Ecotypic Variations Affected the Biological Effectiveness of Thymus daenensis Celak Essential Oil.

Thymus (Lamiaceae) is famous for its pharmacological properties. Thymus daenensis Celak (Avishan-e-denaee in Persian) is an endemic Thymus species in Iran and is traditionally used for its digestive, carminative, antitussive, antispasmodic, and expectorant attributes in folk medicine. Ecotypic oils were extracted and analyzed with the GC-MS. Their biological properties in terms of antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antigenotoxic activities were evaluated using the minimal inhibitory concentration, minimal bactericidal concentration, and DPPH, ß-carotene, and comet assays. The GC-MS results for Thymus daenensis Celak oils revealed thymol (73.86%) and carvacrol (51.89%) as the most abundant components. Due to the results, reasonable bactericidal activity values range from 0.14 to 5.00 mg/ml, and fungicidal activity ranges from 0.17 to 0.58 mg/ml. The necessary oil free radical scavenging capacity (0.41-1.79 mg/ml), bleaching inhibitory activity (0.01-1.06 mg/ml), and genoprotective potential (1.04-7.78 mg/ml) indicated the dose-dependent activity. The results suggest that Thymus daenensis is an important antibacterial and antifungal bioresource. Additionally, the antioxidant and radical scavenging capacity suggests this species has a role as a natural preservative in oxidative diseases and in the prevention of food spoilage.

The protective effects of Ziziphora tenuior L. against chlorpyrifos induced toxicity: Involvement of inflammatory and cell death signaling pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ziziphora tenuior L. is used as a medicinal plant in treatment of various diseases such as gastric disorders, stomach ache, dysentery, uterus infection, gut inflammation and menstruation. AIM OF THE STUDY: In the present study, the protective effects of Ziziphora tenuior extract against chlorpyrifos (CPF), the most commonly or popularly used insecticide in Asia and Africa were investigated in liver and lung tissues with emphasis in apoptotic and inflammatory pathways in rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiments were performed by gavage of male rats for 8 weeks. The extract of Z. tenuior was administrated at three different doses (40, 80, 160 mg/kg). 6.75 mg/kg CPF was administrated as the maximum tolerable dose based on our previous study. RESULTS: Our data indicated that CPF can increase the expression of some inflammatory genes (IL-6, TLR-2, IL-1ß, TNF-α, and NLPR3) and apoptosis genes (Caspase 3, Caspase 9, Caspase 8 and Bax). On the other hand, it can down regulate Bcl-2 gene expression. Post-treatment of Z. tenuior extract in CPF- treated rats showed significant decrease in apoptotic and inflammatory gene expression in the liver and lung due to its anti-apoptotic effects which confirmed by Bcl-2 gene overexpression. CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that Z. tenuior extract, as a traditional treatment can be able to moderate CPF toxicity via significant effect on inflammatory and apoptotic cell death signaling pathway. Also, based on our preliminary data, it is suggested that Z. tenuior extract can prevent the adverse effects of CPF in liver and lung tissues.

Green Synthesized Silver Nanostructure Using Rhus coriaria Fruit Extract Inhibits the Growth of Malignant MCF-7 Cell Line

Abstract Rhus coriaria, popularly known as sumac, has been used as a spice powder in the Middle East for centuries. It contains a broad range of naturally occurring compounds such as flavonoids, proteins, anthocyanins and volatile oils. It showed a putative importance in treatment of different disorders including cancers. In the current study, R. coriaria fruit extract was used for green synthesis of silver nanostructures (Ag-NSs) and their anticancer activity was tested against human breast cancer cells (MCF-7). The aqueous fruit extract was prepared. The synthesis of Ag-NSs under different conditions was optimized. The optimal reaction medium comprised 1:2 concentration of fruit extract and 3 mM concentration of silver nitrate solution. The green-synthesized Ag-NSs were confirmed by using UV-Visible spectroscopy at a range 300-700 nm, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and zeta potential measurements. The anti-proliferative activity of Ag-NSs was confirmed with inhibitory activity on MCF-7 cell line growth. The results showed that the IC50 values at 24 and 48h were 14.27 and 13.4 μg/ml, respectively. In conclusion the results of this study provide a simple, rapid, non-toxic and eco-friendly protocol for green-synthesis of Ag-NSs, which could be used as an alternative and interesting approach for safe and simple synthesis of Ag nanoparticles for biomedical uses.

