A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled phase I clinical study on safety and efficacy of the G-Rup® syrup (a mixture of ginger extract and honey) in symptomatic treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVES: Present study evaluated the safety profile and efficacy of G-Rup® syrup (100 mg/ml ginger extract plus 150 mg/ml honey) in symptomatic treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Patients diagnosed with knee OA were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either of a 30 ml twice daily regimen of G-Rup® syrup or placebo over a 12-week period. Primary endpoints of the study comprised of an improvement in the joint's stiffness, physical functioning and pain score, assessed by WOMAC questionnaire and the visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary objectives comprised of safety and tolerability of the syrup by patients. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The 30 ml twice-daily regimen of G-Rup® syrup was safe and well tolerated by patients. Moreover, in whole studied time points, treatment with G-Rup® syrup could significantly Power the VAS score (p < 0.001) whereas improving WOMAC total score (p < 0.001) and pain (p < 0.001), physical functioning (p < 0.001), and stiffness sub-scores (p = 0.006) compared to the placebo receiving group. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Based on obtained results, the G-Rup® syrup, composed of a combination of honey and ginger, may be a proper supplementary choice, along with routine therapeutic regimens, for improvement of symptomatic treatment of OA.

Endocannabinoids and related compounds as modulators of angiogenesis: Concepts and clinical significance.

Vasculogenesis (the process of differentiation of angioblasts toward endothelial cells and de novo formation of crude vascular networks) and angiogenesis (the process of harmonized sprouting and dispersal of new capillaries from previously existing ones) are two fundamentally complementary processes, obligatory for maintaining physiological functioning of vascular system. In clinical practice, however, the later one is of more importance as it guarantees correct embryonic nourishment, accelerates wound healing processes, prevents uncontrolled cell growth and tumorigenesis, contributes in supplying nutritional demand following occlusion of coronary vessels and is in direct relation with development of diabetic retinopathy. Hence, discovery of novel molecules capable of modulating angiogenic events are of great clinical importance. Recent studies have demonstrated multiple angio-regulatory activities for endocannabinoid system modulators and endocannabinoid-like molecules, as well as their metabolizing enzymes. Hence, in present article, we reviewed the regulatory roles of these molecules on angiogenesis and described molecular mechanisms underlying them.

Anti-hyperglycemic effect of Abelmoschus culentesus (Okra) on patients with diabetes type 2: a randomized clinical trial.

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) has traditionally been used in diabetes treatment. This study investigated the effect of Okra whole fruit on blood glucose level of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 with concomitant use of oral hypoglycemic agents. In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 120 diabetic patients were assigned to okra group (n = 60) and control group (n = 60). The okra group received 1,000 mg of A.esculentus whole fruit capsules orally, every 6 hr for 8 weeks. The control group received placebo capsule in the same manner. The levels of FBS (fasting blood sugar), BS (blood sugar), and Hemoglobin A1C (HgA1c) were measured at baseline and after intervention in both groups. The levels of FBS, BS, and HgA1c were significantly decreased in okra group within the intervention compared to control group (p < .05). Moreover, the numbers to treat (NNT) for FBS, BS, and HgA1C were seven, eight, and seven, respectively. Okra whole fruit supplementation has a promising anti-hyperglycemic effect in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 who received oral agents. Diabetic patients could benefit from adjuvant therapy of okra with other medication.

