@article { author = {Hajimehdipoor, H. and Ara, L. and Moazzeni, H. and Esmaeili, S.}, title = {Evaluating the antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of some plants from Kohgiluyeh va Boyerahmad province, Iran}, journal = {Research Journal of Pharmacognosy}, volume = {3}, number = {4}, pages = {1-7}, year = {2016}, publisher = {- The Iranian Society of Pharmacognosy - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2345-4458}, eissn = {2345-5977}, doi = {}, abstract = {Background and objectives:Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder. Nowadays, many investigations are performed to find new drugs for AD and medicinal plants are considered as one of the most important sources for developing new drugs. According to the role of oxidant agents and acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) in AD, plants with antioxidant and AChE inhibition properties could be good candidates for AD studies. In the present investigation, acetylcholinesterase inhibition (AChEI) and antioxidant effects of some plants from Kohgiluye va Boyerahmad province of Iran have been determined. Methods: The plants collected from Kohgiluyeh va Boyerahmad province (56 species) were extracted with methanol by using maceration method. AChEI activity of the extracts was determined using Ellman method in 96-well microplates. Antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH and FRAP methods. Results: The results showed that aerial parts of Amygdalus scoparia had the highest AChEI effect (50% inhibition in concentration of 300 µg/mL). The plant also demonstrated suitable antioxidant effects. Epilobium minutiflorum found to be the most potent species for DPPH inhibition and reduction of ferric-TPTZ complex (IC50 3.6 µg/mL and FRAP value 335.0 mmol FeSO4.7H2O/100g Extract). Conclusion: Our results confirmed that almost all species with AChEI activity showed to be effective as potent antioxidant agents.  }, keywords = {Acetylcholinesterase,Antioxidant,DPPH,FRAP,Kohgiluyeh va Boyerahmad}, url = {https://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_33321.html}, eprint = {https://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_33321_ec2cfafaf68665de5b91dcefd3f67bd8.pdf} } @article { author = {Azadmehr, A. and Hajiaghaee, R. and Molla Hassan, A.T. and Jafari Vesiehsari, M. and Oladnabidozin, M.}, title = {Splenocyte proliferation, NK cell activation and cytokines production by extract of Scrophularia variegata; an in vitro study on mice spleen cells}, journal = {Research Journal of Pharmacognosy}, volume = {3}, number = {4}, pages = {9-15}, year = {2016}, publisher = {- The Iranian Society of Pharmacognosy - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2345-4458}, eissn = {2345-5977}, doi = {}, abstract = {Background and objectives:Scrophularia variegata M. Beib. (Scrophulariaceae) is a medicinal plant, used for various inflammatory diseases in Iranian Traditional Medicine. In the present study, we evaluated the immune modulation and antioxidant effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of S.  variegata. Methods: The splenocytes were harvested from the spleen of Balb/c mice and were cultured. The splenocyte proliferation, NK cell activity, cytokines production and antioxidant effects were evaluated by MTT assay, enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and DPPH assay, respectively. Results: The S. variegata extract significantly increased splenocyte proliferation. The results indicated that the extract increased NK cell cytotoxicity of Yac-1 tumor cells and at the concentration of 50-200 µg/mL significantly increased IFN-γ and IL-2 cytokines, although the level of IL-4 cytokine was significantly reduced. The antioxidant activity was observed in the extract with IC50 302.34±0.11 μg/mL.Conclusion: The increasing in the splenocyte proliferation, anti-tumor NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion were indicated as potent immunomodulatory effects. These results suggest that S. variegata could be considered in the treatment of immunopathological disorders such as allergy and cancer; however, future studies are necessary.}, keywords = {Cytokines,immune modulation,NK cell,Scrophularia variegata,splenocyte}, url = {https://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_33326.html}, eprint = {https://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_33326_e540f1ff303c6d751b00f718124ef987.pdf} } @article { author = {Nikbakht, M. and Gholami, A. and Morowvat, M.H. and Ghasemi, Y. and Mohagheghzadeh, A.