Journal of Ethno-Pharmaceutical Products

Abstract A. calamus that grows in province of Baluchistan and Kerman in Iran plays a major role in the revival of traditional medicine. Despite the useful role of this plant in many ailments, its anti-bacterial properties are not well understood. In this study, we investigated anti-bacterial activities of rhizomes ware of A. calamus against various strains of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The anti-microbial activity of extracts of A.calamus was assessed by disc diffusion method. Rhizomes extracted by ethanol, methanol solvents and essential oil were obtained by clevenger apparatus. Antibacterial effects of the extracts tested at concentrations (25, 100, 200, 250, 300, 400 mg/ml). The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of extracts ranged from 25-100 mg/ml against the susceptible bacteria. All the Minimal Bactericidal Concentrations (MBCs) were the same as the MICs. Our results revealed that ethanolic and methanolic extracts have an inhibitory effect on all gram positive and negative strains and it is comparable with kanamycin, an anti-bacterial reference drug. Amongst extracts of A.calamus, ethanolic extracts showed maximum inhibitory activity (16mm) against Staphylococcus epidermidis. So we can conclude that this plant has anti-bacterial properties on all gram positive and negative bacteria. The result can be related to the nature of the compounds found in this plant. The effective GC-MS method was performed for the determination of essential oil compounds of A.calamus. The Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed that the presence of phenyl propanoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and β-asarone in essential oil of the plant caused its antibacterial properties. Our result showed that the ethanolic and methanolic extracts of A. calamus could be useful for the development of effective treatment for the control of infectious diseases.

DOR: https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2014.1.1.1.0

Abstract Sulforaphane is produced through a hydrolytic reaction catalyzed by myrosinase from  glucoraphanin. It has recently attracted researcher's interest due to its anticancer activities. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of various concentrations of yeast extract (YE) and silver ion (Ag⁺) on sulforaphane production level in Lepidium draba seedlings. Our results revealed that the sulforaphane content is increased in seedlings that treated with the both elicitors, but more significantly by Ag⁺. All elicitor influences are depend on the elicitor dose and time of elicitation and maximized with YE at 1 mg/mL for 8 hours and with Ag⁺ at 50 µM for 4 hours treatment. It seems that the promotion of sulforaphane content results in induction of glucoraphanin biosynthesis pathway which in turn is mediated by H₂O₂, as revealed by a significant increase in the activity of H₂O₂ scavenger enzymes.
 
DOR: https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2021.2.1.1.1

Abstract Sulforaphane (SFN) is an isothiocyanate which is produced through glucoraphanin hydrolysis via myrosinase activity. In the present study, SFN content and peroxidase activity has been assessed in treated Lepidium draba seedlings with different concentrations of iron and copper during 8 and 16 hours treatment. The results showed that the SFN content drastically elevated at treatment with 1 mg/L Fe²⁺ after 8 hours treatment which was around two-fold compared to the control. But its content decreased in treated seedlings with higher Fe²⁺ concentrations as well as treatment with all concentrations of Cu²⁺. Furthermore, promotion of peroxidase activity was seen in the treated seedlings with the both elicitors. The data revealed that not only the inhibitory effect of Cu²⁺ on SFN production was stronger than Fe²⁺, but its stimulatory effect on peroxidase activity was also remarkable especially after 16 hours treatment. It seems that the metals induce triggering of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which at low Fe²⁺ concentration leads to induce glucoraphanin biosynthesis pathway. While at higher Fe²⁺ concentrations as well as treatment seedlings with Cu²⁺, ROS lead to induce antioxidant enzyme system.   https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2014.1.1.2.1

Abstract Nepeta depauperata belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is one the Persian endemic plants which has not been investigated biologically. In the present paper we had focused on the assessment of the antibacterial and antifungal activities of the total methanolic extract and different sub-fraction of the flowering aerial parts of it. The Antibacterial and antifungal activities were investigated by cup plate method and disc diffusion assay, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations of the active extract or subfraction were determined by micro plate dilution method. The crude extract and chloroform sub-fraction of N. depauperata had inhibition activity on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa while no antibacterial activity observed against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi. It was concluded from the antifungal assay that just the yeast C. albicans, showed a high sensitivity to all the extract and related sub-fractions. No activity was seen against Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus, A. flavus and Fusarium oxysporum. These findings demonstrate that the N. depauperata is effective against S. aureus, B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa and could be a natural source of effective natural antifungal compounds against C. albicans.   DOR: https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2014.1.2.2.3

