Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAvicenna Journal of Phytomedicine2228-79302220120301Antimalarial natural products: a review52623010.22038/ajp.2012.30ENFaraz MojabPharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC) and School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I. R. Iran0000-0003-2415-2175Journal Article20110830Objective: Malaria is an infectious disease commonplace in tropical countries. For many years, major antimalarial drugs consisted of natural products, but since 1930s these drugs have been largely replaced with a series of synthetic drugs. This article tries to briefly indicate that some plants which previously were used to treat malaria, as a result of deficiencies of synthetic drugs, have revived into useful products once more. It also attempts to describe some tests which can be used to evaluate plant extracts for antimalarial activity.
Materials and Methods: By referring to some recent literatures, data were collected about plants used for the treatment of malaria, evaluation of plant extracts for antimalarial activity, modes of action of natural antimalarial agents, and recent research on antimalarial plants in Iran and other countries.
Results and Conclusion: There is an urgent need for the development of new treatments for malaria. Many countries have a vast precedence in the use of medicinal plants and the required knowledge spans many centuries. Although malaria is controlled in Iran, some researchers tend to study malaria and related subjects. <em>In vitro</em> biological tests for the detection of antimalarial activities in plant extracts are currently available. It is vital that the efficacy and safety of traditional medicines be validated and their active constituents be identified in order to establish reliable quality control measures.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAvicenna Journal of Phytomedicine2228-79302220120301Preventive effects of Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindle on liver damage of diabetic rats induced by alloxan63713210.22038/ajp.2012.32ENFarah FarokhiDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Urmia University, I. R. IranNajme Kaffash FarkhadHistology and Embryology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Urmia University, I. R. IranAmir TogmechiDepartment Artemias Rresearch, Faculty of Veterinary, Urmia University, I. R. IranKhosro Soltani BandHistology and Embryology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Urmia University, I. R. IranJournal Article20110922Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is associated with biochemical, physiological and pathological alterations in the liver. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of <em>Prangos ferulacea (L.) </em>Lindle (P.f) on changes in rats´ liver structure and serum activities of alanin and aspartate aminotransferases after alloxan injection.
Materials and Methods: In this study, forty female Wistar rats with body weight of 200±20 g were randomly divided into 5 groups with 8 rats per group. Diabetes was induced in rats by alloxan monohydrate at dose of 120 mg/kg body weight (BW) injected intraperitoneally. Root and leaves with stems hydroalcoholic extract of P.f at dose of 100 mg/kg BW were given orally in diabetic rats daily for a month.
Results: In diabetic rats (D) the serum allanin aminotransferases (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferases (AST) were significantly increased (p<0.05) in comparison with the other groups. Moreover, in this group, necrosis of hepatocytes, cytoplasmic vacuolations, and lymphocytic inflammation were observed. Diabetic rats treated by root extract of P.f compared with diabetic group showed a significant decrease in these enzymes. In addition, in this group all of previous signs were improved.
Conclusion: Root hydroalcoholic extract of P.f found to influence changes of aminotransferases and prevent the histopathological changes of liver associated with alloxan diabetes in rats.
Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAvicenna Journal of Phytomedicine2228-79302220120301Evaluation of the anti–depressant activity of Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) in male rats72783310.22038/ajp.2012.33ENGhulam MoinuddinDepartment of Pharmacology, Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy, Near Lalbagh Main Gate, Bangalore-560027. IndiaKshama DeviDepartment of Pharmacology, Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy, Near Lalbagh Main Gate, Bangalore-560027. IndiaDeepak Kumar KhajuriaDepartment of Pharmacology, Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy, Near Lalbagh Main Gate, Bangalore-560027. IndiaJournal Article20110723Objective: The present study was undertaken to evaluate anti-depressant activity of <em>Myristica fragrans</em>(MS).
Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were subjected to imipramine and herbal extract ofMS for their antidepressant activity using Forced Swimming Test (FST), Reserpine Reversal Test (RRT), Haloperidol-Induced Catalepsy (HIC), and Pentobarbitone Sleeping Time (PST).
