Journal of Research on Crop Ecophysiology
Volume:14 Issue: 1, Winter 2019

Different species of Salvia are the most important medicinal plants. In this research essential oil composition of three Salvia species cultivated in climate condition in Marand region were investigated. The plants were harvested in flowering stage and after drying in room temperature, the essential oils of them were extracted with hydro-distillation technique and chemical compositions were analysed by a gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The highest and lowest amounts of essential oil yield were measured in Salvia officinalis and Salvia virgata, respectively. A total of 31 different components were identified accounting by 89.51%, 92.62% and 87.40% of the oils of Salvia officinalis, Salvia nemorosa and Salvia virgata, respectively. The main components were found in Salvia officinalis were α-thujone (37.35%), followed by camphor (18.59%), 1, 8-cineol (8.26%), β-thujone (5.53%), e-caryophyllene (4.15%), and α-humulene (3.50%). The oil of Salvia virgata contained, as main components, E-caryophyllene (37.51%), E- β-farnesene (15.26%), Caryophyllene oxide (8.57%) and camphor (5.16%). Major compounds in the volatile of Salvia nemorosa were e-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, spathulenol and caryophylla-β-ol with 42.54, 23.94, 7.44 and 6.61%, respectively. Results indicated variation in the essential oil percent and composition among studied salvia species.

The functional food industry has been developing rapidly in recent years. The most important pharmacological properties of jujube are anti-diabetic effects, hypnotic-sedative and anxiolytic effect, neuroprotective activity, sweetness inhibitor, anti-cancer activity, antimicrobial activity, anti-ulcer activity, anti-inflammatory and anti-spastic effect, anti-allergic activity, permeability enhancement activity, cognitive activities, anti-fertility property, hypotensive and anti-nephritic effect, cardiovascular activity, immunostimulant effects, anti-oxidant effects, and wound healing activity. N. nucifera has various notable pharmacological activities such as anti-ischemic, antioxidant, anti-cancer, antiviral, antiobesity, lipolytic, hypocholestermic, antipyretic, hepatoprotective, hypogylcaemic, antidiarrhoeal, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and diuretic activities. Coix is a source of ornamental beads, a stable sustenance, and a productive fodder grass increasingly viewed as a potential energy source. The healing properties of lily include moisturizing the lungs, relieving cough from lung-dryness, clears heart-fire and tranquilizes the mind. Dried lily bulbs are commonly used in herbal formulas for promoting lung health, treating yin-deficiency of the heart which manifests as irritability, insomnia, dreaminess, palpitation and absent-mindedness, and promotes vital fluid and improves skin complexion. The most important tremella mushroom benefits are anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, lower cholesterol, combat obesity, protect nerves and may fight cancer. Functional foods are making inroads into Chinese diets with their promises to improve health and nutrition. Chinese consumers should choose nutritional and healthy food to maintain general health and reduce the risk of health problems.

 Medicinal herbs and plants which have entered the fight against viral diseases because they constitute low-cost and efficient host for biopharmaceutical production. Traditional medicinal plants could likely improve therapeutic outcomes and quality of life, and it is an effective adjuvant in the systemic treatment of viral diseases. Viral infections are spreading rapidly, and emergence of drug resistance due to some mutations of viruses and dormant and recurrent infections may lead to new antiviral combination. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), Myrtle (Myrtus communis), Nut grass (Cyperus rotundus), Common fig (Ficus carica L.), Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), Field elm (Ulmus minor Mill.), Persian yellow rose (Rosa foetida), Horse mint (Mentha longifolia), Acanthophyllum sordidum, Euphorbia bungei, Leptadenia (Leptadenia pyrotechnica), Linum album, Euphorbia helioscopia, Dog rose (Rosa canina L.), Redstem filaree (Erodium cicutarium), Common chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), Wild rue (Peganum harmala L.), Borage (Echium amoenum), Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus), Rosmary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Thymus (Thymus vulgaris L.), Sage (Salvia officinalis), Mallow (Malva sylvestris), Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Marjoram (Oriaganum majorana), Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.), Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Garlic (Allium sativum), Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) are native to the Middle East, West and Central of Asia and Iran with anti viral characteristics for future studies. These traditional herbs and plants which have both antiviral activity and ability to promote immunity, would have possible inhibition ability in the initiation and promotion of virus-associated diseases. These important medicinal plants should consider more as a great potential source of novel chemical constituents with anti-viral impacts.

 Mung bean is one of the important beans in human nutrition. The aim of this study was to determine the most appropriate planting density for the highest yield of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) cultivars in Lordegan region. The study was carried out as a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Factors included four mung bean cultivars namely Parto, VC6173A, VC637194 and Lordegan Local mung bean plus three different planting densities of 30, 40 and 50 plants per square meter. Flowering date, physiological maturity date, plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight and seed yield were measured. Results of combined analysis of variance over two years showed that genotypes were significantly different in studied traits (except for number of seeds per pod). The effect of planting density was significant on all traits (except for 100-seed weight and the number of days to maturity). The interaction between genotype and density was not significant for any of the traits. The highest grain yield (1357.8 kg/ha) was obtained from VC6173A line a density of 40 plants per square meter. 

Epigallocatechin gallate is a tea catechin. It is predominatly found in tea (green, white, oolong and black teas), fruits (cranberries, strawberries, blackberries, kiwis, cherries, pears, peaches, apples and avocados), and nuts (pecans, pistachios, and hazelnuts). Catechins may be further categorized into a larger group of plant compounds known as polyphenols. Epicatechin, epigallocateching and epicatechin 3-gallate also offer similar benefits.  The most important pharmacological activities of EGCG are antineoplastic, HIV infection, hypertension and associated complications, type II diabetes mellitus, its usage as cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and its application in Alzheimer, Parkinson, and Osteoporosis. Its importance in cancer treatment is because of natural origin, safety, and low cost, but the main problem is its low bioavailability with various major limitations in EGCG studies.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an annual, self pollinating, legume crop believed to be native in the Mediterranean region and India. Major chemical constituents of fenugreek are polysaccharides, steroidal sapogenins, triterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and etc. Among them, galactomannas and diosgenins are two important bio-actives.  This study aimed to review the importance and health benefits of galactomannas and diosgenin in Fenugreek. Galactomannas are industrial polysaccharides next to cellulose and starch. Fenugreek galactomannan is a heteropolysaccharide which reduce level of blood glucose level, normalize the surface activities inside the small intestine; they are also used in food products in order to increase the thickness of the water content. The most important health benefits of galactomanna are reduction in LDL cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic, blood lipids, blood pressure and fibrinolysis. It displays a number of promising properties and attributes for future application as therapeutic agents in biotechnology and other pharmaceutical sciences. Diosgenin is an isospirostane derivative, it is a steroidal sapogenin and the product of acids or enzymes hydrolysis process of dioscin and protodioscin. Diosgenin shows different biological activity like anti-oxidant, anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-adipogenic. Considering tremendous health benefits and pharmaceutical properties of fenugreek in modern and traditional science, fenugreek as one of the oldest is recommend for future studies.