1 2717-204X Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR 74 Medicinal Plants Saffron a Prototype Example for Evidence Based Herbal Medicine Hajiaghaee R b Heidari M c Akhondzadeh S d b Pharmacognosy & Pharmaceutics Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR c Iranian Academic Center for Education, Culture & Research (ACECR) d Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences 1 9 2013 12 47 1 7 21 07 2013 05 10 2013 Evidence-based medicine is now generally perceived to be the dominant operating system in conventional medicine. Evidence-based medicine developed concurrently with the internet and the world wide web. This is no coincidence since evidence-based medicine suggests a personal responsibility for clinicians to keep abreast of research that would be difficult without the information access that the web provides. Over the last two decades, evidence based herbal medicine has been considered as interesting field. One of prototype example of evidence base medicine is saffron. In this paper, we review saffron from evidence point of view.
75 Pharmacognosy & Pharmaceutics A Review on Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Otostegia persica (Burm.f.) Boiss. Asgarpanah J e Mohammadi Motamed S f e Department of Pharmacognosy, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University (IAU) f Department of Pharmacognosy, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University (IAU) 1 9 2013 12 47 8 18 29 07 2013 29 09 2013 Iran has a great wealth of various naturally occurring medicinal plants which have great potential pharmacological activities. Otostegia persica (Burm.f.) Boiss. is one of these plants which is a perennial shrub found in South and Southeast of Iran. The aerial parts of O. persica have been used in Iranian traditional medicine to treat various types of diseases (e.g., inflammatoryand pain-mediated diseases, malaria and diabetes). Research carried out using different in vivo and in vitro assays of biological evaluation support most of these claims. The active pharmacological components of O. persica most studied are flavonoids and terpenoids. This paper presents the traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of this medicinal plant. This is the first article reported in this review form about O. persica which might be helpful for scientists and researchers to find out new in modern health concept. 76 Pharmacology & Toxicology A Review on Pharmacological, Cultivation and Biotechnology Aspects of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) Qavami N g Naghdi Badi H h Labbafi MR i Mehrafarin A j g Cultivation & Development Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR h Cultivation & Development Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR i Cultivation & Development Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR j Cultivation & Development Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR 1 9 2013 12 47 19 37 04 05 2013 09 07 2013 Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) is one of the valuable medicinal plants which used in the treatment of liver disorders. The major active constituents in this plant are flavonolignans, collectively known as silymarin which is a mixture of three isomer silybin, silydianin and silycristin. Its therapeutic properties are due to the presence of silymarin. The seeds contain the highest amount of silymarin, but the other plant parts have less amount of this compound. The silymarin content in fruits depends on milk thistle variety and geographic and climatic condition. In this review, we summarized the accomplished investigations on aspects of medicinal, cultivation, biology and biotechnology of milk thistle. 77 Pharmacology & Toxicology A Comparative Study of Hypolipidemic Activities of the Extracts of Melissa officinalis and Berberis vulgaris in Rats Changizi Ashtiyani S k Zarei A l Taheri S m Rezaei A n Golshan M o Ghafarzadegan R p k Department of Physiology, Arak University of Medical Sciences l Department of Biology, Abadeh Branch, Islamic Azad University m Staff of Research Deputy, Arak University of Medical Sciences n Department of Physiology, Islamic Azad University of Arsanjan o Department of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences p Pharmacognosy & Pharmaceutics Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR 1 9 2013 12 47 38 47 27 04 2013 07 08 2013 Background: Hyperlipidemia is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by an excess of lipids in the bloodstream Objective: Given previous studies on barberry and Melissa officinalis extracts, this study aims at comparing hypolipidemic activities of Melissa officinalis extract and Berberis vulgaris. Methods: For the purpose of this study, 64 Wistar rats were selected and divided into 8 groups (n=8). The control group was administered with ordinary diet the sham group was administered with high-fat diet and intraperitoneally 0.2 ml/dl of the extract