مجله تحقیقات گیاهان دارویی و معطر ایران
سال سی و نهم شماره 4 (پیاپی 118، زمستان 1402)

Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) is one of the most widespread weeds in the world, and regarding the amount of damage caused to crops, it is the third dominant dicotyledonous weed in the world. It is recommended to reduce the use of chemical herbicides through the replacement of non-chemical methods in sustainable agricultural management, and the use of plants' allelopathic effects is one of these methods. On the other hand, plants in different growth stages have different allelopathy sensitivity.

To evaluate the allelopathic effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh) on Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) growth stages, an experiment was carried out as a factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in the greenhouse of Kashan Barij Essential Company, Iran. Treatments included aqueous and alcoholic extracts of eucalyptus (50, 75, and 100 %), controlled (0.002 concentration of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, Ethanol 70%, distilled water), and three growth stages (five-leaf stage, seven-leaf stage, and stem elongation). The studied traits were measured in all three growth stages one week after treatments. To measure traits, ten plants were randomly selected from each pot. The studied traits included leaf length and width, total leaf wet weight, total leaf dry weight, stem wet weight, stem dry weight, stem length, root length, root wet weight, root dry weight, total plant weight, and shoot/root ratio. A ruler was used to determine the length and width of the leaf, the length of the root, and the length of the stem. Analysis of the variance of the data was done by MSTAC software. If the experimental factor was significant, the LSD test was used to compare the means.

Leaf width, total leaf fresh weight, total leaf dry weight, stem fresh and dry weight, stem length, root length, root fresh and dry weight, total plant weight, and shoot/root ratio were affected by the growth stage where the extracts were used. The effect of the concentration of aqueous and ethanol extracts of eucalyptus on leaf length and width, total leaf fresh weight, total leaf dry weight, stem fresh weight, stem dry weight, stem length, root length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, total dry plant weight, and shoot/root ratio was significant. Spraying at the stem and 5-leaf stages had the highest and lowest leaf width, stem length, and root dry weight, respectively. The extract application at the stem elongation and five-leaf stage had the highest and lowest leaf width, stem length, and root dry weight, respectively. The application of distilled water in the stem elongation phase produced the maximum leaf length (3.06 cm), total fresh and dry weight of plant leaf (1.00 and 0.2764 gr), stem fresh and dry weight (1.35 and 0.393 gr), and total fresh and dry plant weight (2.80 and 0.801 gr), respectively. The application of 75% concentration of eucalyptus ethanol extract at the 5-leaf stage produced the lowest total fresh and dry weight of plant leaf (0.188 and 0.0521 gr), stem fresh and dry weight (0.303 and 0.046 gr) and total fresh and dry plant weight (0.633 and 0.1157 gr), respectively.

The aqueous and alcoholic extracts significantly decreased Pigweed growth indices, and its inhibitory effect was not significantly different in most traits with 2-4-D herbicide. The inhibitory effect of alcoholic extract on pigweed growth was greater than aqueous extract. Given that almost all eucalyptus extracts, either alcoholic or aqueous, significantly reduced Pigweed growth, it may be possible to reduce the pressure of this weed on crops by combining and using them as a bio-herbicide.

