IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS
Year:2019 | Volume:35 | Issue:1 (93) |Papers Count:17

The genus Achillea has 19 species of herbaceous, perennial and aromatic plant in Iran. This genus of compositae family has complex characteristics. Chamazolene is a major component of essential oil of inflorescence and leaf, reported to be used in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. A. millefolium L. subsp. elbursensis is an endemic subspecies of Iran and no studies have been conducted on the cultivation of this species; therefore a preliminary study was conducted on the cultivation and its effect on secondary metabolites. For this purpose, the seeds of Achillea were collected from Dizine area in October 2016. The seeds of Achillea were cultivated in a greenhouse at the beginning of March and seedlings were transplanted to the farm in late April 2017. At flowering stage in August, aerial parts were collected in two consecutive years to obtain the essential oils. To compare the essential oil of cultivated samples with habitat samples, the aerial parts of Achillea were collected from Dizin at the flowering stage in August 2017. The plant parts including leaf and inflorescence were dried in laboratory and were crushed to particles. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and were analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS. The color of A. millefolium essential oils was dark blue. The yields of A. millefolium essential oils of leaf and inflorescence (w/w dried weight) from habitat samples were 0. 11% and 0. 53%, respectively, and from cultivated samples were 0. 28% and 0. 50% in 2017 and 0. 26% and 1. 30% in 2018, respectively. Chamazulene was the major constituent of leaf (5. 7%) and inflorescence (52. 5%) oils in the habitat samples. The content of this compound in cultivated samples was 50. 6% and 67. 1% in the first year, and 59. 6% and 71. 3% in the second year, respectively. Another major constituents were caryophyllene alcohol, caryophyllene oxide, camphor, borneol and β-eudesmol. Chamazulene as major compound of the oil, found in all aerial parts of cultivated samples, while, it was found only in the inflorescence of wild sample.

It is essential to maintain proper nutrition and increase the health of the ostrich flock during the fattening period to increase meat production and thus to reduce the cost of breeding. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of combined essential oils (containing an equal level of Zataria multiflora, Mentha piperita, Foeniculum vulgare and Eucalyptus globules essential oils) on the concentrations of blood metabolites and electrolytes, blood enzymes activity and antioxidant status of ostrich chicks from 5 to 7 months of age. A total of 18 ostriches were used in a completely randomized design with three treatments and six replicates (six birds). Experimental treatments were addition of 0 (control), 200 and 400 parts per million (ppm) combined essential oils (CEO) into drinking water. The results showed that addition of CEO into drinking water at 200 ppm significantly increased body weight gain compared to control group (P=0. 019). Supplementation of drinking water with 400 ppm CEO resulted in higher concentration of uric acid and higher lipase activity in the serum (P<0. 05). The higher blood glutathione peroxidase activity and lower serum malondialdehyde level were also observed in the birds receiving 200 and 400 ppm of CEO in their drinking water compared with that of the control birds (P<0. 05). Moreover, serum total antioxidant capacity tended to be higher (P=0. 085) in the ostriches receiving 200 and 400 ppm CEO compared with that of the control group. However, the blood values of total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma glutamyltransferase, superoxide dismutase, amylase, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chloride were not affected by experimental treatments (P<0. 05). In conclusion, the results indicate that an addition of 200 ppm CEO into drinking water for ostrich chicks improves growth rate and antioxidant activities without impairing metabolic health status.

Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl. is one of the most important medicinal plants with different applications in pharmaceutical and sanitary industries as well as high distribution in Iran. In order to assess the morphological variation and cutting times in S. lavandulifolia genotypes, an experiment was carried out in a randomized block design with three replicates on 41 genotypes belonging to four regions including Ferydoonshahr, Damaneh, Semirom and Shahrekord. According to analysis of variance, significant differences were observed among all traits studied, while no significant differences were observed among replications. The results of mean comparison revealed that the genotype Damaneh7 in the second cutting time possessed the highest dry weight. Shahrekord 6 in the first cutting time had the highest days to flowering with 100 days. Moreover, Damaneh20 genotype in the third cutting time had the highest essential oil content (3. 11%), while the lowest was obtained for Damaneh17 genotype in the first cutting time (0. 04%). In general, a significant variation was observed between genotypes and different cutting times. Finally, according to cluster analysis, genotypes were divided into different clusters based on different cutting times.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the endemic and common diseases in many parts of our country. The use of pentavalent antimony compounds as first-line drugs for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis have several limitations and side effects. Hence the herbal drug can be good alternatives. In the present study, the effect of essential oil of Pistacia atlantica Desf. on the growth of Leishmania major was investigated in in vivo and in vitro conditions. Initially, the essential oil of Pistacia atlantica with dilution of 1: 50 to 1: 3200 was evaluated on the promastigotes of Leishmania major, non-infected macrophages, and infected macrophages with amastigotes, in in vitro with MTT and flow cytometry tests. Also, the IC50 of the essential oil on the promastigotes of the Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) was calculated. The ointment of Pistacia atlantica essential oil was used for treatment in in vivo condition. BALB /c mice were divided into three groups and in each group five mice including treated group with ointment of essential, treated group with glucantime and non-treated control group. The treatment was performed daily and once a day for four weeks. To assess the effect of the drugs, the wound diameter and weight and the mortality rate of the mice were measured every week. The ointment of Pistacia atlantica essential oil could inhibit the wounds diameter caused by Leishmania major. The flow cytometry results showed that Pistacia atlantica essential oil could create 10% apoptosis in the treated promastigotes. Overall, Pistacia atlantica essential oil was effective in eliminating the amastigotes of Leishmania major in the macrophages and culture media, and also the survival rate differences of treated mice and control group were significant.

Tomato gray mold disease, caused by Botrytis cinerea, is one of the most important tomato diseases. In recent years, the application of nanoparticles for the control of plant diseases has been given special attention. In this research, the effect of copper oxide nanoparticles biosynthesized by plant extract of eucalyptus was investigated. Three experiments were conducted in order to control the severity of gray mold disease under different growth conditions. In the first experiment, the effects of nanoparticles at concentrations of 100, 200, 400 and 600 ppm were investigated. In the second experiment, two more concentrated extracts i. e. 800 and 1200 were investigated. In the third experiment, the effect of three concentrations of 400, 600 and 800 ppm of copper oxide nanoparticles on the severity of mildew disease on detached leaves was investigated. The results of all three experiments indicated that 1) Copper oxide nanoparticles can control the growth of B. cinerea and gray mildew disease in both in vitro and in vitro conditions. 2) The relationship between the concentration of copper oxide nanoparticles and the inhibitory effect on fungal growth and disease control was invertible and significant at 1% probability level (P≤ 1%). In fact, the most effective concentrations were obtained at 400 and 600 ppm, 800 and 1200 ppm, and 600 and 800 ppm under in vitro, in vivo, and detached leaf assay, respectively. Accordingly, with increasing concentrations of copper oxide nanoparticles, the rate of growth of the fungus colony decreased and the severity of the disease decreased. Based on these results, the application of green synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles was recommended in controlling of gray mold disease caused by Botrytis cinerea.

