Dietary approach to stop hypertension diet and cardiovascular risk factors among 10- to 18-year-old individuals.

BACKGROUND: Current evidence available on the association between Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and cardiovascular risk in adolescents is controversial. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the association between DASH diet and cardiovascular risk factors after 3 years of follow-up among Tehranian adolescents. METHODS: A population-based cohort study was conducted on 628 subjects, aged 10-18 years, selected from among participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. The DASH score was determined on the basis of eight components using a valid and reliable food-frequency questionnaire at baseline. Anthropometric and lipid profile data were measured at baseline and after a 3-year follow-up. RESULTS: Mean (SD) age of the study population (46.6% men) was 14.1 (2.5) years. After adjustment for potential confounding variables, including sex, age, physical activity and total calorie intake, the risk of general obesity (OR = 0.26, 95%CI: 0.15-0.76) and central obesity (OR = 0.32, 95%CI: 0.14-0.84) in the highest quintile of DASH score were significantly lower than in subjects in the lowest quintile. However, DASH score was not associated with risk of incident dyslipidaemia in our study (OR = 0.81, 95%CI: 0.30-1.82). The higher DASH score was inversely associated with 3-year changes in body mass index and waist circumference during the study period (P for trend <0.05). However, there was no significant association between the higher score of this diet with 3-year changes in lipid profiles. CONCLUSION: Adherence to the DASH diet was associated with decreased risk of central and general obesity, whereas higher DASH diet score was not associated with risk of dyslipidaemia in adolescents.

Nut consumption is associated with lower incidence of type 2 diabetes: The Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.

AIM: Nuts are rich in unsaturated fatty acids as well as other bioactive constituents. The present study investigated the association between nut consumption and the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a Middle Eastern population. METHODS: The study was conducted within the framework of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS), in which 1984 participants (920 men and 1064 women) free of DM, aged≥20 years, were followed from phase III (2005-2008) to phase V (2011-2014). Dietary data were obtained from valid and reliable food-frequency questionnaires at baseline. Using multiple logistic regression, odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, with adjustments for age, gender, BMI, serum cholesterol and triglycerides, smoking and energy intake. RESULTS: Study participants' means±SD of age and of BMI were 40.1±13.1 years and 27.0±4.8kg/m2, respectively. The median±SE of their total daily consumption of nuts was 1.19±0.11 servings. After 6.2±0.7 years of follow-up, 150 cases of T2DM were confirmed. On comparing those who consumed ≥4 servings/week with those who consumed <1 serving/week, the age-/energy-adjusted OR of incident T2DM for total nut consumption was 0.64 (95% CI: 0.36-1.12; P for trend = 0.03). In a fully adjusted model, nut consumption was associated with a lower risk of T2DM, and the ORs (95% CIs) of risk for those consuming 2-3.99 and ≥4 servings/week of nuts were 0.51 (0.26-0.97) and 0.47 (0.25-0.90), respectively, compared with those consuming <1 serving/week (P<0.001 for trend). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that consuming ≥4 servings/week of nuts reduced the risk of T2DM compared with <1 serving/week.

Assessment of hydroalcoholic extract of seeds and leaves of Moringa peregrina on ileum spasm.

Seeds of Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori. (Moringaceae) is widely used in south east of Iran for gastrointestinal disorders. However, so far there is no pharmacological evidence for antispasmodic activity of this plant extract. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate antispasmodic activity of M. peregrina on rat isolated ileum contraction. Hydroalcoholic extract was obtained by percolation method from seeds and leaves of M. peregrina collected from Baluchestan province of Iran. A portion of isolated rat ileum was suspended under 1 g tension in Tyrode's solution at 37 °C and gassed with O2. Effects of seeds and leaves extracts of M. peregrina were studied on ileum contractions induced by KCl (80 mM), acetylcholine (ACh, 250 µM) and electrical field stimulation (EFS). The seed extract of M. peregrina concentration dependently inhibited the response to KCl (IC50=87 ± 18 µg/ml), ACh (IC50=118 ± 18 µg/ml) and EFS (IC50=230 ± 51 µg/ml). The extract of M. peregrina leaves also had inhibitory effect of ileum contraction induced by KCl (IC50=439 ± 108 µg/ml), ACh (IC50=365 ± 61 µg/ml) or EFS (IC50=314 ± 92 µg/ml). From these experiments it was concluded that M. peregrina extract mainly had an inhibitory effect on ileum contractions but the seed extract was more potent than the leave extract in inhibiting KCl and ACh contractile responses.

