JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL PLANTS AND BY PRODUCTS
Year:2015 | Volume:4 | Issue:1|Papers Count:16

The Solanaceae plants produce a variety of interesting biologically active products including the steroid alkaloids solanidine, nicotine and tropane alkaloids. Putrescine N-methyltransferase (PMT) is an enzyme that catalyses s-adenosylmethionine-dependent methylation of putrescine in one of the primary steps of nicotine and tropane alkaloids biosynthesis pathway. Two tobacco members of the AP2/ERF-domain transcription factors family called NtORC1 and NtJAP1 were shown to up regulate the activity of the NtPMT promoter in Nicotiana tabacum L. under environmental stresses. In this study, semiquantitave RT-PCR analysis showed that expression patterns of PMT, ERF1 and JAP1 genes in shoots and roots of Nicotiana benthamiana Domin and Atropa belladonna L. were examined under methyl jasmonate, UV radiation and wounding treatments. Plants were harvested half an hour after each treatment. The expression pattern of examined genes showed differences between plant tissues under different treatments.

Due to highly consumption of extensive wild germplasm of Allium hirtifolium Boiss (Mooseer) in food and medicinal industry, exploration and domestication process have been done in Golestan province (Gorgan). Economic productions of domesticated Persian Shallot plants need to be improved through breeding process. The successes of domesticated accessions improvement program depend on the available genetic diversity, genetic similarity (genetic distance). In order to determine genetic distance, bulbs of four accessions from different parts of country were planted using a complete block design. Significant differences were observed for growth characters (bulb weight, plant height, leaf length, leaf width, date of bulb germination and bulb yield) at a≤0.01 level. Duncan’s multiple range tests showed that the accession of Persian shallot were significantly different for all evaluated parameters except bulb diameter and leaf length. Cluster analyzing (average linkage method), indicated that the accessions were classified into two main groups and showed significant relationship between genetic diversity and geographical origins. The results suggesting that heterotic effect could be observed from crossing between promising accession of two classified population gating favorable traits for varietal and hybridization programs.

White savory (Satureja mutica Fisch & C.A.Mey.) is one of the most widely used medicinal plants in food processing, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry due to the strongly scented and presence of phenolic compounds such as carvacrol and thymol. This experiment was carried out to evaluate the levels of inter and intra-populations variability of essential oil compositions of S. mutica grown in north of Iran. The essential oil was extracted by hydro-distillation method and analyzed using GC-FID and GC-MS apparatus. The results showed a high level of variation among individual plants of the studied populations based upon their essential oil production. The essential oil content ranged from 0.5 to 4.2%. thymol (6.5-74.6%), carvacrol (0.9-70.4%), borneol (0.1-38.0%), p-cymene (0.30-14.2%), and g-terpinene (0.1-9.9%) were recognized as the major components of the all tested individual plants. Therefore, the variability identified here, might be considered as characterizing the large gene pool for breeding programs to comply the requirements of pharmaceutical and food industries.

Xanthine oxidase plays crucial roles in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and uric acid in blood which may lead to gout, one of the oldest known forms of arthritis amongst humans. Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) a medicinal/spice exhibits antioxidant activity, but unknown effects on xanthine oxidase activity. Here, for the first time, we examined the effects of S. hortensis extracts on alleviation of oxidative stress and in vitro xanthine oxidase activity. Total phenolic compounds, soluble sugar, carotenoid contents of methanolic extracts of roots, leaves, stems, flowers and seeds as well as their antioxidant activity and potential inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase were analyzed. Leaves, flowers and fruits of the plant exhibited the highest amounts of phenolic contents. The flavonoid content was highest in the leaves of the vegetative stage and decreased when the plant entered the reproductive stage. In contrast, the anthocyanin and sugar contents as well as the antioxidant capacity were in their highest amounts when the plant entered the reproductive stage. Remarkably, the leaves of the flowering stage displayed significant inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase activity, which may propose a novel potential role for S. hortensis leaves in effective treatment of gout.

