Essential oil and methanolic extract of Zataria multiflora Boiss with anticholinesterase effect

The healing effect of nano emulsified Plantago major L extract on oral wounds in a wistar rat model

INTRODUCTION

Oral lesions are a common clinical symptom arising from various etiologies and disrupt the patient's quality of life. However, no definite treatment is not yet possible, due to the constantly changing environment of the mouth. In recent years, herbal treatments have gained popularity among patients and physicians due to their availability, safety, affordability, and antimicrobial properties. This research aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of a nano-emulsion of Plantago major standardized extract (PMSE) on oral ulcers in a Wistar rat model using histomorphometry and stereological parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study involved 72 Wistar rats divided randomly into 24 groups of 3 each: groups A1 to A4 received one dose to 4 doses of 5% PMSE nano emulsion, groups B1 to B4 received one dose to 4 doses of 10% PMSE nano emulsion, and groups C1 to C4 received one dose to 4 doses of 20% PMSE nano emulsion, groups D1 to D4 received one dose to 4 doses of nano-emulsion without PMSE, groups E1 to E4 received one dose to 4 doses of PMSE, and group F served as the control group. An incision measuring 2 mm in diameter was made in the animals' hard palate using a biopsy punch. A swab containing the necessary material was used to administer the medication orally to the wound. Histological samples were collected on days 2, 4, 6, and 8 and sent to the pathology laboratory for examination. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 26 and setting statistical significance at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Group A showed a high rate of complete and normal re-epithelialization of the wound at 66.7%, compared to the other groups. Group D had a re-epithelialization rate of 50%, while groups C, E, and F had rates of 7.41% and group B had 7.16%. In terms of inflammation reduction, 23.88% of group A had no inflammation, a higher percentage compared to the other groups. Group B and D had no inflammation in 3.33% of cases, lower than the other groups. The study evaluated frequency of re-epithelialization and inflammation levels in different groups on days 2, 4, 6, and 8 after four doses of the drug with no significant differences found among the groups.

CONCLUSION

None of the nano emulsions or PMSE enhanced the healing rate of oral ulcers. However, a 5% PMSE nano emulsion displayed an increase in lesion re-epithelialization.

Synthesis and characterization of nano-biopolymer carriers loaded with clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) extract as an anticancer agent: an in vitro study

The objective of this work was to design a new drug nanoparticle (NP) composed of chitosan/β-cyclodextrin/sodium tripolyphosphate/alginate (CS/βCD/TPP/AL) loaded with a clove extract (CE) for potential anticancer effects. The extract was prepared by two extraction methods: hydroalcoholic maceration (MAC) with 80% MeOH and supercritical fluid (SCF). The MACCE and SCFCE CE NPs had particle sizes of 71 nm and 20 nm, respectively with irregular spherical shapes. The nanocarriers achieved entrapment efficiencies of over 90%. MACCE-NPs and SCFCE-NPs released 18.35% and 10.12% of the extract after 6 h, respectively. Cell viability decreased to 54%, 7%, and 12% in HeLa, U87, and KB cell lines, respectively, after a 48-hour treatment with SCFCE-NPs and 75%, 8%, and 17% after treatment with MACCE-NPs, significantly reduced compared to the control. It is concluded that NPs containing CE exhibit a higher degree of toxicity due to better penetration into cells.

Polymer-Based Wound Dressings Loaded with Essential Oil for the Treatment of Wounds: A Review

Wound healing can result in complex problems, and discovering an effective method to improve the healing process is essential. Polymeric biomaterials have structures similar to those identified in the extracellular matrix of the tissue to be regenerated and also avoid chronic inflammation, and immunological reactions. To obtain smart and effective dressings, bioactive agents, such as essential oils, are also used to promote a wide range of biological properties, which can accelerate the healing process. Therefore, we intend to explore advances in the potential for applying hybrid materials in wound healing. For this, fifty scientific articles dated from 2010 to 2023 were investigated using the Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and PubMed databases. The principles of the healing process, use of polymers, type and properties of essential oils and processing techniques, and characteristics of dressings were identified. Thus, the plants Syzygium romanticum or Eugenia caryophyllata, Origanum vulgare, and Cinnamomum zeylanicum present prospects for application in clinical trials due to their proven effects on wound healing and reducing the incidence of inflammatory cells in the site of injury. The antimicrobial effect of essential oils is mainly due to polyphenols and terpenes such as eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, carvacrol, and thymol.

Inhibitory effects of different fractions separated from standardized extract of Myrtus communis L. against nystatin-susceptible and nystatin-resistant Candida albicans isolated from HIV positive patients

Background

and Purpose: Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) is a medicinal herb that plays an essential role in treating fungal infections. The present study investigated the antifungal properties of different fractions of the M. communis L. leaf extract against Candida albicans (susceptible and resistant to nystatin).