Abstract Compounds which are able to reduce damaging effects of various stresses such as drought could be of great importance. In this research, arginine was used as a precursor of nitric oxide or polyamines and the effect of this compound on alleviation of oxidative damages under drought stress has been investigated. Experimental treatments included arginine at three levels (0, 10 and 20 µmol) and, drought stress (induced by polyethylene glycol 6000) at the levels of 0, 13.5% and 17% (W/V). This experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement with three replications. The application of arginine through the root medium, increased drought tolerance of ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) seedlings. Arginine profoundly induced the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and, polyphenol oxidase in plants which led to reduction in electrolyte leakage and increasing in relative water content, photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll and, carotenoids), polyphenol compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanin content and, soluble sugar content. It is concluded that the application of arginine appeared to induce pre-adaptive responses to drought stress, leading to promote protective reactions.
 
DOR: https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2021.2.1.2.2

Abstract Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is one of the most important cultivable medicinal plants in Iran and today, it is the second most popular spice in the world after black pepper. It is essential to know the relationships between yield and its components in cumin breeding programs. Therefore, different multivariate statistical analysis was performed on plant characters in cumin to determine the relationships between seed yield and seed yield components under field conditions. Positive and significant relationships were found statistically between the umbel number/plant, seed number/plant and biomass in all sowing dates. There were also very high correlation coefficients for plant height and number of branches with seed yield/plant at most of the sowing dates. Stepwise linear multiple regression analysis for each sowing dates indicated that 89% to 97.2% of the total variation in seed yield/plant was explained by the variation of the seed number/plant, umbel number/plant and 1000-seed weight in the different sowing dates. Path analysis revealed that seed number/plant had strong direct effects on seed yield of cumin in all sowing dates and 1000-seed weight in most sowing dates had positive direct effects on seed yield/plant which shows their potentials in breeding programs. There were high and significant correlation coefficients between umbel number/plant and plant height with seed yield/plant that was resulted from greatest indirect effects of mentioned traits through seed number/plant. In accordance with results of this research, it can be concluded that seed number/plant and 1000-seed weight are good selection criteria for improving seed yield in the cumin, meanwhile umbel number/plant and plant height have good potential to improve seed yield through indirect selection in breeding strategies.   https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2014.1.1.3.2

Abstract The genus Hyoscyamus belongs to the tribe Hyoscyameae Miers of Solanaceae family. Variation in protein bands elaborates the relationship among the collections from various geographical regions. In this study the seed storage protein diversity of 19 accessions of Hyoscyamus (H. niger, H. reticulatus and  H. pusillus) from West Azerbaijan (Iran) was investigated according to the Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) method. Seed protein was analyzed through slab type SDS-PAGE using 15% polyacrylamide gels. The similarity matrix was computed by using Jaccard΄s similarity coefficients, based on polymorphic bands, and dendrogram established through UPGMA cluster analysis. Genetic similarity ranged from 0.07 to 0.87, which indicates high genetic distance at interspecies level. The plotted dendrogram revealed two major clusters. The result of this study indicates that the accessions of Hyoscyamus could effectively be differentiated on the basis of polymorphism, detected by protein bands pattern. Therefore, seed protein profiles seem to be rapid and reliable method to detect inter and intra-specific variation in Hyoscyamus landraces in relation to geographical origin for future breeding programs.   DOR: https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2014.1.2.3.4

