IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS
Year:2007 | Volume:22 | Issue:4 (34)|Papers Count:16

In order to study the effects of biofertilizers on yield and yield components in fennel, an experiment was conducted at Hamand Research Station in Damavand in 2005. The factors were mycorrhizal inoculation (inoculated and non-inoculated), biophosphate fertilizer (0, 30, 60 kg/ha) and vermicompost (0, 5, 10 ton/ha). The experiment design was factorial experiment in the base of randomized complete blocks design with eighteen treatments and three replications. Also, these treatments with a fertilizer control treatment (NPK: 90, GO and 90 kg/ha) was evaluated using a randomized complete blocks design with nineteen treatments and three replications. The measured traits were plant height, umbel no./plant, 1000 seed weight, biological yield, haevest index and seed yield. Mean comparison was conducted using duncan multiple range test (at 5% level). Results showed that the highest plant height, umbel no./plant, 1000 seed weight, biological yield and seed yield were obtained through mycorrhization but reduced harvest index. Biophosphate fertilizer also showed significant effects on plant height and biological yield. The maximum plant height and biological yield were obtained with consumption of 60 kg/ha from biophosphate fertilizer. The highest plant height, umbel no./plant, 1000 seed weight, biological yield and seed yield were obtained from vermicompost (10 ton/ha). Intractions of two factors of mycorrhizal inoculation and biophosphate fertilizer on 1000 seed weight and mycorrhizal inoculation and vermicompost on harvest index were significant. Comparison of control versus biofertilizer treatments was significant and umbel no./plant, biological yield and seed yield in two treatments of fifteenth (mycorrhizal inoculation-30 kg/ha biophosphate fertilizer-10 ton/ha vermicompost) and eighteenth (mycorrhizal inoculation-60 kg/ha biophosphate fertilizer-10 ton/ha vermicompost) from biofertilizer treatments were higher than that of control. There was a positive and significant correlation between seed yield with plant height, umbel no./plant, 1000 seed weight and biological yield.

Repellent activity and persistence of essential oil of Artemisia sieberi Besser were investigated against three stored product insect species Callosobruchus maculatus F, Sitophilus oryzae L. and Tribolium Castaneun Herbst at 27±1°C, 65±5 %R. H under dark condition. In this study, dry ground leaves were subjected to hydrodistillation using a modified clevenger-type apparatus. On the basis of the LT50s, C. maculatus was killed faster than S. oryzae and T. castaneum. Also, persistence or half-life time of the oil for C. maculatus was significantly longer than S. oryzae and T. castaneum. However, the essential oil was significantly more repellent to T. castaneum than S. oryzae and C. maculatus. These results demonstrated the efficacy of A. sieberi oil for applying in organic food protection.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is invariably the most frequent cause of death in most of the west countries. Atherosclerosis which is the most common risk factor for CHD caused by a gradual deposition of fats and lipids in muscular arteries. Many species of Artemisia from Compositeae family have hypolipidemic and antioxidative properties. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Artemisia sieberi extract on blood lipids and development of atherosclerosis in rabbits fed by a high cholesterol diet. For this objective 15 male rabbits were randomly divided in three groups (normal diet, hypercholesterolemic diet (RCD) and RCD+ 100mg/kg body weight Artemi siasieberi extract).Total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and HDL cholesterol were measured before starting and after 1st and 2nd months of experimental period. After two months, rabbits were killed following chloroform over dose and their aortas were removed for assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. The results indicate that Artemisia sieberi significantly reduces the levels of TC, LDL, TG and TC/HDL and significantly increase the level of HDL. The atherosclerotic plaque formation was significantly reduced in Artemisia sieberi group as compared to the control hypercholesterolemic group.

The increase of atmospheric pollutants and depletion of ozone, are subsequently the main causes for the increase of ultraviolet radiation on the earth. In the present research the effect of ultraviolet C (100-280 nm) on the content of some of the biochemical compounds and growth parameters of Aloe vera L. were examined. According to the results, exposure to ultraviolet C decreased both longitudinal and expansion growth, as well as the size of mesophyll layers of aloe leaves, but increased the thickness of cuticle layer. The histochemical methods also showed that phenolic compounds in the cell walls of those plants which were exposed to ultraviolet irradiation were deposited more esterified to the wall polysaccharides rather than being polymerized compared to those of the non-exposed plants. The content of the ultraviolet-absorbing compounds (i.e., anthocyanins and flavonoids) of UV-exposed plants were also changed. Increase of flavonoids and anthocyanins in these plants, may be related to defensive strategy of these compounds against irradiation.