Comparison of antispasmodic effects of Dracocephalum kotschyi essential oil, limonene and α-terpineol.

Dracocephalum kotschyi is an essential oil containing plant found in Iran. In Iranian traditional medicine, D. kotschyi has been used as antispasmodic and analgesic but so far there is no pharmacological report about its antispasmodic activity. Therefore, the objective of this research was to study antispasmodic activity of the essential oil of D. kotschyi and two of its constituents namely limonene and α-terpineol. The essential oil was obtained from aerial parts of D. kotschyi using hydrodistillation method. The main components found in the essential oil were α-pinene (10%), neral (11%), geraniol (10%), α-citral (12%), limonene (9%) and α-terpineol (1.1%). For antispasmodic studies, a portion of rat ileum was suspended under 1 g tension in Tyrode's solution at 37 °C and gassed with O2. Effect of the D. kotschyi essential oil, limonene and α-terpineol were studied on ileum contractions induced by KCl (80 mM), acetylcholine (ACh, 500 nM) and electrical field stimulation (EFS). The essential oil, in a concentration dependent manner inhibited the response to KCl (IC50=51 ± 8.7 nl/ml), ACh (IC50=19 ± 2.7 nl/ml) and EFS (IC50=15 ± 0.5 nl/ml). Limonene and α-terpineol showed same pattern of inhibitory effect on ileum contraction. Their inhibitory effects were also concentration dependent. However, limonene was more potent than the essential oil while the α-terpineol was less potent than either limonene or the essential oil. From this experiment it was concluded that D. kotschyi essential oil has inhibitory effect on ileum contractions. Limonene contribute a major role in inhibitory effect of the essential oil while α-terpineol has weak antispasmodic activity.

Cytotoxic evaluation of volatile oil from Descurainia sophia seeds on MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines.

Descurainia sophia is a plant widely distributed and used as folk medicine throughout the world. Different extracts of aerial parts and seeds of this plant have been shown to inhibit the growth of different cancer cell lines in vitro. In this study, cytotoxic activity of D. sophia seed volatile oil was evaluated. D. sophia seed powder was mixed with distilled water and left at 25 °C for 17 h (E1), 23 h (E2) and 28 h (E3) to autolyse. Then, the volatile fractions of E1, E2, and E3 were collected after steam distillation for 3 h. Cytotoxic effects of the volatile oils alone or in combination with doxorubicin (mixture of E1 or E2 at 50 µg/ml or E1 at 100 µg/ml with doxorubicin at 0.1, 1, 10 µM) against MCF-7 cell line were determined using MTT assay. Cytotoxic effect of E1 volatile oil was also determined on HeLa cell line. The results indicated that 1-buten-4-isothiocyanate was the major isothiocyanate found in the volatile oils. The results of cytotoxic evaluations showed that volatile constituents were more toxic on MCF-7 cells with IC50< 100 µg/ml than HeLa cells with IC50> 100 µg/ml. No significant differences were observed between cytotoxic activities of E1, E2 and E3 on MCF-7 cell line. Concomitant use of E1 and E2 (50 µg/ml) with doxurubicin (1 µM) significantly reduced the viability of MCF-7 cells compared to the negative control, doxorubicin alone, or each volatile fraction. The same result was obtained on HeLa cells, when E1 (100 µg/ml) was concurrently used with doxorubicin (1 µM).

3,7,10,14,15-pentaacetyl-5-butanoyl-13,17-epoxy-8-myrsinene a novel compound isolated from Pycnocycla spinosa extract with potent anti-spasmodic and antidiarrheal properties.

