Herbal Medicines Journal (Herb Med J)

The Use of Dandelion for Treating Various Types of Cancers

2023-02-17T15:40:18+00:00

None

Anti-Tumor Effects of the Methanol Extract of Ecballium elaterium (L.) A. Rich Fruits on Human Gastric (MKN-45) and Breast (MCF-7) Cancer Cell Lines

2023-02-24T06:17:24+00:00

Background and Aim: The Ecballium elaterium (L.) A. Rich belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and is a Mediterranean medicinal herb with a medicinal background. In the present study, following our previous research, we aimed to evaluate the expression profile of certain significant genes involved in the process of apoptosis in human gastric (MKN-45) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cell lines treated with the methanol extract of E. elaterium fruits.

Materials and Methods: The real-time PCR method was employed to calculate the expression levels of p53, bax, and bcl-2 genes in both MKN-45 and MCF-7 cell lines. Moreover, the bax/bcl-2 mRNA ratio was calculated in both cell lines.

Results: Real-time PCR revealed that E. elaterium fruit extract-treated MKN-45 cells underwent a strong reduction in the mRNA levels of bcl-2 (0.04-fold) (p < 0.0001) together with an increase in p53 (18.23-fold) (p < 0.0001) and a significant reduction in bax (0.31-fold) (p <0.01). However, the up-regulation of bax (55.51-fold) (p< 0.0001) and bcl-2 (17.68-fold) (p< 0.05) genes with a concomitant revealed no significant result for p53 (2.32-fold) gene observed in MCF-7 cells. This extract had strong apoptotic activity on MKN-45 cells. The bax/bcl-2 mRNA ratio in E. elaterium fruit extract-treated MKN-45 cells was significant in comparison with the control group (7.24-fold higher and p= 0.0133), but this ratio was not remarkable in E. elaterium fruit extract-treated MCF-7 cells compared with the control group (3.95-fold higher and p= 0.0811).

Conclusion: The results of this research indicated that E. elaterium fruit extract could be a promising therapeutic option against gastric cancer.

The Coagulant Effect of the Medicago sativa L. Hydroalcoholic Extract: An in vivo Study on Mice

2022-12-18T09:11:55+00:00

Background and Aim: Herbal medicines are used in the treatment of many diseases, including blood-related disorders. Mediacgo sativa, which is used in traditional medicine to stop bleeding, contains several secondary compounds, is assumed to be effective in primary and secondary blood coagulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of M. sativa extract on blood coagulation system in vivo.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male mice were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 8) as follows: negative control (receiving 0.3 ml of distilled water), positive control (receiving 0.3 ml of tranexamic acid, 1200 mg/kg/day) and the treatment group (receiving 0.3 ml of the hydroalcoholic extract of M. sativa, 300 mg/kg/day). On the 13^th day of treatment, collection of blood samples from the tail tip for bleeding time (BT), clotting time (CT), and number of platelets was carried out. On the 14^th day, the blood samples were collected from the heart and prothrombin time (PT), activating the partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) as indicators of coagulation rate that were determined. The GC-MS was also used to determine extract compounds.

Results: The results indicated that M. sativa extract had a significant prolonged effect on the aPTT and PT. Furthermore, this extract increased platelet count, though it significantly reduced coagulation time in BT and CT. It was concluded that M. sativa extract could have beneficial effects on the initial blood homeostasis.

Conclusion: Given the highly beneficial effect on coagulation and then tranexamic acid, this extract can be recommended as a potential homeostatic remedy after further clinical evaluations.

The Impact of Drying Method on Bioactive Compounds and Microstructure of Jujube Zizyphus Lotus Leaves

2022-12-18T09:11:57+00:00

Background and Aim: The leaves of Jujube Zizyphus lotus are widely used as medicine for their health benefits, particularly in China, America and the Middle East. To determine the benefits of Jujube leaves, the leaves were analysed to distinguish certain chemical compounds, examine their antioxidant activity and study their structural morphology.