Results: Administration of MS and imipramine revealed a statistically significant reduction in immobility time in FST, RRT, and protection against HIC, compared to the control group. However, there was no significant potentiation of PST.
Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the potential antidepressant activity of MS.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAvicenna Journal of Phytomedicine2228-79302220120301Evaluation of antioxidant activity of three common potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivars in Iran79853610.22038/ajp.2012.36ENFaride HesamFaculty of Food Science, Islamic Azad University, Shahreza Branch, Isfahan, Shahreza, I. R. IranGholam Reza BalaliDepartment of Potato Research Biotechnology, University of Isfahan, I. R. IranReza Taheri TehraniDepartment of Potato Research Biotechnology, University of Isfahan, I. R. IranJournal Article20111101Objectives: Potato <em>(Solanum tuberosum </em>L.), as a whole food, contains high levels of vitamins and important antioxidants including phenolic acids, carotenoids and flavonoids. The objective of this study was to determine the total phenolic content and antioxidant activities of three common potatoes (<em>Solanum tuberosum</em>) cultivars in Iran i.e., Savalan, Agria and Sante.
Materials and Methods: Phenolic compound extraction of samples was done with methanol and total phenolic on the basis of folin-ciocalteu assay was estimated as 16.58 to 36.24 mg GAE/100g dry sample. The antioxidant activities of potato extracts on the basis of inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation and DPPH assay were compared with a commercially available antioxidant, α -tocopherol.
Results: Savalan had the highest phenolic content and the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity with EC<sub>50</sub> value of 41.815±mg/ml (DB). Also Savalan had the best inhibitory action against linoleic acid oxidation at 94.10±1.89% at 50 mg/ml sample concentration. Methanolic potato extracts had better antioxidant activity than α-tocopherol. Significant (p<0.01) negative correlation was observed between total phenolic content and the EC<sub>50</sub> for DPPH radical scavenging activity(R=-0.877), but there was no correlation between total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity.
Conclusion: Metanolic extracts of three potato cultivars are able to inhibit the oxidation process. The correlation between total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity indicates that phenolic compounds are responsible for antiradical activity.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAvicenna Journal of Phytomedicine2228-79302220120301Acute Datura Stramonium poisoning in East of Iran - a case series86893710.22038/ajp.2012.37ENMahnaz AminiLung and Tuberculosis Research Centre, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, I. R. IranHamid KhosrojerdiDepartment of Toxicology, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, I. R. IranReza AfshariDepartment of Toxicology, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, I. R. IranJournal Article20111103Objectives: <em>Datura Stramonium</em> (DS) is a common weed along roadsides, in cornfields and pastures and in waste areas. It belongs to the family <em>Solanaceae</em> and its toxic components are tropane belladonna alkaloids. It has been used voluntarily by teenagers for its hallucinogenic effect. The plant is named in Iran as Tatoore. Symptoms and signs of acute <em>D. Stramonium</em> poisoning usually are similar to anticholinergic syndrome. This study is done in order to clarify the status of this poisoning in our region.
Materials and Methods: This study is a case series on all patients admitted to Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, with acute <em>D. Stramonium</em> poisoning between 2008 and 2011. We observed their symptoms, signs, routine laboratory test results and treatment used to control their symptoms.
Results: There were 19 patients included in our study. Children were poisoned more commonly than teenagers and poisoning in adults was rare. All of the children ingested the plant accidentally. The most presenting symptom was irritability and the most common sign was sinus tachycardia. There was not any presentation of seizure or coma. Most of the symptoms were controlled by parenteral benzodiazepines and there were no need to use of cholinergic agents such as physostigmine.
Conclusion: Our study showed most of <em>D. Stramonium</em> poisoned population in our region are children. We suggest decreasing accessibility to the plant in order to decrease the incidence of its poisoning. Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAvicenna Journal of Phytomedicine2228-79302220120301The effect of red grape juice and exercise, and their combination on parkinson’s disease in rats90963910.22038/ajp.2012.39ENFatemeh Eshraghi-JaziDepartment of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, I. R. IranHojjatallah AlaeiDepartment of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, I. R. IranHamid Azizi-MalekabadiIslamic Azad University, Khorasgan Branch, Isfahan, I. R. IranMahin Gharavi-NainiDepartment of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, I. R. IranAliasghar PilehvarianIsfahan Payame Noor University, Isfahan, I. R. IranZahra CiahmardIsfahan Payame Noor University, Isfahan, I. R. IranJournal Article20111219Objective: Parkinson<sup>'</sup>s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders which is characterized by tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural disturbances. Studies indicate that grape juice and exercise may have beneficial effects on neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated the effects of red grape juice (GJ) together with treadmill running on animal model of PD.