Materials and methods

Total extract (TE) and petroleum ether (PE), chloroform (CH), ethyl acetate (EA), and methanol (ME) fractions were prepared using the sonication method. The study used the standard strain sample (ATCC 76645) and nystatin-resistant C. albicans from oral samples of HIV-infected individuals. The identification of resistant isolate was performed using phenotypic and molecular methods. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of the fractions along total extract were determined by microdilution method on nystatin-resistant and susceptible Candida albicans. The Folin-Ciocalteu method was used to determine the total phenolic content of the extract.

Results

The extraction yield (w/w) was 13.50 for TE, 2.10 for PE, 2.23 for Ch, 2.14 for EA, and 10.03 for ME fractions. Chloroform extract showed good anti-candida activity against nystatin susceptible and resistant C. albicans (62.5 ​μg/mL). Ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the greatest MIC against nystatin susceptible and resistant C. albicans (250 ​μg/mL). The MIC value of fluconazole was >64 μg/mL for both susceptible and -resistant strains. The amount of phenolic compounds of the total extract was reported to be equal to 5.4%, equivalent to gallic acid.

Conclusion

Results revealed that the PE and CH fractions showed greater antifungal effects than the total extract against both susceptible and resistant strains of Candida albicans. It can conclude that active antifungal compounds of the plant belong to a specific group of metabolites, which according to the type of solvent, probably have non-polar nature. Further separation is carrying out.

Clinical evaluation of the effect of Zataria multiflora Boiss and Trachyspermum copticum (L.) on the patients with irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common gastrointestinal dysfunction characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort, as well as changes in bowel movements and stool shape. Given the global trend towards the increased use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), the high prevalence of IBS, the lack of a standard treatment for all IBS subtypes, and patients' willingness to use CAM treatments, investigations into CAM treatments are needed. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of a mix of two herbal medicines (Zataria-Trachyspermum, ZT) on the clinical symptoms of patients with IBS.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

The present study was performed on 3 groups including the positive control, experimental, and placebo groups. The sample size was calculated as 150 participants. Fifty patients were assigned to one of three parallel groups (ZT capsule, placebo, and mebeverine capsule) by block randomization. All three groups were treated for 4 weeks. The patients were monitored in the follow-up stage for 2 additional weeks.

RESULTS

After the fourth week of intervention, symptoms of pain, bloating, and reflux showed a significant decrease in the ZT group compared to the placebo and mebeverine groups (P <0.05). Moreover, the participants in the ZT group reported a significant decrease in fatigue compared to the other two groups (P <0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed the positive effect of ZT on IBS symptoms, especially pain, bloating, constipation, and bowel movements.

The effects of Berberis vulgaris L. root extract on the opiate withdrawal syndrome and psychological factors: a randomized double-blind clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

In this clinical trial, the effect of aqueous extract of Berberis vulgaris L. was investigated on opiate withdrawal syndrome, depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep quality in opioid addicts which were under methadone maintenance therapy.

METHODS

For this purpose, 52 opiate addicts were randomly selected of whom 28 received 500 mg capsules of B. vulgaris extract (treatment) and the rest received 500 mg of starch capsules (placebo), twice daily for 4 weeks. Signs and symptoms of opiate withdrawal syndrome, depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep quality were assessed through Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory (PSQI) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) questionnaires at baseline and after 7, 14, and 28 days of receiving intervention.

RESULTS

Signs and symptoms of opiate withdrawal syndrome were significantly improved in those who received the extract for 1 month compared to the placebo group. However, there were no significant differences in depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep quality scores in the treatment group compared to those in the placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS

The extract of B. vulgaris root as a traditional herbal product in combination with methadone could improve the symptoms and signs of opiate withdrawal.

Protective effect of Zataria multiflora Boiss. and its main compound, rosmarinic acid, against malathion induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in HepG2 cells

Malathion (MT) is one of the most widely used organophosphorus insecticides which induces toxicity through oxidative stress induction, free radical production and acetylcholinesterase inhibition. In this work, HepG2 cells were used to determine the effect of Zataria multiflora methanolic extract (MEZM) and rosmarinic acid (RA) on MT-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined and plant was further standardized based on RA content using HPLC method. The cultured HepG2 cells were pretreated with MEZM (1 μg/ml) and RA (0.1 μg/ml) for 4 h and exposed to MT (100 μM). Cell viability, oxidative stress biomarkers, ROS production, and cell death were examined after 24 h. The amount of RA was determined 73.48 mg/g dried extract. IC50 values of MEZM and MT were 368.56 μg/ml and 99.43 μM, respectively. Pretreatment with MEZM and RA decreased the cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and cell percentage in the late apoptosis and necrosis stages induced by MT. There was no significant difference between MEZM and RA effects. The present study showed the significant protective effects of MEZM against toxicity induced by MT in hepatocytes which can be attributed to the plant antioxidant constituents including RA.

