نشریه فناوری و گیاهان دارویی ایران
سال دوم شماره 2 (پیاپی 3، پاییز و زمستان 1398)

The genus Nepeta of the Lamiaceae family includes valuable medicinal species that is widely used in medicines and food industries. So far, 79 species of this genus have been reported in Iran. The purpose of this study was to compare and determine the chemical composition of the essential oil of two species Nepeta cephalotes Boiss, Nepeta crassifolia Boiss. & Buhse in terms of habitats and farm. These valuable species are both scattered throughout Iran. The aerial parts were collected from the Firoozkooh habitats in Tehran province and from the field at the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands in 1395, and were extracted by Clevenger method. Gas chromatography (GC-FID) and gas chromatographs equipped mass spectrometers (GC/MS) were used to identify the essential oils. The results showed that in the N. crassifolia, the Nepetalactone compound (4a α, 7α, 7α-α)-is 75.5% and 35.4% in farm and natural habitat respectively. This composition is in the Nepeta cephalotes Boiss species in 72% of field and 63% in the habitat. Neptalactones are one of the most important secondary metabolites of various species in the genus Nepeta, and are the agent of medicinal properties in these plants. Obtained results show that in both species there is Neptalactone compound and Neptalactone composition (4a α, 7 α, 7a α) increased in field conditions.

Due to its distinct color, flavor and beneficial compound, the Saffron plant is extensively used in pharmaceutical and food industries, but because of its sensitive nature, its active compounds are lost in adverse environmental conditions. In this research, the preparation of water-in-oil nanoemulsion containing saffron extract was studied as an effective method for maintaining active compounds of saffron. For this purpose, nanoemulsions were synthesized by using span 80 and tween 80 as emulsifiers in three levels of 10, 12.5 and 15 percent, using ultrasound. The amount of aqueous phase (saffron extract with 12% dry matter) was 15% (wt) in all formulations and n-decan used on three levels: 70, 72.5 and 75% as oil phase. Particle size, polydispersity index and stability of each formulation at light conditions during 28 days after production were evaluated. The results showed the particle size and polydispersity index in the emulsion containing 15% emulsifier was less than the other emulsions and did not change in terms of physical stability.

Nowadays, because of inapt side effects of the synthetic drugs, the applications of medicinal plants have become widespread and increased demand for these substances has resulted in expansion of sales outlets. As a result of dealing with the public health, it is essential for all these dispensaries to maintain the standards of health, safety, hygiene and adequate knowledge in every aspect. Since necessary data in regards to these selling outlets in any reliable sense did not exist, therefore, the experimental study for future planning was designed. The study was accomplished in 31 cities in Isfahan province on up to 170 shops. Towards this end, a questionnaire was designed for the face to face enquiry. Results showed that about 30 percent of the sellers had no or very little knowledge. About 50 percent of them had high school diploma and 22 percent had higher education certificates. About 10 percent of them had, only, certificates in agriculture fields. Further evaluation indicated that the technical knowledge of the respondents was minimal. Totally, results showed that not only public but also technical knowledge of medicinal plant sellers was little. Thus, it is necessary for responsible managers to attempt in improving of knowledge among these peoples.

Zygophyllum eichwaldii C. A. Meyer is a medicinal plant that grow on sand dunes in relatively humid parts of the deserts. The habitat of this plant is only in the sandy lands of the central deserts (in Isfahan province) and to some extent the eastern part of the country (in Khorasan Razavi province), which are located in the plain area of Irano-Touranian region, at an altitude range of 780 to 1200 meters above the sea level. The conservation status of this plant is defined based on International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categories and criteria. Three criteria were used to evaluate the status of this species: extent of occurrence (EOO), area of occupancy (AOO) and size of populations. According to field survey and plot sampling, Z. eichwaldii occupies an area of 11.66 Km2. According to analysis by GeoCAT software (geocat.kew.org), the extent of occurrence was 83097 Km2. Therefore, according to the results of this study and referring to the area of occupation, the number of populations, with highly fragmented populations, and low regeneration due to limited seed setting and quality of habitat, Z. eichwaldii is considered as an “Endangered” species. The field observations indicated that excessive livestock grazing on the rangeland, eradicating Z. eichwaldii shrubs. in order to change the land use (by the help of indigenous and local people), extra reduction in level of the groundwater table, abandonment of the shrub collection by the locals and the unprecedented drought in recent decades should be addressed, as the main threats to this rare shrub. Therefore, special attention and full conservation of this natural genetic reserve are needed.

