Clonidine-base detoxification has been utilized as the main protocol for several years However, detoxification with clondine has its limitation, including lack of efficacy for mental symptoms. Accumulating evidence shows the efficacy of Passifloru incurnata extract in management of anxiety. In our continuing study of traditional medicines, which have neurotropic effects, the use of this plant reported an anxiolytic effect, which can be evaluated as an adjuvant agent in the detoxification of opiates by clonidine. We presented the results from a double-blind randomized controlled trial of clonidine plus passiflora extracts vs., clonidine plus placebo drop in the outpatient detoxification of 65 opiates addicts. A total of 65 opiates addicts were randomly assigned to treatment with passiflora extract plus clonidine tablet or clonidine tablet plus placebo drop during a 14 days, double-blind clinical trial. All patients met the DSM-IV criteria for opioid dependence. The fixed daily dose was 60 drops for passiflora extract and the maximum daily dose for clonidine was 0.8 mg. This trial medication was given three times per day in divided doses. The severity of the opiate withdrawal syndrom was measured in days 0.1.2.3.4.7 and 14 using SOWS (Short Opiate Withdrawal Scale). Both protocols were equally effective in treating the physical symptoms of withdrawal syndrom. However, passionflower plus clonidine group showed a significant superiority over the clonidine alone in the management of mental symptoms. These results suggested that passiflora extract may be an effective adjuvant agent in the management of opiate withdrawal. However, a larger study to confirm our results is warranted.

Artemisinin is an antimalarial compound that is naturally found in A. annua L. (Asteraceae) The leaves of A. annua L. growing wild in the north of Iran are collected and extracted for measuring artemisinin by HPLC. The most amount of artemisinin(0.097%) was found in the sample collected from Macaroud and the lowest amount (0.024%) belonged to the sample grown in Doab.

Volatile oil and fatty acid compositions of Nigella sativa L. ( Ranunculaceae ) seeds grown in Iran determined by GC and GC/MS. Eight fatty acids (99.5%) and thirty- two compounds (86.7%) have been identified in the fixed and volatile oils, respectively. The main fatty acids of the fixed oil were linoleic acid (55.6%), oleic acid (23.4%), and palmitic acid (12.5%). The major compounds of the volatile oil were trans-anethole (38.3%), p-cymene (14.8%), limonene (4.3%), and carvone (4.0%).

Many reports have shown the various effects of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) seed extract for example antioxidant, protecting RBC against UV, also hypotensive, hypolipidemic and vasodilatory effects. We have recently shown the relaxatory effect of grape leaf extract on rat ileum and uterus and frog isolated heart rate and contractility. The aim of present study was to investigate the relaxant effect of Vitis vinifera leaf hydroalcoholic extract (VLHE) on isolated rat thoracic aorta contractions induced by phenylephrine and KCl, and the role of aorta endothelium on this action. Rat aorta was removed and placed in an organ bath containing Krebs-Henseleit solution and aorta contractions were recorded isometrically. The results demonstrate that the VLHE at 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/ml reduces the endothelial intact aorta contracted by phenylephrine (1 μM) significantly and dose-dependently. Endothelial denuded aorta showed the same relaxation but in much less extent. The IC50 of these two groups were 0.454±0.08 and 1.73±0.23 mg/ml respectively. VLHE also reduced the aorta contractions induced by KCl (80mM). The relaxatory effect of VHLE on KCl –induced contractions were less than those evoked by phenylephrine. Soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor (methylene blue, 10 μM) and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME, 100μM) reduced the VHLE-induced relaxation in the intact aorta significantly but, atropine (1μM) was unable to decrease this vasorelaxant effect. These results suggest that the most vasorelaxant effect of VHLE on rat aorta is endothelium-dependent and also nitric oxide (NO) and cGMP are involved in this action.

We studied the anticonvulsant activity of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Hypericum perforatum aerial parts in mice. The pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) tests were used for assessing the anticonvulsive effects of this plant. In the PTZ test, the extracts (0.1-1 g/kg, i.p.) delayed the onset of tonic convulsions and protected mice against mortality. In the MES test, both extracts did not show antiseizure activity. L-NAME (1-10 mg/kg, i.p.), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, reduced the anticonvulsant activity of the extracts. The results of this study indicate that the extracts of H. perforatum aerial parts could contribute to the control of petit mal seizure and this effect may be partially mediated by nitric oxide pathway.