Chemical compositions, antimicrobial effects, and cytotoxicity of Asia minor wormwood (Artemisia splendens Willd.) growing in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Artemisia splendens from the Asteraceae family is a new source of biologically active compounds. The current study investigated to evaluate antimicrobial and cytotoxicity activity of methanolic extracts and their fractions obtained from aerial parts by agar disk diffusion and MTT methods, respectively. The active fractions were subjected to preparative HPLC for isolating the pure compounds, which were structurally elucidated, by 1H and 13C NMR. RESULTS: The results showed that the methanolic extract and its 60% SPE fraction have the anti-proliferative activity on A549 cell line in comparison with the control group. Meanwhile, the methanolic extract and its 40% SPE fraction can inhibit the growth of Gram-positive strains as anti-microbial activity. The 60% SPE fraction also illustrated anti-proliferative activity on the HT-29 cell line compared to the control group. Chromatographic separations via preparative HPLC yielded 5 flavonoids and three flavonoid glycosides. CONCLUSION: Based on the results it can be concluded that A. splendens as a potential source of cytotoxic and antimicrobial compounds can be used in pharmaceutics.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenesis effect of bee pollen methanolic extract using air pouch model of inflammation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Research on new drugs with a natural source and low side effects is a priority in pharmacology studies. The present study was conducted to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenesis effects of bee pollen extract in the air pouch model of inflammation. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: To achieve this goal, male rats were moderately anesthetized and then 20 and 10 mL of sterile air were subcutaneously injected into the intrascapular area of the back of the rat on first and third days, respectively. On day 6, inflammation was induced by intrapouch injection of carrageenan. Normal saline in the control group and bee pollen methanolic extract (50, 100, and 200 mg/pouch) were administered at day 6, simultaneously with carrageenan, and then for 2 consecutive days only normal saline and the extracts were injected. Following sacrificing the rats the pouch was opened and the exudate volume, leukocyte accumulation, granulation tissue weight, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin 1beta, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) concentrations were determined 3 days after induction of inflammation. In order to investigate the angiogenesis, the granulation tissue was removed, homogenized in the Drabkin's reagent, and then centrifuged. The supernatant was filtered and the hemoglobin concentration was determined using a spectrophotometer. RESULTS: Bee pollen extract significantly decreased the exudate volume, leukocyte accumulation, granulation tissue weight, angiogenesis, VEGF, and TNF-α concentration. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The findings of the current study revealed that bee pollen methanolic extract has an anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenesis effect, which could be attributed to the inhibition of VEGF and TNF-α production in the inflammatory exudates.

Screening of Anti-Malarial Activity of Different Extracts Obtained from Three Species of Scrophularia Growing in Iran.

Scrophularia genus belonging to the family of Scrophulariaceae, is a medicinal plant widely distributed in Iran. In the present study, the anti-malarial activity of different extracts of three Iranian endemic species of Scrophularia including S. frigida, S. subaphylla and S. atropatana, was screened by an in-vitro preliminary assay. The plant materials were extracted successively with n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), and methanol (MeOH) at room temperature by soxhlet extractor. In order to assess anti-malarial activity of obtained extracts, cell free ß-hematin formation assay was applied. Amongst the extracts, DCM extract of S. frigida exhibited remarkable anti-malarial activity with IC50 value of 0.67 ± 0.11 mg/mL. In contrast, MeOH and n-hexane extracts of all plants illustrated insignificant or moderate activity in this assay. Furthermore, preliminary phytochemical analysis along with TLC and GC-MS analysis of potent extract (DCM extract of S. frigida) were performed for more clarification. These methods revealed that the notable anti-malarial activity might be due to the presence of active constituents like methoxylated flavonoids, methylated coumarins, and diterpenoids. From the nine extracts of different species of Scrophularia, DCM extract of S. frigida showed potent inhibitory activity on ß-hematin formation assay. Hence, it seems that it is noteworthy to concentrate on purifying the active chemical constituents of DCM extract and determining the pure anti-malarial components.

Phytochemical Analysis and In-vitro Bioactivity of Scrophularia umbrosa Rhizome (Scrophulariaceae).

Scrophularia umbrosa is a medicinal plant used as a traditional herb. This study was designed to investigate the phytochemical analysis of methanol (MeOH), DCM, and n-Hexane extracts of rhizome as well as total phenol and total flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC). In-vitro ß-hematin formation assay and DPPH method were applied for analyzing antimalarial and free-radical scavenging activities of the extracts, respectively. The formation of hemozoin has been proposed as an ideal drug target for antimalarial screening programs. The results showed that n-hexane and MeOH extracts of rhizome had no significant inhibitory effect on heme biocrystallization whereas the DCM extract of rhizome showed moderate antimalarial activity in comparison with chloroquine. GC-MS data showed that volatile portions of DCM and n-Hexane extracts from Scrophularia umbrosa (S. umbrosa) contained a few identifiable compounds. Moreover, fractions 20% and 40% MeOH-Water of MeOH extract of S. umbrosa displayed moderate to strong free radical scavenging activity which showed a positive relation between phenolic and flavonoid contents and free radical scavenging activity. Based on the results, the fractions of MeOH extract were evaluated by 1HNMR for predicting the groups of natural compounds and interfacing of chemical and biological assessments.