Materials and Methods: Conventional drying by ovens is a method of preserving nutritious foods. The drying temperature gradient of 10°C affects certain food compositions. In the case of the Jujube leaf, the increase in temperature revealed an increased extraction. Moreover, an increase in the release of polyphenols analyzed by reactive Folin method (2.5-3 mgEqAG/100g), and a small variation in antioxidant activity tested by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method of about 80% were registered.

Results: We also noticed a stability of about 3 mg/100g for flavonoids, a very low concentration 0.5 mg/g for total carotenoids, a variation between 12-45 mg/g for phyophytins, and a degradation of chlorophyll a (between 3-18) and chlorophyll b (2-8 mg/g).

Conclusion: High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that the Jujube tree, Zizyphus lotus, is very rich in phenolic compounds, above all Naringin, Furelique, Rutin, Quercetin, and Kaempferol.

Protective Effects of Aju Mbaise Extract against Dutasteride-Induced Biochemical and Haematological Changes in Rats

2023-03-10T08:10:36+00:00

Background and Aim: Aju Mbaise is a nutraceutical food supplement taken by nursing mothers within their first three months of delivery due to its health advantages. This study evaluated the protective potentials of Aju Mbaise extract on the renal functions, lipid profile, and haematological indices of Dutasteride-induced rats.

Materials and Methods: This study had sham control, dutasteride control, an extract group that received 1000 mg/kg of Aju Mbaise only, and Dutasteride induced groups treated with 500 and 1000 mg/kg of Aju Mbaise orally for 28 consecutive days.

Results: Dutasteride induction caused a remarkable increase in the serum urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, and chloride ions and a considerable reduction in the serum bicarbonate ions in the Dutasteride control compared to the sham control. The lipid profile indicated a significant increase in the total serum cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, along with a substantial decline in the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of the Dutasteride control relative to the sham control. The haematological parameters, including red blood cell, packed cell volume, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, and neutrophils, decreased significantly in the Dutasteride control relative to the sham control. In contrast, the Dutasteride control showed a significant increase in the mean corpuscular volume, white blood cell, platelet, and lymphocyte counts compared to the sham control. The treatment of Dutasteride-induced rats with 500 and 1000 mg/kg of Aju Mbaise extract significantly restored the serum urea, creatinine, serum electrolytes, lipid profile, and haematological parameters to normal levels compared to the Dutasteride control. None the rats had any observable alteration in the kidney histo-architecture.

Conclusion: Our findings showed that Aju Mbaise extract could attenuate changes in renal functions, lipid profile, and haematological indices associated with Dutasteride toxicity in rats.

The Effect of Foliar Application of Urea and Salicylic Acid on the Antibacterial Properties of Physalis alkekengi L. In vitro condition

2023-02-12T10:11:22+00:00

Background and Aim: The Physalis alkekengi is a medicinal plant that has long been used in pharmaceutical, food and health products. Increasing and indiscriminate use of synthetic antibiotics against bacterial infections has increased drug resistance. As a result, today there is an increasing tendency among people to use drugs of natural origin, particularly herbal ones. In this regard, this study was conducted to investigate the antibacterial effects of alcoholic extract of Physalis alkekengi on some common bacteria in vitro condition.

Materials and Methods: In this study, the alcoholic extract of Physalis alkekengi obtained from foliar application of urea fertilizer (0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2%) and salicylic acid (0.001. 0.0025, 0.005 and 0.01 mM) at four levels were used. For this purpose, antibacterial effects of the extracts were investigated by dilution methods in tube, disk and well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Shigella dysenteriae and Klebsiella pneumonia.

Results: The results of the present study indicated that the extracts of Physalis alkekengi have antibacterial effects under the influence of different treatments of urea and salicylic acid. Moreover, the results showed the effects of minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentrations of different treatments of urea and salicylic acid. Among the tested concentrations, urea concentrations of 2% and 0.5% had the highest and lowest inhibitory effects on bacterial growth compared to the negative and positive control groups respectively. Salicylic acid with 0.01 and 0.001mM showed the highest and lowest bacterial growth inhibitory effects respectively.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the extract of Physalis alkekengi contain suitable antibacterial substances that can be used as an alternative in cases of drug resistance against pathogenic microorganisms.

