ABSTRACT
         Background and Objectives: Capparis spinosa has been used in traditional medicine for various applications including treatment of liver disorders and cancer. We studied the effects of this plant on cell proliferation and morphological characteristics of PLC/PRF/5 liver cancer cell line.
        Methods: After preparing ethanolic extract of the plant, the inhibitory effect of the extract was assessed using MTT assay, and morphological changes were assessed by an inverted microscope.
       Results: C. spinosa ethanolic extract exhibited anti-cancer effects in a concentration-dependent manner. Half-maximal inhibitory concentration of the extract was 1051±4.21 mg/mL. Morphological changes including cell shrinkage, reduction of cell volume and nuclear condensation confirmed the inhibitory effect of C. spinosa on PLC/PRF/5 cells.
        Conclusion: According to the results of this study, extract of C. spinosa seems to be suitable for prevention and treatment of liver cancer. Further studies on animal models could verify the efficiency of the extract against cancer cells.

KEYWORDS: Plants, Medicinal, Capparis spinosa, Liver Neoplasms.       

ABSTRACT
           Background and Objectives: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common X-linked disorder of human erythrocytes in which cells are susceptible towards hemolytic changes and could be destroyed by peroxides. Extracts of Ilex spinigera and Gleditsia caspica leaves have excellent free radical scavenging activity. We investigated the protective effects of these extracts against hemolysis induced by some drugs in G6PD-deficient erythrocytes.
           Methods: Blood samples were collected from males with and without G6PD deficiency. Hemolysis induced by aspirin, phenylhydrazine hydrochloride and phenacetin was assessed in the presence and absence of the extracts. The amount of released hemoglobin was determined by reading absorbance at 540 nm.
           Results: The methanol extract of G. caspica had significant protective effects against phenacetin-induced hemolysis in G6PD-deficient human erythrocytes (P<0.05). However, the I. spinigera extract had no significant anti-hemolytic effects on these cells.
           Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the extract of G. caspica could be a potential drug with antioxidant and anti-hemolytic properties for patients with G6PD deficiency.
           Keywords: Antihemolytic activity, Medicinal plant, G6PD deficiency, Gleditsia caspica, Ilex spinigera.