Tanacetum fruticulosum is traditionally used for stomachache since ancient times. This investigation was carried out to understand some ecological characteristics of Tanacetum fruticulosum and using them in abundant cultivation and applying in medicinal industeries and prevent the natural habitats from destroying in Hormozgan Province in 1382. Climatic, geologic and geomorphologic characteristics, land types, companion plants, habitat types, distribution map, phonologic study, vegetative parameters measurement and soil analysis were done in its habitat. This species was located in the north slope of Godarsbab and Bagh Chenar Mountain in Fareghan at 2000-2400m altitude. The climatic condition of the region is moderate and dry. This plant grows in loam soil with pH=8.06-8.2 and Ec=0.58-1.06 milimouse/cm. Type of habitate was Juniperus excelsa-Amygdalus scoparia and more than 40 species, Daphne oleoides, Pistacia khinjuk, Amygdalus scoparia, Olea ferruginous, Pistacia atlantica, Teucrium polliulll. Amygdalus lycioides and Astragalus fasciculifouus were distributed in their habitats. Comparison of measured vegetative variables between two habitats showed significant difference and Godarshab region has better condition than Baghshenar region.

The effects of electromagnetic field (1 kHz) on the growth and the amounts and composition of essential oils of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) were studied. Basil plants were exposed to the electromagnetic field for 6 days, each 5 hours, discontinuously. Compared to the control plants, the growth of treated plants and their essential oils were decreased. This may be resulted from decrease in the activity of certain enzymes involved in the essential oil biosynthesis pathway. Methyl chavicol, geraniol, and nerol were three major components of essential oil of basil. Treatment with electromagnetic field, however, increased the content of methyl chavicol, suggesting an increase in the activity of chavicol-o-methyl transferase. This in return, suggests that the electromagnetic field can effect on the metabolism of essential oils indirectly i.e. through enzymatic proteins such as chavicol-o-methyl transferase. The results of the present study indicate that the electromagnetic field can be considered as a tool to increase methyl chavicol and probably other medicinal compounds in the desired plants.

Rosa damascena Mill is one of the important Rose species for production of aromatic compounds. The oil and distilled water of Rose are used vastly in medicinal, hygienic-cosmetic and food industries. In Iran, there are vast gardens of Rosa damascena in Kashan, Kerman, Tabriz, Sahand and Fars province. In this research, the effect of different extraction methods on yield and chemical composition of four Rosa danzascena samples (two samples from national botanical garden of Iran with source of Kashan and Oskou, one sample from Kashan and one sample from Chaloos road) were examined. The aromatic compounds were obtained by four extraction methods consisted of two distillation methods (hydrodistillation and water & steam distillation), extraction with organic solvents (by use of hexane and petroleum ether, individually). The yields of essential oils (from distillation methods) and concrete and absolute (from solvent extraction) were calculated. The oils and absolutes were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The result showed (except Oskou sample) there is no significant difference between oil and absolute yield, but for all samples, the yield of concrete was higher than the yield of oil and absolute, significantly. Distillation methods produced higher percentage of citronellol and sometimes geraniol, but the valuable compound, phenyl ethyl alcohol, was not found in the oils or exist in very little amount. In solvent extraction methods, the percentage of phenyl ethyl alcohol was considerably high and citronellol and also geraniol were found in the absolutes, of course in lower amounts. There were also some differences between the minor components.

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the common bacteria in human infection. Increasing antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus lead to vast usage of antibiotics and releasing new drugs to market. In this respect, medical herbs with antimicrobial effect have had important role in traditional medicine. The purpose of this study was evaluating antimicrobial effect of hydroakoholic and aqueous extracts of seed and stem of Ruta graveolens plant on Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923). Agar diffusion method was used and relative MIC and MBC of effective extracts were determined with macro dilution method. The change of number of bacteria in the presence of extract with concentration equal to MBC was also determined for different period of times. The results showed that unlike aqueous extract, the hydroalcoholic extracts of Ruta graveolens have no effect on Staphylococcus aureus. MIC and MBC of aqueous extract of stem were 10% and 20%, whereas, aqueous extract of seed were measured 10% and >30%, respectively. In the presence of aqueous extract of stem of Ruta graveolens, bacterial population was reduced gradually. Since Ruta graveolens is a native and abundant plant species in Iran; it is likely to produce drugs against Staphylococcus aureus infection which require further research.

