Journal of Medicinal Plants
Volume:15 Issue: 60, 2016

Tragopogon is a genus of Asteraceae family and Lactuceae tribe. Distribution of this genus in different areas resulted to its dietary and feed applications as well as medicinal uses. Different parts of these plants have been used in treatment of stomachache and digestive disorders. In Iranian traditional medicine they used as hemostatic and wound healing agent in nose, ears, lungs, throat, intestine, stomach, and skin bleeding. Reduction of lipid peroxidation and blood lipid level, antioxidant, antileukemic, and antibacterial effects, and healing effect on inflammatory bowel disease are some of evaluated pharmacologic effects of the plants in this genus. Flavonoids, terpenes, saponins, bibenzyl and hydroisocoumarins, phenolic compounds, and strolls are some of detected phytochemicals of these plants that majority of them have been identified through the chemotaxonomic studies. Some tragopogon plants with high antioxidant effect are able to protect the tissues from the inflammatory disorders and inhibit DNA damage in the determined concentrations.

Acetaminophen as a common antipyretic drug, in overdoses, is poisonous for the liver.
The current study aimed to assess the protective effects of Ferula (F.) gummosa essential oils against the liver toxicity of acetaminophen in rats.
80 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 16 groups (n=5). Negative control group received only DMSO and the positive control group received acetaminophen 500 mg/kg b.w i.p. The treatment groups received F. gummosa essential oils (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w) i.p immediately after acetaminophen administration. The blood were collected for estimating the values of total antioxidant of plasma (FRAP) and liver enzymes; alanin teransferase (ALT), aspartate teransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Also, a piece of liver was used for determining of glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LP) concentrations, the activity of glutathione s-transferase (GST) and histopathological studies.
The data showed that F. gummosa essential oil modulate significantly the changes in the levels of GSH, GST and FRAP as well as the liver enzymes and lipid peroxidation compared to negative control group. Furthermore, the histopathological findings of the liver tissue was confirmed the biochemical results.
The essential oil extracted from F. gummosa possessed antioxidant activity which protects the liver against the toxic effects of acetaminophen.

Depression is a serious, debilitating and common illness among various social groups. Chemical and synthetic drugs available for the disease have numerous side effects and result only around a 50% full recovery.
Today, researchers are trying to find new and affordable drugs without serious side effects. Medicinal plants showed considerable pharmacological effects in the treatment of depression in different experimental models.
In this study, articles from journals indexed in the Scopus, PubMed, Information Sciences Institute (ISI), and Scientific Information Database (SID) were reviewed.
A review of studies in this field showed that most medicinal plants show anti-depressant effects through regulating of the synaptic serotonin and dopamine, regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity, strengthening of the body's antioxidant defenses and reducing of the inflammatory mediators.
medicinal plant and their component show protective effect against depression through different mechanism. Medicinal plants can be used as a new source for the development of anti-depressant drugs.

The licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) rhizome has been widely used in traditional medicine for treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.
In the present study, the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice rhizome on mechanical activity of isolated ileum of male rats has been studied.
Seven adult male rats were anesthetized by ethyl ether, their abdomen opened, and ileum dissected and divided into 1 cm segments. The segments were connected to a force transducer longitudinally and inserted to an organ bathe contained oxygenated Tyrode solution (37 °C, pH=7.4). Their mechanical activity of ileum was recorded by power lab AD instrument in basal condition, and after administration of L-NAME (10-4M) drug in the presence and absence of licorice rhizome extract (0.0175 mg/ml). Also the mechanical activity of control group segments were recorded at the same condition with extract solvent (ethanol %70).
A significant decrease in mechanical activity of the isolated ileum occurred after administration of hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice compared to the control group, while the mechanical activity of ileum tissue not significantly changed in the coadministration of L-NAME and extract between experimental and control groups.
We can conclude that hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice has modifying effect on ileum motility, and this activity may be occurred independently to the nitrergic system.