Recording ethnobotanical knowledge of medicinal plants preserves the scientific heritage of medicinal and aromatic plants. This unique and valuable knowledge has long been passed down from generation to generation but is eroded as societies modernize. In this regard, the present study was conducted to identify medicinal plants used by residents. It also identified cultures, methods of use, and the therapeutic context of the mentioned plants in Pasargad County. In this region, herbal medicines are common, especially with the Basri nomadic tribe. To understand the factors affecting the differentiation and segregation of the region, such as ecological, cultural, historical, and land use conditions, a field visit was first conducted in the Pasargad region. Ethnobotanical information was obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire and interviews with knowledgeable people. A total of 101 informants participated in the study. The target areas for sampling were determined after dividing the region into two central parts (Saadshahr) and Madras Sulaiman based on local guides' information. Demographic information about people, such as education, gender, age group, and registered status, was considered. This research seeks local knowledge and traditional applications for identifying medicinal samples. In this regard, information was collected from native people of the region, attars, and knowledgeable people about traditional medicine and medicinal plants. The necessary interviews were conducted. To quantitatively examine the ethnobotanical information, the indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants was classified using software (Excel 2021). Quantitative indices used in ethnobotanical studies allow the selection of the most influential species of medicinal plants for conducting medicinal research. In this regard, a quantitative analysis of the ethnobotanical information of local knowledge of medicinal plants based on indicators including the relative frequency of citations (RFC), usage value (UV), cultural importance (CI), and the consensus index of informants (ICF) is carried out. The collected plants belonged to 18 families, the most abundant of which were Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Amaryllidaceae, Rosaceae, Fabaceae, and Malvaceae families. The most common herbal medicine consumption method was boiled (30%), followed by infusion (30%) and cooking (15%). The most used medicinal parts of plants in this region were leaves and flowers, with 44% and 21%, respectively. According to this study, Shirazi thyme, Stachys inflate, and Prangos ferulacea had the highest relative frequency of citations (RFC). Plants with the highest index of cultural importance in the region included species that show their high importance in the culture of using medicinal plants. The region's local people used two species, Zataria multiflora and Matricaria chamomilla. Recorded diseases and traditional remedies from medicinal plants were classified according to the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC-2). The ICF index was calculated in 9 disease classes based on the usage report and the number of species applied to each disease class. Thus, nine categories of diseases, including digestive (GAS-D), respiratory (RES-R), nervous (NER-N), skin and hair (DER-S), general and unspecified (OTH-A), urology and kidney (URO-U), endocrine/metabolic and nutrition (MET-T, gynecological diseases (GYN-X), cardiovascular (CAR-K) were determined. The highest amount of ICF is related to three groups of gastrointestinal diseases. It was respiratory and nervous with an ICF value (of 0.92). High ICF of digestive diseases is due to the high UR of Zataria multiflora, Carum copticum, Pistacia atlantica, Mentha longifolia, and Glycyrrhiza glabra for digestive disorders. The second rank of ICF of respiratory diseases is related to the high UR of Zataria multiflora, Achillea eriophora, and Stachys lavandulifolia. Also, the high UR of Matricaria chamomilla, Salvia officinalis, Rosa damaescena, and Ballota oucheri accounts for the high ranking. These findings are due to the high UR of medicinal plants to treat the diseases of the three mentioned ailments categories. This can have ecological and sociological reasons.

Forest and rangeland by-products, particularly medicinal plants, can contribute to sustainable development and increase economic opportunities for local communities. Medicinal plants play a significant role in society's health and disease treatment. Negligence to the preservation of medicinal heritage reserves in the field of natural resources will lead to disastrous consequences in the country's natural resources sector. Among these consequences are the rapid extinction of species and severe genetic erosion. Therefore, this study targets protection value and people's willingness to pay for medicinal plant protection and restoration. The Salas Babajani region in Kermanshah province was chosen for this research. The vegetation in this area is mainly wooded, and most of the area is covered by dense forests. Due to its diverse topography, the Salas Babajani region has a variety of forest habitats and rangeland and forest medicinal plants. Asafoetida, Thyme, Hawthorn, Wormwood, Eremurus, Dog rose, Chamomile, Sweet violet, Oak, Ferulago, Common Thistle, Horsemint, licorice, etc., are among the medicinal plants of this region. Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) was used to estimate medicinal plants' non-use (protective) values in this study. Also, a Double-Bounded Dichotomous Choice questionnaire was used to measure people's willingness to pay for medicinal plant protection in the region. The questionnaire was designed in two parts: socio-economic characteristics of people (age, gender, level of education, occupation, number of family members, income, and other characteristics of the respondents) and questions related to the willingness to pay of the respondents. Sampling was done by simple random sampling among residents of the Salas Babajani region in 2016. Cochran's formula from 353 questionnaires determined the number of samples. The logit model was used to measure people's willingness to pay, and the parameters were estimated based on the maximum likelihood method. The results showed that 64% of the interviewees were men and 36% were women. The average age of the respondents is 27.88 years, the average household size is 4.46, and their minimum and maximum household sizes are one person and ten people, respectively. The results also showed that more than 76% of people (269 samples) are willing to pay an amount to protect and restore medicinal plants. The average willingness of each person to pay annually for the protection and restoration of medicinal plants is equal to 5269 Tomans (according to the average household size (4.46 people) equal to 23500 Tomans for each household per year). The variables of household size and the suggested price have a significant negative effect with 95% confidence. The variables of income, gender, level of education, supporting the protection of natural resources (interest in the environment), and knowledge of the protection of medicinal plants and its relationship with sustainable development (knowledge and awareness of environmental protection) are among the most important positive influencing factors with 95% confidence on people's willingness to pay for the protection of medicinal plants. The variables of age, marital status, occupation, membership in environmental organizations, and environmental attitudes and tendencies did not affect the acceptance of the suggested price for medicinal plants conservation value. The Likelihood Ratio statistic (280.39) shows that the changes explained by the logit model are significant at a level higher than one percent. The estimated model's correct prediction percentage is also 75%. Since the percentage of correct prediction for the logit model is equal to 70%, the percentage of correct prediction obtained in this model seems favorable. Therefore, this model is reliable for further analysis. McFadden's coefficient of determination also shows that the model's explanatory variables explain well (about 0.87) the changes in the dependent variable. In terms of management, this study achieved promising results because it shows that the people of society are aware of the importance of protecting medicinal plants, and there is a desire to pay significantly for the protection and restoration of these valuable resources. Therefore, it is suggested that the government pay more attention to public participation to protect, revive, and develop medicinal plants in the forest areas of the study area.

