To evaluate the effects of different of barberry pulp (BP) on production traits, blood parameters and immune system of broilers under heat stress, an experiment with 160 male Ross 308 chicks in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments, 4 replicates and 10 chicks each were done. A basal corn-soybean diet (Control) and three other treatments were diets contained the levels of 2.5, 5 and 7.5 percent barberry pulp treatment was fed. The experimental period was 42 days. The cyclic daily heat stress was done from 28 to 42 days. In this period, daily room temperature was increased from 21oC to 38±2°C during 10:00 until 17:00 hours. The treatments had no significant effects on body weight, feed conversion ratio, feed intake, carcass yield, heart, bursa of fabricius and liver. The relative weight of breasts and bursa of fabricus were increased when birds received 7.5 percent Barberry pulps (BP) compared to control. Serum concentration of cholesterol and HDL and liver enzymes (ALT and AST) and immune system were not affected by the levels of BP treatments. However the BP diets decreased the serum concentration of serum triglycerides and LDL. The blood concentration of glucose were increased by different levels of BP. The levels of 2.5% of BP increased the total protein as compared to control. Therefore, this findings were proposed since Barberry pulps had no any negative effects on production parameters and an improvement in the blood and immune system up to 7.5 %, it could be used in HS broilers.

Barberries are a broad class of spiny evergreen or deciduous shrubs belonging to the Berberidaceae family. They are of great importance due to their different parts' nutritional and medicinal properties and their ornamental applications. Genus Berberis, the biggest genus in Berberidaceae, includes more than 660 species. Barberry grows in Asia and Europe and has been used extensively as a medicinal plant in traditional medicine. In Iranian traditional medicine, several properties, such as antibacterial, antipyretic, antipruritic and antiarrhythmic, have been reported with unknown mechanisms of action. Incredible structural diversity among barberries' active components makes them a valuable source of novel therapeutic compounds. Seedless barberry (Berberis integerrima 'Asperma') is one of Iran's valuable indigenous medicinal plants. Common asexual propagation of this plant over the years and consequently low genetic diversity in populations of the seedless barberry restricts selection outcomes in breeding programs. Utilizing the indigenous wild genotypes of the barberry genus, which are easily able to cross-pollinate, is one of the best methods to increase genetic diversity. Accordingly, several wild seedy barberry genotypes were identified from all over Iran, collected and established in a collection in Mashhad; then, 16 genotypes were selected and their physical properties were studied. 
In this study, ripe fruits of sixteen unique genotypes (i.e., Iranian seedless barberry and fifteen seedy genotypes) were harvested in October- November 2015 and kept in a refrigerator in order to measure some of their physical properties in fresh fruits (berry dimension, 100-berry weight, juice content and color indices). For other properties, fruits were dried at room temperature. Fruit cluster length was measured by means of a ruler, the number of berries/cluster and the number of set/aborted seeds in berry by counting, berry dimensions by a digital caliper, weight of fresh and dried 100-berry, percentage of pulp and seed as well as fruit juice content by a scale with 0.001 accuracy. Moisture content was determined using an oven with 75 ºC temperature for 48 hours. Color indices, including L*, a* and b*, were measured using a portable colorimeter (Konica Minolta Chroma Meters CR-410). This study was performed using a completely randomized design with three replications. Data were analyzed by Minitab software version 16 using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and differences among means were determined for significance at p<0.05 using the Bonferroni test.
The results indicated significant differences among genotypes. Based on the results, cluster length ranged between 1.67cm (code 5-3) and 6.29 cm (code 10-1); moisture content was between 8.20% and 11.84% in genotypes 8-3 and 13-2, respectively. The fruit juice content range of the studied genotypes was between 51.22% and 71.87%. Genotype 2-1 had the highest dimension values and the highest 100-berry fresh weight (30.72g) and dry weight (10.00g) fruits. The lowest weights of 100-berry were related to 14-1 and seedless barberry. Genotypes 5-2 had the highest pulp percentage (98.17%) and the lowest seed percentage (1.50%) and 10-1 had the lowest pulp percentage (51.93%) and the highest seed percentage (48.07%). The highest number of set seeds (1.73) and the lowest number of aborted seeds (zero) were found in (10-1) and (14-2), respectively. Based on the results, seedless barberry had the lowest number of set seeds (0.00) and the highest number of aborted seeds (3.27). Regarding fruit color indices, genotypes showed significant variability from orange to brown and dark blue. Color indices L*, a* and b* ranged (from 22.83 to 38.13), (2.31 to 37.76) and (1.18 to 2.28), respectively.   
In conclusion, it can be said that all genotypes have considerable variability in fruit traits (color, fruit dimensions, pulp/seed percentage, moisture content, etc.). Based on the result of this study, genotype 5-2 was the most similar genotype to seedless barberry. The seedless barberry populations have low genetic diversity due to asexual propagation through suckers over many years. Indigenous genotypes can be a valuable genetic resource for future breeding programs to improve the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of seedless barberry and introduce new cultivars of seedless barberry with different colors and consequently different nutritional- medicinal properties.