The process of diabetes control involves a mixture of dietary, pharmacological and physical exercise interventions as therapeutic methods. However there is a considerable risk of hypoglycemia incidence with synchronized supplementation of bitter melon and physical exercise and also the antihyperlipidemic effects of bitter melon was not fully elucidated.
The aim was to investigate the synchronized effects of aerobic training and bitter melon powder supplementation on metabolic control in type II diabetic female patients (Age: 56.89±7.48 yrs. Weight: 78.75±5.56 kg and Height: 164.54±6.71 cm).
Following to baseline FBS, 2hpp, HbA1c (A1C), HDL, LDL, TG and TC measurements, the subject were randomized into four groups (N=12): Control, Bitter melon, Exercise and Bitter melon-Exercise. The Bitter melon and Control groups received supplement/placebo containing capsules for eight weeks (three meals per day) with dosage of eight mg/kg.bw in a double blind order. The Exercise groups were run on a treadmill at moderate intensity, three sessions per week during this period.
Fasting glucose was decreased in Bitter melon, Exercise and Bitter melon-Exercise groups (P0.05). A1C was also decreased in these three groups with sharp decreases in Bitter melon-Exercise group (P Bitter melon supplementation along with exercise training in accompany with other therapeutic proceedings, could provide sharper decreases in A1C level in well controlled patients as the most important index for diabetes control. However; the merely supplementation with bitter melon has no significant effect on blood lipids.

Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common complaints. Due to the importance and prevalence of dysmenorrhea research is necessary in this regard.
This study aimed to determine the status of herbal medicine in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.
In this descriptive study, 117 women admitted to health centers in Mashhad were recruitment. Research tools were personal questionnaire form, information of menstrual in three-month sequential, Verbal multidimensional scale. The data collected by SPSS software using Chi-square and Descriptive Statistics were analyzed.
The results showed that 21.4 percent of participants used only herbal medicines and 21.4 percent used herbal and chemical medicines. A total of 11 kinds of herbs used by participants in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.
Herbal medicines with the highest frequency were: Cumin cyminum, Anethum gravolens, Black cardamom, Shirazi Thymus Vulgaris , peppermint.
According to the chi-square test there was a significant difference between severity of Pain menstrual and type of menstrual pain treatment(P= 0.003).
According to the chi-square test there was not a Significant differences between age, occupation, education, age of menarche and menstrual pain relief method.
The results suggest that about 50 percent of study participants used herbal medicines as a single therapy or supplement chemical medicines. Due to the widespread use of herbal medicines in the study population, safety, effectiveness, suggestion and availability of effective drugs is recommended.

Radiotherapy is a method for treatment of various types of cancers. Change in skin tissue is the most common complication of this procedure. Based on the researcher's attention is drawn to the treatment plant.
This study aimed to determine the effects of Aloe vera gel on skin pigmentation caused by electron radiation therapy after mastectomy in patients.
This study is a clinical trial in 80 women with breast cancer Which had mastectomy and radiotherapy with electrons A purposive sampling voluntary and Triple blind select and There were placed In one of the two groups (Aloe vera gel & placebo group). In this study, the questionnaire and measures of skin pigmentation was used And all variables were homogeneous. Pigmentation was evaluated before intervention and end of each week Up to six weeks.
The results showed that at the end of the first week of intervention, increased pigmentation was observed in two groups. In the aloe vera group at weeks of the third, fourth and fifth, highest degree of pigmentation was grade I and only 2.08% was grade III, but in this three weeks, 8.75% of control group, skin pigmentation changes was grade III. At the end of the sixth week, 6.25% of aloe vera group and 52.50% of control group had degree of pigmentation grade III. Kruskall Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests indicated significant differences between the two groups from second to sixth week About severity skin pigmentation changes (P The topical use of the Aleo vera gel could be effective in the skin pigmentation decrease in the patients that were subjected to radiotherapy. Literally this gel prevents the skin darkening resulted from the radiotherapy in a suitable manner.

