Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
Zhilla Zarei; Nabi Khaliliaqdam; Shahriar Saeidian; Bahaaldin Rashidzadeh; Mohammad Ghadermarzi
Abstract
Background and objectives: Plants possess efficient antioxidant defense systems that neutralize and eliminate toxic levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These systems include both enzymatic and non-enzymatic components. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) is a key enzyme in this defense system, playing a ...
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Background and objectives: Plants possess efficient antioxidant defense systems that neutralize and eliminate toxic levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These systems include both enzymatic and non-enzymatic components. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) is a key enzyme in this defense system, playing a crucial role in regulating the levels of toxic ROS in various intracellular compartments. The expression of APX is modulated during certain developmental stages as well as under biotic and abiotic stress conditions, highlighting the importance of APX activity in controlling hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) levels within cells.
Methodology: In this study, an enzyme extract was prepared from black mulberry (Morus nigra L.), and its kinetic properties were evaluated in the presence of different salts. The activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) was determined by measuring the oxidation of the ascorbate substrate at a wavelength of 290 nm, using an extinction coefficient of 18.2 mM⁻¹ cm⁻¹. The optimum temperature for enzyme activity was determined by measuring APX activity at temperatures ranging from 25 to 80 °C in 50 mM Tris–HCl buffer (pH 7.6) at 5 °C intervals. To evaluate thermal stability, the enzyme solution was incubated in a water bath at temperatures between 25 and 80 °C for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was then maintained at room temperature for 10 minutes, after which APX activity was measured. To determine the most appropriate response of ascorbate peroxidase to the different levels of the studied treatments, linear and non-linear regression analyses were performed due to the limited number of treatments.
Results: The electrophoretic profile of ascorbate peroxidase in blackberry leaf extract revealed two isoenzymes at pH 6.5 and 8 (APX-LI and APX-LII), while one isoenzyme (APX-F) was detected in the fruit extract at pH 6.5. The substrates ascorbate, pyrogallol, and guaiacol increased peroxidase activity at low concentrations; however, at higher concentrations, they exhibited inhibitory effects on enzyme activity, likely due to substrate inhibition mechanisms that help regulate oxidative stress. Nonlinear regression analysis showed that the activities of APX-F and APX-LII followed the Gompertz exponential model, whereas the activity of APX-LI followed a monophasic incremental exponential function. The nonlinear regression analysis of the effect of sodium chloride, based on a planar exponential function with a decreasing phase, indicated that APX-LI is more sensitive to sodium chloride in the environment than APX-LII. In the presence of ferrous sulfate, the slope of APX-LII activity was greater than that of APX-LI, suggesting that APX-LII is more sensitive to ferrous sulfate. The maximum activity of APX-LII was observed at a concentration of 0.138 mM iron chloride. In the presence of zinc sulfate, APX-LII reached 50% of its maximum activity later than the other two enzymes, indicating that this isoenzyme is less sensitive to zinc sulfate in the environment. The optimum temperatures for maximum enzyme activity were 35 °C for APX-F, 30 °C for APX-LI, and 45 °C for APX-LII.
Conclusion: High concentrations of metal ions reduce the plant’s ability to cope with oxidative stress. Based on the results of the present study, the effects of zinc ions (zinc sulfate), iron chloride, iron sulfate, and sodium chloride on peroxidase activity were evaluated. The results indicated that sodium chloride at low concentrations had little effect on peroxidase activity; however, as sodium chloride concentration increased, structural changes occurred, leading to peroxidation. These structural alterations were associated with a significant reduction in enzyme activity, approaching nearly zero in all three isozymes. Zinc ions inhibit peroxidase activity by binding to the enzyme's active site, inducing unfavorable structural changes that interfere with substrate binding and catalytic activity. Nonlinear regression analysis of the activities of the three enzymes (APX-LI, APX-LII, and APX-F) at different temperature levels, based on a two-piece function, showed that the slope of the increasing phase of enzyme activity in the first part of the APX-LI model was greater than that of APX-LII and APX-F. This finding indicates that APX-LI is more sensitive to changes in ambient temperature in blackberries.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
Somayeh Ataei Jaliseh; houra pourghafar
Abstract
Background and Aim: The increasing spread of antibiotic resistance, particularly among Gram-negative bacteria, has encouraged the exploration of combined therapeutic approaches involving antibiotics and plant-derived compounds for the treatment of bacterial infections. Therefore, the present study aimed ...
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Background and Aim: The increasing spread of antibiotic resistance, particularly among Gram-negative bacteria, has encouraged the exploration of combined therapeutic approaches involving antibiotics and plant-derived compounds for the treatment of bacterial infections. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of the bioactive compounds allicin and cinnamon on β-lactam-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Materials and Methods: The herbal active compounds allicin and cinnamon were purchased from Sigma‑Aldrich. Twenty clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa obtained from the Pathobiology Laboratory of Razi Hospital were used in this study. The isolates were subjected to standard biochemical tests to confirm identification and ensure bacterial purity. These tests included hemolysin production, oxidase, catalase, and urease activities, growth at 42 °C, and growth characteristics on MacConkey agar (MCA), triple sugar iron agar (TSI), sulfide–indole–motility (SIM) medium, and Mueller–Hinton agar, as well as Gram staining. To evaluate the antibacterial effects of the active compounds, cinnamon at a concentration of 0.5 mg mL⁻¹ and allicin at a concentration of 0.004 mg mL⁻¹ were tested. Antibacterial activity was assessed using the antibiogram method (Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion test) and quantitative determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) using the serial dilution method. The diameter of the bacterial growth inhibition zones around discs impregnated with the active compounds was measured and recorded. For the in-silico analysis, the three-dimensional structures of allicin, cinnamon, and the target proteins were obtained from the PubChem database and the RCSB Protein Data Bank, respectively. Using Discovery Studio software, rotatable bonds, atomic charges, and the center of gravity of the molecules were determined. Molecular docking simulations were performed for the target proteins and repeated independently 200 times. In this study, the Lamarckian genetic algorithm (LGA) was applied, and the resulting data were analyzed. Finally, RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and RT-PCR were carried out to evaluate the effects of the active compounds on the expression level of the blaIMP gene.
Results: The 20 clinical strains were confirmed as Pseudomonas aeruginosa based on colony morphology, characteristic odor, pigment production on Mueller–Hinton agar, hemolysin production on blood agar, Gram staining (Gram-negative bacilli), positive oxidase test, growth
at 42 °C on nutrient agar, motility, and lack of sugar fermentation on MacConkey agar and TSI media. In the disk diffusion assay, the mean diameter of the growth inhibition zone was 16 mm for 0.004 mg·mL⁻¹ allicin and 17 mm for 0.5 mg·mL⁻¹ cinnamon. The MIC and MBC of allicin were 0.001 and 0.002 mg·mL⁻¹ for one strain, and 0.002 and 0.004 mg·mL⁻¹ for the remaining strains, respectively. For cinnamon, the MIC and MBC were 0.125 and 0.25 mg·mL⁻¹ for one strain, and 0.25 and 0.5 mg·mL⁻¹ for the others. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the minimum free binding energy (ΔG) between cinnamon and β-lactamase was –4.83 kcal·mol⁻¹, whereas that for allicin was –4.12 kcal·mol⁻¹. These results indicate that cinnamon has a stronger inhibitory interaction with β-lactamase and effectively reduces its activity. Compared with the control drug sulfonamide (ΔG = –5.34 kcal·mol⁻¹), the small difference in binding energies suggests that both cinnamon and allicin positively interact with β-lactamase. Furthermore, treatment with sub-MIC concentrations of both compounds resulted in decreased expression of the blaIMP gene in P. aeruginosa.
Conclusion: One of the major challenges in combating pathogenic microorganisms is the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance. In this study, β-lactam-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains treated with cinnamon and allicin exhibited reduced expression of the β-lactam resistance gene compared to untreated strains, indicating that these compounds can decrease β-lactam resistance. Based on these findings, it is suggested that cinnamon and allicin could be used in combination with conventional antibiotics to treat P. aeruginosa infections, following validation in standard clinical trials.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
Fatemeh Abdoli; Shaban Rahimi; Mohammad Amir Karimi Torshizi; Ali Baghbanzadeh
Abstract
Background and objectives: Genetic selection based on high growth rates and slaughter weights in broiler chickens has created numerous challenges for broiler breeders. A negative correlation between growth-related and reproductive traits has resulted in reduced fertility, particularly among male broiler ...
