Journal of Medicinal Plants
Volume:18 Issue: 73, 2020

Cinnamon belongs to the Lauraceae family and is one of the most common spices that are used as traditional medicine in the world. The bark and leaf of cinnamon contain essential oils and derivatives including cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid and several other compounds such as polyphenols. Moreover, anti-inflammatory and lipid lowering properties of cinnamon has been proven.

The goal of this review is to find out whether cinnamon extract was used as an anticoagulant and anti-aggregation properties for the platelets or not.

Using the search engine tools such as PubMed and Scopus, the articles that were studied cinnamon and its effects on platelets function and cardiovascular disease were under reviewed.

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of cinnamon compounds and their effects on platelet function and cardiovascular disease.

Taken together, data show that cinnamon extract can inhibit platelet function and as a complementary medicine were used in cardiovascular disorder.

Several clinical studies have been undertaken to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of Silybum marianum (S. marianum) seed extract (silymarin) in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

We performed the present narrative review to evaluate the efficacy of silymarin supplement for treatment of T2DM and NAFLD.

Electronic databases PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Google and Google Scholar were surveyed for the English and non-English human clinical trial papers published concerning the effects of silymarin on T2DM and NAFLD from January 2010 to April 2018.

Sixteen articles regarding silymarin effects on T2DM and NAFLD in clinical studies have been included in this review. The anti-diabetic effect of silymarin was reported in four clinical trials in single formula and in one trial in combination with nettle and boswellia gum resin. The efficacy of silymarin or silybin has been reported in the treatment of NAFLD in eleven clinical trials as single formula or in combination with phosphatidylcholine, simvastatin and vitamin E.

Silymarin appears to be effective as an adjuvant with the standard therapy in the treatment of T2DM and NAFLD.

Skin cancers are the most prevalent type among the white with an increasing trend of incidence around the world and Iran. Scientific developments in diagnosing these cancers and using screening methods and utilizing treatment methods have contributed to the relative control of the cancer. Hence, it is necessary to consider other suggested approaches of complementary and traditional medicine to prevent and treat these cancers.

The purpose of this review is to investigate the alternative remedies from the Persian Medicine; as a pioneer medical approach with an old history.

In this review study, the medical textbooks of the golden era of Persian Medicine (9th to 19th centuries AD), i.e., the times of Razes and Avicenna, were explored and interesting opinions on skin malignancies were found. In addition, the phrase “skin cancers” was searched in databases like PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The gleaned data were analyzed and compared.

The ancient Persian scholars knew the cancers and were forerunners in the description, classified, etiology and treatment of skin cancers. This study explored interesting opinions like nutrition and black bile clearance on skin malignancies  treatment, also found no contradictory views between the Persian and modern medicine on the topic of skin cancers.

Paying attention to the neglected areas can makes useful theories and hypotheses fore achievement to new more effective and safe remedies.

Senile dementia is the most common kind of dementia with considerable social and economic costs. Since the nature of disease is multi-pathological, current treatments cannot cover all aspects of the disease. Recently, scientific considerations have focused on the role of natural products, especially those with traditional backgrounds.

to review natural treatments of dementia in ancient Greek, traditional Chinese, Ayurveda, and Iranian traditional medicines with concentration on common herbs concurrently mentioned in two or more than two of them.

Scopus database and primary sources were thoroughly searched for selective keywords. The common herbs concurrently mentioned in two or more than two of the aforementioned traditional medicines were selected to deeply investigate for their active ingredients as well as their mechanisms of actions.