The term “Livestock Revolution” was coined to describe the projected increase in demand for animal products due to population growth, increased income, and urbanization in developing countries. In this context, a decision to rear well-adapted livestock species, like the ostrich, could be effective in meeting present and future demands for animal products in a sustainable manner. On the other hand, most of the ostrich production costs are associated with the feeding price similar to broiler chickens. Due to the high ability of ostrich regarding fiber consumption, it is expected that ostriches can benefit from cheaper native foods such as barberry leaves. Ostrich digestive system has a great ability to use fiber diets due to having a long rectum (about eight meters). Furthermore, the microbial population of the cecum and colon in ostrich is similar to the rumen. The total area of barberry cultivation in Iran was reported to be 16007 hectares in 2017 and more than 14700 hectares of that were placed in South Khorasan. The amount of foliage of each barberry shrub is between three to five kg dry mater which remains almost unused after fruit harvesting. Hence, large amounts of branches and leaves from barberry harvesting could be considered agricultural residues for usage in animal feeding, annually. This study aimed to study the effect of replacing dietary alfalfa with barberry leaf on growth performance and blood indices in ostrich. The effects of replacing dietary alfalfa with barberry leaf on ostrich growth performance and some blood parameters were investigated using 20 ostriches (two to seven months of age) in a completely randomized design with five treatments (four replicates each). Barberry leaves and alfalfa used in this study were prepared manually from South Khorasan farms. Then samples were separately pooled and grounded in a hammer mill and were transferred to the laboratory to determine the amount of crude energy, dry matter, crude fat, crude protein, ash, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber (all in three replications). The experimental diets were prepared by replacing alfalfa at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% with barberry leaf. Diets contain the same metabolizable energy and crude protein. Ostriches had free access to feed and water during the trial. Feed intake and body weight gain of each experimental unit were measured at 60, 120, and 210 days of age, and the feed conversation ratio (FCR) was calculated. At 90 and 210 days of age, blood samples were harvested from the wing vein of ostrich using tubes containing Li-heparin as an anticoagulant, then the blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 × g, 15 min at room temperature, and stored at −20 ◦C temperature for later analysis. The plasma concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), protein, and albumin as well as the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were determined by auto-analyzer spectrophotometry according to the procedures of the manufacturers. The results revealed that dry matter intake (DMI) was enhanced with increasing dietary levels of barberry leaf (P<0.05). These findings showed the favorable effects of barberry leaves on feed intake. One of the main reasons associated with the reduction of dry matter consumption following the inclusion of agricultural by-products is the high amount of phenolic compounds, especially the tannins of these products. Barberry leaves have a low concentration of phenolic compounds (especially tannins) compared to other by-products such as pistachio peel, pomegranate pulp, Elaeagnus angustifolia leaves, etc. Substitution of alfalfa hay with barberry leaf at 50% of the diet significantly increased daily weight gain compared to the control group (P<0.05). In the whole experimental period, FCR was lower in the diet containing 50% of barberry leaf than in the diet with 100% replacement of alfalfa with barberry leaf (P<0.05). Increasing the FCR in the diet by replacing more than 50% of barberry leaves can be related to the reduction of the digestibility of the diet due to a decrease in the particle size of barberry leaves as well as its nature after milling compared to alfalfa and the reduction of the supply of amino acid profile due to synergy of two sources of alfalfa and barberry leaves. The highest concentration of plasma glucose at 90 and 210 days of age (191.33 and 193.3, respectively) were observed in the control diet. Numerous studies have reported the hypoglycemic effects of barberry. Replacement of 50, 75, and 100% of alfalfa with barberry leaf decreased significantly the plasma activity of ALT as compared to the control group (P<0.05). Although there are no reports of the use of barberry leaves or its active ingredient (berberine) in ostrich, previous reports have shown that the use of barberry fruit extract reduced liver enzyme concentrations. Overall, the results of the current study showed that alfalfa hay could be replaced partially or completely with barberry leaves in the diet of ostriches without severe deleterious effects on performance. Replacement of 50% of alfalfa with barberry leaf would recommend for use in ostrich diets.