Abstract Cumin is one of the most agriculturally valuable plants, in the semi-arid tropical regions of Iran. In this research, drought tolerance of 49 cumin ecotypes were evaluated under irrigated, and rained conditions in the field during two years (2010 and 2011). Five drought tolerance/susceptibility indices including mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP), stress tolerance index (STI), tolerance (TOL) and susceptible stress index (SSI) were applied. Results of combined analysis based on the experiments showed a significant variation among ecotypes for grain yield and, it was decreased due to drought stress. The mean grain yield of Ardestan and Ravar in normal and drought stress conditions possessed the highest values respectively. According to the results derived from principal component analysis, bi-plot display and STS equation, Ravar was identified as the most drought tolerant ecotype. In conclusion, this suitable ecotype could be recommended for cropping in regions with limited water resources, also MP, GMP and STI indices were found to be more effective in identifying drought-tolerant and high yielding ecotypes in both conditions.
 
DOR: https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2021.2.1.3.3

Abstract The mode of agronomic traits inheritance was investigated in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) in drought stress as a new report. Five generation including p ₁, p ₂, F₁, F₂ and F₃ that derived from the cross of IL.111 (drought sensitive) ×Mex.22-191 (drought tolerance) were used in a randomized complete block design with two replications. Generation mean analysis was used to estimate genetic parameters. The additive model [d] was fitted for seed-weight, dry weight/plant and number of seeds/plant. The simple additive-dominance model [d, h] was fitted for number of seeds/ capsule. Additive-dominance model was not adequate for plant height, number of branches per plant and number of capsules per plant. Hence, dominance× dominance epistasis [l] was added to fit the model as [d, h, l] for these traits. So, the genetic control of mentioned traits was under additive, dominance and dominance× dominance gene effects. Obtained results could be suitable for designing of breeding strategies to improve seed yield of safflower in drought stress. The highest value for broad-sense (0.94) and narrow-sense (0.9) heritability were denoted to seeds/capsule.   https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2014.1.1.4.3

Abstract Nowadays, many antibiotics are being used to control infectious diseases. Inappropriate use of antibiotics leads to emergence of resistant bacteria and problems such as a prolonged course of treatment. Medicinal plants and their derivatives, as a good source of treatment, are effective against drug resistance. In this study we have evaluated the antimicrobial activity of herbal essential oils of four medicinal plant Cuminum cyminum, Satureja hotensis L, Citrus limon and Mentha piperita. For preparation of herbal essential oils clevenger apparatus was used, and the active components of the herbal essential oils were determined by GC-MS. In order to observe the effects of the essential oils, they were examined on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi using disc diffusion method in vitro. Also, the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimal Bactericide Concentration (MBC) of each essential oil was measured and compared with commonly used antibiotics. Obtained results showed that all of the essential oils possess inhibitory and antibacterial effects, but the Mentha piperita essential oil showed a better effect in comparison to other used essential oils. It was concluded that all the herbal species demonstrate antibacterial properties, but the level of bacterial growth inhibition induced by plant materials, shown to be dependent on herbal source and bacterial strain.   DOR: https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2014.1.2.4.5

Abstract Caucasian whortleberry (Vaccinium arctostaphylos L.) is a useful medicinal plant with many seeded berries; the limits of germination rate and long dormancy of the seeds are as major barriers to the optimal use of this plant. To evaluation of some treatments on breaking seed dormancy and increasing germination rate, the experiment carried out using factorial design with three replications in research lab in Faculty of Agriculture in 2013. Treatments were including gibberellic acid, Nitrate potassium, heating, wet and dry chilling each with two levels and transferred to germinator 15 °C and 25 °C (day/night) and 12 hours light. Seeds were counted every two days within one month. The results revealed the highest germination rate were belong to gibberellic acid (500 ppm), potassium nitrate 1% (8 hr) and wet chilling (15 days) while heating had no significant effect on germination. The seeds have physiological dormancy in which could be removed by some treatments.
 