The Effectiveness of Nigella Sativa Alcoholic Extract on the Inhibition of Candida Albicans Colonization and Formation of Plaque on Acrylic Denture Plates: an In Vitro Study.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Due to growing concerns on complications of chemical drugs, the use of herbal extracts has been considered as denture cleaning solutions. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the in-vitro effects of Nigella sativa on the cleansing of the formation of Candida albicans plaque on the acrylic resin pieces. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this experimental study, 30 pieces of acrylic resin were contaminated by Candida albicans suspension. Then, the acrylic pieces were randomly divided into six groups and treated with 0.2, 0.4, 20, and 200 mg/ml of Nigella sativa, 100,000 units of nystatin (positive control), and distilled water (negative control) for 8 hours. At the end of the exposure period of the drugs, the rinse solution from acrylic pieces was cultured in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and the average of the colonies from each group was compared. RESULTS: The average number of colonies obtained at concentrations of 0.2, 0.4, 20, and 200 mg/ml of Nigella sativa were 122.6, 117.8, 73.4, and 14.4 colonies, respectively, as compared to distilled water (141.6) and nystatin (0) that had a significant difference (p< 0.001). CONCLUSION: Nigella sativa extract at definite concentration is capable of clearing dental prosthesis, but compared to nystatin, it is weaker. However, due to the indirect immune-regulatory effects of Nigella sativa, it is suggested that other studies be conducted to investigate the therapeutic properties of Nigella sativa from the aspects of antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and oral ulcer healing in candida oral lesions.

The effect of hydroethanolic extract of Matricaria chamomilla on the reproductive system of male rats exposed to formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is a common agent in our surrounding environment and can adversely affect the male reproductive system. In this study, the effectiveness of Matricaria chamomilla (MC) extract as an antioxidant was investigated in rats treated with formaldehyde. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: F (10 mg/kg formaldehyde), M200 (200 mg/kg MC extract), M500 (500 mg/kg MC extract), FM200 (10 mg/kg formaldehyde and 200 mg/kg MC extract), FM500 (10 mg/kg formaldehyde and 500 mg/kg MC extract) and control group (0.9% normal saline). Formaldehyde and MC extract were administered daily for 30 consecutive days via intraperitoneal injection. Hormonal status, sperm parameters, testis tissue histology, germinal cells apoptosis and stereological analyses of testis tissue were investigated. Testosterone and LH levels were significantly increased in FM200, FM500, F200 and F500 groups compared to F group (p ≤ 0.05). Sperm count, motility and viability were significantly enhanced in FM200, FM500, F200 and F500 groups compared to F group (p ≤ 0.05). A decrease in the number of apoptotic germ cells in FM200, FM500, M200 and M500 groups (p ≤ 0.05) was evident. In particular, the MC extract in dose 500 mg/kg is seen to reduce the adverse effects of formaldehyde on the reproductive system of male rats.

Protective Effect of Matricaria chamomilla Ethanolic Extract on Hippocampal Neuron Damage in Rats Exposed to Formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde, as a frequently used compound in many applications, crosses the blood-brain barrier and leads to hippocampal cell death and memory impairment. This study investigates the effects of ethanolic extract of Matricaria chamomilla (MC) on passive avoidance learning induced by damaged hippocampal cells and evaluates the antioxidant traits of MC. The male Wistar rats were divided into six (6 in each) groups: control (10 mg/kg normal saline), 200 (200 mg/kg MC extract), 500 (500 mg/kg MC extract), F (10 mg/kg formaldehyde), F200 (10 mg/kg formaldehyde and 200 mg/kg MC extract), and F500 (10 mg/kg formaldehyde and 500 mg/kg MC extract). Shuttle box assay was used for evaluation of passive avoidance learning. The apoptosis rate of hippocampal tissue, malondialdehyde (MDA) free radicals, and total antioxidant capacity was evaluated to determine the positive effect of the ethanolic extract of MC. We found that the ethanolic extract of MC reduced the cell death, time spent in a dark room, and MDA free radicals in the hippocampus, leading to increased total antioxidant capacity in this region. In conclusion, the ethanolic extract of MC could ameliorate formaldehyde-induced memory damage through decreasing cell death and MDA activity of the hippocampal region and increasing total antioxidant capacity.

Protective effects of Ziziphora tenuior extract against chlorpyrifos induced liver and lung toxicity in rat: Mechanistic approaches in subchronic study.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is one of the most widely used organophosphorus, which has spurred renewed interest. This study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of ziziphora tenuior extract against CPF-induced liver and lung toxicity. This study conducted 8-week rat sub-chronic toxicity study and then the effect of ziziphora tenuior extract in 3 different doses (40, 80, 160 mg/kg) was determined. We administrated maximum tolerated dose of CPF (6.75 mg/kg) by gavage for 8 weeks (5 times in week) to male rats. Rats were sacrificed 24 h after last dose and the biochemical analysis, which confirms involvement of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of CPF toxicity in liver including increased in lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content, and ROS formation, glutathione depletion, decreased of antioxidant effect via frap oxidation and cytochrome c expulsion. In addition, pathological lesions confirm the dysfunction of the organs (liver and lung). In addition, using of ziziphora extract as an antioxidant is resulted in amelioration of oxidative stress marker in liver and lung damage. In conclusion, the current study revealed that CPF toxicity is related to oxidative stress and induction of cell death signaling and cotreatment with ziziphora extract is recommended in the routine therapy for the protection against CPF induced liver and lung tissue damage.

