فهرست مطالب

Herbmed Pharmacology - Volume:8 Issue: 2, Apr 2019

Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology
Volume:8 Issue: 2, Apr 2019

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1398/02/14
  • تعداد عناوین: 14
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  • Reza Mehrandish, Aliasghar Rahimian, Alireza Shahriary* Pages 69-77
    Some heavy metals are nutritionally essential elements playing key roles in different physiological and biological processes, like: iron, cobalt, zinc, copper, chromium, molybdenum, selenium and manganese, while some others are considered as the potentially toxic elements in high amounts or certain chemical forms. Nowadays, various usage of heavy metals in industry, agriculture, medicine and technology has led to a widespread distribution in nature raising concerns about their effects on human health and environment. Metallic ions may interact with cellular components such as DNA and nuclear proteins leading to apoptosis and carcinogenesis arising from DNA damage and structural changes. As a result, exposure to heavy metals through ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact causes several health problems such as, cardiovascular diseases, neurological and neurobehavioral abnormalities, diabetes, blood abnormalities and various types of cancer. Due to extensive damage caused by heavy metal poisoning on various organs of the body, the investigation and identification of therapeutic methods for poisoning with heavy metals is very important. The most common method for the removal of heavy metals from the body is administration of chemical chelators. Recently, medicinal herbs have attracted the attention of researchers as the potential treatments for the heavy metals poisoning because of their fewer side effects. In the present study, we review the potential of medicinal herbs such as: Allium sativum (garlic), Silybum marianum (milk thistle), Coriandrum sativum (cilantro), Ginkgo biloba (gingko), Curcuma longa (turmeric), phytochelatins, triphala, herbal fibers and Chlorophyta (green algae) to treat heavy metal poisoning.
    Keywords: Herbal plants, Heavy metals, Chelation, Detoxification
  • Mohammad Reza Nazer, Saber Abbaszadeh, Khatereh Anbari, Morteza Shams* Pages 78-84
    Infection due to the protozoa giardia is one of the most common parasitic infections in the world. Millions of people across the world acquire this infection each year. The most common clinical symptoms of giardiasis include abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea, indigestion, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and oily feces with bad smell. Drugs used for giardiasis lead to certain side effects, such as unpleasant taste in the mouth, gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, headache and leukopenia. Considering the importance of giardiasis infection, it is essential to identify anti-parasitic herbal drugs to eliminate cystic and trophozoite types of this disease. Hence, this article is aimed to report the medicinal plants that are used in Iranian traditional medicine against giardiasis. The information in this review study was obtained from scientific articles indexed in databases such as ISI, PubMed, Scopus, SID, Magiran and Google Scholar that were retrieved using the search terms giardia, protozoa, herbs, extracts and essential oils. Medicinal plants such as Lavandula stoechas, Ferula assa-foetida, Tanacetum parthenium, Allium paradoxum, Chenopodium botrys, Carum copticum, Allium sativum, Artemisia annua, Allium ascalonicum, ZizIphora clinopodioides, Zataria multiflorahad, Eucalyptus globulus, Lippia beriandievi, Punica granatum are among the most important herbs used in Iranian herbal medicine as anti-giardiasis agents. These herbs are good candidates to produce natural and effective drugs for giardia.
    Keywords: Infectious diseases, Parasitic diseases, Protozoa, Giardia, Medicinal plants
  • Pari Tamri * Pages 85-89
    Introduction
    Scrophularia striata (Scrophulariaceae) is an important medicinal plant in Iran and in Iranian folk medicine it has been used for variety of disorders. The present article aims to provide a review at the studies done on phytochemistry and pharmacological effects of S. striata.
    Methods
    This mini review is based on a literature study of scientific journals from electronic sources, such as Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of Science.
    Results
    The main chemical constituents which have been isolated and identified from Scrophularia striata are cinnamic acid, some flavonoids such as quercetin, isorhamnetin3-O-rutinoside and nepitrin and one glycoside (acteoside1) . This plant possesses antiinflammatory , antibacterial , antioxidant, anticancer, analgesic and neuroprotective effects. In addition it accelerates wound healing process
    Conclusion
    Scrophularia striata has a potential for the treatment of several diseases and disorders, but there are only a few studies done to investigate the plant phytochemistry, thus f urther studies should be focused on isolation and identification of active compounds with pharmacological activities. Besides, the majority of pharmacological studies have been performed using aerial parts of plant , thus further studies are needed to investigate bioactivity of other parts of the plant.