DOR: https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2021.2.1.4.4

Abstract Exchange rate pass-through to the price of traded goods is one of the important issues in economy of developing countries such as Iran and affects the efficiency of the exchange rate policies to improve the trade balance. The main aim of this paper is to empirically analyze exchange rate pass-through to Iran's saffron export price using panel data for twenty destination markets during 2000–2011. Utilizing the system generalized method of moments and controlling endogeneity of several explanatory variables, the estimation results showed that exchange rate pass-through was incomplete. Considering incomplete pass-through of exchange rate to Iran's saffron export price, it is concluded that Iranian exporters are able to discriminate price among destination markets and can absorb a portion of the change in the exchange rate in order to maintain or increase market share. The results also suggest that Iranian exporters partially offset the effect of tariff rate on saffron export price. Another important result is that macroeconomic environment in destination markets plays an important role in determining the Iran's saffron export price.   https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2014.1.1.5.4

Abstract In this study the effect of altitude (in two provinces of Mazandaran and Golestan) on some morphological and biochemical properties of the stems, flowers and root of nettle plant was examined. Sampling was performed at the flowering time of plant. Extraction and identification of active ingredients were performed by using spectrophotometer and HPLC methods. This research was conducted based on completely randomized design by using statistical analysis software (SAS, 9.1). Results that altitude did not show significant effect on morphological properties, but in general it can be said that the height 1450m above the sea level in both provinces was the best height for morphological characteristics. Maximum size of stem diameter (7.05cm), root diameter (5.01cm), root length (31.1cm) and number of inflorescence (54.2) were observed in Golestan province at the altitude of 1450m and the highest size of inflorescence (5.52cm) in the Mazandaran province was related to the altitude of 1450m above the sea levels. The amount of total phenol, total flavonoids, Chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and rutin in the stem and leaf, nettle root increased with increasing the height, so that the largest amount of total phenol (3.38 and 1.28 mg/g), total flavonoids (3.98 and 2.53 mg/g), Chlorogenic Acid (0.3 and 0.13 mg/g), caffeic acid (0.065 and 0.021 mg/g) and rutin (0.37 mg/g) were observed in stem, flower and root plant at altitude of 2250 m in leh koh region of Mazandaran province. Results showed that positive correlations exist between total phenol and flavonoid content and height of sea level. Many of morphological parameters such as stem diameter, root diameter, root length and number of inflorescence in Golestan province increased with increasing altitude up to 1450 m and the size of inflorescence in Mazandaran province in the same height showed the highest value.
 
DOR: https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2021.2.1.5.5

Abstract In order to study the response of concentration and composition of essential oil of coriander (Coriandrum sativum) to cattle manure and nitrogen fixing bacteria, an experiment was conducted as factorial experiment in the base of randomized complete blocks design with twelve treatments and three replications at homand research station in Damavand of Iran in 2010. The factors were cattle manure in four levels (5, 10, 15 and 20 ton/ha) and nitrogen fixing bacteria in three levels (inoculation with azotobacter, inoculation with azospirillum and inoculation together). Results showed that the highest essential oil content and linalool and alpha pinene in essential oil were obtained with application of 10 ton/ha cattle manure. The maximum gamma terpinene and the minimum geranyl acetate in essential oil were obtained after applying 15 ton/ha cattle manure. Nitrogen fixing bacteria also showed significant effects on linalool, alpha pinene and geranyl acetate in essential oil (except essential oil content and gamma terpinene in essential oil) as the highest linalool in essential oil in treatment of inoculation with azotobacter, the maximum alpha pinene in essential oil in treatment of inoculation with azospirillum and the maximum geranyl acetate in inoculation together (azotobacter & azospirillum) were obtained.   DOR: https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2014.1.2.5.6

Abstract A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of foliar spray of salicylic acid (0, 50, 100 ppm), ascorbic acid (0, 100, 200 ppm) and thiamine (0, 50, 100 ppm) on vegetative growth, flowering and photosynthetic pigments of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) plants at greenhouse of SB University of Kerman, Iran. Results showed that application of salicylic acid and thiamine increased number of flowering stems. Stem height increased only by application of thiamine. Fresh and dry weight of the plants affected by all treatments. Foliar spray of all treatments significantly influenced chl.b and total chl contents but differences in the amount of chl.a and carotenoids content was not significant. Application of all treatments reduced stomatal length while number of stomata and electrolyte leakage reduced only by application of salicylic acid. The highest amount of reducing sugars obtained by application of ascorbic acid at 200 ppm and thiamine at 100 ppm, respectively. Application of salicylic acid and thiamine significantly increased the amount of medicinal compound hyperoside.   https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2014.1.1.6.5

