مجله تحقیقات گیاهان دارویی و معطر ایران
سال سی و هشتم شماره 3 (پیاپی 113، پاییز 1401)

To investigate the effects of irrigation water salinity (3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 dS.m-1) on morphophysiological characteristics of seedless barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) aerial parts, an experiment was conducted using drained big pots in a completely randomized design with three replications at the central station of National Salinity Research Center, Yazd during 2018-2021 years. The salinity levels affected the height, diameter, area, and volume of plants canopy, number of new branches, number of new basal shoots, number of leaves per plant, total leaves area, leaf area index, leaf dry weight, leaves damage percentage at high temperature, amount of total chlorophyll, chlorophylls a and b, carotenoids, proline, total sugar, leaf anthocyanins, leaf phenols, and antioxidant activity significantly (P<0.01). Based on the results, B. vulgaris tolerated the salinity stress well. Despite the growth reduction at salinity levels above 9 dS.m-1, plant physiological resistance was observed through the production of secondary osmolytes and survival under saline conditions up to 12 dS.m-1. Accordingly, in suitable barberry production habitats, it is possible to take advantage of water resources and saline soil to grow seedless barberry, especially to increase phenolics, by ture management of the root environment and control of the saturated soil extract salinity up to 12 dS.m-1.

The knowledge of rangelands suitability is a requirement for the exploitation of medicinal plants of those rangelands. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to evaluate the exploitability of MPs in 12 representative habitats of semi-steppe regions based on the ecological and economic (E&E) indices. For this purpose, after measuring the vegetation and estimating the production of MPs, the E&E indices related to the exploitation of MPs in each habitat were calculated. Finally, based on the indices, the suitability class of each habitat was determined according to the FAO guidelines by the limiting factor method. The results showed that the forage available of habitats varied from 90 to 591 kg.ha-1. Also, the share of MPs production in habitats was obtained between 5 and 58%. In other words, the production of MPs in the habitats varied from 27 to more than 383 kg.ha-1. Accordingly, the expected value of each hectare of habitats from the exploitation of MPs, taking into account the discount rate of 5.4% in September 2020, varied from 3 to 41 $.ha-1. Overall, the suitability of the habitats varied between good to unsuitable (25% good, 17% moderate, 25% low, and 33% unsuitable) in terms of production and exploitation of MPs, but all the habitats had good suitability in terms of forage production for grazing. Therefore, the exploitation of all the habitats cannot play an important and equal role in improving the livelihood of pastoralists and with the approach of preserving the plant genetic resources, the exploitation of MPs in all the rangeland habitats could not be recommended. In addition, the permitted exploitation limit in each habitat varies according to the conditions and trend of the rangeland and the sensitivity of the soil to erosion. This issue should be considered in the policy of paying attention to MPs, and it should be emphasized in the multi-purpose rangeland management plans.

Due to the importance of rangeland medicinal plants, the present study was conducted to assess the chemical profile and antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities of rangeland-medicinal plant Artemisia absinthium L. root and aerial parts extracts at different phenological stages (vegetative, flowering, and seeding). Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods were used for determination of total phenol and flavonoids contents, respectively. The ethanol extract biological activities were investigated at different phenological stages: the antioxidant activity by DPPH free radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods; the antibacterial activity by disk diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) methods; and the anti-inflammatory activity using human red blood cell stabilization. The results showed that the highest amount of total phenol (86.4 ± 2 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry weight) and total flavonoids (36.2 ± 1.3 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g dry weight) was recorded for the root at flowering stage. Also, the root extract at flowering stage had the highest antioxidant (IC50 = 15.4 μg.mL-1) and antibacterial activities. The largest inhibition zone (22 mm) was observed for this extract against Staphylococcus aureus. This extract MIC and MBC were recorded 18.7 mg.mL-1 and 37.5 mg.mL-1 against S. aureus and Bacillus cereus, respectively. The bacteria Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli showed less sensitivity to the mentioned extract. Also, the results showed that the flowering stage had the highest anti-inflammatory activity compared to the other phenological stages. The root extract at the all phenological stages showed higher anti-inflammatory activity than the aerial parts. Overall, it could be concluded that A. absinthium, particularly at flowering stage, can be considered as a suitable alternative source for synthetic antioxidants, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory agents.