Satureja mutica Fisch & C.A. Mey is a perennial plant that can be cultivated under irrigation conditions and in rainfed drylands. It has anti-flatulent, appetizing, sexual enhancement, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial effects. Drying increases product shelf life by stopping enzymes, pathogens, and microorganisms. The factors that affect essential oils and their content are temperature, drying time, and the type of plant. Microwaves for drying are one of the newer methods. Their advantages include shortening drying time, maintaining quality, reducing energy consumption, preserving dried plants' color, and improving effective ingredients.

The flowering shoots were collected from the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands research farm in 2019. Plants in the insectarium were exposed to UV-B light treatment through UV-B lamps. The plants were turned over every half hour. Irradiation agents were selected based on the preliminary test, including durations of 0, 2.5, 5, and 10 hours. After irradiation, the samples were stored in sealed bags under two conditions: refrigerator at 4°C and room temperature. The storage time was 0, 120, and 240 hours. Therefore, the sources of variation include irradiation duration in four levels (0, 2.5, 5, and 10 hours), storage conditions in two conditions (room temperature 25-27°C and fridge with a temperature of 4°C), and storage duration factor in three levels (0, 120 and 240 hours).202 grams of fresh samples (equivalent to 80 grams of dry matter) and 80 grams of dried samples in other treatments were extracted by water distillation in 3 repetitions for 2 hours. The obtained essential oils were stored in sealed bottles inside the refrigerator at 4 °C until injected into GC and GC/MS devices for quantitative and qualitative analysis. Carbohydrate, phenol, and free radical inhibition (by the DPPH method) were measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 18, and the means were compared with the LSD test at P ≥ 0.05.

Variance analysis of essential oil percentage showed that UV-B factor, storage condition (SC), storage time (ST) at the 1% level, and SC ST interaction at the 5% level had a significant effect. Due to the increase in irradiation duration, the percentage of essential oil extracted from the plant increased. This percentage increased to 0.42% in the control and 0.71% in the 10-hour treatment. Based on a mean comparison, the amount of essential oil in the shade increased from 0.48% to 0.54%. Mean comparison of the effect of storage conditions (SC) on storage time (ST) revealed that the highest percentage was related to the shade storage treatment for 240 hours with 0.61%. The mean comparison of the interaction effect of the three treatments showed that the percentage of thymol was the highest at 45% in the conditions without irradiation refrigerator×without storage. The results of the simple correlation of the traits demonstrated that thymol had a significant negative relationship with α-thujone, α-terpenine, and carvacrol. Carvacrol showed a significant negative correlation with major compounds, paracymene and thymol. It was observed that the highest antioxidant activity was obtained from 10 hours of UV-B radiation. A mean comparison of the effect of UV-B rays on the amount of phenol indicated that its amount increased in the 2.5-hour treatment compared to the other treatments. The highest antioxidant percentage could be achieved after 10 hours of irradiation in the refrigerator for 240 hours.

The conversion of compounds occurs by irradiation of UV-B rays in the drying stages, and the amount of paracymene and thymol is reduced, and the amount of carvacrol is increased. Therefore, in S. mutica, which has thymol and carvacrol compounds, drying treatments aiming to increase the specific composition can be very effective. Also, the amount of thymol and carvacrol in dried plants may decrease compared to fresh plants. The increase in antioxidant activity in the treatment of 10 hours of UV-B radiation confirms the viability of plant cells and their efforts to prevent environmental stress through the increase of antioxidant enzymes.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a plant from the Mint family and the genus Ocimum, which has many species, among which O. basilicum is the most useful economic species, and like other plants of the Mint family, it is a source of cyclic compounds and essential oil. It is also known as a rich source of phenolic compounds (especially rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid) and flavonoids. The plant's vegetative body contains essential oils. Linalool, methyl chavicol, citral, euginol, cineol, geraniol, camphor, and methyl cinnamate are important components of basil essential oil. As the most critical abiotic stress, drought stress plays a crucial role in reducing the yield of medicinal plants. It causes numerous morpho-physiological and biochemical changes in the plant. The performance of the effective substance is influenced by the plant's economic performance and environmental conditions, including drought stress. Stress effects are different at different stages of growth and development.