Sarcocolla (Astragalus fasciculifolius Boiss. ), belonging to Fabaceae family, is a medicinal plant distributed in the south of Sistan and Baluchestan province. Due to presence of compounds like saponins, flavonoids, and polysaccharides, it has an effective role in treating heart disease and cancer and eliminating chemotherapy and improving immunity. In this study, plant samples including eight A. fasciculifolius were collected from different habits in the province, and some phytochemical properties of root, leaves (total phenol, total flavonoid, and polysaccharide) and of flowers (total phenol, total flavonoid, and anthocyanin) were analyzed in the plant flower. The results of variance analysis showed a significant difference among different habitats (α >0. 01). Phytochemical studies revealed significant amounts of phenolic compounds in the leaf with the highest rate recorded in Poshtkooh (14. 62-32. 55 mg GAE/g). In the root, the highest value was in Anjirok (20. 39-53. 84 mg GAE/g) and in the flower, the highest value was in BAirk (5. 11-15. 82 mg GAE/g), representing flavonoid compounds in the leaf in which the highest value was in Nahook (8. 76-12. 72 mg QE/g). Also, in root, the highest value was in Panjangosht (10 fingers) (0. 25-1. 03 mg QE/g). In the flower, the highest value was in Nahook (6. 35-9. 28 mg QE/g). In the polysaccharide compounds of the leaf, the highest value was in Anjirok (60. 89-93. 29 mg/g). In root, the highest values were in Pangangosht (94. 33-209. 38 mg/g) and anthocyanin of flower had the highest values in Pangangosht (36. 34-77. 58 mg/g). The results of this study represent the ability of different habitats of the province in producing valuable herbal compounds. Besides, because of its high levels of phenolic and polysaccharide compounds, this plant has a remarkable capability to be used in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Water deficit stress is a major environmental limiting factor for plant growth and crop productivity. In present investigation, to study the effects of jasmonic acid on reducing the damage caused by drought on growth parameters, some physiological and antioxidant responses on Salvia officinalis L., a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted at the University of Zabol. The experimental treatments included drought stress (irrigated in field capacity, depletion of soil water content up to 50% and 75% of FC condition) and foliar jasmonic acid spray (0, 75 and 150 mg. l-1). The results showed that spraying with a concentration of 150 (mg. l-1) jasmonic acid under drought stress increased the height (% 10. 02), fresh and dry weight (27. 88% and 12. 81%), relative water content (21. 04%) and chlorophyll a and b content (12. 15% and 10. 34%). The highest phenolic content (34. 13 mg-1fw), proline concentration (5. 52 mg-1fw), essential oil yield (2. 1 mg-1fw) and the activities of peroxidase (3. 15 mg-1fw) and guaiacol peroxidase (0. 76 mg-1fw) were obtained in plants sprayed with 150mg. l-1 jasmonic acidand in depletion of soil water content up to 75% of FC. On the other hand, the highest ascorbate peroxidase (0. 76 mg-1fw), superoxide dismutase (5. 64 mg-1fw) and catalase (5. 12 mg-1fw), were obtained in plants sprayed with 150 mg-1 jasmonic acid under drought stress (depletion of soil water content up to 75 and 50% FC). Based on our results, it seemed that Jasmonic acid, with increasing antioxidant defense and accumulation of osmotic regulators (such as proline), reduced the oxidative stress in plants under drought stress. Moreover, maintaining the relative water content and photosynthetic pigment improved growth conditions of sage plants in drought conditions.

The prominent influence of medicinal plants in the prevention and treatment of different diseases has led to an increasing trend of human societies towards them. In addition to numerous ornamental, industrial and agroforestry applications, Rohida (Tecomella undulate (Roxb. ) seem. ) from Bignoniaceae family is considered as one of the most valuable medicinal species in arid region due to the presence of efficient active ingredients such as lapachol with proven effects in the treatment of major diseases including cancer, aids, malaria and so forth. In this research, firstly the habitats of Rohida were identified in the province and then their climate characteristics, soil physical and chemical properties, phenology, some of morphological traits and companion plants were investigated. The evaluations showed that this plant had six small habitats with a low population of two yellow and orange morphotypes in the Balouchestan region, growing at altitudes ranging from 480 to 830 m above sea level, often in the direction of the waterways and the margin of the seasonal rivers with different aspects and low slopes. The climate of the habitats studied was warm desert and the soil texture was light to medium with an alkaline reaction. In addition to the phenological differences, a significant difference between the habitats in terms of their morphological traits and growth indices was observed that could be due to genetic and environmental factors, or both. The results of this study, regarding the decreasing population of this plant affected by various factors, especially the continuous drought caused by climate change, indicate that the Rohida in this province is exposed to extinction and urgent measures have to be taken toward its conservation, rehabilitation, and domestication.

