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.

Background: Many reports have shown the various pharmacolosical effects for grape (Vitis vinifera) seed extract for instance: antioxidant, hypotensive and hypolipidemic and vasodilatory effects. We have recently shown the relaxatory effect of grape leaf extract on rat ileum, uterus, aorta and reducing the rate and contractility in frog isolated heart. Objective: The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of Vitis vinifera leaf hydroalcoholic extract (VLHE) on isolated rat tracheal contractions induced by KCl and acetylcholine. Methods: The trachea was removed from male adult Sprague Dalwey rat and placed in an organ bath containing Krebs-Henseleit solution. The tracheal contractions were recorded isometrically under 1.5g initial tension. Results: The results demonstrate that the VLHE at 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg/ml reduces the tracheal contractions induced by KCl (60 mM) significantly and dose-dependently (P<0.0001). Acetylchline (55 μM)- induced tracheal contractions were also attenuated by the same extract doses significantly (P<0.0001). The VHLE-induced relaxation in the KCl-induced contraction in trachea was not affected niether by nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME, 100 μM) or beta-adrenoceptor antagonist (propranolol 1 μM) and by moscarinic receptors antagonist (atropine 30 μM). Conclusion: These results suggest that the relaxant effect of VHLE on rat trachea is evoked via voltage dependent calcium channel blockage and beta-adrenoceptors, NO and cholinergic receptors are not involved in this relaxant effect of VHLE

Background: Salvia leriifolia (Lamiaceae) is indigenous to the east of Iran and some part of Afghanestan. It has many pharmacological effects such as antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, anti-ischemic, anti-hyperglycemic, hypnotic, muscle relexant, anti-peptic ulcer and anticonvulsant effects. Objective: In this research, the antianxiety effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of S. leriifolia Benth. leaves were studied using elevated plus maze. Method: Nine groups of male mice were used, each of which contained 7-10 animals. Half an hour before anti-anxiety test, the aqueous or ethanolic extracts (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg), diazepam (1 mg/kg) and saline were injected intraperitoneally to mice. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts were dissolved in saline or tween 80, respectively. In anti-anxiety test, the number of entries into open and closed arms by animals was recorded. In motor coordination (Rotarod test) experiment, the extracts were injected 30 or 60 min before the test and in locomotor activity (open field test) experiment, the extracts were injected 60 min before test. Results: In anti - anxiety test, among different doses of the aqueous or ethanolic extracts, only ethanolic extract (in dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly increased opened arms entrance (p<0.01) and all doses of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts declined closed arms entrance, dose dependently (p<0.001). In Rotarod and open field tests all of doses significantly decreased mice locomotion activity and motor balance (p<0.001). Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of S. leriifolia leaves extract showed anti-anxiety activity and declined locomotion activity and motor coordination in mice.

Background: Regarding to the patient’s unwillingness toward lifestyle modification or drug therapy for hypertension and asymptomatic nature of this disease, the control of hypertension is difficult and may be resistant is some instants. On the other hand the popular tendency to the herbal medicines to treat disease including hypertension is grown. Objective: Based on animal and human individual reports of antihypertensive effects of olive leaf extract, and lack of well controlled human clinical trials, in this study the effects of olive leaf on mild to moderate and resistant blood pressure was evaluated. Method: In this placebo controlled double blind randomized clinical trial, 64 patients with mild to moderate hypertension referring to Heart Clinic, Baghyatollah Hospital were randomly assigned to receive treatment with olive leaf powder, 1000 mg daily or placebo. Patients underwent Holter monitoring for 24 hours at the beginning and end of the treatment. For each patient demographic information, risk factors of atherosclerosis and co-morbid medical conditions were recorded as well as maximum systolic and diastolic blood pressure, minimum systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and maximum and minimum heart rate before, during and after the treatment were recorded by holter manitoring. Results: The treatment groups were similar according to sex, age, height, weight, BMI (Body Mass Index), and risk factors of atherosclerosis. Significant reduction occurred in mean and maximum systolic blood pressure in the olive leaf extract group, but reduction in diastolic and mean arterial pressure was not significant in this group. In the other hand, in the placebo group, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure underwent significant increase after the treatment. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, olive leaf extract is an effective agent in reducing the blood pressure especially systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Based on the role of isolated systolic hypertension in patient’s complications, this botanical material is a suitable adopted drug for reducing the cardiovascular risks in the hypertensive subjects.