Nowadays, the general approach to the use of medicinal plants is increasing because of the growing awareness of the negative side effects of chemical drugs and antibiotics. due to traditionally high demand for the medicinal plants, it has been impossible to cater for entire market needs, so increasing the cultivation of medicinal plants is inevitable. Production of medicinal plants on an industrial scale requires the use of new bio-technologies that also enhance the production, quality and health of medicinal plants. The positive effect of application of plant growth promoting bacteria on growth parameters, improvement of bioactive compounds as well as quality of medicinal plants as a new bio-friendly and environmentally friendly method has been demonstrated.  Growth promoting bacteria by nutrient supply to the plant using  phosphorus and potassium solubilization mechanism, as well as  biological nitrogen fixation and siderophore production, maintaining hormonal balance in plants by producing growth hormones (auxin, cytokinin, gibberellin) and ACC-deaminase, bio-control of plant pathogens, as well as production of volatile organic compounds and hydrogen cyanide) and the role of elicitors in inducing systemic resistance in medicinal plants, improve growth, physiological and production of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on growth parameters, physiology, nutrient uptake and production of secondary metabolites in some medicinal plants.

Since the glandular trichome in the medicinal plants is the location for storage and synthesis of essential oils, glandular trichomes are widely distributed all of the plant organs of the Lamiaceae, their secretions contribute largely to its great importance. They are the primary secretory organs of these plants, and their structures can vary widely among species. Therefore, their morphology could be, addition of taxonomical importance, to have essential oils which are widely used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. Therefore, identification of a protocol that would preserve tissue size and morphology by usual methods can be useful. In this study compared two of the method by quantifying changes in size and trichome shrinkage percent at two different organs (leaf and calyx) in three Nepeta species studied: Nepeta. fissa, Nepeta. assurgens and Nepeta. eremophilla. Plant materials washed in distillated water, then immersed in FAA fixative (3.7% v/v formaldehyde, 50% ethanol, 5% acetic acid) and was then fixed (approximately 3 h) at 4°C. Tissue was rinsed three times in sodium phosphate buffer before dehydrating in a methanol series (30%, 50%, 70%, 95%, and 100%), 5 min each step. Specimens were mounted onto SEM stubs and coated with paladium. The method used depend on the type of plant species and different organs, in this study shows that generally the fixation and dehydration with methanol is a quick and simple method for preservation the size and shrinking of plant the tissues.

Drought stress as one of the most important environmental stresses, eventually leads to the restriction of growth and production of plants. Plant symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) reduces the effects of drought stress. In order to investigate the effect of mycorrhizal fungi on antioxidant enzymes activity and some morphological and physiological characteristics of Mentha pulegium L under drought stress, a pot experiment was conducted in a factorial experiment in the randomized complete design with three replications. Treatments included two levels of irrigation (60 and 100% crop capacity) and two species of mycorrhizal (Glomus mosseae and G. intraradices). The results showed that drought stress had significant effects on all measured traits, to the extent that the fresh and dry weight of the plant, relative water content, plant height, total chlorophyll content, and the percentage of root colonization, proline content and activity of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were increased. The effects of mycorrhiza fungus on all of the measured traits were significant and improved the growth of the Mentha pulegium L. Results showed inoculation of mycorrhiza fungi improves plant resistance to drought stress via increasing of antioxidant compounds production and antioxidant enzymes activities.

Herbal infusions are one of the most commonly used drinks in the world. These infusions contain phenolic, metallic compounds and elements that affect human health. Knowing the amounts of useful compounds and heavy metals present in these infusions is very important for humans. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to prepare the infusions from pennyroyal plant and to investigate the effect of the method of preparation (maceration and ultrasound) for different times (5 and 15 min( on the amount of phenolic compounds, Free-radical scavenging capacity (DPPH) and heavy metals (arsenic, lead and cadmium) in a completely randomized design. The results of data analysis showed that the method of infusion preparation was significant on all parameters studied. The results showed significant increase in phenolic compounds and Free-radical scavenging capacity (DPPH) of infusions with increasing of time in both methods (Ultrasound and maceration) which amount of these compounds increased when ultrasound method used. The highest lead concentration in infusions (0.06 ppm) was obtained in sample of 15 minutes-maceration. The maximum and minimum levels of cadmium in samples were assigned to samples from raw material and 5 minutes of maceration, respectively. The content of all heavy metals measured in this study was less than the standard defined for heavy metals in plant and fruit infusions. Finally, according to the results of this research, it can be stated that the use of 15 minutes ultrasound was the best method for preparing of pennyroyal infusion.