The results showed that Acorus calamus, Nardostachys jatamansi, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Phyllanthus emblica, Semencarpus anacardium, Terminalia chebula, and Zingiber officinale had been commonly prescribed for dementia in mentioned traditional systems. According to pharmacological studies, these herbs act their anti-dementia effects via cholinergic, anti-NMDA, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-β amyloid activities. Furthermore, 16 active principles of these herbs were identified, including α- and β-asarone, desoxo-narchinol A, narchinol B, glabridin, liquiritigenin, emblicanins A and B, 3, 5, 6, 3', 5', 6'-hexahydroxybiphenyl-2, 2'-dicarboxylic acid, 1',2'-dihydroxy-3'-pentadec-8-enylbenzene, 1',2'-dihydroxy-3'-pentadeca-8,11-dienylbenzene, chebulagic acid, and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose, Zingipain, 6-gingerol, and 6-shogaol.

Chinese, Indian, and Iranian traditional medicine can play a complementary and alternative role in preventing and treating senile dementia. The scientific evidence supports their traditional anti-dementia claims.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most important bacteria that cause nosocomial infections. This opportunistic pathogen has a high potential for antibiotic resistance and can generate a thick layer of biofilm. Nowadays, antibiotic resistant strains are emerging and widely spreading worldwide. Thus, it is necessary to combat drug-resistant strains through the use of novel drugs (such as medicinal plants).

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of Satureja rechingeri Jamzad, S. khuzestanica Jamzad, S. bachtiarica Bunge, and S. mutica Fisch. & C.A.Mey. essential oils against K. pneumonia ATCC 700603.

For evaluation of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of essential oils, broth microdilution method was used. The microtiter plate assay method was used for the assessment of anti-biofilm activities of sub-MIC value of essential oils. Colorimetric and Iodometric assays were used for determination of urease and beta-lactamase activity.

According to data collected, the MIC value of essential oils was 4096 µg/mL. sub-MIC value of essential oils inhibited biofilm formation and urease activity of K. pneumoniae. However, S. khuzestanica had more activity. None of the essential oils caused a significant decrease in beta-lactamase activity of K. pneumoniae.

Based on our analysis S. khuzestanica had a good antibacterial, anti-biofilm activities and urease inhibitory effects against K. pneumoniae, but additional studies are required to investigate the exact mechanisms of the antibacterial action and functions of this phytocompound.

Increasing use of pesticides is one of the health hazards. Physical activity and medicinal plants appear to be a strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of these substances.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance training and berberine chloride on apoptosis and oxidative stress markers in the heart tissue of diazinon-infected rats.

In this study, 80 rats were randomly assigned into 8 groups of 10 animals in each group, including: 1) healthy control, 2) sham, 3) diazinon, 4) diazinon + resistance training, 5) diazinon + berberine (2.5 mg/kg) 6) diazinon + berberine (15 mg/kg), 7) diazinon + resistance training and berberine (2.5 mg/kg), and 8) diazinon + resistance training and berberine (15 mg/kg). During 4 weeks, each groups received a certain amount of diazinon poison, berberine chloride and performed three sessions per week of resistance training.

In the heart tissue of diazinon-poisoned rats, resistance training had a significant (P ≤ 0.05) effect on the increased concentrations of MDA, caspase-3, 8-OHDG and GSH; 15 mg/kg of berberine consumption had a significant effect on decreased concentrations of ROS, MDA, 8-OHDG, caspase-3 and increased (P ≤ 0.05) concentrations of GSH; 2.5 mg/kg of berberine consumption had a significant (P ≤ 0.05) effect on reduced 8-OHDG. Also, 15 mg/kg of berberine consumption compared to 2.5 mg/kg of berberine consumption had a greater effect on reduced 8-OHDG.

It seems that berberine consumption along with resistance training has interactive protective effects against oxidative stress and cell death in the heart tissue of diazinon-poisoned rats.

Several metabolic pathways are involved in the complications of diabetes like polyol pathway. Aldose reductase (AR) is a key enzyme in the polyol pathway, which catalyzes the conversion of glucose to sorbitol. AR inhibitors are appropriate to prevent and treat the diabetes complications.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of different fractions of Teucrium polium on the AR activity.

