Background: It has been reported that garlic extract and its components show medicinal effects including immunomodulatory activities. We have isolated the immunomodulatory fraction (R10) previously. Objective: In this study we have proposed to purify the components of R10 using HPLC. Methods: Crude garlic extract purchased from Hamadan, Iran. R10 fraction including 10-50 KD molecules have been isolated using ultrafiltration. Further purification has been made using Vaydac 208Tpv10, a semi-preparative HPLC reversphase choromatography column. Tricine SDS-PAGE has been used to determine molecular weight of the samples. Results: 6 major peakes were obtained from HPLC of R10 at gradient of 0.25 % of buffer B/min through 60 minute. The molecular weight of 3 peaks (samples 0, 1 and 3) was 12 KD with tricine-SDSPAGE. Conclusion: Using C8 HPLC reversphase choromatography seems to be appropriate tool for purification of R10 components and the purified components at peak 0, 1 and 3 seems to be isotypic molecules.

Background: Various blood cells with different functions are produced in bone marrow in a process called hematopoiesis. Objective: The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the effect(s) of MS14, as an immunomodulator with natural origin (plant –marine) on the hematopoiesis. Methods: Eight 6-8 weeks old female BALB/c mice were divided to control group (receiving normal saline) and MS14 group (receiving MS14 at 100 mg/kg). Administration of MS14 and normal saline prolongs for five days, and then the mice were anaesthetized and killed. Smear of peripheral blood cells was provided and bone marrow cells were counted and cultured for 48 h. Erythropoietin (20 ng/ml) was added to half of samples. Results: 5 days administration of 100 mg/kg MS14 has augmented the percent of red blood cell of bone marrow (about 2 times). An increase (about 60%) in the percent of peripheral blood neutrophils has been observed as well. Erytroid colonies in bone marrow culture have been increased about 2 times in MS14 group e.i. the mean colony number in each well increased from 7 in control group to 14 in MS14 group and at the presence of erythropoietin from 13 colonies in control to 23 in MS14 group. Conclusion: According to increasing effect of MS14 on the number of erytroid colonies and percent of red blood cells, it can be concluded that hematopoietic processes not only does not adversely affected or inhibited by MS14 but could be significantly augmented when MS14 adminstered.

Background: Apoptosis provides solutions for the treatment of cancers and its induction is used as a strategy for preparing drugs that destroy pre-neoplastic cells. Many plant compounds have anti-tumoral activity. ACA-1 plant product is an aqueous extract and has been used in traditional medicine in Iran and has cytotoxicity effect on melanoma cancer cells. Objective: In this study, anti-cancer effect of ACA-1 plant product on gastric adenocarcinoma cells was evaluated and the mechanism of its action was studied. Methods: Cytotoxicity of ACA-1 on gastric adenocarcinoma cells (AGS) and fibroblasts (HgF) was determined after 24 hours of incubation by MTT assay. Annexin V-FITC and PI staining method was used for measuring the cell apoptosis. Activity of aspase 8 and 9 was assayed by enzymatic method. An ECMatrix was used for determining invasion ability of AGS cells. Results: ACA-1 showed strong and dose - dependent toxicity on AGS cells by induction of early apoptosis. Increase in caspase 8 and 9 activities was involved in this process. Also, ACA-1 decrease the invasion ability on AGS cells. Conclusion: ACA-1 induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells by activating caspase 8 and 9. With respect to decreasing cell invasion of AGS cells, ACA-1 may be considered as a potential candidate against human gastric cancer.

Background: Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is widely used in traditional medicine. In Iranian folk medicine, turmeric and egg yolk mixture is used for inflammation due to dislocations and strains. Since lecithin (one of the component of egg yolk) is an absorption enhancer, it seems this phospholipid can increase turmeric absorption and its anti-inflammatory effect. Objective: In order to find the role of lecithin in the folklore formulation, anti-inflammatory effects of ointments containing turmeric extract and lecithin have been studied. Methods: Ointment base was prepared using bees wax, vaseline, liquid paraffin and eucerin. Then, hydroalcoholic turmeric extract (2.5 % and 5 %) with lecithin (5 % and 15 %) or without lecithin were added to the ointment base. Anti-inflammatory effect of the ointments was assessed in arthritis model in rat using complete Freund’s adjuvant. Ointments were used daily on the inflamed joints for 20 days. Finally, arthritis index, TNF-α concentration and histopathological changes of joints were determined. Results: The results showed that arthritis index has decreased in all groups but it was significant in groups of turmeric 2.5 % and turmeric 5 % with lecithin 15 %. TNF-α was decreased in all samples but reduction was more significant in group turmeric 2.5 %. Histopathological changes were significantly less in turmeric groups compared to ointment base group. Conclusion: It seems that local healers use egg yolk as a binder in formulation. In other words, turmeric 2.5 % ointment is preferable compared to other formulations.