Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAvicenna Journal of Phytomedicine2228-79305120150101Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of Boerhavia elegans (choisy) grown in Baluchestan, Iran19341510.22038/ajp.2014.3415ENZahra SadeghiDepartment of Production and Utilization of Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Agricultural and Natural Resources, Higher Educational Complex of Saravan, Saravan, I. R. IranJafar ValizadehDepartment of Biology, University of Sistan & Baluchestan, Zahedan, I. R. IranOmid Azyzian ShermehDepartment of Biology, University of Sistan & Baluchestan, Zahedan, I. R. IranMaryam AkaberiBiotechnology Research Center and School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, I. R. IranJournal Article20140315Objective: <em>Boerhaavia elegans </em>L. (Nyctaginaceae) is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of kidney disorders, urinary tract disorders and blood purification in Baluch tribe. The aim of present study is to evaluate the antioxidant propertyof<em> B. elegans</em> species for the first time. <br/>Materials and Methods: Different parts (leaf, stem and fruit) of the plant were extracted by using various solvents (water, methanol, chloroform and ethyl acetate) and evaluated for their antioxidant activity using DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1 picryl hydrazyl) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) methods. In addition, total phenolic content was determined by Folin–Ciocalteu reagent. <br/>Results: Antioxidant results were expressed as IC<sub>50</sub>. The antioxidant power in DPPH and FRAP assay were evaluated as shown in decreasing order: Methanolic extract > Aqueous extract > Ethyl acetate extract > Chloroform extract, for all parts of the plant. In both methods of antioxidant assay and Folin-Ciocalteu method, methanolic extract of leaf exhibited the highest activity and the most phenolic content IC<sub>50</sub>= 6.85ppm and 16.41 mg GA/g d w respectively. Total phenolic content had a positive relationship with antioxidant capacity in extracts and there was a high correlation (r=1.00, p<0.01) between antioxidant activities as determined by both antioxidant assays for various parts. <br/>Conclusion: The results of the experiments showed that <em>B. elegans </em>extract had significant antioxidant effects. This high antioxidant activity may be linked to phenolic contents of the plant but complementary investigations are suggested in order to determine active elements.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAvicenna Journal of Phytomedicine2228-79305120150101Neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antioxidant, chemotherapeutic, and antidiabetic properties of Salvia Reuterana: A mini review1016369510.22038/ajp.2014.3695ENElham JafariIsfahann Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, I. R. IranSasan AndalibNeurosciences Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, I. R. IranAlireza AbedIsfahann Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, I. R. IranMahmoud Rafieian-KopaeiMedicinal Plants Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, I. R. IranGolnaz VaseghiApplied Physiology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, I. R. IranJournal Article20140430Objectives: Herbal medicine is known as a valid alternative treatment. <em>Salvia Reuterana</em>, which has been used in the Iranian traditional medicine, is mostly distributed in the central highlands of Iran. <em>Salvia Reuterana</em> is a medicinal herb with various therapeutic usages. The aim of the present review is to take account of pharmacological properties of <em>Salvia Reuterana</em>. <br/>Materials and Methods: The present review summarizes the literature with respect to various pharmacological properties of <em>Salvia Reuterana</em>. <br/>Results: <em>Salvia Reuterana</em> possesses neurological, antimicrobial, antioxidant, chemotherapeutic, and antidiabetic properties. <br/>Conclusions: <em>Salvia Reuterana </em>can be used as an alternative for treatment of several disorders.