This experiment was conducted in 2012 at the research field of Alborz Research Station, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Karaj, Iran, to study the effect of chemical and biological fertilizers on Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) and replacing biofertilizers instead of high doses of chemical fertilizers. The experiment was conducted in factorial in the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications and two factors: chemical nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers in four levels (N0P0, N0P150, N300P0 and N300P150) and biological fertilizers in four levels (non inoculated control, mycorrhizal inoculation with Glomus mosseae (T.H. Nicolson & Gerd.) Gerd. & Trappe + Glomus intraradices N.C. Schenck & G.S. Sm., bacterial inoculation with Pseudomonas fluorescens, and dual inoculation with G. mosseae +G. intraradices + P. fluorescens). The measured traits included: plant height, the number of tillers, leaf area, leaf yield, shoot yield, root weight, essential oil percentage and essential oil yield. Results indicated the significant effect of chemical fertilizer on all measured traits except for the number of tillers. Biofertilizer application had also significant effect on all measured traits except for essential oil percentage. The interaction of the two factors had only a significant effect on leaf area and leaf yield. Mean comparison showed that the highest essential oil yield (37.02 kg/ha) was achieved in N0P150×Pseudomonas which was significantly the same as N0P150×mycorrhizal inoculation and N0P150×dual inoculation with mycorrhizae + Pseudomonas. Generally, results of this experiment indicated that it is possible to replace biofertilizers instead of high doses of chemical fertilizers in order to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and prevent the associated problems.

Diazinon is an organophosphate which exerts tissue damages by generating free radicals thereby inducing oxidative stress. The purpose of this study is to determine the protective effect of Salvia officinalis L.extract on testes of rats intoxicated by diazinon. In this experimental study, 45 mature male rats were equally divided into three groups of Control (C), Diazinon (DZN) and Diazinon-Extract (DZN-E). The D-E group received a one-time 200 mg/Kg diazinon for the entire period of study and the S. officinalis extract for four weeks (5 days a week) via intraperitoneal injection. The animals were sacrificed 24 hours later. Tissue sections were prepared and subjected to microscopic examination. The collected data were statistically analyzed using one way-ANOVA. number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids as well as the diameter of seminiferous tubule have been significantly reduced in DZN group compared to those in C group (P<0.05). However compared to the DZN group, the DZN-E group showed increase in the number of the cell types under study and the diameter of seminiferous tubule and these increases were statistically significant (P<0.05). Our results indicate that S. officinalis extract minimizes diazinon-mediated tissue damages on testes probably by scavenging free radicals and so reducing toxicity caused due to oxidative stress.

Zhumeria majdae Rech.f. & Wendelbois the medicinal, endomic and endangered plant that has been distributed in the south of Iran. This plant is seen on very sharp slope of mountains at 520-1450 meters altitude of sea level. It has noticed by natives and is used for digestion painful as swelling, diarrhea, stomatchache and coolness. In this research, the leaves of plant and soil samples were collected from different localities (Geno, Sarchahan and Tangezagh mounts). The plant materials were hydri-distilled in order to obtain their essential oils. The oils were analyzed by capillary GC and GC/MS. The results showed that with increasing of height, Ca+2, Mg+2, HCO3-, Na+, EC, O.C.%, sand% contents and also with decreasing of rainfall, moisture, temperature, K+and neutralized materials, oil yield and componentnumber of essential oils of Z. majdae would have decreased. Constituents as Linalool, Limonene, a-Pinene, Octan-3-one, Myrcene, Terpinolene and trans-Linalool oxide will increased and constituents as Camphor, Geraniol, Neral, Geranial, Thymul, Terpinene, b-Elemene, b - Bizabulene will decreased. Therefore, height is effective on quantity and quality of the essential oils of Z.majdae.

