Promising effect of Magliasa, a traditional Iranian formula, on experimental colitis on the basis of biochemical and cellular findings

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of Magliasa, a traditional Iranian formula, on experimental colitis. METHODS: After botanical authentication of herbal ingredients, formulation of Magliasa, quantitative determination of total glucosinolates and total phenolic content, and analysis of the thin layer chromatography profile were performed. Colitis was then induced in male rats by instillation of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) in all groups, aside from the Sham group.The experimental groups consisted of: the Sham group that received only normal saline; the Mag-50, Mag-100 and Mag-200 groups, which received 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg per day of Magliasa, respectively; the control group, which received vehicle water orally; the infliximab group, which received infliximab (5 mg/kg per day, subcutaneously); and the Dexa group, which received dexamethasone (1 mg/kg per day, orally). After completing the treatment period (2 wk), the rats were sacrificed, the colon was removed, its macroscopic and microscopic changes were recorded, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b), total antioxidant capacity, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were assessed in colon homogenate.RESULTS: The mean value of total glucosinolates in one gram of Magliasa was 19 ± 1 μmol. The mean value of the total phenolic content was 293.8 ± 17.6 mg gallic acid equivalents per 100 gram of Magliasa. Macroscopic scores were significantly decreased in Mag-100 (1.80 ± 0.58, P = 0.019) and Mag-200 (1.20 ± 0.20, P = 0.001) compared to the control group (3.40 ± 0.24), although some inflammation and hyperemia were evident. Treatment of rats by dexamethasone (0.33 ± 0.21, P < 0.001) and infliximab (0.83 ± 0.31, P < 0.001) remarkably attenuated scores where mild hyperemia was observed macroscopically. In comparison to the control group (4.00 ± 0.32), only Mag-200 (1.60 ± 0.40) showed a significant decrease in colonic histopathological scores (P = 0.005). Minimal mucosal inflammation was observed in the Dexa group (0.67 ± 0.21, P < 0.001). The levels of TNF-α, IL-1b and MPO were significantly lower in all groups compared to the controls (P < 0.05). A significant decrease in LPO was seen in the Mag-200 (3.27 ± 0.77, P = 0.01) and Dexa (3.44 ± 0.22, P = 0.011) groups in comparison to the control group (6.43 ± 0.61). Only dexamethasone caused a significant increase in antioxidant power in comparison to the control group (346.73 ± 9.9 vs 228.33 ± 2.75, P < 0.001). Infliximab and different doses of Magliasa did not show any remarkable increase in antioxidant capacity (P > 0.05). The effect of Magliasa in all of mentioned parameters, except antioxidant capacity, was dose dependent.CONCLUSION: The effects of Magliasa in TNBS-induced colitis are encouraging and warrant clinical trials for further confirmation.

Finger Printing and Quantitative Analysis of <i>Cuscuta chinensis</i>Flavonoid Contents from Different Hosts by RP-HPLC

Background: Cuscuta spp. known as dodders, have been used as traditional medicines in eastern and southern Asian countries for many disorders such as gastrointestinal, respiratory, endocrine, skin and neurological diseases (Drug of mania). Flavonoids are the main biologically active constituents in Cuscuta genus especially in C. chinensis. Our aim in this study was to identify and discriminate between C. chinensis samples which were collected from different hosts, by using the pattern recognition aided fingerprint analysis and comparison of the content of four major flavonoids (hyperoside, rutin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol). Material and methods: Samples were collected from nine different plants in the same time and place, dried, grinded and extracted with methanol (80%) by repeated maceration. Extractions were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography analysis and fingerprinting. Results: Beside chromatographic fingerprint using similarity index, we compared the content of 4 major flavonoids (hyperoside, rutin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol) of C. chinensis samples on different hosts. Coclusion: The results showed that there were significant differences between the content of four major flavonoids of nine C. chinensis samples, but chromatographic fingerprint by similarity index of more than 0.88, showed that the sample consistency was similar. So, it was suggested that combination of chromatographic fingerprint and the content determination of major flavonoids could be used to evaluate the quality control of C. chinensis from different hosts.

Larvicidal Properties of Botanical Extracts of <i>Lawsonia inermis</i>against <i>Anopheles stephensi</i>

The aim of this study was to determine the larvicidal activity of Lawsonia inermis against Anopheles stephensi as the main malaria vector in Iran. This study was carried out from February to July 2011. Larvicidal activity of >L. inermis was studied in the range of 4 - 4000 PPM in the laboratory against early and late stages of larvae of An. stephensi. The larvae were reared in the?insectarium. The LC50 and LC90 values of the larval stages of An. stephensi were calculated by probit analysis and regression line draw using Microsoft office excel 2003 software. The highest toxic effect of L. inermis was found at 4000 PPM and the lowest at 4 PPM against larval stages I and II. The same result was found against larval stages III and IV. The LC50 and LC90 was found as 413.8 and 3366.3 respectively against larval stages I and II while against late stages found as 696.9 and 3927.7 respectively. This study suggests that L. inermis extract can be used as an alternative larvicidal compound during the IPM programs for the An. stephensi control. It is recommended to investigate the competency of other similar plants to malaria control.

