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Rosa species are widely used in folk medicine in different countries of Asia and Europe, but not all species are studied in-depth. For instance, Rosa beggeriana Schrenk, a plant which grows in Central Asia, Iran, and some parts of China, is little described in articles. Column and thin-layer chromatography methods were used to isolate biologically active substances. From a study of fruits and leaves of Rosa beggeriana Schrenk, a large number of compounds were identified, seven of which were isolated: 3β,23-dihydroxyurs-12-ene (1), β-sitosterol (2), betulin (3), (+)-catechin (4), lupeol (5), ethyl linoleate (6), and ethyl linolenoate (7). Their structures were elucidated by 1H, DEPT and 13C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and GC-MS (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry). The study also identified the structures of organic compounds, including volatile esters and acids. Consequently, comprehensive data were acquired concerning the chemical constitution of said botanical specimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Cancer is one of the causes of morbidity and mortality in developed and under-developed countries. Different strategies are under evaluation for cancer therapy including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. However, the treatment can be affected because of the lack of the desired effect and severe side effects. For these reasons, discovering an improved cancer therapy strategy has been one of the most important research efforts worldwide. Cisplatin is considered one of the most effective used chemotherapy agents in the treatment of a variety of tumors. However, its use is limited because of its toxicity to normal cells. In addition, nonspecificity and high dosage of drugs are the other important reasons which practically limit their application. Drug delivery systems can overcome these challenges by enhancing the therapeutic efficacy and reducing the adverse effects of anticancer agents. The application of nanoparticles as drug carriers has been widely studied for more than a decade (3). Magnetic nanoparticles are popular candidates in therapeutic systems and diagnostic applications that approved for clinical use by the Food and Medicine Administration (FDA) (5). In this study, we prepared superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles Fe3O4 (SPIONs) that were modified through triblock poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (e-caprolactone)-poly (ethylene glycol) nanoparticles. These modified nanoparticles have been utilized for Cisplatin delivery on the lymphoma cell line (U937). Methods: Magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by a co-precipitation method in the presence of Fe2+ and Fe3+ (9). In order to synthesize the polymer, ε-caprolactone and polyethylene glycol were polymerized by a ring-opening polymerization method. Triblock copolymer PCL-PEG-PCL was prepared through the ring-opening polymerization method (10). Magnetic iron nanoparticles were also prepared and confirmed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction spectrum (XRD). Superparamagnetic nanoparticles modified with PCLPEG-PCL copolymers loaded with cisplatin were developed using the double emulsion solvent evaporation method (11). The encapsulation efficiency of cisplatin loaded in nanoparticles was evaluated through UV spectroscopy at 280 nm (12). Synthesized nanoparticles were evaluated in terms of particle size and morphology by dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), respectively. In addition, the chemical structure of PCL-PEG-PCL triblock copolymer and superparamagnetic nanoparticles modified with PCL-PEG-PCL copolymers loaded with cisplatin was confirmed using FTIR and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). Finally, the effect of synthesized nanoparticles on the lymphoma cell line (U937) was investigated using MTT assay (13). Results: Magnetic iron nanoparticles were confirmed using FTIR and XRD. The size and shape of the nanoparticles were evaluated using DLS and SEM. The results show that the particle size was around 100-130 nm and the synthesized nanoparticles had uniform dispersion without aggregation. High entrapment of cisplatin was achieved using the double emulsion solvent evaporation method (98/07%). The hysteresis curves of iron magnetic nanoparticles and cisplatin-encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles PCL-PEG-PCL exhibited that in the presence of a magnetic field with an intensity up to 8000 Gauss, these particles have shown the magnetic properties (about 70 emu/g). When the magnetic field was removed, these nanoparticles lost their magnetic properties (0 emu/g). So, in the presence of a magnetic field, a magnetic orientation was demonstrated. The results of the cell viability assay using MTT dye showed that IC50 of free Cisplatin and