}, title = {Analysis of volatiles and 18S rRNA gene of Haplophyllum canaliculatum in in vitro cultures}, journal = {Research Journal of Pharmacognosy}, volume = {3}, number = {4}, pages = {17-25}, year = {2016}, publisher = {- The Iranian Society of Pharmacognosy - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2345-4458}, eissn = {2345-5977}, doi = {}, abstract = {Background and objectives:  Haplophyllum canaliculatum isan endemicand endangeredIranian plant from Rutaceae family. The object of this work was to study the volatile production in established shoot and callus cultures of Haplophyllum canaliculatum as well as isolation, identification and sequencing of 18S rRNA gene from callus culture. Methods: Shoot and callus cultures of H. canaliculatum were established from seedlings and shoot cultures, respectively. Both cultures were transferred to MS medium supplemented with α-naphthalene acetic acid (α-NAA), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and kinetin (Kn). Volatiles from fresh callus and shoot cultures were extracted and analyzed by GC/MS. For 18S rRNA gene study, DNA content was extracted using PCR procedure. The study of sequence similarities was performed using NCBI database and GeneDoc software. Results: GC/MS analysis of H. canaliculatum showed that shoot cultures mainly contained piperitone (10.92%), and β-caryophyllene (12.67%) in addition to three alkaloids, while calli cultures of H. canaliculatum mainly contained methylated salicylate (31.55%), alkane structures like tetradecane (24.31%) and hexadecane (12.95%). Gene analysis showed 98% homology with certain species of Rutaceae, Meliaceae, Simaroubaceae, Burseraceae and Cneoraceae. Conclusions: Our results showed that the hydrocarbon in addition to methyl salicylate biosynthetic pathway in calli cultures and terpene as well as alkaloid biosynthetic pathway were active in H. canaliculatum shoot cultures. Moreover, the obtained sequences could be used as a “DNA barcoding” tool through the concept of one sequence one species for the practical identification of this species.}, keywords = {GC/MS,Haplophyllum canaliculatum,in vitro culture,18S rRNA gene,volatiles}, url = {https://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_33332.html}, eprint = {https://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_33332_8f78a656fa8fa55cfba756769f5699dc.pdf} } @article { author = {Hamedi, A. and Jamshidzadeh, A. and Ahmadi, S. and Sohrabpour, M. and Zarshenas, M.M.}, title = {Salvia macrosiphon seeds and seed oil: pharmacognostic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties}, journal = {Research Journal of Pharmacognosy}, volume = {3}, number = {4}, pages = {27-37}, year = {2016}, publisher = {- The Iranian Society of Pharmacognosy - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2345-4458}, eissn = {2345-5977}, doi = {}, abstract = {Background and objectives:Wild Sage(Salvia macrosiphon Boiss.) known as “Marvak” in Persian is one of the polymorphic and abundant plants of Lamiaceae. The plants whole seeds usually soaked or boiled in hot water are widely used for inflammatory ailments in folk medicine. Documents have shown that there is scant information on the chemical constituents of this plant seeds. The current study was carried out to assess the phytochemical constituents of Salvia macrosiphon seeds as well as anti-inflammatory activities. Methods: The seed oil extracted via a Soxhlet extractor was subjected to pharmacognostic assays using High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC), Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of fatty acids and sterols as well as evaluation of the possible anti-inflammatory activities in rats. Results: Total ash, acid insoluble and water soluble ash values were determined as 51.67±7.53, 10.00±0.02 and 30.01±5.01 mg/g, respectively. HPTLC assessment revealed the presence of different steroids, triterpenes and fatty acids. Amount of sterols in oil was found 2.44, 24.92 and 4.60 mg/g for esterified β-sitosterol, free β-sitosterol and free stigmasterol, respectively. The α-linolenic acid (77.69±6.10%) was the principal fatty acid. Regarding the anti-inflammatory activity, the seed oil showed low activity in the early phase of formalin test; however, could not significantly inhibit the neutrophil-induced damage by reducing MPO activity in the paws of the rat. Conclusion: The seed oil did not exhibit satisfactory effects on acute inflammation in this study but considering the rich phytosterols content, the seed and its oil can be introduced as useful dietary supplements.}, keywords = {α-linolenic acid,pharmacognostic,Salvia macrosiphon,seed oil,β-sitosterol}, url = {https://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_33342.html}, eprint = {https://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_33342_9c8ee5e7086c4713d50c9f3c8efea503.pdf} } @article { author = {Bahaeddin, Z. and Yans, A. and Khodagholi, F. and Sahranavard, S.