    Keywords: Scrophularia striata, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Medicinal plant, Herbal medicine
  • Farhad Masoudi Sadaghiani, Majid Amini Dehaghi *, Alireza Pirzad, Mohammad Hossain Fotokian Pages 90-100
    Introduction
    Chamomile is one of the oldest and most valuable medicinal plants from the Asteraceae family. In addition to pharmaceutical uses, its essential oil is extensively used in perfumery, cosmetics, food industry and aromatherapy. This experiment was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of osmolytes foliar application on biochemical characteristics, and the yield of German chamomile under drought stress conditions.
    Methods
    The experiment was conducted as a split plot with randomized complete block design with three replications during the 2016-2017 growing season. Three levels of irrigation, 50 (control), 100 (mild stress) and 150 mm (severe stress) evaporation from evaporation pan class A, and spraying treatments, NS (no-spraying), W (distilled water), MeJA (methyl jasmonate), SA (salicylic acid), HA (humic acid), GB (glycine betaine) and GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) were considered as the main plots and sub-plots, respectively.
    Results
    Analyzed data indicated that proline, total soluble sugars (TSS), and essential oil yield were enhanced with the increase of drought intensity and the maximum amount was registered under severe stress, while the severe drought caused a substantial reduction in protein concentration of leaves and dried flower yield. Proline concentration of leaves significantly increased with exogenously applied spraying treatments under severe drought. All spraying treatments except GB under severe stress, caused higher TSS concentration than those subjected to mild stress. SA, HA, and GABA treated plants had significantly higher protein concentration compared to NS treatment. Plants that treated with GABA had the highest dried flower and essential oil yield.
    Conclusion
    The present study suggests that osmolytes foliar application can ameliorate the detrimental effects of drought on chamomile plant through alteration in yield and biochemical variables.
    Keywords: Chamomile, Irrigation regimes, Osmolytes, Proline
  • Iryna Kravchenko, Lidiia Eberle *, Mariia Nesterkina, lona Kobernik Pages 101-107
    Introduction
    The anti-inflammatory activity of the ointment based on ginger extract was investigated on carrageenan-induced inflammation.
    Methods
    Anti-inflammatory activity was investigated on the carrageenan inflammation model in rat. The animals were divided into 5 groups: first group– control (without treatment); second group– animals received preventive treatment of ointment with ginger extract two days before experiment and with subsequent treatment after administration of phlogogen; 3rd group– animals received applications of 5% ibuprofen 2 days before experiment and with subsequent treatment after induction of inflammation; fourth group – animals were treated with ginger extract ointment after one day of the phlogogen administration; fifth group – animals were treated with reference drug after one day of the phlogogen introduction. The biochemical parameters (concentration of sialic acids, seromucoids, contents of total proteins and protein fractions) of the blood of experimental animals were investigated.
    Results
    After local application of the ointment from the ginger extract, under the conditions of its application after phlogogen inoculation, the effect was the same as anti-inflammatory effect of the ibuprofen which was used as reference drug. The preventive ointment application provided faster and more intense reduction of the inflammatory focus with returning to the background indicators on the eighth day of the experiment, and for biochemical parameters on the sixth day of therapy.
    Conclusion
    The ointment from ginger extract shows anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting inflammation caused by carrageenan.
    Keywords: Carrageenan inflammation, Ginger extract, Seromucoids, Sialic acids, Total protein, Protein fractions
  • Javad Saffari, Chaleshtori, Sayed Mohammad Shafiee, Keihan Ghatreh, Samani *, Narges Jalilian Pages 108-113
    Introduction
    ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are a group of intra membrane proteins that play key roles in the transmission and exchange of vital compounds on both sides of the membrane. These proteins can specially transport anti-cancer drugs out of cancer cells. ABCG2 is a member of this family that is extremely expressed in many cancers. This study, aims to evaluate the binding affinity of three antioxidants thymoquinone (TQ), gallic acid (GA), and hesperetin (HP) to ABCG2 compared with an anti-cancer drug, mitoxantrone (Mit), to export cells.
    Methods
    The PDB file of ABCG2 was obtained from the protein data bank server (http://www.rcsb.org) with ID: 5NJ3. After 200 stages of molecular docking running on ABCG2 protein in AutoDock v.4.2 software, the amino acids involved in the binding site of each compound were identified using the LigPlot+ software.