Identification of highly effective antitrypanosomal compounds in essential oils from the Apiaceae family.

The Apiaceae family encompasses aromatic plants of economic importance employed in foodstuffs, beverages, perfumery, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Apiaceae are rich sources of essential oils because of the wealth of secretory structures (ducts and vittae) they are endowed with. The Apiaceae essential oils are available on an industrial level because of the wide cultivation and disposability of the bulky material from which they are extracted as well as their relatively cheap price. In the fight against protozoal infections, essential oils may represent new therapeutic options. In the present work, we focused on a panel of nine Apiaceae species (Siler montanum, Sison amomum, Echinophora spinosa, Kundmannia sicula, Crithmum maritimum, Helosciadium nodiflorum, Pimpinella anisum, Heracleum sphondylium and Trachyspermum ammi) and their essential oils as a model for the identification of trypanocidal compounds to be used as alternative/integrative therapies in the treatment of Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) and as starting material for drug design. The evaluation of inhibitory effects of the Apiaceae essential oils against Trypanosoma brucei showed that some of them (E. spinosa, S. amomum, C. maritimum and H. nodiflorum) were active, with EC50 in the range 2.7-10.7 µg/mL. Most of these oils were selective against T. brucei, except the one from C. maritimum that was highly selective against the BALB/3T3 mammalian cells. Testing nine characteristic individual components (α-pinene, sabinene, α-phellandrene, p-cymene, limonene, ß-ocimene, γ-terpinene, terpinolene, and myristicin) of these oils, we showed that some of them had much higher selectivity than the oils themselves. Terpinolene was particularly active with an EC50 value of 0.035 µg/mL (0.26 µM) and a selectivity index (SI) of 180. Four other compounds with EC50 in the range 1.0-6.0 µg/mL (7.4-44 µM) had also good SI: α-pinene (>100), ß-ocimene (>91), limonene (>18) and sabinene (>17). In conclusion, these results highlight that the essential oils from the Apiaceae family are a reservoir of substances to be used as leading compounds for the development of natural drugs for the treatment of HAT.

Effectiveness of Lavendula stoechas essential oil in treatment of mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. INTRODUCTION: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy of the upper extremity. To date, no previous study has evaluated the efficacy of topical Lavendula stoechas (Lavender) oil in CTS patients. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effectiveness of topical Lavender essential oil in pain intensity, isometric pinch strength, electrophysiological features, and functional status of patients with mild to moderate CTS. METHODS: Forty eight patients with mild to moderate CTS were enrolled in this randomized placebo-controlled trial. Group A was treated with night wrist orthotic and topical lavender oil ointment. Group B was treated with night wrist orthotic and a placebo ointment. Patients were evaluated at baseline, and after 40 days of intervention with Boston CTS questionnaire (BCTQ), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, pinch grip strength, power grip, median compound motor action potential latency, and median sensory nerve action potential latency. RESULTS: At the end of the study period, both groups improved significantly in terms of BCTQ, VAS, isometric pinch powers, and electrodiagnosis study parameters. However, group A showed significantly greater improvements in BCTQ (mean difference, 0.39 ± 0.31 vs 0.6 ± 0.35; P = .03), VAS (3.37 ± 1.86 vs 1.33 ± 2.07; P = .001), and pinch grip strength (0.73 ± 0.63 vs 0.27 ± 0.54; P = .01) than group B. No significant differences in power grip, median compound motor action potential latency, and median sensory nerve action potential latency were seen between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: This study was the first trial of topical lavender oil used in patients with CTS. Wrist orthotic combined with topical lavender oil was more effective than orthotic and placebo in treatment of mild to moderate CTS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1b.

Chemical compositions and biological activities of Scutellaria pinnatifida A. Hamilt aerial parts.

