IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS
Year:2019 | Volume:34 | Issue:6 (92) |Papers Count:15

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L. ) is a valuable medicinal plant widely used in the pharmaceutical, food, and industrial products. In order to investigate the effects of vermicompost and seaweed foliar application on quantitative and qualitative traits of roselle, this research was carried out in Islamic Azad University, Isfahan Branch in spring, summer and autumn of 2016. The experiment was conducted as factorial in the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications. Vermicompost treatments were applied on four levels: zero (control), 5, 10 and 15 ton/ha, and seaweed spraying at three levels: 0 (control), 1 and 1. 5g/L at intervals of one month. At the end of experiment, plant height, number of flowers, fresh and dry weights of the plant, fresh and dry weights of calyx, chlorophyll a, b and total, anthocyanin content, vitamin C, flavonoids and titratable acidity of calyx were measured. The results indicated that the use of seaweed and vermicompost improved the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of roselle. The highest plant height, number of flowers per plant, fresh and dry weights of plant and calyx, chlorophyll a, b and total, anthocyanin content, titratable acid, and vitamin C in calyx, were measured in vermicompost 15 ton/ha. Also the highest amount of chlorophyll a, anthocyanin, flavonoids, titratable acid, and vitamin C of calyx, number of flowers per plant and fresh weight of plant were measured in 1. 5 g/l seaweed. The highest amount of vitamin C (68. 74 mg/100g), titratable acid (4. 97%), anthocyanin (1. 400mg/g) in calyx, number of flowers per plant (73. 33) and plant fresh weight (828. 33 g) were observed in vermicompost 15 ton /ha with the foliar application of seaweed 1. 5 g/l.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of plant densities (20, 30, 40, and 50 plants per square meter) and foliar application of gibberellin in two levels (0 and 100 Μ g L-1) on some of the physiological and morphological traits of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L. ). The experiment, carried out in the research farm of Bojnourd Payame Noor University in 2016, was based on a Randomized Complete Blocks (RCB) with three replications. The effects of 20-plant density with gibberellin spray showed the highest plant dry matter percentage as well as the highest number of lateral branches and leaves. The application of gibberellin increased the sugar content by 12. 7% in comparison to the control sample; additionally, the highest sugar content (220. 79 mg. g-1 F. W) was obtained in the 20-plant density. By increasing the plant density, the content of chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids decreased. The interaction effect of the 20-plant density ×gibberellin with 72. 11 mg. g-1 F. W caused the highest content of chlorophyll a, while the lowest content was recorded for the 50-plant density ×control with 60. 7 mg. g-1F. W. The application of gibberellin caused superiority in both seed yield (686. 22 Kg. ha-1) and essential oil (0. 327%) compared to the control sample. The highest number of compound umbrella and the highest number of seeds per compound umbrella were obtained in the 20 and 30-plant densities, respectively. However, the 1000-seed weight, ultimate yield, oil yield, and essential oil percentage were the highest in the 50-plant density. In general, in higher densities, the ultimate yield seems to increase due to the increased number of plant per unit area, but the yield components are reduced.

Polyphenol and flavonoid compounds, belonging to the medicinal species of Asteraceae family, have been found as natural antioxidants. Cichoric and chlorogenic acid are two caffeic acid derivatives. These polyphenol components, especially cichoric acid, are the dominant components of Echinacea purpurea L. The general goal of this research was to identify Iranian native sources of cichoric acid, chlorogenicacid and also caffeic acid as their precursor. For this purpose, the roots, stems and leaves of five Iranian native species (Lactuca undulata, Lactuca serriola, Leontodon asperrimus, Cichorium intybus and Sonchus oleraceus) were collected during vegetative and reproductive stages from north eastern of Iran. The seeds of E. purpurea were purchased and cultured in greenhouse conditions. The results revealed that the highest amount of cichoric (3. 6 mg/g DW) and caffeic acid (28. 8 mg/g DW) was observed in E. purpurea roots during vegetative and reproductive stages, respectively. Among Iranian native species, L. undulata stems and L. asperrimus roots had the highest content of cichoric (2. 3 mg/g DW) and chlorogenic acid (8. 08 mg/g DW) in reproductive and vegetative stages, respectively. The highest antioxidant activity was found in E. purpurea roots during reproductive stage. The lowest level of IC50 was found in E. purpurea roots at reproductive stage. It seems that L. undulata and L. asperrimus could be suitable sources for cichoric, chlorogenic and caffeic acid, compared to other Iranian native species.

