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BACKGROUND: Consumption of contaminated eggs with Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis (SE) cause gastroenteritis in human. AIMS: The present study examined the effect of probiotic and prebiotic compared to antibiotic on the colonization of SE in the ceca, and the quantity and quality of produced eggs in the laying hens challenged with SE. METHODS: One hundred Hy-Line W-36 laying hens with 44-week-olds were studied for 13 weeks in a randomized complete block design containing five treatments and four replicates with five birds in each replicate. Treatments included: negative control, positive control, and antibiotic: diets containing antibiotic (Oxytetracycline 0.15 g/kg diet), probiotic (Bactocell(®) 0.1 g/kg diet), and prebiotic (Diamond V Original XPC(TM) 1.25 g/kg diet). All experimental groups except negative control were challenged with 1 ml of suspension solution containing 1 × 10(7) CFU/ml SE by oral gavage at the start of the ninth week of the experiment. Laying performance traits and cecal bacterial population were measured at the end of each week. RESULTS: Probiotic and prebiotic showed a greater effect in the reduction of yolk cholesterol and blood cholesterol level before and after challenge with SE, respectively (P

Background: Ecballium elaterium is endemic to the northwestern Iran and its fruit is traditionally used for therapeutic purposes in Iran. The toxicological and phytochemical characteristics of the Iran’s Ecballium elaterium have not been investigated so far. Objective: Study on some toxicological and phytochemical features of the Iran’s Ecballium elaterium fruit 90% ethanol extract. Method: The antioxidant capacity in the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay and total phenol and flavonoid contents were determined by spectrophotometry. The rutin (phytomyelin) content was measured by HPLC. Moreover, oral and intra-peritoneal LD50 (median lethal dose) after 72 hours of the extract administration in rat were determined by the graphical method of Miller and Tainter. The cytotoxicity against several cancer and non-cancer cell lines was determined by the MTT (mitochondrial tetrazolium) method. Results: The IC50 (inhibitory concentration 50%) in the DPPH assay was 3.57±0.006 mg/mL. The total phenol in terms of mg Gallic acid/0.05 g extract was 17.84±0.92. The total flavonoid in terms of mg rutin/0.1 g extract was 33.35 ± 1.06. The extract contained 1 mg/g rutin. The oral and intra-peritoneal LD50 of the extract were 472 mg/kg and 425 mg/kg respectively. The extract showed strong cytotoxicity in ACHN and ASPC1 cell lines, which was followed by Caco2 and PC12 cells. Non-neoplastic cells were much less affected by the extract in comparison with the cancerous cells. Conclusion: The extract has low antioxidant activity. The oral and intra-peritoneal toxicities of the extract in the LD50 test are moderate. The extract has considerable selective toxicity against cancer cells.

Background: Production of anti-Toxoplasma drug with high efficacy and low side effect is one of the main priorities in toxoplasmosis researches. Herbal extracts has considered as a candidate for this purpose. Objective: This study was performed in order to determine lethal effect of Artemisia absinthium L., Carum copticum L. and Gossypium hirsutum extracts on Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites in vitro free cell line. Methods: Tachyzoites of T. gondii RH strain were treated with concentrations of 10, 50, 100, and 200 mg/ml of Artemisia absinthium L., Carum copticum L., and Gossypium hirsutum extracts within 10, 30, and 45 min. Afterward, the tachyzoites were stained with alkaline methylene blue. Mortality rates of tachyzoites treated with extracts were determined. The results were analyzed with one way ANOVA and Post Hoc Test by SPSS software. P