solvent (normal saline) and similarly, experimental groups received minimal, moderate and maximum dosages of barberry and Melissa officinalis extracts. The treatment group's was given high-fat diet for 21 days. After this period, blood samples were taken and the gathered data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The amount of cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL were increased in the model group compared to the control group, whereas the same substances were decreased significantly in the group receiving the extract compared to the model group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Hypolipidemic properties of alcohol extracts of Melissa officinalis are more effective than those of Berberis vulgaris. Moreover, it should be noted that it is rather the antioxidant properties of Melissa officinalis and their effects on the increase in thyroid hormones as well as the presence of alkaloid compounds, such as berberine in Berberis vulgaris, that inhibits cholesterol synthesis and enables its excretion. 78 Agriculture & Ethnobotany Phytochemical, Agronomical and Morphological Responses of Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) to Foliar Application of Bio-stimulators (Bioactive Amino Acid Compounds) Rafiee H Mehrafarin A Qaderi A Kalate Jari S Naghdi Badi H Department of Horticulture, Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad University Cultivation & Development Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR Biotechnology Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR Department of Horticulture, Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad University Cultivation & Development Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR 1 9 2013 12 47 48 61 01 06 2013 07 08 2013 Background: Bio-stimulators as biological substances stimulate metabolism and metabolic processes, which can be increase plants yield and secondary metabolites content. Objective: The aim is to introduce bio-stimulators as bioactive amino acid compounds to increase yield and help to sustainable agriculture. Methods: This experiment was conducted at ACECR on the base of randomized complete blocks design with three replications in 2011. The treatments were commercial formulations of Aminolforte, Kadostim, Fosnutren, Humiforte (each of them 0.75 and 1.5 L.ha-1), chemical fertilizer NPK (70 kg.ha-1), and control treatment (no foliar application). Results: The treatments had significant effect on the studied parameters except SPAD value. Humiforte 1.5 L.ha-1 caused increase in plant dry weight to 37.46%, capitula dry weight to 36.92%, leaf area to 34.44%, relative water content to 32.03%, harvest index to 20.40%, capitula number/plant to 40.64%, total carbohydrates of capitula to 18.43%, total flavonoids of leaves to 19.35%, and total flavonoids yield of leaves to 38.63% compared to control. The highest amount of total flavonoids in capitula (0.25%, with increase to 32% compared to control) was related to Aminolforte 1.5 L.ha-1. Kadostim 1.5 L.ha-1 increased plant height to 36.83%, leaves number to 26.65% and total flavonoids yield of capitula to 38.82%, total carbohydrates of leaves to 13.52%. Content of N, P and K increased with foliar application of bioactive amino acid compounds. Conclusion: Humiforte and Kadostim 1.5 L.ha-1 were the best treatments in regard to existence of amino acid compounds and macro-nutrients of N, P and K in their formulations. 79 Pharmacology & Toxicology Protective Effects of Vaccinium arctostaphylos L., Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea Chenault, Elaeagnus angustifolia L. and Launaea acanthodes (Boiss.) O. Kuntze against Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats Fallah Huseini H Kianbakht S Hoormand M Pharmacology & Applied Medicine Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR Pharmacology & Applied Medicine Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR Pharmacology & Applied Medicine Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR 1 9 2013 12 47 62 69 12 06 2013 14 09 2013 Background: Data suggest that V. arctostaphylos, B. thunbergii var. atropurpurea, E. angustifolia and L. acanthodes may prevent gastric ulcers induced by Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Objective: To explore the ulcer-protective potential of these plants in indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Methods: Saline, hydro-alcoholic extract of each plant (100, 400, 800 mg/kg) and omeprazole (30 mg/kg) were gavaged to the groups of animals for 4 consecutive days. Gastric ulcers were induced by the onetime gavage of indomethacin (30 mg/kg, p.o.). On the fifth day, each group was pretreated with physiological saline as control, extract (100, 400 or 800 mg/kg, p.o.) or omeprazole (30 mg/kg, p.o.) 30 min before the indomethacin administration. The animals were killed 6 h after the indomethacin administration. The stomachs were removed, opened along the greater curvature and washed in physiological saline. A person unaware of the type of treatment received by the animals examined the stomachs under a 3-fold magnifier. The areas and lengths of hemorrhagic lesions induced by indomethacin were measured using a dial caliper and the sum of measurements for each animal was referred to as the ulcer index. Results: All extracts reduced the ulcer index significantly compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These plants prevent NSAID-induced gastric ulcers in rats. The efficacy and potency of the gastro-protective effect of L. acanthodes appears to be higher than the other 3 plants. 