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAvicenna Journal of Phytomedicine2228-79305120150101Renal Effects of Anchomanes difformis Crude Extract in Wistar Rats1725343310.22038/ajp.2014.3433ENJacob Ataman EDepartment of Anatomy, University of Benin, PMB 1154, Benin City, NigeriaMacDonald IduDepartment of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin, Benin City, NigeriaJournal Article20130924Objective: <em> Anchomanes difformis</em> is a member of the plant family Araceae which is used as a diuretic but also has other medicinal applications. This study investigates the dietary effects of <em>A. difformis</em> on the kidneys of adult wistar rats. <br/>Materials and Methods: Sixteen rats were used and were weighed, before and after the experiment. All rats were randomly divided into four groups. All groups were treated with the following regimen for two weeks. The control group (A) was fed on feed mash and water <em>ad libitum</em> throughout the period. The treatment groups B, C, and D received feed mash mixed with crude extract of <em>A. difformis </em>in the following proportions: 25:75(g), 50:50(g), and 75:25(g), respectively. The kidneys of the experimental animals were histologically examined for morphologic changes. <br/>Results: Results showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in the kidney weight of the treatment groups compared with the control. Histological examination of the renal tissues also showed considerable lesions such as inflammation, focal cortical and interstitial hemorrhage, and fibrosis in the treated rats compared with the control. <br/>Conclusion: The current study results suggest renal toxicity with excessive consumption of <em>A.difformis</em>.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAvicenna Journal of Phytomedicine2228-79305120150101Effect of five year storage on total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of almond (Amygdalus communisL.) hull and shell from different genotypes2633351210.22038/ajp.2014.3512ENKhadijeh Sadat Moosavi DolatabadiDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran, I. R. IranGholamreza DehghanDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran, I. R. IranSiavash HosseiniDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran, I. R. IranAli Jahanban EsfahlanBiotechnology Research Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 51664-14766, IranJournal Article20140109Objectives: Almond (<em>Prunus amygdalus</em>) hull and shell are agricultural by-products that are a source of phenolic compounds.The processing of almond produce shell and hull, accounts for more than 50% by dry weight of the almond fruits. Recently, more studies have focused on the influence of storage conditions and postharvest handling on the nutritional quality of fruits, especially the antioxidant phenolics. In this study, influence of long-term storage (five years) on the total phenolic and antioxidant capacity of almond hull and shell from different genotypes was evaluated. <br/>Materials and Methods: The fruits of subjected genotypes were collected and their hull and shell were separated. They were dried and reduced to fine powder. This powder stored at room temperature for five years. The total phenolic content (TPC) and bioactivities (antioxidant potential: DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging and reducing power) of extracts were evaluated using spectrophotometric methods. <br/>Results: It was found that TPC content and bioactivity levels in the stored almond hull and shell were different, compared to the hulls and shells which were evaluated in 2007. S<sub>1</sub>-4 genotype had the highest TPC and reducing power in its hull and shell.Low correlation coefficient was observed between phenolic content and the DPPH radical scavenging percentage in hull and shell extract. <br/>Conclusions: For the first time, results of this investigation showed that storage can influence the antioxidant and antiradical potential of almond hull and shell.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAvicenna Journal of Phytomedicine2228-79305120150101Efficacy of Cuminum cyminum essential oil on FUM1 gene expression of fumonisin-producing Fusarium verticillioides strains3442343410.22038/ajp.2014.3434ENAli Reza KhosraviMycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, I. R. IranHojjatollah ShokriFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, I. R. IranAli Reza MokhtariMycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, I. R. IranJournal Article20140212Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of <em>Cuminum cyminum</em> (<em>C. cyminum</em>) essential oil on the growth and <em>FUM1 </em>gene expression of fumonisin-producing <em>Fusarium verticillioides</em> (<em>F. verticillioides</em>) strains isolated from maize. <br/>Materials and Methods: All fungal strains were cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) slopes at 30°C for 7 days. The antifungal activity was evaluated by broth microdilution assay. One set of primers was <em>F. verticillioides</em> species specific, which selectively amplified the intergenic space region of rDNA. The other set of primers was specific to<em> FUM1</em> gene