Background: The traditional use of medicinal plants to treat diabetes mellitus after using synthetic oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin is point to search for safer and more effective drugs of plant origin, although study of their mechanism have been continued. Olive tree and its products have important components of a healthy diet because of their phenolic content. Objective: We are interested to investigate the effects of the methanol extraction of Olea europaea leaf on insulin secretory function of pancreatic islets which were isolated freshly from rat. Methods: Plants were extracted with methanol and then powdered through freeze-drying. Islets were isolated from male adult pancreas and cultured overnight, preincubated in glucose 2.8 mM then incubated at 37 ºC in the presence of basal (2.8 mM) and stimulatory (16.7 mM) doses of glucose, with different doses of plants extracted (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 1 mg/ml), after 30 min incubation the secreted insulin was assayed by ELISA kit. Results: Data indicated that Olea europaea leaf extract at concentration of 0.05 mg/ml plus basal glucose could enhance insulin secretion from isolated pancreatic islets compared to control group which exposed just to basal glucose, significantly (4.2 ± 0.48 vs 10.5 ± 0.29 µg/l) (p<0.05), also compared to other groups. Although it could increase insulin secretion at stimulant glucose level but it was not significant. Conclusion: Olive leaf extract, probably without metabolic transformation, could increase insulin secretion from freshly isolated pancreatic islets of rat at basal glucose level significantly, which point to that its affect might be akin to glucose.

Background: Aerobic organisms have efficient antioxidant systems but diet can reduce oxidative stress through antioxidants supplementation. It seems that oxidative stress has a major role in cancer, atherosclerosis and aging process. Objective: This research was conducted in order to assess and compare the antioxidant and antiradical properties of edible leafy vegetable (Leek, Garden Cress, Spearmint, Basil, Tarragon and Coriander). Methods: Methanolic extracts of dried vegetables were prepared and their antioxidant and antiradical properties were determined using linoleic acid emulsion system and DPPH method respectively. Results: It was shown that highest extraction yield (11.62%) was belonged to Garden Cress and Basil had least (4.42%) extraction yield. Methanolic extract of tarragon had best efficiency in acid linoleic emulsion (induction period was 60.3h when control was 13.4h). In DPPH system, Spearmint and tarragon showed highest activity though minimum IC50 (216 micrograms/milliliter) was belonged to spearmint. This was even smaller than of IC50 of BHT though the differences between Spearmint, BHT and tarragon were not significant. Leek had Highest IC50 (11675 micrograms/milliliter) as calculated by extrapolation. Conclusion: It was concluded that tarragon and spearmint have highest antiradical and antioxidant activity.

Background: Bacterial canker and leaf spot caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss) and Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap) are one of important disease stone fruit tree. Objective: We studied antibacterial activities of fourteen essential oil and four plant extracts on these bacteria. Methods: The assay was carried in Petri dishes containing nutrient agar medium in which there was a well in the center of each Petri dish. These wells filled by 12µl aliquots of the essential oil and extracts. After 48h inoculation of bacteria suspension on the surface medium growth inhibition on zone around the wells was measured. Data analyzed by SAS software. Results: Results showed among essential oil and of plant in inhibition of growth bacteria was significantly difference (p<0.00001). Essential oil of Mentha piperita, Cuminum cyminum, Ziziphora tenuior, Tarchyspermum copticum and Salvia officinalis whit 6.3, 6.17, 5.77, 5.57, 4.77 cm have almost inhabitation on Xap respectively. Essential oil of Achillea millefolium, Coriandrum sativum, Heracleum persicum and Salvia officinalis extracts showed lowest antibacterial activities. Azadirachta indica extracts showed highest and Ferula assa-foetida and Thymus vulgaris extracts have any antibacterial effect. Essential oil of Thymus vulgaris, Tarchyspermum copticum, Cuminum cyminum and Mentha piperita, have almost inhibition on Pss respectively. Essential oil of Ziziphora tenuior, Coriandrum sativum and Rosmarinus officinalis have medium and Achillea millefolium, Coriandrum sativum and Artemisia annua have lowest activities on Pss and Salvia officinalis, Ferula assa-foetida have any effect on Pss. Conclusion: This study revealed that essential oils of these plants have high antibacterial activities and can be use for control plant disease.

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.

Introduction: Salinity is one of the most important factors limiting growth and crop production. Mycorrhizal fungi as a biological fertilizer provides food needs plants and can be useful in decrease the effects of stresses on plants. Objective: Improving quantitative and qualitative traits of anise plant using mycorrhizal fungi under salt stress. Methods: This study was done in greenhouse of the research farm of the Islamic Azad University (Saveh branch) as factorial based on randomized complete blocks design. The first factor was mycorrhiza inoculation in three levels of non-inoculated, inoculated with Glomus intraradices strain and inoculation by Glomus mosseae strains and second factor was salinity in three levels control or non-saline water, salinity 50 Mm and 100 Mm. Results: The interaction of salinity and mycorrhiza was significant on the number of seeds per plant, Essential oil percentage of seed and K concentration in leaves (P<0.01), plant height, plant dry weight, number of umbels per plant, number of shed in the umbrella, number of seeds in the shed and sodium concentration in leaves (P< 0.05). Increasing soil salinity decreased all the studied traits, So that greatest damage was observed at 100 Mm salt. Of course salinity decreased sodium concentration of leaves. Also mycorrhizal inoculation improved all the studied traits in the saline and control condition than non inoculated plants. Conclusion: Study results showed mycorrhizal inoculation with both strains improved plants growth and essential oil of anise in salinity conditions, and Glomus mosseae strain was better on anise than Glomus interaradices strain.