanogel. Antibiofilm inhibition of S. mutans occurred in 50 and 400 µg/mL for MPEO-CNs and unloaded-nanogel, respectively. Among biofilm synthesis genes, gtfB, gtfC, gtfD were slightly affected by MPEO-CNs treatment, while gbpB, spaP, brpA, relA, and vicR genes underwent significant down-regulation in the presence of both unloaded-nanogel and MPEO-loaded-nanogel. This study demonstrated that the MPEO-CNs promised an efficient nanoformulation with the greatest inhibitory action against some glycosyltransferase genes (gtfB, C and D) as important enzymes involved in extracellular polymers. Finally, the results concluded that MPEO-CNs have a potential use as antibiofilm agent in toothpaste or mouth washing formulations.

Neuroprotective and antinociceptive effects of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) extract in rats with painful diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with the development of neuronal tissue damage in different central and peripheral nervous system regions. A common complication of diabetes is painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. We have explored the antihyperalgesic and neuroprotective properties of Rosmarinus officinalis L. extract (RE) in a rat model of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. The nociceptive threshold and motor coordination of these diabetic rats was assessed using the tail-flick and rotarod treadmill tests, respectively. Activated caspase-3 and the Bax:Bcl-2 ratio, both biochemical indicators of apoptosis, were assessed in the dorsal half of the lumbar spinal cord tissue by western blotting. Treatment of the diabetic rats with RE improved hyperglycemia, hyperalgesia and motor deficit, suppressed caspase-3 activation and reduced the Bax:Bcl-2 ratio, suggesting that the RE has antihyperalgesic and neuroprotective effects in this rat model of STZ-induced diabetes. Cellular mechanisms underlying the observed effects may, at least partially, be related to the inhibition of neuronal apoptosis.

Protective effects of cinnamon bark extract against ischemia-reperfusion injury and arrhythmias in rat.

Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon) is a plant with potent antioxidant activity and has been used in traditional medicine for improvement of heart function. The effects of cinnamon bark ethanolic extract were investigated against ischemia-induced arrhythmias and heart injury in an in vivo rat model of regional heart ischemia. The extract was also standardized, and its antioxidant activity was evaluated. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 30 min of ischemia by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by 5 days of reperfusion. Thirty-two animals were randomized to receive daily oral administration of vehicle or C. zeylanicum bark extract (intragastric, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) 14 days before ischemia. C. zeylanicum was standardized through HPLC analysis. Administration of cinnamon bark extract significantly improved ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial injury as evidenced by reduction of the infarct size. Also, during the ischemic period, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular ectopic beats episodes decreased as compared with that of the control group. The extract stabilized the ST segment changes and QTc shortening, decreased R-wave amplitude, and increased heart rate during ischemia. The extract also caused significant elevations in serum superoxide dismutase and glutation proxidase activities as well as a significant decrease in serum cardiac troponin I, lactate dehydrogenase, and malondialdehyde levels, 5 days after reperfusion. In HPLC analysis, the amounts of Cinamic acid, Methyl eugenol, and Cinnamaldehyde were 8.99 ± 0.5, 13.02 ± 1.8, and 14.63 ± 1.1 mg/g, respectively. The results show that the ethanolic extract of cinnamon bark is able to protect the heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury probably due to its antioxidant properties. Hence, it might be beneficial in these patients and this remedy might be used for preparation of new drugs.

Antileishmanial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of Quercus infectoria Olivier extract.

Currently, there is no effective vaccine available, and chemotherapy is the main approach for treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). During recent decades, studies have demonstrated that a number of plant-derived compounds may act as new therapeutic tools against leishmaniasis. This study was evaluated the antileishmanial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of Quercus infectoria Olivier (oak) extract. The total amount of phenolic and flavonoid compounds was measured in oak extract. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was also performed to determine the amount of quercetin and gallic acid in this plant. This extract (0-80g/mL) was evaluated in vitro against promastigote and intracellular amastigote forms of Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) using MTT assay and in a macro-phage model, respectively. Then oak extract was tested on CL in infected male BALB/c mice with L. major in order to evaluate the antileishmanial activity topically. Moreover, cytotoxicity effects of oak in murine macrophage cells were tested by MTT assay. Antioxidative activity of oak was also determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1,1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging test. The amount of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the oak extract was 57.50 and 1.86%, respectively. The amount of quercetin and gallic acid in the oak extract was 0.0064 and 0.22%, respectively. The findings revealed that oak significantly (P<0.05) inhibited the growth rate of promastigote of (IC50 12.65µg/mL) and amastigotes (IC50 10.31µg/mL) as a dose-dependent response. In the in vivo assay, after 4 weeks of treatment, 91.6, 66.66, and 50% recovery was observed in the infected mice treated with 20, 10, and 5mg/kg of oak extract, respectively. After treatment of the infected mice with the concentration of 10 and 20mg/kg of oak, the mean diameter of lesions, parasite load and mean number of parasites was significantly (P<0.05) reduced. Selectivity index of greater than 10 for oak revealed that oak extract had no cytotoxic effects on macrophage cells. Moreover, DPPH test demonstrated that radical inhibition occurred at greater power with increasing the concentration of oak. To conclude, the present study showed potent antileishmanial and antioxidant activity of oak extract; whereas this plant had no toxic effect on mammalian cells.

