Effect of Zataria multiflora Extract on Total and Differential White Blood Cell Count and Endothelin Level in Blood of Ovalbumin Sensitized Guinea Pigs

Objective: To investigate the effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of Zataria multiflora (Z. multiflora) on endothelin level, total and differential white blood cells (WBC) count of sensitized guinea pigs. Methods: Five groups of guinea pigs sensitized to ovalbumin (OA) were given drinking water alone (group S), drinking water containing three concentrations of Z. multiflora (0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 mg/mL as groups S+Z1, S+Z2 and S+Z3) and dexamethasone (group S+D), n=6 for each group. The endothelin levels as well as total and differential WBC count in blood of sensitized and control guinea pigs were evaluated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method, and hemocytometer and Wright-Giemsa''s staining of blood sample smear respectively. Results: Blood endothelin levels, total and most differential WBC count were increased but lymphocytes decreased in sensitized animals compared to controls (all P<0.01). In groups S+D, S+Z2 and S+Z3 endothelin level, total and differential WBC counts were significantly improved compared with group S (P<0.01). Although, all measured parameters in group S+Z1 was lower than group S+D (P<0.01), some parameters in group S+Z3 were greater than in group S+D (P<0.05 to P<0.01). Conclusion: The results showed an anti-inflammatory effect of Z. multiflora extract in sensitized guinea pigs, which may suggest a therapeutic potential for the plant on asthma.     

多花筋骨草的显微鉴定

目的:为准确鉴定药材,保证用药安全有效,并进一步制定多花筋骨草的质量标准及开发利用提供科学依据.方法:石蜡切片技术及数码显微成像技术.结果:明确了多花筋骨草根、根茎及叶的显微特征.结论:这些显微特征可作为多花筋骨草的鉴定及区别同科同属植物的依据.     

米口袋化学成分的研究

从米口袋（Gueldenstae dtia multiflora Bge.）中分离得到11个化合物,应用光谱学和化学方法鉴定了其中7个化合物的结构,分别为黑麦草内酯、烈香杜鹃素Ⅰ、木栓醇、木栓酮、4-烯-3-酮豆甾烷、A’-Neogammacer-22（29）-en-3β-ol,acetate和β-谷甾醇。7个化合物均从该植物中首次分离得到,其中化合物Ⅰ是该植物中的水溶性成分。     

野蔷薇根醇提物对动脉粥样硬化模型大鼠脂代谢、血钙及内皮功能的影响

目的:观察野蔷薇根醇提物对动脉粥样硬化(atherosclerosis,AS)模型大鼠脂代谢、钙及内皮功能的影响。方法:50只SD大鼠随机分为空白对照组,模型组,野蔷薇根醇提物(YT)组低剂量组(4.15 g·kg-1)、高剂量组(8.30 g·kg-1),阿托伐他汀钙片(AL)组(2.0 mg·kg-1);空白对照组喂标准饲料,其余组高脂饮食联合注射维生素D3并加免疫损伤;灌胃给药90 d后,检测血清总胆固醇(serum total cholesterol,CHO)、三酰甘油(triacylglycerol,TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(low density lipoprotein cholesterin,LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(high density lipoprotein cholesterol,HDL-C)、血钙(blood calcium,Ca)、血清内皮素(endothelin,ET)、一氧化氮(nitric oxide,NO)、一氧化氮合酶(nitric oxide synthase,NOS);并计算肝脏指数,心脏指数和动脉硬化指数(arteriosclerosis index,AI)。结果:空白对照组肝脏指数为2.40±0.19,AI为0.75±0.17,血清CHO为(1.39±0.23)mmol·L-1,LDL-C为(0.49±0.17)mmol·L-1,HDL-C为(0.82±0.14)mmol·L-1、钙为(2.10±0.07)mmol·L-1,ET为(39.85±7.99)ng·L-1;模型组大鼠肝脏指数为0.88±0.45,AI为6.89±1.36,血清CHO为(18.13±4.45)mmol·L-1,LDL-C为(16.15±4.44)mmol·L-1,HDL-C为(2.73±0.52)mmol·L-1,钙为(4.44±0.28)mmol·L-1,ET为(53.91±9.83)ng·L-1;两组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。各干预组大鼠肝脏指数:YT低剂量组为4.38±0.38,YT高剂量组为4.23±0.43,AL组为4.41±0.45,均显著低于模型组(P0.05);肝脏体积肉眼观察明显小于模型组。AL组大鼠AI为4.93±1.19,CHO为(11.36±3.95)mmol·L-1,LDL-C为(9.78±3.92)mmol·L-1,ET为(39.07±8.98)ng·L-1,显著低于模型组(P0.05);YT高剂量组大鼠AI为4.35±1.40、LDLC为(8.68±2.22)mmol·L-1,显著低于模型组(P0.05);NOS为(51.55±5.83)U·L-1,显著高于模型组(P0.05);YT低剂量组大鼠钙为(3.19±0.32)mmol·L-1,显著低于模型组(P0.05)。结论:野蔷薇根醇提物可通过调节脂质代谢、钙和内皮功能紊乱来改善AS。     

