سهیلا طاهری

Water deficit is a major limiting factor for turfgrass management in arid and semi-arid regions. This experiment was conducted in order to investigate morphophysiological responses of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) to water deficit stress and application of sodium nitroprusside and salicylic acid. The experiment was carried out based on completely randomized design with four replications. First factor included three water deficit stress levels (40, 70 and 100% of soil available water), and four levels of second factor were salicylic acid (SA) (2 mM), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (500 µM), 2mM SA + 500 µM SNP and control (distilled water). Water deficit reduced shoot growth and relative water content. Whereas root growth, chlorophyll content, electrolyte leakage, total phenol, leaves antioxidant capacity and proline content increased with decreasing soil available water. Results showed that application of sodium nitroprusside and salicylic acid ameliorate adverse effects of water deficit in Bermuda grass by increasing leaves antioxidant capacity and proline and chlorophyll content as well as reducing electrolyte leakage and this effect was more noticeable in combined application of sodium nitroprusside and salicylic acid.

This experiment was conducted in order to investigate morphophysiologycal responses of bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) to water deficit stress and sodium nitroprosside application in horticultural science department at the University of Zanjan in 2015. Three soil available water levels (40, 70 and 100%) and sodium nitroprosside (0, 250 and 500 micromolar) were applied in a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with four replications. Water deficit reduced leaves relative water content and shoot growth whereas, root growth, root to shoot ratio, leaves antioxidant capacity, electrolyte leakage, proline, total phenol and chlorophyll content increased with decreasing soil available water. Sodium nitroprosside application ameliorate adverse effects of water deficit in bermuda grass by increasing leaves antioxidant capacity, proline, and chlorophyll content as well as reducing electrolyte leakage and this effect was more pronounced in 500 micromolar, suggesting that higher concentrations of sodium nitroprosside must be evaluated.

Salicylic acid can improve plant stress tolerance by changing physiological and morphological characteristics of plants. This experiment was conducted in order to investigate morphophysiologycal responses of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) to water deficit stress and salicylic acid application in Research greenhouses of horticultural science department at the University of Zanjan in 2015. Three soil available water levels (40, 70 and 100%) and salicylic acid (0, 1 and 2 millimolar) were applied in a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with four replications. Results showed that water deficit (40 % available water) reduced leaves relative water content and shoot growth whereas, root growth, root to shoot ratio, leaves antioxidant capacity, electrolyte leakage, proline, total phenol and chlorophyll content increased with decreasing soil available water. Salicylic acid application ameliorate adverse effects of water deficit in bermuda grass by increasing leaves antioxidant capacity, proline, and chlorophyll content as well as reducing electrolyte leakage and this effect was more pronounced in concentration of 2 mM.

Thyroid hormones have a key role in regulation of metabolism and function of the tissues. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of alcoholic extract of Portulaca Oleracea on serum level of thyroid hormones in hypercholestrolemic rats. In this experimental study, 60 adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into six groups including: control group with normal diet, fat diet group with high fat diet and interventional groups were received high fat diet and alcoholic extract of Portulaca Oleracea with maximum dose (800 mg/kg/bw), moderate dose (400 mg/kg/bw), minimum dose (200 mg/kg/bw) intraperitoneally for 21 days and finally, animals in atorvastatin group were received high fat diet with atorvastatin (10 mg/kg/bw, intraperitoneally) for 21 days. After the end of this period, T3, T4, TSH and total cholesterol measured for each animal. Serum level of T3 and T4 in the experimental groups which were received Portulaca Oleracea extract and atorvastatin group significantly increased in compared to controls (P<0.05). Serum level of TSH level significantly reduced in the experimental groups which were received Portulaca Oleracea extract and atorvastatin group in compared to controls (P<0.05). The serum total cholesterol level significantly reduced in the experimental groups which were received Portulaca Oleracea extract and atorvastatin group in compared to fat diet group (P<0.05). Portulaca Oleracea extract with increasing of secretion of thyroid hormone reduced the total cholesterol and TSH animals with hypercholesterolemia.

The thyroid gland secrete the hormone thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). They have a profound effect on the metabolism of hormones. The aim of this study was to servey the effect of the extract of plant root barberry on the amount of thyroid hormone in rat having hypercholesterolemia. In this experimental study, 40 Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (n=8). Control group with normal diet, fat diet group and other groups, the experimental group received the same diet plus fat hydroalcoholic root extract of barberry maximum dose (300), The mean dose of (150), and a minimum dose of (75 mg/kgw) intraperitoneally injection were divided. After the end of this period (21 days), blood sampling and measurement of sample information were analyzed by using the t and Tukey test, and using of SPSS software version 11.5. The results of statistical tests in the receiving groups extract reflects an increased amount of thyroid hormones T3 and T4 (P<0.05). The level of TSH in groups receiving the extract did not show significant changes. Increases in T3 and T4 levels with no changes in TSH concentration indicate euthyroid hyperthyroxinemia probably.

Nowadays, the diversity of diseases as well as the limitation of the number of chemical medications, their side-effects, drug tolerance, and heavy economic costs, has doubled the necessity of paying attention to traditional medicine and medicinal plants. Portulaca oleracea belongs to the family of Oleracea. The aim of this study was to have a quick overview on the effects of the extract of the plant on the function of liver, reproductive systems, blood lipid, and also to study its analgesic, anxiolytic, and antioxidant properties. Portulaca due to containing a large treasure of useful minerals, neurotransmitters, organic acids and also high antioxidant ability, can play a considerable role in the homeostatic changes of the body. In this article, it has been tried to address the role and effectiveness of Portulaca extract in various organs of the body through extensive electronic searching and getting access to reliable sources using appropriate keywords. The results indicated that the extract of this plant caused significant changes in various dimensions of different body organs. Since these studies are widespread and dispersed, and their different aspects have not yet been well identified, therefore further and more focused researches are recommended to be performed in this field.

Hyperlipidemia can be cause a variety of diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes and fatty liver and subsequent liver enzyme increases. The Portulaca Oleracea plant has hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties. Therefore, in this study the effect of Portulca Oleracea herb extract on serum liver enzymes including aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT or AST), alanine aminotransferase (SGPT or ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in rats were studied. In this experimental study, 60 Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (n=10). Control group with normal diet, fat diet group and other groups, the experimental group received the same diet plus fat Portulaca oleracea extract maximum dose (800), the mean dose of (400), and a minimum dose of (200 mg / kg) or intraperitoneally injection (ip) and sort of Atorvastatin (10 mg kg). After the end of this period (21 days), blood sampling was performed and collected data were analyzed using the t and Tukey test, and SPSS software version 11.5. Comparison of statistical results indicated that alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) increase in the control group that received only fatty foods, while the experimental groups received extract of Portulaca Oleracea, and groups receiving Atorvastatin had reduced levels of liver enzymes. Regarding hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic antioxidant activity of the extract and its effect on reducing liver enzymes, plant extracts can be recommended to improve liver function.