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Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products - Volume:12 Issue: 4, Nov 2017

Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products
Volume:12 Issue: 4, Nov 2017

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1396/10/30
  • تعداد عناوین: 13
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  • Lawaly Maman Manzo, Idrissa Moussa, Khalid Ikhri Page 1
    Context: Gastrointestinal tract, a part of the human digestive system, is an important organ that is vulnerable to different disorders contributing substantially to morbidity and mortality rates worldwide, including in Niger. The majority of the people in Niger still use local medicinal plants to treat these ailments. This study aimed at reviewing the past and actual knowledge about the medicinal plants used to treat gastrointestinal disorders by Nigerien people of different provinces.
    Evidence Acquisition: Relevant data about the plant species used to treat gastrointestinal tract disorders were extracted from different studies and reports of the past and current ethnobotanical surveys conducted in Niger for a comprehensive review and a national scale analysis of their use. A statistical approach was used to determine the relative importance index in order to rank all species according to their usefulness.
    Results
    A total of 140 plant species belonging to 50 families were recorded as being used by the Nigerien population to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Combretaceae (16/50), Mimosaceae (14/50), Caesalpiniaceae (13/50), and Fabaceae (12/50) were the botanical families with the most used species. In this review, Lannea acida, Acacia nilotica, Balanites aegyptiaca, Bauhinia rufescens, Boswellia dalzielli, Combretum micranthum, and Ziziphus mauritiana were ranked as the most cited plants. Phytochemical analyses of the plant extracts revealed the presence of tannins, terpenoids, steroids, and alkaloids in most of the plant species.
    Conclusions
    The review and analysis of the medicinal plants reported through several ethnomedicinal surveys conducted in Niger have permitted to precisely provide substantial details on the medicinal use of certain plants best to treat gastrointestinal disorders. These baseline comprehensive data could certainly attract most investigators to initiate further research that might lead to the development of new lead-drugs for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.
    Keywords: Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants, Traditional Medicine, Gastrointestinal, Phytochemistry
  • Mehdi Goudarzi, Mojtaba Kalantar, Hadi Kalantar * Page 2
    Background
    Mercury has a variety of industrial applications and is well-known for its hematotoxic, hepatotoxic, neurotoxic, nephrotoxic, and genotoxic effects.
    Objectives
    This study was carried out to assess the protective effects of gallic acid against mercuric chloride-induced oxidative stress in albino rats.
    Methods
    A total of 35 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (7 rats per group). Groups 1 and 2 were used as the negative and positive controls, respectively and received normal saline (2 mL/kg/day, po) and mercuric chloride (0.4 mg/kg/day, po) for 28 days. Group 3 only received gallic acid (200 mg/kg/day, po) for 28 days, whereas groups 4 and 5 received gallic acid (50 and 200 mg/kg/day, respectively) after 1 hour, followed by mercuric chloride (0.4 mg/kg/day, po) for 28 days.
    Results
    The results demonstrated that treatment with gallic acid significantly diminished the mercuric chloride-induced increase in the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lipid peroxidation in liver tissues. In addition, gallic acid treatment increased the level of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activity and lowered the glutathione level in liver tissues, compared to the mercuric chloride group. The liver of rats, treated with mercuric chloride, showed degenerated cells (with mild cytoplasmic vacuolation and blebbing), binucleated cells, and significant sinusoidal dilation.
    Conclusions
    It can be concluded that gallic acid restores the activities of antioxidant enzymes and tissue markers in mercuric chloride-treated rats, probably by scavenging free radicals and improving the antioxidant defense mechanisms.
    Keywords: Mercuric Chloride, Oxidative Stress, Hepatoprotective, Gallic Acid, Liver
  • Hassan Motamed, Mohammadreza Maleki Verki *, Mandana Pooladzade, Alireza Majidi Page 3
    Background
    Exacerbation of acute asthma attacks is a medical challenging problem that affects health systems all around the world. According to the reports, acute asthma has allocated about 1 to 12% of adults’ referral to the emergency departments by itself. This study aimed to investigate the effect of additional nebulized magnesium sulfate, as an additional complementary treatment, on the management of acute asthma attack. Due to controversies and the fact that previous research has been unable to confirm the benefits of routine use of magnesium in the course of treatment of asthma acute phase, this trial was conducted.