In order to trace the role of rose water and its related products in the national economy, and subsequently to approach a sound planning and policy making in this regard, the statistics of rose water, essential oil, rose jam, and dried flower buds exports to Asian countries within a period of 6 years (2000- 2005) were evaluated. The percentage contribution of each receiving markets were revealed. In the studied period, among 23 Asian countries receiving rose water, above 55 percents of products were exported to Southern Persian Gulf neighboring Arab countries. Essential oil exported to 7 counties, and trends in demand were positive for 4 years in the beginning of this period, and did get negative in 2003, and completely stopped in 2004. Therefore the reasons for the occurring of these phenomena in essential oil demands needs to be studied. Rose jam and rose dry flower buds were exported to 4 and 3 countries respectively. End of the studied period in compare with begging of this period the amount of rose jam exporting was increased about 9 folds. With considering the major fluctuation in rose water related products exports within this period to different Asian countries demonstrate the existence of high potential demanding markets which needs to be taken further consideration in future policy making and export planning.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L. Rauch) is a highly valuable medicinal and aromatic plant and its anthodia used frequently in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Pharmacological effects of the plants are related to tlavonoids, coumarins and essential oils. The most important pharmacological effects include anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic and wound healing action. Its essential oils contain valuable constituents such as chamazulene, a-bisabolol and a-bisabolol oxides A and a-bisabolol oxides B. In consideration of the demand from the pharmaceutical industry for this plant and with respect to the quality of Tranian wild growing chamomile, seeds of Bodegold (tetraploid), Gerlllania (diploid), Bona (diploid) and Goral (tetraploid) cultivars were purchased from Germany and Slovakia and cultivated in Mashhad climate. During the flowering period, growth indexes such as plant height, anthodia diameter, percent of dry matter, flower yield, essential oils content and chamazolene were measured. The results show that plant height of Goral and Bodegold (85.5 cm and 77.2 respectively) are significantly higher than Germania and Bona (74.2 cm and 70.4 cm, respectively). The anthodia diameter of Bodegold and Bona were significantly higher than anthodia diameter of Goral and Gerlllania. The results on dry anthodia yield showed that Goral produced the highest anthodia yield (221.15 g.m-2) and there is not significant difference between Goral and Bodegold. The lowest dry anthodia yield was produced by Bona (104.95 g.m-2 there was a significant difference between any harvest number and essential oils content. The highest essential oils content (0.627% w/w) extracted from Bona in the first harvest but Germania produced the lowest essential oils (0.627 %w/w) at third harvest. Chamazolene content of the cultivars ranged between 9.6-14 %. Chamazolene comparison between three harvest time showed that in all cultivars, the second harvest had more chamazolene than the first and the third harvest. In conclusion Bodegold and Goral cultivars are the most suitable improved cultivar for chamomile production in Mashhad climate.

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) is an annual plant that has been introduced to Iran in recent years. Its effective components are used to cure some diseases such as prostat hyperplasia, control of taenia, Arleriosclerosis, regulation of alimentary canal and hormonal balance especially in women and strengthening men sexual appeal in advanced countries. Phosphate is one of the macro-elements affecting root growth and development and seed and fruit yield. On the other hand, regarding to its high and indefinite shoot development, planting density is highly important to get the highest yield. An experiment was conducted to study planting density and phosphate in a faeturial experiment level. Three stand density as 10000, 13000, 16000 per ha and four pure phosphate as 0,50, 100, 150 kg/ha-1 were based on RBCD with three replications, in Feyz-Abad research station, Qazvin in 2004. Results showed 10000 density had significant effectiveness on node number, shoot length, leaf number, leaf dry weight and lateral shoot number. Phosphate also affected significantly the highest leaf dry weight which was achieved by using 150-kg/ha-1 phosphate. The highest node number has been produced by 100 kg/ha-1 phosphate. 10000 plant/ha caused the highest fruit yield, seed number and seed dry weight. Also, 100 kg/ha-1 phosphate treatments leaded to the most seed number and the highest seed dry weight. Plant population and phosphate fertilizer had no significant difference on the oil content.

In order to study the effect of nitrogen levels and plant density on seed yield, essential oil and oil content of Coriander seeds, an experiment was conducted in agricultural station of Qazvin and natural resources research center in 2005. The experiment was laid out by adopting split plot design with four replications, main plots were nitrogen: 30, 60 and 90 kg/ha and subplots were plant density including: 20, 30, 40 and 50 plant/m2. Seed yield, essential oil, oil content and yield were determined. Results showed nitrogen and plant density effected on Seed yield, essential oil, fatty acids. With increasing of nitrogen to 60 kg/ha, there was a significant increase in seed yield. The seed yield was decreased with more nitrogen. But the highest essential oil content and fatty acids were obtained with 90 kg nitrogen /ha. With increasing of plant density, seed yield and oil content had a significant decrease. Seed yield and oil content were higher in 30 plant/m2, while essential oil was higher in 40 plant/m2 that there was no difference with 30 plant/m2 in this respect. Comparing of treatments showed that the highest seed yield and essential oil yield were obtained by using 60 kg nitrogen/ha while there was the highest essential oil content, content and yield of oil with the application of 90kg nitrogen/ha with 30 plant/m2.

Pollen grain is an important nutritional source for honey bee. Morphological studies of pollen grains are important for identifying of typical growth in past and present. In addition, it is used for basic study of special diet provision and identifying original honey from copy. In order to study pollen grains in visited plants by honey bee in Fars province, the pollen was collected by making pollen traps in front of colony. The pollen was catalyzed according to Erdthman method. All pollen samples were prepared for microscopic study and their size measured by micrometer. We can observe different types of pollen grains based on morphological characteristics. These types are: Monocolpate, Trizonocolpate, Hexazonocolpate, Polypantoporate, Fenestrate, Trizonocolporate. Also according to macroscopic study, pollen grains showed different colors. Most of them were yellow, they had different size and colors based on season and flower types.

Since Salvia genus was used in ancient medicine and its applicationin culinary, flavor cosmetics, food and drinking industries is important, we investigated the composition of the essential oil of S. compressa. The aerial parts of this species were collected from Jahrom in Fars province at the altitude of 900 m and isolated by water distillation. Then the essential oil was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Twenty-four compounds were identified in the essential oil of S. compressa and the major components were tau-cadinol (36%), caryophyllene oxide (15.7%), geraniol (10.5%) and borneol (9.3%).