Barberry is one of the most important products in Southern Khorasan province. The share of this province in total of Barberry production in Iran is about 98 percent. The objective of this study is to survey the factors that affect barberry production, calculating barberry producer’s technical efficiency and determining the factors that affecting producers’ efficiency in Southern Khorasan Province. The data was obtained using cluster sampling method and questionnaire completion from 90 farmers of this province in 2011. Cobb - Douglas production function was used to survey the factors affecting the barberry production. Results showed that labor, land, efficient or inefficient year and irrigation have the most significant effect on Barberry production respectively. Also, Results of Calculating technical efficiency and factors affecting technical efficiency show that the average technical efficiency of barberry producers is 81% and the highest and lowest scores are 99% and 34%, respectively. Also, experience, the main job and the number of family labor have a direct and significant effect on efficiency. Using new methods of irrigation to enhance the efficiency of irrigation and holding training classes to enhance the experiences of barberry producers is suggested.

Barberry is one of the most important products of South Khorasan Province. The objective of this study is analyzing the qualitative factors affecting the price of barberry in this province. Survey data from 100 questionnaires using simple random sampling of households in the city of Birjand, 1389 has been completed, was extracted. Results of the estimating Hedonic Price Model show that puff and a pretty color of barberry and also consumers’ knowledge about barberry properties have positive and significant impact on the price of barberry but the impact of brand and package on the price of barberry are not statistically significant. Thus we suggest to aware producers about consumers’ taste and utility and aware consumers about the properties of the barberry.

In this research, during three consecutive years (2010-2012), a series of diallel crossing was performed among wild type barberry genotypes and Iranian seedless barberry. Setting of seed and fruit in the crossing have been studied and then seedling survival were evaluated in several cultural systems. Results showed significant effects of pollen sources on setting of fruits, seed and seeded fruits in seedless barberry. Pollens of R2N1 genotypes with 46% fruit set and 2.22% seedset and pollens of R4N1 genotype with 69% fruitset and 20.22% seed set had the lowest and highest rates, respectively. Also, There was significant differences (p<0.01) among genotypes on setting of fruit, seed and seeded fruit when pollinated with seedless barberry pollens. In this study, the efficiency of seedless barberry pollens to set seed in wild type barberries was proved and its male sterility theory was rejected. Evaluation of seedling survival rate showed that planting barberry seeds in spring in Cocopeat mixed with Perlite under mist system could increase dramatically seedling survival rate.

Intense exercise can cause damages caused by oxidative stress and inflammation and, as a result, reduce exercise performance. The present study aimed at determining the effect of barberry juice supplement on the inflammation caused by intense aerobic activity in active young girls.
In a quasi-experimental study, 20 young girls who had the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two equal groups of case (receiving Barberry juice supplement) ans control (receiving placebos). The case and the control groups received 250 ml natural Barberry juice and 250ml placebos for two weeks, respectively. After the period, both of the groups took an intense aerobic exercise programme. Immediately before and after receiving Barberry juice and placebos; and also immediately after the exercise program me bordering exhaustion prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) serum level was assessed.
Repeated measurements revealed that PGE2 serum levels at rest state and after intense exercise activity reduced in the Barberry juice group .Besides, there were significant differences between groups the Barberry juice and placebo groups, (P≤ 0.05)
Generally speaking, the supplement of Barberry juice can be useful in preventing decreased performance caused by the inflammatory effects of PGE2 due to intense physical exercise.