    Methods
    Patients with a possible clinically suggested acute asthma attack, aged 18 to 65, were divided into two groups of intervention and control. An initial peak flow meter evaluation at arrival identified the severity of patients’ asthma attack. 148 patients with moderate to severe attacks were included in the study in two groups. Patients of the control group received standard asthma treatment consisting of nebulized albuterol 2.5 mg and nebulized ipratropium bromide 0.5 mg, both in minutes 0, 20, and 40 after arrival and oral single-dose prednisolone 50 mg at arrival. Patients of the case group received additional doses of nebulized magnesium sulfate 0.3 g in minutes 0, 20, and 40 after arrival in addition to the standard treatment performed on the control group. The clinical setting of dyspnea Borg scale in both the case and control groups, as well as their PEFR and FEV1 values, were recorded during the trial in minutes 0, 20, 40, and 60 after arrival. Chi-square, T-test, and Mann Whitney test were applied for data analysis.
    Results
    The study was conducted on 148 subjects who were divided into two groups of 75 and 73 as case and control groups, respectively. PEFR values in minutes 40 and 60 after arrival were 295.04 and 336.2 in the case group and 249.64 and 282.86 in the control group, and there was a significant difference in the PEFR improvements between the case and control groups (P
    Conclusions
    According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that administration of nebulized magnesium sulfate as an adjunctive medication to the standard treatment is beneficial in the management of moderate to severe acute asthma attacks and significantly leads to better control of acute attack in short term.
    Keywords: Acute Asthma Attack, Nebulized Magnesium Sulfate, PEFR, FEV1 Improvement, Treatment
  • Elham Salari, Ali Shamsizadeh *, Seyed Mohammad Noorbakhsh, Fatemeh Ayoobi, Vahid Sheibani, Sharbanoo Oryan Page 4
    Background
    Yarrow or Achillea millefolium (A. millefolium) is often prescribed for the treatment of nervous system-related diseases.
    Objectives
    This study investigated the effects of acute oral administration of A. millefolium on the responses of barrel cortex neurons in the rat.
    Methods
    In this experimental study, 21 male Wistar rats (body weight, 200 g - 250 g) were divided into three groups, with seven animals in each group. Aqueous extract of A. millefolium (1.4 and 2.8 mg/kg/mL) was administered by gavage, and the responses of barrel cortex neurons (i.e., the deflection of principal whiskers [PWs] and adjacent whiskers [AWs]) were recorded using tungsten microelectrodes. Computer-controlled mechanical displacement was used to deflect whiskers individually or in combination at 0, 10, 20, 30, 50, and 100 ms inter-stimulus intervals (ISIs). The ON and OFF responses of the PWs and AWs to deflection were measured. A condition-test ratio (CTR) was computed to quantify neuronal responses to whisker interactions.
    Results
    The evoked ON and OFF responses of PWs and AWs did not change following the treatment with the A. millefolium aqueous extract (0.5, 1, and 2 hours postapplication). The stimulation of AWs before PWs decreased ON and OFF neuronal activities. The decrement in the level of response was related to the ISI. The administration of the A. millefolium aqueous extract did not change the level of ON and OFF responses at any of the ISIs.
    Conclusions
    The results demonstrated that acute oral administration of A. millefolium aqueous extract did not modulate electrophysiological responses of neurons in the barrel cortex of rats.
    Keywords: Achillea, Electrophysiology, Somatosensory Cortex, Rats
  • Fatemeh Hedayati Rad, Anousheh Sharifan*, Faramarz Khodaiyan, Iman Shahabi Ghahfarrokhi Page 5
    Background
    Adding antimicrobial agents to biodegradable packaging can make a coating that can protect foods and drugs against microbial contamination.
    Objectives
    To evaluate the physical and mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity of soy protein concentrate (SPC) and pullulan films incorporated with Zataria multiflora (ZM) and Artemisia biennis (AB) essential oils (Eos).