Amelioration of Prenatal Lead-Induced Learning and Memory Impairments by Methanolic Extract of Zataria Multiflora in Male Rats

Introduction

The current study aimed at evaluating the effects of Zataria Multiflora (ZM) on learning and memory of adult male offspring rats with prenatal lead-exposure.

Methods

Pregnant rats in the case group received tap water containing 0.2% lead acetate throughout the gestation period. Control rats had free access to lead-free tap water. Two male offspring (two-month-old, weighing 180-200 g) from each mother were randomly selected and treated with either Z. Multiflora (50, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg/Intraperitoneally (I.P)/20 day) or saline. Spatial memory of the control, saline, and ZM-treated rats was evaluated by a training trial and probe test using Morris water maze (6-8 rat/group).

Results

The obtained results showed memory deficits including increased escape latency, and a greater traveled distance, as well as decrements in the frequency of crossings into target quadrants in prenatally lead-exposed male offspring compared with the controls. ZM treatment (200 mg/kg/i.p) ameliorated the memory deficits in male offspring by increasing the time spent and traveled distance in the trigger zone (P<0.01 vs. saline).There was no significant difference in swimming speed between the groups.

Conclusion

The results showed memory deficits in prenatally lead-exposed male offspring. ZM treatment (especially 200 mg/kg) had beneficial effects on cognitive behavior and was indicated as the improvement of lead-induced memory deficits in prenatally lead-exposed male rats. The exact mechanism(s) is not determined yet, but it could be mediated through the anticholinesterase and antioxidant effects and also alterations in Central Nervous System (CNS) and neurotransmission in the central nervous system.

Bacopa phospholipid complex retrieves aluminum maltolate complex-induced oxidative stress and apoptotic alterations in the brain regions of albino rat

Highly bioavailable plant phospholipid complex that can reverse aluminum maltolate (AlM)-induced toxicity is not yet reported. Hence, the present study was planned to investigate the impact of oxidative stress and apoptotic changes provoked by Al and ameliorative role of Bacopa phospholipid complex (BPC) in albino rats. The levels of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase activity (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBA-RS) were measured and immunohistochemistry analysis of apoptotic markers, Bax and Bcl-2, was done from the four brain regions such as the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata. The levels of antioxidant enzymes and apoptotic markers that were decreased on AlM induction showed a significant increase in their levels, almost as observed in the control, when treated with BPC and Bm. Our results indicate that both BPC and Bm showed a therapeutic effect against AlM toxicity; however, it was found that the therapeutic potential of BPC was more pronounced than Bm against AlM-induced neurotoxicity.

Amelioration of Prenatal Lead-Induced Learning and Memory Impairments by Methanolic Extract of Zataria Multiflora in Male Rats

Introduction:

The current study aimed at evaluating the effects of Zataria Multiflora (ZM) on learning and memory of adult male offspring rats with prenatal lead-exposure.

Methods:

Pregnant rats in the case group received tap water containing 0.2% lead acetate throughout the gestation period. Control rats had free access to lead-free tap water. Two male offspring (two-month-old, weighing 180–200 g) from each mother were randomly selected and treated with either Z. Multiflora (50, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg/Intraperitoneally (I.P)/20 day) or saline. Spatial memory of the control, saline, and ZM-treated rats was evaluated by a training trial and probe test using Morris water maze (6–8 rat/group).

Results:

The obtained results showed memory deficits including increased escape latency, and a greater traveled distance, as well as decrements in the frequency of crossings into target quadrants in prenatally lead-exposed male offspring compared with the controls. ZM treatment (200 mg/kg/i.p) ameliorated the memory deficits in male offspring by increasing the time spent and traveled distance in the trigger zone (P<0.01 vs. saline).There was no significant difference in swimming speed between the groups.

Conclusion:

The results showed memory deficits in prenatally lead-exposed male offspring. ZM treatment (especially 200 mg/kg) had beneficial effects on cognitive behavior and was indicated as the improvement of lead-induced memory deficits in prenatally lead-exposed male rats. The exact mechanism(s) is not determined yet, but it could be mediated through the anticholinesterase and antioxidant effects and also alterations in Central Nervous System (CNS) and neurotransmission in the central nervous system.