Fifty cow’s eye lenses were prepared and AR enzyme was purified according to the Hyman-Kinoshita method. The enzyme activity in the presence of the crude extract and different fractions of Teucrium polium (1, 5, 10, 20 and 100 μg/ml) was measured. In addition, IC50 content of fractions was also measured for the neutralization of DPPH free radical. Since some AR inhibitors are phenolic compounds, the phenolic and flavonoid contents have been investigated.

Results showed that the highest phenol and flavonoid content and the lowest IC50 value (3.67 µg/ml) for AR inhibition were related to the ethyl acetate fraction. Line weaver-Burk plot showed that ethyl acetate fraction acts as a non-competitive enzyme inhibition.

Thus, T. polium can be proposed as a therapy to prevent or treat chronic complications of diabetes in the future.

Capparis spinosa is used in different countries for prevention and treatment of various diseases. Its fruits are usually used in processed form especially with vinegar.

The aim of the present study was investigating the effect of processing on some phytochemical constituents and biological activities of C. spinosa.

The fruits were processed with grape vinegar. Total phenolics and alkaloids contents of the raw and processed fruits were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and titration methods, respectively. For quantitation of rutin, quercetin and α-tocopherol, R-HPLC was used. Cytotoxic activity of the fruits was determined by MTT assay. Antioxidant properties were evaluated by DPPH and FRAP techniques. Fingerprinting of raw and processed fruits were prepared using TLC and evaluated by TLC densitometry instrument. 

The results demonstrated that while total phenolics, total alkaloids and quercetin contents were decreased in the processed fruits, rutin concentration remained unchanged. Antioxidant activities of processed fruits increased using both DPPH and FRAP methods. Raw and processed fruits showed no cytotoxic effect on MCF-7, HepG-2 and MDBK cell lines up to the concentration of 100 µg/ml. The fingerprints of the fruits were different which admitted the change in the fruit constituents due to processing.

It seems that processing with vinegar lessens the unpleasant taste of the plant due to alkaloids and increased the antioxidant effects; therefore, it would be more suitable for use in some diseases such as diabetes and hepatitis as it is used in folklore and traditional medicine.

Test anxiety (TA) can hinder students’ academic achievement and cause them educational decline and psychological problems.

The effect of inhalation aromatherapy with lavender essential oil on nursing students’ test anxiety was investigated.

This was a quasi-experimental study was conducted on 33 nursing students who had taken the Community Health Nursing II course and were going to take its final exam. Before taking the exam of the course, the students were allocated to the aromatherapy (n = 16) and the control groups (n = 17). For the aromatherapy group, ten drops of lavender essential oil was added to one liter of water and the solution was distributed in the room space for fifteen minutes by using a humidifier. However, the humidifier which was used for the control group included of only pure water without any essential oil. The students’ test anxiety was measured both before and after the study intervention by employing the Test Anxiety Inventory.

There was no significant difference between the study groups regarding the participating students’ demographic characteristics as well as the pretest and the posttest values of test anxiety. However, within-group comparisons indicated that in the aromatherapy group, the posttest value of test anxiety was significantly lower than the pretest value.

The findings indicated that inhalation aromatherapy with lavender essential oil had no positive effects on students’ test anxiety. However, as the level of test anxiety in the aromatherapy group decreased significantly after the intervention and the students in this group reported that aromatherapy was pleasant to them. Aromatherapy is probably insignificant in alleviating acute or state anxieties.

Ethnomedicinal plants are of interest for treatment of various wound types.

This study aimed to evaluate burn wound healing potential of the hydro-alcoholic extract of the flowers of Lilium candidum L. in rats.

DPPH free radical scavenging power, total flavonoids, and the phenolic content of the extract were evaluated. Following burn wound induction, 30 Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups; silver sulfadiazine cream 1% (reference standard), eucerin (control), and 5%, 10% and 20% ointments of L. candidum flowers extract (treatment groups). Wound contraction and the percentage of wound healing were measured every day until 14th day and the histological changes were evaluated.