Ameliorating Effect of Ginseng on Epididymo-Orchitis Inducing Alterations in Sperm Quality and Spermatogenic Cells Apoptosis following Infection by Uropathogenic Escherichia coli in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: Epididymo-orchitis (EO) potentially results in reduced fertility in up to 60% of affected patients. The anti-inflammatory effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) and its ability to act as an immunoenhancer in parallel with the beneficial effects of this ancient herbal medicine on the reproductive systems of animals and humans led us to evaluate its protective effects against acute EO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This animal experimental study was conducted in the Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS), Zanjan, Iran during 2013-2015. We divided 50 Wistar rats into five following groups (n=10 per group): i. Control-intact animals, ii. Vehicle-phosphate buffered saline (PBS) injection into the vas deferens, iii. KRG-an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of KRG, iv. EO-an injection of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strain M39 into the vas defer- ens, and v. EO/ KRG-injections of both UPEC strain M39 and KRG. The treatment lasted seven days. We then evaluated sperm parameters, number of germ cell layers, Johnson's criteria, germ cell apoptosis, body weight and relative sex organs weight. RESULTS: Acute EO increased the relative weight of prostate and seminal vesicles (P≤0.05). It also reduced sperm quality such as total motility, sperm concentration (P≤0.01), and the percentage of normal sperm (P≤0.001). Moreover, acute EO decreased Miller's (P≤0.05) and Johnsen's scores and increased apoptotic indexes of spermatogenic cells (P≤0.001). KRG treatment decreased prostate weight gain (P≤0.05) and improved the percentage of sperm with normal morphology, total motility (P≤0.01), and progressive motility (P≤0.05). The apoptotic indexes of spermatogenic cells reduced (P≤0.001), whereas both Johnsen's (P≤0.01) and Miller's criteria increased in the KRG-treated EO testis (P≤0.05). CONCLUSION: Consequently, KRG ameliorated the devastating effects of EO on the sperm retrieved from either epididymis or testicle in rats.

Antiplasmodial activity of ethanolic extracts of some selected medicinal plants from the northwest of Iran.

The effectiveness of antimalarial drugs is declining at an ever accelerating rate, with consequent increase in malaria-related morbidity and mortality. The newest antiplasmodial drug from plants is needed to overcome this problem. The aim of this study was to assess antimalarial activity of the ethanolic extracts of 10 different medicinal plants from eight families against Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 strain. The selection of the hereby studied plants was based on the existing information on their local ethnobotanic history. Plants were dried, powdered, and macerated in a hydroalcoholic solution. Resulting extracts have been assessed for in vitro and in vivo antimalarial and brine shrimp toxicity activities. Of 10 plant species tested, four plants: Althea officinalis L. (Malvaceae), Myrtus communis Linn (Myrtaceae), Plantago major (Plantaginaceae), and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Papilionaceae) displayed promising antimalarial activity in vitro (50% inhibitory concentration values of 62.77, 42.18, 40.00, and 13.56 µg/mL, respectively) with no toxicity against brine shrimp larvae. The crude extracts of three active plants, G. glabra, M. communis, and A. officinalis, also significantly reduced parasitemia in vivo in female Swiss albino mice at a dose of 400 mg/kg compared to no treatment. Antiplasmodial activities of extracts of A. officinalis and M. communis are reported for the first time.

In vitro activity of Alkanna frigida extracts in comparison with glucantime against Leishmania major.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Current chemotherapies of cutaneous leihmaniasis have faced to some problems and limitations; Development of new leishmanicidal drugs from different sources like herbal plants, are crucially important. The objective of the present study was evaluation of in vitro activity of Alkanna frigida extracts in comparison with glucantime against Leishmania major. MATERIALS AND METHODS: L. major promastigotes were exposed to different concentrations of the A. frigida extracts, processed by ethyl acetate, ethanol, hexane and chloroform. The inhibitory effect, as the IC50, were calculated after 24, 48 and 72 hours by linear regression analysis values of the concentrations employed. RESULTS: The significant inhibition was observed after 24 and 48 hours with different concentrations of compounds (p < 0.05 in all tests). All extracts had potent activity against proliferation of the promastigotes, comparing to the untreated negative control. It could compete with the glucantime efficacy in some concentrations. Ethyl acetate and ethanol extractions showed potent IC50 value, 106 µg/ml and 86 µg/ml, respectively. Hexane and chloroform extractions had poor efficacy after 24 hours; however, the efficacy increased after 48 and 72 hours. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the A. frigida has appropriate inhibitory effects on the growth of L. major promastigotes in vitro and can be of herbal targets for further investigation in vivo.