This study aims to investigate the essential oils content of Thymbr Spicata L. in two times before flowering and full flowering in shirpenah area in Ilam Province. Both samples were dried out in shade and without humidity. Then 50 grams of each sample were powdered after obtaining the essential oils by hydro distillation using a Clevenger apparatus for 2 hours. Resulted oils were dried by anhydrous sodium sulfate and kept in tightly closed vials at 4oC before chemical analyses. Finally both essential oil samples were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Outcomes show that essential oils content in full flowering was (%4.04) more than before flowering (%3.64). The compositions of essential oils in before flowering were 7 compounds and major constituents were γ-terpinene (15.5%) and carvacrol (79.3%). The composition of essential oils in full flowering were 11 and the major composition also were carvacrol (70.5%) and γ-terpinene (14.9%). a-pinene, b-pinene, a-phellandrene and cis-sabinene hydrate were not found in compositions of before flowering. It is figured that flowering time is the best for obtaining the higher essential oils content and composition in T. spicata.

The production and proper utilization of medicinal plants in natural habitats need to review and identify the natural conditions and climate of the habitat of these plants and separating them from harmful and poisonous plants. The current study was aimed to introduce and determine the distribution of medicinal plants from Lamiaceae family in Mazandaran province as well as the introduction of natural habitats in order to provide information for executive agencies and administrators of land use plan to be used for optimal utilization of potentials of natural resources. In this study, after collecting the documents, the aromatic and medicinal species (wild species) of Mazandaran province were identified and their distribution was investigated. According to the obtained results, the medicinal species of Lamiaceae family in Mazandaran province contain 23 species, belonging to 11 genera among which Stachys spp. with seven species is known as the riches genus in Lamiaceae family, distributed in an area of 16322 km2 in Mazandaran province. As a result of this study, the distribution map of natural habitats, habitat conditions, life form, and utilizable organs of medicinal species belonging to Lamiaceae family in Mazandaran province have been provided. According to the rich flora of Mazandaran province, the results of this study could help in financing, planning, cultivation and production of medicinal plants at industrial levels. In addition, the production of herbal medicines could be used in pharmaceutical, medical and food industries.

This research had been carried out to ecological characters, phytochemical, anti bacterial and antioxidant activity of Thymus carmanicus Jalas. in Golestan province. In several field observation, the aerial parts of plant in blooming were collected from Deraznoo Mountain inSeptember 2013 (2700 m). Essential oil was obtained by hydro distillation and analyzed by GC/MS. Phytochemical assay included: TP (total phenol) and TF (Total flavonoid) were determined by spectrophotometrically, antioxidant capacity were obtained by TAC, RP and DPPH methods and the antibacterial by using agar well method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay. Results showed that T. carmanicus is the most aromatic mountainous herb, which wild growing in cold dry climate (1800-2750 m) in Golestan province, with annual raining 30.5 mm, annual temperature 17.5oC, in sandy clay loam soil with pH= 7.5 and Ec=2.1 dc and have long been used in traditional medicines of this region as a strong tonic, anti inflammation, carminative, anti virus, anti infection, anti fungus, anti ulcer and sedative. The carvacrol (41.4%), thymol (27.2%) and β-caryophylene were the major constituents of T. carmanicus oil, with total phenols (TP= 81.7±0.3 GAE/ g), total flavonoids (TF= 34.2±0.8 QUE/g), which had good antioxidant activity (IC50 = 21.8±0.1 mg/ml), especially in DPPH method. The maximum activity of the essential oil was observed against Candida albicans (35.8±0.6 mm), S.epidermidis (33.1± 0.4 mm), B. subtilus (29.5± 0.2 mm), S.aureus (28.3±0.2 mm), E.coli (23.1±0.4 mm), Enterococcus faecalis (17.2±0.8 mm) and Kelebsiella pneumoniae (16.5±0.2mm) with MIC value in the range of 10 - 132 mg/mL. According to these results, the aerial parts of plant have rich source of terpenoides, flavonoid and phenolic componds and showed good antioxidant and antibacterial activity, which will be confirmed the traditional uses of T. carmanicus Jalas. in these regions as an good anti-inflammatory, sedative and anti infection.