Eryngium caeruleum M. Bieb. is one of the most important species of Eryngium family in northern Iran, used as a field vegetable. To evaluate the effects of organic fertilizers and mycorrhizal symbiosis on the yield components and the essential oil percentage of Eryngium caeruleum, a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with eight treatments and four replications in Sari, in 2014. The experimental treatments included mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae) at two levels of (0 and 200 spores in a pot), vermicompost at two levels of (0 and 200 g in a pot) and compost tea (vermiwash) at two levels of (0 and 1. 5 liters in the specified pots). The traits measured were plant height, number of seeds per plant, 1000-seed weight, plant dry weight, and essential oil content. The results showed that the use of organic fertilizer and mycorrhizal symbiosis significantly improved the quantity and quality of Eryngium caeruleum traits. The treatments of organic fertilizer and biological fertilizers had a significant effect on most of the measured traits and increased all of the traits as compared to those of control group. Accordingly, the highest plant height, essential oil percentage, essential oil yield, and flower number were obtained from the simultaneous use of both mycorrhizal, compost tea, and vermicomposting treatment. The dual interaction effects showed that the highest plant dry weight was 23. 1g from the application of vermicompost in the absence of compost tea treatment. Our results clearly showed that the simultaneous use of vermicomposting, compost tea, and mycorrhiza through the availability of nutrients increased the yield and improved the quantity and quality of Eryngium caeruleum components.

Baneh (Pistacia atlantica Desf. ) is a subspecies of pistachio and a native medicinal plant to Iran. Due to its diverse properties, Baneh is being applied in traditional medicine. The present experimental study was designed to evaluate the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Baneh on the hematological parameters of rats. Eighteen male Wistar rats weighing 170-240 gr were divided into three six-member groups. Oral administration in groups 1 to 3 was performed by gavage with 200 mg/kg bw of the extract, 400 mg/kg bw of the extract and distilled water (control group) for 30 days, respectively. Then, blood samples were taken from the heart of rats and hematological tests were done on the samples. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey tests. Administration of different concentrations of hydroalcoholic extract significantly increased the number of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration in test groups compared with the control group. In addition, the average volume of red blood cells (MCV) decreased in the test group receiving 200mg/kg bw compared with the control group. However, it has no effect on other blood parameters (P<0. 05). The Baneh extract increased the number of RBCs and Hb concentration that can be due to the increase in the hematopoiesis process. Moreover, increased WBC after treatment with Baneh extract can enhance the body resistance against pathogenic agents.

In order to evaluate the effects of water stress and fertilizer on yield and quality of chamomile (Marticaia chamomilla L. ), a field experiment was conducted based on split plots design with three replications in the research farm of Jiroft Jahad-e Agriculture Organization, in 2010. The experimental treatments included water stress as main plot in three levels: 40, 80 and 120 mm evaporation from the class A evaporation pan, and fertilizer as sub plot in five levels: control, nitroxyn, bio-phosphate, biosulfore, and cow fertilizer. The traits measured included the number of main stem, number of lateral branches, plant height, number of capitol per plant, capitol diameter, plant dry matter, flower fresh and dry weight, essential oil content, and chamazulene yield. The results showed that the effects of drought stress on all qualitative and quantitative traits were significant (P≤ 0. 01). Means comparison showed that the yield was reduced by 25. 1 % in irrigation after 120 mm evaporation, compared to the control. The highest yield and yield components was obtained from irrigation after 40 mm evaporation with application of cow fertilizer. The highest values of essential oil percentage (0. 85%) and essential oil yield (6. 32 kg ha-1) were observed in the treatment of moderate stress and biosulfore. In addition, the highest chamazulene percentage (6. 45%) and chamazulene yield (396. 8 kg ha-1) were obtained from the nitroxyn and biosulfore fertilizer treatments in the moderate stress condition. Generally, the results showed that cow fertilizer in the severe stress and biosulfore in mild stress conditions were the best treatments in chamomile production.