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Background and objectives: Genetic selection based on high growth rates and slaughter weights in broiler chickens has created numerous challenges for broiler breeders. A negative correlation between growth-related and reproductive traits has resulted in reduced fertility, particularly among male broiler breeders. Consequently, the fertility percentage in meat-type poultry has declined, accompanied by physiological disorders such as reduced sexual desire, decreased mating frequency, and diminished sperm production in these birds. Therefore, the objective of this research is to determine the efficient levels of ginseng (G) and Tribulus terrestris (Tt), as well as to investigate the synergistic effects of these two compounds in the diets of broiler breeders over 40 weeks of age, with emphasis on evaluating sperm quantity and quality and assessing any possible related effects.Methodology: The field phase of this study was carried out from February 2023 to July 2023 at the Poultry Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University. Thirty-two Arian strain roosters, aged 57 weeks, were randomly assigned to four groups (eight birds per treatment) and were fed a daily basal diet supplemented with different levels of G and Tt, including: 1) basal diet without additives (control); 2) 300 mg G powder/kg diet; 3) 150 mg G powder/kg diet + 190 mg Tt extract/kg diet; and 4) 380 mg Tt extract/kg diet. The roosters received these diets from week 57 to week 70, making the experiment duration 13 weeks. Birds were housed individually in cages equipped with an automatic exposure system under a photoperiod of 14 hours light and 10 hours darkness. Temperature and feeding conditions were regulated according to the Arian (Hybro) breeder management manual, and water was supplied ad libitum. To facilitate semen collection, samples were obtained weekly through abdominal massage. Sperm volume, viability, membrane integrity, concentration, and motility characteristics were evaluated using CASA software.Results: Semen volume, sperm concentration, and survival percentage were not significantly affected by the experimental treatments (G, Tt, G + Tt) and showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05). However, sperm membrane integrity was significantly influenced by the treatments (P < 0.05). The highest percentage of membrane integrity was observed in the combined G + Tt treatment, which differed significantly from the other treatments, except for the G treatment (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the effects of different levels of G and Tt on sperm motility indicated that progressive motility, non-motile sperm, and overall motility were significantly affected by the treatments (P < 0.05). The highest percentage of motile sperm was recorded in the G treatment, which was significantly different from the other treatments except the control (P < 0.05). Conversely, the highest percentage of non-motile sperm was observed in the Tt treatment, which differed significantly from the other treatments, excluding the control group (P < 0.05). Other recorded motility parameters were not significantly influenced by the experimental treatments (P > 0.05).Conclusion: Based on the results of this experiment, it can be concluded that the combined supplementation of these two medicinal plants (G + Tt) exerted positive effects on reproductive parameters, including improvements in sperm quantity and quality, enhancement of sperm membrane integrity, better motility characteristics, and increased fertility in the roosters.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
Shahla Hosseini; Sajjad Atashi
Abstract
Background and Objective: Viola odorata L. and Hymenocrater longiflorus Benth., two wild medicinal plants from the Kosalan region of Kurdistan Province, are recognized for their promising health-related effects. Viola is the largest genus in the Violaceae family, with 30 out of its ...
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Background and Objective: Viola odorata L. and Hymenocrater longiflorus Benth., two wild medicinal plants from the Kosalan region of Kurdistan Province, are recognized for their promising health-related effects. Viola is the largest genus in the Violaceae family, with 30 out of its 525-600 species identified in Iran. V. odorata (sweet violet) is widely used in the perfume industry and contains secondary metabolites with anti-inflammatory, sedative, detoxifying, and antiviral properties. Its various plant parts are known for medicinal uses, and local ecotypes have been documented. Hymenocrater, from the Lamiaceae family, includes 24 species found in Iran and neighboring countries; nine are reported in Iran, and H. longiflorus has ornamental and medicinal properties. Located in northwestern Iran, including Kosalan, H. longiflorus has no dedicated medicinal studies, although the genus exhibits sedative, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and antipyretic activities. Both families are valued for their high antioxidant and phenolic content, driving pharmaceutical interest. This study focuses on assessing the antioxidant capacity, phenolic and flavonoid composition, and antibacterial properties of flower and leaf methanolic extracts from both plants, to highlight their medicinal potential.
Methodology: Plant samples were collected from the Kosalan region, and herbarium samples were prepared. Extraction from the aerial parts (flowers and leaves) was performed using methanol as a solvent. Antioxidant capacity was measured using the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) method and DPPH radical activity at different extract concentrations. Additionally, phenolic content was measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, and flavonoid content was assessed using the aluminum chloride colorimetric method. The antibacterial properties of the samples were evaluated using disk diffusion and tube dilution methods against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains.
Results: According to the results, the flowers of H. longiflorus exhibited the highest reducing power and free radical inhibition (IC50 = 851.4 µg.ml-1) compared to the standard Trolox (IC50 = 612.35 µg.ml-1). The leaves of V. odorata contained the highest amount of flavonoids, with 58.21 mg of quercetin per gram of dry extract, while the flowers of this species had the lowest amount of flavonoids (3.37 mg QE/Ex). The phenolic content of the samples ranged from 30 to 33 mg of gallic acid per gram of extract. Antimicrobial tests indicated that the flower extract of V. odorata had no effect on the proliferation of the strains, but its leaves created a 7 mm zone of inhibition at a concentration of 200 µg/mL against E. coli. The leaves of H. longiflorus exhibited a significant inhibitory effect only on S. aureus, while its flowers demonstrated inhibition against S. aureus at all concentrations tested (18 mm). This species also inhibited the growth of E. coli at a concentration of 200 µg.ml-1 (13 mm). Results from the tube dilution tests indicated a MIC of 25 µg.ml-1 and MBC of 50 µg.ml-1 for the flowers and leaves of H. longiflorus against S. aureus, and a MIC of 200 µg.ml-1 for E. coli. The flower extract of V. odorata was ineffective against both strains, while its leaf extract confirmed a MIC of 200 µg/ml. The results of this test were consistent with the antibiogram test. GC analysis confirmed the presence of terpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, alkaloids, sugars, and esters in these species, suggesting potential antidiabetic and anticancer properties.
Conclusion: This study concludes that the flower methanolic extract of H. longiflorous has significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. These findings highlight the potential of this species as a source of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents, which could be utilized in food preservation, pharmaceuticals, and natural product-based industries. Further research is required to isolate and identify the specific bioactive compounds responsible for these effects.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
Benyamin Alimardanipur; Golaleh Mostafavi; Seyyedeh Mahdokht Maddah
Abstract
Background and objectives: Nepeta binaludensis Jamzad is a rare, aromatic, and endemic species known for its antibacterial activity, attributed to its phenolic and flavonoid content. Given the rising issue of antibiotic resistance, exploring innovative therapeutic approaches, such ...
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Background and objectives: Nepeta binaludensis Jamzad is a rare, aromatic, and endemic species known for its antibacterial activity, attributed to its phenolic and flavonoid content. Given the rising issue of antibiotic resistance, exploring innovative therapeutic approaches, such as utilizing plant-derived components in conjunction with nanoparticles, is essential. These methods enhance plants' antibacterial properties while reducing the quantity of these valuable resources needed, thereby contributing to their conservation. The current study investigated the antimicrobial properties of a silver nanoemulsion derived from Nepeta binaludensis extract. It also investigated its effect on the expression of the toxA gene, which is involved in Toxin A secretion, and the algD gene, which plays a role in biofilm formation, in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Methodology: The Nepeta binaludensis flowering aerial parts were collected from Binaloud Mts in the northeast of Razavi Khorasan Province at an altitude of 2517 m. The ethanolic extract of the species was obtained from 40 g of the plant-dried powder using the maceration method. The extract's flavonoid and phenolic content were measured using an HPLC apparatus. This study used a silver nanoemulsion-loaded plant extract that was previously prepared by the high-energy method. The synthesis accuracy of the nanoemulsion was evaluated using FTIR, SEM, DLS, Zeta potential, and XRD techniques. The antibacterial effects of varying concentrations of silver nanoparticles, crude extract, and silver nanoemulsion were assessed against the standard bacterial strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test and the microdilution plate technique. RNA extraction from the bacteria was performed utilizing treatments that included the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (subMIC) of silver nanoparticles, the crude extract, and the silver nanoemulsion containing the extract. Following cDNA synthesis, the expression changes of the toxA and algD genes were analyzed using Real-time PCR. The outcomes of the Real-time PCR were assessed with REST software. The results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Microsoft Excel 2016 and GraphPad Prism 9.5.1, with a P value of less than 0.05.Results: The HPLC analysis of the extract composition indicated that the plant extract did not contain gallic acid, catechin, rutin, or quercetin. Among the phenolic constituents, including chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, salicylic acid, and rosmarinic acid, rosmarinic acid exhibited the highest abundance, measuring 20.82 mg/g. The evaluation of the synthesized nanoemulsion confirmed that the particles are spherical with a diameter of 270 nm. The surface charge is negative, and the particles are non-crystalline, and the presence of water and ester bonds has been detected. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test results indicated that the smallest inhibition zone (12 mm) was associated with silver nanoparticle treatment. Conversely, the largest inhibition zone (21 mm) was observed with the treatment involving silver nanoemulsion of the extract, which was approximately equivalent to the inhibition zone induced by the antibiotic ceftazidime (CAZ, 30µg). The minimum values for MBC, MIC, and Sub MIC were 80, 40, and 20 µg/ml, respectively, corresponding to the silver nanoemulsion containing the extract. The algD gene expression level decreased by a factor of 0.87 when treated with silver nanoemulsion of the extract (40µg/ml), compared to the control group (P < 0.01). The toxA gene expression level was reduced by a factor of 0.78 following treatment with the silver nanoemulsion of the extract (P < 0.05). The changes in gene expression induced by varying concentrations of plant crude extract and silver nanoparticles did not show a significant difference when compared to the control group.Conclusion: The nanoemulsion of the plant extract exhibits a greater growth inhibitory effect and enhanced bactericidal activity. Given that the algD gene plays a crucial role in biofilm formation and the toxA gene is responsible for the secretion of the endotoxin A, it appears that the silver nanoemulsion may effectively inhibit growth by influencing the expression of genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The reduction in droplet size within the nanoemulsion enhances the concentration of bioactive compounds and antibacterial properties compared to the crude extract. Consequently, this makes it suitable for applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
Amir Hossein Alizadeh Ghamsari; Seyed Abdullah Hosseini
Abstract
Background and objectives: Considering the limitations on the use of growth-promoting antibiotics due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance, the use of plant-based growth promoters in the livestock and poultry industries has garnered significant attention in recent decades. These alternatives are ...
