roya razavizadeh

Calotropis procera is a perennial shrub with high levels of terpenoids that is known as a medicinal plant with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant activity. The present study aimed to improve the growth, physiological parameters, and essential oils of C. procera under synthesized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and salicylic acid (SA) treatments. For this purpose, 21-day-old seedlings grown under hydroponic conditions were treated with five levels of MNPs (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg L-1) and three SA concentrations (0.0, 0.05, 0.1 mM).  Two weeks after treatment, the results showed that MNPs combined with SA have more ability than all other treatments to improve growth, physiological parameters, and essential oil in C. procera seedlings. 200 mg L-1 MNPs combined with 0.1 mM SA had a more pronounced impact increasing chlorophyll a and total, carotenoids, soluble sugars, protein, and the activity of ascorbate peroxidase and catalase. At this concentration, electrolyte leakage, H2O2, and malondialdehyde content showed a significant reduction as compared to the control. In an evaluation of the contents of essential oils using GC–MS, it was also found that citronellal, α-terpineol, alpha-pinene, camphor, linalool, geranial, α-phellandrene, 1,8-cineol, and β-ocymene were the main components of the essential oils, and the applied treatments resulted in significant changes in the amount of them. These results suggest that 200 mg L-1 MNPs combined with the highest concentration of SA is a powerful elicitor for improving plant growth and yield.

Some algae are rich sources of various beneficial lipids and fatty acids. In recent years, several studies have been performed on algae to evaluate the effect of different salinity treatments on the quantity and quality of these lipids. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of different concentrations of sodium chloride on total lipid content, fatty acid profile, and omega-3, 6, and 9 amounts in the alga Sargassum boveanum. Algae samples were collected from the shores of Bushehr Province and kept in three aquariums for 30 days in three control groups and treatments of 1 and 2 g / l sodium chloride. Then their lipid extraction was performed using Bligh and dyer method (1959). The factors of acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), and refractive index (RI) of lipids were determined according to ISO standard methods for numbers 660 (2009), 3960 (2017), and 6320 (2017), respectively. The methylation of the samples was performed according to the standard method of 66-2-AOCS-Ce, and the analysis of fatty acids was performed by gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The amount of fat in the treatment of one gram/liter of salt increased compared to the control group and then showed a decreasing trend in the treatment of two grams per liter; however, this difference was not significant. GC-FID analysis showed 17 types of fatty acids in each group. Among saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, palmitic acid and seronic acid showed the highest levels in all three groups, respectively. A slight increase in salinity caused a change in the values of omega-fatty acids. The findings of this study can be extended to achieve targeted mechanisms and conditions of salinity stress that increase specific fatty acids.

One way to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers without harming plant nutrition and increase the absorption of nutrients in crops is to use biostimulants. Seaweed extracts is one of the plant biostimulants that is used in agricultural systems because of their potential for improving nutrient use efficiency, resistance to stressors, and product quality. In this study, the effects of aqueous extract of a green  macroalgae (Ulva flexuosa) and a brown macroalgae (padina) at four levels (dilutions 5, 10, 20 and 40%) as well as NPK chemical fertilizer at one level (concentration 0/625 mg/ml) on the growth of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) was examined for 45 days. The results showed that the effect of brown algae extract on germination was more significant while 5% dilution of green algae increased plant root length. Treatment with both green and brown macroalgae extracts improved biochemical parameters. The highest amount of chlorophyll, carotenoids and anthocyanins was observed in dilution of 20% and the highest amount of flavonoids, phenol and reducing power was observed in 10% dilution of brown macroalgae extract.

The present study was designed and conducted to investigate the effect of different concentrations of cadmium on some physiological parameters and changes in secondary metabolites in the medicinal plant Mellissa Officinal L. under in vitro culture conditions. For this purpose, first sterile seeds of Mellissa Offcinali L. were sterilized and then cultured in MS medium. Then 28-day-old seedlings were transferred to MS medium containing different concentrations of cadmium nitrate (0,150 and 300 μM) and kept in the culture room under controlled conditions. Also, callus obtained from stem explants were transferred to hormonal medium (0.25 mg L-1 2,4-D and 5 mg L-1 BAP) containing different concentrations of cadmium (0,150 and 300 μM). Four weeks after treatment, photosynthetic pigments and levels of anthocyanin, phenols and flavonoids in seedlings were evaluated. Also, changes in secondary metabolites were investigated through GC-mass analyzes in calluses and seedlings of Mellissa Officinal L. The results showed that increasing the concentration of cadmium nitrate in the medium decreased the amount of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids and anthocyanin in seedlings. With increasing the amount of cadmium nitrate in the medium, the content of phenols and flavonoids increased significantly. The results of GC-mass showed significant changes in the amount of secondary metabolites and essential oil of Mellissa Officinal L seedlings and calli under cadmium stress. Most changes were found in γ -3-carn, transcarveole, citronlal, citronellol. Citral and β-caryophylline.