To investigate the effect of ascorbic acid on native O.basilicum the native population "Shahre-ray," under drought stress conditions, a factorial experiment in the form of a randomized complete block design was performed in four replications on the research farm of Horticulture Department of Mohaghegh Ardabili University in 2017. Treatments included drought stress (complete irrigation and cessation of irrigation at the beginning of reproductive growth and cessation of irrigation at 50% flowering) and ascorbic acid foliar application at four concentrations of 0.0, 0.5, 1, and 2 mM. This experiment was field operated in May 2016. Before the experiment, the bed preparation operation included plowing, disking, and leveling the ground. The plots of one meter in length and width were created. The seeds were planted in three lines with 15 cm plant spacing. 3-4 cm of rotted manure was used to cover the seeds. After determining the soil texture by the hydrometric method, the mentioned treatments were applied to stress. On the first day, irrigation was a flood, and after germination, irrigation was reduced. All traits were measured in the Physiology Laboratory after the Horticulture Science Department of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences analyzed the data with SAS software. Also, the treatment averages were compared with Duncan's multi-range test at a probability level of 5%. 

The results showed that with increasing drought stress intensity, total plant height, stem length, number of leaves, and plant dry weight decreased by 36.08%, 39.75%, 51.26%, and 53.80% compared to the control treatment, respectively. If ascorbic acid spraying could improve these values, the highest root length was obtained under severe stress conditions (beginning of flowering) and treatment with ascorbic acid (15.83 cm), which showed an increase of about 31.91% compared to the control treatment. Drought stress conditions increased proline and essential oil components. Chlorophyll content also decreased under severe stress. Also, by applying drought stress, in all studied traits, the highest amount of ascorbic acid treatment (concentrations of 0.5 and 1 mM) increased, and higher concentrations decreased the content of studied traits. By analyzing the essential oil of plant samples, the main compounds obtained from basil essential oil included geraniol, methyl chavicol, alphapinene, caryophyllene, citral, coupon, carvacrol, neral, linalool, and limonene. In most compounds, essential oil compounds and components were enhanced by increasing drought stress and spraying. The highest amount of essential oil in the stress condition up to the 50% flowering stage and sprayed with 2 mM ascorbic acid was obtained for methyl chavicol compound (33.76%).

Applying ascorbic acid increased basil growth under drought stress and created resistance in the plant. Therefore, due to the lack of water resources and the great need of plants for water, it is possible to create resistance to stress in plants by spraying non-toxic and essential elements on them.

Cancer is one of the most serious causes of death, and breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women. Medicinal plants can play a vital role in cancer treatment. Many effective cancer drugs today are derived from natural plant products. This study evaluates the cytotoxic effect of Pterocarya fraxinifolia leaf methanolic extract. It also evaluates its effect on the expression of the P21, BID, BCL-2, RB1, and MDM2 genes in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.

Extraction was done from 20 grams of dried and powdered leaves exposed to air by the soaking (maceration) method using pure methanol and after 24 hours in an incubator shaker at a speed of 120 rpm, temperature of 25°C and in the dark. After filtering and drying the extract, 5 mg of the resulting dry substance was dissolved in 1 ml of RPMI-1640 medium. After re-filtration, it was stored as a stock to prepare different concentrations. MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines and HGF-1 as a normal cell line were cultured in RPMI1640 medium containing FBS 10% (w/v), penicillin antibiotics, streptomycin 1% (w/v), and at 37°C temperature and 5% carbon dioxide pressure in an incubator. These cells were exposed to various concentrations of methanolic extract from Pterocarya fraxinifolia leaves for 24 hours. Cell survival rate was assessed with MTT colorimetric assay, and expression of genes involved in apoptosis (P21, BID, BCL-2, RB1, MDM2) in cancer cells treated with IC25 concentration of plant extract was evaluated by real-time PCR technique. RNA extraction from MCF-7 and HGF-1 cells was performed according to the RNX-plusTM kit instructions. cDNA synthesis was performed using Fermentase Company's kit (RevertAid First Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit) and according to its instructions. In this study, the GAPDH gene was used as an internal control.

The results of the MTT assay showed that the Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Poir) spach leaf methanolic extract had a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and during the experiment, with increasing drug concentration, the effect of cytotoxicity increased in both cancer and normal lines and high inhibition was observed at concentrations of 1000 and 1200 μg.ml-1. The IC50 of Pterocarya fraxinifolia methanol extract against MCF-7 and HGF-1 cell lines was 452.1 and 479.2 μg.ml-1, respectively. Real-time PCR results showed that treatment with the Pterocarya fraxinifolia plant extract enhanced the expression of the P21 gene, while expression was nearly constant in extract-treated normal cells. The BID gene expression was increased in cancer cells treated with the plant extract. In contrast, normal cells under the influence of the extract showed a slight decrease in gene expression. The plant extract decreased the expression of the BCL-2 gene in cancer cells, whereas the expression of this gene in normal cells did not change significantly under the extract. The RB1 gene expression was not significantly altered in healthy cells after plant extract treatment but increased in the cancer cell line MCF-7. MDM2 gene expression in cancer cells treated with plant extract remained unchanged, whereas it slightly increased in healthy cells treated with extract.