Abstract The magnetic fields are one of the effective environmental factors on biological phenomena in living organisms especially plants. Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) is a medicinal plant that plays a good role in blood cholesterol reduction and liver disorders, this study has performed to investigate the effectiveness of magnetic water on growth, fresh and dry weight of leaf and root, efficiency of the water consuming and some chemical compounds of Artichoke plant in 2012. Experimental treatments include of four levels of electromagnetic field intensity (Zero, 3000, 6000 and 10000 Gauss) as a complete randomized design with four replications. Analysis of variance of data revealed that plant growth, shoot weight, root weight and efficiency of water consuming and chemical compounds were significantly influenced by irrigation with magnified water. The highest Phenol and Antioxidant activity of plant extract was observed in samples which were irrigated with water in which magnified with 6000G magnetic field with 3.99 mg/g and 66.74%, respectively. Contrast to that the highest amount of chlorogenic acid (0.20 mg/g) was observed in samples which were irrigated using top water. Based on the obtained results Therefore, it is concluded this level (6000G) of intensity has better effectiveness in comparison to other level on quality of Irrigation water and could increase quality Artichoke plant.
 
DOR: https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2021.2.1.6.6

Abstract Drought stress is one of the most important factors limiting the survival and growth of plants in the different habitats of Iran. Detailed knowledge about the ecophysiological responses of native plants to drought stress could contribute to the success of breeding and re-vegetation programs. Six wild populations of Anthemis tinctoria, were assigned to four drought treatments, i.e. well-watered (100% field capacity), mild drought stress (75% field capacity), moderate drought stress (55% field capacity), and severe drought stress (35% field capacity). Relative water content, dry matter content, osmotic solutes (proline and soluble sugars), antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase and polypolyphenol oxidase), total protein content, and pigments content were investigated. Severe drought stress largely increased accumulations of osmotic solutes and peroxidase activity of the most populations, but significantly decreased relative water content, dry matter content, total protein content and polyphenol oxidase activity in the all populations. Drought stress significantly decreased pigments content, but increased the ratio of carotenoids to total chlorophylls in the studied populations. The positive relationships were observed among antioxidant enzymes activities, and between contents of osmotic solutes and antioxidant enzymes activities. These findings suggest that populations are characterized by a significantly different tolerance to drought, when drought stress occurs. Based on these findings it may conclude that the population 27480 is more tolerant to osmotic stress due to specific antioxidative mechanisms, while the population 18041 was the least tolerant to sever drought stress. It seems that the population 27480 has a higher adoption potential to arid and semi-arid conditions which makes it a candidate of choice in breeding programs.   DOR: https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2014.1.2.6.7

Abstract To investigate the effect of salinity stress on membrane stability index, membrane lipid peroxidation, catalase activity and protein content of Fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum) an experiment with five levels of short-term salinity stress (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM) was carried out at the laboratory of agriculture faculty of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran. The treatments were arranged based on a completely randomized design with three replicates. The results showed that salinity stress caused a significant reduction in protein content and membrane stability index of fenugreek compared to control. The mentioned parameters decreased with increasing in salinity concentration, so that the lowest and highest values of these traits belonged to 200 and 0 mM salinity. MDA and other aldehydes content of shoot and root as the measure of membrane lipid peroxidation and catalase activity were increased in response to short-term salinity stress. Increased CAT in this plant indicates the tolerance capacity of the plant to protect itself from oxidative damage induced by NaCl.   https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2014.1.1.7.6