Carum copticum L. is a medicinal plant of the Apiaceae family with medicinal properties. In this study, the effects of UV-B radiation on the photosynthetic pigments and essential oils as well as phenols and anthocyanin of the seedling and callus of C. copticum were investigated under in vitro conditions. For this purpose, the experiment was set up in a completely randomized design, with three replicates per treatment. The seedlings and calli of Ajwain were categorized in two groups: the first group served as control and the second group was exposed to artificial UV-B radiation for 30 min at 15 days. The results indicated UV-B treatment reduced fresh weight about 34% and 27% compared with control in seedlings and calli respectively. The amount of chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll as well as carotenoids decreased about 36%, 42%, 38% and 14% in seedling and 24%,32%, 26% and 14% in callus of C. copticum respectively under UV stress. The lowest and highest amounts of flavonoids and anthocyanin were observed at UV-B treatment and untreated plants respectively. In addition, The UV-B stress changed the compounds of the essential oil both in the seedlings and the calli of C. copticum. Analysis of the essential oil constituents showed thymol and gamatherpinen, the main essential oil components of C. copticum, increased under UV-B radiation. While, p-cymene concentration decreased under UV treatment Therefore, C. copticum is useful for the in vitro production of pharmaceuticals and other beneficial substances by plant tissue culture techniques under UV-B treatment.

Drought is one of the most important growth limiting factors in plants. The great extent of drought-prone land and the scarcity of water resources have drawn much attention to drought related issues. In this study, in order to investigate the effect of silicone on some morphological, physiological and molecular characteristics of Iranian Borago under drought stress conditions, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 3 replications. For this purpose, 14-day-old Borago seedlings were treated with silicone (0, 0.5 and 1.5 mM) and drought (with polyethylene glycol at three concentrations of 0, 9 and 12%) under hydroponic conditions. Morphological and physiological parameters were evaluated 5 weeks after treatment. The results showed that drought significantly reduced the growth parameters, chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll and carotenoids contents compared to the control. Silicon treatment reduced the negative effects of drought stress and increased growth parameters and photosynthetic pigments. Also, drought stress caused significant increase in anthocyanin, carbohydrates (soluble and reducing sugar), glycine betaine, proline contents, and increased expression of BADH and P5CS genes. Combined drought and silicon treatments significantly reduced the expression of BADH and P5CS genes and the products of these two genes, proline and glycine betaine, in comparison to drought stress samples, which confirms the role of silicon in reducing osmotic stress in the present study.

TodayToday, synthetic nanoparticles encompass a wide range of particles with unique properties and have many applications in the field of nanotechnology. Due to the emergence and lack of understanding of the consequences of using nanoparticles, investigating the effect of releasing these particles in the environment at various biological levels is important. In this study, the effects of nanoparticles of silver in concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 100 ppm on physiological parameters such as total anthocyanin, total soluble protein and enzyme activities of Catalase, Ascorbate peroxidase and Superoxide dismutase in tomato seedlings (Solanum Lycopersicon) under in vitro were evaluated. The results showed that anthocyanin levels in response to the presence of silver nanoparticles decreased significantly to 10 ppm concentration. The total protein soluble protein increased with increase in the concentration of nanoparticles in the shoot and decreased with increasing concentrations at 20 and 40 ppm compared to the control. The intensity of expression of six protein bands treated with silver nanoparticles also changed. Increasing the concentration of nanoparticles in the medium increased the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase and decreased ascorbate peroxidase activity in the roots. However, in shoot, increased activity of peroxidase and catalase, and decreased activity of superoxide dismutase in response to high concentrations of silver nanoparticles. The results indicated that the presence of silver nanoparticles in the tomato culture medium leads to responses at physiological and molecular levels.