Postharvest conditions have a noticeable effect on the quantity and quality of secondary metabolites of medicinal plants. Accordingly, in the present study, the effects of different storage durations (0, 2, 4, and 6 months) and packaging types (kraft, polyethylene, polypropylene, and without packaging) on the quantity and quality of essential oil and phenol and antioxidant activity of methanol extract in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) fruit were evaluated. Essential oils and methanol extracts were prepared using hydrodistillation (Clevenger, for 3 hours) and Soxhlet extraction methods, respectively. Essential oils were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. In general, increasing the storage duration reduced the essential oil content of fennel (with the exception of kraft packaging) and the rate of this reduction varied depending on the packaging type. The polyethylene-packed fruitsstored for 2 months and unpacked fruits stored for 6 months had the highest (3.25% v/w) and lowest (1.8% v/w) essential oil content, respectively. The number, type, and amount of essential oil compounds were affected by storage duration and packaging type. The highest (75.8%) and lowest (49.46%) amounts of E-anethole were obtained from the essential oil of unpacked fruits stored for 6 months and unstored fruits, respectively. The amount of phenol and antioxidant activity decreased with increasing storage duration, but the effect of packaging type varied at different storage durations. Overall, based on the essential oil content, phenol, and antioxidant activity, storage of fennel could not be recommended, but based on the type of target compound in the essential oil, different storage durations could be suggested. If the storage of fennel is necessary, the polyethylene and kraft packaging could be recommended based on the total characteristics measured in this research.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the plasma treatment effects on seed germination characteristics of Alyssum homalocarpum L. The initial test of plasma on seeds was by atmospheric DBD with a duration of 30 and 15 seconds and 1 to 5 minutes at voltages of 17, 18, 19 and 20 kV, and counting the daily germination of seeds was repeated for 21 days. The seeds were then treated again with atmospheric DBD plasma (30 s and 1 min) at the same voltages and monitored for 21 days. In both times, the changes were observed in the first 3 days, then the seeds were treated with DBD plasma at times of 10, 30 seconds, 1 and 3 minutes. At the end of the initial tests, the seeds were treated in DBD plasma with atmospheric pressure (30 seconds and 1 minute) at voltages of 18 and 20 kV and with DBD corona plasma for 10, 30 seconds, 1 and 3 minutes. Germination rate and percentage, plumule length, radicle length, fresh and dry weight of root and seedling, leaf area and enzyme characteristics were measured. The means comparison results showed that the highest rate (2 seeds per day) and germination percentage (70%) were obtained in the combined treatment of 18 kV and 60 sec. The results showed that the effect of time on dry weight, leaf length, root length and leaf diameter was significant at 1% level. In terms of mean comparison, catalase enzyme and polyphenol oxidase enzyme had a significant difference in the treatments of the combined effect of voltage 20 kV and time 60 seconds and the mutual effect of voltage 18 kV and time 60 seconds. Overall, according to the present findings, the atmospheric DBD plasma and corona plasma pretreatments had a role in improving growth traits and enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites compared to other treatments without damaging the seeds.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe.) is a spicy medicinal plant with antioxidant, antitumor, and anticancer properties. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ethanol extract of fresh ginger rhizome on inhibiting HCT-116 colon cancer cells and the expression of TGFBR2 and DDC genes as tumor suppressor genes and β-Actin gene as reference gene. HPLC analysis was used to identify and measure the amount of 6-gingerol in the extract. Toxicity of different concentrations of the complete extract (0, 10, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, and 500 μg.ml-1) on the HTC-116 cell line was investigated using the MTT test, 16 and 24 hours after the start of the test (at 16 and 24). The expression of TGFBT2, DCC, and β-Actin genes was assessed by RT-PCR after treatment with concentrations of 150 and 300 μg.ml-1 of the complete extract at 16 and 24 hours. The amount of 6-gingerol was obtained 86.2 ± 2.03 mg per 100 g dry weight of ginger ethanol extract powder based on the HPLC results. The MTT test results showed that IC50 was 80.44 at 16 h and 473.19 at 24 h. Cell mortality was significantly increased at concentrations of 150 and 300 μg.ml-1 of the extract. Also, expression of the TGFBT2 and DCC genes increased at 150 μg.ml-1 at both 24 and 16 hours significantly (P<0.01). The present research proved the ginger extract effect on tumor inhibitory genes induction in HCT-116 colon cancer cell line.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L. Gaertn.)) is a plant with various medicinal uses which is adapted to different climates. To investigate the effects of different concentrations of chitosan (CS) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) on increasing yield and biochemical indices of milk thistle ecotypes, a farm factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications during two crop years. Experimental treatments included milk thistle ecotype at five levels (Budakalazi, Sari, Khomein, Khorramabad, and Ahvaz) and type and elicitor concentration at nine levels (foliar application of distilled water (control), bulk CS (50 and 100 mg L-1), nano CS (50 and 100 mg L-1), bulk TiO2 (50 and 100 mg L-1), and nano TiO2 (50 and 100 mg L-1)). The results showed that foliar application of CS and TiO2 (bulk and nano) effectively increased yield and defense enzymes. In all these traits, foliar application of CS and TiO2 in nano form was more effective compared to the bulk form and control. Based on the mean comparisons results, the plant yield increased with foliar application of nano CS at the concentration of 50 mg L-1. Also, foliar application of nano CS at the concentration of 100 mg L-1 increased the activity of defense enzymes. In general, foliar application of nano CS increased the yield as well as improved the biochemical traits of milk thistle ecotypes, especially the Budakalazi one, which could be considered as a suitable way to increase the yield of this plant. Considering the higher yield of Budakalazi ecotype, it could be also recommended to be used in breeding programs.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the important plants from Lamiaceae family which is used as a medicinal spicy plant and also as a fresh vegetable. Salicylic acid (SA) is one of the most important plant growth regulators that regulates growth and physiological development and metabolic processes of the plant. Its application under salinity stress conditions decreases the effects of salinity toxicity and makes resistance in the plants. To investigate the basil (O. basilicum cv. Keshkeny luvelou) physiological and biochemical responses to salinity stress and SA, a factorial pot experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with three replications in the research greenhouse of Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan. Experimental treatments included salinity at four levels (0, 30 ,60, and 90 mM) and SA at five levels (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mM). The results showed that salinity stress reduced the amount of chlorophyll florescence, chlorophylls a and b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, relative water content, and essential oil percentage. The SA treatment decreased the negative effects of salinity stress on the plant and improved essential oil percentage. Also, salinity stress increased the amount of proline, soluble carbohydrate, phenol, antioxidant activity, electrolyte leakage, leaf and root sodium, and chlorine, but the SA treatment at some salinity stress levels caused to decrease and/or increase these traits. Overall, SA improved the physiological and biochemical characteristics of basil under salinity stress through increasing osmolytes production and resulted in increasing nutrient uptake and essential oil percentage of the plant.