Fatty acids in Aristolochia L. Seeds from Iran

2022-11-05T08:05:59+00:00

None

Fatty Acid Composition of Lycium (Solanaceae) Species

2022-10-01T06:35:25+00:00

Background and Aim: There are more than one hundred species of Lycium (Solanaceae) in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. These drought-resistant medicinal plants have several applications in traditional medicine and modern pharmacy. The fruits of these plants contain vitamins A, E, and C, flavonoids, and other valuable biological compounds. In the present study, the amounts and types of fatty acids in the fruit pulp of Lycium species have been determined.

Materials and Methods: The samples were collected from natural habitats in Iran. Cold methylation and gas chromatography were used to extract fatty acids. By examining the drawn curves, fatty acids were identified. The significance of the quantitative results was assessed by a one-way analysis of variance.

Results: A total of 22 major fatty acids were observed in the fruit pulps of Lycium species. The highest diversity of fatty acids was observed in L. kopetdaghi. In 4 species of L. shawii, L. edgeworthii, L. ruthenicum, and L. depressum, cis-linoleic is the major and abundant fatty acid, and only in L. kopetdaghi, the palmitic acid is more abundant.

Conclusion: The findings of the present study are in agreement with previous research. Due to the composition of valuable fatty acids in Lycium species, further research is recommended for its application in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Effects of Salicylic Acid and Chitosan Foliar Application on Extract Components and the Antibacterial Activity of Melissa officinalis L.

2022-11-09T09:46:47+00:00

Background and Aim: Melissa officinalis L. is a medicinal herb with antibacterial properties. This research was carried out to investigate the effects of the foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) and chitosan (Ch.) on ethanolic extracts components and antibacterial activity of M. officinalisL.in the flowering stage.

Materials and Methods: The antibacterial activities of the ethanol extracts were investigated using the agar dilution method, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimal bactericidal concentration against five bacteria, i.e. S. aurous, B. subtilis, E. coli, S. enterica and P. mirabilis.

Results: The major components were citronellal, Z-Citral, E-Citral, caryophyllene oxide, caryophyllene, linalool, carvacrol, α-Pinene and geraniol. The result showed that distinct concentration of Ch. and SA had remarkable effects on the chemical constituents of M. officinalis L. extract. All the examined bacteria were sensitive to the extracts of M. officinalis L. and antimicrobial activities of extracts against the examined bacteria depending on the concentration of the foliar application. The highest and lowest diameters of inhibition zones of the plant extracts were on S. aurous and P. mirabilis respectively. The MIC values of the extracts ranged from 78.25 ppm to 1250 ppm, whereas the MBC values ranged from 156.5 ppm to 1250 ppm.

Conclusion: S. aurous and E. coli were the most sensitive bacteria in Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria respectively. It was also observed that Ch. treatments were more effective on Gram-negative bacteria, while SA treatments were more influential on Gram-positive bacteria

Genus Rubia: Therapeutic Effects and Toxicity: A Review

2022-08-13T06:17:23+00:00

The Rubiaceae family taxonomic classification is complex. Genus Rubia with 70 species belongs to Rubieae tribe of Rubioideae subfamily of the Rubiaceae family. These species have been widely distributed and cultivated around the world, and are mainly concentrated in the tropics. The effects of bioactive metabolites of various parts, particularly roots of Rubia species have been thoroughly examined, and their pharmacological and toxicological effects have been described. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antidiabetic, anti-arthritic, antiseizure and antimicrobial effects as well as toxicological properties of Rubia species have been previously reported. This study was conducted as a literature survey of various species of Rubiaceae published from 1992 to 2020. Moreover, their toxic and protective effects on living organisms were summarized.