Physalis, the fifth largest genus of the Solanaceae family, consists many species which are used as food and natural remedies. Phytochemical investigations on Physalis species have led to characterization of important secondary metabolites such as withaphysalins, physalins and phytosterols which are responsible for wide range of pharmacological effects such as potent cytotoxic activity against various type of human cancer cell lines, immunomodulatory and cancer chemopreventive effects. Theyare widely used in the indigenous system of medicine for treatment of kidney and urinary disorders, leishmaniasis, inflammations, skin infections and etc. Based on Iranian traditional medicine texts, Physalis is effective for treatment of several disorders such as asthma, liver, kidney and bladder dysfunctions, wounds, hemorrhoids, and helminthic diseases. Based on recent surveys, many of the above properties have not been investigated so far except the for the healing effects on liver dysfunction. This review might be a starting point for the development of the new therapeutic applications and more investigations on Physalis species in the future.

Noticing the side effects associated with chemical drugs, using natural medicinal plants has gained more prominence recently. Physalis alkekengi extract is a medicinal plant belonging to Solanaceae family which similar to most drugs used in traditional medicine, despite possessing a multitude of medicinal properties, has not received sufficient attention. The aim of the present study was to briefly review the effects of Physalis alkekengi extract on the concentration of thyroid hormones, blood cholesterol, some plasma biochemical factors, liver function, immune system, and sexual hormones. Due to the extensive usage of Physalis alkekengi extract in traditional medicine, determining its advantages and possible side effects is of great physiologic and pharmacologic significance. Physalis alkekengi extract due to the presence of such effective substances as alkaloids, lycopene, glucocorticoids, alcoholic agents, and a large amount of vitamin C as well as antioxidant properties can play a significant role in changes in body homeostasis. This study dealt with the function and effect of Physalis alkekengi extract on different body organs through using proper keywords and extensive online search through electronic databases and credible sources. The results of this mini-review showed that Physalis alkekengi extract can bring about various significant changes in different body organs that have not been properly recognized. Therefore, further and more extensive studies should be done on this plant.

To obtain pathogenic fungal isolates from Physalis divericata L., the plants showing the symptoms of fungal diseases were collected from different areas in Lorestan and were transported to the laboratory in year 2009. The samples, after surface disinfection, were cultured on PDA and V-8 media. Based on fungi keys identification, two species including Alternaria alternata and Fusarium sp. were identified. The pathogenicity and virulence of identified fungal pathogens at 105, 106, 107 and 108 spores per mL of distilled water were tested on Physalis divericata at different growth stages (cotyledon, 4, 6 and 9-11 leaf). Host range tests were conducted on beans, corn, sugar beets and soybeans under greenhouse conditions. Results showed that Alternaria alternata isolate A6 induced more severe disease than other Alternaria isolates and Fusarium sp. Physalis divericata was more sensitive to Alternaria alternata isolate A6 at 6 leaf-stage, especially at 108 spore per ml distilled water. Non of the target crops showed any symptoms due to inoculation by Alternaria alternata isolate A6.

A large number of clinical and pre-clinical studies have extensively shown the therapeutic effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of the physalis alkekengi on several diseases, but so far there is not much information about the healing properties of the hydroalcoholic extract of this plant on breast cancer. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of Physalis alkekengi hydroalcoholic extract on steroid receptor-dependent breast cancer on mouse model, and the results of this study showed that extracts of Physalis alkekeng, especially in two concentrations (100mg / kg, 50), have inhibitory effects on cancer tumor growth The chest was in the treated group, as well as changes in the tissue of the anus The biology in breast tumors of the groups treated with P.alkekengi extract was observed in comparison with the control group. The findings showed that the extract of the medicinal plant of the puppet had effective effects on the treatment of steroid receptor-dependent breast cancer in Balb/c mice.

Today, one of the most important problem in society is the increasing rate of population. As far as, the study on the effect medicine plants is so important. Because some of the medicine plants plays an important role on reduction the reproduction. In this study the effect alcoholic extract of Physalis alkekengi fruit on rat´s fetuses and measuring the rate of its effect on reproduction at the 15th day of pregnancy was investigated. Twenty female rat randomly divided in 4 groups including control,experimental 1, 2, 3 groups that each one included 5 rats. Experimental 1 group received 8g/kg body weight and experimental 2 group,10g/kg body weight and experimental 3 group,12g/kg body weight alcoholic extract of physalis alkekengi fruit at the 6th day of pregnancy. 217 fetuses removed from uterus at the 15th day of pregnancy to study according to morphologic and histologic. The present data showed that alcoholic extract physalis alkekengi fruit's intraperitoneal injection at the 6th day of pregnancy caused significant reduction fetuses weight in experimental groups and reduction of crown rump length in experimental 2, 3 groups in comparison with control group. Studies on liver and heart tissue indicated that the number of liver megakaryocytes and the number of liver and heart non- differentiation red blood cells in experimental 1and 2, 3 groups have increased significantly in comparison with control group. Moreover study on fetuses vertebral column in experimental 1and 2, 3 groups in comparison with control group shows a significant increase in vertebral column curvature. Also morphometry studies showed that all of embryos control group were healthy but in embryos experimental groups from example hypodermic bloodshed, abnormal increase vertebral column curvature and also number abortive embryo. Alcoholic extract Physalis alkekengi fruit probably can have negative effects on fetuses deficiency development and cell differentiation of some cells. According to reported physiological effects of physalins such as physalin F, alcoholic extract teratogenic effects might be related to physalin F. But it´s essential to have more quantitative and qualitative researches in order to have conclusive result.Thus it is recommended to pregnant womenfolk than up to researches completion about this medicinal plant have not used this plant in pregnancy period.