This study provides an overview of how Pterocarya fraxinifolia extract can inhibit cancer cell growth. This study confirms the inhibitory activity of the plant's methanolic extract on breast cancer cells. With further investigation, the plant compounds may one day be used to treat cancer.

Ammi visnaga L. is a medicinal and aromatic plant in the Apiaceae family. The essential oils of this plant have highly valuable aromatic compounds with valuable therapeutic and nutritional properties. Environmental stresses affect the quantity and quality of essential oils (EOs) in medicinal plants. This study was carried out to evaluate the independent and combined effects of salinity and drought stresses on EOs (%) and their chemical constituents in different organs of A. visnaga (seeds and head branches) under field conditions.

This study was carried out in the research farm of Isfahan University of Technology located in Lavark, Najafabad, using a split-plot design with three replications. Each replicate consisted of two rows (3 m long) of A. visnaga seeds. Different levels of salinity stress and drought stress were considered as main plots and subplots, respectively. Three levels of salinity stress [S1 (0 mM NaCl), S2 (80 mM NaCl), and S3 (80 mM NaCl)] and three drought stress levels based on soil depletion rate [D1: normal 50%, D2: moderate stress 60% and D3: severe stress 85%] were applied. Applying salt and drought stresses simultaneously started at the flowering stage (10%) and continued until the full maturity stage. After the full maturity stage of the plants, seed yield was measured. Then, the EOs extraction was done based on the Clevenger method in about 4 hours from head branches and seed samples for all studied treatments. The chemical constituents were identified using Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) techniques.

The independent and combined stresses of drought and salinity caused a significant increase in EOs (%) of A.visnaga. The highest EOs in the head branch (1.26%) were detected under non-drought and medium salinity stress conditions (D1S1). The lowest EOs (0.25%) were observed under non-drought and non-salinity conditions (D1S1). The highest EOs (0.25%) in seed samples were observed under D2S2 conditions (moderate drought and salinity stress), but the least amount (0.12%) was found under D1S2 conditions (moderate salinity stress) and D1S3 (severe salinity stress). The analysis of essential EOs identified 25 compounds in both seeds and head branch samples. These compounds belong to six main chemical groups. The most and lowest compounds belonged to the groups of hydrocarbon monoterpenes and oxygenated diterpenes in both branches and seeds, respectively. Cembrene was identified as the main chemical compound in seed and head branch EOs. The lowest values for cembrene were reported as 23.32 % and 26.16% in seed and head branch EOs, respectively. The highest values for cembrene were reported as 33.31% and 36.62% in seed and head branch EOs under treatment. The compound 2-methyl-2-methylbutyl ester was identified as the second most abundant compound in the head branches and seeds of A. visnaga. The highest amount of this compound was observed in seed EOs (9.38%) under mild drought and mild salinity stress (D2S2), and the highest amount of this compound was observed in head branch EOs (18.5%) under mild drought stress (D2S1) conditions.

According to the study results, drought and salinity stress caused a quantitative and qualitative increase in A. visnaga EOs. Considering the climatic conditions of the arid and semi-arid regions of Iran and the consequent gradual salinization of soils, this plant can be considered a plant of choice in medicinal plant breeding programs, as well as goals related to the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Althaea genus belongs to the Malvaceae family. Althaea officinalis is the most important species of this genus for medicinal use. Other species, such as A. rosea and A. ficifolia, also have medicinal uses. Different flower organs (flower, fruit, seed, root, and leaf) of Altheae species have many medicinal uses due to high mucilage, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant properties. This research aims to find the best ecotypes for the investigated phytochemical traits. It also aims to determine the distance and genetic similarity between the studied Altheae species ecotypes. It is intended to be used in various projects.

The research was carried out in 1401 in the research greenhouse, the agriculture and medicinal plants laboratory, and the genomics laboratory in the Aburihan Faculty of Agricultural Technology (Tehran University) located in Pakdasht city at 51 degrees east longitude and 33 degrees north latitude. It was conducted at 1013 meters above sea level and 36 kilometers southeast of Tehran. In this research, the molecular diversity and phytochemical traits of total phenol content, mucilage content, and antioxidant capacity were investigated in 9 ecotypes of three species of Altheae species. In the phytochemical evaluation, extracts were obtained from the roots by the Soxhlet method. Evaluation of molecular diversity was done after extracting DNA from leaves by the CTAB method using 10 SCoT primers. The quality and quantity of the extracted DNA were evaluated using two methods a spectrophotometer and horizontal electrophoresis on 1% agarose gel.