Medicinal properties of Peganum harmala L. in traditional Iranian medicine and modern phytotherapy: a review

OBJECTIVE: To review the pharmacological activities of Peganum harmala L.(P. harmala, Nitrariaceae) in traditional Iranian medicine(TIM) and modern phytotherapy.METHODS: Opinions of TIM and modern phytotherapy about safety and acceptable dosage of this plant are discussed. Various medical properties of P.harmala were collected from important TIM references and added to scientific reports derived from modern medical databases like Pub Med, Scirus, Science Direct and Scopus.RESULTS: The main medicinal part of the plant is the seed. In TIM resources, this plant possesses various Pharmacological activities such as carminative,galactagogue, diuretic, emmenagogue, antithrom-botic and analgesic. In modern phytotherapy, P. harmala demonstrated numerous medicinal effects including cardiovascular, neurologic, antimicrobial,insecticidal, antineoplasmic, antiproliferative, gastrointestinal and antidiabetic effects. Adverse events such as neuro-sensorial symptoms, visual hallucination, bradycardia, hypotension, agitation,tremors, ataxia, abortion and vomiting cause people to use this plant cautiously. P. harmala is contraindicated during pregnancy, due to its abortive and mutagenic activities. Because of increasing the expression of CYP1A2, 2C19, and 3A4 and inhibition of monoamine oxidase, the pharmacokinetic parameters of drugs which are mainly metabolized by these enzymes may be affected by P. harmala.CONCLUSION: The medicinal properties declared for this plant in TIM are compared with those showed in modern phytotherapy. Some of the TIM properties were confirmed in modern phytotherapy like emetic and analgesic activities and some have not been evaluated in modern phytotherapy such as its therapeutic effects on paralysis, epilepsy and numbness. Finally, the current review provides the evidence for other researchers to use TIM properties of P. harmala as an efficacious natural drug.Further preclinical and clinical studies for adequate evaluating safety and therapeutic efficacy are recommended.

Efficacy and safety of Amla(Phyllanthus emblica L.) in non-erosive reflux disease:a double-blind,randomized,placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background： Gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD） is one of the most common gastrointestinal com- plaints. GERD, caused by the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus, leads to troublesome symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation. It is classified into two types： erosive esophagitis, characterized by visible esophageal mucosa erosion in endoscopy, and non-erosive reflux disease （NERD）. GERD is a chronic and recurrent disease that impairs the quality of life and imposes socioeco- nomic and therapeutic burdens to both patients and society. Objective： Due to the failure of the conventional treatments for GERD and to the traditional use of Amla （Phyllanthus emblica L.）, in addition to beneficial effects shown in recent studies, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of Amla tablet for improvement of symptoms of patients with NERD. Design, setting, participants and interventions： We designed a double-arm, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Sixty-eight patients who had classic symptoms of GERD （heartburn, regurgitation and epigastralgia） for at least three months before the start of the trial were randomized in two parallel groups. Patients in the Amla group received two 500 mg Amla tablets twice a day, after meals, for 4 weeks. In the control group, patients received placebo tablets similar to the Amla prescription. Main outcome measures： The patients were visited at baseline, and at the end of the 2nd and 4th weeks of intervention; their symptoms were measured on a frequency and severity scale for the symptoms of NERD, according to the quality of life in reflux-associated disease questionnaire. Results： Frequencies of heartburn and regurgitation in both groups of the study were significantly reduced after intervention （P 〈 0.001）. Repeated measures logistic regression analysis showed that, in the Amla group, there was a more significant reduction in regurgitation frequency, heartburn frequency, regurgita- tion severity and heartburn severity during the study period, compared with the placebo group （P 〈 0.001 ）. Conclusion： This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial demonstrated that Amla could reduce frequencies of heartburn and regurgitation and improve heartburn and regurgitation severity in patients with NERD.

Traditional medical uses of Drimia species in terms of phytochemistry,pharmacology and toxicology

Drimia genus includes plants that used from ancient time for various ailments such as dropsy, respiratory ailment, bone and joint complications,skin disorders, epilepsy and cancer. Toxic properties of some Drimia species also were noted by ancient scientists and these plants have been traditionally used for rat control. Bufadienolides have been identified as the main constituents in the genus of Drimia. Phenolics, sterols, protein and some of other phytochemicals have been also isolated from these plants. Pharmacological and clinical studies have strongly approved their effect on cardiovascular system. Extracts and compounds isolated from Drimia species showed biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and insecticidal effects throughseveral in vivo and in vitro studies. Moreover, cytotoxic and antitumor activities which may be related to bufadienolide content of these plants have been considered by many researchers. Traditional therapeutic values of these plants for treating respiratory and rheumatic ailments as well as skin disorders are needed to be validated through more researches. Toxic effects of these plants and isolated compounds have been investigated through several in vivo studies. Drimia plants and their isolated compounds have narrow therapeutic index, so patients should be prohibited from applying these plants without medical supervision and should be informed about the main intoxication symptoms before starting treatment. Moreover, interaction of Drimia plants with other constituents of traditional herbal mixtures as well as chemical and biological modalities for reducing toxicity of bufadienolide compounds can be subjected for future studies.

Blistering disease in viewpoint of Avicenna

1 Introduction According to traditional Persian medicine （TPM） resources, establishing a balance between quality of organs （hotness, coldness, wetness, dryness） and external factors, including the consumed food, plays a critical role in the health status. Avicenna believed that skin is the most balanced organ in the body. His interpretation is that according to quality perspective, hotness-coldness and wetness-dryness, skin is more moderate in comparison with other organs. Traditional Persian sages （Hakim） emphasized on the role of these quadruple qualities＇ balance on health. They believed that every organ, based on its function.