Cisplatin-encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles PCL-PEG-PCL on the U937 cancerous cell line is 119.70 ± 4.46 µg/ml, 17.35 ± 1.48 µg/ml, 13.58 ± 1.59 µg/ml and 29.67 ± 1.99 µg/ml, 11.24 ± 0.82µg/ml, 7.10 ± 1.37µg/ml respectively for 24, 48 and 72 hours incubation time. The antiproliferative effect of cisplatin encapsulated in magnetic nanoparticles was more significantly cytotoxic on the cancerous target cells than free cisplatin. Conclusion: Over the last decade, scientists have tried to develop new strategies for enhancing the therapeutic index while reducing side effects. In this regard, nanotechnology is considered one of the most effective strategies to which a huge share of research in this area is dedicated (3). Among all the nanoparticles SPIONs have attracted significant attention in cancer therapy because of their unique properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ease of chemical modification (5). The results of the study demonstrated that superparamagnetic nanoparticles modified with PCL-PEG copolymers efficiently delivered cisplatin into the U937 cells and demonstrated potent in-vitro anticancer activity which had a significant cytotoxic effect against lymphoma cell line (U937). Therefore, this delivery system can potentially be applied for the delivery of anti-cancer drugs and holds a great promise as an effective strategy for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Recurrent miscarriage applies to pregnancy loss expulsion of the fetus within the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. This study is aimed at comparatively investigating the sera of women with RM with those who have no record of miscarriages to identify if there were any metabolite and metabolic pathway differences using 1H NMR spectroscopy. Methods. Serum samples were collected from women with RM (n = 30) and those who had no records of RM (n = 30) to obtain metabolomics information. 1H NMR spectroscopy was carried out on the samples using Carr Purcell Meiboom Gill spin echo; also, Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis was performed in MATLAB software using the ProMetab program to obtain the classifying chemical shifts; the metabolites were identified by using the Human Metabolome Database (HMDB) in both the experimental and control groups. The pathway analysis option of the Metaboanalyst.ca website was used to identify the changed metabolic pathways. Results. The results of the study revealed that 14 metabolites were different in the patients with RM. Moreover, the pathway analysis showed that taurine and hypotaurine metabolism along with phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis was significantly different in patients with RM. Conclusion. The present study proposes that any alteration in the above metabolic pathways might lead to metabolic dysfunctions which may result in a higher probability of RM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review article is based on the scientific investigations of Prof. Mehdi Rashidi during his working years in Shiraz University, Chemistry Department, Organometallic Chemistry Laboratory. Herein, we tried to overlook 40 years of his researches and intend to briefly point out all his publications during his research years. Prof. Rashidi's researches were mostly focused on the synthesis and characterization of organoplatinum(II) and (IV) complexes having different applications. In this regard, he introduced many synthetic methods for new organoplatinum complexes mostly with the help of NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography as characterization techniques. His researches were divided into some main themes like "substitution reactions," "oxidative addition reactions," "biological properties" and "photophysical properties" in organoplatinum chemistry. In this review article, the mentioned outlined items are briefly discussed as different areas of research that most of the contents are the outcomes of many Ph.D. and master theses. Besides, all the publications he authored are fully cited in the present review article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Daphne mucronata Royle grown in Iran has shown anticancer activities against different cancer cell lines. Therefore, within this study, we investigate the phytochemical pattern of this plant. Method: Phytochemical investigation was done using standard column chromatography system: The structures were recognized by the interpretation of one and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra and the help of High-Resolution Electrospray Ionization Mass spectroscopy (HR-ESIMS) and Infrared spectroscopy (IR) data. Stereochemistry was determined using 2D and 3D NOESY, and comparison of coupling constant values with literature. The absolute configuration was determined and confirmed using specific rotation and electronic circular dichroism experiments. Cytotoxicity was done against