In the phytochemical evaluation, it was found that in terms of total phenol, the Kermanshah ecotype had the highest value statistically, with 10.67 mg of gallic acid per gram of extract. Regarding the amount of mucilage, the Kermanshah and Kerman ecotypes were ranked first in the same group with 2.86 and 2.77 mg per gram of dry weight, respectively, compared to other ecotypes. Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated between phytochemical traits. It was determined that there was a positive and strong relationship between the traits evaluated in the experiment. Evaluation of molecular diversity was done after extracting DNA from leaves by the CTAB method using 10 SCoT primers. A total of 111 bands were formed, and 76 were polymorphic bands. PIC values varied between 0/22 and 34%. The percentage of polymorphism in this research varied between 0/5 and 0/87, and its average was 0/67. The average MI and RP indices were 1/55 and 5/48, respectively. In cluster analysis of molecular data, ecotypes were divided into three groups with 70% similarity. The dendrogram obtained from cluster analysis of ecotypes shows genetic similarity between ecotypes belonging to the same species. It also shows the genetic distance between ecotypes related to different species. The results of decomposition into principal coordinates also confirmed cluster analysis results. In the analysis of molecular variance, it was found that 27% of the variation was within species, and 63% was between species.

In the end, it was found that SCoT phytochemical and molecular markers have the necessary efficiency to differentiate different ecotypes of Altheae species. Due to genetic diversity, to improve this plant, the ecotypes examined in this research can be crossed as the initial population and parents.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is a valuable medicinal plant with many applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic health industries. Chamomile's biological properties are attributed to its essential oil (EO) compounds, especially chamazulene and a-bisabolol oxide A, and flavonoids, esp. apigenin and luteolin. Evaluation of wild plant populations belonging to different geographical regions in situ (study on wild samples) and ex-situ (study on wild samples under agricultural conditions) is a crucial step in plant breeding and selection of promising genotypes. On the other hand, cultivation and domestication of wild plants under agricultural conditions improve plant yield and prevent unnecessary harvesting and extinction of the plant. In the present study, the quantitative and qualitative EO diversity of some wild chamomile was investigated. Flowers and seeds of 15 wild chamomile populations were collected from Iran's natural habitats, including 12 populations from Khuzistan province (Kh1-12), 2 populations from Fars province (F1-2), and 1 population from Bushehr province (F3) in 2021 (February-May). Flowers were used for essential oil extraction, and seeds were planted in a randomized complete block design (treatment = genotype) with three replications. The research farm located at Alborz Research Station, affiliated with the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Alborz province, was considered a cultivation site without adding fertilizer to the soil. The seeds were sown directly in the field with a 15 cm distance between the planting lines and 15 cm between the plants on the lines (April 2021). Drip irrigation was used, and weeding was done mechanically. Flowers with less than 5 cm of peduncles were harvested manually at the 70% full bloom stage. The shade-dried flower EOs were extracted by water distillation (Clevenger) for 3 hours, and their quantitative and qualitative analysis was done using GC and GC/MS. The results showed that sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated sesquiterpenes, and diacetylenes made the highest EO compounds percentage in both wild and cultivated samples. Chamazulene (from sesquiterpene hydrocarbons) and a-bisabolol oxide A (from oxygenated sesquiterpenes), as two important chamomile EO compounds, showed an increase from wild to cultivated samples. Among the wild samples, the highest chamazulene (5.3%) and a-bisabolol oxide A (21.5%) contents were assigned to the populations Kh8 and Kh4, respectively. In the cultivated samples, the highest amount of these compounds (11.1 and 32.3%, respectively) was obtained in the populations Kh7 and F2, respectively. In general, the main EO compounds (%) in the wild and cultivated populations included α-bisabolone oxide A (wild: 31.3 (F1) to 64.5 (Kh3) and cultivated: 29.8 (F2) to 56 (Kh3)), α-bisabolol oxide A (wild: 5.8 (Kh5) to 21.5 (Kh4) and cultivated: 10.3 (Kh3) to 32.3 (F2)), E-β-farnesene (wild: 6.1 (Kh3) to 23.3 (Kh8) and cultivated: 6.9 (Kh1) to 15.6 (F3)), Z-spiroether (wild: 0 (F1) to 16.1 (Kh1) and cultivated: 9.1 (Kh7) to 15.1 (Kh13)), and chamazulene (wild: 1.6 (F1) to 5.3 (Kh8) and cultivated: 4.7 (Kh6) to 11.1 (Kh7)). Also, the EO% was obtained more in the cultivated samples (0.9 (Kh5) to 1.4% (Kh13)) than in the wild ones (0.1 (Kh6) to 0.5% (Kh10). The results of this research showed that by cultivating wild populations under agricultural conditions and water and crop management, it is possible to have essential oil in the desired quantity and quality compared to wild ones. It should be noted that the results of repeating population cultivation under the same conditions in the following years will be reported in proportion to the data output.

