Search Results (4)

The present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro, in vivo, and safety of Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl. methanolic extract (SLME) against acute toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii RH strain in mice. Methods: MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was used to evaluate the in vitro effect of the SLME on T. gondii tachyzoites. Totally, 72 male BALB/c mice (40 mice for in vivo evaluation of SLME and 32 mice for its toxicity effects on liver and kidney serum enzymes) were used for the present investigation. At first, 40 mice were orally pre-treated with the SLME at doses of 25, 50, and 75 mg/kg/day for two weeks. Mice were checked daily, and the rate of survival and the mean number of tachyzoites were recorded. Liver lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitric oxide (NO) levels, the effects on kidney and liver function, as well as the expression level of the proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), were studied by the quantitative real-time PCR. Flow cytometry analysis was performed on the effects of SLME on the detection of apoptotic and necrotic cells in T. gondii tachyzoites. Results: The SLME at the concentrations 75 and 150 µg/mL completely killed the tachyzoites after 2 hr of incubation. SLME at 25, 50, and 75 mg/kg/day increased the survival rate of infected mice by the sixth, seventh, and eighth days, respectively. SLME also significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the LPO and NO levels and upregulated the IL-1β and IFN-γ mRNA gene expression levels, whereas no considerable change was observed in the serum level of kidney and liver enzymes. Flow cytometry analysis revealed the prompted early and late apoptosis after exposure to T. gondii tachyzoites with various concentrations of SLME. Conclusion: We found the relevant in vitro anti-Toxoplasma effects of SLME against T. gondii. Moreover, the results confirmed the promising in vivo prophylactic effects of SLME. SLME provokes the innate immune system, induces apoptosis, modulates the proinflammatory cytokines, and inhibits hepatic injury in infected mice. With all these descriptions, further surveys are required to support these findings and elucidate this plant’s possible mechanisms of action. Full article

In this study, we aimed to isolate compounds from Stachys lavandulifolia (Lamiaceae) by chromatographic methods and perform tyrosinase, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase enzyme-inhibition and antimicrobial activity studies of these compounds by in vitro methods. In addition, a molecular docking study was planned for the molecule with the highest effect. Two flavone glycosides, apigenin-7-O-glucoside and luteolin-7-O-glucoside, were isolated from S. lavandulifolia. Both compounds were observed to be effective against Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. The compounds showed weak tyrosinase and butyrylcholine esterase inhibition, while only luteolin-7-O-glucoside showed a more significant inhibitory effect against acetylcholinesterase (65 ± 2%). Therefore, molecular interactions between acetylcholinesterase and luteolin-7-O-glucoside were evaluated. In the docking study, it was observed that the molecule was bound to the enzyme with a low amount of free binding energy (Glide score: −8.31). As a result, the antibacterial effect of apigenin-7-O-glucoside and both antibacterial and acetylcholinesterase-inhibitory effects of luteolin-7-O-glucoside were determined. Full article

The morphological and essential oil diversity of Stachys lavandulifolia populations from the west and northwest of Iran were evaluated. The results showed a significant difference between the populations for nearly all the evaluated traits. The broadest variation ranges were recorded for the auxiliary shoot length, leaf length in the main branch, and the number of flowers in the inflorescences. Furthermore, cluster analysis divided 13 populations into four separate groups. GC/MS analysis verified the presence of 28 components comprising up to 94/4% of the oils. The dominant constituents were α-pinene (1.07–34.87%), (E)-caryophyllene (0.45–25.99%), germacrene D (3.36–20.61%), Δ-cadinene (2.82–19.90%), bicyclogermacrene (1.72–12.08%) α-terpineol (0–11.86%), α-muurolol (0.31–11.50%), p-cymene (0.67–9.67%), β-elemene (0.63–9.31%), and sabinene (0.32–6.29%). The results revealed that natural habitats and the related geo-climatological cues influenced morphological traits and oil composition. Considering the substantial environmental variations and the broad diversity, there would be a rich selection pool for the traits of interest. The populations are a step forward in the breeding programs for the highlighted essential oil constituents needed by the pharmaceutical and related industries. Furthermore, with the future comparative study of the populations from all Iranian territories and the neighboring countries, we will have a realistic idea of the coming conservational and exploitation programs. Full article

Depression is a global problem associated with multiple social and health issues. In the present study, we analyzed the antidepressant effects of Lavandulifolia stachys, an herbal planton forced swimming test (FST). In this study, 36 rats were used. We gavaged the aqueous extract of plant (50, 100, 150 mg/kg), imipramine and fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) as standard antidepressant drug and normal saline for control group for a week. Then, their behavioral responses including climbing, swimming and immobility were recorded during the 5-min FST. Our experiments showed significant effects of Lavandulifolia stachys on swimming and immobility but not effect on climbing behaviors. Imipramine and fluoxetine increased climbing and swimming, respectively, and both reduced immobility, compared to saline control. Finally, our results show the extract of Lavandulifolia stachys could play an important role in treatment of depression like fluoxetine. Full article