فاطمه سعید نعمت پور

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Zinc oxide nanoparticles on growth and physiological characteristics, rosmarinic acid production and the expression of key genes in the biosynthetic pathway of this compound in lemongrass.

In this study, 30-day-old seedlings of lemongrass were treated with concentrations of 0, 0.06 and 0.12 mg/l Zinc oxide nanoparticles, and then growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, proline, Glycine betaine, protein, activity of antioxidant enzymes and production of rosmarinic acid were examined. Also, the expression of key genes in the rosmarinic acid biosynthetic pathway was examined by real-time PCR.

The results indicate that Zinc oxide nanoparticles treatment increased chlorophyll photosynthetic pigments, carotenoids and antioxidant activity of this plant. Also, the highest amount of proline and glycine betaine was obtained at a concentration of 12 mg/L of this treatment. Zinc oxide nanoparticles also increased the expression of rosmarinic acid biosynthetic pathway genes (TAT and 4-Cl) and thus increased this compound.

Based on the results of this study, Zinc oxide nanoparticles can affect the growth and physiological stages of lemongrass and therefore it can be used to increase the production of rosmarinic acid.

In this study, the effect of Artemisia herba alba essential oil on the survival rate and expression of ODC1 and ADA genes in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was studied.

The essential oil (EO) of A. herba alba was extracted by Clevenger. Essential oil composition is analyzed by GC-Mass. MCF-7 cell line was treated by increasing concentrations of EO from 0.01 to 0.03 µg/ml. Then cytotoxicity of EO was investigated by MTT assay and the expression of ODC1 and ADA genes were measured by the Real-time PCR method.

Most essential oils included Camphor, Chrysanthenyl Acetate,  and Davanone. Results showed that by increasing the EO concentration, the cytotoxicity was significantly increased and the calculated IC50 for 24, 48, and 72 h were 0.02104, 0.01858, 0.011751 µg/ml. Moreover, at the concentration of 0.02 µg/ml of EO the expression of the ODC1 and ADA gene decreased by 2 and 1.2-fold against the control, respectively.

The cytotoxicity of A. herba alba EO, which was observed in this study, seems to be the result of decreased expression of ODC1 and ADA genes in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.

The adenosine deaminase enzyme participates in the metabolism of purines, and plays an essential role in the proliferation and maturation of mammalian cells and, also its activity increases in breast cancer cells. In this study, the effect of aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra on viability and ADA gene expression in two human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and one normal cell line (MCF-10A) were studied. Cytotoxicity of the G. glabra extract was examined by MTT assay. The expression ADA gene was evaluated by Real-time PCR. The vitality of cancerous cells are decreased by increasing the concentration of the extract significantly. The expression of ADA gene at the concentration of 200 μg/ml of extract in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 lines decreased by 4 and 4.8 fold, respectively. The decrease in viability of breast cancer cells observed in this study could be the result of the reduction of ADA gene expression.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. One of the approaches to prevent and treat various cancers is to use plant compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of S. setifera essential oil on MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line and comparing it with Doxorubicin as a known anti-cancer medicine.

Cells are treated by 0.01-0.025 µl/ml of essential oil at at 24, 48 and 72 hours and cell viability and colony formation ability were quantified. Also, essential oil compositin is analyzed by GC-Mass.

The S. setifera essential oil decreased the viability and CFU of cells, significantly. EO IC50 was reported as 0.0206, 0.0175 and 0.0173 µl/ml over 24, 48 and 72 hours. In addition, the S. setifera essential oil GC-Mass analysis showed that most compounds are related to hydrocarbon alkanes and terpenoids.

Probably the essential oil cytotoxicity effects are related to hydrocarbon alkanes and terpenoids compounds.