    Results
    HP had the lowest (-6.36 kcal/mol) and GA had the highest (-3.93 kcal/mol) binding energy in comparison with Mit (-0.06 kcal/mol) for binding to ABCG2. Effective concentration required to perform the reaction between ABCG2 was higher in GA (1.31 mM) than TQ (42.69 μM) and HP (21.74 μM). GA, HP, and TQ formed 17, 18, and 22 hydrogen and hydrophobic bonds at the binding site of ABCG2.
    Conclusion
    It seems that GA has the lowest affinity to make contact with ABCG2 binding site. So, GA tends to remain in the cell but TQ and HP tend to leave the cell easily via ABCG2 transporter.
    Keywords: Antioxidant, ABCG2 transporter, Cancer cell, Simulation
  • Tomoaki Kawaguchi *, Kaori Nagata Pages 114-119
    Introduction
    Collagenase plays an important role in the degradation of dermal matrix proteins leading to wrinkle formation. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the inhibitory effect of water-pepper (Polygonum hydropiper L.) sprout extract on the activity of collagenase and to identify the inhibitory compounds.
    Methods
    Collagenase inhibitory activity was measured by spectrophotometric assay. Activity-guided fractionation was performed using liquid-liquid extraction of water and n-butanol and Diaion HP-20 column chromatography, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fraction collection.
    Results
    A methanolic extract of water-pepper sprout inhibited collagenase activity in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 156.7 μg/mL. Collagenase inhibitory activity (IC50 = 23.5 μg/mL) was found in 50% methanol eluate from the HP-20 column chromatography of the n-butanol soluble fraction. The active compound (IC50 = 1.9 μg/mL) in the eluate was isolated by HPLC and identified as quercetin-3-O-galactoside (hyperoside) from comparing retention time, UV-Vis absorption, and mass spectra with those of the standard. Lineweaver-Burk plots revealed that hyperoside was an uncompetitive inhibitor against collagenase. Hyperoside was also the most abundant flavonoid present in the methanolic extract.
    Conclusion
    These results suggest that water-pepper sprouts could be beneficial as a natural source of collagenase inhibitor which might be used for the treatment of skin aging.
    Keywords: Collagenase, Hyperoside, Polygonum hydropiper L., Water-pepper
  • Zahra Dehbani, Alireza Komaki*, Farshid Etaee, Siamak Shahidi, Masoumeh Taheri, Somayeh Komaki, Nafiseh Faraji Pages 120-125
    Introduction
    Melissa officinalis (MO) or lemon balm is traditionally used as a sedative and anti-spasm herbal medicine. There is also evidence that this plant has effects on learning and memory. This study examined the effect of a hydro-alcoholic extract of MO on passive avoidance learning (PAL) and memory in male rats.
    Methods
    A total of 40 adult male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into four groups (200 to 220 g; n = 10 per group); three dose groups (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of the hydro-alcoholic extract of MO) and vehicle control (saline) group. Saline or doses of extract were administered daily for 14 days by oral gavage. The rats were trained to enter the shuttle box to record their behavior in the PAL task. A retrieval test was performed 24 hours following training.
    Results
    A significant difference was seen in performance among MO groups and the control. MO administered animals had a decreased number of acquisition trials (P < 0.05). In the retention task, MO administered animals had an increased step-through latency (SLT) (P < 0.01), and a decreased latency in the dark compartment (P < 0.001) compared to the control group.
    Conclusion
    The results of the study show that MO can improve learning and memory in the PAL task. Further investigation is needed to enhance our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms of the MO extract and its effects on learning and memory.
    Keywords: Melissa officinalis, Learning, memory, Herbals, Passive avoidance, Rat, Antioxidant
  • Iryna Kravchenko, Lidiya Eberle, Mariia Nesterkina *, lona Kobernik Pages 126-132
    Introduction
    Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae family) is traditionally used in alternative medicine to reduce pain from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Ginger is also often applied for stomach and chest pain, toothaches and as anti-inflammatory agent. The aim of this study is to investigate analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Z. officinale dense extract after its transdermal delivery using allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) induced model with further discussion of possible action mechanism of ginger phytoconstituents.
    Methods
    Inflammation was induced by subplantar injection to the plantar fasciitis (aponeurosis) of the hind limb of rats using 30 µL AITC solution (100 µg/limb) in 1,2-propyleneglycol. The dynamics of changes of inflammatory process was evaluated before addition of the inflammation inducer and after 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 24 hours of its injection for measuring the volume and the thickness of affected limb. Analgesic activity of ointments with ginger extract was examined using the model of AITC-induced pain.