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Background and objectives: Considering the limitations on the use of growth-promoting antibiotics due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance, the use of plant-based growth promoters in the livestock and poultry industries has garnered significant attention in recent decades. These alternatives are recognized for their beneficial effects on animal growth, immune function, and physiological status. It appears that with new technologies such as nanoencapsulation, the application of plant essential oils in commercial products can become more cost-effective while enhancing performance and reducing feed costs. Therefore, this experiment investigated the effects of three commercial plant growth promoters on performance, feeding cost per kilogram of live body weight, carcass characteristics, and immune responses in broiler chickens. Methodology: randomized design comprising five treatments with four replicates of 30 birds each. The experimental treatments were as follows: 1) a control diet (no additive), 2) a diet containing Virginiamycin (100 g per ton of feed) as a positive control, and 3 to 5) diets containing Novi-Herb®, Novi-Grow®, and Novi-Herb+® (each at 100 grams per ton of feed). Novi-Herb® included essential oils from thyme (Thymus vulgaris), ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi), and oregano (Origanum vulgare), along with a nanocapsulated form of chitosan. Novi-Grow® contained organic acids (lactic and formic acid), prebiotics (lactose and yeast cell wall), and plant-based compounds such as garlic powder (Allium sativum), turmeric powder (Curcuma longa), and cinnamon powder (Cinnamomum verum). Novi-Herb+® combines essential oils of lemon (Citrus limon) and yeast cell wall with other ingredients found in Novi-Herb®. Recommendations from the local veterinarian implemented the vaccination program. Data was collected on feed intake, body weight, livability, feed conversion ratio, production index, and feeding cost per kilogram of live body weight from day 1 to 42. On day 42, blood samples were taken from three birds per replicate to perform differential white blood cell counts and evaluate antibody titers against Newcastle and Influenza vaccines. Additionally, four birds per replicate, selected based on average body weight, were slaughtered. After weighing and stuffing, carcass yield and the relative weights of body components (breast, thigh, neck, back) and internal organs (liver, heart, gizzard, spleen, bursa of Fabricius, gall bladder, and proventriculus), as well as abdominal fat, were measured. Results: Including the evaluated plant growth promoters in the diet significantly improved body weight and feed conversion ratio at 42 days of age compared to the control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant effects of the treatments on livability, the European production index, or feed cost per kilogram of live body weight (P > 0.05). However, the use of Novi-Herb®, Novi-Grow®, and Novi-Herb+® led to cost reductions of 4.8%, 4.1%, and 2.7%, respectively, compared to the control group, and 3.5%, 2.8%, and 1.4%, respectively, compared to the Virginiamycin group. Among the measured traits, only the relative weight of abdominal fat showed a significant decrease with the inclusion of the plant-based growth promoters (P < 0.05). Dietary treatments did not significantly affect the percentage of heterophils, lymphocytes, the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, or antibody titers in response to Newcastle and Influenza vaccine injections (P > 0.05).Conclusion: Based on the results, the evaluated plant growth promoters can serve as effective alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters by improving broiler performance and numerically reducing feed cost per kilogram of live body weight.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
Iman Hajkhodadadi; Hossein Ali Ghasemi; Mandana Kolnegari
Abstract
Background and Objective: The poultry industry plays a significant role in the human food chain, with its products contributing substantially to meeting protein requirements. In modern poultry production systems, birds are often raised under high-density conditions for economic efficiency. However, increased ...
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Background and Objective: The poultry industry plays a significant role in the human food chain, with its products contributing substantially to meeting protein requirements. In modern poultry production systems, birds are often raised under high-density conditions for economic efficiency. However, increased density and other factors can lead to various stresses, particularly heat stress, negatively impacting growth, performance, and overall health. Heat stress compromises the birds' defense mechanisms, making them more susceptible to diseases. Special feed additives are often employed to enhance performance and feed conversion efficiency to mitigate the adverse effects. Heat stress is a major challenge in the poultry industry, causing significant economic losses, especially in tropical climates. In broilers, it leads to reduced growth rates, intestinal tissue damage, immune suppression, and fat oxidation, ultimately diminishing economic performance.Methodology: This study investigated the effects of dietary flixweed supplementation on performance, carcass traits, serum biochemistry, and Jejunum histology in broilers reared under high ambient temperatures. 500-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to five treatments with four replicates (25 chicks per replicate). The dietary treatments included: 1- Positive control (PC): Standard diet without additives under normal conditions, 2- Negative control (NC): Standard diet without additives under high ambient temperature conditions, 3- NC + 0.2% Vitamin C complex, 4- NC + 0.5% flixweed seed, and 5-NC + 1% flixweed seed. Body weight and feed consumption were measured at the end of the initial, growth, and final periods. On day 42, one bird from each replicate was randomly selected for blood collection via the wing vein. Blood samples were collected into Venoject tubes containing 0.5 cc of the anticoagulant ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) for hematological analysis.Results: Dietary treatments under heat stress significantly affected body weight at 24 and 42 days of age compared to the NC group, though no differences were observed compared to the PC group. Body weight at 1 and 10 days of age was unaffected by treatments (P < 0.05). The PC group exhibited higher body weights at 24 and 42 days than other treatments. Average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, and feed intake during 10-24 days, 24-42 days, and 1-42 days differed significantly among treatments. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and jejunum histology traits were also significantly influenced by the treatments. Notably, supplementing the NC diet with 0.5% flixweed improved performance traits in the NC group.Conclusion: Under high ambient temperature conditions, dietary supplementation with 0.5% flixweed can enhance performance traits in broilers, making it a viable feed additive for improving productivity under heat stress.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
M. A. Zarei; P. Sadeghzad
Abstract
Background and objectives: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that leads to cognitive decline and memory disorders. The primary symptoms include a gradual deterioration of cognitive functions and language abilities. One key factor contributing to Alzheimer's disease is the ...
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Background and objectives: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that leads to cognitive decline and memory disorders. The primary symptoms include a gradual deterioration of cognitive functions and language abilities. One key factor contributing to Alzheimer's disease is the reduced level of acetylcholine, a crucial neurotransmitter in the brain. This decline is partly attributed to the increased activity of acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down acetylcholine. As a result, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors have become a promising treatment option for managing the disease. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in discovering more effective, plant-based drugs with fewer side effects. Frankincense gum (Boswellia thurifera Roxb.) is a significant medicinal plant in Iranian traditional medicine, known for its potential to enhance memory and cognitive function. The solvent used in the extraction process plays a crucial role in determining the quality and potency of the extracted compounds. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of different extraction solvents on the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of frankincense gum extract.Methodology: Ethanol, methanol, ether, ethyl acetate, acetone, and hexane were selected as solvents for extracting frankincense gum using the maceration method, followed by concentration with a rotary evaporator. The resulting extracts were then tested for their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity, as well as for their phenolic and flavonoid content. To evaluate the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, Elman’s method was employed, using a microplate spectrophotometry technique. Various concentrations of the extracts were tested to determine the inhibition percentage and calculate the IC50 values. All measurements were performed in triplicate to ensure accuracy. Extracts exhibiting the most significant inhibitory effects were further analyzed to understand their enzyme inhibition kinetics. The total phenolic content of the extracts was measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The absorbance of the reaction products was compared to a standard curve of Gallic acid to quantify the phenolic compounds. The total flavonoid content of the extracts was determined using the aluminum chloride colorimetric method, and the flavonoid content was calculated by comparing the absorbance of the extracts to the standard curve of quercetin solution. This comprehensive analysis allowed for a detailed evaluation of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential and the chemical composition of the frankincense gum extracts, providing valuable insights into their potential as therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease.Results: The ethanol extract of frankincense exhibited the highest inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase activity, as indicated by its lowest IC50 value. In contrast, the methanol extract, which had the highest IC50 value, demonstrated the weakest inhibitory effect. The other solvents fell between these two, with increasing IC50 values: hexane < ethyl acetate < ether < acetone. Enzyme inhibition kinetics revealed distinct patterns of inhibition. The acetone extract showed a competitive inhibition pattern, while the hexane extract exhibited a non-competitive inhibition pattern. The ethanolic, ethyl acetate, methanolic, and ether extracts displayed a mixed inhibition pattern. In terms of chemical composition, the ethanol extract contained the highest amount of total phenolic compounds, suggesting a strong correlation between phenolic content and inhibitory activity. However, the total flavonoid content was similar across all extracts, with no significant differences observed between them. These findings highlight the potential of frankincense extracts, particularly the ethanol extract, as promising candidates for further research and development in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate that the ethanolic extract of frankincense gum exhibits a significant inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity. Additionally, this extract contains the highest concentration of total phenols, suggesting that ethanol is an effective solvent for extracting acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, which may possess phenolic properties. Future research aimed at isolating these phenolic compounds could lead to the discovery of potent inhibitors with potential medicinal applications.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
N. Esmaili Irani; M. Olia
Abstract
Background and objectives: Nowadays, medicinal plants have been expanded in the biological control of many plant pathogens. It is also widely recognized that tomato is an essential product in the food industry worldwide. The root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.), a hazardous parasite in tomato plants, ...