HeLa cells by standard MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Luciferase assay was used to check if the compounds can inhibit the activation of cancer-related signaling pathways. Molecular docking simulation was done for biological activity evaluation and to examine the interaction of the ligand with each of the proteins. Results: A new sesquiterpenoid, 4,11(12)-guiadiene-1-ol-3-one (4), together with eight specialized metabolites, betulinic acid (1), coniferyl aldehyde (2), oleanolic acid (3), daphnetoxin (5), apigenin (7), syringin (8), and genkwanol A (9) were isolated and reported for the first time from the shoots of the plant. Compound 4 as an undescribed compound was submitted for cytotoxicity assay and showed moderate activity with the IC50 value of 51.3 ± 4.2 μM against HeLa cancer cells. It showed selective inhibition of Interleukin-6 mediated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway (STAT-3/ IL-6), and Smad protein / transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) transcription factors when screened through an array of cancer signaling pathways. Molecular docking confirmed biological tests and showed the interaction with STAT3 and Smad proteins. Conclusion: An undescribed sesquiterpenoid: 4,11(12)-guiadiene-1-ol-3-one in addition to eight known compounds were isolated. The new sesquiterpene was evaluated for the luciferase assay on 14 main cancer-related signaling pathways and showed selective inhibition of STAT3/IL6, and Smad/ TGF-β transcription factors. Molecular docking simulation showed more interactions with STAT3 than Smad, which confirms better interaction of compound 4 with STAT3 than Smad proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the aerial parts of Cleome khorassanica Bunge & Bien, a new 3-oxo-4-oxa-A-homo-25,26,27-trinordammarano-24,20-lactone triterpene (1), a new natural product 20,25-dihydroxy-3-oxodammarane triterpene (2), together with known 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,8,3′,4′,5′-heptamethoxyflavone (3), have been isolated and characterized. The chemical structure of the new compounds was determined by 1D and 2D NMR and HR tandem MS measurements. All three compounds were subjected to biological tests for evaluation of their cytotoxicity against prostate (DU-145 and LNCaP) cancer cells. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 showed cell growth inhibition in a dose dependent manner against DU-145 and LNCaP cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 is a target for the management of cancer. Here, the anti-proliferation properties of corosolic acid (CA) against A549 human lung epithelial cancer cells in CoCl 2 -induced hypoxia is reported. CA was isolated from the roots of Salvia syriaca based on a bioassay-guided isolation platform and identified by 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Several cytotoxicies and genotoxicity analyses were performed using MTT, DAPI, cell cycle, DNA ladder, and annexin V/PI detection. Cobalt chloride (CoCl 2) was used to stimulate hypoxia. The adaptation of A549 cells to a stimulated hypoxic condition in the presence of CA was evaluated. CA decreased the growth of A549 cells with an IC 50 of 12 μg/mL at 48 h. Also, chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation were detected as signs of apoptosis occurrence. CA induced ~85% apoptosis and even 1% necrosis. The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α (HIF-1α), HIF-1β and downstream genes was strongly suppressed in the presence of CA in CoCl 2 -stimulated hypoxia condition. Results indicated that CA has remarkable cytotoxicity against the cancerous cell in hypoxia condition and may be regarded for preparation of new formulations for possible uses as supplement and medicine in cancer therapy. Unlabelled Image • The roots of Salvia syriaca were subjected to bioassay-guided isolation • Triterpenoid corosolic acid (CA) was found to be anti-proliferative compound • CA attenuates HIF-1 stabilization upon CoCl 2 -induced hypoxia in A549 cancer cells • CA has remarkable anti-cancer activity in hypoxia through targeting HIF-1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Xanthium strumarium L. is extensively used as a traditional herb to treat many diseases and is also known as a source of phytochemicals. It has been used traditionally to treat trypanosomiasis, malaria fever, eczema, cancer, ulcer, fever, herpes headache, and skin lesion such as leishmaniasis. In this preliminary study, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-metabolomics approaches was used to evaluate the inhibitory effects and metabolic alterations caused by leaf extract of X. strumarium on the stationary phases of promastigotes in Leishmania major. Methods: The promastigotes were cultured in Biochemistry Laboratory at Pasteur Institute of Iran in 2017, stationary phases were obtained from 5 to 6 day-old cultures and treated with different concentrations of the plant's extract. Antileishmanial activity was assayed by MTT method and cell metabolites were extracted. 