DPPH assay of L. candidum extract indicated high antioxidant activity. Total phenolic content of L. candidum extract was equal to 157 mg gallic acid equivalent/g; while total flavonoid was measured as 32.4 mg quercetin equivalent/g dried extract. The mean of wound area was significantly different in three 5%, 10% and 20% extract-treated rats in comparison with the control. Although, 20% ointment of L. candidum flowers extract demonstrated the best wound healing improvement, even better than silver sulfadiazine. Histopathological analysis confirmed the wound healing activity of L. candidum and promoting tissue repair, especially for the ointment containing 20% extract.

Regarding the high content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, besides potent antioxidant properties of the flowers of L. candidum, the use of its ointments led to significant decrease of burn wound area, suggesting that these extract ointments can treat burn wounds and improve the healing processes.

AD is a neurodegenerative disorder in which there is a gathering of beta-amyloid plaques, primarily in the hippocampus, that lead to neuronal death. Exercise training and botanical medications can play a role in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of aerobic training and Salvia officinalis extract on the improvement of learning and memory deficits in amyloid beta -injected rats.

Rats were injected with an Aβ solution into the CA1 hippocampal region. Rats were then exposed to treadmill exercise and S. officinalis extract for 4 weeks, at which point they performed the MWM. Additionally, we studied the molecular factors involved in neuronal plasticity, such as CREB and BDNF. The animals were also evaluated histologically to determine the deposition of Aβ in the brain tissue.

The results showed that aerobic training and S. officinalis improved learning and memory in the behavioral test. The results of the molecular analysis showed that CREB and BDNF levels were attenuated in the Aβ-injected rats in comparison with the control group. The density of surviving neurons was considerably higher in the training-extract-Aβ group (P<0.01) and extract-Aβ group (P<0.05) than the negative control groups.

In the present study, behavioral 100 testing and biochemical analysis demonstrated that aerobic training and S. officinalis extract treatment for 4 weeks protects against memory deficits in Aβ-injected rats.

Artemisia persica is used as an antiseptic, carminative, appetizer, antiparasitic, and antipyretic agent as well as to relieve fascial pains, and in the past, was used to relieve neuropathic pain and facilitate uterine contractions during childbirth.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant potential and effects of A. persica on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments and anxiety.

In this experimental study, 50 male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10 each, including control group, scopolamine (0.7 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) group, and three groups receiving scopolamine and ethanolic Artemisia persica extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). After three weeks of treatment, behavioral tests including passive avoidance memory, plus maze test, and rotarod test were conducted. The level of malondialdehyde and the antioxidant capacity of the serum and brain in the rats were measured.

Treatment with A. persica extract at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg in rats receiving scopolamine caused a significant increase in secondary latency in shuttle Box test (P < 0.01). Treatment of rats receiving scopolamine with A. persica extract at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg significantly decreased the time elapsed in closed arms and significantly increased the time elapsed in the open arms in plus maze test (P < 0.05).

The results of this study indicate that A. persica can act as a potent neuropharmacologic agent against cognitive impairment by modulating cholinergic activity and neuritis in the rat hippocampus.

Migraine is a common neurobiological disorder and various methods have been proposed for its treatment, including herbal remedies. Sodae is an herbal capsule produced and marketed by “Booali Daroo” Pharmaceutical Company, based on Iran's traditional medicine, in compliance with the instructions of the Food and Drug Administration of Iran and with a license issued by this administration of the Ministry of Health.

The present study was conducted to compare the effects of Sodae and placebo capsules on migraine headaches.

This clinical trial (2017-18) was conducted on 74 migraine patients (based on the International Headache Society definition) in Kermanshah, who was randomly divided into two groups. The intervention and placebo groups received 720 mg Sodae and the Avesil capsules for three months, respectively. Headache characteristics were measured using the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) and Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6). Data were analyzed in SPSS-25 using Mann-Whitney’s and Chi-square tests and the Repeated Measures ANOVA.116

The headache characteristics reduced significantly more in the intervention group. Compared to the placebo group, the amount of reduction was higher in the intervention group in the frequency (3.53 ± 0.64 vs. 1.79 ± 0.35; P = 0.041), the severity (1.81 ± 0.14 vs. 1.10 ± 0.13; P = 0.001) and the duration of attacks (3.05 ± 0.66 vs. 1.35 ± 0.31; P = 0.012). MIDAS and HIT scores were further reduced in the drug group than the placebo group. Nonetheless, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of side-effects (P = 0.486).