region of fumonisin-producing <em>F. verticillioides. FUM1 </em>transcript levels were quantified using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) protocol. <br/>Results: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of <em>C. cyminum</em> oil against <em>F. verticillioides</em> strains varied from 0.195 to 0.781 µl.ml<sup>-1</sup> (mean MIC value: 0.461 µl.ml<sup>-1</sup>) indicating 54.5% of the fungal strains inhibited at 0.390 µl.ml<sup>-1</sup>. PCR analysis of <em>FUM1</em> gene expression revealed that DNA fragment of 183 bp was amplified in all the isolates of <em>F. verticillioides</em> before treatment with <em>C. cyminum</em> essential oil. Based on RT-PCR analyses, reduction in the expression of fumonisin biosynthetic genes was significant only for <em>FUM1 </em>gene (<em>p</em><0.05), while no effect was observed on <em>ITS</em> gene. <br/>Conclusions: This study showed that all <em>F. verticillioides</em> isolates were susceptible to <em>C. cyminum</em> essential oil, indicating a significant reduction in the growth of fungal isolates. In addition, this oil completely inhibited the expression of <em>FUM1 </em>gene in concentrations dose-dependently.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAvicenna Journal of Phytomedicine2228-79305120150101Pomegranate seed hydroalcoholic extract improves memory deficits in ovariectomized rats with permanent cerebral hypoperfusion /ischemia4355375410.22038/ajp.2014.3754ENAlireza SarkakiPhysiology Research Center, Dept. of Physiology, Ahvaz Jundishpur University of Medical Sciences, 61357-15794, P.O.Box: 45, Ahvaz-Iran. Telefax: +98-611-37382480000-0001-9272-6228Yaghoob FarboodDept. of Physiology, Medicine Faculty, Ahvaz Jundishpur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz-IranShieda HashemiDept. of Physiology, Medicine Faculty, Ahvaz Jundishpur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz-IranMaryam Rafiei RadDept. of Biology, faculty of Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Izeh branch, Izeh-Iran.Journal Article20140702Objective: Estrogen deficit following menopause results in cognitive behaviors impairment. Severity of these impairments in menopause women suffer with cerebral hypo perfusion/ischemia (HI) cause the brain damage and neuronal death. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of pomegranate seed extract (PGSE) on avoidance memories after permanent bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (2CCAO) in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Materials and Methods: Adult female Wistar rats were divided randomly into eight groups with 8 rats in each group: 1) Sham-operated for ovaries and 2CCAO (ShO); 2) OVX and sham operated for ischemia (OShI); 3-7) OVX with 2CCAO (OI) received PGSE (100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/2ml/kg or normal saline, orally) for 14 days (OI+E100, 200, 400, 800 or OI+Veh); 8) OShI received most effective dose of PGSE (200 and 400 mg/kg for passive and active avoidance memories respectively). Active and passive avoidance tasks were measured in Y-maze and two-way shuttle box respectively. Data were analyzed with one-way and RM-ANOVA followed by HSD post-hoc test. Results: Sensorimotor impaired in OShI+Veh and OI+Veh (PMashhad University of Medical SciencesAvicenna Journal of Phytomedicine2228-79305120150101Antibacterial and antifungal activities of the endemic species Glaucium vitellinum Boiss. and Buhse5661355810.22038/ajp.2014.3558ENMina MehraraDepartment of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran – Iran (IAUPS)Mehri HalakooDepartment of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran – Iran (IAUPS)Mojdeh Hakemi-ValaMicrobiology Department, Medical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.Seyyde Jamal HashemiDepartment of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.Jinous AsgarpanahDepartment of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran – Iran (IAUPS)Journal Article20140416Objectives: Belonging to Papaveraceae family, <em>Glaucium vitellinum</em> is one of the Persian endemic plants which has not been investigated biologically. The present paper focused on the assessment of the antibacterial and antifungal activities of the total methanol extract and alkaloid sub-fraction of the flowering aerial parts of <em>G. vitellinum</em>. <br/>Materials and Methods: The antibacterial and antifungal activities were investigated using cup plate method and disc diffusion assay, respectively. The MIC values of the active samples were determined using micro plate dilution method. <br/>Results: The crude extract and alkaloid sub-fraction of <em>G. vitellinum</em> had significant inhibition activity on the growth of <em>S. aureus</em> and <em>S. typhi</em>. From antifungal assay, it is concluded that only the yeast <em>C. albicans</em>, showed a high sensitivity to the extract and especially to the related alkaloid sub-fraction. <br/>Conclusions: Regarding the results, <em>G. vitellinum</em> could be employed as a natural antibacterial and antifungal agent against <em>S. aureus</em>, <em>S. typhi</em>, and <em>C. albicans,</em> respectively. Moreover, based on the results of this study, further in vivo and ex vivo confirmatory tests for total methanol extract and alkaloid sub-fraction are recommended.