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Background and objectives: Nowadays, medicinal plants have been expanded in the biological control of many plant pathogens. It is also widely recognized that tomato is an essential product in the food industry worldwide. The root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.), a hazardous parasite in tomato plants, produces gall by feeding and reproducing in the root and consequently causes biochemical and physiological changes. It also provides a suitable environment for the activity of saprophytic fungi and other soil parasites, which indirectly results in serious damage to the plant. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of fenugreek, lavender, borage and purslane plant extracts on controlling the root-knot nematode.Methodology: Separate experiments in laboratory and greenhouse conditions were conducted as a factorial experiment in the form of a completely randomized design to investigate the effect of natural compounds of fenugreek, lavender, borage and purslane on the control of root-knot nematode in tomato. Nematode-infected tomato roots were collected, and after that, a single suitable egg mass was taken and placed near the tomato Falat cultivar root system; using the single egg mass method for nematode purification, nematode was identified and then propagated at the same tomato seedlings. After 70 days, the infected roots were cut into two-centimetre pieces and exposed to 10% sodium hypochlorite solution. After that, it was passed through a 400-mesh sieve. Eventually, the obtained egg suspension was used in the laboratory and greenhouse trials. First, water, ethanol, and acetone extracts were prepared from the mentioned plants to experiment. The laboratory section assessed the effect of extracts on larval mortality and the number of egg hatching after 24, 48, and 72 hours of exposure to 0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 ppm extracts. Afterwards, these compounds' anti-nematode activity was investigated at the greenhouse condition by adding 0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 ppm of the water extract to the pots containing tomato seedlings and nematode-infected soil. Finally, the obtained average data were compared based on the LSD test.Results: The results revealed that water, ethanol, and acetone extracts of fenugreek, lavender, borage, and purslane had the highest inhibition properties in hatching nematode eggs, respectively. The highest inhibition rate was dedicated to 1000 ppm of the extract. Also, the greatest inhibition of egg hatching was observed in fenugreek water extract and 1000 ppm of the extracts, respectively. The highest number of unhatched eggs was perceived in 1000 ppm of fenugreek extract and 72 h after starting the experiment. According to the results, water extract was the most effective in destroying nematode larvae, followed by ethanol and acetone extracts. Fenugreek, lavender, borage, and purslane had the highest impacts on the mortality of second-instar larvae, respectively. Also, among different extracts, the concentration of 1000 ppm had the greatest effect compared to the control. The fenugreek extract application caused gall formation at the lowest level in the experiment. After fenugreek, the lavender, borage, and purslane extracts showed the highest inhibition of gall formation on tomato roots. Regarding reducing nematode numbers in the soil, the greatest effect was related to 1000 ppm water extract of fenugreek and purslane. However, they did not significantly differ significantly from other plants using the same concentration.Conclusion: The results of the laboratory studies showed the positive effects of water, ethanol, and acetone extracts of four medicinal plants, including fenugreek, lavender, borage, and purslane, on the prevention of egg hatching and the mortality of instar larvae of root-knot nematodes. The evaluation of the growth and development indicators showed that in fenugreek extract, a few galls were observed on roots, and the formation of galls was greatly reduced. After fenugreek, the lavender, borage, and purslane extracts showed the highest gall formation inhibition on tomato roots, respectively. The obtained data showed that fenugreek extract positively affected root-knot nematode decrease, and lavender, borage, and purslane extracts were in the next ranks, respectively.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
Elena Hosseini; Shahram Aramideh; Abbas Hosseinzadeh
Abstract
Background and objectives: Alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. from the leguminous family, is among the best fodder plants due to its richness in protein, calcium, vitamins, palatability, and low percentage of cellulose, which is called green gold. Alfalfa is the first crop that was domesticated ...
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Background and objectives: Alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. from the leguminous family, is among the best fodder plants due to its richness in protein, calcium, vitamins, palatability, and low percentage of cellulose, which is called green gold. Alfalfa is the first crop that was domesticated and cultivated as fodder. Alfalfa leaf weevil, Hypera postica Gyllenhal, is one of the important pests of alfalfa fields in Iran. Its main damage is related to the larval stage, caused by feeding on the plant leaves, especially in the first cut. The most common method of controlling this pest is using chemical pesticides, which cause pesticide residues, the death of natural enemies, resistance, environmental pollution, and the emergence of secondary pests. Therefore, research is necessary today to replace other compounds, such as botanical pesticides. In this research, the effects of Neemarin extracted from the neem plant (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) and Matrine extracted from Sophora flavescens (Ait.) on second instar larvae and adult insects of alfalfa weevils were investigated in laboratory and field conditions.Methodology: Laboratory studies were conducted in a completely randomized design, and field evaluation was conducted in the form of completely randomized blocks in the spring of 2023 in Naghadeh City. The botanical insecticide Matrine, with its commercial form on Rui Agro and Neemarin extracted from the neem plant, was used in the experiments. Bioassays were performed on the second instar larvae and adults by immersing the host leaf in the concentrations of both compounds, and the mortality was recorded 24 and 48 hours after the treatment. After determining the LC50 and LC25 of Matrine and Neemarin, their mixed effects on second-instar larvae and adult insects were evaluated. This study used treatments including LC50 Matrine, LC50Neemarin, LC25 Neemarin + LC25 Matrine, and the control treatment on second instar larvae and adults. Also, the effect of sublethal concentration (LC25) on metamorphosis (transformation of the larval stage to pupa and transformation of the pupal stage to the adult insect) was studied. The field experiments were analyzed in three alfalfa fields treated with Neemarin (2000, 3000, and 4000 ppm), Matrine (200, 400, and 600 ppm), and control (water). Each treatment was evaluated in three repetitions using the Henderson-Tilton method.Results: The results of probit analysis showed that calculated LC50 of the two botanical insecticides, Neemarin and Matrine on adult insects and second instar larvae of alfalfa after 48 hours were 544.65, 50.23, 45.86 and 3.76 ppm, respectively. Also, the effect of LC25 of both biopesticides showed that the greatest inhibition in the transformation of larva to pupa is related to Neemarin (30%) and in the transformation of pupa to adult is related to Matrine (51.50%). In the field experiments, the highest mortality in adults was observed in the concentration of 600 ppm Matrine with 53.33% and in the second instar larvae related Neemarin (2000 ppm) with 27.33% mortality.Conclusion: These investigations showed that Matrine pesticide has a higher lethality effect than Neemarin in laboratory and field conditions on adults and second-instar larvae of alfalfa leaf weevil. The effect of a sublethal dose of Neemarin on pest metamorphosis was more effective. Therefore, both pesticides can be used to manage this important pest.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
N. Khaliliaqdam; Sh. Saeidian; S. Bashirpor
Abstract
Background and objectives: Plants have many defense systems to overcome stresses, especially heavy metals. Some heavy metals are part of pigments and enzyme compounds and are also essential elements. In concentrations higher than plants' physiological needs, they are toxic ...