Angiogenic factors are set of growth factors that directly and indirectly enhances vessels in the tissue. On the other hand, seem to medicinal extract some herbs can interact with growth factor pathways.
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of six weeks of progressive aerobic training and aqueous extract of Crataegus monogyna on VEGF variations and plasma angiopoetin-1/2 in male Wistar rats.
32 male Wistar rats, 4-6 months old, were randomly divided into four groups: control Crataegus monogyna, training Crataegus monogyna, control saline and training saline. A milli liter aqueous extract of Crataegus monogyna 100 g per body weight orally immediately after training, five days in a week for six weeks from the end of the second week was given to mice. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA at the significant level P the results showed that progressive endurance training reduced VEGF of plasma in the training group, Crataegus monogyna group and training-Crataegus monogyna group comparing the control group. Plasma ANG-1 concentration reduced in the training, Crataegus monogyna and training-Crataegus monogyna groups while plasma ANG-2 concentration significantly increased in the Crataegus monogyna group (P=0.022) comparing with the control group. The ratio of plasma ANG-2 to ANG-1 significantly increased in the Crataegus monogyna group (P=0.028) comparing with the control group.
The findings suggest that combination of aerobic training and Crataegus monogyna extract has no synergistic effect on anti-angiogenesis indicators.

Hepatopathy induced from toxic chemicals and some drugs has harmful effects on the metabolism. Carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) able to make liver damage in humans and animals. In the absence of some drugs that are able to protect the liver against damage, conventional medicine requires the use of herbal medicines that may have antioxidant activity in this field.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of Pleurotus Osteratus and Pleurotus Djamor herbal extracts on liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats.
In this study, 35 male rats were divided into seven groups, which the respective groups, carbon tetrachloride, fungal extracts and silymarin (The positive control group) were injected. To evaluate the effect of injected compounds, biochemical tests were carried out.
High levels of serum enzymes indicative of leakage and loss of hepatocyte membrane integrity followed by injection of carbon tetrachloride were observed. In the groups treated with extracts, the serum levels of certain enzymes decreased compared to the group treated with carbon tetrachloride. It is also possible to compare groups of receiving silymarin extract suggests that the protective effect of the extracts on hepatocytes, is comparable with silymarin.
The results show that the extracts used in this study by maintain the structure and integrity of the hepatocytes membrane or repair damaged cells could decrease the serum levels of liver enzymes and liver protective effects following administration of carbon tetrachloride.

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is an industrial solvent that causes liver, kidneys, lungs, testis and brain as well as in blood diseases by generating free radicals. Previous studies on the chemical composition of S. pachycarpa have shown the presence of antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids.
In the present study we investigated protective effects of Sophora pachycarpa extracts on serum level of sex hormones, urea and uric acid in carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated in male rats.
Thirty six male wistar rats (195-200 g) were selected and randomly divided into 6 groups (n=6): 3 pre-treatment groups received s.pachycarpa extract at doses 50 mg/kg/day, 100 mg/kg/day and 250 mg/kg/day by gavage for 21 days prior to intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 500 μl/kg on 21st day, control group, CCl4 group received 500 μl/kg CCl4 on the 21st day, post-treatment group received extract at doses 100 mg/kg/day for 10 day at 12h after CCl4 250 μl/kg injection. At the end of the treatment, blood was collected by cardiac puncture from all of the animals and serum levels of sex hormones, urea and uric acid were assessed.
Serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone was significantly increased in serum of pre-treatment group III and serum level of luteinizing hormone and testosterone in serum of pre-treatment groups compared to CCl4 was significantly increased (P Together, our data suggest that Sophora pachycarpa extract can potentially ameliorate toxic effects of CCl4.

Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) has been utilized as a spice for many years. The essential oil of Tarragon can be used as a natural food preservative since the plant has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. There has been a variety of methods to extract essential oils. Different methods of extraction might affect extraction rate, percentage and chemical composition amounts of the extracted essential oils.
To find the best method of essential oil extraction, comparing different methods can be performed. In this research two methods of extraction have been compared.
Essential oil of Tarragon was obtained by hydrodistillation and solvent free microwave extraction. Oils were analyzed and the components were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
The major components of the oil extracted by hydrodistillation were estragol (29.05%) and limonene (11.87%). Estragol (62.40%) and thymol (9.25%) were the major components isolated by microwave free solvent.
Considering temperature and time of extraction, different extraction methods make noticeable changes in chemical composition of the oils.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a plant belonging to the mint family that it's antimicrobial, anti-oxidant and anti-mutagenic features caused it to be extensively used in the medical, pharmaceutical and food industries.
In this study, the identification and determination constituents of the essential oil of rosemary and minimum inhibitory concentration of the rosemary essential oil and determine the efficacy of the microencapsulated in chitosan coating was investigated.
To extract the essential oil, water distillation method using clevenger was applied. After forming the oil, compounds were segregated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The compounds were identified by Kovats index and retention time. In addition to do the encapsulation in chitosane coating emulsification method was applied. To determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of rosemary essential oil, agar dilution method has been applied.
The results show that most compounds in rosemary essential oil obtained from the leaves and stem cultivated in the Shiraz and harvested in the month Khordad include: α-Pinene 12.3%, 1,8-Cineole 12.02% and Camphene 9.2%. Moreover the efficiency of oil extraction and encapsulation were 1.4 % and 39.33% respectively and also the minimum inhibitory concentration of rosemary oil against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were 8.5 and 3.5 mg/mL.
Rosemary has antibacterial and antioxidant features due to existence of some compounds such as α-Pinene and linalool. On the other hand, the efficiency of oil extraction has raised because of the great amount of biologically active compounds and volatile oils.

Lichens are symbiotic organisms between a mycobiont (fungus) and a phycobiont (Photoautotrophic green algae and/or cyanobacteria). The biological property of some lichen compounds against viruses, bacteria, parasites and their antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities are known.
This study was tested the effect of Xanthoparmelia lineola thallus extract on wound healing process in rabbit's skin.
The species X. lineola was collected from Zirab area in Mazandaran province. Then thin layer chromatography was carried. The methanol extract prepared by soxhlet. After wound excision, rabbits were randomly placed into four groups: control group, treated group with alpha ointment, treated group with 5 percent ointment of methanolic extract of X. lineola, and treated group with 10 percent ointment of the extract X. lineola. Then the treatment was continued until complete healing. For histopathological examination, tissue samples were obtained 20 days after surgery from improved tissue.
In the extract (eg. methanol extract of X. lineola) -treated wounds, the wound area was considerably reduced in comparison with the control. The presence of usnic acid, protocetraric acid and salazinic acid compounds were proved.
Methanol extract of X. lineola acetates the wound healing process due to the presence of anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-oxidant activities. It reduces the recovery time.

One of the new methods to overcome problems with using essential oils (such as instability, evaporation and decomposition in the environmental conditions) in pharmaceutical, food and agricultural industries is use of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) carrier systems.
Preparation of SLNs containing the Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil.
In this regard, an experiment was performed on the preparation of SLNs containing the Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil at Nanotechnology Research Center of School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. SLNs containing Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil was prepared using high tensile pressure homogenization and ultrasound. Components of SLNs include lipids, Zataria multiflora Boiss essential in fat phase and poloxamers 188 in the aqueous phase. The mean particle size and zeta potential, essential oil encapsulation percentage and thermal analysis were measured using particle size analysis instruments, gas chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. Moreover, an electron microscope was used for imaging of SLNs.
The results showed that particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential of the above formulations were respectively about 486 nm, 0.296, -27.2 mv. The results obtained from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed particle size less than 300 nm and particles were spherical. Thermal analysis by DSC, confirmed the presence of solid particles in the prepared SLN. Also, the essential oil encapsulation percentage was 95.2 percent. Stability studies of particle size and zeta in four months showed SLNs containing essential oils had relatively good stability.
In general, the results of the present research showed that SLNs composed of stearic acid, was good carriers for Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil.