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAvicenna Journal of Phytomedicine2228-79305120150101Immunomudulatory effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum6268347610.22038/ajp.2014.3476ENSeyyed Meysam Abtahi FroushaniAssistant professor of Immunology, Department of Microbiology Veterinary Medicine Faculty, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran0000-0003-2579-6618Hadi Esmaili Gouvarchin GaleeMSc Student of Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Veterinary Faculty, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran0000-0001-8562-2295Mahsa KhamisabadiStudent of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.Bita LotfallahzadeStudent of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.Journal Article20140313Objective:<em> Hypericum perforatum</em> (St. John's Wort) has long been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of internal and external ailments. The present study was done to evaluate the immumodulatory potentials of the hydroalcoholic extract of<em> H. perforatum</em>. <br/>Materials and Methods: Twenty male BALB/c-mice were randomly allocated in two equal groups and immunized with sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) and complete Freund’s adjuvant. Mice in the treatment group orally received hydroalcoholic extract of <em>H. perforatum</em> (110 mg/Kg daily) from the beginning of the study which continued for 2 weeks. <br/>Results: The data indicated a significant increase in the level of anti-SRBC antibody and simultaneously a significant decrease in the level of cellular immunity, an enhancement in foot pad thickness, in treatment group compared to control group. The level of the respiratory burst in phagocytic cells and the level of lymphocyte proliferation in splenocytes were significantly decreased in the treatment group compared to control group. Moreover, extract caused a significant reduction in the production of pro-inflammatory IL-17 as well as IFN-γ, parallel to increasing the level of IL-6. <br/>Conclusions: The hydroalcoholicextract of<em> H. perforatum</em> may be used as a natural source for treatment of immunopathologic conditions.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAvicenna Journal of Phytomedicine2228-79305120150101Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic and Antiulcer properties of Porphyra vietnamensis6977375810.22038/ajp.2014.3758ENSaurabh BhatiaDM College of Pharmacy, Bahadurgah, Haryana, India.0000-0002-8266-6927Kiran SharmaDeptt. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.Ajay SharmaSeoul National University, Republic of Korea, Korea.Kalpana NagpalDivision of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab India.Tanmoy BersDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India.Journal Article20140713Objectives: Aim of the present work was to investigate the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiulcer effects of red seaweed Porphyra vietnamensis (P. vietnamenis). <br/>Materials and Methods: Aqueous (POR) and alcoholic (PE) fractions were successfully isolated from P. vietnamenis. Further biological investigations were performed using a classic test of paw edema induced by carrageenan, writhing induced by acetic acid, hot plate method and naproxen induced gastro-duodenal ulcer. <br/>Results: Among the fractions POR showed better activity. POR and PE significantly (p < 0.05) reduced carrageenan induced paw edema in a dose dependent manner. In the writhing test POR significantly (p < 0.05) reduced abdominal writhes than PE. In hot plate method POR showed better analgesic activity than PE. POR showed comparable ulcers reducing potential (p<0.01) to that of omeprazole, and has more ulcer reducing potential then PE. <br/>Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that P. vietnamenis aqueous fraction possesses biological activity that is close to the standards taken for the treatment of peripheral painful or/and inflammatory and ulcer conditions.