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Background and objectives: Plants have many defense systems to overcome stresses, especially heavy metals. Some heavy metals are part of pigments and enzyme compounds and are also essential elements. In concentrations higher than plants' physiological needs, they are toxic for plants, but some heavy metals such as cadmium and lead are even unnecessary. At low concentrations, they harm plants, and for this reason, heavy metals are considered stressors. Based on this, it is imperative to investigate these metals' effects on plant oxidizing enzymes' activities.Methodology: In this research, in order to investigate the reaction of oxidizing enzymes and non-oxidizing factors against the stress caused by cadmium (Cd), the required artichoke after being prepared from the mountains of Kurdistan in the presence of phosphate buffer, pH 7 and PMSF 0.02 solution as Protease inhibitor was homogenized and after centrifugation at 3000 g and 15000 g, the upper clear solution was used as a crude extract and for subsequent measurements. In the performed tests, the effect of different concentrations of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) were measured on the content of proline (Pro), phenolic compounds (Ph.C) and the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as phenyl-alanine-ammonialyse (PAL), catalase CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) of artichoke root. This project was carried out in the form of a completely randomized design in three replications in vials containing three milliliters of artichoke root extract with seven treatments, in which the first group was treated as a control in the presence of distilled water only. The second group was exposed to 0.25 mM CdCl2, the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh groups were exposed to 0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10 mM CdCl2, respectively, for 10 minutes. The samples were treated at room temperature of 20 to 25 degrees and 10 minutes of natural light. Then, the activity level of each antioxidant enzyme and the level of Pro and Ph.C was measured separately. In this research, at first, the distribution diagram of the data (enzyme or protein activity against different levels of Cd) was drawn, and then various linear and non-linear regression equations were used to fit the data. In the next step, according to the best type of equation and analysis of the response type of GPX, SOD, APX, protein, Pro and Ph.C was used from nonlinear regression analysis (power, hyperbolic, asymptotic exponential and asymptotic growth models) and to express the response of enzyme activity of PPO, CAT and PAL to different levels of Cd were used from the beta model.Results: All models indicated Cd's stimulating effect on the studied enzymes. The research results showed that the activity of all SOD, APX, CAT, PPO, GPX, and PAL enzymes as well as the content of Pro and Ph. C increased significantly after Cd treatment. Using five non-linear regression models, the highest activity of APX enzyme at a concentration of 4.6 mM (asymptotic exponential model), GPX enzyme at a concentration of 12.3 mM (asymptotic exponential and asymptotic growth models), SOD enzyme at 14.3 mM (asymptotic growth model) was interpolated. In addition, the most production of Pro and Ph. C was obtained at concentrations of 13.6 and 14.3 mM Cd using the asymptotic and asymptotic growth models, respectively. The highest activity of the PPO enzyme was at 8 mM, CAT at 4.8 mM, and the maximum activity of PAL was at 1.4 mM. The results showed that Cd, due to the induction of oxidative stress and the increase in free radical production, leads to an increase in the content of proline, phenolic compounds, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in artichoke roots. Further changes in the activity of these enzymes during growth indicate the presence of enzymatic regulatory mechanisms in artichoke roots against heavy metals such as cadmium. Enzymatic antioxidant defense systems, Pro and Ph. C play a crucial role in the response of artichoke roots to heavy metal cadmium stress.Conclusion: In general, results showed that Cd, due to the induction of oxidative stress and the increase in free radical production, leads to an increase in the content of proline, phenolic compounds, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in artichoke roots. Further changes in the activity of these enzymes during growth indicate the presence of enzymatic regulatory mechanisms in artichoke roots against heavy metals such as cadmium. Enzymatic antioxidant defense systems and Pro and Ph. C are crucial in the response to heavy metal cadmium stress of artichoke roots.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
S. Mohammadi; B. Bahramnejad; M. Majdi; J. Soltani
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Papaver plants from the poppy family are among the famous medicinal plants that have always been the focus of the pharmaceutical and medical industries due to the production of morphine alkaloids and isoquinoline alkaloids with antimicrobial effects. A ...
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Background and Objectives: Papaver plants from the poppy family are among the famous medicinal plants that have always been the focus of the pharmaceutical and medical industries due to the production of morphine alkaloids and isoquinoline alkaloids with antimicrobial effects. A wide variety of Papaver species can be seen in the pastures and mountains of Kurdistan province. In this research, the methanolic extracts prepared from four Papaver species were investigated about the amount of morphinan alkaloids produced and the antimicrobial effects on the growth of microorganisms in laboratory conditions.Methodology: Four Papver species including P. glaucum, P. fugax, P. argemone, and P. bracteatum were collected twice from their natural habitats in Kurdistan province in spring and were identified based on morphological characteristics under the supervision of a botanist of the province's agricultural and natural resources research center. In order to extract alkaloids, aerial parts, and roots were dried and powdered in the shade. Extracts were prepared by adding methanol and chloroform solvents in a ratio of 1 to 4 to the resulting powders of plants. The amount of morphine, codeine, thebaine, and papaverine alkaloids present in each of the samples was measured separately using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Also, the antimicrobial effects of extracts against Gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and gram-negative bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli were investigated. The pathogenicity was evaluated by measuring the growth halo, determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum lethal concentration (MBC), using the tube dilution method.Results: The production of morphine alkaloids in all of the studied species was confirmed by HPLC. The amount of morphine as the dominant alkaloid among the four studied species varied from 4.21 to 21.33 mg/g dry weight. The highest amount of morphine (21.33 mg/g) was observed in P. bracteatum extract and the highest amount of thebaine and codeine (8.67 and 1.8 mg/g) was observed in P. fugax extract. The observation of non-growth aura against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria confirmed the antimicrobial effects of the investigated plant extracts. The detected amounts of minimum inhibitory concentration against the gram-positive and gram negative bacteria varied from 25 to 100 mg/ml and minimum lethal concentration was just observed against Escherichia coli. P. bracteatum plant extract showed the highest inhibitory effect against E. coli bacteria with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 25 mg/ml and a minimum lethal concentration of 50 mg/ml.Conclusion: By examining the results, it was found that the studied Papaver species produce significant amounts and ranges of morphine alkaloids, which designates these natural species' genetic and medicinal value for further studies. In addition, the extract of these plants showed antimicrobial effects against the reference strains of gram-positive and gram-negative pathogenic bacteria used in this research. Therefore, it is suggested that more studies be conducted in the field of separation and separation of the metabolites of these plants and the investigation of their antimicrobial effects in subsequent studies to achieve effective and novel antimicrobial compounds and drugs.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
M. Gorji
Abstract
Background and objectives: Considering the high damage caused by storage pests and the adverse effects of chemical pesticides, using plant compounds is considered one of the best options for controlling storage pests. Essential oils are an effective plant compound with a high ...
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Background and objectives: Considering the high damage caused by storage pests and the adverse effects of chemical pesticides, using plant compounds is considered one of the best options for controlling storage pests. Essential oils are an effective plant compound with a high fumigant effect. In this study, Oviposition deterrence and ovicidal activities of three native species of savory were investigated to select the savory essential oil with the highest insecticidal properties.
Methodology: First, three native species of savory (Satureja sahendica, Satureja khuzistanica, and Satureja macrantha) were collected, and essential oils were extracted after drying. All three essential oils were injected into a gas chromatograph and gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer to determine chemical compounds. Experiments were performed in a completely randomized design and were evaluated under laboratory conditions (27±1°C, 65±10 R.H. and 16:8 L:D).To determine the oviposition deterrence of the oils, one pair of one-day-old adult moths was exposed to different concentrations of the oils for four days, and the number of deposited eggs was counted. Also, one-day-old eggs were exposed to three oil concentrations at 3, 12, and 25 μl essential oil/l air. The percentage of egg hatching was recorded after 96 hours. The experiment was performed in 5 replications.
Results: The results showed that carvacrol content, as the principal active ingredient of S. khuzistanica, was 91.5%. Thymol (48.59%), p-cymene (59.5%) and γ-terpinene (18.57%) had the highest amount in the essential oil of S. sahendica, respectively. The dominant components of S. macranthaessential oil were p-cymene (59.5%), γ-terpinene and thymol (13.5%). All three essential oils had the Oviposition deterrent activity, and the rate of Oviposition deterrence increases with increasing concentration of essential oils. Different concentrations of three savory essential oils showed that at a concentration of one microliter with S. khuzistanica essential oil, more than 50% oviposition deterrent activity was observed. In comparison, oviposition deterrent activity was observed for two other savory essential oils at a concentration of 3 microliters. Among the investigated essential oils, S. khuzistanica had the highest effect of oviposition deterrent activity on Mediterranean flour moths. Also, there is a significant difference in the ovicidal activity of S. khuzistanica compared to the others, which can be attributed to its high carvacrol content. In contrast to the low insecticidal effect of the essential oil of S. macrantha, it has had a very suitable effect of oviposition deterrent activity.
Conclusion: All three types of savory essential oils had sound oviposition deterrence effects and ovicidal activity, but S. khuzistanicaessential oil in the lowest concentration had better oviposition deterrence effects and ovicidal activity than S. sahendica and S. macrantha, that it is also more acceptable from an economic point of view. Based on the results of this research, the essential oils of native Iranian savory spices can control storage pests; only high volatility and insolubility in water are the main limitations in the widespread use of essential oils. However, the nanoencapsuled essential oil, through the controlled release of active ingredients, overcomes the restrictions of plant essential oil usage in storage. Therefore, more studies are needed to use essential oils in pest control using this method
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
saeid valipour chahardahcharic; mehran arabi; Hamed Hoseinzadeh
Abstract
Background and objectives: Stress affects the body's systems and can lead to many disorders, including depression. To deal with stress and depression, the use of medicinal plants that have fewer side effects than chemical drugs has attracted the attention of researchers. Melilotus ...