Phytochemical analysis of the methanolic and dichloromethane extracts of the aerial parts of Scutellaria pinnatifida led to the isolation of a phenylpropanoid, 1-o-feruloyl-ß-D-glucose (1), two known flavonoids including luteolin-7-o-glucoside (2) and apigenin-7-o-glucoside (3), three known phenylethanoid glycosides composed of phlomisethanoside (4), syringalide A (5), and verbascoside (6), and oleic acid (7). Isolation and structural elucidation of compounds were accomplished by HPLC and spectroscopic methods (UV, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR). The extracts were also evaluated for their radical scavenging activity and insecticidal property by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay and contact toxicity method, respectively. Among the extracts, the methanol extract showed the most potent free radical scavenging activity with a RC50 value of 0.044 ± 0.350 mg/mL which could be attributed to the presence of the isolated phenolic compounds. In the case of insecticidal activity, the n-hexane extract displayed the most potent activity and caused 10%, 15%, and 40% mortality to Oryzaephilus mercator at the concentration of 5, 10, and 15 mg/mL after 4 h of exposure.

Evaluation of Various Biological Activities of the Aerial Parts of Scrophularia frigida Growing in Iran.

The current study was assigned to evaluate the total phenol, total flavonoid content (TPC, TFC) and antioxidant properties of extracts from the aerial parts of Scrophularia frigida (S. frigida). Extracts were also tested by preliminary phytochemical screening as well as cytotoxic activity against Artemia salina, MCF-7 (human breast carcinoma) and SW-480 (colon carcinoma) and L-929 (normal) cell lines along with antimicrobial characteristic. DPPH, MTT and Brine shrimp lethality tests and disc diffusion method were carried out to determine the biological activities of the different extracts of S. frigida. In addition, the extracts which had more potent antioxidant and antiproliferative activity were further analyzed by NMR and GC-MS. 40% methanol-water (from MeOH extract) fraction showed higher amounts of TPC, TFC and antioxidant property. Findings of the study for general toxicity effect showed that dichloromethane (DCM) and MeOH extracts had weak to moderate effects. Furthermore, DCM extract indicated the most potent anti-proliferative activity against cancer cell lines. No evidence of antibacterial activity was determined. On the other hand, analysis of the potent extract DCM in cytotoxic assay showed the presence of trans-phytol and cis-oleic acid in GC-MS. Furthermore, NMR analysis of potent methanolic fractions in antioxidant tests revealed the presence of iridoids and phenolics. Generally, the results of TPC, TFC and antioxidant activity of extracts and fractions were in agreement with each other.

In-vitro Bioactivity and Phytochemical Screening of Extracts from Rhizomes of Eremostachys azerbaijanica rech. f. Growing in Iran.

The current study evaluated the general toxicity, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activity of extracts obtained from the rhizomes of Eremostachys azerbaijanica (Labiatae) as well as analyzed the potent extracts using GC-MS. Extracts of E. azerbaijanica in n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (MeOH) were prepared using a Soxhlet apparatus. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated for free radical scavenging activity by DPPH assay. The antimicrobial activity of samples was determined by disc diffusion and brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA) was used to assess general toxicity. The cytotoxicity of each extract was determined by MTT assay against human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT29), human lung carcinoma (A549) and a normal cell line (human umbilical vein endothelial cells, HUVEC). The MeOH extract showed significant antioxidant activity and the n-hexane and DCM extracts showed promising activity against gram-positive species when compared with amikacin as a standard. Moreover, the n-hexane extract displayed the most potent activity in general toxicity assay. The results showed that all three extracts have cytotoxic effects against the A549 cell line. In the case of HT29 cell lines, only the DCM extract exhibited cytotoxicity. Interestingly, none of the extracts showed significant cytotoxic activity against the HUVEC cell line. The bioassay-guided identification of constituents showed the presence of fatty acids and steroids as the compounds responsible for bioactivity in the non-polar extracts.

Cardioprotective Effects of Methanolic Extract of Scrophularia frigida on Ischemia-Reperfusion-Induced Injuries in Isolated Rat Heart.