Depression is a serious disorder in today’s society. With estimates of lifetime prevalence as high as 21% of the general population in some developed countries. As a therapeutically plant, saffron it is considered an excellent stomach ailment and an antispasmodic, helps digestion and increases appetite. It is also used for depression in Persian traditional medicine. Our objective was to assess the efficacy of stigmas of Crocus sativus (saffron) in the treatment of mild to moderate depression in a 6-week double-blind, placebo controlled and randomized trial. Forty adult outpatients who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition for major depression based on the structured clinical interview for DSM IV participated in the trial. Patients have a baseline Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score of at least 18. In this double-blind, placebo controlled, single-center trial and randomized trial, patients were randomly assigned to receive capsule of saffron 30 mg/day (BD) (Group 1) and capsule of placebo (BD) (Group 2) for a 6-week study. At 6 weeks, Crocus sativus produced a significantly better outcome on Hamilton Depression Rating scale than placebo (d.f.=1, F= 18.89, p<0.001). There were no significant differences in the two groups in terms of observed side effects. The results of this study indicate the efficacy of Crocus sativus in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. A large- scale trial is justified.

St John’s wort, Hypericum Perforatum L. (Culsiaceae) is an important medicinal plant, which has different bioactive constituents and hypericin (a naphtodianthrone) is one of this compounds. Hypericin has many pharmacological effects such as antidepressant, antiviral and antibacterial, which cause to high production and consumption. It has known that region and genetic (accession) have significant effects on yield and content of active constituents of this plant. Because of existing 5 accessions in gene bank of medicinal plants Institute –ACECR, this study has been conducted in order to determination the best accession and evaluation role of genetic and environment on quantitative yield and hypericin content. This study has been done in research farms of medicinal plants Institute - ACECR along 1999- 2002. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with a split-plot arrangement. The parameters are measured in this study included: dry and wet herbage, content of hypericin, plant height and diameter in flowering stage. Combined analysis of variance indicated that genetic (accession) had significant effect on wet herbage (p<0.05), dry herbage, plant height & diameter (p<0.01) but had not significant effect on hypericin content. Environmental conditions (years) affected on hypericin content (p<0.01). Therefore accession and environment have main roles in production of medicinal parts and hypericin content in this plants, respectively. They could be considered as two key factors for an economically successful cultivation.

Background: Silymarin complex consisted of five flavonolignans (silybin A & B, Isosylibin A & B, silychristin, silydianin and taxifolin) isolated from dried fruiets of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. Silybin is the main component of silymarin complex. Hepatoprotective activeity of silymarin may related to its antioxidant property. Objective: This study was conducted to understand the environmental condition on silymarin methabolism. Methods: Silymarin extraction and flavolignans assay by spectrophotometery, TLC and HPLC was performed on Milk thistle seeds collected from different areas of Iran, Hungarian seeds cultivated in greenhouse and field in karaj. Results: Valasht and Borazjan had the highest levels of silymain content by spectrophotometery method. In TLC method all 5 components were identified. We analyzed the flavolignans contents by HPLC and results showed that Borazjan had the highest level of silymarin. Conclusion: To produce commercially silymarin we need to search for the best genotype.

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 aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a constant dose of aqueous extract of Echium amoenum. Method: Thirty - three patients with obsessive - compulsive disorder who had a score 21 on the Yale - Brown scale were enrolled in the study and were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or 500 mg of aqueous extract of Echium amoenum. Patients were followed for 6 weeks. Efficacy was assessed by the Yale - Brown Obsessive - Compulsive Rating Scale, in week 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6. In the week 4 and 6, drug was superior to placebo. Results: This difference was significant in the sixth week (p = 0.003) and marginally non significant in the fourth week (P =0.053). The extract of Echium amoenum did not cause more adverse effects than placebo during the study. Conclusion: It is concluded the aqueous extract of Echium amoenum can be considered as an effective and safe treatment for obsessive - Compulsive disorder. However further studies at warranted.

Background: A growing body of research has confirmed that saffron stigma extract and its main constituents have anticancer properties. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible cytotoxic and anti-tumor activities of the ethanolic extracts of Crocus sativus stigma and petal using simple brine shrimp and potato disc assays. Method: The MIC of stigma and petal extracts were determined using microplate method. In brine shrimp assay, for each concentration, three wells containing 10 larva were tested. After 24h, the number of dead larva were counted. In potato disc assay, discs were cut of potato with specific diameter and transferred onto 1.5% agar under a laminar air cabinet. 50 μl of a mixture containing suspension of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and the solution of stigma and petal extracts were inoculated on potato discs in plates. The plates were incubated at 25 C for 21 days, and the tumors were counted. Results: The MIC of stigma extract was 10 mg/ml. The Petal extract did not show any anti-bacterial activity in the of concentration range 1-16 mg/ml. The IC50 values of stigma and petal extracts against tumor were 5.3 and 10.8 mg/ml, respectively. The LC50 values of stigma and petal extracts against brine shrimp were 1678.7 and 1356.8 ppm, respectively. Conclusion: This study indicated that the ethanolic extracts of saffron stigma and petal have anti-tumor activity and the stigma extract has more potent anti-tumor efects than the petal extract but with less toxicity.

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.

Conclusion: Alcoholic fenugreek seed extract can serve as a good adjuvant in the present armamentarium of antidiabetic drugs. Further biochemical and pharmacological investigations should be carried out to elucidate in detail the mechanism of action of this plant.