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Background and objectives: Stress affects the body's systems and can lead to many disorders, including depression. To deal with stress and depression, the use of medicinal plants that have fewer side effects than chemical drugs has attracted the attention of researchers. Melilotus officinalis L. contains compounds such as coumarin, flavonoids, triterpene, saponin, and volatile oils with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The present study investigated the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of the M. officinalis plant on depression caused by chronic immobility stress in adult male rats.Methodology: In this experimental study, 48 male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 grams were used. The rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 (n=8) including control (intact), sham (under chronic immobility stress and receiving normal saline), experimental groups (under chronic immobility stress and subjected to doses 25, 50, and 100 mg.kg-1 of M. officinalis extract), and the positive control group (under chronic immobility stress and receiving fluoxetine). To establish an animal model of chronic immobility stress, the rats were placed in the restraint device daily for 2 hours, for 3 weeks. Injections were made intraperitoneally (IP), 30 minutes before stress induction. The depression model was evaluated by the Forced Swimming Test (FST) and motor activity by the Open Field Test (OFT). Then with deep anesthesia in the animals, blood was taken from the heart. By separating the serum, the amount of corticosterone in the rats’ blood was evaluated and measured using special kits and the ELISA method.Results: The results of this research showed that in the sham group, the duration of immobility in the FST increased significantly in comparison to the control group (P<0.001). In the experimental groups, a high dose of M. officinalis extract led to a significant increase in the duration of immobility in the FST (P<0.01). However, the lower doses of the extract led to a significant decrease in immobility duration compared to the sham group (P<0.001) (P<0.01). The fluoxetine-receiving group also showed a significant reduction in immobility duration compared to the sham group (P<0.01). Lower doses of M. officinalis extract caused a significant increase in blood corticosterone relative to the sham group (P<0.001). Administration of fluoxetine also caused a significant increase in corticosterone levels in the blood in comparison to the sham group (P<0.001). In the OFT, the number of crossing lines in the sham group showed a significant increase relative to the control group (P<0.01) in the experimental groups, a high dose of M. officinalis extract resulted in a significant decrease in the number of times the rats crossed the lines in comparison to the sham group (P<0.01).Conclusion: Phytochemical studies have shown some active substances, such as quercetin and phenolic acids in M. officinalis, which have antioxidant and antidepressant activity by inhibiting monoamine oxidase and increasing dopamine and serotonin. Therefore, due to active biological molecules, M. officinalis can play a vital role in preventing depression. The results have also shown that M. officinalis extract, particularly in lower doses, has better antidepressant effects in rats under chronic stress.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
Hanieh Mohseni Fazel; Hamid Dehghanzadeh; Karim Nozad Namini; Hossein Hoseini; Hossein Zeinali
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) is one of the most widespread weeds in the world, and regarding the amount of damage caused to crops, it is the third dominant dicotyledonous weed in the world. It is recommended to reduce the use of chemical herbicides ...
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Background and Objectives: Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) is one of the most widespread weeds in the world, and regarding the amount of damage caused to crops, it is the third dominant dicotyledonous weed in the world. It is recommended to reduce the use of chemical herbicides through the replacement of non-chemical methods in sustainable agricultural management, and the use of plants' allelopathic effects is one of these methods. On the other hand, plants in different growth stages have different allelopathy sensitivity.Methodology: To evaluate the allelopathic effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh) on Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) growth stages, an experiment was carried out as a factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in the greenhouse of Kashan Barij Essential Company, Iran. Treatments included aqueous and alcoholic extracts of eucalyptus (50, 75, and 100 %), controlled (0.002 concentration of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, Ethanol 70%, distilled water), and three growth stages (five-leaf stage, seven-leaf stage, and stem elongation). The studied traits were measured in all three growth stages one week after treatments. To measure traits, ten plants were randomly selected from each pot. The studied traits included leaf length and width, total leaf wet weight, total leaf dry weight, stem wet weight, stem dry weight, stem length, root length, root wet weight, root dry weight, total plant weight, and shoot/root ratio. A ruler was used to determine the length and width of the leaf, the length of the root, and the length of the stem. Analysis of the variance of the data was done by MSTAC software. If the experimental factor was significant, the LSD test was used to compare the means.Results: Leaf width, total leaf fresh weight, total leaf dry weight, stem fresh and dry weight, stem length, root length, root fresh and dry weight, total plant weight, and shoot/root ratio were affected by the growth stage where the extracts were used. The effect of the concentration of aqueous and ethanol extracts of eucalyptus on leaf length and width, total leaf fresh weight, total leaf dry weight, stem fresh weight, stem dry weight, stem length, root length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, total dry plant weight, and shoot/root ratio was significant. Spraying at the stem and 5-leaf stages had the highest and lowest leaf width, stem length, and root dry weight, respectively. The extract application at the stem elongation and five-leaf stage had the highest and lowest leaf width, stem length, and root dry weight, respectively. The application of distilled water in the stem elongation phase produced the maximum leaf length (3.06 cm), total fresh and dry weight of plant leaf (1.00 and 0.2764 gr), stem fresh and dry weight (1.35 and 0.393 gr), and total fresh and dry plant weight (2.80 and 0.801 gr), respectively. The application of 75% concentration of eucalyptus ethanol extract at the 5-leaf stage produced the lowest total fresh and dry weight of plant leaf (0.188 and 0.0521 gr), stem fresh and dry weight (0.303 and 0.046 gr) and total fresh and dry plant weight (0.633 and 0.1157 gr), respectively.Conclusion: The aqueous and alcoholic extracts significantly decreased Pigweed growth indices, and its inhibitory effect was not significantly different in most traits with 2-4-D herbicide. The inhibitory effect of alcoholic extract on pigweed growth was greater than aqueous extract. Given that almost all eucalyptus extracts, either alcoholic or aqueous, significantly reduced Pigweed growth, it may be possible to reduce the pressure of this weed on crops by combining and using them as a bio-herbicide.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
Hassan Hassani Kumleh; Sanaz Etemadi Shalkouhi; Mohsen Farhadpour; Mohammad Hossein Rezadoost
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Cancer is one of the most serious causes of death, and breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women. Medicinal plants can play a vital role in cancer treatment. Many effective cancer drugs today are derived from natural plant products. This ...
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Background and Objectives: Cancer is one of the most serious causes of death, and breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women. Medicinal plants can play a vital role in cancer treatment. Many effective cancer drugs today are derived from natural plant products. This study evaluates the cytotoxic effect of Pterocarya fraxinifolia leaf methanolic extract. It also evaluates its effect on the expression of the P21, BID, BCL-2, RB1, and MDM2 genes in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.Methodology: Extraction was done from 20 grams of dried and powdered leaves exposed to air by the soaking (maceration) method using pure methanol and after 24 hours in an incubator shaker at a speed of 120 rpm, temperature of 25°C and in the dark. After filtering and drying the extract, 5 mg of the resulting dry substance was dissolved in 1 ml of RPMI-1640 medium. After re-filtration, it was stored as a stock to prepare different concentrations. MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines and HGF-1 as a normal cell line were cultured in RPMI1640 medium containing FBS 10% (w/v), penicillin antibiotics, streptomycin 1% (w/v), and at 37°C temperature and 5% carbon dioxide pressure in an incubator. These cells were exposed to various concentrations of methanolic extract from Pterocarya fraxinifolia leaves for 24 hours. Cell survival rate was assessed with MTT colorimetric assay, and expression of genes involved in apoptosis (P21, BID, BCL-2, RB1, MDM2) in cancer cells treated with IC25 concentration of plant extract was evaluated by real-time PCR technique. RNA extraction from MCF-7 and HGF-1 cells was performed according to the RNX-plusTM kit instructions. cDNA synthesis was performed using Fermentase Company's kit (RevertAid First Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit) and according to its instructions. In this study, the GAPDH gene was used as an internal control.Results: The results of the MTT assay showed that the Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Poir) spach leaf methanolic extract had a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and during the experiment, with increasing drug concentration, the effect of cytotoxicity increased in both cancer and normal lines and high inhibition was observed at concentrations of 1000 and 1200 μg.ml-1. The IC50 of Pterocarya fraxinifolia methanol extract against MCF-7 and HGF-1 cell lines was 452.1 and 479.2 μg.ml-1, respectively. Real-time PCR results showed that treatment with the Pterocarya fraxinifolia plant extract enhanced the expression of the P21 gene, while expression was nearly constant in extract-treated normal cells. The BID gene expression was increased in cancer cells treated with the plant extract. In contrast, normal cells under the influence of the extract showed a slight decrease in gene expression. The plant extract decreased the expression of the BCL-2 gene in cancer cells, whereas the expression of this gene in normal cells did not change significantly under the extract. The RB1 gene expression was not significantly altered in healthy cells after plant extract treatment but increased in the cancer cell line MCF-7. MDM2 gene expression in cancer cells treated with plant extract remained unchanged, whereas it slightly increased in healthy cells treated with extract.Conclusion: This study provides an overview of how Pterocarya fraxinifolia extract can inhibit cancer cell growth. This study confirms the inhibitory activity of the plant's methanolic extract on breast cancer cells. With further investigation, the plant compounds may one day be used to treat cancer.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
Z. Hejri; Y. Sadeghzadeh Yazdi
Abstract
Background and objectives: In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the insulin it produces does not work properly. Type 2 diabetes, also known as insulin-independent diabetes, is the most common type of diabetes in the world, which usually occurs due to the resistance of ...
