Subject of this study was the evaluation of effect of the total methanolic extract of Phytolacca decandra L. on isolated male rat heart and specialy effect of this extract on electrophysiological properties of AV node. Male rat heart after isolation was infused with Tyrode solution (Longendorfe method) and with electrophysical methods, all heart electrical parameters for example record from atrium and ventricle, measurment of myocardial contraction force and conduction rate in AV node were done. Various protocols for measurment of AV node recovery kinetic, AV conduction time ERP and wenckebach cycle length in presence and absence of extract were done for studing effects of the extract and finding the mechanism of them. The result of this study show that the methanolic of Phytolacca decandra L. in a dose dependent model via effect on basic and functional parameters has depressed these parameters and this plant can be useful in supraventricular arrhytmias.

Background: Taxus species are important due to their content of Taxol, baccatin III, 10- deacetyl baccatin and other taxoids suitable to change to active pharmaceutical ingredients, which are used as anti-neoplastic agents. Investigations on taxoids carried out during the past four decades, resulted in identification of more than 350 taxoids. Objective: This study aimed to isolate and identify taxoids of Taxus baccata endogenous to the north of Iran. Method: Removing of fats, extraction of components with an organic solvent and then separation and purification of components with silica gel based column chromatography was done. Identification was carried out using NMR spectra of components. Results: Taxezopidine-G was separated and identified. Conclusion: Taxezopidine-G in Taxus baccata was isolated which had not been repoted in this spcies, previously.

Background: The name “badrashbu” has been applied to some species of Dracocephalum (Labiatae) in Iran. Dracocephalum kotschyi is an indigenous herbaceous plant, used in folk medicine as a flavor in Iran. D. subcapitatum grows in both Iran and Turkmenistan. D. arguense is another species of Badrashbu found in Japan. Objective: In this study we aimed to examine the phylogenetic relationship between some Dracocephalum species. Method: Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis (RAPD), a molecular biological method, and analysis of volatile extracts (GC) were used. Results: Genetic distances were calculated to construct phylogenetic dendrograms of closely related samples. Based on the results the genetic distance between two samples of D. kotschyi was fonud to be short and their RAPD banding patterns were quite similar, also there was a close relationship between two samples of D. arguense. Gas chromatography analysis supported the taxonomic classification. Iranian samples of D. subcapitatum and D. kotschyi contained of limonene- 10- al which could not be detected in Japanese samples of D. arguense. Conclusion: D. subcapitatum show very close relationship to D. kotschyi rather than D. arguense in both phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic aspects.

Background: Foeniculum vulgare Miller. is a traditional herbal medicine used widely in world. This paper focuses on the analysis of the chemical composition of essential oil from the whole plant and calli of Foeniculum vulgare Miller.. Method: Growing the calli of Foeniculum vulgare Miller. and production its secondary metabolites studied and compared with those in the whole plant. Seeds were immersed in water for 5 min, surface-sterilized in 70% aqueous ethanol for 2 min and rinsed three laid on autoclaved agar (0.8%) and after 10 days the upper parts of the resultant seedlings were transferred to autoclaved MS (Murashige and Skoog) basal medium which were containing 2,4- D (1 mg/l), IAA (1 mg/l) and K (0.2 mg/l) as plant grow regulators. The callus were produced and subcultvred every 20-22 days. Results: Callus volatile constituents were consisted of monoterpene hydrocarbons (14.13%) and oxygenated monoterpenes (34.83%) the typical components were (E, E) 2,4 – Decadienal (22.64%) and 1,8 cineole (17.35%). In the whole plant 37 major compounds were detected in the oild totally 91.37 to 96.93% of the essences were consisted of these compoundes. E Anethole, Estragole and D-(+)- Fenchone were the most frequent compounds.