1H NMR spectroscopy was applied, and outliers were separated using multivariate statistical analysis. Results: The most affected metabolic pathways in the experimental groups were limited to amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, cyanoamino acid metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, butanoate metabolism, and galactose metabolism. Conclusion: The ethanolic leaf extract of X. strumarium is a potent growth inhibi tor of Leishmania major and can affect vital metabolic pathways of Leishmania promastigotes. The assay provided new perspectives on the development of novel treatment strategies for leishmanial activity derived from natural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The limited supply of Chinese officinal rhubarbs (Rheum palmatum L., R. tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf., and R. officinale Baill.) has resulted in the use of other Rheum species in many places. Therefore, investigating the metabolite profile of unofficinal rhubarbs, and an analytical comparison of their metabolite profile with the officinal ones is crucial. Rheum turkestanicum Janisch. and R. ribes L. are two Rheum species distributed in Iran and are widely being traded in traditional markets as substitutes for R. palmatum. Herein, we isolated different phenolic compounds in the roots and rhizomes of R. turkestanicum and R. ribes by chromatographic techniques and identified them by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), electronic circular dichroism (ECD), electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). In addition, the metabolite profile of the two above-mentioned species were compared with that of R. palmatum by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QqTOF MS). The obtained MS data were statistically compared by non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) and a heatmap was plotted for comparing the tested samples. The isolated compounds were catechins, anthraquinones, naphthoquinones, chromones and rhododendrol glycosides, among which (-) 3′,4′′-di-O-methyl-catechin-3-O-gallate was a new compound. The results of LC-MS/MS analysis indicated that while catechins were the most abundant compounds in R. ribes , anthraquinones and naphthalenes were the main constituents of R. palmatum and R. turkestanicum. Interestingly, the substitution in the hexosyl residue of anthraquinone and naphthalene hexosides was a malonyl or an acetyl group in R. palmatum , while this substitution was a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl group in R. turkestanicum. This may be considered as a potential marker for the differentiation of R. palmatum and R. turkestanicum. The statistical analysis showed that R. palmatum , R. turkestanicum , and R. ribes are distinct species, however, R. turkestanicum had some similarities to R. palmatum. In conclusion, R. turkestanicum can be a subject for future phytochemical, pharmacological, and clinical research regarding its ability to be used as a potential substitute for R. palmatum in pharmaceutical industries. [Display omitted] • Rheum palmatum is one of the three species considered as officinal Chinese rhubarbs. • One new and six known compounds were isolated from R. turkestanicum. • In the LC-MS/MS spectrum of R. ribes , catechins were the major compounds. • In R. palmatum and R. turkestanicum , anthraquinones and naphthalenes were abundant. • Rheum palmatum and R. turkestanicum had some similarities in their metabolite profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new triterpenoids, urmiensolide B ( 1 ) and urmiensic acid ( 2 ), with rare carbon skeletons together with three known compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia urmiensis Bunge, an endemic species of Iran. The structures were established by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESIMS, and in the case of 2 and 3 , their structures were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The absolute configuration of 2 was established by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. The new compounds were evaluated for their anti-proliferative activities against A549 and MCF-7 human cancer cell lines. Compounds 1 and 2 showed IC 50 values of 2.8 and 1.6 μM against MCF-7 cells, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new monoterpene–flavonoid, saturejin (3′-(2,5-dihydroxy- p -cymene) 5,7,4′-trihydroxy flavone) ( 4 ), together with twelve known flavonoids consist of two flavanonols (aromadendrin ( 8 ) and taxifolin ( 12 )), two flavanones (naringenin ( 3 ) and 5,7,3′,5′-tetrahydroxy flavanone ( 9 )) and eight flavones (xanthomicrol ( 1 ), acacetin ( 2 ), cirsimaritin ( 5 ), 7-methoxy luteolin ( 6 ), apigenin ( 7 ), cirsilineol ( 10 ), diosmetin ( 11 ) and 6-hydroxyluteolin 7,3′-dimethyl ether ( 13 )), were