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.

Objective: Garlic has been known as an important medicinal plant for centuries it has been used widely as antibiotic, antidiabetic, antiatherogenic, anticancer and some other therapeutic properties. The anticancer effects of plant is due to inhibitory and cytotoxic effects of different compounds present in garlic. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of garlic on growth of human larynx carcinoma cell line (Hep-2) as case and normal mouse fibroblast cell line (L929) as control. Methods: Both cell lines were treated with 0.5, 1, 4, 8, 10 and 12 mg/ml of aqueous extract in culture medium for intervals of 24, 48 and 72 hours, when cells were studied under light inverted microscope for shape, granulation and anchorage independency. At the same time antiproliferative properties of the extract were determined by MTT colorimetric assay. Results: The data demonstrated inhibitory effects of aqueous extract at concentrations of 8, 1o and 12 mg/ml on both cell lines after 24 hours treatment. Inhibitory effects were stronger after 48 and 72 hours. Cell viability for both cell lines also were significantly reduced by MTT assay at 8, 10, and 12 mg/ml concentration of aqueous extract after all studied intervals. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that the aqueous extract of this type of garlic exert inhibitory effects on growth of Hep-2 and L929 cell lines. Therefore, it seems that when garlic is used for anticancer purposes, other types of garlic or different extracts may be preferred that don’t show cytotoxic actions on normal cells.

Background: The anti-microbial effect of plants has been suggested from old years. New researches in this field confirm such property of applications. Objective: In this study, anti-microbial effects of Nigella sativa seed oil cold extract against two strains of Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated, and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of Nigella sativa L. (NS) was compared with relevant antibiotics. Methods: Detection of MIC in NS oil cold extract was performed using broth dilution method. The original extract was prepared in 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.06% and 0.03% concentrations by serial dilution. S. aureus strains (ATCC 1112 and 2572) were grown in TSB media to 0.5 MC Farland standard concentrations and each 0.01 dilution of microorganism suspension above was transferred to the drug dilution. Tubes were incubated overnight at 35 °C. The sensitivity of the bacteria were defined by Disk Diffusion (kirby-bauer) Method and Antibiogram disks made by Difco Inc . The obtained values were compared with the effects of the extract. Results: MIC for S. aureus ATCC-2572 and S. aureus ATCC-1112 were found 1/16 and 1/10, respectively. It was revealed by performing in vitro sensitivity tests for the two strains that NS oil can affect the bacterial pure form in 0.125% and 0.26% concentrations. Conclusion: It is suggested that the anti-microbial effect of NS oil extract is comparable with antibiotics such as CXM, CEC, MAN, CAZ. We recommend experimental use of Nigella sativa L. to control some of bacterial infections.

Background: Ginkgo is a native plant to China which is recently cultivated in Iran. The extract of the Ginkgo leaves contains flavonoids and ginkgolids and has been used pharmaceutically for a while. Flavonoids of Ginkgo have been shown to have several effects which could increase blood flow of brain and limit the damage associated with ischemia also they inhibit cyclo-oxygenases and lipoxygenases activities and show antioxidant effects. The researchers showed that Ginkgo leaves flavonol glycosides varies during different seasons. Objective: The aim of the present research is study on seasonal variation of flavonoids of Ginkgo biloba leave’s cultivated in Iran by HPLC method. Methods: In this study Ginkgo leaves from 5 years old trees collected in 2005 from North of Iran and evaluated. Plant leaves were dried, milled, and extracted with a suitable solvent. For analysis of flavonoid aglycones in the extract, flavonol glycosides were hydrolyzed in acid medium and identified by HPLC instrument and the peaks of standard material Quercetin, Kaempferol and Isorhamnetin were obtained. Results: According to our findings, flavonoids vary in amount during seasons and upper most amount was found in June Month (5.5%w/w). Conclusion: Results of our study shows a mild variation of flavonoids content in Ginkgo tree leaves during different months, also we found a high concentration of flavonoids in young tree leaves that is very higher than pharmacopeia′s standard (0.5% w/w) and these leaves are suitable for preparing of standardized extracts.

Background: Great interest has recently been focused on the addition of herbs and their derivatives to foods and biological systems, due to their well-known abilities to scavenge free radicals. Objective: For this reason, the antiradical activities of essential oils of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) were studied. Method: The essential oils of these medicinal plants were analyzed by GC/MS and the major chemical components were identified. Also, antiradical activities of these essential oils were evaluated by using DPPH radical. Samples were kept at 120 and 180ºC for 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 hours to evaluate the influence of heating on the essential oils, then compared with controls (essential oils before heat treatment). Results: Results showed that clove oil had the highest antiradical activity and followed by summer savory and thyme oil, respectively. The essential oils showed various behaviors under different treatments of heating. Conclusion: All tested essential oils had radical scavenging activities at room temperature. These essential oils showed various behaviors under different heat treatments which it may be due to their different compositions.