Uncontrolled metabolic status of diabetes induces multiple complications, such as liver and renal dysfunctions. Saffron as an herbal medicine may improve diabetes metabolic control.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of saffron on metabolic control parameters, liver enzymes, and renal function parameters in type 2 diabetic patients.
In this triple-blind clinical trial, 54 type 2 diabetic patients randomly consumed 15 mg saffron or placebo capsules twice a day for 8 weeks. The following measurements were made during the study: 1. Fasting and 2-hour blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, cholesterol, triglyceride, low and high density lipoproteins, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate and alanine amino transferase, uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine; 2. Physical activity at the beginning and the end of the study; 3. dietary intakes at the beginning, midst, and end of the study; 4. anthropometric parameters every 2 weeks; 5. blood pressure every 2 weeks. The data were analyzed using the SPSS.18 software.
Fasting and 2-hour blood glucose, triglyceride, uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen decreased (35.5, 38.5, 0.62, and 4.5 mg/dl, respectively), and high density lipoprotein increased, significantly in the saffron group (P0.05).
Saffron hydro-alcoholic extract may improve type 2 diabetic patients’ condition through helping control blood glucose and some of the lipid profiles components. It can also improve renal function, which may be related to its antioxidant properties.

Iron is an essential micronutrient that may effect on the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of medicinal plants.
The effect of foliar application of nano-iron chalate were studied on phytochemical and morpho-physiological traits of dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.).
Foliar application of nano-iron chalate on phytochemical and morpho-physiological traits of dragonhead, an experiment was performed in randomized complete block design with three replications in 2014 at Marand’s Payame Noor University. Treatments were including: control (no foliar application), and foliar application of nano-iron chelate (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g/lit) at stem elongation and beginning of flowering stages.
Foliar application of 2 g/L nano-iron chelate had negative effect on most of the traits in stem elongation and beginning of flowering stages. The maximum and minimum magnitudes of content and yield of essential oil were obtained by foliar application of 1.5 and 2 g/L nano-iron chelate, respectively. The highest and the lowest amounts of chlorophyll were obtained with application of 1 g/L nano-iron chelate at beginning of flowering stage and control, respectively. The highest and the lowest amounts of flavonoid and anthocyanin were achieved by foliar application of 1.5 g/L nano-iron chelate at beginning of flowering stage and control treatment, respectively.
Application of 2 g/L nano-iron chelate had significant effect on most of the traits. Foliar application of nano-iron chelate (1.5 g/L) not only improve the quantitative and qualitative of dragonhead traits but also it causes to move towards sustainable agriculture.

Despite the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in many countries still have not found a certain cure for it.
So the purpose of this study was to survey the effect of curcumin supplementation with resistance training in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
In a randomized, controlled trial study, 45 patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were divided into 4 groups (resistance training, curcumin supplement consumption, resistance training with curcumin supplement consumption, and placebo). The experimental groups performed a 12-week resistance training 3 days a week or consumed a curcumin capsule per day or both of them. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels before and after the protocol were measured. Data were analyzed by using ANCOVA with SPSS 22 software in P ALT and AST levels in resistance training and resistance training with curcumin supplement consumption significantly decreased (P0.05). The grade of liver fat in any groups did not change significantly (P>0.05).
On the basis of these results, we suggested that the Curcumin supplementation with resistance training in patient with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease could cause to improve liver function, but more studies must be conducted in this area with more subjects.

The Quercus (oak) fruit and especially the internal layer of the fruit (jaft) is rich in tannin and due to its astringent effects on the smooth muscles.
We decided to evaluate this effect of extract of Oak Gall for vaginal tightening and rejuvenation in women with vaginal relaxation
This double blind clinical trial was performed on women with vaginal relaxation at Asali Hospital in Khorramabad from May to October 2012. The participants were divided into 4 groups of 30 patients who were age-matched. Then, an extract of Oak Gall in specified concentrations (1.5%, 2% and 2.5% jells) were administered to each intervention group. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed with using SPSS software version 19.
The evaluation of mean scores showed that sense of sexual satisfaction and orgasm, sense of vaginal tightness during intercourse, sense of vaginal lubrication was significantly improved in patients in intervention group. Also other parameters including urinary incontinence, sense of vaginal mass exit, lack of orgasm, sense of air outflow during intercourse, sense of calmness after sex and loss of libido were significantly reduced in the group of patients who received jell 2.5% compared to other groups (P Our findings showed that using topical jell of Oak Gall not only is associated with contracting effects, but also improves vaginal lubrication and reduces its dryness.