Background: L-menthol [(1R,3R,4S)-(-)-menthol] is a flavoring that is the main component of mint herb essential oils, especially of the Menthapiperita and Menthaarvensisspecies. Menthol is used commercially in a variety of products for its antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cooling characteristics. Both natural and synthetic menthol is found in powder crystalline form. Its low solubility in aqueous systems makes precise formulation necessary in the final products.Of the methods available for fabrication of nanoparticles for use in pharmaceuticals, electrospraying is easy and requires only one step. Objective: Electrospraying was used to fabricate menthol/PEG micro/nanoparticles. The experiments used menthol concentrations of 10%, 15% and 20% (wt) and PEG concentrations of 5%, 10% and 15% (wt). Methods: The effect of menthol and PEG concentration on the morphology of the fabricated particles was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the best levels for each parameter under optimal conditions. Results: SEM results revealed that an increase in PEG and menthol concentrations in solution, increased the particle diameters. RSM showed that particle diameter should be calculated as the square root of a function of the first order and cubic forms of menthol and PEG. Optimization results show that the optimal menthol concentration is 10.7% (wt) and PEG concentration is 7.31% (wt). The optimal modeled particle diameter of 1219 nm approached the real test particle diameters (1136 nm). The results indicate that the modeled conditions were appropriate for menthol/PEG electrospray particles. Conclusion: The results showed that the maximum PEG concentration effects particle diameter because of its polymeric structure. At high menthol concentrations, the percentage of menthol in a droplet was greater than the PEG concentration and some menthol sublimated during drop formation. At low menthol concentrations, PEG covered the menthol and prevented sublimation, decreasing the effect of menthol concentration.

Background: S. alopecuroides, Z. officinale and M. officinalis are used traditionally in the treatment of pain. Objective: To evaluate the plants effects in the rat formalin test and their activity on the opioid receptors. Methods: Each rat was placed individually in a cage for 30 min to get acclimated. Then 0.05 mL of 10% formalin was injected subcutaneously into the dorsal surface of the right hind paw of the rat. Afterward, the animal was returned to the cage for observation. Pain responses were scored at 30 and 60 min after formalin injection. 90% ethanol extract was injected subcutaneously 30 min before formalin injection. To evaluate the role of opioid receptors in the analgesic effect of the extracts inhibiting the early phase of the test, naloxone was injected subcutaneously 30 min before extract injection. Moreover, the extracts effects on the Straub reaction were studied in mice. Mice were placed in individual cages immediately after extract injection for observation. The positive Straub tail response was considered as a persistent elevation of the tail at an angle more than 45º, 30 min after extract injection. Results: S. alopecuroides and M. officinalis inhibited both phases of the formalin test (p

Objective(s): In the current study, the effects of selected folk medicinal herbs were evaluated in D-galactose-induced aging in male mice. Materials and Methods: Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 12 groups composing sham, control, and treated groups. Aging was induced by administration of D-galactose (500 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks). A positive control group was assigned that received vitamin E (200 mg/kg/day). The extract of herbs was prepared, lyophilized, and used in this study. The herbs were administered by gavage for 4 weeks to D-galactose-aged animals at the selected doses (mg/kg/day) as follows: Zingiber officinale (250), Glycyrrhiza glabra (150), Rosmarinus officinalis (300), Peganum harmala (50), Aloe vera (150), Satureja hortensis (200), Teucrium scordium (200), Hypericum perforatum (135) and Silybum marianum (150). One group of animals was assigned as sham and not given D-galactose. Results: At the end of treatment, pro-inflammatory markers including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interlukine-1β (IL-β), interlukine-6 (IL-6), NF-kappaB (NF-κb), total antioxidant power (TAP), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as lipid peroxidation (LPO) marker and male sex hormones i.e. testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) were measured in the blood. Conclusion: These data for the first time indicate significant anti-aging potential of examined herbs. Results showed that D-galactose induces a significant oxidative stress and promotes proinflammatory cascade of aging while all herbs more or less recovered these changes. Among 9 herbal extracts, Silybum marianum showed the best effect in restoring aging changes.

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.

Herbal medicines include a range of pharmacologically active compounds: in some cases it is not well understood which ingredients are important for a therapeutic effect. The supporters of herbal medicine believe that isolated ingredients in the majority of cases have weaker clinical effects than whole plant extract, a claim that would obviously require proof in each case. Generalizations about the efficacy of herbal medicines are clearly not possible. Each one needs systematic research including a variety of animal studies and also randomized clinical trials. In this review we focus on Passiflora incarnata and Salvia officinalis.

Many cultures have developed folk herbal remedies for various symptoms of mental illness. An evidence base now is being developed for some of these “alternative” herbal remedies. There has been an increase in the number and proportion of clinical trials of complementary medicine, which suggests a trend toward an evidence-based approach. This review presents the scientific information regarding herbal medicine with evidence based approaches for saffron.