Total flavonoids contents and antibacterial activity of the extracts from the aerial parts of two Labiateae species, Nepeta menthoides Boiss. & Buhse and Thymus trautvetteri Klokov & Desj.-Shost. were determined. Quantitative determination of flavonoid contents was calculated in terms of quercetin equivalent in various extracts (50% methanol, chloroform and distilled water) by AlCl3 colorimetric method. It was found that total flavonoids contents of N. menthoides extracts in different solvents were (2.308%, 0.884% and 0.710%) mg/g and (2.076%, 1.468% and 1.412%) mg/g for T. trautvetteri respectively. Antibacterial activity of the extracts was also determined against 6 gr (+/-) bacteria by disc diffusion method. The results showed that 50% methanol extracts of two species displayed better inhibitor activity against the tested bacteria. The bacteria Stapylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Staphylococcus aureus were sensitive against 50% methanol extract of N. menthoides even more than the standard antibiotics (10mg). Therefore a good correlation between total flavonoids contents and antibacterial activity of the studied extracts is demonstrated.

Eryngium caucasicum Trautv. (Apiaceae) is a perennial herbaceous plant with about one meter height, an endemic species that has been distributed in the northern parts of Iran. The plant leaves are normally used in medicine and food industries in Iran. The plant has several medicinal properties including enforcing generative power, diuretic, lenitive and appetizer. In this research differents parts of plants (flower, leaves, stem and roots) from two locations littoral and unlittoral early reproductive phase are collected. The essential oils obtained by three methods of distillation (water distillation, steam distillation and hydro-steam distillation), the composition of essential oils was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography, coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Essential oils content in flower of plants from littoral and unlittoral locations in hydrodistallation method with mean of 0.32% and 0.38% and water and steam distillation with 0.176% and 0.21% in hydro-steam distillation with 0.06% and 0.09%, respectively. Essential oils content in fresh leaf also were with hydrod-istallation method with mean of 0.13% and 0.19% and steam distillation with 0.1% and 0.14%, hydro-steam distillation 0.1% and 0.16%, respectively. Essential oils content in dry leaf of plants with hydro-distallation method with mean of 0.17% and 0.32% and steam distillation 0.053% and 0.087%, in hydro-steam distillation with mean of 0.1% and 0.16%, respectively. Main components in flower were allo-aromadendrene (48.7 up to 71.6%), trans-calamenene (11 up to 18.2%), and dehydro abietal (1.2 up to 10.9%), respectively. Main components on fresh and dry leaf from littoral location were allo-aromadendrene (1.5 up to 30.6%), dihydro tagetone (2.9 up to 19.8%), (E, E)-farnesol (0.5 up to 28.3%), respectively. Main components on fresh and dry leaf from unlittoral location were allo-aromadenderene (13 up to 33.2%), dihydro tagetone (1.8 up to 17.9%), a-calacorene (7.7 up to 23.1%), (E, E)-farnesol (12.1 up to 17.5%), respectively. Main components on stem from both location were dihydro tagetone (1.6 up to 9.4%), allo-aromadendrene (36.0 up to 67.4%), trans-calamenene (8.3 up to 16.2%), dehydro abietal (6.3 up to 19.5%), respectively. Main components on root from both location were n-octadecanol (43.5 up to 91%), dihydro tagetone (1 up to 4.9%), g- cadinene (0.5 up to 1.4%), respectively.

Chemical composition of the essential oils extracted from the leaves, stems, flowers and seeds of Heracleum rechingeri Manden. were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Twenty-four components were characterized for the leaf oil with Octyl acetate(47.2%), Octanol(15.2%) and E-caryophyllen (5.7%) as the main constituents. 25 compounds were identified in the stem oil with Elemicin (65.3%), Octyl acetate (13.0%) and Octanol (3.5%) as the major components. 18 compound were identified in the flower oil with Octyl acetate (46.8%), Elemicin (12.8%) and methyl chavicol (10.2%) as the major components. Among 13 compounds studying in the seed oil of H.rechingeri, the major constituents were Octyl acetate (91.7%), Octanol (3.5%) and Octanal (1.2%).

