For the first time, Potentilla balansae Sojak. and Potentillaradiata Lehm. are reported from north and northeast of Iran. Potentilla balansae Pesmen is akin to P. anatolica and P. umbrosa but differs from both in its smaller petals, fewer tooted leaflets and usually subpinnate leaves. Potentilla radiata Lehm., is a hybrid species in origin, (P. argentea × P. thuringiaca). The photographs of these new species in addition to with detail study of different parts (taken by digital microscope) indumentumultra structure (photographed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)) and distribution maps are presented.

Petentilla soongarica collected from Khorassan (Kalat) is reported as a new record from Iran.

As a summary of independent investigations by multiple authors, numerous updates are now required for the 1969 treatments of Potentilleae (Rosaceae) in "Flora Iranica". Following the convergence of morphology-based conclusions by Sojak and molecular phylogenetic analysis by ERIKSSON et al., several sections of Potentilla L. are now treated as segregate genera. Potentilla sect. Fruticosae (Th. Wolf) Gross. becomes Dasiphora Raf.,with D. dryadanthoides Juz. Replacing P. phyllocalyx (Juz. Schiman-Czeika. Potentilla sect. Bifurcae (Th. Wolf) Grossh. becomes Schistophyllidium (Juz. ex Fed.) Ikonn., with the single species S. bifurcum (L.) Ikonn. replacing P. bifurca L. Potentilla sect. Xylorhizae (Th. Wolf) Schiman- Czeika becomes Tylosperma Botsch, encompassing P. lignosa Willd. (as T lignose [Willd.] Botsch.) and P. sericophylla Parker (combination in Tylosperma ined.). Potentilla sect. Rupestres (Th. Wolf) Grossh Becomes Drymocallis Fourr. ex Rydb., with D. poteriifolia (Boiss) Sojak replacing P. poteriifolia Boiss. Two other species of Drymocallis are added to the flora: D. rupestris (L.) Sojak and D. schiraziana (Khat.) Ertter & Attar, the latter a new combination provided for P. schiraziana Khat. In addition, Comarum salesovianum (Stephan) Bunge is replaced by Farinopsis salesoviana (Stephan) Chrtek & Sojak. Additions to B. Ertter and F. Attar Potentilla s.s. include P. discipulorum Davis, P. virgata Lehm., P. alexeenkoi Lipsky, P. agrimonioides M.-Bieb., P. bactriana Sojak, P. pannirica Th. Wolf, P. pamiroalaica Juz., P. gorganica Sojak, P. laciniosa Waldst. & Kit. ex Nestl., P. botschantzeviana T.A. Adylov, P. ghazniensis Sojak, P. porphyrantha Juz., P. algida Sojak, P. doubjonneana Cambess., P. crantzii (Crantz) Beck ex Fritsch, and P. adenophylla Boiss. & Hohenack. Among other changes are the inclusion of P. straussii Bornm. within P. speciosa Willd., P. canescens Besser within P. inclinata Villars., P. gilanica Tb. Wolf and P. adsharica Sommier & Levier within P. divaricata DC., and P. cryptophila Bornm. within P. petraea Willd. The inclusion of P. argyrophylla Wall. ex Lehm., P. hirta L., and P. tephroleuca Tb. Wolf in Flora Iranica is probably erroneous and based on other species.

Potentilla botschantzeviana (Syn: P. butkovii var botschantzeviana (Adylov) Soják is reported as a new record species from N Iran for the first time. This species is identified by petioles with suppressed erecto - patent hairs; deeply divided leaflets with sparse crispate, erect indumentum especially on underside and with flower diameter of 1.2 cm. The morphological characters of Potentilla botschantzeviana (especially long style thickened at the base) are similar to the species of section Persicae (Th. Wolf) Juz., the largest section of the genus in Iran, including 12 endemic species. The photographs of plant at the flowering stage, different parts, indumentum ultra structure and distribution map are presented.