D. kotschyi is a source of essential oils with medicinal properties such as antihyperlipidemic, immunomodulatory, antinociceptive and cytotoxic effects. This study aimed to investigate whether the application of chitosan can improve plant growth, increase secondary metabolite production and help antioxidant enzymatic systems in Dracocephalum kotschyi under in vitro culture. Tow-week-old seedlings of D. kotschyi were cultured in MS medium containing 0, 5, 10 and 20 mg.L-1 chitosan. Four weeks after treatments, the enzymatic and morphological parameters were measured and the GC/MS analysis was used to evaluate the secondary metabolites. Chitosan resulted in changes in physiological and morphological responses. It had a beneficial effect on the main essential oil contents such as thymol, p-cymene and candinol increased by 16.2%, 20.3% and 34%, respectively. In spite of reduction of antioxidant  activities and growth, 20 mg/l had a positive effect on the oil components in D. Kotschyi.

Increase in secondary metabolites content has been attracting interest recently due to their huge economic importance. For example, Artemisia aucheria, which produces artemisinin, has both medicinal and economical importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of single or combination UV radiation as well as sampling time on biochemical-physiological properties of A. aucheria on the increase in secondary metabolites, especially artemisinin. Therefore, a completely randomized factorial design including 7 radiation (no UV, UV-A, UV-B, UV-C, UV- (A + B), UV- (A + C) and UV- (B + C)) and Two different sampling times ( 2 and 24 hours after treatment) was carried out in three replicates. The results indicated that the content of chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll decreased in response to all UV radiation conditions except for UV-A. Moreover, the highest decrease of photosynthetic pigments was observed in the UV-(B+C). In addition, the concentration of photosynthetic pigments was reduced through time. In contrast, the content of carotenoids in plants treated with UV-A was increased. Moreover, total flavonoid content was increased about 50% in response to UV-(A+C). Further, the delay in sampling was shown to be associated with an increase in the concentration of flavonoid. Generally, all types of UV radiation, except for UV-C, increased the concentration of artemisinin and most of the other essential oils in both sampling times. Although the highest concentration of artemisinin was observed in the plants treated with UV-(B+C), the usage of UV-B, UV-(A+B) and UV-(A+C) radiation is suggested for increasing the artemisinin content in the short time

Drought stress is one of the main non-biological factors limiting the growth and yield of plants in dry and semi-dry regions of the world. Plants are the source of much chemicals derived from secondary metabolism. Carum copticum is a plant from the Apiaceae family with the seeds containing 2-4% the essential oil which are rich in monoterpenes such as thymol and are widely used as an antibacterial agent. This experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of drought stress on physiological parameters and essential oil properties of seedlings and callus of C. copticum. For this purpose, seeds ofC. copticum were cultured in Murashige and Skoog medium containing 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8% PEG. Also,calluses cultured were in MS medium containing 0.25 mg.L-1 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and 1 mg.L-1 benzyl amino purine and different levels of PEG. After PEG treatment for 4 weeks, results showed that drought stress decreased chlorophylls and carotenoids contents while it increased anthocyanin, phenolic compounds, protein contents, and CAT and APX activities. Unlike CAT and APX, water deficit induced a significant reduction in superoxide dismutase activity. The content of reducing sugars and proline increased progressively when drought stress increased. Furthermore, PEG changed the essential-oil composition in shoots and calluses. Drought stress increased thymol and p-cymene concentration, though it decreased γ-terpinene. In general, these results showed the high tolerance of C. copticum to drought stress and also revealed positive effects of drought on the antioxidant activities and essential oil composition.

The present study was conducted to evaluate defense and physiological responses of some red and broomscultivars of Sorghum to salinity stress under in vitro culture. Seeds of Sorghum cultivars were cultured on MS (Murashig and Skoog, 1962) medium containing 0, 50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl under in vitro condition. After 2 weeks, the effect of salinity was studied on percentage of germination, growth parameters, photosynthetic capacity (total chlorophyll and carotenoids), total anthocyanin, total felavonoids, reducing sugars, proline, Naﲯ뼉궾 ions, total soluble protein content, ascorbate peroxidase and catalase activities in roots and shoots. According to percentage of seed germination and growth parameters, Red and brooms cultivars were selected as susceptible and resistant to salinity in the study, respectively. The photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoids) and the anthocyanin content decreased by increasing salt levels in both cultivars, while flavonoids increased in three wavelengths 270, 300 and 330 nm. The results showed proline, suger and protein contents increased in roots and shoots of two cultivars by increasing salinity. The content of Na ion increased in the roots of red and brooms cultivars and shoot of Red cultivar. Ratio Na/K increased in roots of two cultivars and shoots of red by increasing salinity. Ratio Na/K in the shoots of brooms cultivar didn’t change significantly under salt stress. Generally in the presence of salt, potassium decreased in roots and shoots of two cultivars. Calcium ion amount in the roots of two cultivars didn’t change significantly under salt stress while it increased in shoots of two cultivars. The CAT activity increased in roots and shoots of two cultivars but APX activity increased in brooms cultivar and decreased significantly in red cultivar.

