SCROPHULARIA UMBROSAis a medicinal plant used as a traditional herb. This study was designed to investigate the phytochemical analysis of methanol (MeOH), DCM, and n-Hexane extracts of rhizome as well as total phenol and total flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC). In-vitro β-hematin formation assay and DPPH method were applied for analyzing antimalarial and free-radical scavenging activities of the extracts, respectively. The formation of hemozoin has been proposed as an ideal drug target for antimalarial screening programs. The results showed that n-hexane and MeOH extracts of rhizome had no significant inhibitory effect on heme biocrystallization whereas the DCM extract of rhizome showed moderate antimalarial activity in comparison with chloroquine. GC-MS data showed that volatile portions of DCM and n-Hexane extracts from SCROPHULARIA UMBROSA (S. UMBROSA) contained a few identifiable compounds. Moreover, fractions 20% and 40% MeOH-Water of MeOH extract of S. UMBROSA displayed moderate to strong free radical scavenging activity which showed a positive relation between phenolic and flavonoid contents and free radical scavenging activity. Based on the results, the fractions of MeOH extract were evaluated by 1HNMR for predicting the groups of natural compounds and interfacing of chemical and biological assessments.

Background: SCROPHULARIA UMBROSA is a plant used as a traditional herb. Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the antimalarial activity and free radical scavenging of methanol, DCM and nHexane extract of aerial parts and seed, as well as total phenol, total fl avonoid contents, and phytochemical identifi cation. Methods: GC-MS technique were used for identifi cation of the chemical compositions of the DCM and n-Hexane extract as well as HPLC and NMR techniques for methanolic extract. The hemozoin formation has been suggested as a desirable drug target to antimalaria sieve scheme. In the present study, we used the spectrophotometric assay to screen the potency of plant extracts. The DPPH method has been used for antioxidant activity screening of the extracts and fractions. AlCl3 and Folin-Ciocalteu reagents, respectively, were used for total fl avonoid and total phenol contents of samples. Results: Our results showed that n-hexane and the MeOH extracts of the aerial parts, and seed did not display any impressive prevention of heme biocrystallization confi dants, however, the DCM extract of aerial part, in the comparison with the blank, showed slightly antimalarial eff ects. Furthermore, fractions (20%, 40%, and 60%) of MeOH extracts of aerial part and seed of S. UMBROSA had moderate to strong antioxidant activity and it is possible to conclude that there is a positive relation between phenolic and fl avonoid compositions as well as antioxidant activity. GC-MS data showed that volatile portions of DCM and n-Hexane extracts of various organs from S. UMBROSA are containing few identifi able compounds. In addition, Aucubin and Luteolin-7-O-rutinoside were also recognized from MeOH extracts. Conclusions: Based on the results, the fractions of extracts could be evaluated by 1 HNMR for predicting of groups of natural com-pounds as well as interfacing chemical and biological assessments.

Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide, especially in developing countries. SCROPHULARIA UMBROSA Dumort, a medicinal plant, has been used to treat various diseases in traditional medicine. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer and cytotoxic effects of S. UMBROSA Dumort extracts on a human breast cancer cell line. Methods: The methanol and other S. UMBROSA Dumort factions, including those from dichloromethane, water, n-butanol, ethyl acetate, and petroleum ether, were examined. The cytotoxic effects of the fractions on MCF-7 human breast cancer adenocarcinoma and 3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblast cells were evaluated by MTT assays. In addition, apoptotic induction was determined by propidium iodide flow cytometry. Results: The water, n-butanol. petroleum ether, and ethyl acetate fractions had no cytotoxic effects. The methanol and dichloromethane fractions showed significant cytotoxic affects in a dose-dependent manner on the malignant cells while causing no damage to non-malignant cells. In addition, the cell death assay indicated that the S. UMBROSA dichloromethane fraction triggered apoptosis in the MCF-7 cells. Conclusions: S. UMBROSA induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. The S. UMBROSA dichloromethane fraction exhibited the greatest cytotoxic effect on these cells. This work presents a first evaluation of the cytotoxic effects of S. UMBROSA and further studies are needed to determine the cytotoxic mechanism.

Background: SCROPHULARIA oblongifolia belongs to the SCROPHULARIAceae family, commonly known as the water figwort in Iran. It has been known as a traditional medicinal plant in Iran. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity of ethyl acetate, methanol, MeOH: H2O (50: 50 v/v), and n-hexane extract of SCROPHULARIA oblongifolia aerial parts, growing in the Kangavar region in the Kermanshah province of Iran. Methods: Compounds of ethyl acetate extract were isolated by chromatographic techniques (HPLC-PDAMS/ MS-Q-TOF) and their structures were elucidated by spectral methods (1D and 2D NMR). The antifungal and antibacterial activities of some new compounds and ethyl acetate, methanol, and n-hexane extract were evaluated. Results: Two new polyphenol iridoid glycosides with phenylpropanoid moiety namely scrophuloside A5 and scrophuloside A6,two known phenylpropanoid glycosides namely scrophuloside A3 and scrophuloside A4, and two known iridoid glycosides namely aucubin and harpagoside were isolated from S. oblongifolia. Pure compounds showed high antifungal activities with MIC values ranging from 0. 35 to 0. 74 μ, g/ml against C. albicans and high antibacterial activities with MIC values ranging from 0. 70 to 1. 48 μ, g/ml against G. vajinalis. n-Hexan extract showed moderate antibacterial and antifungal activity, while methanol and methanol: H2O (50: 50 v/v) extract showed no antimicrobial activities. Conclusion: Based on these findings, compounds isolated from S. oblongifolia have demonstrated potential antibacterial and antifungal activities.

Five species of Puccinia and two of Uromyces making 7 rust-host combinations are reported from Iran. Puccinia leveillei on Geranium sylvaticum, P. libanotidis on Libanotis transcaucasica, P. podospermi on Scorzonera laciniata and Uromyces SCROPHULARIAe on SCROPHULARIA UMBROSA are reported as new to the flora of Iran. For other three species viz. P. campanulae and P. gaubae on Campanula spp. and U. bupleuri on Bupleurum exaltatum, new morphological features, new hosts and new localities are also reported.