Bioassay monitoring of hydroalcoholic extract from the aerial part of Pyconcycla spinosa revealed that it contains components with spasmolytic activity in vitro. In addition, P. spinosa extract at oral dose of 1-5 mg/kg inhibits diarrhoea in animal models. Pharmacological screening of pure compounds isolated from P. spinosa hydroalcoholic extract led to the identification of 3,7,10,14,15-pentaacetyl-5-butanoyl-13,17-epoxy-8-myrsinene (PABEM) which is a new diterpene. In this research, we have investigated antispasmodic and antidiarrheal effects of PABEM for comparison with P. spinosa extract. Aerial parts of P. spinosa were extracted with ethanol. For antispasmodic studies, rat isolated ileum was suspended in Tyrode's solution in an organ bath. The ileum was contracted by acetylcholine (ACh, 0.5 µM), serotonin (5-HT, 5 µM) or electrical field stimulation (EFS). P. spinosa extract in a concentration dependent manner (10-640 µg/ml) inhibited ileum contractions induced by ACh, 5-HT or EFS. The new compound isolated form P. spinosa extract "PABEM" in a similar manner inhibited the contractile response to ACh, 5-HT and EFS. However, the inhibitory effects of PABEM were observed at much lower bath concentrations. The relaxation effect of PABEM was started at 40 ng/ml bath concentration and with 2.5 µg/ml PABEM in the bath, the contractile responses of ileum were completely abolished. Both hydroalcoholic extract of P. spinosa and PABEM reduced intestinal meal transit and castor oil and MgSO4 induced diarrhoea in mice. However, PABEM was about 10 times more potent than its parent extract. This research shows that PABEM is probably the main component responsible for antispasmodic and antidiarrheal actions of P. spinosa extract.

Salinity alters curcumin, essential oil and chlorophyll of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.).

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is a perennial rhizomatous plant from the family of Zingibraceae, native in South Asia. The main components of turmeric are curcuminoids and essential oil which are responsible for turmeric characteristic such as odor and taste. Due to the large areas of saline land in Iran and less information related to cultivation of turmeric, in this research, the effect of salinity on growth, curcumin and essential oil of turmeric was evaluated. Rhizomes were planted in coco peat and perlite for germination. Then uniform germinated rhizomes transferred to hydroponic condition containing Hoagland's solution. Two months old plants were exposed to salinity (0, 20, 60 and 100 mM NaCl) for two months via hydroponic media using Hoagland's solution. Then dry weight of different plant parts, chlorophyll, curcumin and essential oil components of turmeric were determined. The result indicated that, dry weight reductions in 100 mM NaCl were 191%, 141%, 56%, 30% in leaf, pseudo-stem, root and rhizome, respectively (This is almost equal to 6.9, 2.87, 0.34 and 0.23 mg plant(-1) mM(-1)NaCl reduction of dry weight, respectively). The reductions in chlorophyll a and b are almost 3.32 and 0.79 µg/gFW respectively due to one unit addition of NaCl (P < 0.05). The addition of curcumin of rhizome for four months old plant versus three months were almost 5 fold for 0 mM NaCl and 2 fold for 100 mM NaCl due to one month of delay in harvest. Low salinity has positive effect in curcumin production but higher salinity (higher than 60 mM) had adverse effect and causes 24% reduction of curcumin compared to control plants. There were more para-cymene and terpineol in volatile oils of turmeric rhizome than the other components, most of the volatile oil compounds were unchanged or varied slightly as salinity changed.

Antidiarrheal activities of isovanillin, iso-acetovanillon and Pycnocycla spinosa Decne ex.Boiss extract in mice.

Isovanillin and iso-acetovanillon are two phenolic components isolated from a number of plants including Pycnocycla spinosa. P. spinosa extract has antispasmodic and antidiarrheal activities. However, no comparative study has been done on antidiarrheal action of isovanillin and iso- acetovanillon, so far. The aim of this study was to investigate antidiarrheal action of isovanillin and iso-acetovanillon and their effects on small intestinal transit, for comparison with propantheline. Male mice (25-30 g), fasted over night with free access to water, were treated with test compounds or control (p.o.). Thirty min later castor oil (0.5 ml) was given orally to the animals. In another groups of animals MgSO4 (0.5 ml of 10% solution) was given first and half an hour later the test drugs were administered. Onset and number of wet defecations were recorded for each animal over 3.5 h after treatment with diarrhoea inducing agents. In another groups, intestinal transit of charcoal meal was determined following administration of the compounds. Isovanillin (2 mg/kg & 5 mg/kg), iso-acetovanillon (2 mg/kg & 5 mg/kg) and P. spinosa extract (5 mg/kg) delayed onset of diarrhoea and significantly reduced wet defecation induced by castor oil and MgSO4. They all had antidiarrheal effect similar to propantheline (5 mg/kg). Isovanillin, iso-acetovanillon and P. spinosa extract compared to control groups, significantly reduced small intestinal transit of charcoal meal. This study shows that antidiarrheal effect of P. spinosa extract is at least partially due to presence of two active compounds isovanillin and iso-acetovanillon.