A vast majority of the studies addressing the free radicals including hydroxyl radical is a damage compound of biochemical molecules such as DNA, proteins and lipids. When free radicals specially hydroxyl radical are not adequately removed from the body, it may damage biological macromolecules, leading to a variety of disease occurs. Therefore, the body should be protected by an enzymatic or non-enzymatic antioxidant defense system against free radicals. In order to explore the hypothesis that antioxidant plants can serve as therapeutic agents for diseases, the effect of Barberry fruit extracts was studied in an in vitro model. By evaluating their scavenging potential. Barberry fruits were collected from Babol, Iran and certified by the local scientist Mazandaran Province, Iran. The Barberry fruits were cleaned and dried at room temperature while keeping away from direct sunlight and then powdered. Suitable amounts of dried plant were coarsely grounded and used for extraction. The dry plant samples were extracted with water and/or ethanol. 10 g of Barberry fruits extracts powder was percolated by water for 24 hours. The extract was filtered and concentrated. Hydroxyl radical was produced as described previously. Then, Barberry fruits hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity was determined using deoxyribose degradation system, followed spectrophotometrically at 532 nm. As expected, our data indicate that the level of hydroxyl radical generation in with aqueous and /or ethanol extracts of barberry fruit was decreased in comparison without barberry fruit extract in vitro system [(6.11±0.83, 5.28 ±1.44, mmol/ml) vs. (9.32±0.38, mmol/ml)], p<0.05, respectively. Indeed, our results revealed that the extracts of the Barberry fruit scavenge hydroxyl radical in vitro sample as compared to the controls. The barberry fruit extracts proved to be an effective for hydroxyl radical scavenging. The present data revealed that beneficial effect of Barberry fruit aqueous and ethanol extracts may be due to its free radical scavenging potential. It may therefore be interesting that he barberry fruit extracts has the unique capacity to quench free radicals.

Use of medicinal plants for attenuation of hyperglycemia and restoration of lipids to normal level is clinically very important. We decided to assess the preventive role of aqueous extract of Berberis Integerrima root on the serum levels of glucose، insulin، and lipid profile in Streptozotocin (STZ) -induced diabetic rats. Forty male rats were divided into 5 groups as follows: 1- normal (N); 2- normal + barberry (N+B) (they received barberry root extract for 6 weeks); 3- diabetic (D) (they received STZ، 65 mg/kg BW /i. p.); 4- diabetic + barberry before (D+Bb) (they received barberry root extract for 3 weeks before STZ injection and continued for another three weeks); and 5- diabetic + barberry after (D+Ba) (three days after STZ injection، they received barberry root extract for 3 weeks). The experimental groups received barberry root extract (500 mg/kg bw) intra gastric by gavage for 6 weeks and the experimental period for each rat was 6 weeks. Diabetic rats showed a significant increase in serum glucose، total cholesterol، triglycerides، LDL-C، and food intake as well as a decrease in HDL-C، body weight and serum insulin، compared to the other groups. Administration of the barberry root extract in diabetic rats restored these changes towards normal to some extent. In this study، for the first time، we showed that the administration of the barberry root extract before diabetes induction resulted in better amelioration in the serum levels of glucose، insulin، and lipid profile، compared to the group receiving it after induction: this indicates that the barberry root extract can play both a preventive and a therapeutic role in such patients.

The aim of this study was to compare the vacuum production of barberry (Berberis vulgaris)  leather with traditional heating methods. Three formulas with different levels of barberry (47, 72 and 92%) were prepared and their quality properties were investigated. The results showed that pH decreased with increasing the percentage of barberry puree in the formulation. With increasing the percentage of barberry puree in the formulation, the amount of elongation and tensile strength increased. Drying method did not show a significant effect on elongation and tensile strength (p> 0.05). In terms of sensory properties, samples containing 72% of barberry received the highest flavour score. With increasing percentage of barberry puree in the formulation, odor, color and texture scores increased and the samples dried by vacuum method had more odor, color and texture scores than samples dried in the traditional method. The type of drying method had not a significant effect on texture score of leather samples (p> 0.05). With increasing the percentage of barberry puree in leather formulation, the amount of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity increased in both drying methods. With increasing storage period, the number of mold and yeast and bacteria increased. At the end of the storage period, the lowest total microbial count was observed in samples containing 92% of dried barberry puree under vacuum and the highest count of mold and yeast in samples containing 47% of dried barberry puree with traditional method was observed.