Myocardial infarction is a common presentation of coronary artery disease and the leading cause of death worldwide. The present study investigated potential resistance to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injuries following administration of methanolic (MeOH) extract of Scrophularia frigida (S. frigida) in isolated rat heart. Male Wistar rat hearts (n= 8-10) were isolated and allowed to equilibrate for 20 min, and then subjected to 30 min regional ischemia followed by 120 min reperfusion. In the control group, Krebs-Henseleit (K/H) solution was perfused. However, in the treatment groups K/H solution containing 1, 5, and 10 µg/cc of extract was infused. In addition, total phenol, total flavonoid content and antioxidant property were evaluated and extract was subjected to phytochemical analysis. Administration of extract improved the flow rate, developed pressure as well as max and min left ventricular dp/dt. Number and duration of VT were significantly reduced by all extract concentrations in ischemic phase. In reperfusion phase, significant decreases in single and total arrhythmias were seen. Furthermore, concentrations of 5 and 10 µg/cc of extract remarkably decreased the infarct size. Generally, the methanolic extract of S. frigida exhibited a protective effect against I/R-induced injures, which might be due to the antioxidant activiies of iridoids and phenolics.

Evaluation of In Vitro Antimalarial Activity of Different Extracts of Eremostachys azerbaijanica Rech.f.

Six extracts with different polarity from aerial parts and rhizomes of Eremostachys azerbaijanica Rech.f., were screened for their antimalarial properties by cell free 𝛽-hematin formation assay. Dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of both parts of plant showed significant antimalarial activities with IC50 values of 0.949 ± 0.061 mg/mL in aerial parts and 0.382 ± 0.011 mg/mL in rhizomes. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the most potent part (DCM extract of rhizomes) by vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) afforded seven fractions. Two fractions [100% Ethyl acetate (EtOAC) and 100% Methatol (MeOH)] showed considerable antimalarial activity with IC50 values of 0.335 ± 0.033 mg/mL and 0.403 ± 0.037 mg/mL, respectively. According to GC-MS analysis, the sesquiterpene, steroid and coumarin derivatives are the main constituents of the most potent fractions; therefore, it seems that the anti malarial activity of these fractions may be related to the presence of these types of compounds.

Essential Oil from Flowers and Leaves of Elaeagnus Angustifolia (Elaeagnaceae): Composition, Radical Scavenging and General Toxicity Activities.

PURPOSE: The aim of this work was to identify the chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from the flowers and leaves of Elaeagnus angostifolia (Elaeagnaceae) along with evaluate the radical scavenging and general toxicity activities. METHODS: A combination of GC-MS and GC-FID were utilized for analyzing the chemical profile of the essential oils extracted by hydro-distillation from the leaves and flowers of E. angustifolia. The essential oils were subjected to general toxicity and radical scavenging assays using brine shrimp lethality test and DPPH method, respectively. RESULTS: In total, 53 and 25 components were identified and quantified in the essential oils of flowers and leaves, accounting for 96.59% and 98.97% of the oil, respectively. The both oils were observed to be rich in ester compounds. The most abundant components of the oil from flowers were E-ethyl cinnamate (60.00%), hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (9.99%), palmitic acid (5.20%) and phytol (3.29%). The major constituents of the oil from leaves were E-ethyl cinnamate (37.27%), phytol (12.08%), nonanal (10.74%) and Z-3-hexenyl benzoate (7.65%). Both oils showed moderate activity in DPPH assay; however, they exhibited potent tocixity in brine shrimp lethality test. CONCLUSION: The remarkable toxicity effects of the oils are worthy to further investigation to find the probable mechanisms of action accountable for the noticeable toxic effect of these essential oils.

Chemical composition and radical scavenging activity of essential oil and methanolic extract of Eremostachys azerbaijanica Rech.f. from Iran.

In the present study, the chemical composition of the essential oil and methanol (MeOH) extract of aerials of E. azerbaijanica were identified. Furthermore, the free radical scavenging properties of the volatile oil as well as the MeOH extract of the plant were assessed. The essential oil of the air-dried aerial parts was obtained by hydro-distillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The oil was then analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography with flame ionization detector. Soxhlet extraction was performed on the aerial parts using n-hexane, dichloromethane and MeOH. The MeOH extract was then subjected to solid-phase extraction using a C18 Sep-Pak cartridge. Isolation and structural elucidation of the pure components was accomplished by high-performance liquid chromatography and spectroscopic methods (UV, (1)H-NMR). The free radical scavenging properties were determined by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. A total of 59 components representing 95.9% of the oil constituents were identified which were primarily characterized as terpenoids or aliphatic skeletons. The major components of the oil were hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (27.1%), 2-methyl-6-propyl-dodecane (16.4%) and tricosane (9.3%). One flavonoid (luteolin-7-O-rutinoside) and one phenylethanoid (verbascoside) were also isolated and identified from the MeOH extract. The results of DPPH assays showed that the essential oil of E. azerbaijanica possessed weak free radical scavenging activity whereas the MeOH extract and its pure constituents showed significant scavenging activities in comparison with positive controls.