According to the results, Sodae capsule is significantly more effective than placebo in reducing headache characteristics, and given its limited side-effects, it is recommended for the treatment of migraines.

High level of blood cholesterol can cause diseases such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and increase the chance of apoplexy and fatty liver. Unsaturated fatty acids play important roles in preventing cardiovascular diseases because they decrease total cholesterols and LDL-C in the blood.

The study investigates some sterol compounds of Iranian pomegranate seed oil and their effects on decreasing the level of cholesterol in hypercholesterolaemia rabbits.

Three different varieties of pomegranate were selected and oil extraction was done from powdered tissue by Soxhlet extractor. Then, the extract was transfused into GC-MS for Identification Sterol Compounds. Oil extracted from pomegranate was taken into the diets of hypercholesterolemia rabbits.

The results showed that the major phytosterols in pomegranate seed and skin tissues were stigmasterols, ∆5-avenasterols, campsterols and beta-sitosterols, among which the β-sitosterols most dominant phytosterols. Studying the influence of oil extracted on decreasing cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic rabbits show that using 5 and 10 g/kg extracted oil from pomegranate seeds in the diet of hypercholesterolemic rabbits (tested with cholesterol 1%) can decrease significantly total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C of hyperlipidemia against neutral sample and it can increase significantly HDL-C.

The role of the pomegranate seed oil in improving the lipid profile of the plasma and reducing undesirable fats may be can have a considerable effect on human health and lowering blood lipids and lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. Increasing awareness of the potential capacity of this valuable fruit can help to play a ‎better role in the various industries.

Acanthamoeba is a resistant protozoan that causes severe diseases, such as GAE and CAK. Because many medications are ineffective on the parasite, the quest to find alternative drugs is in progress.

This research was aim13 ed to assess the performance of the black and green tea extracts on Acanthamoeba.

The clinical isolate of Acanthamoeba was cultured on non-nutrient agar plates. The black and green tea extracts were prepared via maceration, dried by rotary evaporation, and stored at 4 °C. The main component of the extracts (caffeine) was recognized using GC-MS analysis. The effects of three concentrations of black and green tea extracts were evaluated on the parasite and compared with the control and current drug.

Black and green tea extracts have lethal effects on Acanthamoeba cysts and the performance was more than that shown by the control and the current anti-keratitis drug. Moreover, the effectiveness of the tea extracts was tim 25 e- and dose-dependent (P < 0.0001). There was no significant differences between the performance of black and green tea (P > 0.05).

Black 13 and green tea extracts demonstrated the potential to inhibit the Acanthamoeba parasite, but the use of tea extract in clinical applications requires further study.

Alpinia officinarum is an aromatic plant that show some neuroprotective functions in animal models.

This study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant effects of hydroalcoholic extract of
A. officinarum rhizome using two behavioral models.

Forty male BALB/c mice were randomized to four groups. All studygroups underwent three weeks of daily chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) sessions. Control group received daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of normal saline 30 min before daily CUS; groups 2, 3 and 4 received i.p. injection of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg/day of A. officinarum extract, respectively. Behavior tests were performed after 21 days of treatment. Serum and brain malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TCA) were also measured.

Immobility duration in both forced swim test and tail suspension test decreased significantly in the groups treated with A. officinarum extract at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg compared to control group (P < 0.05). Extract treatment reduced MDA and increased TCA in both brain and serum (P < 0.05). Results demonstrate that the hydroalcoholic extract of A. officinarum possesses antidepressant activity in the animal model.