The importance of medicinal plants, with the intensification of the therapeutic effect, is that in many cases it can also avoid the toxicity and adverse effects of medication. In this studyPotentilla recta, one of the Iran and Azerbaijan region-native medicinal plants, was studied in terms of chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant effect. After collecting, drying and milling of plants, the methanol, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts obtained by maceration method. To identify the constituents of the extracts, gas chromatography connected tomass spectrometry was conducted. The DPPH radical scavenging method used to measure the antioxidant potential and the results was reported based on the IC50 index. After determine MIC and MBC using broth micro dilution method, agar well diffusion assay conducted to assess the antimicrobial effect of extracts. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were compared using Duncan test at P<0.05 using SPSS software ver.16. The results of the antimicrobial activity showed that the extracts had antimicrobial effect and in this case methanol extract significantly increase L.monocytogenesmicrobial growth inhibition zone area (p<0.05). All prepared extracts had the ability to scavenging radical 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and the highest antioxidant potency after 30 minutes related to methanol extract. Most chemical compounds in methanol, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts, were respectively: methyllinoleate and ethyl linoleate. This study showed that the methanol extract of Potentilla recta has great antibacterial and antioxidant properties and with more research can be used in various applications.

Background and objectives: Potentilla reptans L. from Rosaceae family is used as traditional medicine in Iran and other countries. Previous investigations on Potentilla species have reported strong antioxidant activity and cardioprotective effect. In this study, antioxidant activity of aerial parts and root of Potentilla reptans, and the cardio protective role of its root on preconditioning ischemia reperfusion injury have been investigated. Methods: Antioxidant activity of aerial parts and root of this plant were measured by DPPH and FRAP methods and its total phenolics content was estimated by Folin-Ciocalteu assay. Catechin was isolated from ethyl acetate fraction by Paper chromatography. Cardioprotective role of P. reptans root were evaluated by thirty five rats in five groups. The hearts were subjected to 30 minutes of ischemia and 100 minutes of reperfusion. The ischemic preconditioning (IPC) protocol was applied before the main ischemia. The myocardial infarct size was estimated by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. The hemodynamic parameters, arrhythmia scoring and coronary flow were measured during reperfusion. Results: Potentilla reptans root showed stronger antioxidant activity and total phenolics content compared to the aerial parts. Total extract of root significantly decreased the infarct size and increased coronary flow in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: Our results showed that the protective effects of Potentilla reptans root appeared by its phenolic compounds and reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibition mechanism.

Background: Potentilla species have traditionally been used as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents in Iran and other countries. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the antinociceptive effect of Potentilla reptans L., which has a wide distribution in the north of Iran. Methods: The biological activities of the hydroalcoholic extract of P. reptans aerial parts have been investigated using the acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate, and rotarod tests in the male mice. In addition, the phytochemical profile of the extract has been evaluated. Results: The phytochemical investigation detected secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, saponins, triterpenoids, and tannins in the extract. Moreover, the Mean±, SD total phenolic and tannin contents of the extract were 251±, 2. 08 and 111. 5±, 1. 3 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram of dried extract, respectively. Also, the Mean±, SD total flavonoid content was 29. 42±, 3. 31 mg quercetin equivalents per gram of dried extract. Oral administration of the extract (100, 300, and 500 mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced the number of writhing responses induced by acetic acid and increased the reaction time in the hot-plate test. The antinociceptive effect of the extract, similar to morphine, was significantly antagonized by naloxone (4 mg/kg,IP) in the writhing test. In the rotarod test, none of the extract doses used in the experiment caused a loss of locomotor activity. Conclusion: In this study, the hydroalcoholic extract of P. reptans showed a practical antinociceptive effect in hot plate and writhing tests. It seems that opioid receptors mediate the observed effect.

Leaf anatomy of 27 species of Potentilla L. (Rosaceae), representing 9 sections and four related genera, especially Tylosperma Botsch., Schistophyllidium (Juz. ex Fed.) Ikonn., Drymocallis Fourr. ex Rydb., and Sibbaldia L. from Iran were studied using light microscopy. The most outstanding characters of blade and midrib were measured. The result revealed a number of taxonomically important characters e.g., trichome types, stomata positions, mesophyll types, crystals location and vascular bundle shape. Three types of stomata, two main types of mesophyll and two main types of vascular bundles were identified. Leaf anatomical evidence is of taxonomic value and reflect the ecological differences in the studied species.