Secondary Metabolites of Alchemilla persica Growing in Iran (East Azarbaijan).

Phytochemical investigations of Alchemilla persica Rothm. growing in Iran were performed taking into account both the volatile and polar constituents. The hydrodistilled essential oil was analysed by GC-MS that revealed the presence of alkanes (27.8%), diterpenoids (19.6%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (17.1%) as the major constituents, while tannins and flavonol glycosides were identified as the most abundant constituents of the methanol extract by HPLC-MS. A. persica can be a valuable source of ellagitannins and polyphenols.

Phenolic Derivatives of Artemisia Spicigera C. Koch Growing in Iran.

This study aimed to determine phenolic compounds of Artemisia spicigera (family Asteraceae) growing in East-Azarbaijan province of Iran. 20%, 40 % and 60% SPE fractions of methanolic extract of A. spicigera, were subjected to reversed phase preparative HPLC, with the mobile phase consisted of methanol and water. Structural identification of phytochemicals by spectroscopic methods including UV and NMR spectroscopy, yielded 4, 6-di methoxy acetophenone-2-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside from 20%, 5-methoxyluteolin 7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, luteolin and chrysoeriol 7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside from 40% and 5-methoxy luteolin from 60% SPE fractions. Although within identified pure compounds, luteolin was the only phenolic reported from some other species of Artemisia, but occurrence of remained identified phenolics in this study, was firstly reported from Artemisia genus. Further phytochemical investigations were proposed in order to isolate some other active fractions and pure compounds.

In vitro antimalarial activity of different extracts of Eremostachys macrophylla Montbr. & Auch.

INTRODUCTION: The risk of drug resistance and the use of medicinal plants in malaria prevention and treatment have led to the search for new antimalarial compounds with natural origin. METHODS: In the current study, six extracts with different polarity from aerial parts and rhizomes of Eremostachys macrophylla Montbr. & Auch., were screened for their antimalarial properties by cell-free ß-hematin formation assay. RESULTS: Dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of both parts of plant showed significant antimalarial activities with IC50 values of 0.797 ± 0.016 mg/mL in aerial parts and 0.324 ± 0.039 mg/mL in rhizomes compared to positive control (Chloroquine, IC50 = 0.014 ± 0.003 mg/mL, IC90 = 0.163 ± 0.004 mg/mL). Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the most potent part (DCM extract of rhizomes) by vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) afforded seven fractions. Sixty percent ethyl acetate/n-hexane fraction showed considerable antimalarial activity with IC50 value of 0.047 ± 0.0003 mg/mL. CONCLUSION: From 6 extracts with different polarity of E. macrophylla,s aerial parts and rhizomes, the DCM extract of both parts were the most active extract in this assay. The preliminary phytochemical study on the VLC fractions of the most potent part persuades us to focus on purifying the active components of these extracts and to conduct further investigation towards in vivo evaluation.

Screening of different extracts from artemisia species for their potential antimalarial activity.

The formation of hemozoin (malaria pigment) has been proposed as an ideal drug target for antimalarial screening programs. In this study, we used an improved, cost-effective and high-throughput spectrophotometric assay to screen plant extracts for finding novel antimalarial plant sources. Fifteen extracts with different polarity from three Iranian Artemisia species, A. ciniformis, A. biennis and A. turanica, were assessed for their antimalarial activity by in-vitro ß-hematin formation assay. The most potent effect was observed in dichloromethane (DCM) extract of A. ciniformis with IC50 and IC90 values of 0.92 ± 0.01 and 1.29 ± 0.02 mg/mL, respectively. Ethyl acetate (EtOAC) extracts of A. biennis and A. turanica also showed significant antimalarial activities with IC50 values of 1.11 ± 0.02 and 1.35 ± 0.08 mg/mL and IC90 values of 1.22 ± 0.04 and 2.81 ± 0.21 mg/mL, respectively. Based on these results, it is possible to conclude that the components with strong antimalarial activity have been concentrated in the medium-polar extracts.