}, title = {Neuroprotection and anxiety like behavior reduction of Allium hirtifolium and Astragalus hamosus in the Aβ-injected rat}, journal = {Research Journal of Pharmacognosy}, volume = {3}, number = {4}, pages = {39-49}, year = {2016}, publisher = {- The Iranian Society of Pharmacognosy - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2345-4458}, eissn = {2345-5977}, doi = {}, abstract = {Background and objectives:Traditional medicine is an important approach to achieve new therapeutic strategies in basic and clinical pharmacology. Allium hirtifolium Boiss. and Astragalus hamosus L. have been mentioned in Iranian Traditional Medicine references for a kind of dementia with features and symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, the neuroprotective effect of these herbs has been evaluated as new therapies in neurotoxicity model. Methods: Two separate groups of rats were fed with A. hirtifolium or A. hamosus extract (100 mg/kg/day) from 1 week before amyloid beta (Aβ) injection, for 16 consecutive days. One day after the last oral administration, behavioral test was done. The effect of these two extracts were assessed in anxiety-like behavior test using elevated plus maze. Furthermore, molecular pathways involved in apoptosis were assessed by Western blotting analysis. Results: The results showed that oral administration of both A. hirtifolium and A. hamosus decreased anxiety-like behavior and ameliorated the effect on apoptosis factors including Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 in the rats with intra-hippocampal injection of Aβ. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed the potential neuroprotective properties of A. hirtifolium and A. hamosus as herbal remedies that could play a role in fostering healthy aging and be considered as useful candidates in decreasing AD related symptoms.}, keywords = {Allium hirtifolium‎‎,Alzheimer's disease,Anxiety,Apoptosis,Astragalus hamosus}, url = {https://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_33354.html}, eprint = {https://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_33354_213b2677a3cbed74b0bed830b8054dc4.pdf} } @article { author = {Mehdizadeh, T. and Hashemzadeh, M.S. and Nazarizadeh, A. and Neyriz-Naghadehi, M. and Tat, M. and Ghalavand, M. and Dorostkar, R.}, title = {Chemical composition and antibacterial properties of Ocimum basilicum, Salvia officinalis and Trachyspermum ammi essential oils alone and in combination with nisin}, journal = {Research Journal of Pharmacognosy}, volume = {3}, number = {4}, pages = {51-58}, year = {2016}, publisher = {- The Iranian Society of Pharmacognosy - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2345-4458}, eissn = {2345-5977}, doi = {}, abstract = {Background and objectives:Plant essential oils are sometimes considered for use as antimicrobial agents in foods and medicines and they could be combined with other antimicrobial agents to strengthen the effect and/or reduce the required dose. This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition of the Ocimum basilicum, Salvia officinalis and Trachyspermum ammi essential oils and evaluate their antibacterial efficiency, alone and in combination with nisin, against Escherichia coli O 157 and Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: The chemical composition of three essential oils (Ocimum basilicum, Salvia officinalis and Trachyspermum ammi) were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Further, their antibacterial properties and the synergistic effect of the combination of three essential oils and nisin were also assessed against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial activity was determined by evaluation of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) by broth dilution method in 96-well microplates. The synergistic effects were tested by the checkerboard method and the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index was calculated. Results: The major components of O. basilicum, S. officinalis and T. ammi were linalool (35.99%), 1,8-cineole (22.91%) and p-Cymene (35.5%), respectively. In general, all of the essential oils as well as nisin exerted more considerable antibacterial effects against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative one. The essential oil of T. ammi showed the highest activity against S. aureus with MIC (≤0.078 mg/mL) and MBC (≤0.156 mg/mL). The combined application showed synergistic activity against E. coli but no change in activity was observed against S. aureus. The most synergistic effect was observed for the combination of nisin and S. officinalis (FIC 0.03). Conclusion: It can be concluded that nisin could enhance the antibacterial potential of the essential oils. }, keywords = {Antibacterial Activity,Nisin,Ocimum basilicum,Salvia Officinalis,Synergy,Trachyspermum ammi}, url = {https://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_33358.html}, eprint = {https://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_33358_5ae667a5e2731161fbf005836e0d6962.pdf} } @article { author = {Mojarrab, M. and Emami, S.A. and Gheibi, Sh. and Taleb, A.M. and Heshmati Afshar, F.