80 Agriculture & Ethnobotany Effects of Exogenous Salicylic Acid Application on Growth, Metabolic Activities and Essential Oil Composition of Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad Sadeghian F Hadian J Hadavi M Mohamadi A Ghorbanpour M Ghafarzadegan R Department of Horticulture, Islamic Azad University – Karaj Branch Department of Agriculture, Medicinal Plants and Drug Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G. C., Evin Department of Horticulture, Islamic Azad University – Karaj Branch Department of Plant Physiology, College of Sciences, University of Tehran Department of Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arak University Pharmacognosy & Pharmaceutics Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR 1 9 2013 12 47 70 82 18 05 2013 21 07 2013 Background: Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad, with the common Persian name “marzeh khuzestani”, is an endemic medicinal plant, distributed in the southwestern areas of Iran. Salicylic acid (SA) is a signaling molecule and a hormone-like substance that plays an important role in the plant physiological processes. Objective: This study was conducted to determine the influence of foliar SA application (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg.L-1) at two times including vegetative stage (VS) and both vegetative and reproductive stages (VS+RS) on growth parameters, enzymes activity including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), prptein content, essential oil percentage and composition of S. khuzistanica under field conditions. Methods: The essential oils were isolated from aerial flowering parts of the plants by hydro-distillation method and then subjected to GC and GC-MS analyses to determine the oil constituents. Results: Results showed that SA application at 100 and 200 mg.L-1 were the most effective treatments in growth characteristics, but the highest essential oil content and yield was obtained at 400 mg.L-1 SA treatment. In both spraying times, plants treated with 100 and 200 mg.L-1 SA concentration showed more PPO and SOD activity than control plants, respectively. Also, results showed that the 14 compositions were identified in essential oil of plants under all employed treatments. Carvacrol was the major component of oils, which is also showed more variability than that of other components. Conclusion: It was concluded that foliar spray of SA at low concentration once at vegetative and second time at reproductive stage might be employed for enhancing both primary and secondary metabolites production of S. khuzistanica plants. 81 Agriculture & Ethnobotany Changes in Essential Oil Composition and Leaf traits of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Affected by Bio-stimulators / fertilizers Application Rahimi Shokooh A Dehghani-Meshkani MR Mehrafarin A Khalighi-sigaroodi F Naghdi Badi H Department of Horticulture, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch Cultivation & Development Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR Cultivation & Development Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR Pharmacognosy & Pharmaceutics Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR Cultivation & Development Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR 1 9 2013 12 47 83 92 14 07 2013 04 09 2013 Background: Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), a member of the Lamiaceae family, has traditionally been used as a medicinal plant in the treatment of headaches, coughs, diarrhea, constipation, warts, worms, and kidney malfunctions. Objective: To investigate the foliar application effects of bio-stimulators and bio-fertilizers on morphological and phytochemical traits of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Methods: Bio-stimulators in three commercial formulations of aminolforte, kadostim and fosnutren (with concentration of 1.5 L.ha-1) through foliar application, and bio-fertilizers in three commercial formulations of nitroxin, super-nitro plus and barvar II (with concentration of 0.5 L.ha-1) through seed inoculation were considered as two studied factors. Results: The results showed that the interaction effect of bio-stimulators and bio - fertilizers was significant (p<0.01) on all of studied parameters except of chlorophyll content (SPAD value). The