Tragopogon spp. has many medicinal properties in addition to its edible consumption due to its many useful compounds. One of these identified compounds is inulin, which is present in the roots of this plant. To investigate the effects of low irrigation stress and growth-promoting rhizobacteria (Bacillus subtilis) on inulin content and root morphological traits in some genotypes of Tragopogon spp., a factorial experiment with three factors in a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted in the research greenhouse of Bu Ali Sina University in 2020. The factors included irrigation at two levels of without stress (100% of field capacity) and low irrigation stress (50% of field capacity) as the first factor, genotype at 15 levels (different genotypes of Tragopogon spp) as the second factor, and plant growth-enhancing rhizobacteria (PGPR) at two levels of inoculation with B. subtilis and without inoculation as the third factor. Length, area, volume, diameter, weight, and inulin content of the plant roots were measured. The results showed that the irrigation × genotype × bacteria interaction effect was significant on all studied traits. Low irrigation stress increased length, area, and volume of the plant roots in most genotypes, but decreased root weight and inulin content. Inoculation with B. subtilis affected genotypes differently. Iranian genotype No. 11 (Kaboudar Ahang) had the highest inulin content at different stress and B. subtilis levels, followed by Italian genotype No. 4 at both B. subtilis levels under non-stress conditions. Overall, stress reduced inulin content of the plant roots, but the effect of inoculation with B. subtilis depended on the genotype.