Background: Tajetes minuta L. is a native plant of southern America. This plant was distributed from the native region to the other parts of the world. T. minuta L. is being used for its insect’s repellency effect and as a food additive by native people especially in southern America and eastern Africa. There are some reports on this plant but not about its larvicide effect. Materials and methods: In the present study hexane extract of the plant was prepared using maceration method. Solvent was evaporated in vacu. The hexane extract was analyzed by GC/MS. Also larvicidal effect of this extract was evaluated against Anopheles stephensi larvae’s. Results: The yield of volatile oil using hexane as extraction solvent was 2.6%. Sixteen compounds comprising 93.4% of total extract were identified. The main component was cis –-Ocimene (46.39%). The effectiveness of different concentrations of this extract was evaluated against 4th instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi. Results showed that LC50 and LC90 values of volatile oil of T. minuta L. are 3.16 and 11.92 mg/l respectively. Conclusion: Recovery of hexane extract is higher than steam distillation related to total oil and major component (cis –-Ocimene) concentration. LC50 and LC90 of hexane extract against larvae were higher than oil prepared with steam distillation method.

Plants as bioreactors are able to produce substances including proteins. In order to produce a protein, the corresponding gen is introduced into plant cells by two systems: stable genetic transformation and the use of viral vectors. Tobacco, alfalfa and hevea have been used for this purpose. Peptides such as leu-enkephalin, blood proteins such as albumin, hormones and cytokines such as interferons, immunogens such as Hepatitis B surface antigen, antibodies such as secretary IgA and enzymes such as glucanase, xylanase, phytase and amylase have been produced by this method.

Background: Achillea millefolium L. is a traditional herbal medicine used widely as a spasmolytic, anti- cancer, anti – inflammatory and carminative. This paper focuses on the analysis of the chemical composition of essential oil from the upper parts of plant and calli of Achillea millefolium L. Methods: Growing the calli of Achillea millefolium L. and production its secondary metabolites studied and compared with those in the whole plant. Achillea seeds were first surface sterilized by shaking in 3% (W/V) aqueous hydrogen peroxide, then by shaking in 5% Na hypochlorite and 80% aqueous - ethanol solution, then under aseptic condition, strile petrydishes containing autoclaved agar (0.8%) and kept in the dark at a temprature of 25-27 oC. Seedlings were developed in two weeks. Then they were transferred to strile Murashing and Skoog (MS) culture media which were containing 2,4-D (3mg/l), IAA (5mg/l) and K (0.2mg/l) as plant grow regulators. The amorph masses (calli) were produced and subcultured every 40-45 days. Results: The result obtained from GC/MS of essential oil of plant indicated that the major compounds of the essential oil are alpha – Pinene, beta – Pinene and Caryophyllene oxide. Conclusion: In contrast, calli lacked essential oil, this was indicated upon GC of its dichlorometanic extract. However phytochemical tests indicated that some tannins were produced by calli.

Background: Convenient and effective contraceptive methods have been the subject of extensive and versatile research project, during the past 50 years. In this respect, the use of active herbal constituents is one of the topics of research and investigation. Objective: In this study the antifertility activity of seed oil extract of Iranian species of Melia azadarach L. in northern district of country, on male rats, during 2 consecutive steps have been evaluated. Method: The seed oil extract have been prepared according to conventional methods, and were administered orally in 50 and 100 mg/kg daily doses for 60 days. In the first step, the inhibition of fertility indices were assessed with the help of, sperm viability, sperm motility, ESR (Epididymal sperm reserves), DSP (Daily sperm production), GSI (Gonado stomatic index), fertility indices, and serum testosterone content. In the subsequent stage, 3 months after the 60th day of compounds administration, the reversibility of the a formentioned indices are determined again. Result: In the first step, a significant reduction in fertility indices to control especially in higher dose were observed. During the next stage, the significant increase in fertility indices are the indication of reasonable recovery and reversibility of extract activity. Conclusion: In summery, the result of this study of this study showed that its activity is reversible.