In the present study, the teratogenic effects of Physalis alkekengi on the development of placentas at 4th and 6th days of pregnancy had been studied. Thirty female rats as random divided to 6 groups including control, experimental 1 and experimental 2 groups that each one at the 4th and 6th day of pregnancy received doses 8g/kg body weight and 10g/kg body weight and experimental 3 group that at 6th day pregnancy received dose 12g/kg of Physalis alkekengi fruit’s alcoholic extract. All placentas removed from uterus at the 15th day of pregnancy to study according to morphologic and histologic. The present data showed that Physalis alkekengi fruit’s alcoholic extract injection intraperitoneal at the 4th and 6th days of pregnant rat caused significant reduction of placentas diameter and weight and volume in experimental groups in comparison with control group and reduction of diameter and weight and volume in experimental 2 group in comparison with control group. Also morphologic studies showed that had been blood corona at the percent out of placentas experimental groups in comparison with control group. In addition tissue Studies showed the significant increase of the hofbauer cells number at placentas experimental groups in comparison with control.Physalis alkekengifruit’s alcoholic extract through suppression of cell division and differentiation and function reduction of some of enzymes and hormones, probably can have negative effects on placentas deficiency development and cell differentiation of some cells. According to reported physiological effects of physalins such as physalin F, alcoholic extract teratogenic effects might be related to physalin F. But it is essential to have more quantitative and qualitative researches in order to have conclusive result. Thus it is recommended to pregnant womenfolk than up to researches completion about this medicinal plant have not used this plant in pregnancy period.

Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasite from flagellate which leads to trichomomal vaginitis. Also, it can be responsible for various complications such as discharge, painful urination, genital irritation, discomfort after intercourse, premature rupture of membranes, and preterm labor. Metronidazole is a selected drug for treatment of the disease that carcinogenesis effects of this drug and also resistance of this parasite toward metronidazole have been reported in recent years. Since physalis alkekengi plant has been applied for treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, hepatitis, viral, gonorrhea, gout, diabetes, and sore throat, therefore, this study was performed with aim to determine in vitro effects of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of physalis alkekengi on Trichomonas vaginalis.
This … study was performed in 2015 to assess the anti-parasite effects of physalis alkekengi on Trichomonas vaginalis. At first, the aqueous and alcoholic extracts were prepared and proliferation of parasites in TYM Diamond culture medium was performed. The concentrations of extract were: 8000, 4000, 2000, 1000, 500 and 250 µg/ml. The proliferation was evaluated at 24, 48 and 72 hours compared to control (metronidazole 50 µg/ml) group. In all of cases, the number of live and dead parasites was counted with Trypan blue and Neubauer slide. Data was analyzed by software SPSS (version 18) and one-way variance analysis. P The aqueous and alcoholic extracts had significant inhibitory effects on Trichomonas vaginalis parasite proliferation (P After evaluation of effectiveness mechanism, the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the physalis alkekengi plant can be alternative treatment potential in cases of resistance to metronidazole.

Paraoxonase enzyme is attached to HDL and is involved in the maturation of this lipoprotein. This enzyme is activated by several antioxidants. These antioxidants exist in Winter cherry ( Physalis alkekengi). In fact, it contains a variety of antioxidants.
The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of a hydro-alcoholic extract of winter cherry fruits on serum lipid profile and paraoxanase1 (Pon1) activity in the rat.
In this randomized experimental study, hydroalcoholic extract of Physalis alkekengi fruits was obtained by a percolation method. Four groups of male Sprague Dawley rats (260 5 g), each containing 7 animals, were housed separately and fed standard rat chow and water ad libitum. Experiments were performed for 28 days on each group. Group1 (control 1) received only the standard diet, with no hydroalcoholic extract. Group 2 (control 2) received 1mL of water by gavage in addition to the standard diet. Groups 3 (experiment 1) and 4 (experiment2) received, respectively, 200 and 400 mg /kg b.w. of the extract in 1 mL of water through gavage. At the end of the experimental period, animals were fasted overnight and lipid profile and paraoxonase activity were determined and compared statistically by one way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests, using SPSS version 11.5
Triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were decreased dose dependently by the extract. HDL cholesterol and serum paraoxonase activities were increased significantly by Physalis extract.
The hydroalcoholic extract of Physalis alkekengi, possibly through the presence of antioxidants, increases paraoxonase activity and this enzyme, in turn, augments the level of HDL in serum.