    Results
    The most effective inhibition of the development of inflammation process was 0.025% ointment with ginger extract, and the highest anti-nociceptive effect was observed at the application of 0.05% ointment 10 minutes before pain inducer agent.
    Conclusion
    Zingiber officinale dense extract was revealed to possess significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory actions after its transdermal delivery. Since the pharmacological effects of ginger extract have been investigated on AITC-induced model, we may suggest the vital role of phytoconstituents binding to TRPA1 and TRPV1 ion channels as possible mechanism of action.
    Keywords: Zingiber officinale, Ginger extract, AITC-induced inflammation, Anti-inflammatory activity Analgesic activity, Ointment
  • Peace ME. Ubulom*_Ette O Ettebong_Edidiong J. Udofa_Rachel S Inyang Etuk Pages 133-138
    Introduction
    Ricinus communis is used by the people of Niger-Delta region of Nigeria, for the treatment of various ailments, especially malaria. This study evaluated the antiplasmodial potentials of the aqueous seed extract of R. communis, using Plasmodium berghei berghei.
    Methods
    Acute toxicity study was carried out to determine the median lethal dose (LD50) of the extract. Antiplasmodial effect of the extract was assessed in suppressive, repository/ prophylactic and curative models, using Swiss albino mice (15-29 g). Mice were infected intraperitoneally with 0.2 mL of parasitized blood. Extract doses administered were 54.77, 109.54 and 164.32 mg/kg/d of the seed extract and each dose had 6 replicates. Artesunate (5 mg/kg/d) and pyrimethamine (1.2 mg/kg/d) were used as standard drugs, while distilled water (10 mL/kg/d) served as control.
    Results
    Acute toxicity study produced LD50 of 547.72 mg/kg. The extract demonstrated a dosedependent reduction in parasitaemia in all tests. At the end of 4-day test, suppressive effect of 20.80, 49.00, 75.00 and 88.40% were obtained for doses 54.77, 109.54 and 164.32 mg/kg/d of the seed extract and artesunate, respectively. In the repository test pyrimethamine was more potent (72.26%) than the seed extract (9.47%–51.42%). The extract also exhibited appreciable curative effect. The activity of the seed extract was significant when compared with the control (P < 0.05). Mice treated with the seed extract and drugs survived for longer duration than the control group.
    Conclusion
    The aqueous seed extract of R. communis has antiplasmodial potential and its active principle should be elucidated and further investigated to help in the ongoing fight against malaria.
    Keywords: Antiplasmodial effect, Herbal medicine, Medicinal plant, Ricinus communis
  • Sedigheh Tavakoli, Dastjerdi, Malihe Motavasselian, Seyed Ahmad Emami, Marjan Mansourian, Amirhossein Sahebkar, Azam Teimouri* Pages 139-145
    Introduction
    Chronic anal fissure (CAF) is a common painful ailment that adversely affects quality of life. Nonsurgical treatments such as topical diltiazem are routinely administered to patients with CAF. However, diltiazem is associated with side effects such as headache and allergic reactions, which often lead to discontinuation of the treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of a topical Persian herbal remedy with analgesic, antiinflammatory and antiseptic properties versus topical diltiazem (2%) in CAF healing.
    Methods
    In this randomized double-blind clinical trial, 70 patients with CAF were randomly divided into an intervention group receiving topical herbal medicine and control group receiving topical diltiazem (2%) for 6 weeks. Both groups were given lifestyle and dietary advice including adherence to a high-fiber diet, avoidance of spicy foods, use of a laxative (psyllium powder) in case of constipation, and taking sitz baths. Severity of pain, bleeding, and itching were measured at the first visit as well as the first, third, and sixth weeks of treatment. Wound healing and epithelialization were evaluated by anal examination. The treatment and follow-up period was 12 weeks; 6 weeks for assessing the effect of treatment and 6 weeks for examining treatment maintenance and evaluating the percentage of recurrence.
    Results
    The herbal medicine caused significant reduction in pain compared with diltiazem (P < 0.001). The herbal medicine had a significant effect in terms of wound healing at the end of the period (P < 0.001). Recurrence rate was lower in the intervention group (32%) than the control group (56%), though this difference was not significant (P = 0.323)
    Conclusion
    Findings of this clinical trial suggest a higher efficacy of the combination herbal remedy versus topical diltiazem 2% in the management of pain and wound associated with CAF.