Antispasmodic activity of isovanillin and isoacetovanillon in comparison with Pycnocycla spinosa Decne.exBoiss extract on rat ileum.

Isovanillin and isoacetovanillon are two components found in P. spinosa Decne.exBoiss extract with no previously reported effect on ileum contractions. Spasmolytic effect of isovanillin and isoacetovanillon were examined on response to electrical field stimulation (EFS), acetylcholine (ACh) and 5-HT in strips of rat ileum. Longitudinal ileum strips were set up in an organ bath containing oxygenated Tyrode's solution. All strips that was contracted in response to EFS, acetylcholine or 5-HT showed relaxation in the presence of isovanillin (5-320 µg/ml), or isoacetovanillon (5-320 µg/ml). Isovanillin and isoacetovanillon inhibited the response to 5-HT with IC50 values of 356±50µM and 622±110µM respectively. They reduced the response to EFS without significantly affecting the acetylcholine response. P. spinosa extract (5-160 µg/ml) in a concentration dependent manner reduced the response to 5-HT, acetylcholine and EFS. This study demonstrated that isovanillin and isoacetovanillon are relaxant of ileum contractions induced by 5-HT and EFS and they have contribution to the relaxant effect of P. spinosa extract but other components are responsible for the inhibition of acetylcholine by the extract.

Antispasmodic and antidiarrhoeal activities of 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-hexanonic acid from Pycnocycla spinosa Decne. exBoiss.

Pharmacological activities of 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-hexanonic acid (HMPHA), a phenolic compound, isolated from the extract of Pycnocycla spinosa was investigated on ileum motility in vivo and in vitro. Ileum motility was examined by measuring charcoal movement through the gut in mice. In addition, antidiarrhoeal activity of HMPHA was assessed and compared with standard drug; loperamide (2 mg/kg) and the hydroalcoholic extract of P. spinosa (2 mg/kg). Furthermore, concentration response curve to contraction induced by acetylcholine (ACh), 5-hydroxy triptamine (5-HT) and electrical field stimulation (EFS) were obtained after incubation of ileum segment with various concentrations of HMPHA or hydroalcoholic extract of P. spinosa. HMPHA (2 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg, orally) significantly inhibited gut movements in vivo and reduced diarrhoea induced by castor oil or sulphate magnesium. In addition, HMPHA reduced ileum contraction induced by ACh (IC50=33 ± 6 µg/ml), 5-HT (IC50=87 ± 12 µg/ml) and EFS (IC50=36 ± 3 µg/ml) in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect was reversible following washing off the drug. These studies indicate that HMPHA as an active component of P. spinosa extract has significant antispasmodic and antidiarrhoeal activities and therefore, has the potential as a lead compound for further development of a new spasmolytic remedy.

Effect of Rosa damascena Mill. flower extract on rat ileum.

Rosa damascena flower is widely used for gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. However, its pharmacological action on isolated ileum has not been studied. In this research, the effect of extract of flower petals of R. damascena Mill. growing in Kashan, Iran, on ileum motility was investigated. Hydroalcoholic extract was prepared by percolation method. A section of rat ileum was suspended in an organ bath containing Tyrode's solution. The tissue was stimulated with electrical field stimulation (EFS), KCl and acetylcholine (ACh). The tissue was kept under 1g tension at 37°C and continuously gassed with O2. Effect of the R. damascena extract was studied on ileum contractions induced by EFS, KCl and ACh and compared with that of atropine. R. damascena extract (10-100 mg/ml) induced a contraction in rat isolated ileum while at 1mg bath concentration it had relaxant effect on rat ileum. Hydroalcoholic extract of R. damascena (1-8 mg/ml) concentration dependently inhibited ileum contraction induced by KCl (IC50=3.3 ± 0.9 mg/ml), ACh (IC50=1.4 ± 0.1 mg/ml) and EFS (IC50=1.5 ± 0.3 mg/ml). The vehicle had no significant effect on ileum contractions. From this experiment it was concluded that R. damascena extract at microgram concentrations had stimulatory effect on ileum smooth muscle. However, at milligram concentrations, it shows an inhibitory effect. This is most likely due to presence of different components in the extract. The stimulatory effect of the extract confirms its benefits for the treatment of constipation. Therefore, separation and identification of active components is recommended.