Background: The genus Stachys (Lamiaceae) is distributed in mild regions of the Mediterranean and south-west Asia. About 270 Stachys species are reported 34 of them are found in Iran of which 13 are endemic. Several Stachys species are used in Iranian folk medicine as medicinal plants. There is no report on Stachys athorecalyx essential oil analysis previousely. Objective: Investigation on essential oil constituents of Stachys athorecalyx collected from Arasbaran protected area Method: in this study, Stachys athorecalyx has been collected from the Arasbaran protected areas shade dried and the essential oil extracted by means of steam distillation and analyzed with GC/MS. Results: Thirty six compounds representing 98.1% of total oil were identified in the oil of Stachys athorecalyx. Spathulenol (22.1%) was the major compounds. Oxygenated compounds were predominant (71.2%). Eighteen monoterpenes (47.9%), thirteen sesquiterpenes (42.9%) and two aromatic compounds (1.6%) were founded. Conclusion: according to our investigation’s results and considering previousely reports on other Stachys species’ essential oil compounds, there is good similarity between essential oil compounds of this species and other reported species in this genus.

Background: Passiflora has several species that two of them named P. incarnata and P. caerulea are cultivated in Iran. Many investigations have been carried out on therapeutic effects of the genus but only P. incarnata is approved for use in pharmaceutical dosage forms for anxiety and insomnia. Objective: The purpose of this study is differential determination of P. incarnata and P. caerulea in medicinal plants and related herbal drugs. Method: In this investigation, microscopic properties, total ash, acid-insoluble ash and total flavonoids calculated as hyperoside of P. incarnata and P. caerulea were determined. In addition, TLC chromatogram regarding flavonoids and HPLC chromatograms of P. incarnata and P. caerulea ethanol extract, Passipay tablet and drop (Iran Darouk Co.), Passiflora drop and dry extract (Vogel Co.) and Passiflora drop (Curarina Co.) were also compared. Results: No significant difference between total ash, acid-insoluble ash and total flavonoids in two species were found. But they were very different in microscopic properties. TLC and HPLC chromatograms are very different as well. Conclusion: The aerial parts of the two plant species can be well distinguished by microscopic method. The plant extract either itself or in pharmaceutical dosage forms, can be determined by HPLC or TLC methods. Since sample preparation is very simple and doesn’t require complex procedures, the above-mentioned methods seem to be efficient.

Background: One of the important effects of medicinal plants is cytotoxic effect using to treat different tumors and neoplasms. A number of Caesalpinia species have previously been investigated for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory & analgesic, antitumor, lowering blood pressure, immunosuppressant and antioxidant effects. Objective: Cytotoxicity evaluation of Caesalpinia gilliesii (Hook.) D.Dietr. and Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb. Method: The plants were collected from Sistan & Baluchestan region and then were identified. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay was carried out to investigate the cytotoxicity of total extracts of plants. Extracts giving LC50 values lower than 30μg/ml were considered to be cytotoxic. Chloroform fractions of methanol extract of cytotoxic plants were also subjected to brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Results: The extracts of C. gilliesii showed moderate cytotoxicity against brine shrimp (LC50 between 30 and 50μg/ml). Different parts of C. bonduc showed different cytotoxicity and the legume of this species had potent cytotoxic effect. Chloroform fraction of legume of C. bonduc showed lower cytotoxicity than methanol extract of it. Conclusion: Legume of C. bonduc showed potent cytotoxic effect and it could be potential sources for novel anticancer compounds. This study provides useful data for the elaborated cytotoxic bioassays with cancer cell lines.

Conclusions: Some of Iranian medicinal plants (Salvia sclerae, Marrubium vulgare and Rubus hyrcanus) could be the promising source of active components against the epimastigotes of T. cruzi and need to further phytochemical and pharmacological studies.