Carum copticum L. is a medicinal plant of the Apiaceae family with medicinal properties. In this study, the effects of drought stress on the photosynthetic pigments and essential oils as well as the enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms of the seedlings and callus of C. copticum were investigated within the framework of a controlled experiment under in vitro conditions. For this purpose, the seedlings of C. copticum were cultured in the Murashige and Skoog medium containing three levels (0, 3, and 6%) of either sorbitol or mannitol. Furthermore, its calli were independently cultured in the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.25 mg.L-1 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 1 mg.L-1 benzyl amino purine, and different levels (0, 3, and 6%) of either sorbitol or mannitol. Both sorbitol and mannitol were found to reduce the photosynthetic pigments and carotenoid contents but increased the anthocyanin and flavonoid contents significantly. However, these effects were significantly more severe in plants submitted to mannitol, as compared to the sorbitol-treated ones. With the exception of the mannitol-treated leaf samples whose phenolic contents decreased with increasing drought concentration in the culture media, the phenolic contents in the other samples increased relative to those in the control samples. The ascorbate peroxidase activity was found to decrease in all the treated samples while the catalase activity greatly increased, particularly in the mannitol-stressed plants. Compared to the control, drought led to a significant increase in superoxide dismutase activity in all the samples treated with 6% sorbitol and in the calli samples treated with 3% mannitol, whereas the seedlings grown under mannitol treatment showed almost no difference with the control plants. In addition, drought stress changed the essential oil compounds of both the seedlings and the calli of C. copticum. Analysis of the essential oil constituents by Gas chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) showed thymol, gamatherpinen, and parasimen to be the main essential oil components which increased in quantity under high stress conditions. These bioactive compounds have many industrial and medicinal applications.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are the most important microorganisms of soil having an important role in soil fertility. In this research, the correlation between soil nutrient elements and Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization and spore numbers in the rhizosphere of Thymus kotschyamus Boiss. & Hohen. growing in the three regions (Taf, Vark and Kohkala) of Noujian watershed were studied during spring and autumn. Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis were also determined on vegetative characteristics and essential oil yield of T. kotschyamus.The results indicated that magnesium significant positive correlation with arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi spore density (.84) and percentage colonization (.92). Soil organic matter no significant linear correlation with arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi spore density and percentage colonization. Potassium negatively correlated with spore density and percentage colonization respectively; -0.85 and -0.90. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization significant linear correlation with dry weight (.79). Essential oil yield of T. kotschyamus positively correlated with that of spore density and percentage colonization respectively; .93 and .91. Given the importance of mycorrhizal symbiosis and compilation this with soil elements, this information can be useful for development of medicinal plants in agricultural ecosystems.

Air pollution has different effects on living organisms. Since plants facing different environmental conditions cannot move, they are forced to cope with difficult conditions and withstand a series of physiological and morphological changes. This study was done to investigate the effects of air pollution on some physiological indices of P. kansuensis plant. These indicators included chlorophyll pigments, carotenoids, anthocyanins, and protein content. The results showed that chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, and proteins in the contaminated area as compared with the clean area increased significantly. But anthocyanin content in the clean area did not change significantly compared to the contaminated area. Also, analysis of catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in the polluted regions showed a significant increase in comparison with the clean regions. Therefore, air pollution in Tehran can have adverse effects on photosynthetic efficiency of plants and air purification. functions of the plants which are one of the goals of the green spaces in major cities in addition to the beauty of urban space.