Inhibitory effect of Rosa damascena Mill flower essential oil, geraniol and citronellol on rat ileum contraction.

Flower of Rosa damascena Mill is widely used in Iran for gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. However, its pharmacological action on ileum contraction has not been studied. In this research we have investigated ileum motility effect of essential oil of flower petals of R. damascena growing in Kashan, Iran, and two of its constituents. The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation were investigated by a combination of GC and GC/MS. More than 34 compounds have been identified. The main constituents of the essential oil were ß-citronellol (23%), nonadecane (16%), geraniol (16%) and heneicosane (5%). A portion of rat isolated ileum was suspended under 1g tension in Tyrode's solution at 37°C and gassed with O2. Effect of the R. damascena essential oil (2.5-160 µg/ml), geraniol (0.2-3.2 µg/ml) and citronellol (0.8-6.4 µg/ml) were studied on ileum contractions induced by KCl, acetylcholine (ACh) and electrical field stimulation (EFS) and compared with standard drugs atropine and loperamide. The contractile response of EFS was mediated mainly through the intramural nerve plexuses, because its response was inhibited by loperamide and partially reduced by atropine. The essential oil concentration dependently inhibited the response to KCl (IC50=67 ± 8.4µg/ml) and EFS (IC50=47 ± 10.6 µg/ml). Geraniol (IC50=1.7 ± 0.15 µg/ml for KCl) and citronellol (IC50=2.9 ± 0.3 µg/ml for KCl) also had inhibitory effect of ileum contraction and both were more potent than the essential oil. It was concluded that R. damascena essential oil mainly had an inhibitory effect on ileum contractions and geraniol and citronellol had a major role in inhibitory effect of the essential.

The association of anthropometric indices in adolescence with the occurrence of the metabolic syndrome in early adulthood: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS).

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT: Little is known about the predictive ability of anthropometric indices in adolescence for prediction of early adulthood metabolic syndrome (MetS). There are controversies about the predictive power of body mass index (BMI) vs. waist circumference (WC) for prediction of MetS in late adolescence; some of the studies did not support the need to measure WC in mid-adolescence, in addition to BMI; on the other hand, some other studies proposed either similar predictability or superiority of WC to identify MetS in late adolescence. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: This is the first study to evaluate the adolescent anthropometric indices in relation to early adulthood MetS incidence one decade later in the Middle East region. There is an important sex difference regarding the incidence of MetS in Tehranian adolescents. It is interesting to know that all anthropometric indices in the pubertal age group (11-14 years) had better predictive ability compared to late-pubertal (15-18 years) adolescents. In addition, adolescent abdominal obesity surrogates, including WC and waist-to-height ratio, predicted adulthood MetS better than BMI in boys. It seems that WC had an independent role beyond BMI in identification of adulthood MetS in Tehranian boys (11-18 years old). BACKGROUND: Little is known about the predictive ability of anthropometric indices in adolescence for prediction of early adulthood metabolic syndrome (MetS). OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to explore incidence of MetS and the optimal anthropometric indicator to predict early adulthood MetS in Tehranian adolescents. METHODS: Using data from the population-based, prospective, Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, the utility of four anthropometric indices of adolescents in predicting early adulthood MetS (2009 Joint Scientific Statement definition) was examined among 1100 participants, aged 11-18 years, who were free of MetS at baseline, during a mean of 10.2 years of follow-up. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of MetS was 25.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 21.8-29.2%) for young men and 1.8% (95% CI: 0.6-3%) for young women. In boys, waist circumference (WC) had the highest odds ratio (OR) for the MetS risk, followed by waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Adjusting body mass index (BMI) in addition to WC did not change the results in the 11-14-year age group (OR for WC: 2.28 [1.64-3.16] without BMI adjustment vs. 1.98 [1.05-3.73] with BMI adjustment), suggesting that WC may predict MetS risk beyond BMI. None of the anthropometric indices were found to have significant associations with subsequent MetS risk in girls. CONCLUSIONS: Measures of abdominal obesity including WHtR and WC predicted early adulthood MetS better than BMI in Tehranian male adolescents (11-18 years old).