Natural products against Alzheimer's disease: Pharmaco-therapeutics and biotechnological interventions

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a severe, chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with memory and cognition impairment ultimately leading to death. It is the commonest reason of dementia in elderly populations mostly affecting beyond the age of 65. The pathogenesis is indicated by accumulation of the amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in brain tissues and hyperphosphorylation of tau protein in neurons. The main cause is considered to be the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to oxidative stress. The current treatment provides only symptomatic relief by offering temporary palliative therapy which declines the rate of cognitive impairment associated with AD. Inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is considered as one of the major therapeutic strategies offering only symptomatic relief and moderate disease-modifying effect. Other non-cholinergic therapeutic approaches include antioxidant and vitamin therapy, stem cell therapy, hormonal therapy, use of antihypertensive or lipid-lowering medications and selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, inhibition of β-secretase and γ-secretase and Aβ aggregation, inhibition of tau hyperphosphorylation and intracellular NFT, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), transition metal chelators, insulin resistance drugs, etanercept, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) etc. Medicinal plants have been reported for possible anti-AD activity in a number of preclinical and clinical trials. Ethnobotany, being popular in China and in the Far East and possibly less emphasized in Europe, plays a substantial role in the discovery of anti-AD agents from botanicals. Chinese Material Medica (CMM) involving Chinese medicinal plants has been used traditionally in China in the treatment of AD. Ayurveda has already provided numerous lead compounds in drug discovery and many of these are also undergoing clinical investigations. A number of medicinal plants either in their crude forms or as isolated compounds have exhibited to reduce the pathological features associated with AD. In this present review, an attempt has been made to elucidate the molecular mode of action of various plant extracts, phytochemicals and traditional herbal formulations investigated against AD as reported in various preclinical and clinical tests. Herbal synergism often found in polyherbal formulations were found effective to combat disease heterogeneity as found in complex pathogenesis of AD. Finally a note has been added to describe biotechnological improvement, genetic and genomic resources and mathematical and statistical techniques for empirical model building associated with anti-AD plant secondary metabolites and their source botanicals.

Essential Oils' Chemical Characterization and Investigation of Some Biological Activities: A Critical Review

This review covers literature data summarizing, on one hand, the chemistry of essential oils and, on the other hand, their most important activities. Essential oils, which are complex mixtures of volatile compounds particularly abundant in aromatic plants, are mainly composed of terpenes biogenerated by the mevalonate pathway. These volatile molecules include monoterpenes (hydrocarbon and oxygenated monoterpens), and also sesquiterpenes (hydrocarbon and oxygenated sesquiterpens). Furthermore, they contain phenolic compounds, which are derived via the shikimate pathway. Thanks to their chemical composition, essential oils possess numerous biological activities (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, etc…) of great interest in food and cosmetic industries, as well as in the human health field.

Antibacterial Activity of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Combination with Zataria multiflora Essential Oil and Methanol Extract

BACKGROUND

Against a variety of antimicrobial resistant pathogens, the scientists attempted substitution of antimicrobial medicine with various nanoparticles and plant-based antibacterial substances.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the antibacterial effects of silver nanoparticles solely and in combination with Zataria multiflora essential oil and methanolic extract on some photogenic bacteria.

METHODS

Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and fractional inhibitory concentrations (FICs) of plant essential oil, methanolic extract, and silver nanoparticles against bacteria were evaluated using the broth microdilution method and check board microtiter assays.

RESULTS

The results of the experiment showed that the MIC and minimal bacterial concentration (MBC) values of Ag-NPs against all strains were in the range of 15.625 - 500 µg/mL, and values for the essential oil and plant extract were in the range of 1.56 - 100 mg/mL.

CONCLUSIONS

Silver nanoparticles were observed to have additive effects with essential oil against Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. aureus. The obtained results suggest the need for further investigations of the antibacterial effects of the combination of silver nanoparticles with other plant extracts and essential oils.

Anticholinesterase, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects of Tripleurospermum disciforme and Dracocephalum multicaule

Background:

Nowadays, owing to medicinal plants as a candidate to obtain promising new medicinal agents, there is a renewed interest in the use of these natural sources for drug development.

Objective:

In the present study, we aimed to assess the anticholinesterase, antioxidant, and neuropotective effects of Tripleurospermum disciforme and Dracocephalum multicaule extracts.

Materials and Methods:

Methanolic extract of the plants was prepared by maceration method. Anticholinesterase effect of different concentrations of the plants was studied by colorimetric method and antioxidant activity was evaluated using diphenypicrylhydrazil (DPPH) assay. Protective effect of the extracts against amyloid β (Aβ)-induced toxicity in PC12 cells was determined by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) method.

Results:

Both T. disciforme and D. multicaule extracts could inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in a dose-dependent manner. The highest inhibition occurred at 5 μg/ml (71.18 ± 4.9 and 79.06 ± 3.1% inhibition respectively by T. disciforme and D. multicaule) in comparison to tacrine (86.37 ± 3.24%). The greatest DPPH inhibition of T. disciforme and D. multicaule was shown at 800 μg/ml (89.04 ± 3.9 and 78.5 ± 3.7%, respectively). None of tested extracts induced protection against βA toxicity in PC12 cell.

Conclusion:

Although the results indicated anticholinesterase and antioxidant of the T. disciforme and D. multicaule, further specific studies and scientific validity are needed.