Salicylic acid (SA) and selenium (Se) are compounds with antioxidant properties that cause improved plant growth under stress condition. In order to investigate the effects of salicylic acid and selenium application on some vegetative and reproductive traits, essential oil yield, and potassium to sodium ratio in roots and shoots of moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L. ) under salinity stress conditions, an experiment was carried out as a factorial based on a completely randomized design with three replications in the green house of Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Qom, Iran, 2015. The experimental treatments comprised three Se levels including 0, 20 and 40 mg/L, two SA levels including 0 and 0. 5 mM and two salinity levels including 0 and 100mM NaCl. Results showed that salinity stress decreased the number of active leaves per plant and plant height. Salinity stress increased the number of flower per plant and essential oil yield. Results showed that, under salinity stress conditions, the application of Se and SA both alone or combined decreased the negative effect of salinity stress on the number of active leaves per plant and plant height, while increased the essential oil yield. Moreover, the foliar application of Se combined with SA increased the potassium to sodium ratio of leaves under salinity stress. In general, it could be stated that the foliar application of Se combined with SA could be used to relieve the effect of salinity stress in Moldavian balm.

Renal stones is a common disease of the urinary tract that many people suffer from it. Although there are many herbal and chemical drugs for the prevention and treatment of kidney stones in recent years, there is no effective and safe drug treatment that can lead to complete treatment and prevention of these diseases. Today, the use of herbal products is considered by researchers because of the harmful and side effects of chemical drugs. This research was carried out with the purpose of determining the herbal tea effect of leaf and stem of Apium graveolens L. and Kelussia odoratissima odoratissima Mozaff. on the formation and dissolution of calcium oxalate. In order to study the dissolution and precipitation of calcium oxalate salt, electrochemical and classic analytical methods were used. The experimental results of complexometery and conductometery techniques reveal that these herbal teas have a good effect on the dissolution and prevention of formation of calcium oxalate stone (P<0. 05). According to the findings of this study, these herbal teas could be a good choice for treatment diseases and to prevent calcium oxalate formation in people disposed to kidney stones.

The present study investigates the anti-diabetic properties of dried latex of Calotropis procera (Willd. ) R. Br. with vitamin C in diabetic rats. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into six groups as follow: first group) control, second group) diabetes was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg b. w by IP), third group) diabetic rats were treated by 200 mg dried latex per kilogram of body weight, fourth group) the diabetic rats were treated by combined treatments of dried latex (200mg/kg) and vitamin C (100mg/kg) by gavage, fifth group) animals in this group were treated by (200mg/kg) dried latex daily and the sixth group) rats were treated by vitamin C (100mg/kg). After 15 days, the biochemical factors of blood sugar, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and glycated hemoglobin (HbAlc) were evaluated. Results showed that the amount of biochemical factors was increased significantly in the diabetic group. Dried latex and also the combined treatment of dried latex and vitamin C reduced the elevated levels of abovementioned biochemical factors. Moreover, the aqueous extract of dried latex compared to the group four, was more effective. In conclusion, the dried latex of Calotropis procera has anti-diabetic activity.

Black cumin (Nigella sativa L. ) is a medicinal plant belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. The seeds of Nigella sativa, also known as black seed, are used in traditional medicine as a natural remedy for several illnesses including asthma, inflammation, diabetes, and hypertension. The cell culture of this plant is important because of its active ingredients and significance in medicine. In this research, the effects of fungal elicitor (zero, 0. 5 and 1 mg/L), and sucrose (30, 45 and 60 g/L) on the cell culture of black cumin was investigated as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications. The cell growth characteristics and biochemical traits were assayed. The results showed that fungal elicitor and sucrose increased the membrane lipid peroxidation, protein concentration, phenol contents, hydrogen peroxide, and anthocyanin whereas peroxidase activity was significantly decreased compared to control. Generally, sucrose and fungal elicitor increased the growth and activity of the cell and increased the protein production by increasing oxidative stress in cells and increasing the entry of substances into the cell and stimulating metabolism.