Abstract Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) is one of the oldest herbs and nowadays because of its ‎ingredient is concerned by pharmaceutical industry. Abiotic stresses including salinity, ‎changes the metabolic pathways of cultured cells and leads to the production of secondary ‎metabolites. This study was aimed to determine the effect of salt stress on antioxidant ‎compounds of callus focusing on the phenol, flavonoid, and chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid ‎production under in vitro conditions. The present study was carried out as two separate ‎experiments as direct culture (cultured explant) on MS solid medium with different salinity ‎concentrations (0, 50, 150, 300, 600, 1200 µM NaCl) and indirect culture (callus culture) in ‎different salin concentrations of 0, 50, 150, 300, 600, 1200, 2000, 4000, 6000 and 75000 µM ‎NaCl. Four weeks after culture the mentioned compounds were measured via distinctive ‎methods. Results showed that, versus to indirect culture radical scavenging percentage, the ‎content of chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid were significantly influenced by salinity and the ‎highest amount of them were recorded in the samples in which treated with 300 µM NaCl, ‎control and 600 µM NaCl, respectively. In indirect culture no significant difference was ‎observed on other phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity except caffeic acid.
 
DOR: https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2021.2.1.7.7

Abstract Rosmarinus officinalis is one of the most important medicinal and aromatic plants around the world. Essential oil as a weapon against biotic and abiotic stresses plays an important role in essential oil bearing plants. In this study the essential oil content and constituent of plants containing bacterium-gall on the shoots and crown was compared with non-contaminated plants. Essential oil percentage was extracted by hydro-distillation using Clevenger trap. Identification of the essential oil compounds  was done by GC/MS. Results in essential oil percentage showed that, contaminated plants were relatively lower than that of non-contaminated plants per 100 grams of dry leaves. GC/MS also, verified that α- pinene and Camphor, respectively were 1.43% and 7.02%, more in contaminated plant than non-contaminated plant. In addition, Berbenone (18%), was the most common constituent which had been observed only in contaminated rosemaries. The analysis of leaf extract using HPLC, showed that the content of rosmarinic acid of healthy plants was significantly lower than that of contaminated plants. In addition, contaminated plants had total phenol and flavonoid compounds as well as antioxidant activity in the highest amount. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that, gall bacteria had influence on the phenolic components which are known as secondary metabolites in this medicinal plant and phenolic derivatives may be modified in quantity and quality by the affection of this biotic stressor, this could be considered as an application for further usage in metabolic culture.   DOR: https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2014.1.2.7.8

Abstract This study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidative and urease inhibitory properties of the extracts from Citrullus colocynthis L. The extracts of the root and pulp of fruit were prepared by soxhlet apparatus in methanol as solvent. The antioxidative activities, including DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power and total antioxidant activity were studied in vitro. The results showed that both tested extracts have antioxidative characteristics and it was found that the antioxidative activities of all the extracts increased with the increase of the concentration. In this report the methanolic extracts of C. colocynthis root and pulp were evaluated for their effect on inhibition of soybean urease using the indophenol method as described by Weatherburn. The inhibition potency was measured by spectroscopy technique at 630 nm which attributes to released ammonium. The extracts showed inhibitory activities with IC₅₀ 7.31μg/µl for root extract and 13.71μg/µl for pulp extract.   https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23833017.2014.1.1.8.7

Abstract The liver is a vital organ that plays a major role in the metabolism and excretion of xenobiotics from the body. Liver injury or liver dysfunction is a major health problem that challenges not only health care professionals but also the pharmaceutical industry and drug regulatory agencies. Liver cell injury caused by various toxic chemicals (certain antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents, carbon tetrachloride, thioacetamide, excessive alcohol consumption, and microbes are well-studied. The available synthetic drugs to treat liver disorders in this condition also cause further damage to the liver. Hence, Herbal drugs have become increasingly popular and their use is widespread. Herbal medicines have been used in the treatment of liver diseases for a long time so the maintenance of a healthy liver is essential for the overall well-being of an individual. Various herbal medicines are available in the market. The liver is the largest solid organ in the upper abdomen that aids in digestion and removes waste products and worn-out cells from the blood. Liver injury or liver dysfunction is a major health problem that challenges not only health care professionals but also the pharmaceutical industry and drug regulatory agencies. Liver injury induced by toxins is more common nowadays. Herbal remedies are focused in the pharmaceutical industry to evolve a safe route for liver disorders. The present review is aimed at compiling data on promising phytochemicals from medicinal plants that have been tested in hepatotoxicity models using the modern scientific system.