Background: There is moment more than 1 billion people who are suffer with malaria disease and each year it causes up to 2 million deaths therefore it is shown that malaria is the worldُs worst health problem. The value of insecticides in malaria control is much reduced. Tagetes minuta L. is effective deterrents of numerous insect pests. Tagetes minuta L. is an annual plant, grows to the temperate grasslands and mountainous regions of southern South America, including of Argentina, Brazil and Peru. Tagetes minuta L. have a long history of human use as beverage, condiment and ornamentals as medicinal decoctions. Essential oil of T. minuta is used in perfume, food and cosmetic industries as "Tagetes Oil". Objective: Chemical composition and antilarval effects of the essential oil of Tagetes minuta L. cultivated in Iran was investigated. Method: In this study component of the essential oil of dried and fresh Tagetes minuta L. were investigated by GC and GC/MS and larvicidal effect of these essential oil were evaluated against Anopheles stephensi larvae٫s. Results: The yield of volatile oil of dried plant was 1% and for fresh plant was 1/1%. Major constituents of the essential oil of dried plant were contained: trans-Ocimenone (19.89%), Cis-Ocimene (17.67%), dihydrotagetone (5.56%), Cis-Tagetone (5.03%), and for fresh plant contains: Cis-Ocimene (33.7%), Cis-Ocimenone (9.6%), transOcimenone (8.12%), limonene (5.5%), allocimene (5.4) and Cis-tagetone (4.95%). The effectiveness of various concentrations of total essential oil on malaria vector larvae, Anopheles stephensi were investigated and probit mortality all the parameters including LC50 and 95% of confidence interval, LC90 and 95% confidence interval were determined. They were: LC50: 1.3015mg/l, LC90: 5.0719 mg/l respectively for dried plant, the figures for fresh were: LC50: 1.0532 mg/l, LC90: 3.8311 mg/l. Conclusion: In this research, we studied on essential oil of T. minuta to find some natural product with less side effect on ecosystem and maximum efficacy. Result of our study showed that the essential oil of Tagetes minuta L. which was grown in Iran-Tehran (Zard - Band) had a great amount of biological effect on the larvae of Anopheles stephensi. Therefore, the essential oil of this plant offer a valuable candidate for potential development of a botanical larvicide for malaria vectors control.

Background: Achillea millefolium has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. It has many indications including treatment of heart weakness, hypertension cerebral and coronary thrombosis in traditional system of medicine. Objective: The purpose of this study is an investigation on effects of Achillea millefolium total extract on electrocardiogram, cardiac enzymes and serum electrolytes in sheep. Method: In this study, 12 clinically healthy sheep were divided into 2 groups of treatment and control. The treatment group were administered intravenously a total extract of Achillea millefolium in the dose of 20 mg/kg. The control group received normal saline. Base-apex electrocardiogram was recorded in 0, 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after administration and blood samples were collected in 0, 2, 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours after administration. Serum cTnT, CK-MB, AST, Na, P, K, Ca, Mg and Cl were measured. Results: Total extract of Achillea millefolium significantly (p<0.05) increased P amplitude after 5 and 90 minutes and S amplitude after 120 minutes and decreased T duration after 15 minutes following administration. Achillea millefolium had no significant effect on serum enzymes and electrolytes. Conclusion: Regarding that Achillea millefolium extract increased cardiac contractility after 2 hours, detailed studies on the active constituents are needed which might provide new insight in cardiovascular drugs.

Background: The English common name of Aqularia sinensis (Lour.) Gilg. IV. (Thymelaeaceae) is Incense Tree, which is known as Oud in Persian. Aquilaria species produce a resin-deposited part of the trunk. The species was once widely planted in Hong Kong as the raw material of incense exported to China, Southeast Asia and places as far away as Arabia. Objective: Investigation of the chemical constituents of the injured or uninjured wood of the plant can offers valuable information in order to know the bioorganic process of resin formation. Methods: Methanolic extracts of the uninjured wood of plant was used in order to isolation of sterols components. Separation and purification of the compounds was carried on silica gel column chromatography and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Structural elucidation of the constituents was based on the data obtained from H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMBC, HMQC, DEPT and H-H COSY. Results: Four sterols, stigmast-4-ene-3-one, stigmast-4-ene-3,6-dione, β-daucosterol and β-sitosterol were identified based on spectral data which have never been reported from this plant until now. Conclusion: Methanol extract of Aqularia sinensis consists of sterols, of which stigmast-4-ene-3-one, stigmast-4-ene-3, 6-dione, β-daucosterol and β-sitosterol (with Stigmastan skeleton) are the main compounds and is reported for the first time.