}, title = {Evaluation of anti-malarial activity of Artemisia turcomanica and A. kopetdaghensis by cell-free β-hematin formation assay}, journal = {Research Journal of Pharmacognosy}, volume = {3}, number = {4}, pages = {59-65}, year = {2016}, publisher = {- The Iranian Society of Pharmacognosy - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2345-4458}, eissn = {2345-5977}, doi = {}, abstract = {Background and objectives:The plants of genus Artemisia (Asteraceae) have been conventionally used for prevention and medication of a number of ailments. In the present research, ten extracts with different polarities from aerial parts of two Artemisia species, A. kopetdaghensis and A. turcomanica were evaluated for their potential anti-malarial properties. Methods: The plant materials were extracted successively with petroleum ether (PE), dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAC), ethanol, and ethanol-water (1:1 v/v)  by cold maceration method. Cell free β-hematin formation assay were used for assessing anti-malarial activity of obtained extracts. Results: DCM extract of A. kopetdaghensis and PE extract of A. turcomanica showed remarkable anti-malarial activity with IC50 values of 1.04±0.02 mg/mL and 0.90±0.27 mg/mL, respectively, compared to positive control (chloroquine, IC50 0.04±0.01 mg/mL). Conclusion:  It seems that the anti-malarial activity of these extracts might be bound up with the presence of compounds with low or medium polarity; hence, this preliminary test indicated that these potent extracts could be considered for further investigations to find new sources of anti-malarial phytochemicals.     }, keywords = {anti-malaria,Artemisia kopetdaghensis,Artemisia turcomanica,cell-free β-hemation formation assay}, url = {https://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_33359.html}, eprint = {https://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_33359_d8974ea8e6e767f9b0a4728f10d5c13b.pdf} } @article { author = {Badr, P. and Daneshamouz, S. and Mohammadi, A.A. and Akbarizadeh, A.R. and Afsharypuor, S.}, title = {The effect of 60Co-gamma radio-sterilization on Boswellia carterii essential oil composition}, journal = {Research Journal of Pharmacognosy}, volume = {3}, number = {4}, pages = {67-74}, year = {2016}, publisher = {- The Iranian Society of Pharmacognosy - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2345-4458}, eissn = {2345-5977}, doi = {}, abstract = {Background and objectives:Gamma-irradiation is used vastly for both decontamination and sterilization of natural products; but these high-energy rays can affect heat-sensitive essential oils. Methods: The oleo-gum-resin of Boswellia carterii (Burseraceae) was sterilized by γ-irradiation at dose 30 KGy. The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of non-irradiated Boswellia (NIB) and irradiated Boswellia (IB) were analyzed by GC/MS and the changes were compared. The structure of octyl acetate as the major component and marker of B. carterii was confirmed by MS/MS. Results: Twenty-five compounds comprising 99.55% of NIB oil and nineteen compounds comprising 98.61% of IB oil were identified. Major constituents which were common for both oils were octyl acetate (52.67 % in NIB, 76.51 % in IB), 1-octanol (6.37 % in NIB, 5.19 % in IB), duva-4, 8, 13-triene-1,3α diol (5.52 % in NIB, 3.94 % in IB), verticiol (13.63 % in NIB) and verticillane type diterpene (5.4 % in IB) they made up 78.19% and 91.04% of NIB and IB, respectively. Conclusion: Gamma irradiation was an efficient method for sterilization of Boswellia carterii oleo-gum resin, but it resulted in change in the essential oil composition particularly octyl acetate changed from 52.67% to 76.51%.}, keywords = {Boswellia carterii,Burseraceae,Essential oil,gamma sterilization,octyl acetate}, url = {https://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_33360.html}, eprint = {https://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_33360_26162efd3daffc0c0418698d55c6d4ee.pdf} }