Micropropagation of apple has played an important role in the production of healthy, disease-free plants and in the rapid multiplication of rootstocks with desirable traits. In this study, the effects of disinfection, medium type and plant hormone on contamination, number of lateral branches, shoot length, callus induction, number of leaves of three rootstocks M106, M111 and B9 as factorial experiment in completely randomized design with three replications were investigated. The explants Surface sterilized by different concentrations of mercuric chloride and sodium hypochlorite and then were cultivated in modified MS, WPM and DKW media. The lowest contamination achieved by mercuric chloride (0.1%) and ethanol (70%) for 3 minutes and 30 Seconds, respectively. In this study, the modified MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/L BA with maximum growth had more successful establishment. Mean comparisons showed that rootstock M106 in terms of all studied traits, have a significant difference with other rootstocks, and So that the highest shoot length, leaves number and callus induction observed in this rootstock. The maximum branch initiation achieved from medium supplemented by 0.1 mg/ L IBA and 2 mg/ L BAP. The results showed that genotypes respond differently to culture conditions, as the rootstock B9 showed better response to branch initiation than other genotypes.

One of the strategies used to reduce the negative effects of various stresses on plants is the application of growth regulators such as salicylic acid. This study investigated the interaction between salicylic acid (0, 0.5 and 1 mM) and cadmium chloride (0, 100, 200 and 300 µM) on growth traits, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzymes activity, relative water content, proline and glucose content in wheat seedlings. The results showed that cadmium stress reduced growth treats of plants from 30 to 50 percent compared to control untreated plants, significantly. Moreover, relative water content decreased by 7% and the chlorophylls a and b levels were about 2 times lower. Cadmium stress caused a three-fold increase in the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes and also glucose levels dropped by 2 times. Salicylic acid spray had significant positive effects on growth traits of cadmium-stressed seedlings and between 20% to 60% increased these parameters. The relative water content of these seedlings also increased 2 times. Salicylic acid has increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and increased levels of chlorophyll and glucose by over 40% compared to control plants. The results of this study showed that salicylic acid is effective in reducing the negative effects of cadmium stress by increasing the amount of chlorophyll, improving the activity of antioxidant enzymes and changing the amount of glucose in Wheat.

One of the strategies used to reduce the negative effects of various stresses on plants is the application of growth regulators such as salicylic acid. This study investigated the interaction between salicylic acid (0, 0.5 and 1 mM) and cadmium chloride (0, 100, 200 and 300 µM) on growth traits, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzymes activity, relative water content, proline and glucose content in wheat seedlings. The results showed that cadmium stress reduced growth treats of plants from 30 to 50 percent compared to control untreated plants, significantly. Moreover, relative water content decreased by 7% and the chlorophylls a and b levels were about 2 times lower. Cadmium stress caused a three-fold increase in the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes and also glucose levels dropped by 2 times. Salicylic acid spray had significant positive effects on growth traits of cadmium-stressed seedlings and between 20% to 60% increased these parameters. The relative water content of these seedlings also increased 2 times. Salicylic acid has increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and increased levels of chlorophyll and glucose by over 40% compared to control plants. The results of this study showed that salicylic acid is effective in reducing the negative effects of cadmium stress by increasing the amount of chlorophyll, improving the activity of antioxidant enzymes and changing the amount of glucose in Wheat.

Aim: Product of ODC1 gene is key enzyme in polyamines synthesis that in diverse cancers their content increases. In the present study the effects of root extract of licorice on the ODC1gene expression and cell viability of two human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and non-cancer cell line (MCF-10A) were evaluated.
Material and The cell lines were subjected to increasing doses of the extract ranging from 0-200 µg ⁄ml. Cytotoxic effect was assessed using the MTT assay. Expression of ornithine decarboxylase 1 gene was analyzed by Real Time PCR.
In cancerous cell lines mortality increases significantly by a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, a marked decrease observed in the expression of ODC1 gene in cancer cell lines. In comparison of two cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231cell line more affected by licorice root extract.
The result of our study highlights the potential influences of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract on ODC1 gene expression in breast cancer cells and its relation to inhibition of cancer cell growth.