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Background and objectives: In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the insulin it produces does not work properly. Type 2 diabetes, also known as insulin-independent diabetes, is the most common type of diabetes in the world, which usually occurs due to the resistance of the body's cells to insulin. Many useful compounds in dandelion (Taraxacum officinale L.) increase insulin production and reduce blood sugar levels.Methodology: In the present research, the effect of an aqueous dandelion root extract on blood sugar level reduction in type 2 diabetic patients in Mashhad was studied. After cleaning and removing impurities, the dandelion roots were dried on a grinding machine. Extraction from dandelion roots was performed with the Soxhlet apparatus. After the extraction process, the resulting extract was passed through a filter to separate the solid compounds. The prepared extract was consumed as tea twice a day by the selected diabetic patient for four days. A glucometer measured the diabetic patient's blood sugar level. Each day, blood sugar level measurement was performed for one hour and two hours (to study stability) after taking the second dose of the extract. The patient did not use supplements or drugs to lower blood sugar levels during the research. Since blood sugar fluctuations in fasting conditions at the beginning of each day depend on various factors such as mental, physical, nutritional, and especially nervous conditions, to reduce the error rate, fasting blood sugar was measured as a control one month before and one month after extract consumption.Results: Present research showed that blood sugar decreases significantly with the increase in the number of days of dandelion root extract consumption and the increase in the frequency of consumption per day. Based on the data obtained from the measurement of blood sugar levels in different time intervals, the four-day average blood sugar level of a diabetic person one month before consuming the extract was 233, which decreased by 81 units one month after consuming the extract and reached 152; Therefore, based on the obtained results, the consumption of the root extract of this plant causes a 35% decrease in blood sugar. A study of the interaction effect of the number of days of using dandelion root extract and the time of its use also showed that the simultaneous reduction of blood sugar level with increasing the number of days of extract consumption and the number of times of consumption per day is significant. The results of the analysis of variance for the response of blood sugar levels also indicated that the effect of factors A (number of days of extract use) and B (hours of extract use) with a P-value much lower than 0.05, on the reduction of blood sugar level is significant. Based on the numerical optimization of the data, the blood sugar level can be reached at 150.167 by consuming the extract twice daily for four days.Conclusion: Overall, this research shows the positive effect of dandelion root extract on type 2 diabetes. The decreasing trend of blood sugar with increasing the number of days of use and the number of times of use per day indicates that the long-term use of this extract can have more stable effects on reducing blood sugar in people with diabetes.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
A. Zamini; R. Taati; M.R. Rezaeiardeh; A. Najafikhah
Abstract
Background and objectives: Medicinal plants have a much healthier effect than chemical drugs, and due to the presence of various effective substances, they can be used in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. This research aims to compare the performance of hydroalcoholic extracts of eucalyptus ...
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Background and objectives: Medicinal plants have a much healthier effect than chemical drugs, and due to the presence of various effective substances, they can be used in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. This research aims to compare the performance of hydroalcoholic extracts of eucalyptus and garlic in reducing the fungal and bacterial load of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) eggs during incubation.Methodology: At first, enough sperm and eggs were obtained from Persian sturgeon male and female breeders after artificial propagation stages. After fertilization, the eggs were weighed by a digital scale. The number of eggs per gram, the total weight of eggs per tray, and the final number of eggs stored in the incubator were calculated. Considering the allocation of three trays for each treatment, the number of stored eggs for each treatment was 15000. The total number of stored eggs for five treatments was 75000. Hydroalcoholic extracts (70% ethanol solvent) of eucalyptus (appearance: clear, color: brown, pH=5.02) and garlic (appearance: clear, color: light brown, pH=6.49) were prepared. Five experimental treatments containing control (no extract), Eucalyptus 50 mg.l-1, eucalyptus 100 mg.l-1, Garlic 50 mg.l-1, and 100 mg.l-1 were designed in three replicates by the short-term bath method in three stages (days). At the end of the three disinfection stages, eggs were randomly sampled from each replicate for the total bacterial and fungal count.Results: No significant difference was observed in the water's physical and chemical factors, such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature, during the disinfection stages of eggs (p<0.05). The results showed that treatments containing eucalyptus and garlic extracts at 50 and 100 mg/l showed lower total bacterial and fungal counts than the control treatment (P<0.05). Still, the eucalyptus extract at 100 mg/l performed much better than the rest of the experimental treatments (P<0.05). In incubation indices such as hatching rate and healthy larvae, statistically significant differences were observed in four treatments containing garlic and eucalyptus extracts (50 and 100 mg.l-1) with the control (P<0.05). Based on Duncan's test, the average rate of hatching and the number of healthy larvae were more in eucalyptus at 100 mg.l-1 than in other studied treatments (P<0.05). Egg hatching rates were equal in garlic and eucalyptus at 100 and 50 mg.l-1, respectively.Conclusion: During the research, there was no change in the appearance of the larvae, which can be considered the safety of plant extracts. Various factors such as the type and compounds in the plant, the amount of used concentration, the type of microorganism, the pH level, and the environment's temperature can influence the antimicrobial potential of herbal extracts and compounds. According to the obtained findings, it can be stated that hydroalcoholic extracts of Garlic and Eucalyptus played a very decisive role in reducing the fungal and bacterial contamination of Persian sturgeon eggs during the incubation period.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
Z. Norbakhsh; I. Hajkhodadadi; H.A. Ghasemi; M.H. Moradi
Abstract
Background and objective: Today, in the poultry industry, food additives are used to achieve the highest production at the lowest cost. Growth stimulants and food additives are chemical, biological, or natural compounds added to water and feed. They are used to improve growth and feed efficiency and ...
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Background and objective: Today, in the poultry industry, food additives are used to achieve the highest production at the lowest cost. Growth stimulants and food additives are chemical, biological, or natural compounds added to water and feed. They are used to improve growth and feed efficiency and obtain the highest and most economical production. The use of medicinal plants in poultry nutrition showed that, in addition to stimulating feed consumption, these plants also have antibiotic and anti-coccidiosis properties. This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of the herbal Bilhar (Dorema aucheri Boiss.) on the Production Parameters, hematology, and thigh and breast meat quality traits of broiler chickens in a completely randomized design.Methodology: In this study, 240 one-day-old Ross 308 were exposed to five treatments (four replicates), and 12 chickens in each replicate were raised for 42 days. The chickens had free access to water and feed during the rearing period. The necessary care was following scientific rearing principles and commercial catalog recommended methods. The experimental treatments included 1) control-common diet with no additive 2) control diet + 0.1% flavophospholipol antibiotic, 3) control diet + Bilhar (0.1 % in starter and grower, 0.05 % in finisher phase), 4) control diet + Bilhar (0.3 % in starter and grower, 0.15 % finisher phase), 3) control diet + Bilhar (0.5 % in starter and grower,0 .25 % in finisher phase). The experiment measured body weight and food consumption at the end of the initial, growth, and final periods. On the 42nd day, one chicken from each replicate was randomly selected and blood was collected through the wing vein. Two blood samples, one into the venoject tubes containing 0.5 cc of the anticoagulant ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), to collect and measure blood hematological parameters (the amount of red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit and the subtracted population of white blood cells) and the other part of the blood into tubes free of anticoagulants in order to separate the blood serum, to measure the metabolites Serum biochemical tests were transferred. Results: Chick's body weight at 24 and 42 d was higher in the first Bilhar group and antibiotic level than in the control group. Different experimental groups significantly affected feed intake at the starter and grower phases (P> 0.05). Adding bilhar to the diet did not change red blood cell numbers but impacted hemoglobin, hematocrit percentages, and white blood cell count. Different levels of Bilher powder and antibiotics significantly influenced villus height, villus thickness, and villus area in the duodenum (P<0.05). But the depth of the crypt and the ratio of the height of the villi to the depth of the crypt in the duodenum did not show a statistically significant effect between the treatments (P<0.05). Despite no significant improvement in breast water holding capacity, dripping loss, or cooking loss, dietary billiards significantly decreased breast PH. Experimental treatments significantly affected thigh water holding capacity, dripping loss, and pH but did not affect thigh cooking loss.Conclusion: It can be concluded that in the case of most traits, especially functional traits, the first level of bilhar (treatment 3) improved compared to the control treatment. Therefore, this plant can be used at the indicated level as a plant additive in a broiler chicken diet. This will improve functional and histological traits.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
s. Akbari; Sh. Aramideh
Abstract
Aphis gossypii Glover. is one of the most important pests of Cucurbitaceae family. Nowadays, control of the pest population using the environmentally compatible compounds has been increased. In this study, fumigant toxicity of different concentrations and time intervals of Achillea millefolium L. and ...