    Methods
    In this study, the pullulan and SPC solutions were mixed in a 50:50 ratio and EOs from ZM or AB were incorporated into the film solution at various concentrations. The casting/solvent evaporation method was used for film formation. Physical and mechanical characterization was determined, and the antimicrobial activities of the films were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Escherichia coli by agar diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was also identified.
    Results
    The prepared films were flexible without pores and homogeneous. The addition of EOs significantly increased the thickness and elongation at break but reduced the tensile strength, water vapor permeability, and solubility in water of the films (P
    Conclusions
    These findings may lead to the utilization of this new antibacterial film that has the potential to be used as packaging material.
    Keywords: Soy Protein Concentrate, Pullulan, Essential Oil, Physical, Mechanical Properties, Antibacterial Activity, Zataria multiflora, Artemisia biennis
  • Zahra Tofighi, Motahareh Golabi, Tayebeh Toliyat, Mohsen Naseri, Narguess Yassa* Page 6
    Background
    Constipation is a common gastrointestinal problem worldwide.
    Objectives
    The current study aimed to prepare a dosage form containing flaxseed and figs and evaluate the effects of this drug to treat functional constipation.
    Methods
    A total of 10 formulations were developed using various proportions of excipients by wet granulation method. The best formulation containing 300 mg flaxseed powder and 1200 mg figs extract (total weight of 2000 mg) was selected. After compression of caplets, evaluation tests such as general appearance, hardness, thickness, weight variation, friability, disintegration time and standardization studies were performed. During clinical study, 15 patients with functional constipation received the prepared dosage form three times daily for two weeks, and then statistical differences within the groups were compared.
    Results
    After the first week of experiment the increase of defecation frequency and reduction of retentive posturing, large fecal mass, pain feeling during evacuation and consistency of stool were significantly noticeable (P
    Conclusions
    Prepared caplets of Linum and Ficus reduced the severity of constipation in patients.
    Keywords: Drug Formulation, Flaxseed, Linum usitatissimum, Figs, Ficus carica, Constipation
  • Seyed Younes Hosseini, Kurosh Kalantar, Khashayar Shahin, Maryam Ghayour, Masoumeh Rajabi Bazl, Mohammad-Reza Fattahi, Maryam Moini, Zahra Amirghofran* Page 7
    Background
    Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the most important cells in liver fibrogenesis, are a major target of the fibrosis therapy.
    Objectives
    This study aimed to compare the anti-fibrogenic effects of three natural components, including silymarin, silybin A and 18α-glycyrrhizin on an activated LX-2 HSC line under prophylactic and therapeutic conditions.
    Methods
    We treated HSCs with silymarin, silybin A and 18α-glycyrrhizin before (prophylactic) and after (therapeutic) activation by TGF-β1, and then we measured their antiproliferative effects by the MTT assay. The level of released TGF-β1 was measured. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the activated cells determined the gene expression levels of important fibrogenic-related molecules.
    Results
    All components showed significant antiproliferative effects under the therapeutic condition (P
    Conclusions
    The antifibrogenic effects of silybin A and 18α-glycyrrhizin were stronger in the therapeutic compared to the prophylactic experiment. Silymarin had a greater inhibitory effect on fibrogenic gene expressions under the prophylactic condition.
    Keywords: Hepatic Stellate Cells, Natural Products, Fibrosis, Silybin A, Silymarin, 18α, Glycyrrhizin
  • Evaluation of the Mosquito Repellent Activity of Nano-sized Microemulsion of Eucalyptus globulus Essential Oil Against Culicinae
    Ali Navayan, Eskandar Moghimipour, Mohammad Javad Khodayar *, Babak Vazirianzadeh, Amir Siahpoosh, Masood Valizadeh, Zahra Mansourzadeh Page 8
    Background
    The mosquitoes of Culicidae family are serious vectors of several tropical diseases, such as malaria, filariasis, encephalitis, and nuisance. Control of mosquitoes and protection of people from their bites are of the most important ways to prevent transmitted diseases. Although the efficacy of N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) is high and generally used as mosquito repellent, yet a number of biting diptera are tolerant to DEET. Furthermore, there are concerns about the safety of DEET and its allergic and toxic effects. Therefore, it is necessary to use other repellents like plant essential oils.