The hairy roots induced by Agrobacterium rhizogenes due to the stability and mass production in hormone free culture provide an appropriate tissue for secondary metabolite production, and the content of metabolites produced could be affected by bacterial strain. In the current study, the effect of different strains of A. rhizogenes including A4, A13 and 15834 on the percentage of hairy root induction of Echinacea purpurea (L.) moench. in the leaf and hypocotyl explants were studied. In another experiment, total phenolics and polysaccharides content of hairy roots were measured compared to the control (untransformed) roots. The results showed that the percentage of hairy root induction was significantly affected by bacterial strains, so that in E. purpurea leaves incubated by strains A13, 15834 and A4, the hairy root induction was 60%, 40% and 0, and in hypocotyl explants was 85%, 45% and 70%, respectively. Maximum total phenolic compounds were observed in A4 strain. As well, in comparison to control, the polysaccharide content in hairy root induced by strains 15834 and A13 increased and by A4 strain decreased significantly. Differences observed in this study about hairy root induction and secondary metabolites production could be due to different ability of A. rhizogenes strains in T-DNA transferring to plant cells.

Citrullus colocynthis is a very drought tolerant cucurbit species which widely distributed in the deserts of Mediterranean region and Middle East. One of the possible mechanisms involved in the tolerance response of this plant could be overexpression of Rboh gene which its protein product are involved in the production of ROS signal molecules. In this research, Rboh gene expression during drought stress, were studied in C. colocynthis and watermelon. Seeds after sterilization and germination in germinator transfer to pots containing sand and 5 leave plants treated by PEG 8000 15%. At times zero, 3, 9, 18 hours after treatment relative water content of leaves and Quantitative gene expression of Rboh by Real Time PCR method was studied. The results showed a significant decrease in relative water content in both species but in C. colocynthis this decrease was less remarkably. After PEG treatment the expression of Rboh increased in two species but expression level in C. colocynthis was more than watermelon. Expression of Rboh which play an important role in response to stress stimulus, was rapidly and strongly induced by PEG treatment in C. colocynthis rather than C. lanatus. The result can be a confirmation that Rboh Play a critical role in C. colocynthis tolerant against the drought stress.

Water or soil salinities are the most important factors that reduce the seed germination of plants. Ethephon can break seed dormancy in a variety of plants, such as cereals and speeds up germination. In some plants pretreatment of seeds with salicylic acid has increased the germination percentage. To study effect of salicylic acid and ethephon on seed germination of wheat (Seivand cultivar) under salinity condition a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted at the Plant Research Laboratory of Neyshabur Branch of Islamic Azad University in 2011. Four salinity levels (0, 50, 100, 150 mM), three salicylic acid levels (0, 0.5, 1 mM) and four ethephon levels (0, 0.5, 1, 2 mM) were used. The results showed that at salinity condition seed germination rate and percentage, shoot and root length, their dry weight and α-amylase activity decreased and proline content increased. Pretreatment of seeds by salicylic acid increased seed germination percentage, some growth parameters, α-amylase activity and proline content under salinity condition. Moreover, pretreatment of seeds by ethephon decreased some growth parameters and increased proline content but its effect on germination and α-amylase activity were not significant. It seems that Salicylic acid as a plant growth regulator under salinity condition and ethephon convertion to ethylene, activated plant tolerance mechanisms to salinity condition and decrease damaging effect of salinity on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat.