Background: Cinnamomum zeylanicum J. Presl (cinnamon) have been used as food and herbal drug in Asia and Europe. Although some studies have been shown that cinnamon has blood glucose lowering effect but some reports denied it. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of cinnamon on blood glucose level in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods : This study was a double blind randomized controlled trial study. 61 type 2 diabetic patients with fasting blood glucose of 140 to 250 mg/dl were randomly divided in to two groups. The patients in cinnamon groups received two 500mg cinnamon capsules and patients in placebo group received two 500mg placebo capsules daily. The patients fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL were determined at starting and after 8 weeks at the end of the study. Results : There was no significant difference in patients fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL between intervention groups compared with placebo on starting of the trial. Further results indicated that there were no significant difference between two groups regarding lowering of blood glucose, HbA1c, and blood lipids after 8 week of cinnamon and placebo treatment. Conclusion : According to the study results, consumption of one gram of cinnamon per day, do not have blood glucose lowering effects.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a commonly diagnosed childhood disorder that affects approximately 3 to 7% of children. As a result, ADHD is one of the most common presenting problems among children referred to mental health professionals. Pharmacotherapy is the most commonly recommended intervention for ADHD and it has been shown to be the optimal treatment option in cases where no other comorbid conditions are present. Herbal medicine is widely used by families of children with ADHD. This review focused on herbal medicine in the treatment of ADHD.

Background: Thymus, one of the important genus of Labiatae family, have been used since ancient times as folk remedies for some medical treatments. Objective: In this study, chemical compositions of essential oil of Thymus caucasicus were analyzed and antibacterial effects of fractions were surveyed. Methods: Thymus caucasicus (lamiaceae) at the flowering stage were collected, from Ardabil province (No. 41and 87 at Central Herbarium of Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR). The essential oil aerial parts of T. caucasicus was collected by Hydrodistillation and Steam distillation method. The essential oils were dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and after filtaration, stored at +4˚C until tested and GC/MS analyzed. Antibacterial activities of essential oil and fractions of the plant were studied by agar dilution on eight bacterial strains. Results: In hydro and steam distillation essence of T. caucasicus, 44 and 58 compounds were identified, respectively. In vitro antimicrobial activities showed that was positive effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion: Nerolidol was major compound in hydro and steam distillation essential oil of T. caucasicus. In this study, we showed the essential oil and n- butanol fraction of T. caucasicus have lower MIC against tested microorganisms.

Purpose: The remains unknown, To determine the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Scrophularia megalantha in male rats in order to understand the scientific basis for its trado-medicinal uses, especially in inflammation.Methods: The extract of Scrophularia megalantha was obtained with ethanol. In order to determine qualitatively the chemical components of the extract, thin layer chromatography (TLC) was used. The analgesic activity of the extract at various doses (25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p) was assessed using formalin test while pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Diclofenac (5 mg/kg) was used as positive control.Results: Phenolic compounds, flavonoids and phenyl propanoid were present in the extract. At doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, the extract showed significant analgesic effects (p < 0.05, p< 0.01) in the first phases of formalin test, compared with the control. At 25, 100 and 200 mg/kg doses, the extract reduced significantly (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.001) pain score in the chronic phases of the formalin test. In addition, at 50 - 200 μg/mL of the extractm both TNF-α and IL-6 proinflammatory cytokines were inhibited significantly (p < 0.001) on LPS-stimulated macrophages.Conclusion: The extract of S. megalantha exerts analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities by inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines production. This lends support for the use of the plant as an analgesic in traditional medicine.Keywords: Scrophularia megalantha, Analgesic, Inflammation, Pro-inflammatory cytokines, Phenolics,Flavonoids