isolated from an ethyl acetate extract and identified for the first time in the dried aerial parts of Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad, an endemic medicinal plant traditionally used as dental anesthetic, oral antiseptic and anti-inflammatory among the nomadic inhabitants of southwestern Iran. The structures of these compounds were determined using the usual spectroscopic methods including 2D-NMR and MS analyses. Saturejin showed a significant β -glucosidase inhibitory activity at concentration of 10 μg as well as positive antioxidant activity at the amount of 1 μg. These results could be correlated with the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic properties reported from this medicinal plant. Similar activities were also described for some of the other isolated compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the possible mechanism through which Artemisinin induced apoptosis in pancreatic cell line. Methods: Column chromatography, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and proton NMR spectroscopy were used to purify Artemisinin. The flowcytometry was employed to detect apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results: The results indicated that 50% inhibiting concentration (IC value) for pancreatic cell line (RIN) was 45 μmol/L of Artemisinin. Artemisinin had no cytotoxic effect on the growth of peripheral blood lymphocytes. The mechanism of apoptosis was evaluated by measuring intracellular ROS. It was shown that Artemisinin-induced apoptosis occurred independently of the binding of CD95L to CD95 receptor in the RIN cells. Moreover, Artemisinin, in a dose-dependent manner, could significantly increase the level of ROS. Conclusion: Artemisinin can induce apoptosis in the RIN cells via the generation of ROS and triggering the intrinsic pathway of cell death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Dichloromethane-acetone extract of Euphorbia erythradenia Bioss., a spurge endemic to the Iran, afforded four novel tetrahydroingenol diterpenes, one new myrsinane type diterpene, and two known triterpenes. Tetrahydroingenoids are novel compounds not only for the double bond reduction but also for their unique hydroxylation pattern at C-11 and C-13. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and especially 2D NMR measurements. The biological effects of the compounds were done by the MTT and Annexin V-FITC & PI staining assays on different cancer cell lines. The results obtained on EJ-138, CAOV-4, and OVCAR-3 cell lines suggested that tetrahydroingenanes inhibit cell proliferation through apoptosis in cancer cell lines. In conclusion, the new pattern of hydrogenation and hydroxylation of these compounds compared to other ingenoids, along with their apoptosis inducing properties on cancer cells, makes them of great interest for more investigation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Pedicularis sibthorpii and P. wilhelmsiana are endemic species mainly found in North-West of Iran. Plants of genus Pedicularis produce some important polyphenols and flavonoids. In the present work, total phenol and flavonoid contents of the mentioned species as well as their antioxidant capacity have been evaluated. Methods: Methanol extract of samples was fractionated by SPE method using an ODS cartridge and their 1H-NMR spectra were recorded. Total phenols and flavonoids of methanol extracts were determined using Folin- Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods. For determining antioxidant activity of the extracts and fractions, bleaching of purple color methanol solution of 1, 1-diphenylpycryl hydrazyl (DPPH) was measured by spectrophotometric assay. Results: Total phenols of Pedicularis sibthorpii and P. wilhelmsiana were in the range of 8-30 mg g-1 and 9-20 mg g-1, respectively. The 40% and 60% fractions of P. sibthorpii and the 20%, 40% and 60% fractions of P. wilhelmsiana showed higher amounts of phenolic compounds. The total flavonoid contents of P. sibthorpii and P. wilhelmsiana were in the range of 0-215 mg g-1 and 0-177 mg g-1, respectively, whereas the 40% and 60% fractions showed higher flavonoid amounts. Antioxidant activity of P. sibthorpii and P. wilhelmsiana were in the range of 0.01-0.7 mg mL-1 and 0.01-1.02 mg mL-1. In the same manner, the 20% and 40% fractions of P. sibthorpii and the 40% and 60% fractions of P. wilhelmsiana had lower RC50 than that of other fractions. Conclusion: Fractions with lower RC50 had higher contents of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The results of NMR spectra were parallel with these findings and show that it is worth to do phytochemical studies on P. sibthorpii and P. wilhelmsiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An acetone extract from the aerial parts of Euphorbia bungei afforded three new (2, 3 and 5) and one known (4) macrocyclic diterpenoids. Several cycloartane triterpenoids were also obtained, two