IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS
Year:2010 | Volume:2 | Issue:2 (48)|Papers Count:15

Essential oils of three medicinal plants species, including Carum copticum (L.) C. B. Clarke, Bunium persicum (Boiss.) B. Fedtsch. and Cuminum cyminum L., were obtained by hydrodistillation and their constituents were analyzed by GC and GC/MS using retention indices and fragmentation patterns. The antibacterial effects (MIC and MBC) of the essential oils were assessed on several food-borne pathogens, namely Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli O157: H7, Salmonella enteritidis and Listeria monocytogenes by microdilution technique using ELISA reader. Because of the combinatory usage of Bunium persicum and Cuminum cyminum in folk medicine, the affect of essential oil on food organoleptic properties and MIC values of the plants, interaction of Bunium persicum and Cuminum cyminum essential oils were also studied by FICindex determination using modified dilution checkboard method. The results showed that there are noticeable differences between the essential oils as their constituents as concerned, while  r-cymen and g-terpinene detected in all essential oils in different percentage. The main components of essential oils of C. copticum were thymol (48.4%), r-cymene (21.8%) and g-terpinene (21.3%). The major constituents of B. persicum were g-terpinene (44.2%), cuminaldehyde (16.9%), g-terpinen-7-al (10.5%), and r-cymen (8%) while those of C. cyminum were cuminaldehyde (30.2%), r-cymene (14.1%), g-terpinene (12.8%), and safranal (9.4%). The ranges of minimum inhibitory concentration of the oils were 0.03-0.5, 0.18-3.0, and 0.37-3.0 mg/ml, respectively, for C. copticum, B. persicum and C. cyminum. Moreover, the combination of B. persicum and C. cyminum essential oils confirmed synergistic and additive activities against the pathogens. In conclusion, although the MIC of Bunium persicum and Cuminum cyminum essential oils were lower than C. copticum, but combinatory usage of these essential oils especially against gram-positive bacteria produced promissing results. So application of these essential oils is recommended in combination as an efficients and complementary method for control of food borne pathogens with lower side effects on organolpetic properties of food.

     Due to side effects of chemical drugs, special attention is given to pharmaceutical plants recently. Mountainous celery with scientific name of Kelussia odoratissima Mozzaf., is one of the valuable pharmaceutical plants which is used in Iran seriously and is exposed to danger of extinction. This plant is indigenous of central Zagros Mountains (especially Chahar Mahal Bakhtiari province) and only has been observed in Iran. First, in order to consider the chemical constituents of this plant and discover its pharmaceutical characteristics, three ecotypes have been harvested. The ecotypes contained Kouhrang, Bazoft and Doaab Samsami ecotypes and samples were in 200 meter transact. In growth stage, samples were prepared for each ecotype and their essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation. The essential oils were analysed by gas choromotography coupled with mass spectrometery and the major components of essential oils of three ecotypes were characterized. 24, 21 and 24 compounds were identified in the samples of Kouhrang, Bazoft and Doaab Samsami, respectively, which indicated 90.4%, 95.6% and 93.6% of total oils. Comparison of essential oils compositions showed the major compounds in all oils were Z-ligustilide, E-ligustilide, 3-n-butyl phthalide, kessane, spathulenol and globulol, which formed about 88.6% of them. The mean percentages of Z-ligustilide and butylidene phetalide in three ecotypes were 39.5% and 19.1%, respectively and these compounds totally presents 58.7% of the celery oil. Phetalid derivatives were 68.6% of celery oil.

One of the most important secondary metabolism products found in plants are flavonoids. They have medicinal and biological effects such as: purify blood, strengthen immune system, monitoring cholesterol level, regulate blood pressure, suppress acid secretion, prevent thrombus, suppress cytophy, antibacterial, prevent cancer, promote metabolism. In this study, the flavonoids and one chalcone from methanolic extract of flowers of Chrysanthemum parthenium (L.) Bernh. (syn. Tanacetum parthenium L.) (Compositae Family) were separated and purified by column chromatography and TLC methods. Kaempferol and naringenin are two flavonoids and trans- 4- ethoxy- 4'- methoxy chalcone as a chalcone compound were extracted, separated and detected by spectroscopy methods (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, Mass and IR). Investigation of antioxidant activity included free radical scavenging activity towards 2, 2-diphenyl-1-pycrylhydrazile (DPPH) radicals. Methanolic extract of flowers of Tanacetum parthenium showed free radical scavenging activity.