Purpose: To investigate the effect of ethyl acetate extract of S. striata on pro-inflammatory production by macrophages.Methods: Mouse peritoneal macrophages were cultured in solvent either alone or with 2 ìg/ml lipopolysaccaride (LPS) with/without different doses of ethyl acetate extract of S. striata. Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin 1â (IL-1â), tumor necrosis factor - á (TNF-á) andprostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were examined using ELISA.Results: Ethyl acetate fraction of S. striata in doses of 10, 50, 100 and 200 ìg/ml significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-1â, TNF-á, and PGE2) production by LPS stimulated peritoneal macrophages.Conclusion: The anti-inflammatory effect of the extract on pro-inflammatory cytokines may ameliorate inflammatory diseases, possibly via an immunomodulatory mechanism.Keywords: Pro-inflammatory, Cytokines, Ethyl acetate extract, Scrophularia striata

A recent randomized clinical trial showed buspirone efficacy in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. However, results from a recent multi-site controlled clinical trial of transdermal buspirone failed to separate it from placebo in a large sample of children with ADHD. Therefore, due to these inconsistent findings, this study was designed to assess the efficacy of buspirone in the treatment of children with ADHD compared to methylphenidate in a double blind randomized clinical trial. Forty outpatients with a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of ADHD were study population of this trial. Subjects were recruited from an outpatient child and adolescent clinic for a 6 week double blind, randomized clinical trial. All study subjects were randomly assigned to receive treatment using tablet of buspirone at a dose of 20-30 mg/day depending on weight (20 mg/day for < 30kg and 30 mg/day for > 30kg) (group 1) or methylphenidate at a dose of 20-30 mg/day depending on weight (20 mg/day for < 30kg and 30 mg/day for > 30kg (group 2) for a 6 week double blind, randomized clinical trial. The principal measure of outcome was the Teacher and Parent ADHD Rating Scale IV. Patients were assessed at baseline and at 21 and 42 days after the medication started. Significant differences were observed between the two groups on the Parent and Teacher Rating Scale scores. The changes at the endpoint compared to baseline were: -8.95±8.73 (mean±SD) and -15.60±7.81 (mean±SD) for buspirone and methyphenidate, for Parent ADHD Rating Scale. The changes at the endpoint compared to baseline were: -9.80 ±7.06 (mean±SD) and -22.40±9.90 (mean±SD) for buspirone and methyphenidate, respectively for Teacher ADHD Rating Scale. The difference between the buspirone and methylphenidate groups in the frequency of side effects was not significant except for decreased appetite, headache and insomnia that were observed more frequently in the methylphenidate group. The results of this study suggest that administration of buspirone was less effective than methylphenidate in the treatment of ADHD.

Tragopogon is a genus of Asteraceae family and Lactuceae tribe. Distribution of this genus in different areas resulted to its dietary and feed applications as well as medicinal uses. Different parts of these plants have been used in treatment of stomachache and digestive disorders. In Iranian traditional medicine they used as hemostatic and wound healing agent in nose, ears, lungs, throat, intestine, stomach, and skin bleeding. Reduction of lipid peroxidation and blood lipid level, antioxidant, antileukemic, and antibacterial effects, and healing effect on inflammatory bowel disease are some of evaluated pharmacologic effects of the plants in this genus. Flavonoids, terpenes, saponins, bibenzyl and hydroisocoumarins, phenolic compounds, and strolls are some of detected phytochemicals of these plants that majority of them have been identified through the chemotaxonomic studies. Some tragopogon plants with high antioxidant effect are able to protect the tissues from the inflammatory disorders and inhibit DNA damage in the determined concentrations.

Papaver bracteatum Lindly (Papaveraceae) is an endemic species of Iran which has economic importance in drug industries. The main alkaloid of the plant is thebaine which is used as a precursor of the semi-synthetic and synthetic compounds including codeine and naloxone, respectively. This systematic review focuses on main component of Papaver bracteatum and methods used to determine thebaine. All studies which assessed the potential effect of the whole plant or its extract on clinical or preclinical studies were reviewed. In addition, methods for determination of the main components, especially thebaine, which have been published from 1948 to March 2013, were included. Exclusion criteria were agricultural studies that did not assess. This study has listed alkaloids identified in P. bracteatum which reported since 1948 to 2013. Also, the biological activities of main compounds of Papaver bracteatum including thebaine, isothebaine, (-)-nuciferine have been reviewed. As thebaine has many medicinal and industrial values, determination methods of thebaine in P. bracteatum were summarized. The methods have being used for determination of thebaine include chromatographic (HPLC, GC and TLC) and non chromatographic methods. HPLC methods seem to be the best method from the angle of time consuming, cost and data accuracy and precision.