Background: The gram-negative bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), identified in 1982, is now recognized as the primary etiological factor associated with the development of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. The growing problem of antibiotic resistance by the organism demands the search for novel compounds from plant based sources. Objective: The present study is aimed at evaluating the anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of 10 Iranian plant extracts on clinical isolates of H. pylori. Methods: Gastric biopsy samples were obtained from patients presenting with gastroduodenal complications. H. pylori was isolated from the specimens following standard microbiology procedures. The disk diffusion method was used to determine the susceptibility of 12 isolates to methanol plant extracts (Fruit and leaves of Melia azedarach, Melia indica and aerial parts of Stachys setifera, Stachys turcomanica, Stachys trinervis, Stachys subaphylla, Stachys byzanthina, Stachys persica, Stachys inflata, Stachys laxa). Results: The plants tested at 8 mg/disc concentration demonstrated anti-Helicobacter pylori activity with zone diameters of inhibition ranging from 12-38 mm. Of these, Stachys setifera (aerial parts), Melia indica (Fruit) and Melia azedarach (leaves) showed the most potent anti -H. pylori activity on the isolates. Conclusion: Due to the rise in antibiotic resistance, new sources of anti-H. pylori drugs are needed. The use of medicinal plants may have potential benefit in eradicating such problems. According to the results of this study, further studies will be necessary to investigate the effects of other plants of Iran against H. pylori infection.

Background: The discovery of paclitaxel (Taxol®) as a potent anticancer drug from Taxus brevifolia has encouraged several groups all over the world to conduct research work on other Taxus species, in order to isolate potentially more effective paclitaxel derivatives for the treatment of various cancers or as starting materials for semi-synthesis As a consequence, more than 400 taxane-type diterpenes have been isolated from various Taxus plants, and some of them were found to possess interesting anticancer activity. Objective: This study was conducted for isolation, purification and identification of taxoids occurring in the aerial parts of Taxus baccata L. from Iran. Methods: The aerial parts of the plant were extracted with organic solvent and after defatting, partitioning, column chromatography and thin layer chromatography steps, the isolated compound was identified on the basis of NMR spectrum data. Results: Taxuspinanane G was isolated and identified according to the NMR spectrum data. Conclusion: In this study, taxuspinanane G was isolated for the first time from the aerial parts of Taxus baccata L. This is the first report of the isolation of this compound from the given species.

Background: In this report, we evaluated the cytotoxic activity of the hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous methanol extracts of the aerial parts of some species belongs to Lamiaceae, Boraginaceae, Asteraceae and Rosaceae families. Methods: In order to examine the cytotoxicity of the plant extracts, Brine Shrimp Cytotoxicity Assay was used against Artemia salina larva. Results: Results showed that Scutellaria tornefortii indicated cytotoxic activity against the larva of Artemia salina. The minimum lethal concentration of its aqueous methanol extract, as the most effective extract, was 6 µg/ml compared to berberine hydrochloride as the positive control (LC50 = 26 µg/ml). EtOAc extract of Rubus hyrcanus was also a potent cytotoxic extract (LC50 = 28 µg/ml). In addition to those mentioned plants, Echium amoenum, Onosma bulbotrichum, Stachys byzanthina and Rubus discolor could be the potential sources of cytotoxic components. Conclusion: Some of the medicinal plants, growing widely in north part of Iran, are effective against the larvae of A. salina, so they could be a promising source of anti-cancer and anti-tumor compounds.