Background: Scrophularia striata (Scrophulariaceae family) is an herbaceous plant that is traditionally used for treatment of microbial infections. Objectives: Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of different extracts (methanolic, ethanolic, aqueous and ethyl acetate) from S. striata aerial parts was evaluated. Materials and Methods:The antimicrobial activity of different extracts from S. striata was evaluated against a large number of bacteria and fungi by micro broth dilution. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured and their antioxidant activities evaluated by DPPH assay and beta carotene linoleic acid test. Results: Antimicrobial screening exhibited the positive relation between the total phenolic content and its antimicrobial activity but their antioxidant activity had a negative relation. Conclusions: Further studies are recommended against clinical isolate of sensitive bacteria and deep investigation on flavonoid and phenolic compounds of S. striata and detecting the antioxidant portion in aqueous extract.

Sinusitis is associated with inflammation and infections of air-filled cavities of sinuses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential efficacy of Nigella sativa seed fixed oil in management of sinusitis. The information was extracted from accessible international databases, traditional books, electronic resources, and unpublished data.ResultsThe results of investigations on N. sativa seed fixed oil showed its therapeutic potential in treatment of sinusitis by its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihistaminic, immune-modulator, antimicrobial and analgesic effects. The use of N. sativa seed fixed oil can inhibit the inflammation of sinuses and respiratory airways, microbial infections and finally help the patients suffering from clinical symptoms of sinusitis such as coryza, nasal congestion, headache, neck pain, earache and toothache. Clinical studies are required to evaluate its efficacy in patients with sinusitis in future.

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S u m m a r yCapparis spinosa roots and fruits are traditionally used for the treatment of diseases such as diarrhea and hemorrhoids. In the 10 th century, farmers also used aqueous extract from its roots for disinfecting their plants' seeds. Due to widespread use of this plant in traditional medicine, we evaluated different extracts (aqueous, methanol, ethanol and ethyl acetate) of fruits and roots of this plant against bacteria and fungi causing infections in plants or humans. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of extracts from fruits and roots and the antioxidant activity were evaluated. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by microdilution assay in fluid medium. Among different extracts from roots and fruits, root ethyl acetate and fruit methanol extracts had higher total phenolic content, while fruit ethyl acetate extract contained higher total flavonoid content. The higher antioxidant activity was shown for roots ethanol extract (IC 50 =88 µg/ml). As its traditional uses, roots aqueous extract from C . spinosa exhibited inhibitory effect against bacteria and fungi with the exception of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. With the exception of fruit aqueous extract, other extracts (methanol, ethanol and ethyl acetate) from fruit and root exhibited good activity against microorganisms, especially fungi. This study reveals the traditional uses of roots and fruit extracts as antimicrobials agent.

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Flatulence as the continuous feeling of abdominal distension is equal to “Nafkh” in Iranian Traditional Medicine. Nafkh is believed to derive from the amount of stomach temperature, humidity of food or abnormal humidity in digestive tract and their interactions. Mentha spicata as cool and spicy plant with astringent and digestive property is recommended for treatment of flatulence. The information was extracted from accessible international databases, traditional books, electronic resources, and unpublished data. M. spicata essential oil with main component of carvone has potency for treatment of flatulence related to indigestion, cesarean section and dysmenorrhea. Also, it can reduce the pain severity during the colonoscopy or dysmenorrheal conditions. No hazardous effects were reported for M. spicata essential oil, if it is used in proper dosages. M. spicata essential oil can be applied for other intestinal complaints with pain and flatulence such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) that needs more deep clinical trials for demonstrating its potential.

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