In Vitro and In Vivo Antileishmanial Activities of Pistacia vera Essential Oil.

This study aims to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activities of Pistacia vera essential oil and compare their efficacy with a reference drug, meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime®). This essential oil (0-100 µg/mL) was evaluated in vitro against the intracellular amastigote forms of Leishmania tropica (MHOM/IR/2002/Mash2) and then tested on cutaneous leishmaniasis of male BALB/c mice by Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER). In the in vitro assay, it could be observed that P. vera essential oil significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the growth rate of amastigote forms (IC50 of 21.3 ± 2.1 µg/mL) in a dose-dependent response compared with the control drug. Meglumine antimoniate also demonstrated antileishmanial effects with an IC50 value of 44.6 ± 2.5 µg/mL for this clinical stage. In the in vivo assay, the results indicated that 30 mg/mL of the essential oil had potent suppression effects on cutaneous leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice (87.5% recovery), while 10 and 20 mg/mL of the essential oil represented the suppression effects as weak to intermediate. The mean diameter of the lesions decreased about 0.11 and 0.27 cm after the treatment of the subgroups with the essential oil concentrations of 10 and 20 mg/mL, respectively. In contrast, in the subgroup treated with the essential oil concentration of 30 mg/mL, the mean diameter of the lesions decreased about 0.56 cm. In the control subgroups, the mean diameter of the lesions increased to 1.01 cm. The main components of P. vera essential oil were limonene (26.21%), α-pinene (18.07%), and α-thujene (9.31%). It was also found that P. vera essential oil had no significant cytotoxic effect on J774 cells. The present study found that P. vera essential oil showed considerable in vitro and in vivo effectiveness against L. tropica and L. major compared to the reference drug. These findings also provided the scientific evidence that natural plants could be used in traditional medicine for the prevention and treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Report: Evaluation of the scolicidal effects of Nectaroscordum tripedale extract and its acute toxicity in mice model.

Current scolicidal agents, which have been used for inactivation of protoscoleces during hydatid cyst surgery are associated with adverse side effects. This study aims to evaluate the in vitro scolicidal effects of Nectaroscordum tripedale L. leave extract against protoscoleces of hydatid cysts and its acute toxicity in mice model. Various concentrations of the extract (12.5-100 mg/mL) were used for 5 to 30 min. Viability of protoscoleces was confirmed using eosin exclusion test (0.1% eosin staining). In addition, the acute toxicity of N. tripedale extract was determined for 2 days in mice model. The results showed that the N. tripedale extract at the concentration of 100 mg/mL after 5 min of exposure killed 100% protoscoleces. Similarly, the mean of mortality rate of protoscoleces after 10 min of exposure to concentration of 50 mg/mL was 100%. The LD50 values of intraperitoneal injection of the N. tripedale extract was 3.36 g/kg body wt. and the maximum nonfatal doses were 2.98 g/kg body wt. The results showed the potential of N. tripedale extract as a natural source for the production of new scolicidal agent for use in hydatid cyst surgery.

Rapid monitoring of carvacrol in plants and herbal medicines using matrix solid-phase dispersion and gas chromatography flame ionisation detector.

Matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) method coupled with gas chromatography flame ionisation detector as a quick and easy extraction technique has been developed to extract carvacrol from plants and herbal medicines. Influence of important parameters on the MSPD method efficiency, such as the sorbent material, the ratio of sample to sorbent material, elution solvent and volume of the elution solvent has been evaluated and optimised. Carvacrol was successfully extracted by diatomaceous earth as sorbent with 350 µL of dichloromethane as elution solvent. The calibration curve showed good linearity (r(2) = 0.9965) and precision (RSD < 8.16%) in the concentration range of 0.5-100 µg mL(-1) for carvacrol. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.1 and 0.5 µg mL(-1), respectively. The recoveries were in the range of 74.4-80.5% with relative standard deviation (RSD) values ranging from 8.4% to 9.8%. The reported MSPD extraction method revealed to be simpler and faster than conventional methods used to quantify carvacrol from plants and herbal medicines.