The environmental changes by human activities lead to contamination of natural ecosystems and agricultural lands to heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), which enumerates the most important environmental pollutants. This experiment was conducted for study of cadmium and mycorrhizal symbiosis effects on growth and physiological parameters as well as cadmium accumulation in Black seed (Nigella sativa L.). The experiment was conducted as factorial in a completely randomized design with three replications in green house conditions. Cadmium chloride with four different concentrations (0, 250, 750 and 2500 &muM) in absence and presence of mycorrhizal fungi Glomus intraradices were used. Seedlings in the four leave stage treated 3 times in week with CdCl2 and after 45 days were taken for measurement of morphological and physiological parameters. Results showed that cadmium lead to significant decrease of growth parameters whereas proline and reducing sugar’s contents was increased with cadmium chloride treatments. Mycorrhizal symbiosis leads to significant increase of growth parameters. In mycorrhizal plants Proline content, reducing sugar content and cadmium accumulation were significantly higher than non-mycorrhizal plants. The results showed that the cadmium translocated from root to shoot in plants colonized by symbiotic fungi was lower than non-symbiotic plants. Therefore, despite the cadmium absorption increase in mycorrhizal plants, reduced translocation rates to the shoot.

Nanoparticles are atomic or molecular particles with at least 1–100 nanometer diameters. They have entered vastly into the world of agriculture and biology; this is because of their special effect and their unique features. Their unknown impact on living things and the ecosystems has caused a lot of concern. This research was done in order to study the effects of nano-TiO2 and nano aluminium on wheat (Triticum aestivum). Both Nano titanium dioxide and nano aluminium were used in four concentrations {(0, 100, 1000, 2000 mgL-1) and (0, 500, 100, 1000, 2000 mgL-1) respectively}. The experiment was done as factorial in a completely randomized design in 3 replications. The seeds were sterilized and transferred into pots containing sand. When the plants reached four leaves stages, the nanoparticles were sprayed on plants two times in a week internal. The results revealed that nano aluminium decreased the length of root and shoot and the content of chlorophyll; however, it increased the content of proline and malondialdehyde in shoot and root. The treatment of plants in different levels of nano aluminium with nano titanium dioxide especially in 100 mgL-1 concentration increased the length of both the root and shoot. Nano titanium dioxide in 1000 and 2000 mgL-1 increased the MDA and proline content. Generally the application of nano titanium dioxide in low concentration can moderate the damage effects of nano aluminium in the range of 100 mgL-1.

To study the effect of mycorrhizal symbiosis and drought stress on marigold¡ a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted at the Plant Research Laboratory of Islamic Azad University¡ Neyshabur branch in 2014. The first factor consisted of application and non-application of mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices) and the second factor consisted of drought stress with three levels (irrigation based on 100%¡ 75% and 50% of field capacity). The results showed that growth parameters like plant height¡ leaf number¡ leaf area¡ root¡ shoot dry/fresh weight¡ Chla and Chlb content were significantly decreased by drought stress in both mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants. However¡ inoculation of plants by mycorrhizal fungus increased growth parameters and photosynthetic pigments as compared with non-mycorrhizal ones. Traits like RWC¡ potassium and phosphorus in response to drought stress were decreased. Inoculation of plant roots with Mycorrhizal fungi increased significantly RWC¡ potassium and phosphorus content of the plants under drought conditions as compared with non-inoculated plants. The results also showed the mycorrhizal symbiosis by Glomus intraradices improved drought tolerance of marigold through enhancing the absorption of water and mineral ions.

Aim: In this study, the effect of salinity stress on quantitative gene expression of sucrose synthase1, relative water content and the uptake ratio of sodium to potassium in the leaves of wheat were evaluated.
Material and Wheat seedlings treated with 100 and 200 mM sodium chloride and at times zero, 6, 12, 24 and 36 hours after treatment relative water content, the uptake ratio of sodium to potassium in the leaves and quantitative gene expression of Sus1 by qRT-PCR method were studied.
Results showed a significant decrease in relative water content, increase in the uptake ratio of sodium to potassium by leaves and increase in the relative expression of sucrose synthase1 gene at treated plants compared to control group.
Generally, increase in the expression of sucrose synthase 1 gene could be one of the possible mechanisms in the process of tolerance to salinity stress.