Glycyrrhiza glabra L (Licorice) as native and pasture medicinal plant has most important export rule. Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) or Glycyrrhizin as a main active component of licorice root and rhizomes, is a triterpenoid saponin claimed to be up to 30-50 times sweeter than sucrose and to be used in pharmaceuticals, food and tobacco industry. Licorice root is a traditional medicine used mainly for the treatment of peptic ulcer, hepatitis C, and pulmonary and skin diseases, although clinical and experimental studies suggest that it has several other useful pharmacological properties such as antiinflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidative, anticancer activities, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective and cardioprotective effects. A large number of components have been isolated from licorice, including triterpene saponins, flavonoids, isoflavonoids and chalcones, with glycyrrhizic acid normally being considered to be the main biologically active component. Understanding of the limitations and challenges in the medicinal plant are need for planning principles for development activities and conservation in this field.In this review summarizes the phytochemical, pharmacological and pharmacokinetics data, together with the clinical as one of the most important herbs in exports and adverse effects of licorice.

Rising challenges in the present drug discovery model are prompting Prompt a renewed interest in natural products as a source of novel, bioactive small molecules. With the current validation of zebra fish as a biomedical appropriate model for functional genomics and in vivo drug discovery, the zebra fish bioassay-guided identification of natural products may be an attractive tactic to generate new lead compounds in a number of indication regions. Here, we review recent natural product research using zebra fish and evaluate the potential of this vertebrate model as a discovery platform for the systematic identification of bioactive natural products.

Background: Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. (Caucasian whortleberry) fruit is used as an anti-hyperglycemic agent for treatment of diabetes mellitus. Objective: The effects of whortleberry fruit and leaf extracts on the blood levels of fasting glucose, HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin), insulin, creatinine and liver enzymes SGOT and SGPT in alloxan-diabetic rats as well as LD50s of the extracts in rats were studied. Methods: The effects of 2 months daily gavage of each extract at the doses of 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg on the parameters after single alloxan intraperitoneal injection at a dose of 125 mg/kg in the rats were evaluated. To calculate LD50 (median lethal dose), each extract was gavaged to groups of 30 healthy male and female Wistar rats at various doses once and the number of dead animals in each group within 72 hours was determined. Results: Alloxan injection resulted in significant increase of fasting glucose and HbA1c levels but decreased insulin levels significantly. Oral administration of whortleberry fruit and leaf extracts (each at the doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) significantly reduced the fasting glucose and HbA1c levels but significantly increased the insulin levels without any significant effects on the SGOT, SGPT and creatinine levels in the diabetic rats compared with the control diabetic rats. The LD50s of the extracts were more than 15 g/kg. Conclusion: Whortleberry fruits and leaves may have anti-hyperglycemic and blood insulin level elevating effects without hepatic and renal toxicities in the alloxan-diabetic rats and are relatively nontoxic in rats.

Persian poppy or great scarlet poppy (Papaver bracteatum Lindl.) is proposed as a new source of raw material for codeine production and addiction treatment. This species as a native plant is growing in North and West of Iran. As for possible of illegal cultivation of opium poppy, cultivation of Persian poppy in Iran was associated with restrictions and despite the being abundant biodiversity of this plant in Iran, this plant was not considered yet. However, Persian poppy is lacking in morphine and rich in the baine. It has appropriate potential for domestication, mass production, and industrial processing as a valuable medicinal plant. For this reason, in this study was investigated kind of traits in this plant.