Materials and Methods: 30 male Wistar rats were divided randomly into Sham, PD, PD treated with GJ (PD-GJ), PD treated with exercise (PD-Ex), and PD treated with GJ associated with exercise (PD-GJ-Ex) groups with six rats in each. In order to obtain the PD model, 6-OHDA was infused into left substantia nigra pars compacta. In order to prove that the lesions are created and to estimate their extent, apomorphine was administered (i.p.) and total number of induced rotations was recorded during 60 minutes. Exercise was applied by treadmill and GJ was added into drinking water for 30 days and rotations test was performed again.
Results: Our results indicate that there was a significant difference in number of rotations between PD and Sham groups (p<0.05). At the end of experiment, number of rotations decreased significantly in both PD-GJ and PD-GJ-Ex groups (p<0.05). Exercise alone increased the number of rotations non- significantly.
Conclusion: Grape juice reduced rotations probably via the antioxidant agents. Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAvicenna Journal of Phytomedicine2228-79302220120301Crocin alleviates the local paw edema induced by histamine in rats971044010.22038/ajp.2012.40ENEsmaeal TamaddonfardDepartment of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, I. R. IranAmir Abbas FarshidDepartment of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, I. R. IranLeila HosseiniDepartment of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, I. R. IranJournal Article20120204Objective: Crocin, as an active constituent of saffron, has many biological functions including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of crocin and chlorpheniramine on local edema induced by histamine.
Materials and Methods: Local edema was induced by subcutaneous injection of histamine (100 μl, 0.1%) in ventral surface of right hind paw. The thickness of paw was measured at 1 h before and 1, 2, 3 h after injection of histamine, using a fine caliper. The number of neutrophils in paw tissue sections was counted 3 h after intraplantar injection of histamine.
Results: Intraperitoneal injection of crocin at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg and chlorpheniramine at a dose of 10 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) decreased both paw thickness and infiltration of neutrophils in paw tissues. In a combined treatment, intraperitoneal injection of an effective dose of crocin (100 mg/kg) with an ineffective dose of chlorpheniramine (2.5 mg/kg) produced a more documented response in comparison with crocin (100 mg/kg) and chlorpheniramine (2.5 mg/kg) used alone.
Conclusion: The results suggested that both crocin and chlorpheniramine suppressed histamine-induced local paw edema. Moreover, histamine H<sub>1</sub> receptors function may be affected by crocin. Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAvicenna Journal of Phytomedicine2228-79302220120301Taxonomic evaluation of misidentification of crude herbal drugs marketed in Iran1051124110.22038/ajp.2012.41ENMohammad Reza JoharchiFerdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, I. R. IranMohammad Sadegh AmiriDepartment of Biology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, I. R. IranJournal Article20120206identification, authentication and quality control are essential to ensure safety, therapeutic potency, efficacy and reproducible quality of herbal medicines. The aim of this study is to use taxonomic method for authentication of traditional herbal drugs which are commonly sold in herbal shops in Iran. In this regard, twenty-seven cases of herbal drugs suspected to be adulterated were investigated.
Material and Methods: Crude raw material of herbal drugs was prepared from the various markets in Iran and was identified at the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Herbarium (FUMH).
Results: Taxonomic evaluationrevealed that 78 species belonging to 21 families which are traded in Iranian market should be considered asauthentic, adulterated and substituted samples.
Conclusion: It was concluded that nowadays, many of the medicinal plants available in the market have ambiguous identification along with adulteration and contamination. The present study provides awareness amongst the traders, researchers, clinicians and manufacturing units about the ambiguity of authenticity in the traded herbal raw materials.