野蔷薇不同部位总黄酮含量比较研究

目的:比较野蔷薇不同部位总黄酮含量,为今后开发利用野蔷薇提供依据。方法:采用超声提取法提取野蔷薇不同部位总黄酮,以芦丁为对照品,采用分光光度法测定的总黄酮含量为指标,对野蔷薇不同部位总黄酮含量进行比较。结果:通过比较野蔷薇叶、青果皮、青果籽、红果皮、红果籽、茎、根皮总黄酮含量得出:根皮(137.2 mg·g-1)叶(43.22 mg·g-1)茎(36.05 mg·g-1)青果皮29.94 mg·g-1)红果皮(15.25 mg·g-1)红果籽(4.761 mg·g-1)青果籽(4.396 mg·g-1)。结论:野蔷薇中总黄酮含量丰富,尤其根皮中含量最高,潜在应用价值大。     

Lavandula angustifolia and combination of Lavandula angustifolia and Zataria multiflora administration attenuates prenatal lead-exposed induced learning and memory impairments in male rats

This study evaluated the effects lavandula angustifolia (LAF) and its coadministration with Zataria multiflora (ZM) on the learning and memory of prenatal lead exposed adult male offspring rats. Pregnant rats received tap water containing 0.2% lead acetate throughout the gestation period. Two male offspring from each mother (2?months old, weighing 180–200?g) were randomly selected and were treated with saline, LAF (50, 100 &; 200?mg/kg/ip/20d), ZM (50, 200?mg/kg/ip/20d) and combination of effective and ineffective doses of LAF and ZM. The results showed spatial memory deficits in antenatally lead-exposed male offspring in Morris water maze test, which ameliorates following the effective doses of LAF and ZM methanolic extract via unknown mechanism(s).     

In vitro anti-Candida Activity of Zataria multiflora Boiss

Zataria multiflora Boiss known as Avishan Shirazi (in Iran)is one of the valuable Iranian medicinal plants. The aim ofstudy was to evaluate anti-Candida activity of Z. multifloraagainst different species of Candida in vitro. Anti-Candidaactivity of the aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic macerationextract of the aerial parts of Z. multiflora Boiss was studiedin vitro. Anti-Candida activity against Candida species wasdone using serial dilutions of extracts in Sabouraud's dextroseagar. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the methanolicand ethanolic extracts was 70.7 and 127 mg l^–1, respectively.Aqueous extract showed no remarkable activity against Candidaspecies. We conclude that methanolic extract of the aerial partsof Z. multiflora Boiss has more anti-Candida effect at 70.7mg l^–1 compared to ethanolic extract 127 mg l^–1.In addition, the isolates of Candida parapsilosis were moresusceptible to methanolic extract than other tested species.     