    Objectives
    The aim of this work was to develop a safe repellent with a long-lasting protection based on micro-emulsion of eucalyptus essential oil.
    Methods
    Eucalyptus globulus essential oil was obtained by water distillation in a Clevenger apparatus. The larvae of Culicidae were collected and adult mosquitoes reared for the repellency test. Preparation of micro-emulsions of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil was made by mixing the specified surfactant (Tween 80 and Span 20) and the appropriate amount of co-surfactant (propylene glycol) under the water titration method. The laboratory method, arm in cage, was used to estimate the time of protection of essential oil micro-emulsion against mosquitoes and DEET used as a standard repellent.
    Results
    Physicochemical properties of formulated micro-emulsions were appropriate and suitable for topical application. Particle size of eucalyptus oil 15% w/w micro-emulsion was lowest. When applying eucalyptus oil micro-emulsion at concentrations of 5, 10, and 15% w/w, time of protection against mosquitoes were 82 ± 15.8, 135.7 ± 26.4, and 170.7 ± 26 minutes, respectively. These times of protection were similar to DEET at same concentrations and significantly more than eucalyptus essential oil.
    Conclusions
    The formulated micro-emulsion of eucalyptus oil at a concentration of 15% w/w has potential repellency to the extent of DEET. It seems that nano-sized microemulsion is stable in terms of thermodynamics and kinetics. In conclusion, preparation of nano-sized microemulsion could delay the volatility of eucalyptus essential oil and volatile oil release from formulations and consequently increase protection time against mosquitoes.
    Keywords: Mosquito Repellent, Essential Oil, Microemulsion, Eucalyptus globulus
  • Gholamreza Shamsaei *, Ahmad Ahmadzadeh, Naser Mehraban Page 9
    Background
    Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy is one of the most severe complications of cancer drug therapies causing a number of problems for patients and making treatment limitation decisions problematic. One of the most important drugs used in breast cancer chemotherapy regimens, Taxol is considered as the most common cause of neuropathy in such cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin E on reducing the Taxol-induced neuropathy development among patients with breast cancer.
    Methods
    The randomized clinical trial (RCT) included 70 patients with breast cancer who received Taxol chemotherapy regimens. They were assigned to one of the two groups: a group without vitamin E feeding (Group I) and a group with vitamin E treatment at a daily dose of 400 IU bid (Group II). Electrophysiological testing of all patients was performed before starting medications and again 3 months post-treatment. The data were compared between the groups.
    Results
    Vitamin E feeding had no significant effect on amplitude, latency, and CV of tibial and peroneal nerves (P > 0.05), while the delta amplitude of sural nerve was significantly lower among patients taking vitamin E supplements (P = 0.007).
    Conclusion
    We suggest the inhibitory effect of vitamin E on the progression of Taxol-induced neuropathy, by slowing the speed of progression, among breast cancer patients by improving the function of the nervous system.
    Keywords: Neuropathy, Taxol, Breast Cancer, Vitamin E
  • Ali Asghar Hemmati, Samaneh Olapour *, Hossein Najafzadeh Varzi, Mohammad Javad Khodayar, Mahin Dianat, Babak Mohammadian, Hamid Yaghooti Page 10
    Background
    Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is used for treating patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). The extensive application of this drug has been limited due to its severe cardiotoxicity. Montelukast is a selective leukotriene receptor antagonist with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
    Objectives
    This study evaluated whether montelukast could protect against As2O3-induced cardiotoxicity in vivo.
    Methods
    Thirty-two male Wistar rats (150 to 200 g) were divided to 4 treatment groups: control (0.2 mL of saline, ip), As2O3 (5 mg/kg, ip), As2O3 plus MONT, and MONT (20 mg/kg, po). All drugs were administered daily for 10 days and pretreatment with MONT was performed 1 hour prior to As2O3 administration. Cardiotoxicity was estimated by electrocardiological, biochemical, and histopathological evaluations.