of which (6a and 6b) were assayed for antiviral effects. The structures of all new compounds were elucidated using modern spectroscopic methods including 2D NMR and HRMS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The genus Hymenocrater (Lamiaceae), growing wild in Iran, has been screened as a new source of rosmarinic acid (RA), a phenolic and an economically important constituent. The variation of the RA concentration was quantified in aerial parts of H. calycinus from three regions in Iran using high-performance liquid chromatography. The RA concentrations ranged from 2.4 mg g-1(based on dried weight) in samples from the Esfarayen origin to 13.2 mg g-1 in samples from the Bajgiran origin. As all the three samples were gathered during the full flowering stage, it appears that the variation in the RA concentrations is due to the differences in the region of collections such as the geographical conditions and habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An agar polysaccharide has been isolated from the red seaweed Gracilariopsis persica collected from the Persian Gulf (Iran). Characterization of the structure by chemical and spectroscopic methods showed a basic repeating structure of alternating 3-linked β-d-galactopyranosyl and 4-linked 3,6-anhydro-α-l-galactopyranosyl units. The main polysaccharide components were 3,6-anhydrogalactose (31.8%), galactose (52.1%) and 6-O-methyl-galactose (10.9%). In addition, minor components such as glucose (4.1%) and xylose (1.1%) were detected. The degree of substitution (DS) of sulfate, calculated from S%, was 0.18%. Data from 13C NMR, FT-IR, methylation and desulfation–methylation provided evidence of sulfation at C-2 and C-6 of l-galactose and also C-4 of d-galactose. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) indicated Mw=2.22×105 g/mol for this polysaccharide. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two new 14-desoxo-10, 18-dihydromyrinsol diterpenoids (1 and 2) were isolated and characterized from the cytotoxic chloroform fraction of Euphorbia aellenii Rech. f. (Euphorbiaceae). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and their immunomodulatory properties were evaluated by T-cell proliferation and phagocyte chemiluminescence assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euphorbia macroclada Boiss., a spurge endemic to the Iranian plateau, afforded four pre-myrsinane polyesters, three α-phorboids and one A-seco-phorboid, a type of compound so far unreported within natural products. All new compounds were structurally elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and especially 2D NMR measurements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The extract from Artemisia annua, containing artemisinin, has been proven active against multidrug resistant Plasmodium falciparum in previous studies. The purpose of this paper was to study five Artemisia species from Iran for their in vitro and in vivo antimalarial property and detection of artemisinin in the active species by chromatographic and spectroscopic methods including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Dried plants were extracted by 80% ethanol, and total extracts were investigated for antiplasmodial property and artemisinin content by TLC, HPLC, and 1H-NMR techniques. Two plants ( A. annua L. and Artemisia absinthium L.) showed good antiplasmodial activity against multidrug resistant and sensitive strain of P. falciparum. A. absinthium and A. annua at concentrations of 200 mg/kg for 4 days reduced parasitemia in BALB/C mice infected with Plasmodium bergei by 94.28% and 83.28%, respectively, but we could not detect artemisinin in all plants studied in this research. The antiplasmodial property of these two herbs is possibly related to essential oils that present in high amounts in their extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work a physico-chemical characterization of the polysaccharide fraction of the exudates of Launaea acanthodes, a common medicinal species in central regions of Iran, was performed. The extraction of the polysaccharide fraction of the exudates was described. The structure characterization of the polysaccharide was performed with mono and bi-dimensional NMR spectroscopy techniques, which allowed the chemical composition and the relative monomers abundance of the extracted fraction to be estimated. The constituent monosaccharides were predominantly galactose, rhamnose, arabinose and galacturonic acid residues. Interchain association phenomena in the main arabinogalactans component (Mw=33.550Da) were evidenced both from high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HP-SEC–TDA), and by intrinsic viscosity ([η]0 =0.323dlg−1 in water and [η]0 =0.115dlg−1 in NaNO3 0.1M at 20°C) measurement and the Huggings coefficient λ. Due to the formation of hyperentanglements, a unique function of C[η]0 cannot be defined. The technological consequence was that