Determination of volatile glucosinolate degradation products in seed coat, stem and in vitro cultures of Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori.

Moringaceae, a monogeneric family in Capparales (glucosinolate-containing species), includes 14 species. One of them is Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori., a small tree, which grows in south east of Iran. Volatile constituents of seed coat and stem of M. peregrina were determined by GC and GC/MS. Moreover, extracts of seed and different cultured cells were analyzed by TLC and GC. Three volatile isothiocyanates including isopropyl isothiocyanate (4.2%), sec-butyl isothiocyanate (< 0.1%) and isobutyl isothiocyanate (92.9%) were found in the volatile oil of the stem , while only two volatile isothiocyanates namely isopropyl isothiocyanate (7.0%) and isobutyl isothiocyanate (51.5%) were determined in the seed coat of the tree. For the first time, the callus and suspension cultures of M. peregrina were initiated and established successfully on Murashige and Skoog medium, containing plant growth hormones. Different precursors and elicitors were fed to the cultures to induce glucosinolates production. This is the first report of in vitro culture production of M. peregrina. There was no production of volatile isothiocyanates in M. peregrina callus and suspension cultures with different treatments.

Antioxidant activity of methanolic leaf extract of Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori.

Natural antioxidants have an important role in the prevention of many age-related diseases and promotion of health. Among natural antioxidants from plants, flavonoids and other phenolic compounds are potent antioxidants and chelating agents. Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori (Moringaceae) is a small desert tree distributed from tropical Africa to east India. Moringa tree is also growing in south-east of Iran. The antioxidant activity of M. peregrina methanolic leaf extract on 2,2-diphenyl-1-pycrylhydrazyl and superoxide anion radicals was determined in in vitro experiments. It exhibited the scavenging activity on DPPH and superoxide anion radicals with IC(50) of 8.06 ± 0.29 µg/ml and 47.93 ± 1.33 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, total phenolic content of the leaf extract was determined and using (1)HNMR, mass and spectroscopic methods, the structure of the isolated flavonoid glycoside, rutin, as one of the compounds responsible for reported antioxidant activities was identified.

Spasmolytic effect of root and aerial parts extract of Pycnocycla spinosa on neural stimulation of rat ileum.

Extract prepared from aerial part of Pycnocycla spinosa is a relaxant of rat ileum contractions. The objective of this research was to study the spasmolytic activity of P. spinosa root extract for comparison with the aerial part extract. Hydroalcoholic extracts were prepared by percolation method. A portion of rat ileum was removed and suspended under 1 g tension in Tyrode's solution at 37 °C and gassed with O(2). Isotonic contractions induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS), and KCl were recorded before and after addition of the extracts. Experiments were performed alongside time-matched vehicle controls. Both EFS responses are blocked by lidocaine (74 µM), indicating that contractile responses are mediated by neuronal mechanism and partially was blocked by atropine. The root extract of P. spinosa (10-320 µg/ml) inhibited both initial rapid (IC(50) = 71 ± 11.9 µg/ml) and secondary slow contraction (IC(50) = 56 ± 7.8 µg/ml) evoked by EFS (n=6) as well as the KCl response (IC(50) = 59 ± 11.7 µg/ml). The aerial part extract had a similar inhibitory effect on both KCl (IC(50) = 47 ± 6.3 µg/ml) and EFS responses. This study confirms the inhibitory effects of root extract of P. spinosa on rat ileum contraction. However, the root extract was not more effective than the aerial part extract. Therefore, the aerial parts extract of P. spinosa could be used as a suitable substitute for the root extract.

Production of chlorogenic acid in Varthemia persica DC (var. persica) callus cultures.

Chlorogenic acid, a pharmacologically important compound, is a phenolic compound that occurs in certain commonly used medicinal herbs. We looked for the presence of this compound in the callus cultures of Varthemia persica DC (var. persica). We have evaluated the conditions for establishment of callus cultures of V. persica and the in vitro production of chlorogenic acid. Callus was initiated by culturing seedling of V. persica on MS basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of kinetin, naphthalene acetic acid and 2,4-diphenoxy acetic acid. Also, the influence of light, and phytohormones on the production of chlorogenic acid was examined. Kinetin stimulated the production of chlorogenic acid. Replacement of 2,4-diphenoxy acetic acid with naphthalene acetic acid did not alter the chlorogenic acid production. The ability to induce the accumulation of chlorogenic acid in the V. persica callus cultures offers an opportunity to produce a phenolic compound with therapeutic value.

