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ABSTRACT: Introduction & Objective: Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds, which are considered as antioxidants due to their ability to scavenge free radicals and inhibit enzymes in oxygen-reduction pathways. Various studies have shown that these products reduce the cardiovascular disease mortalities. Heart failure is one the main cause of mortality in diabetic patients. It is believed that diabetes has deleterious cardiomyopathic effects, which would lead to heart failure. Several evidences indicate that oxidative stress is an important factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, including cardiomyopathy. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of hesperidin on cardiac function parameters in experimental diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1). Material & Methods: Diabetes mellitus was induced in rats by single intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (60mg/kg). Diabetic rats were given oral Hesperidin (500 mg/kg) for two months. Afterwards, the animals' hearts were used to study left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), rate of rise (+dP/ dT) and rate of decrease (-dP/ dT) of left ventricular pressure, using Langendorff isolated heart apparatus. Results: Diabetes significantly reduced the LVSP, +dP/ dT and -dP/ dT compared to the control group(p<0.05). Hesperidin significantly improved all measured parameters in diabetic animals(p<0.05). Conclusion: These results show that hesperidin can improve diabetic cardiomyopathy in experimental diabetes mellitus.

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Introduction & Objective: Consumption of plant derived antioxidant contributes to reducing risks of certain chronic and degenerative diseases. The aim of the present study was to study the antioxidant activities and total phenolic of Artemisia Martima, Achillea Millefolium and Matricaria Recutica Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted at Yasuj University of Medical Sciences in 2009. The Stem and flower sample of plants were air-dried, and then grinded and were finally extracted by ethanol: water (70: 30) for 48 h in room temperature. Extracts were filtered and dried under vacuum system. The antioxidant activity of three ethanol extract of the medicinal plants, Artemisia martima, Achillea millefolium and Matricaria recutica, were analyzed by five different methods (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2, 20azinobis- (3-ethylbenzthiazoline -6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical cation,Ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), phosphomolybdenum (PMB) and reducing power ( RP). In addition, for determination of antioxidant components, the total phenolic content was also analyzed. The collected data was analyzed by SPSS software. Results: For all antioxidant activity assays, Artemisia martima had the highest antioxidant activity value and also total phenol content. Antioxidant capacity analyses revealed that the FRAP and DPPH had comparable results. Antioxidant activity at 1 mg/mL, in ABTS were in the order Artemisia martima> Achillea millefolium> Matricaria recutica. Similar trend was observed for PMB content. RP, FRAP and DPPH were in the order Artemisia martima> Matricaria recutica > Achillea millefolium . Conclusion: The extracts showed a variety of antioxidant activities in all antioxidant assay system. This study demonstrated that Artemisia martima crude extract exhibit significant antioxidant activity.

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Introduction & Objective: Garlic (Allium sativum. L.) is an important dietary herb which its useful compounds may be altered during different processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of heating on the amounts of allicin, felavonol, felavonoid, total phenolic components, and antioxidant capacity of garlic. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study which was conducted at Shahr-e-Kord University of Medical Sciences in 2009, the alcoholic extract of fresh, micro waved, and boiled garlic were prepared. Then, their antioxidant capacities were evaluated in linoleic acid and ß-carotene linoleate system. The phenolic contents were measured with Folin–ciocalteu method, felavonoid or felavonol contents with aluminum coloride method, and allicine contents with spectrophotometry method. Collected data were statistically analyzed using the SPSS software. Differences between the means of groups were evaluated by a two-tailed t-test for independent samples. Results: The fresh and fresh boiled garlic had the highest and lowest antioxidant activities, respectively (P<0.05) while no difference was found between fresh and micro waved garlic (P>0.05). The flavonoid and phenolic compounds in fresh garlic were more than micro waved or boiled garlic. The allicin content in fresh garlic was also higher then micro waved or boiled garlic (P<0.05). All of these components were low in boiled garlic. Conclusion: Fresh garlic has the most useful compounds and consumption of this form of the vegetable is recommended.