Effect of Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil on colony morphology and ultrastructure of Aspergillus flavus

The mode of inhibitory action of Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil (EO) on the fungus, Aspergillus flavus, was studied by colony morphology examination, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The EO at concentrations used in this study suppressed the size of the colony as well as sporulation. SEM of mycelia treated with given concentrations of EO showed morphological alterations ranging from loss of turgidity and uniformity of mycelia at low concentrations of EO to evident destruction of the hyphae at higher concentration of EO. Semi-thin sections of mycelia exposed to different concentrations of EO were analysed by light microscopy and revealed that the major change at level as low as 50 ppm of EO was limited to vacuolisation of cytoplasm resulting in cell swelling, while at higher concentrations, detachment of the cell membrane from the cell wall, deformation of mycelia and shedding the cytoplasm from the cell were the main alterations. These damages were well documented by TEM, which showed that the main sites of action of EO were the plasma membrane and cell wall. In conclusion, morphological and structural changes observed in this study may be one of the mechanisms involved in growth inhibition of the fungi and reducing aflatoxin production.     

The effect of carvacrol on muscarinic receptors of guinea‐pig tracheal chains

The effects of three concentrations of carvacrol, the constituent of Zataria multiflora Boiss (a monoterpenoid phenol, C₁₀H₁₄O) and 10 nm atropine on muscarinic receptors were tested on: non‐incubated (n = 7), incubated tracheal chains with propranolol and chlorpheniramine (n = 6) and incubated with propranolol (n = 5). The EC₅₀ of all three concentrations of carvacrol in incubated tissues with propranolol and chlorpheniramine was significantly greater than those of incubated tissues with propranolol and non‐incubated trachea (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). The EC₅₀ of two higher concentrations of carvacrol (0.2 and 0.4 µg/mL) in incubated tissues with propranolol was also significantly greater than those of non‐incubated trachea (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001). The maximum response in the presence of all concentrations of carvacrol in non‐incubated and incubated tissues with propranolol and chlorpheniramine and those of its two higher concentrations (0.2 and 0.4 µg/mL) in incubated tissues with propranolol were lower than saline (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). There were parallel rightward shifts in the concentration–response curves in the presence of all concentrations of carvacrol in non‐incubated and incubated tissues with propranolol and its lower concentration in incubated tissues with propranolol and chlorpheniramine. These results indicated an inhibitory effect of carvacrol on muscarinic receptors. A β‐adrenoceptor stimulatory effect was also suggested for carvacrol. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Effect of Zataria multiflora and its Constituent,Carvacrol, on Tracheal Responsiveness and Lung Pathology in Guinea Pig Model of COPD

The effects of Zataria multiflora (Z. multiflora) and its constituent, carvacrol, in guinea pigs model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were examined. Animals were divided into control, COPD, COPD + drinking water containing three concentrations of extract of Z. multiflora (0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 mg/ml), COPD + drinking water containing three concentrations of carvacrol (60, 120 and 240 µg/ml) and COPD + dexamethasone (50 µg/ml). COPD was induced by exposing animals to cigarette smoke for 3 months. Emphysema as a pathological change of the lung and tracheal responsiveness were measured (n = 5 for control and COPD groups and n = 6 for another groups). Tracheal responsiveness (p < 0.05) and emphysema were significantly increased (p < 0.001) in COPD compared to the control group. Tracheal responsiveness in COPD groups treated with two higher concentrations of the Z. multiflora and three concentrations of carvacrol, and emphysema in treated with highest concentration of Z. multiflora and carvacrol were significantly improved compared to COPD group. Studied parameters were also significantly improved in the treated group with dexamethasone compared to COPD animals (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01). The results indicated a preventive effect of Z. multiflora extract and its constituent, carvacrol, on tracheal responsiveness and pathological changes of the lung. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.