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.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of lead (Pb) exposure on bioaccumulation, growth, and tolerance mechanisms in summer savory (Satureja hortensis L. ). Plants were subjected to different levels of Pb concentrations including 0 (control), 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg L-1 in growing medium. Pb treatment led to significant increase in root and shoot Pb content. Calculation of BF, TF and TC revealed that Pb prefers to be accumulated in roots of S. hortensis and root to shoot transport was effectively restricted. Pb toxicity negatively affected plant growth as indicated by significant decrease in plant dry weight as well as root and shoot length. Pb stress resulted in significant decrease in chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b and total chlorophyll content, whereas proline, soluble and reducing carbohydrates and anthocyanin content significantly increased as a result of Pb exposure. Specific activity of antioxidant enzymes including catalase and ascorbate peroxidase continuously increased as concentration of Pb in growing medium elevated. Based on our findings, due to high potential for Pb accumulation in root, S. hortensis may offer a feasible tool for phytostabilization purposes in mildly Pb contaminated soils.

To survey the effects of chemical and biological phosphorus on the yield and essential oil of Satureja hortensis L. as an important medicinal plant, factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replicates at Research Station of Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University in 2011. The treatments were chemical phosphorus fertilizer with four levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg/ha P as triple supper phosphate) and biological phosphorus fertilizer with four levels (0, 100, 200 and 300 g/ha Pseudomonas putida Strain P13 and Bacillus lentus Strain P5). The results of ANOVA showed the significant interaction effect between chemical and biological phosphorus on the yield of fresh weight, biological yield, stem dry weight, and the yield of drug and essential oil. There was non-significant effect of chemical and biological phosphorus on the essential oil percent, harvest index of drug and harvest index of essential oil. The highest amounts of total fresh weight (23327 kg/ha), biological yield (5282 kg/ha), stem dry weight (2523 kg/ha) and yield of drug (2759 kg/ha) and essential oil (79 kg/ha) were obtained from 200 g/ha of biological phosphorus without chemical fertilizer. The minimum amounts of total fresh weight, biological yield, stem dry weight, the yield of drug and essential oil were observed in higher than 200 g/ha of biological phosphorus.