Vitamins affect many metabolic and biological processes in plants and participate in the synthesis of enzymes, nucleic acids, and proteins as coenzyme in their metabolic pathways. In order to evaluate the effect of foliar application of thiamine on growth, yield, yield components and essential oil of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. ), a field experiment was conducted as factorial on the basis of a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Iran in 2015. The treatments were included three levels of thiamine foliar application (zero; distilled water), 50 and 100 μ m/l) and foliar application stages in four levels of stem elongation, flowering, grain filing, and all three stages. The results showed that the effect of thiamine on all traits was significant. The concentration of 50 μ m/l thiamine had the maximum increasing effect on the number of sub stems, number of umbels per plant, number of umbelets per umbel, number of grains per umbelet, grain yield, and essential oil yield and the concentration of 100 μ m/l thiamine had the maximum increasing effect on the plant height, 1000-grain weight, biological yield, and essential oil percentage, compared to control. The effect of foliar application stages on the number of umbelets per umbel, number of grains per umbelt, and 1000-grain weight were significant and their highest values were obtained by thiamine foliar application in all three stages (stemming, flowering, grain filing). The interaction effects of the treatments were not significant on any of the traits. In general, results of this experiment showed that the foliar application of 50 and 100 μ m/l thiamine at stemming, flowering, and grain filing stages can improve the seed yield and essential oil yield of fennel.

In order to investigate the effects of planting date and application of methanol on fruit and seed yield, oil yield and fatty acid composition of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo convar. pepo var. styriaca), a split plot experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications during 2013-2014. Three planting dates (21 April, 22 May, 22 June) as the main factor and application of methanol (30% V/V) in four levels (control, pre-production phase, post-production phase, seed filling stage) were studied as the sub factor. Results showed that the interaction effect of planting date and application of methanol on seed yield in fruit, seed dry weight, 1000-seed weight, fruit yield, oil percentage and fatty acids compositions were significant at 1% probability level. The highest seed yield, seed dry weight, fruit yield, and oil content were obtained in the methanol foliar application in the pre-production phase in June 22. The highest 1000-seed weight (1155. 6 g) was belonged to the methanol foliar application in the post-production phase in June 22. The foliar application treatments in seed filling stage in June 22 and control treatment also in May 22 showed the highest amount of oleic acid. The highest amount of linoleic (43. 36%), linolenic (1. 86%), and palmitic (21. 20%) acids was obtained under methanol foliar application in the post-production phase in May 22, June 22 and April 21, respectively. The control treatment showed the highest amount of stearic acid (11. 5٪ ) in the first planting date (April 21). Finally, the planting date of medicinal pumpkin in June 22 with foliar application of methanol in the pre-production phase in order to increasing of yield, and foliar application in the post-production phase to improve the qualitative traits of oil are recommended.

In this study, the chloroform extract of the aerial parts of Eryngium noeanum Boiss. from Umbelliferae family was investigated for the first time. The aerial parts of this plant were collected at the flowering stage from Estahban, Fars Province, Iran. The extract was fractionated by the gravity column chromatography on silica gel with a gradient n-hexane, n-hexane-ethyl acetate, ethyl acetate, ethyl acetate– methanol, and methanol as eluent. The similar fractions were combined according to TLC analysis and eight fractions were collected. Two known compounds namely β-stigmasterol (1) and Xanthotoxin (2) were isolated. β-Stigmasterol was extracted from fraction 3 by thin layer chromatography in n-hexane: ethyl acetate (6: 1, 30 mg). The sixth fraction was purified using repeated column chromatography and thin layer chromatography in n-hexane: ethyl acetate as the eluent (4: 1) to obtain the known coumarin 2 (8 mg). The structure of compounds was determined by their comprehensive spectroscopic analysis including EI-MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, H-H COSY, DEPT, HMQC, and comparison with the literature data.