highest leaf fresh weight (25.47 g/plant) and leaf dry weight (6.48 g/plant) were obtained under fosnutren and nitroxin treatment, also maximum leaf number (206.33) was recorded in aminolforte and nitroxin treatment. The highest leaf area (1302.2 mm2/plant) was observed in kadostim and nitroxin treatment. Also results showed that the highest content of essential oil (0.43%) was obtained in aminolforte and nitroxin, methyl chavicol (37.13%) in fosnutren and super-nitro plus, geranial (29.05%) and caryophylene (6.66%) in kadostim and nitroxin, and carvacrol (31.60%) in fosnutren and nitroxin treated plants. Conclusion: In general, the best treatment to improve growth and phytochemical traits of Ocimum basilicum were kadostim×nitroxin and fosnutren×nitroxin. 82 Pharmacology & Toxicology Effects of Nigella sativa L. Seed Oil in Type II Diabetic Patients: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo - Controlled Clinical Trial Hosseini MS Mirkarimi SA Amini M Mohtashami R Kianbakht S Fallah Huseini H Religion and Medicine Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences Religion and Medicine Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences Gastroentrology and Liver diseases Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences Religion and Medicine Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences 3- Pharmacology and applied Medicine Department of Medicinal Plant Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR Pharmacology and applied Medicine Department of Medicinal Plant Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR 1 9 2013 12 47 93 99 09 06 2013 02 10 2013 Background: Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seeds are used to treat diabetes mellitus in traditional medicine. Moreover, N. sativa oil has reduced the fasting blood glucose level in non-diabetic volunteers. Objective: The present study was undertaken to explore the possible anti-hyperglycemic effect of N. sativa oil in type II diabetic patients. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted in 70 type II diabetic patients referring to Baqiyatallah Hospital. The subjects were enrolled into two groups of 35 each. One group received 2.5 ml N. sativa oil and the other group received similarly 2.5 ml mineral oil two times a day for three months. The fasting and 2 hour postprandial blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, BMI (body mass index), liver and renal function test were determined at the baseline and after three months. Results: The blood levels of fasting and 2 hours postprandial glucose and HbA1c were significantly decreased in the N. sativa group compared with the placebo group at the end of the study. The BMI of the N. sativa group was decreased significantly from baseline. No side effects were reported. Conclusion: N. sativa oil improves glycemic control in type II diabetic patients without any side effects. 83 Biotechnology Over - expression Effect of Gene Encoding 3-hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-CoA Reductase on Production of Taxol in Iranian Hazel (Corylus avellana L.) Qaderi A Omidi M Zebarjadi AR Hajiaghaee R Department of Plant Breeding, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Tehran University Agronomy and Plant Breeding Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Razi University Pharmacognosy & Pharmaceutics Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR 1 9 2013 12 47 100 110 22 06 2013 10 07 2013 Background: Sustainable and commercial production of taxol as an anti cancer drug is a critical point to its clinical application. Nowadays, hazel because of rapid growth and wide range distribution is considered as an alternative source of Taxol. Objective: To increase taxol production the cDNA encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) from Iranian hazel (GeneBank accession number KF306244, showed by CiHMGR) was isolated and over-expressed in pCAMBIA1304 binary vector. The effect of transient over-expression of HMGR in callus and leaf were evaluated on Taxol production. Methods: The calli was established through the culture of immature cotyledon on Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with 2, 4-D and BA. The first strand cDNA of CiHMGR was synthesized by specific primers. Enzymatic assay of recombinant CiHMGR in E. coli were done by western blott and His-tag affinity techniques. Also production of taxol in transformed callus and leaf were evaluated by HPLC analysis. Results: An Open Reading Frame (ORF) with 1698 bp length and a deduced polypeptide with 566 amino acid residues were amplified. The highest and lowest amount of taxol was 0.016 mg/g.DW and 0.004 mg/gDW in transformed calli and untransformed leaves respectively. Conclusion: Generally the over-expression of HMGR increase the total isoprenoids yield, therefore to have high production of target secondary metabolites (taxol) we need both of network of transformed genes and elicited cell culture.