The objective of this study was to investigate the antifungal effects of liquid smoke from tobacco waste on three plant pathogenic fungi and identification and measurement of compounds effective on the antifungal properties of liquid smoke. The waste was pyrolyzed in furnace in the absence of oxygen, and smoke was converted to liquid smoke by refrigerant. Antifungal effects of liquid smoke were tested against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora nicotianae causing tobacco sore shin, collar rot and black shank disease agents, respectively. Six concentrations of the liquid smoke 0, 250, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 ppm were prepared and mixed with culture medium. The results of variance analysis showed that the effect of liquid smoke, concentration and the interaction of liquid smoke on concentration in limiting the fungal growth were significant at 1% probability level. Mean comparison of the effect of liquid smoke on these fungi showed that liquid smoke of 25% midrib + 75% scrap pyrolysis in 4000 ppm concentration had 100 percent mycelial growth control on the above fungi. In addition, the liquid smoke pyrolysis of above treatment in low concentrations caused 100 percent mycelia growth control of Rhizoctonia and Sclerotinia. According to research reports, the presence of phenolic compounds, organic acids and alkaloids constituents in liquid smoke is an agent of antifungal effects. Therefore, extraction of these constituents from liquid smoke was carried out and qualitative analysis was done by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and quantitative analysis of total phenol and alkaloids was done by spectrophotometer method. The results of this research showed that the effects of alkaloids constituents on the control of fungi were more than phenolic and organic acids constituents in liquid smoke from tobacco waste. The results showed the high potential of the liquid smoke of pyrolysis to be used as a biological control of pathogenic fungi.

In order to evaluate the effects of chitosan foliar application under water deficit stress conditions on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L. ), a study was conducted based on randomized complete blocks design with factorial arrangement of treatments and three replications at Gonbad Kavous University research field, Iran in 2014 growing season. Treatments included irrigation at two levels, irrigation after 60 mm evaporation from class A pan and 100 mm evaporation from class A pan, and chitosan spraying at five levels including non-application of chitosan (spraying with distilled water as control (K1)), chitosan spraying at 125 mg/l after 60 days of planting (K2), 125 mg/l after 75 days of planting (K3), 250 mg/l after 60 days of planting (K4) and 250 mg/l after 75 days of planting (K5). Results showed that water deficit stress decreased the plant height, number of flowers, plant dry weight and flower dry yield. Foliar application of chitosan increased the number of branches per plant and flower dry yield. Results indicated that utilization of second level of chitosan under stress and third level of chitosan under normal irrigation improved the chamazolen essential oil percentage and yield. According to results of this study, application of chitosan spraying at 125 mg/l after 60 days of planting under deficit water stress conditions caused the highest percentage and yield of essential oil and chamazulene percentage. In general, in order to prevent and reduce the damage of water stress as well as increased chamazulene, the use of bio-polymer chitosan as a natural material in German chamomile is important.

