Antifungal activity of the essential oil of Iranian medicinal plants

Plant materials continue to play a major role in primary health care as therapeutic remedies in many developing countries. Medicinal plants contain physiologically active principles that over the years have been exploited in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments as they contain antimicrobial properties. Antifungal activities of essential oil of four Iranian herbs including, Thymus daenensis var daenensis Celak, Zataria multiflora Boiss, Thymbra spicata var. spicata L. and Bunium persicum (Boiss.) K.-Pol. were investigated against of Aspergillus niger (PTCC 5298), Aspergillus fumigates (PTCC 5009), Aspergillus flavus (PTCC 5004) and Aspergillus parasiticus (PTCC 5018) by agar disc diffusion assay. Some of the essential oils showed relatively antifungal activity against the tested fungal. Of the herbs studied, the most active extracts were those obtained from essential oil of T. daenensis and T. spicata. The MIC values for active extract ranging between 64 and 256 µg/ml. The results obtained appeared to confirm the antifungal potential of the herbs investigated. The essential oils of T. daenensis and T. spicata could be used as natural antifungal against A. niger, A. fumigates, A. flavus and A. parasiticus in the food preservation and human health

A comprehensive review on Allium hirtifolium Boiss as a medicinal and edible plant

Medicinal plants are native legacies with universal and global significance that are considered as one of the most valuable assets of each country. To gain knowledge of these plants is one of the most important indicators of development in any countries. Study of medicinal plants in any region is very important for different potentials of these plants such as pharmacologic and industrial aspects. Regarding recent interest in and lack of information on medicinal plants, their therapeutic properties, and the approaches to their preparation and extraction, native information and traditional knowledge could contribute significantly to initiating scientific investigations on these plants. Therefore, it is necessary to take significant measures to use and promote systematic methods of utilization of these valuable resources by knowing these plants and obtaining necessary information about their habitats, ecological characteristics, and therapeutic uses. In this article, the latest scientific information on Allium hirtifolium, a medicinal, industrial and edible plant, is presented

Compare antioxidant activity from Satureja bachtiarica Bunge essential oils under different extraction methods ( Coventional and innovative techniques)

چکیده : زمینه و هدف :گیاه مرزه بختیاری با نام علمی Satureja bachtiarica Bunge ظرفیت آنتی اکسیدانی بالایی دارد و از آنجا که نوع روش استخراج بر درصد و نوع ترکیبات شیمیایی موجود در اسانس های گیاهی مؤثر است ، تصمیم گرفتیم به مقایسه فعالیت آنتی اکسیدانی اسانس های گیاه مرزه بختیاری حاصل از روش های مختلف استخراج بپردازیم و روش بهینه استخراج را تعیین نماییم . روش بررسی : فعالیت آنتی اکسیدانی و میزان فنل کل اسانس های مرزه بختیاری حاصل از 8 روش مختلف استخراج در دو قالب سنتی ( تقطیر ساده ، تقطیر با بخار ، تقطیر با آب و بخار) و نوین ( روش نفوذ آب به کمک مایکروویو و روش نفوذ آب به کمک مایکروویو و بخار) به روش DPPHو فولین سیوکالتیو تعیین شد . در این مطالعه BHT و Ascorbic acid به عنوان شاهد مثبت به کار برده شدند و داده‌ها درنرم افزار SPSS و با استفاده از آزمون های توصیفی تجزیه و تحلیل شدند . یافته ها: نتایج آزمون های آماری اختلاف معنی داری را در میزان فنل کل و میزان IC50اسانس های حاصل از روش های مختلف استخراج نشان داد (05/0 p ≤). کم­ترین میزان IC50 ( یا بیشترین فعالیت آنتی اکسیدانی ) برابرmg/ml 0.13 ±1.95 مربوط به روش نفوذ آب به کمک مایکروویو و بخار با توان 800 وات بود. در این آزمایش میزان IC50 برای BHTوAscorbic acid به ترتیب mg/ml 0.13 و 0.11 بود . نتیجه گیری : روش نفوذ آب به کمک مایکروویو و بخار با توان 800 وات بهترین روش استخراج اسانس از گیاه مرزه بختیاری با حفظ بالاترین خاصیت آنتی اکسیدانی است

The antibacterial effects of wild and cultivated Allium hirtifolium Boiss on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis and antibiotic resistance patterns of the strains using disk diffusion

The widespread use of antibiotics has recently led to increased drug resistance in most bacteria. The studies on antimicrobial properties of plant species, especially endemic plants, can help to use nature-based drugs, with greater efficacy, to control and treat bacterial infections.This study was conducted to investigate and compare the antimicrobial effects of wild and cultivated Allium hirtifolium Boiss on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis, and to determine the antibiotic patterns of the strains. Extraction was done by maceration and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tested by Broth Microdilution.To determine minimum inhibitory concentration, the wells without opacity were cultured separately on Mueller-Hinton agar. As well, the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated strains was investigated by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion susceptibility test with reference to amikacin, gentamicin, vancomycin, and penicillin. The findings demonstrated that the lowest MIC and the highest MBC were obtained for cultivated A. hirtifolium leaf extract on E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa, respectively. Moreover, E. faecalis was found to have the highest antibiotic resistance to penicillin with a 12-mm inhibition zone diameter

In vitro antifungal activity of plant extracts on Saprolegnia parasitica from cutaneous lesions of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) eggs