Henna (Lawsonia inermis L.) is one of the plant dyes used for dyeing textiles since ancient times. The active ingredient in this plant is Lawson, which causes its coloring and antibacterial properties. On the other hand, the surface of natural fiber textiles, including handwoven carpets, in the presence of moisture and heat, causes the growth and proliferation of bacteria. This leads to problems with the product's durability, appearance, and hygiene. In this research, in addition to evaluating the color characteristics of fibers dyed with dry henna and its aqueous and alcoholic extracts, the comparison of their antibacterial effect on two Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria has also been investigated. The leaves of the native henna plant of Fars province were picked and dried in spring. Fibers of 4.5 metric meters and 63 deniers were used with Iranian wool and silk fibers. Considering that the extraction of the effective substance in plants depends on the type of solvent used, in addition to dry henna, three different solvents, water, ethanol, and methanol, were applied to prepare henna extracts. In this study, fibers were dyed with henna extracts, applying a simultaneous mordant method with Aluminum sulfate. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts were prepared by percolation and reflux methods in a Soxhlet extractor, respectively. For this purpose, a dyeing bath with L: R=1:50 containing natural fibers, 3% oxalic acid, 5% aluminum sulfate, and 30% dye was used. The dyeing process for both baths took 90 minutes in a bain marie. Color parameters (a*, b*, L*), color strength (K/S), reflective spectrum (R), light fastness, and antibacterial properties of each fiber dyed with dry henna and its extracts were evaluated. To measure the antibacterial properties, 0.03 grams of each dyed fiber was soaked in 1500 microliters of serum containing Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli for 24 hours. Then, by dilution method in plates, Nutrient agar was cultured, and colonies were counted. Quantification of Lawson in the extracts was done using HPLC analysis. Reflective spectrophotometry showed that all wool and silk fibers dyed with henna and its extracts had positive a* and b* levels, which indicates the red and yellow undertones of the dyed samples. On the other hand, compared to silk fibers, wool fibers dyed with various types of henna dyes showed a higher degree of redness and yellowness and a lower percentage of brightness (L*). The numerical results were consistent with the qualitative and visual evaluations in the optical cabinet. In addition, natural fibers dyed with ethanol extract from henna had the lowest percentage of brightness and reflection and the highest color strength. The ethanol extract produced brilliant golden colors on silk fibers. Fibers dyed with all four types of henna dye had acceptable optical stability (7-8). Wool and silk samples dyed with alcoholic henna extracts, especially ethanol extract, showed a significant inhibition percentage for two types of bacteria, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This is due to secondary metabolites such as Lawson, which was detected using high-performance liquid chromatography. On the other hand, the antibacterial activity against the second type of bacteria was higher than the first type (76-90%), which is due to the difference in the cell wall structure between the two. The amount of Lawson measured in the ethanol extract of henna was higher than the other two extracts (16%), which confirms the color strength, high stability, and antibacterial properties of this extract on fibers. The findings of this study proved that the use of henna and its extracts in dyeing natural fibers can be a promising factor in preventing infectious diseases caused by E. coli and S. rause bacteria. On the other hand, it seems that the ethanol extract of henna is more effective than the rest of the tested solvents for color strength, brightness, light fastness, and antibacterial effects. In addition, the ethanol extract of henna created a very beautiful golden color on silk in the presence of aluminum mordant. This is a very popular and rare color in handwoven carpet natural dyeing.