Balanced nutrition is one of the most important factors in improving the quality and performance of medicinal plants such as Domask-Rose (Rosa damascena Mill. ). In recent years, the approach to removing or reducing the use of chemical fertilizers with the aim of replacing organic fertilizers and the application of new products has been widely considered. For this purpose, a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with two factors of organic nano-fertilizer (levels of zero, 2, 3 and 4 cc in one liter of water) and humic acid (levels of zero, 1, 2 and 3 cc in one liter of water) in three replications. The results showed that the highest amount of nitrogen was obtained in organic nano-fertilizer treatments of 4 and 3 per thousand, and the highest amount of phosphorus and potassium was obtained in organic nano-fertilizer of 4 per thousand. The highest amount of anthocyanin (62. 63 μ g / g) was obtained in organic nano-fertilizer of 3 per 1000, and the highest amount of carotenoids (range from 0. 44 to 0. 35 mg / g) was obtained in humic acid treatments without nano-fertilizer and with nano-fertilizer of 2, 4 and 3 per thousand. The 2-phenyl ethanol, citronellol, geraniol and alpha-pinene compounds were the highest essential oil components. The highest amount of 2-phenyl ethanol was obtained in the treatment of organic nano-fertilizer and humic acid at concentrations of 3 per thousand. The highest amount of citronellol, alpha-pinene and the least amount of 2-pheny lethanol were observed in the treatment of organic nano-fertilizer with 4 per thousand and humic acid 3 per thousand. The lowest amount of citronellol and alpha-pinene, and the highest amount of geraniol were obtained in organic nano-fertilizer 2 per thousand with humic acid 2 and 1 per thousand. According to the findings of this research, organic nanofertilizer and humic acid treatments showed a positive effect on the concentration of mineral elements and essential oil components.

Lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora (Palau) Kunth) is a medicinal plant belonging to the Verbenaceae family. Propagation of lemon verbena is commonly performed using stem cutting. In order to study the effects of cutting time (autumn, winter and spring), cutting position (apical, medial and basal) and different concentrations of indole butyric acid (ABA) (0, 2000 and 4000 ppm) on rooting of stem cuttings of lemon verbena, a factorial experiment based on a threereplicated completely randomized design was performed in a greenhouse in Kavar (Fars province) in 2016-2017. According to the results, the autumn taken cuttings showed better rooting compared with both winter and spring taken cuttings. Regardless of auxin application and cutting time, the highest rooting percentage, root number, root dry weight and shoot length were observed in the basal cuttings of larger diameters. The medial cuttings showed higher rooting percentage than apical ones. The rooting-related characteristics including rooting percentage, root number, and dry weight improved as the concentration of IBA increased up to 2000 ppm. While at the highest concentration of IBA (4000 ppm), most rooting-related characteristics showed no significant increase in comparison to 2000 ppm, the length of the newly emerged shoots on cuttings decreased.

Drought stress causes reduction in growth and changes in biochemical indices of plants. In order to investigate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and selenium on reduction the detrimental effects of drought stress in Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L. ), a split plot-factorial experiment based on complete randomized block design with four replications was carried out under greenhouse condition. The main factor was three levels of drought [control, 0. 75 Maximum Allowable Depletion (MAD) and 0. 5 MAD] and sub factors included selenium at three levels (0, 100 μ g per plant and 200 μ g per plant) and inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi in two levels (non-inoculated as control and Glomus. verciforme). The results indicated that drought stress reduced height, dry weight and leaf area of plants. The lowest and highest value for all of these characteristics was obtained at 0. 75 MAD and without drought stress, respectively. In non-stress condition, height, dry weight and leaf area of plants obtained from inoculation with mycorrhizal fungus and selenium were significantly higher than those of control. In all levels of drought stress, the content of catalase and peroxidase enzymes in plants inoculated with mycorrhizal fungus and selenium was significantly higher than that of control. The lowest content of catalase enzyme (25. 06) was obtained in control and lowest content of peroxidase (14. 81) was in the treatment with mycorrhizal fungus and selenium under 0. 75 MAD drought stress. The highest content of catalase enzyme (53. 62) was in inoculation with mycorrhizal fungus and 200μ g selenium without stress, and the highest content of peroxidase (31. 59) was obtained in 0. 5 MAD stress and inoculation with mycorrhizal fungus and 200 μ g selenium. Also, in condition of inoculation with fungus and selenium, the content of proline and MDA increased about 1 to 1. 5 folds and about 1. 3 to 1. 5 folds, respectively, more than the control. Results showed that the presence of mycorrhiza and selenium in drought stress condition had a positive effect on growth and biochemical indices studied.