Heavy metals pollution is a major problem for the large parts of the world. Lead is a heavy metal with high toxicity that absorbed by plants mainly through the root system and in minor amounts through the leaves. After entering the cells, lead inhibits activities of many enzymes, and affects membrane structure and permeability. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of Salicylic Acid (SA) and Ascorbic Acid (AsA) on the content of photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant enzyme activities of Ocimum basilicum L. under Pb stress. Factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted. Treatments were combination of 3 levels application of Pb (0, 350 & 700 mg.l-1) and 2 concentrations of SA (0, 0.1 mM) and AsA (0, 100 & 200 ppm). The results revealed that increasing lead concentration reduced chlorophyll and carotenoid content and increased activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT). On the other hand, application SA and AsA alone and/or together, significantly increased chlorophyll content and reduced activity of antioxidant enzymes. Generally, the results of this study indicate that SA and AsA applications improved plant physiological parameters of Ocimum basilicum L.

Agrobacterium rhizogenes causes hairy root disease in plants. The hairy roots produced by A. rhizogenes infection are characterized by high growth rate and genetic stability. Hairy root induction cause changes in plant Secondary metabolites production. Phenolic compounds (Flavonoids, Tannins and Anthocyanins) are important antioxidants in radish. In this work, for induction of hairy roots, leaf explants transformed with two Arhizogenes strains (A4 and GUS). Generated Hairy roots confirmed with PCR. Also, Phenolic compounds content in hairy roots was measured. Amplification of 780bp fragment for rolB and 320bp for GUS in transgenic roots confirmed the production of hairy roots. Difference of Phenolic compounds between transgenic and non-transgenic roots was significant. Our results indicate that the insertion of A. rhizogenes T-DNA in to the plant genome stimulate plant defense responses and increase the production of Phenolic compounds.

Heavy metals are the most important pollutants in the environment. The productiion of toxic metals by human activities has lead to the contamination of soil. The presence of these metals in the soil and their accumulation in plants grown on these soils will have adverse effects on humans and animals. One approach to reduce the accumulation of heavy metals in plants is using of plant hormones. This study was designed to investigate the effects of methyl jasmonate on accumulation of lead on radish (Raphanus sativus L.) in hydroponic conditions. Lead sulfate with four different concentrations (0،250،500 and 750 mg/ L) and methyl jasmonate with three concentrations (0، 0. 01 and 0. 1 mM) were used. The experiment was conducted as factorial in a completely randomized design with three replications. The contents of chlorophyll a and b، proline and Pb accumulation in shoots and roots of plants were measured. The results showed that the lead reduced chlorophyll content and this reduction with 0. 01 mM methyl jasmonate treatment was compensated. In addition، lead and methyl jasmonate significantly increased proline content. As a result، it can be concluded that radish is probably prone to accumulate heavy metals like lead in the edible parts and this toxicity can be reduced by using appropriate concentrations of methyl jasmonate.

Heavy metal contaminations of agricultural fields, due to use of industrial waste water and excessive application of phosphate fertilizers, has become a major problem. Biological stability in soil for long-term, causes these metals accumulate in food chain and thus potentially affect human health. To investigate the effects of copper and lead on growth parameters, lipid per oxidation, peroline content in two cultivars of mung bean, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design. Copper used in three concentrations (0,150, 300 and 400mg/kg) and Pb in four concentration (0, 200, 400, 600mg/kg). After four weeks, plants grown in contaminated soil were collected and shoot height, root length, fresh weight and dry weight of shoot and root; proline content and lipid per oxidation in leaves were measured. The results showed that copper and lead had negative and toxic effect on the mung bean growth features. Generally with increasing concentrations of cu and Pb in soil, growth parameters were decreased. Between the two cultivars (Gohar and Sistan), Sistan was affected more than Gohar. Proline content and lipid peroxidation in treated mung bean were increased. Also Sistan cultivar showed more proline content and lipid per oxidation than Gohar.