    Keywords: Anal fissure, Traditional medicine, Allium ampeloprasum, Astragalus sarcocolla, Commiphora mukul, Syzygium aromaticum, Aloe vera
  • Ali Nouri *, Esfandiar Heidarian Pages 146-152
    Introduction
    Diclofenac (DIC), a phenylacetic acid compound which belongs to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), is generally used for the treatment of various diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute muscle pain conditions and osteoarthritis. Overdose of DIC can lead to renal injuries in both experimental animal and human. Our research was done to assess the protective role of silymarin on renal damage induced by DIC in rats.
    Methods
    Thirty-two Wistar rats were assigned to four groups (n=8/group). Group 1 was control group; animals in group 2 were administrated DIC; Groups 3 and 4 administrated DIC plus silymarin with doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, orally (p.o), respectively. Various biochemical, molecular, and histological parameters were evaluated in serum and tissue homogenate.
    Results
    In the second group, the levels of kidney catalase (CAT), vitamin C and superoxide dismutase (SOD) remarkably reduced (P < 0.05) relative to the control group. Also, urea, creatinine (Cr), malondialdehyde (MDA), serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and gene expression of TNF-α in this group were noticeably elevated (P < 0.05) relative to the control group. Treatment with silymarin caused a remarkable elevation (P < 0.05) in vitamin C, SOD, CAT and a remarkable reduction (P < 0.05) in the content of MDA, urea, Cr, TNF-α gene expression and serum TNF-α in comparison with second group. Histological injuries were also ameliorated by silymarin administration.
    Conclusion
    The results confirm that silymarin has an ameliorative role against renal damage and oxidative stress induced by DIC in male rats.
    Keywords: Oxidative stress, Silymarin, TNF-?, Diclofenac, Renal damage
  • Gila Pirzad Jahromi *, Esmail Imani, Mohammad Nasehi, Alireza Shahriari Pages 153-159
    Introduction
    Some studies indicated that the decrease of estrogen level in menopausal woman results in increasing the risk of stroke. Although estrogen is a neuroprotective factor, high consumption of this compound may develop breast cancer and endometriosis. The present study investigated the effect of Achilles millefolium extract, containing estrogenlike compounds, on memory impairment and anxiogenic-like behaviors caused by cerebral ischemia in ovariectomized rats.
    Methods
    Permanent middle cerebral artery ligation was performed, as a model for studying postmenopausal condition, in 48 female Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g. The aqueous extract of A. millefolium was prepared and gavaged for 4 weeks after inducing cerebral ischemia. Memory and anxiety-like behavior assessments were evaluated by step-through and elevated plus maze apparatus, respectively.
    Result
    According to the results, cerebral ischemia in ovariectomized rats induced amnesia and anxiogenic-like behaviors which were restored by 7 mg/kg of A. millefolium aqueous extract. Furthermore, inactivation of estrogen receptors (ERs) by tamoxifen (100 µg/kg, intraperitoneally) blocked the restoration effect of A. millefolium on behaviors induced by cerebral ischemia.
    Conclusion
    It could be concluded that, oral administration of A. millefolium extract is able to restore memory impairment and anxiogenic-like behaviors induced by ischemia via ERs in ovariectomized rat.
    Keywords: Achillea millefolium, Cerebral ischemia, Memory, Anxiety, Ovariectomy
  • Karina Harutyunyan, Karine Balayan, Gohar Tadevosyan, Manush Hayrapetyan, Ruzanna Musayelyan, Ruzanna Grigoryan, Lusine Khondkaryan, Natalya Sarkisyan, Nelly Babayan * Pages 160-162
    Introduction
    Many plant-derived products despite wide usage are not scientifically evaluated for their safety and efficacy. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and genotoxic activities of Polygonum aviculare L., Equisetum arvense L., Plantago lanceolata L. and Artemisia absinthium L. ethanolic extracts in human white blood cells.
    Methods
    Cell viability was assayed by trypan blue exclusion method, while the genotoxicity was tested by cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay upon cells stimulation with noncytotoxic concentrations of the plant extracts.
    Results
    None of the plant extracts showed high cytotoxic activity. At the same time, only extract of P. lanceolata did not present any mutagenic activity, while E. arvense, P. aviculare and A. absinthium were clearly genotoxic.
    Conclusion
    Caution is advice in the case of long-term use of E. arvense, P. aviculare and A. absinthium herbal medicines by population.
    Keywords: Medicinal plants, Herbal medicine, Leaf extracts, Cell viability, Micronucleus, Genotoxicity