once structured, the polysaccharide network did not express a sufficient degree in polymer orientation and therefore cast films showed weak mechanical properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bioassay-guided fractionation of a dichloromethane extract of the aerial parts of Salvia urmiensis , an endemic plant species of Iran, led to the isolation of two new cytotoxic ursane triterpenoids, Salvurmin A and Salvurmin B. Their structures were elucidated by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS, IR and UV analysis. Cytotoxicity of the above-mentioned compounds were evaluated against two human cancerous cell lines (SW1116, MCF-7). IC 50 values for Salvurmin A and Salvurmin B on colon cancer cell line (SW1116) were 41.6 ± 2.6 and 23.2 ± 0.4 μM respectively, in comparison to cisplatin as control positive. In addition, these two compounds exhibited cytotoxic activity on breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) with an IC 50 of 54.2 ± 5.3 and 40.2 ± 3.1 μM for Salvurmin A and Salvurmin B, respectively. The cytotoxic activities of these two compounds present a promising potential for the future investigation on this endemic species of Salvia. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the chemical constituents of the aerial parts of Pseudodictamnus aucheri (Boiss.) Salmaki & Siadati (formerly Ballota aucheri (Boiss.)), which is endemic to Iran, are reported. Six furolabdane-type diterpenoids, i.e. , ballotenol, ballotinone, ballonigrin, 6β,9α-dihydroxy-15,16-epoxylabda-13(16),14-dien-7-one, hispanolone, and leoheterin (7β,9α-dihydroxy-15,16-epoxylabda-13(16),14 dien-6 one), and the flavonoid ladanein were isolated from the chloroform extract of P. aucheri and identified using high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode-array detection-high-resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Ballotenol, 6β,9α-dihydroxy-15,16-epoxylabda-13(16),14-dien-7-one, hispanolone, and ladanein were identified from P. aucheri for the first time, and 6β,9α-dihydroxy-15,16-epoxylabda-13(16),14-dien-7-one, hispanolone, and leoheterin, were identified as chemophenetic markers to support a new circumscription of Ballota and Pseudodictamnus within tribe Marrubieae. [Display omitted] • Six furolabdane diterpenoids isolated from Pseudodictamnus aucheri. • Three diterpenoids and the flavonoid ladanein found in P. aucheri for the first time. • Three diterpenoids identified as important chemophenetic markers. • Findings support new circumscription of Ballota and Pseudodictamnus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euphorbia aellenii Rech. f. (Euphorbiaceae) afforded a cytotoxic chloroform fraction from which two new esters of 6(17)-epoxylathyrol were identified (1 and 2). The structure of these compounds was elucidated by spectroscopic methods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Asafoetida, an oleo-gum-resin obtained from the exudates of Ferula assa-foetida L. roots, is traditionally used to treat various diseases including asthma, gastrointestinal disorders, and intestinal parasites. On the basis of Iranian traditional medicine, the main source of asafetida is F. assa-foetida roots. In folk medicine, however, different Ferula species have been used as sources of asafoetida. To identify the original asafoetida that possesses medicinal properties, we should compare metabolic profiles of different asafoetida sources which are commonly used for the oleo-gum-resin preparation.1H-NMR based metabolomics was used to obtain metabolic profiles of eight asafoetida oleo-gum-resin samples and forty-six samples of Ferula species roots from two main regions of Iran. The acquired data were analyzed using multivariate principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) to identify the metabolic differences and similarities between the samples. Asafoetida is usually produced from Ferula species of southern and eastern regions of Iran. A clear metabolic differentiation was evident between asafoetida oleo-gum- resin samples from the southern and those of the eastern Iran. The distinguished metabolites, umbelliprenin, farnesiferol B, farnesiferol C, samarcandin and galbanic acid are significantly found in southern samples. Only southern asafoetida is obtained from F. assa-foetida. Asafoetida from eastern region of Iran is obtained from other species of Ferula such as F. alliacea and its metabolic profile is far different from that of southern asafoetida. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the diagnoses of suspected mitochondrial disease in Iran, which is caused by pathologic dysfunction of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, through Proton MR Spectroscopy. It may affect any organ system and now these diseases are called "mitochondrial cytopathies." It is a chronic loss of cellular energy, where a clinical phenotype is resulted from a failure to meet cellular energy demand.