Saprolegnia parasitica Coker is the main agent of saprolegniosis, one of the most important causes of economic losses in the rainbow trout farming industry in Iran. In this work, seven essential oils (2 species) and ethanol extracts (5 species) were tested against a strain of S. parasitica from cutaneous lesions of Oncorhynchus mykiss eggs, using a continuously agitated broth technique that allows both the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC > 50 %) and the minimum lethal concentration (MLC> 99.9 %) to be evaluated. The essential oils of Thymus daenensis and Thymus khuzestanicum (MIC > 50 % = 0.63 µl ml-1 and MLC> 99.9 % = 22 µl ml-1) and ethanol extracts of Tanacetum parthenium and Mentha longifolia (MIC > 50 % = 31.25 and 62.5 µg ml-1 and MLC> 99.9 % = 600 and 550 µg ml-1, respectively) showed higher inhibition against S. parasitica than the other extracts. In general, our study suggests that natural products derived from some medicinal plants have the potential to be used as health rainbow trout eggs

Antimicrobial activity of some Iranian medicinal plants

The major aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of the extracts of eight plant species which are endemic in Iran. The antimicrobial activities of the extracts of eight Iranian traditional plants, including Hypericum scabrum, Myrtus communis, Pistachia atlantica, Arnebia euchroma, Salvia hydrangea, Satureja bachtiarica, Thymus daenensis and Kelussia odoratissima, were investigated against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes and Candida albicans by agar disc diffusion and serial dilution assays. Most of the extracts showed a relatively high antimicrobial activity against all the tested bacteria and fungi. Of the plants studied, the most active extracts were those obtained from the essential oils of M. communis and T. daenensis. The MIC values for active extract and essential oil ranged between 0.039 and 10 mg/ml. It can be said that the extract and essential oil of some medicinal plants could be used as natural antimicrobial agents in food preservation.

Antidepressant-like effect of essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia Mill and Citrus bigaradia Duh with forced swimming test in reserpinized mice Balb/C.

Background: Levandula angustifolia and Citrus aurantium essential oils possess phenolic compounds and in Iranian traditional medicine are commonly used as sedative. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidepressant activities of Levandula angustifolia and Citrus bigaradia in adult reserpinized mice. Methods: In this experimental study, mice were divided into 10 groups of 8 mice each, including: Group 1, control group received normal saline. Group 2, was treated reserpine (5 mg/kg, IP). Group 3, 4, 5 and 6 were treated with reserpine (5 mg/kg, IP) and four Citrus aurantium different doses (25, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg). Group 7, 8 and 9 were treated with reserpine (5 mg/kg, IP) and three Levandula angustifolia doses (25, 50, 100 mg/kg). Group 10 was treated with reserpine (5 mg/kg, IP) and imipramine (15 mg/kg). In all groups the forced swimming test was done and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in brain tissue was measured to estimate the oxidative stress status. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test. Results: Levandula angustifolia, Citrus aurantium and imipramine in reserpinized mice caused the mice to spend less time in the forced swimming test, compared to the control group (p<0.01). Also Citrus aurantium with dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg and Lavandula angustifolia with dose of 25 and 50 mg/kg in reserpinized mice reduced immobility time and levels of MDA compared the control group (p<0.01). Conclusion: Lavander and Citrus aurantium essential oils have considerable antidepressant activity which might be attributed to their antioxidant effects

Anti-Candida activity of ethanolic extracts of Iranian endemic medicinal herbs against Candida albicans

It has long been known that herbs and their extracts have antimicrobial activities. Heracleum lasiopetalum Boiss., Satureja bachtiarica Bunge., Thymus daenensis Celak., Echiophora platyloba L., Dracocephalum multicaule Benth., Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. and Achillea kellalensis Boiss. are Iranian endemic plant species that have been traditionally used as medicinal herbs and spices in different regions of Iran especially Central Zagross. Seven ethanolic extracts of endemic medicinal herbs and one extract of native medicinal herb (Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl.) collected from Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province of Iran were assayed for the in vitro antifungal activity against Candida albicans (ATCC1023), using agar dilution methods. Most of the extracts showed relatively high anti-Candida activity against the tested fungi with the diameter of inhibition zone ranging between 8 and 17 mm. The extracts of S. bachtiarica and T. daenensis exhibited high inhibitory effect against C. albicans. The extracts of S. bachtiarica and T. daenensis were characterized using HPLC, the major components of S. bachtiarica and T. daenensis were carvacrol and thymol, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for active extract range between 25 and 50 µg/ml. In conclusion, it can be said that the extract of some of the Iranian endemic medicinal plants (S. bachtiarica and T. daenensis) could be used as natural anti-Candida

Evaluating the microbial contamination of some Iranian dried medicinal plants and distillates

Background and aims: In Iran herbal water and dried herb are as traditional medicinal and are consumed widely. Therefore, microbial evaluation of these products in term of public health is important. The aim of the present study was to study the contamination of some dried medical plants and distillates in the groceries of Shahrekord city. Methods: In this descriptive study, 35 samples of herbal waters and 35 samples of 7 species (lavender, lemon balm, valerian, savory, borage, mint and thyme) dried medicinal plant (total samples=70) distributed in Shahrekord during spring to summer of 2012 were purchased and transferred to laboratory. Then, microbial tests such as total aerobic bacterial count mold and yeast count, total coliforms, and detection were evaluated based on national standard of Iran. Results: Contamination to mesophilic bacteria and yeast was observed in the 100 of distilled samples, based on the national standard of Iran. Additionally, none of the medicinal dried plant was contaminated according to the national standard of Iran. Conclusion: According to contamination of all distilled, It is proposed that producers of herbal distillates consider the hygiene conditions, using correct and suitable pasteurization, considering the structural condition of workshop and also appropriate packaging in order to reduce the secondary contamination and increase the quality of the finished product