To investigate the effects of biological and chemical phosphorus fertilizers, and gibberellic acid (GA3) on yield and its components, and essential oil of Salvia officinalis L., a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted in Ghara Chay region, Markazi province, Iran. Experimental treatments included triple super phosphate at three levels (100, 70, and 30 % of the recommended amount), phosphorus bio-fertilizer of Barvar-2 at two levels (application and no application), and GA3 at three levels (0, 100, and 200 ppm). The results showed that Barvar-2, GA3, and triple super phosphate affected yield and its components, and essential oil significantly. The Barvar-2 application increased the yield and essential oil percentage by 7.7 and 18.2% compared to the control, respectively. It also resulted in a slight increase of the major essential oil compounds. Also, the GA3 200 ppm application increased the percentage and essential oil yield by 23.5 and 40.5% compared to the control, respectively. The highest biological yield and essential oil yield were obtained 3751 and 15.52 kg.ha-1, respectivley with the simultaneous application of 100% of the recommended triple super phosphate, Barvar-2, and GA3 200 ppm. The highest α-thujone percentage (27.91%) as the most important essential oil compound was obtained with the simultaneous application of 100% of the recommended triple super phosphate, Barvar-2, and GA3 100 ppm. The combined application of GA3 and Barvar-2 reduced the use of phosphorus chemical fertilizer to achieve better vegetative characteristics, and high yield and essential oil percentage, so that in many traits the simultaneous application of 70% of the recommended triple super phosphate, Barvar-2, and GA3 did not differ significantly from the 100% of the recommended triple super phosphate application. Therefore, with the combined use of GA3 200 ppm and Barvar-2, the amount of phosphorus fertilizer consumption could be reduced by 30% without causing a significant reduction in yield and essential oil of S. officinalis.

Madder (Rubia tinctorum L.) is a herbaceous and perennial plant, which has bioactive compounds with high medicinal and pigment potency. Local farmers believe that increasing soil lime increases the color composition of this plant. To investigate the effects of calcium carbonate and phosphorus fertilizer on some physiological parameters and root alizarin content in madder, a field factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Experimental treatments included calcium carbonate at five levels (0, 20, 50, 100, and 150 kg.ha-1) and triple superphosphate at four levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg.ha-1). Means comparison showed that the highest root dry weight (an increase of 75% compared to control), total plant dry weight (an increase of 58% compared to control), root alizarin content (an increase of 78% compared to control), and root catalase activity were obtained with calcium carbonate increase up to 20 kg.ha-1 and triple superphosphate increase up to 100 kg.ha-1. The highest root length (an increase of 54% compared to control) and leaf catalase activity were observed in the 50 kg.ha-1 calcium carbonate and 100 kg.ha-1 triple superphosphate treatment. The highest leaf and root peroxidase activity was obtained in the treatment of 150 kg.ha-1 calcium carbonate and 150 kg.ha-1 triple superphosphate. Simultaneous application of these two fertilizers had a complementary effect on each other, so that the 20 and 50 kg.ha-1 calcium carbonate application along with the 100 kg.ha-1 triple superphosphate had an increasing effect on the alizarin content of madder root. This method can be used for the future development of a non-destructive tolerance test that shows madder increased response to calcium carbonate and phosphorus fertilizer, to further produce madder root medicinal compounds as a targeted drug for cancer treatment.