Background: Saffron is the dried stigmata of the flowers of saffron (Crocus sativus L., Iridaceae). Saffron and its major active constituents, crocin (crocetin glycoside), crocetin and safranal, have a variety of pharmacological effects including high antioxidant properties and crocetin has insulin sensitizing effect possibly due to its antioxidant activity. Oral crocin is not absorbed and is hydrolyzed and absorbed as the active metabolite crocetin in the rat intestines. Objective: Study of the saffron, crocin and safranal effects on the blood levels of fasting glucose, HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) and liver/kidney function tests in alloxan-diabetic rats. Methods: The effects of 6 weekschr('39') daily oral administration of saffron methanolic extract, crocin and safranal on the fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin, creatinine and SGOT and SGPT levels after single alloxan intraperitoneal injection at a dose of 125 mg/kg in rats were evaluated. Results: Alloxan injection resulted in significant increase of fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels but decreased blood insulin levels significantly. Saffron methanolic extract (80 and 240 mg/kg), crocin (50 and 150 mg/kg) and safranal (0.25 and 0.5 ml/kg) significantly reduced the fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels but significantly increased the blood insulin levels without any significant effects on the blood SGOT, SGPT and creatinine levels in the diabetic rats compared with the control diabetic rats. Conclusion: The results suggest that saffron may have anti-hyperglycemic and blood insulin level elevating effects without hepatic and renal toxicities in the alloxan - diabetic rats. Further, crocin, crocetin and safranal may be involved in these effects of saffron.

Background: We aimed to investigate different biological properties of aerial parts essential oil of Ferulago trifida Boiss and larvicidal activity of its volatile oils from all parts of plant. Methods: Essential oil was prepared by steam distillation and analyzed by Gas chromatography and GC/Mass. Anti­oxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic effects and AChE inhibitory of the oil were investigated using DPPH, disk diffusion method, MTT assay and Ellman methods. Larvicidal activity of F. trifida essential oil against malaria vector Anoph­eles stephensi was carried out according to the method described by WHO. Results: In GC and GC/MS analysis, 58 compounds were identified in the aerial parts essential oil, of which E-ver­benol (9.66%), isobutyl acetate (25.73%) and E-β-caryophyllene (8.68%) were main compounds. The oil showed (IC50= 111.2µg/ml) in DPPH and IC50= 21.5 mg/ml in the investigation of AChE inhibitory. Furthermore, the oil demonstrated toxicity with (LD50= 1.1µg/ml) in brine shrimp lethality test and with (IC50= 22.0, 25.0 and 42.55 µg/ml) on three cancerous cell lines (MCF-7, A-549 and HT-29) respectively. LC50 of stem, root, aerial parts, fruits, and flowers essential oils against larvae of An. stephensi were equal with 10.46, 22.27, 20.50, 31.93 and 79.87ppm respectively. In antimicrobial activities, essential oil was effective on all specimens except Escherichia coli, Asper­gillus niger and Candida albicans. Conclusion: The essential oil showed moderate antioxidant activity, strong antimicrobial properties and good toxic effect in brine shrimp test and MTT assay on three cancerous cell lines.

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.

Premenstrual syndromes (PMS) are a group of menstrually related, chronic and cyclical disorders characterized by emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms in the second half (luteal phase) of the menstrual cycle. Several line of evidence point to a significant role of the serotonergic system in the course of the luteal phase in women with PMS/ Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. It has been reported that herbal medicine is useful in relieving the symptoms of PMS. An American telephone survey suggested that up to 80% self-medicating sufferers use complementary remedies. This review focused on herbal medicine in the treatment of PMS.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) is one of the most important, most consuming aromatic and medicinal plants and it is one of the most exportable items in Iran. The fennel has essential oil and seeds are the most important organ that produces essential oil, and the most important compound is anethole (50 to 75). The level and quality of essential oils of fennel are influenced by factors such as different stages of growth and environmental factors (temperature, soil, location, gradient, elevation, and harvest time). The essential oil of this plant is used in various pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and sanitary industries. The active ingredients of this plant are used in pharmacy for the treatment of cough, abdominal pain, bloating, indigestion in children and increase breast feeding of mothers.

Autistic Disorders, in the category of pervasive developmental disorders, are devastating neurodevelopmental disturbances mainly characterized by impairment of social interaction, communication and behavior. Complementary and alternative medicine is widely used by families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Prevalence of Complementary and alternative medicine use in children with Autistic Disorders is among the highest of any population, Ginkgo biloba a herbal remedy with a long history in China has been investigated for different psychiatric conditions and has comparable use to other Complementary and alternative medicines The purpose of this review is to review the role of Ginkgo biloba in the management of autism.