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Aphis gossypii Glover. is one of the most important pests of Cucurbitaceae family. Nowadays, control of the pest population using the environmentally compatible compounds has been increased. In this study, fumigant toxicity of different concentrations and time intervals of Achillea millefolium L. and Mentha pulegium L. essential oils (EO) was studied in a completely randomized design on adults of mentioned pest. Also, sublethal effects of EOs were evaluated on life table parameters of adult aphids. The results showed that these plants EOs caused significant mortality of adult insects. LC50 of A. millefolium and M. pulegium EOs on A. gossypii were 34.90 and 23.34 µl.l-1 of air, respectively. LT50 of EOs were obtained 12.30 h in 34.90 µl.l-1 of air concentration of A. millefolium EO and 12.02 h in 23.34 µl.l-1 of air concentration of M. pulegium EO. Intrinsic rate of population increase (rm) as the most important life table parameter of the pest was obtained 0.28 (female/female/day: the number of female individuals produced per female each day) in the M. pulegium EO treatment and 0.27 (female/female/day) in the A. millefolium EO one, which had a significant decrease compared to control (0.34). The study results of sublethal effects of these two essential oils on population growth parameters indicated that age-specific survival rate of the aphid was lower in the treatments compared to control. Life expectancy (ex) was the lowest in the M. pulegium treatment (10.97 days) and highest in control (20.73 days). Net reproductive rate was calculated 15.64, 9.38, and 35.76 (female/female/generation) for A. millefolium, M. pulegium, and control, respectively. Our results revealed that the plant EOs studied could be suggested to be used in the integrated A. gossypii management programs in greenhouses due to the high potential in fumigant toxicity and population decrease of this pest.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
P. Shiri; A. Arasteh; G. Tajadod
Abstract
Plantago major L. is a herbaceous perennial plant with many biological effects such as strong antioxidant properties. This study aimed at investigating the inhibitory effect of P. major seeds extract on amyloid nanofibrils production and also to antioxidant properties of this extract. First, the plant ...
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Plantago major L. is a herbaceous perennial plant with many biological effects such as strong antioxidant properties. This study aimed at investigating the inhibitory effect of P. major seeds extract on amyloid nanofibrils production and also to antioxidant properties of this extract. First, the plant powdered-seeds hydroalcoholic extract was prepared using 96% ethanol. The extract compounds were then analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method. The production of amyloid fibrils was confirmed using the concord spectrometry method and transmission electron microscope imaging and its antioxidant effects were evaluated by the DPPH method. The presence of pyrrolidinone (2.95%) and N-(4-aminobutyl) acetamide (17.98%) in the extract was confirmed by GC/MS. The highest antioxidant activity (99.18%) and lowest amyloid nanofibrils production (55.73%) were obtained in the concentrations of 2 and 0.4 mg.ml-1 of the extract, respectively. The presence of amyloid fibrils was confirmed by electron microscopic imaging. The results of this research showed that the P. major seeds extract can be introduced as a suitable candidate to reduce the complications caused by Alzheimer's disease.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
Z. Kalvandi; J. Nazemi rafie; A. Sadeghi; A. Salimi; R. Kalvandi; M. Negahban
Abstract
Nowadays, the invention and application of agricultural pest control non-chemical methods is one of the important and practical ones in pest management programs in most societies of the world. Meanwhile, a large number of studies have been focused on bio-based pesticides. In this regard, new formulations ...
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Nowadays, the invention and application of agricultural pest control non-chemical methods is one of the important and practical ones in pest management programs in most societies of the world. Meanwhile, a large number of studies have been focused on bio-based pesticides. In this regard, new formulations of plant insecticides have been developed as a suitable alternative to artificial pesticides. In this research, respiratory and contact toxicity of pure and formulated Eucalyptus globulus Labill. essential oil and respiratory toxicity durability of its essential oil nanocapsules on adult insects of Tribolium confusum Herbest. (Col., Tenebrionidae) were investigated under laboratory conditions. According to the results, for respiratory toxicity, the pure and formulated essential oil LC50 at 24 h was obtained 46.39 and 1472 μl.l-1 of air, respectively. The formulated essential oil LT50 in three concentrations of LC25, LC50, and LC90 was determined 12.3, 10.39, and 0.36 days, respectively. The results also showed that the contact toxicity of formulated essential oil (LC50= 19030 μl.l-1) on this insect was much higher than the contact toxicity of pure one (LC50= 3770 μl.l-1). Therefore, due to the good stability of the formulated essential oil in respiratory toxicity and the excellent effect in contact toxicity, after additional tests, eucalyptus essential oil nanocapsules could be used in the management of this important pest.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
F. Moraghebi; Sh. Aghazadeh Yamchelo; S.M. Maddah
Abstract
Gastric cancer is a malignant tumor that is one of the most common types of cancer in the world and Iran. Plants are rich sources of a variety of antioxidant compounds which can be used to produce anti-cancer drugs. In this study, the antioxidant properties and cytotoxicity of Ephedra major Host. extract, ...
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Gastric cancer is a malignant tumor that is one of the most common types of cancer in the world and Iran. Plants are rich sources of a variety of antioxidant compounds which can be used to produce anti-cancer drugs. In this study, the antioxidant properties and cytotoxicity of Ephedra major Host. extract, collected from "Parandak" in Robat Karim city, Tehran province, were investigated on AGS gastric cancer cells. Ethanol and methanol hydroalcoholic extracts (80%) of plant vegetative shoots were extracted by soaking method. Phenolic content of the extracts was measured by Folin-Ciocalteu agent and their antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH test. Also, the cytotoxicity degree of different concentrations of this plant extract on the AGS gastric cancer cells was evaluated at three times of 24, 48, and 72 hours using MTT method. BCL2 gene expression change was measured using Real time-PCR. The results showed that the antioxidant properties and phenolic content of ethanol extract were higher than methanol one. The results of MTT test showed that with increasing concentration of ethanol extract, cell viability decreased and after 48 hours, IC50 was obtained 250 µg.ml-1 of extract. The BCL2 gene expression decreased in the extract treatment, although this decrease was not significant. Overall, the ethanol extract of the aerial shoots of this plant could inhibit the growth of gastric cancer cells, but did not have a significant effect on reducing the expression of BCL2 anti-apoptotic gene.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
B.H. Bahador; J. Bahrampour; A. Moosaei; H. Doomari
Abstract
Henna (Lawsonia inermis L.) leaves have unique medicinal properties like antibiotic ones due to the large amounts of phenolics such as tannins. To investigate the effects of feeding with henna leaves on performance, some blood parameters, and liver enzymes of 20 Kermani male lambs, an experiment was ...
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Henna (Lawsonia inermis L.) leaves have unique medicinal properties like antibiotic ones due to the large amounts of phenolics such as tannins. To investigate the effects of feeding with henna leaves on performance, some blood parameters, and liver enzymes of 20 Kermani male lambs, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with five replications. Experimental treatments included (T1) basic diet (BD) (control), (T2) BD+30 g henna leaves (HL), (T3) BD+60 g HL, and (T4) BD+90 g HL. The results showed that although the treatments did not have significant effects on performance, but the highest and lowest amount of feed consumption and food conversion ratio were respectively observed in control and T4, as well as the highest and lowest amount of daily weight gain belonged to T4 and control, respectively. Glucose and blood urea nitrogen concentrations were not affected by the experimental treatments (P≥0.05). Cholesterol, triglyceride, and total protein concentrations were significantly increased with increasing henna leaf amount in the diet (P≤0.05). The lowest concentrations of liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were obtained in T3 (P≤ 0.05). Overall, it was revealed that using different levels of henna in the diet of Kermani lambs did not affect their growth performance and glucose, but significantly increased cholesterol, triglycerides, and total protein and decreased AST and ALT.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
T. Soleimani; A. Ebrahimi; F. Mahjoubi; M. Sadeghi
Abstract
Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe.) is a spicy medicinal plant with antioxidant, antitumor, and anticancer properties. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ethanol extract of fresh ginger rhizome on inhibiting HCT-116 colon cancer cells and the expression of TGFBR2 and DDC genes ...
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Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe.) is a spicy medicinal plant with antioxidant, antitumor, and anticancer properties. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ethanol extract of fresh ginger rhizome on inhibiting HCT-116 colon cancer cells and the expression of TGFBR2 and DDC genes as tumor suppressor genes and β-Actin gene as reference gene. HPLC analysis was used to identify and measure the amount of 6-gingerol in the extract. Toxicity of different concentrations of the complete extract (0, 10, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, and 500 μg.ml-1) on the HTC-116 cell line was investigated using the MTT test, 16 and 24 hours after the start of the test (at 16 and 24). The expression of TGFBT2, DCC, and β-Actin genes was assessed by RT-PCR after treatment with concentrations of 150 and 300 μg.ml-1 of the complete extract at 16 and 24 hours. The amount of 6-gingerol was obtained 86.2 ± 2.03 mg per 100 g dry weight of ginger ethanol extract powder based on the HPLC results. The MTT test results showed that IC50 was 80.44 at 16 h and 473.19 at 24 h. Cell mortality was significantly increased at concentrations of 150 and 300 μg.ml-1 of the extract. Also, expression of the TGFBT2 and DCC genes increased at 150 μg.ml-1 at both 24 and 16 hours significantly (P<0.01). The present research proved the ginger extract effect on tumor inhibitory genes induction in HCT-116 colon cancer cell line.