Abstract Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn) belonging to the Asteraceae family and known for its valuable secondary metabolite, silymarin. In order to get the cell suspension culture of Silybum marianum, the combination of 2,4-D and BAP hormones each with five different concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, 2 and 5 mg/L) and 3 different seedling explants (cotyledon, hypocotyl and root) was used to callus formation. High-quality callus was observed in eight different of hormone-explant combinations. Successful cell suspension culture was achieved only by using callus created from cotyledon explants treated with 0.1 mg/L 2,4-D and 5 mg/L BAP. Furthermore, the study examined the effects of 2% and 4% Serendipita indica cell wall extract as an elicitor on silymarin production in cell suspension culture at three different inoculation times (24, 48, and 72 h). After 48 h of inoculation with 2% fungal extract, the highest level of silymarin (199 ppm) was observed, which was significantly different from the control (46 ppm). The silymarin content of cells increased over time through elicitation with 4% fungal elicitor, while no similar pattern was observed with 2% fungal extract. Based on the results, the cell wall of S. indica can significantly enhance the amount of SLM in the cell suspension culture of S. marianum.

Abstract Since the evaluation of the diversity indicators in consumption of medicinal species by the beneficiary’s households and its driving factors is of utmost importance in marketing, multi-purpose planning of rangelands and sustainable development, a questionary-based study was carried out to determine the diversity indices of medicinal species consumption in settled nomadic communities living under different management and livelihood situations in the rangelands of Dyvaroeieh in Bardsir township, Kerman province, Iran. To this end, the medicinal species consumed by each household (as a study unit) in addition to the diversity indicators of consumption (i.e., dominance coefficient and Shannon-Weiner index) were evaluated under two management sites comprising Rangeland Management Plan (RMP) (i.e.,Dvyaroeieh 1) and the nearest adjacent rangeland without RMP (i.e., Dyvaroeieh 2, as control treatment ) and three livelihood levels (i.e., very poor (<50 million Rials monthly income), poor (50-100 million Rials monthly income) and moderate (100-150 million Rials monthly income)) under factorial test in SPSS software environment. The study's results revealed that both of management and livelihood factors can be applied by manager to increase diversity indices in medicinal plants consumed by beneficiaries. More specifically, management through RMP was more powerful and effective tool in this way. Therefore, it could conceivably be argued that RMP can be considered as a driving factor in increasing the diversity of medicinal plant consumption and also be a suitable platform to meet the needs and demands of rangelands’ beneficiaries in this field.

Abstract Drought, as a multidimensional stress, has various destructive and adverse effects on plants and affects many morphological characteristics and physiological, biochemical and nutritional processes related to plant growth and development. This tension generates reactive oxygen species causes damage to the cell membrane. In the photosynthetic apparatus, the inhibition of electron transfer causes the reduction of the main photosynthetic pigments and protein accumulation. Wheat response to water deficit stress has many mechanisms that include cellular-molecular changes and its transfer to other metabolic activities and its effect on plant morphology. Therefore, the general purpose of this research was to investigate the interaction effect of iron oxide nanoparticles (25 nm) with two types of zinc nanoparticles (25 and 50 nm) at a concentration of 50 mg/liter on greater resistance of wheat (Arg cultivar) and improving its growth under drought stress conditions. Thus Wheat plants were treated with drought stress including two control levels and 7 days of water deficit. After applying drought treatments and the nanoparticles to the plants, some growth and pigments parameters were measured in stem, root and leaf to evaluate the effect of zinc and iron nanoparticles separately and mutually on the resistance of plants to drought stress. The occurrence of drought stress compared to the control led to a decrease in shoot length and other growth parameters. In this way, drought stress in the form of 5 days of water deprivation caused a decrease in root and stem length as well as other growth parameters such as fresh weight, dry weight, leaf water content, etc. compared to the control plants without drought stress. According to results, in conditions without drought stress, the application of both types of zinc oxide nanoparticles without or combined with iron oxide nanoparticles at the level of 5% had a significant effect.