Background: Advanced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) needing insulin therapy is a common disease. Previous studies indicate that aloe (Aloe vera L.) leaf gel may positively affect the blood glucose and lipid levels in patients with advanced T2DM needing insulin. Objective: Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of aloe leaf gel in the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients resistant to oral synthetic anti-hyperglycemic drugs needing insulin. Methods: In this randomized double - blind placebo-controlled clinical trial with the patients aged 40-60 years, the efficacy and safety of taking aloe leaf gel (one 300 mg capsule every 12 hours for 2 months) combined with oral synthetic anti-hyperglycemic drugs in treatment of 35 patients were evaluated and compared with the placebo group (n = 35). Results: The aloe leaf gel lowered the blood levels of fasting glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin significantly (p = 0.041 and p = 0.023 respectively) without any significant effects on the lipid profile and liver/kidney function tests (p > 0.05) compared with placebo at the endpoint. No adverse effects were reported. Conclusion: The results suggest that aloe leaf gel may safely improve glycemic control in patients with advanced T2DM needing insulin.

Background: Chemical preservation has become an increasingly important practice in modern food technology and herbal medicinal products with the increase in production of processed and convenience products. Objective: In the present study, a reversed-phased HPLC method for simultaneous determination of the preservatives sodium benzoate (SB) and potassium sorbate (PS) is described. Methods: The separation of SB and PS were performed on the C18- column and acetonitrile – ammonium acetate buffer as mobile phase. The detector wavelength was set at 254 nm. Results: Separation of the two components (SB and PB) was achieved in less than 6 min. Analytical characteristics of the separation such as limit of detection, limit of quantification, accuracy, precision and reproducibility were evaluated. The range of preservatives found were from not detected (nd) — 2477 mg l-1, nd — 328 mg l-1 for SB, PS respectively. Conclusion: In This study, has shown that the concentration of SB and PS in the soft drink samples is higher that ADI even for normal consumers, based on maximum limits specified in national standards and on model diets.

Background: Studies have demonstrated that plant extracts have various biological effects including immunomodulatory effect. Objective: In the present study, the immunomodulatory effects of Lavandula officinalis on lymphocyte proliferation and tumor necrosis factor alpha cytokine production were investigated. Methods: [3H] - thymidine incorporation assay on stimulation of the peripheral lymphocytes with PHA and determination of tumor necrosis factor alpha production was assayed, using LISA method. Results: The herbal extract in a concentration of 50 g/ml and lesser, in the presence of mitogen increased peripheral blood lymphocytes proliferation. However, there was not significant effect in concentrations more than 50 μg/ml. Also, the extract in the concentration of higher than 50 g/ml suppressed the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha in the exposed cells. Conclusion: The extract showed immunomodulatory effect by increasing of lymphocyte proliferation in a concentration of 50 g/ml and lesser. Also, decreasing in tumor necrosis factor alpha in the concentration of more than 50 g/ml was observed. Further studies, should focus on identifying the immunomodulatory mediator of this herbal extract.

Background: Geum kokanicum Regel et schmath, a member of Rosaceae family, is an endemic perennial rhizomatous plant of Iran. This plant has a consideration attention in the treatment of diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorders. Objective: In this study, the anti bacterial effects of total extract and fractions of rhizome of plant were investigated. Methods: Rhizomes of G. Kokanicum were collected in June 2006 from Bojnourd (khorasan province). The dried rhizomes were extracted with ethanol to prepare the total extract. Another part of the rhizomes was separately extracted with petrolium ether, dichloromethane, methanol and water successively in order to obtain different fractions. The antibacterial effects of total extract and fractions were investigated with disc diffusion method. Results: The results shows Staphylococcus aureus were susceptible against total extract and methanol fraction. This fraction (10 mg/disc) was indicated the largest zone diameters (19 mm). The MIC Values of total extract was investigated. Among the bacterial strains, Staphylococcus epidermitus demonstrated high sensitivity to the total extract of G. kokanicum (0.125 mg/ml). Conclusion: The zone diameters of total extract was 18 mm on S. aureus in 10 mg/disc. Phytochemical analysis of total extract was shown the large amounts of tanan compounds. We suspect the antibacterial effect is for tanan compounds. This was demonstrated by bioautography method analysis of tanan part isolated form methanol fraction.