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Abstract Background & aim: Anti-oxidant compounds prevent prevalence of chronic diseases and food spoiling. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of beech and oak barks. Methods: In this experimental study, the skin of beech and oak trees were prepared and then acetone extraction was obtained using Soxhle method. At the beginning, total phenol and flavonoid of extracts were determined and the anti-oxidant properties of the extracts were then evaluated by three methods (methods Biphenyl Pykryl Hydrosol, regenerative power produced- and nitric oxide). Results: The amount of phenolic was higher in bark of beech trees, but flavonoids were higher in oaks. The result of test to trap free radicals of Biphenyl Pykryl Hydrazyl showed the inhibitory concentration 50% of acetone extract of the bark of beech and oak, were 92.19 and 33.7 mg/L respectively. Beech extracts had greater regenerative power than oak. In Nitric oxide trap test acetone extract inhibited 50% in bark of beech trees was 98/23 and the oak extract was 92/90 mg/L respectively. Conclusion: Acetone extract of the bark in three models showed varying degrees of anti - oxidant activity. Beech extract had better antioxidant activity compared with oak extract. Key words: Anti-oxidant Activity, Phenols, Flavonoids, Beech, Oak

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Background & aim: Olive leaf extract can be used as a rich source of the polyphenolic antioxidant. The present study aimed to compare the amount of phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity of five varieties of Iranian olive leaf hydro alcholic extract .

Methods: In the present experimental study, leaves of five Iranian olives  which are raised in five different regions in Iran (Dezfooli variety in gachsaran, Dehghan variety in the region Nurabad mamasani, Shenge variety in kazeron, Shirazi variety in Shiraz, Feshomi vareity in Roodbar in Gilan region) was collected. All samples were prepared in spring, then dried in the shade at 28-26 ^°C . Hydroalcholic extract was obtained with 70% ethanol with maceration method for 24 hours at a temperature of 40-37 ^°C.Total phenol contents ( Folin-Ciocalteu)  and, Flavonoids ( zishen) was determined.  Antioxidant activity of the olive leaves extract was evaluated by radical scavenging DPPH method and vitamin C applied as standard .Data were analyzed by the SPSS software (version 21) and significant level (P˂0.05) and 95% confidence intervals were considered.

Results: The total phenol and flavonoid content were different in five varieties of olive leaf extract. The highest level of total phenol and flavonoids were reported (212.54 ± 3 in Dezfooli olive variety) (900.13±3.28 Shirazi olive variety).  Respectively. The antioxidant activity was different in all vareity. Dezfooli olive variety have the highest antioxidant activity (%71.27) and Shirazi olive variety (%37.29) had the least antioxidant activity with DPPH method. The high relationship was found between the total phenol and antioxidant activity in extracts.

Conclusion:  Antioxidant activity, total phenol and flavonoid content were different in each plant extract and a high correlation was found between total phenol and Antioxidant activity

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Background & aim: Decreased beta-cell mass has a role in the pathogenesis of human type 2 diabetes and in rodent diabetes models. The study of plant extracts is important as they possibly inhibit the reduction of beta cell mass and the islets of Langerhans. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of leaf extract of P. harmala on streptozotocin-induced apoptosis in rat pancreatic tissue.
 
Methods: In this experimental study that was conducted in 2016, a number of 32 male rats (250±10g) were acquired from the Pasteur Institute of Iran and randomly divided into four groups (n= 8), including control, diabetic, diabetic and experimental treated with P. harmala leaf extract. Diabetic groups were given 60 mg/kg streptozotocin. After confirming the induction of diabetes on the tenth day, methanolic leaf extract (150 mg/kg) was administered by gavage for 28 days for the groups treated with the extract. The extracted content of the P. harmala leaf was then analyzed by HPLC. Subsequently, rats’ serum glucose level was assessed, and the pancreatic tissue was removed. Following H&E and AgNOR staining, the number of beta cells and the diameter of the islets were measured. Finally, the collected data were analyzed by SPSS software.
 
 
Results: the results showed that the P. harmala leaf extract is rich in flavonoid compounds. A significant difference was observed in the serum glucose concentrations on days 10, 14, and 28 between the diabetic and control groups (p≤0.001), but there was no meaningful difference between the diabetic group treated with the leaf extract and the diabetic group. The mean islet diameter reduced significantly in the diabetic group relative to the control group (p≤ 0.01), while the difference was insignificant between the diabetic group treated with the leaf extract and the diabetic group. Besides, the experimental groups under treatment did not show any meaningful difference with the control group.
 
Conclusion: In spite of the fact that the P. harmala leaf extract contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds, unlike previous studies, it could not improve the side effects of streptozotocin in the diabetic group.