Differences between subjects with sufficient and deficient urinary iodine in an area of iodine sufficiency.

BACKGROUND: Iran has long been recognized as a country of iodine sufficiency; however, recent studies show that the proportion of subjects with insufficient urinary iodine is gradually increasing in Tehran capital city. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate differences between individuals with sufficient and deficient urinary iodine in Tehran. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 639 Tehranian adult subjects, aged ≥ 19 yr (242 males, 397 females), were enrolled through randomized cluster sampling. A 24-h urine sample was collected for measurement of urinary iodine, sodium and creatinine concentrations using the digestion method, flame photometry and autoanalyzer assay, respectively. Salt intake was estimated and iodine content of household salt was measured by titration. RESULTS: Medians (interquartile range) of 24-h urinary iodine concentrations in subjects with sufficient and deficient urinary iodine were 163.0 (126.0-235.0) and 44.0 (26.0-67.0) µg/l, p<0.001, respectively. Salt with iodine content of >20 parts per million was consumed by 77.4 and 38.3% of subjects with sufficient and deficient urinary iodine, respectively (p<0.001). Median daily salt intake in subjects with sufficient urinary iodine was significantly higher than in those with deficient urinary iodine (8.1 vs 7.3 g, p<0.001). No significant differences in the mentioned variables were observed between males and females. Fifty and 30% of subjects with insufficient and sufficient urinary iodine had <7 yr education, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Iodine content of salt, the amount of salt intake and education levels differ greatly between subjects with sufficient and deficient urinary iodine in Tehran.

Bioactivity-guided isolation of spasmolytic components of Pycnocycla spinosa Decne ex Boiss.

Hydroalcoholic extract of Pycnocycla spinosa has spasmolytic effect in vitro and antidiarrhoeal action in vivo. The aim of this research was to separate fractions of total hydroalcoholic extract of P. spinosa guided by their spasmolytic activity. Aerial parts of P. spinosa were extracted with ethanol. The concentrated extract was subjected to column chromatography and thin layer chromatography. Initially four fractions were obtained (F1, F2, F3, and F4) and their spasmolytic activities were determined on ileum contraction induced by KCl (80 mM). The more active fraction was subjected to further isolation and tested to find its most active components. The active component was phytochemically characterized using phytochemical methods including ultraviolet and infrared spectroscopy. Hydroalcoholic extract of P. spinosa (10-320 µg/ml) in a concentration dependent manner inhibited ileum contraction with the IC(50) value of 47 ± 8.1 µg/ml (mean ± S.E.M., n=6). Fraction F2 was the most potent inhibitor of ileum contraction (IC(50)= 3.4 ± 0.33 µg/ml). From five sub-fractions separated from fraction F2 (F2a, F2b, F2c, F2d, and F2e, respectively), F2c was a more active component with the IC(50) value of 2.6 ± 0.27 µg/ml. The primary results of target fraction (F2c) showed sugar moiety in its structure or in one of its components. In this research we have isolated pharmacological active fraction which is most likely responsible for antispasmodic action of P. spinosa hydroalcoholic extract.

Relaxant effect of essential oil and hydro-alcoholic extract of Pycnocycla spinosa Decne. exBoiss. on ileum contractions.

Pycnocycla spinosa is an essential oil from a wild plant growing in central Iran. However, so far its pharmacological effects have not been studied. The aim of this study was to look for relaxant effects of the essential oil and hydro-alcoholic extract of P. spinosa on rat isolated ileum contractions induced by KCl and acetylcholine (ACh). P. spinosa essential oil (PSEO) and the hydro-alcoholic extract inhibited the response to 80 mM KCl in a concentration-dependent manner and attenuated the maximum attainable response of ACh concentration-response curve. Furthermore, in caster oil induced diarrhoea, the hydro-alcoholic extract had a dose-dependent anti-diarrhoeal effect. This study showed that P. spinosa essential oil and its hydro-alcoholic extract act as a relaxant of rat isolated ileum. As the inhibition of contractile over-activity of the ileum is the basis for the treatment of gastro-intestinal disorders such as diarrhoea, P. spinosa may have clinical bene fi ts for treatment of this condition.