In order to study the effect of vermicompost and nitrogen fixing bacteria on seed yield, yield components of seed and essential oil content of coriander (Coriandrum sativum), an experiment was conducted as factorial experiment in the base of randomized complete blocks design with eight treatments and three replications at research field of Agriculture Company of Ran in Firouzkuh of Iran in 2012. The factors were vermicompost in four levels (0, 3, 6 and 9 ton/ha) and nitrogen fixing bacteria (Nitroxin), mixture of Azotobacter chroococcum and Azospirillum lipoferum in two levels (non-inoculated and inoculated seeds). Inoculation was carried out by dipping the coriander seeds in the cells suspension of 108 CFU/ml for 15 min. The vermicompost was prepared from animal manure by employing epigeic species of Eisenia foetida. In this study, traits of the umbel number per plant, umberella number per umbel, weight of 1000 seeds, biomass yield, seed yield and essential oil content were evaluated. Essential oil content was determined by distilling a sample of 100 g of coriander seeds from the each plot in Clevenger’s apparatus. Analysis of variance by using SAS software and mean comparisons by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (at the 5% probability level) was done. Results showed that the highest umbel number per plant, seed yield and essential oil content were obtained after applying 6 ton/ha vermicompost. The maximum umberella per umbel and biomass yield were obtained after applying 3 and 9 ton/ha vermicompost respectively. Nitrogen fixing bacteria, also showed significant effects on biomass yield and seed yield. The maximum biomass yield and seed yield were obtained by using the inoculated seeds.

The chamomile species of Anthemis triumfettii (L.) All is one of important medicinal plant belong to Compositae family and it grows as wild species in Zagros and Alborz Mountains, Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluation of morphological and phenological traits and their relationships with essential oil. Seeds of seven accessions were sown in jiffy pots and transferred to field using randomize block design with three replications in Alborz research station, Karaj, Iran during 2011-12. Data were collected and analyzed for canopy diameter, plant height, flower number, flowering date, maturity date, shoot fresh and dry weight, Essential oil percentage and GDD to flowering and maturity dates. Results showed significance differences for all traits (P<%1) except of essential oil percent. Populations of Gorgan1 and Gorgan2 had higher values for essential oil yield and shoot yield than other populations. Population of Loshan flowered earlier than other population due to low values of its growth degree days (GDD). Simple correlation analysis showed that shoot dry weight was positively correlated with shoot fresh weight, canopy diameter, flower number, and negatively correlated with flowering and maturity date. Essential oil content was positively correlated with flower number and negatively correlated with flowering and maturity date. Results of stepwise regression analysis for essential oil% as dependant variables and other traits as independent variables showed negative effects of flowering and maturity date and positive effect of canopy diameter on essential oil content. Similarly, for essential oil yield as dependent variables, the shoot dry weight, essential oil%, flowering date and GDD were entered in final regression equation. The results of path analysis showed that maturity date had negative direct effect on oil%. In contrast, both Shoot dry weight and essential oil% had positive and direct effect on oil yield.

In the current Iranian poultry industry, antibiotics are the most frequently used additive in feeds to increase the productivity. Regarding the negative effects on human health due to consuming chicken whose feeds contain antibiotics, finding an appropriate alternative is of a great importance. This study aims to find an appropriate and harmless feed additive to increase the quality and quantity of poultry eggs. Total of 60 laying hens which had been in production for 85 weeks were allocated in a completely randomized design considering five treatments with four replicates and three birds in each. Group one received a layer basal diet with no supplementation which served as control. The second, third and fourth groups received basal diet with 1 mL of herbal extracts (garlic, thyme and caraway) / L drinking water, respectively. The fifth group fed the basal diet plus 1 g of probiotic / kg diet. The number and weight of produced eggs were measured in a daily manner, feed consumption in weekly manner and the egg quality, yolk cholesterol, intestinal bacterial population and effect of treatments on the morphology of the small intestine were measured at the end of experiment after 8 weeks. All treatments showed no overall effect on quality and quantity of produced eggs in comparison with controls; however, the thyme and garlic extracts reduced the cholesterol of serum and yolk relative to the control. The herbal extracts caused a significant decrease in the intestinal bacterial population and probiotic increased villus height in ileum (P<0.05).