Physalis alkekengi is a fruit-bearing plant in Iran. It is very popular due to the nutritional and medicinal properties. The main limitations of its cultivation are short reproductive cycle, fruits susceptibility to pests and limited information about crop management. The use of different micropropagation methods to produce physalis is proposed as practical solution. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of culture medium and different concentrations of growth regulators on the seeds germination and organogenesis of P. alkekengi by using tissue culture technique as well as providing a suitable protocol for in vitro micropropagation of this plant. Seeds were cultured in 1/2 MS and distilled water with three different stabilizers including Plant Agar, Sand and Filter Paper. Direct regeneration (stem) and indirect regeneration (callusing from stem and leaf explants) were used for regeneration of the physalis. Explants were cultured in different hormone combinations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP in 2 and 3 mg/L) and 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) (2 mg/L). The best seed germination medium was 1/2 MS contains plant agar as stabilizer (95%). The best explant for callusing was leaf and the best medium was ½ MS containing 2, 4-D (2 mg/ L). The best regeneration medium was BAP (3 mg / L) + GA3 (0.5 mg / L) on MS 1/2. The best hormone for direct organogenesis of stem was BAP at different concentrations. The best medium for micropropagation was ½ MS containing BAP (3 mg / L) + GA3 (0.5 mg / L) (more than 25 seedlings per explant). Rooting was performed using IBA (150 mg / L) followed by transferring seedlings to ½ MS after one week. Finally, seedlings were easily transferred to the soil and more than 95% of them survived in the greenhouse. These results suggest a protocol for commercial micropropagation of physalis plants.

Low temperature has a major influence on survival and geographical distribution of plants and as an important environmental factor, it affects plant productivity. Physalis (Physalis peruviana L.) belongs to the Solanaceae family and is a tropical and subtropical plant that is affected by low temperatures at beginning and end of the growing season. These fruits are highly beneficial to human health due to their nutritional and bioactive compounds (antioxidants, vitamins A, B, C, E and K1, flavonoids and carotenoids), so it has gained attention for cultivation worldwide. Amino acids (L-Phenylalanine and cysteine) or selenium play important roles in plant resistance to low temperature. However, the role of L-phenylalanine (Phe) and cysteine (Cys) or selenium (Se) in regulating chilling tolerance and improve fruit quality of physalis is still unknown. In this study, the effects of Phe, Cys and Se on quality and antioxidant capacity of physalis fruit under low-temperature stress were investigated. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The seeds of physalis (Physalis peruviana L.) were sown in seedling trays containing peat moss under optimal conditions of 25±2°C during the day and 20±2°C at night. Different concentrations of L-phenylalanine (0.75, 1.5, and 2.5 mM, Phe), L-cysteine (0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 mM, Cys), or sodium selenate (0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg L-1, Se) were sprayed on the seedlings at the 4–5th true leaf stage. Distilled water was used as the control treatment. To induce chilling stress, plants with the basically same growth were transferred to a 4 °C climate chamber for 48 hours. The control group was grown under optimal conditions. After applying the chilling stress, the plants were returned to optimal growth conditions for 24 hours. Plants transplanted to the field and foliar sprayed three times (growth stage, flowering and fruit set stages) with amino acids and Se. After exposed plants to autumn chilling, fruits harvested during calix and fruit color change from green to orange stage, and plant height, yield and the quality characteristics of the fruit including carotenoid content, membrane stability index, titratable acidity, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity were evaluated. The results showed that low temperature stress significantly decreased fruit yield, carotenoids content and membrane stability index (MSI), and increased titratable acidity, phenols and flavonoids content and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities. Foliar spray of Physalis plants with Phe, Cys and Se under cold stress significantly increased plant height, fruit yield, antioxidant enzymes activity, MSI, carotenoids, phenolic compound and TA. The highest value of MSI (38.46 and 36.1) was obtained in fruit of plants treated with Se 0.25 and 0.5 mg L-1 under low temperature condition. The maximum phenol content (8.08 and 7.83 mg L-1) of fruit was observed with application of Phe 0.75 mM and Cys 0.25 mM in plants exposed to cold stress. Also, the highest antioxidant capacity was obtained in plant fruits treated with Phe 0.75 and 1.5 mM (60.8%), Cys 0.25 mM (60.26%) and Se 0.5 mg L-1, respectively under low temperature condition, and the lowest antioxidant capacity (50.5%) was observed in control plant fruits. The results of research showed that the foliar application of Phe, Cys or Se treatments, especially the levels of Phe 0.75 and 1.5 mM and Se 0.5 mg L-1 during seedling and field growing periods caused a significant increase in fruit yield, also increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, phenolic compounds and the membrane stability index of fruits exposed to autumn cold and led to improvement of fruit quality.