In producing medicinal plants, it is critical to use plants with a high percentage of active ingredients and consume low amounts of water. Thymus daenensis Celak is a tolerant Thymus species for rainfed cultivation. In addition, using complementary irrigation regimes and applying anti-stress compounds at critical stages of plant growth are suitable programs for sustainable production and optimal water consumption under dry farming conditions. For this purpose, this experiment was to evaluate the effect of different complementary irrigation regimes along with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) as a nitric oxide donor, kaolin, and potassium spraying on yield and some biochemical characteristics of T. daenensis under rainfed conditions. This experiment was designed and implemented as a split plot based on a randomized complete blocks design with three replications in the research field of the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands-Homand Rangelands Research Station (Damavand) for three years (2017-2019 crop years). The experimental treatments included complementary irrigation as the main factor at three levels: control (no irrigation), one and two complementary irrigation, and spraying of stress-modulating substances as a secondary factor with three compounds of SNP (200 µM), kaolin (5%) and potassium (75 kg/ha from a potassium sulfate source). Cultivation was indirect and through seedlings. To prepare seedlings, the seeds were planted in the cultivation trays in the greenhouse at the end of September. After growing in the greenhouse, the seedlings (8-10 leaves) were transferred to the field in November with rain monitoring. Complementary irrigation and different foliar spraying treatments were done twice in the pre-flowering and 10 % flowering stages. Treatments were applied in the third year of plant growth to increase economic yield. After applying the treatments, the plant's flowering branch was sampled to measure malondialdehyde (MDA). After measuring the morphological characteristics (plant height and canopy diameter) in the full flowering stage, plant shoots were harvested to determine the dry matter yield per square meter and hectare. Percentage and yield of essential oil, total phenol, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity were also determined. The results showed that increasing the number of complementary irrigations increased the crown diameter, plant height, and dry matter yield per plant and hectare. Kaolin treatment under two complementary irrigation regimes had the highest height (31.6 cm), and the control treatment under no irrigation had the lowest height (19.3 cm). Also, using kaolin and two complementary irrigations showed the highest dry matter yield per m2 (77.2 grams) and per hectare (771.4 kg). In addition, MDA content was lower in the double complementary irrigation treatment with kaolin foliar spraying (1.22 μmol/g of fresh weight). Foliar spraying of kaolin, potassium, and SNP under rainfed conditions (without irrigation) increased the amount of essential oil (by 1.83, 1.67, and 1.6 percent, respectively) compared to the control treatment (1.4 percent). In contrast, the maximum essential oil yield per hectare was related to the double complementary irrigation regime with potassium foliar spraying (10.6 kg/ha). Foliar spraying with potassium in the regimes of without irrigation (rainfed) and one-time complementary irrigation had the highest content of total phenols and flavonoids, respectively. The highest antioxidant capacity was obtained without irrigation and foliar spraying (control). This experiment showed that complementary irrigation increased dry matter yield per plant and hectare. On the other hand, foliar spraying with anti-stress compounds, especially kaolin, and potassium, along with complementary irrigation, increased essential oil yield per hectare. In general, based on the results of this experiment, it is suggested to use complementary irrigation regimes according to the available water sources. In addition, it is suggested to use kaolin or potassium foliar application under rainfed conditions for T. daenensis.

Hippophae rhamnoides L. (sea buckthorn) is a deciduous shrub or tree in the Elaeagnaceae family. Sea buckthorn is one of the native species of the Turani regions of Iran, with limited and scattered habitats in Gachsar, Haraz, Arasbaran, Khoy, and Alamut. An old miraculous plant, it is highly regarded for its richness in bioactive and nutritional substances. Hippophae rhamnoides is one of the valuable precursor species in terms of nitrogen fixation for the soil. It is a storage shrub resistant to cold, drought, and low-cover environments. Sea buckthorn contains nearly 200 nutritional and bioactive compounds. This plant's fruits are rich in lipids, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and flavonoids. The purpose of the present study, considering the high medicinal and ecological importance of the Sea buckthorn plant and the few studies in Iran, especially in the field of phytochemical compounds of this valuable plant, is to introduce the Sea buckthorn plant, its phytochemical compounds, and some of their uses in the pharmaceutical and food industries.  This article contains scientific papers published between 2001 and 2022 from Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. All parts of sea buckthorn (fruits, leaves, stems, branches, roots, and thorns) have been traditionally used in medicine and food supplements. Sea buckthorn leaves, fruits, and oils are rich in macro and microelements, vitamins A, C, E, lipids, carotenoids, amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and phenols. In recent years, there have been several reports on the medicinal activities of sea buckthorn, including its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral activities and its ability to protect the heart and blood vessels. The oil obtained from the seeds and fruit includes bioactive compounds such as palmitoleic acid (omega 7), a part of skin lipids, and stimulates epidermis repair and healing wounds. Flavonol glycosides are one of the most abundant phenolic compounds in sea buckthorn. Flavonoids are antioxidants in sea buckthorn that prevent blood platelet accumulation and cancer cell spread. They improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation. As an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and other natural additive, sea buckthorn is used in various food products. In addition, it is used in diverse forms, such as oil, dried powder, fruit juice, pills, drinks, fruit, and tea.   Besides its high nutritional value as a food, the genus Hippophae has several economic advantages as a raw material for cosmetics, food, pharmaceutical industries, and environmental protection. Due to its high tolerance to cold, drought, salinity, and alkalinity and the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, it is an ideal product for protecting soil and water and windbreaks on marginal lands prone to soil erosion.