Plant responses to micro propagation may have genetic basis with quantitative or qualitative inheritance modes. Investigating of variations within and between populations of drumstick (Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori) through culturing immature seeds and embryos, for responding to micro propagation, were the main objectives of this study. A high number of immature seeds and embryos were collected from six different habitats of the species located at South part of Sistan and Baluchestan. These were aseptically cultured on 7 different mediums. A number of morphological traits were recorded on the growing genotypes for two successive times. The studied populations showed significant differences based on the length and width of the collected immature seeds. But they were not significantly different based on several other characteristics in the first time records. Number of lateral roots and shoot length were significantly different between the populations at this stage. There were significant differences between the studied culturing media based on several studied characters. Regarding significant interactions between the population and the culture media, WPM was the best for growing more mature seeds (collected from Bent and Chanf). Whereas, less mature seeds grown better in the media with higher calcium sources. The differences between the populations were revealed for number of root, root length and plantlet length based on the second time records. Significant interaction between the populations and media in several recorded characters showed that the alteration of the response of the plant populations were not similar across the media.

Here in reported the application of Hot Extraction Filtration (HEF) apparatus by Microwave system and combination of Microwave- heating and steam distillation as a new technique under the optimal condition in the extraction of trimyristin from Myristica fragrans Houtt. and tannin from Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. leaves. Microwave irradiation–HEF were at 700 w for 10 min at 120oC in order to extract trimyristin and steam distillation- microwave irradiation at 300 w for 30 min for extraction of tannin were evaluated. The extracted products were isolated and identified by FT-IR, HPLC, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. This method compared to the conventional heating method provided a fast and easy procedure. Also high yield and increasing the purity of crude extract products is the advantages of this procedure.

This experiment was conducted in Khosheh Sabz Sonboleh Institute in Fasa during 2007-2008. In this study Isabgol (plantago ovata Forsk.) yield reaction and quality characteristics of irrigation intervals and different levels of nitrogen were studied. Completely random design with 3 replications was used. Factors included 3 irrigation intervals (7, 10 and 14 days) and 3 nitrogen levels (0, 30 and 60 kg). Variance results showed that variations of grain yield, biological yield and mucilage yield were significant. Drought intensity also increased percentage of mucilage yield significantly. The best economic and biological quality was obtained by short irrigation interval. In long irrigation interval, two characteristics showed significant decrease, but against biological yields, they showed increased trend. Therefore, with increased amount of nitrogen, economic yield, biological yield and mucilage were increased. Grain and biological yield in drought stress condition in long irrigation intervals showed less response than increasing nitrogen levels.

Thymus daenensis Celak. is distributed in some areas of Iran such as Qazvin province. In order to evaluate essential oil yield and composition of T. daenensis an experiment was conducted in research farm of Qazvin Research Station based on randomized complete block design with three replications during 2006-2008. Aerial parts of the plants were dried in shadow and hydro distilled for obtaining their essential oils. Capillary GC and GC/MS analysis were used to determine the volatile profile of the essential oil samples. Fresh and dry herbage yields of T. daenensis were 9124-1568, 10250-2176 and 11337-2750 kg/ha in 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively. Aerial parts yield were higher in the first cutting and showed decreased trend in latter cutting each year. The yields of fresh and dry biomass were 3498-800 kg/ha for the first cutting, 3015-720 kg/ha for the second cutting, 1947-508 kg/ha for the third cutting and 1976-504 kg/ha for the forth cutting. There was no difference in volatile oil percentage in different years, but there were significant difference between different cuttings. The oil yield was 2.83% at third cutting and 3.07% at first cutting. Thymol, g-terpinene, r-cemene, metyl-eyther carvacrol and carvacrol were the main components of essential oil in all cuttings and years. Thymol percentage was varied from 69% (first cutting) to 76% (second cutting) in the essential oils of T. daenensis.

In order to study the effect of sowing date and harvest frequency on flower yield, essential oil percent and composition of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) CV. Presov, prepared from Slovakia, an experiment was conducted. The experiment was split-plot method based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Main plots consisted of three sowing dates (6th Nov, 5th Mar, and 4th Apr) and sub-plots included three harvest frequencies (first, second and third). Evaluated traits were dry flower yield, essential oil percentage and yield, yield of b-farnesene, a-bisabolol oxide B, a-bisabolol, chamazulene, a-bisabolol oxide A. The results showed that sowing date, harvest frequency and their interaction had significant effect on these parameters. Based on the results, the most dry flower yield (40 g/m2) was obtained from the second harvest of 6th November. Also the highest essential oil content (0.72 percent w/w), essential oil yield (0.26 g/m2) and a-bisabolol yield (0.2375 g/m2) were obtained from the second harvest of March and the most chamazulene yield (0.0473 g/m2) was obtained from the third harvest of March that it had a little difference with second harvest. According to the results, the best chamomile quality was attained in second harvest of March sowing date in Mashhad condition.