    Results
    The results indicated that the combination treatment of montelukast and As2O3 markedly (P
    Conclusions
    In conclusion, the current results demonstrated that montelukast possesses beneficial cardio-protective properties against As2O3 toxicity. It was also proposed that these protective effects were mediated by antioxidant modifications of montelukast.
    Keywords: Arsenic Trioxide, Cardiotoxicity, Montelukast, Rats
  • Mohsen Sharifi, Afsaneh Yegdaneh *, Seyyed Ebrahim Sajjadi, Mohammadreza Shushizadeh Page 11
    In recent years, microplastics have accumulated in oceans and sediments worldwide. Due to their small size, microplastics may be ingested by low trophic fauna, with uncertain consequences for the health of the organism. Sea cucumbers are one of the major echinoderms from the class Holothuroidea that ingest plasticizers in their mouth and filter the water. Regarding the recent interests on probable pollution of medicinal plants and other natural medicines, like marine organisms to phthalates, in this study a phthalate ester was isolated from Holothuria atra of Persian coasts for the first time. The structure of the compound was elucidated using spectroscopic data (IR, NMR and MS) and the compound was used as a standard for quantification of microplastic in H. atra, a marker of pollutant in the Persian Gulf. Quantification was done by high performance thin layer chromatography and the amount of bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (BEHP) was 0.15 ± 0.08 mg/g.
    Keywords: Sea Cucumber, Phthalate, HPTLC, Persian Gulf, Holothuria
  • Babak Shirizadeh, Maryam Maghsoodi *, Mitra Alami-Milani, Sara Salatin, Mitra Jelvehgari Page 12
    Background
    Mefenamic acid is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs produce an enhanced hazard of severe gastrointestinal adverse effects, specifically in elderly patients.
    Objectives
    The current study aimed at formulating mucoadhesive microparticles of mefenamic acid to improve the therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance
    Methods
    The microparticles were prepared by ionic gelation method sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na CMC) polymer. In the current study, the buccoadhesive microspheres holding various polymer-to-drug ratios were prepared and characterized by the following properties: encapsulation efficiency, FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) flowability, particle size, degree of swelling and surface pH, DSC (differential scanning calormetric), mucoadhesive property, retentive time, and release of drug
    Results
    The best polymer-to-drug ratio in the microspheres was 4:1 (as F3). The production yield of F3 microparticles showed a mean of 99.30%, with a particle size of 1905.46 µm and loading efficiency of 46.56%. The DSC showed that the mefenamic acid-loaded microparticles changed to amorphous form. Based on the FTIR results, the drug maintained its chemical stability during the encapsulation process. It was found that the prepared F3 microparticles had more release rate than the microparticles of F1, F2, and untreated mefenamic acid powder (P
    Conclusions
    The formulations were appropriate candidates to improve microparticles for the remedial purposes.
    Keywords: Mucoadhesive, Microparticle, Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose, Mefenamic Acid, Disc
  • Aliehsan Heidari *, Susan Sheikhi, Parviz Fallah, Hossein Keshavarz Page 13
    Introduction
    Plasmodium vivax is the most prevalent in the malaria endemic areas of Iran. The number of Plasmodium vivax sporozoites that get to the liver remain latent, and after several months or years of inappropriate treatment period, they can reactivate and leads to the clinical manifestation of malaria.
    Case Presentation
    A 49-year-old male was referred to a private clinical center in the capital city of Iran, Tehran, in October 2016 due to fever, chills, nausea, appetite, headache, and weakness. The patient had a history of clinical vivax malaria 1-year prior in Chabahar, in the province of Sistan and Baluchistan. The light microscope and nested PCR were applied for detecting the vivax malaria infection. In this patient, the relapse of P. vivax occurred after about 12 months, following the primary malaria infection.
    Conclusions
    The report underlines that relapses should be considered in febrile individuals returning from malaria endemic areas of the country to malaria free areas. In addition, it highlights the occurrence of relapse in the patient with history using primaquine for a radical cure of liver latent parasites.
    Keywords: Relapse, Malaria, Primaquine, Iran, Plasmodium vivax