Thymus migricus Klokov & Desj.-Shost. is one of the 14 species of genus Thymus L. which grows naturally in Iran. In this study, natural habitats of this species were identified during travels to different regions in East and West Azerbaijan provinces in the early of growth season in 2008. Five complete plants were collected from five localities in order to study and evaluate quantitative morphological characters. To study seed character, inflorescences were collected at the time of seed production. Flowering stems were used to investigate essential oil quantitatively. Data of locations, vegetative and reproductive characters of every population and amount of essential oils of each location were recorded. The results were analyzed using cluster analysis method with SPSS software. Populations were clustered based on vegetative, reproductive characters and essential oil amount. All populations were classified into 3 groups. "Band", "Nazloo" and "Ghushchi" populations in a same group, "Heris" clustered separately. Finally "Jolfa" population was placed in independent group. Specimens from "Jolfa" and "Nazloo" showed longest flowering stems, largest leaves and flowers and also highest essential oil production, therefore it is recommended for breeding programs in cold regions of northwest Iran.

Water deficit stress, permanent or temporary, limits the growth and the distribution of natural vegetation and the performance of cultivated plants more than any other environmental factors. Mechanism involved is still not clear. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) is an important medicinal plant in perfume and medical industry. In this research, the effects of water deficit stress on growth, yield, metabolites compatible (prolin) and oil composition of thyme (thymol) were studied. Complete randomized block design with 4 treatments and 4 replications have been used in 2006. Water deficit levels included control (100% field capacity), mild stress (85% field capacity), medium stress (70% field capacity) and severe stress (55% field capacity). The statistical analysis showed that water deficit had significant effect on growth parameters, yield biomass, prolin and thymol. Water stress decreased plant height, number of secondary branches, dry and fresh weight growth and root mass, dry and fresh weight root and length root. In addition, thymol percentage and prolin content increased with severe stress (55% field capacity). Morphological yield with secondary metabolites prolin and thymol were obversed with water deficit changes.

This experiment was designed to investigate the comparison of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench.), garlic (Allium sativum L.) extracts and virginiamycin antibiotic as growth promoter in poultry industry on performance and carcass characteristics of Broilers. A total four hundred and eighty 1-day old male broiler (Ross strain) chicks were assigned to the basal diet (control) and basal diet supplemented with 0.15% virginiamycin, 0.1% extracts of thyme (Thymus vulgaris), coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), garlic (Allium sativum) and mixture of extracts with the same dose. At the end of the experiment two chickens from each replication were randomly selected and killed to investigate the weigh of digestive organs and fat pad. There was significant difference in feed conversion ratio (FCR) between the treatments (p<0.05). Highest and lowest body weight and weight gain respected to virginiamycin and coneflower, (p<0.05) respectively. Virginiamycin increased feed consumption but this difference was not significant with other groups except coneflower (p>0.05). Lowest and highest FCR was related to virginiamycin and coneflower (p<0.05) respectively. However there was non significant difference in feed conversion between virginiamycin group and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) (p>0.05). There was no difference in carcass characteristics and fat pad except small intestinal weight. Virginiamycin had the lowest small intestinal weight but the control had the highest (p<0.05).

In order to understand the effects of sowing dates and plant density on fenugreek (Trigonella foenum gracum L.), an experiment was conducted at Torbat-e-Jam region in 2005. Four sowing dates (28 February, 19 March, 9 April and 29 April) and four plant densities (10, 20, 30 and 40 plants/m2) were compared in a split plot design based on randomized complete blocks with 4 replications. Sowing date had significant effects on seed yield and its components. The earliest and the latest sowing dates had the greatest and the lowest seed yield, respectively (88.34 and 22.3 g/m2). Also, these treatments had the greatest and the lowest 1000 seed weight (12.0 and 9.9 g) and pod number per plant (25.8 and 6.8). Harvest index was the lowest in the latest sowing date (29 April), because flowering and seed formation happened contemporary with high temperature. In addition, delay in sowing time reduced plant height, significantly. Plant density had significant effect on seed yield. Seed yield was the highest at 40 plants/m2. There was no significant interaction on different characters.

In a double blind randomized clinical trial, 66 Holstein cows with a mean age of 4.9±1.55 years, mean weight 548±105 and symptoms of anorexia or loss of appetite were selected. The animals have been divided into two groups. One group, were administered by the mixture of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) and another group administrated by the mixture of nux vomica and Gentian (Ruminotoric Ò) for 2 days consequently. All animals were closely observed for any clinical improvement such as rate of appetite, frequency and strength of ruminal contractions, after and before the treatment. Results showed that, mixture of chicory and anise affect on rate of appetite, frequency and strength of ruminal contractions significantly (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between Ruminotoric and the mixture of chicory and anise in symptoms of appetite (p>0.05). The rate of healing for chicory mixture and anise group was %77.8. The mixture of chicory and anise which is an herbal preparation appears to be safe, cost effective and promising alternative to conventional drugs for the improvement of anorexia in cows.