Salinity is one of the major factors limiting the growth of plants that threaten the sustainability of agriculture in vast areas of the world. It seems that the evaluation of medicinal plants such as thyme due to food, pharmaceutical and health is essential under salinity stress to discover its benefits of economic and health. This study was designed to investigate the effect of salinity on physiological parameters, biochemical and secondary metabolites in thyme (Thymus vulgaris) under in vitro culture conditions. Thyme seedlings grown from the seeds, 4 weeks after growth at 16 hours of light and 8 hours of dark and at temperature of 25±1 ºC in the growth chamber, were transferred to MS (Murashige and skoog) medium containing different concentrations of NaCl (0, 80, 100, 120 and 150 mM) and 25 days after the subculture, physiological parameters such as antioxidant enzymes activities and active pharmaceutical ingredients were measured. 25 days after salt treatment, the chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, and total soluble protein content were significantly decreased with increasing NaCl concentration, whereas increasing the salt concentration increased carbohydrates, proline and phenolics in thyme seedlings. Also salinity led to a significant increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. GC-Mass analysis showed that the productions of secondary metabolites were greatly affected by salinity. By increasing salinity level of P-cymene and Gama Terpinene increased and Thymol decreased. In general, it was observed that salinity with changes the physiological and biochemical parameters and the amount of active ingredients of Thyme can change the value of its medicinal properties.

Plants used for traditional medicine contain a wide range of substances which can be used to treat various infectious diseases. In the study, essential oil was extracted from the seed of Ajowan and the resulting extracts were evaluated by gas chromatography (GC-MS). Analysis and then assayed in vitro for theircapability to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria.In this study, the essential oil of Ajowan (Carumcapticum) obtained by hydrodistillation was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in order to determine their chemical composition. The antimicrobial effect of essential oil was determined using broth microdiluation method.Twenty-one (21) components in the oil of Ajowan were identified. The results indicated that the major components of the essential oil were Thymol (23.3%), p-cymene (17.5%), γ-Terpinene(16.8%) were present in fairly good amounts. However, it exhibited highest zone of inhibition (38 mm) against E.coli. The MIC value was also determined against all the tested bacteria. The MIC values of essential oil were found to be 3/75mg/ml against E.coli and 1/87 mg/ml against, Staphylococcus aureus present in Ajowan,Thymol, the major phenolic compound of essential oils plays an important role in antimicrobial activity.

Ajwan (Carum Copticum L.) is an important plant in Apiaceae family and has many medical uses. In this research، the effects of water deficit stress on growth، yield، compatible metabolite accumulations (proline and carbohydrates) and plant ingredients were studied under controlled conditions in a greenhouse. Water deficit levels included mild stress (90% field capacity)، medium stress (70% field capacity) and severe stress (50% field capacity). In 50% field capacity، the plant didn''t reach to seeding stage. Also، In this study، seed essence of plants under water stress، levels of 70 and 90% field capacity، was obtained by distillation with water and chemical compounds of essence were analyzed by GC/MS method. The statistical results showed significant effects of water stress on growth parameters، seed yield، proline accumulation، carbohydrate accumulation، oil yield and essential oil percentage. The increase of water stress decreased plant height، number of lateral branches، dry weight and seed yield. However، oil yield، oil percentage، proline and carbohydrate contents increased. The highest amounts of proline and carbohydrate at the 50% of field capacity (high stress) and also the maximum essential oil yield and percentage of essential oil at 70% field capacity were observed. Twenty-one chemical compounds were identified in both of the essences of Carum Copticum، and thymol، gamatherpinen and parasimen in each treatment were changed.

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Licorice) is one of the oldest medicinal plants in Iran and secondary metabolites present in the plant root is used in food and pharmaceutical industries. With the use of heavy metals as elicitors، plant secondary metabolite production can be increased. In this study، the effects of the concentrations of 1 and 10 µM of zinc oxide and copper oxide on the contents of reducing sugars (as precursor of secondary metabolites)، proline، glycyrrhizin، total phenolic compounds، flavonoids and anthocyanins in Glycyrrhiza glabra seedlings were investigated. Also، the correlation between the content of these metabolites in the treated seedlings was examined using Pearson''s test. The amount of reducing sugars at concentration of 10 µM zinc oxide was decreased. Whereas، the amounts of proline and glycyrrhizin under treatment 1 and 10 µM copper oxide and 1 µM zinc oxide compared with the control plants was increased. The content of total phenolic compounds was increased with increasing concentrations of copper oxide. The highest amount of flavonoids was observed at concentrations of 1 and 10 µM copper oxide. Anthocyanin content was increased in concentration of 1 µM copper oxide. Also، the tannin content of the Glycyrrhiza glabra seedlings at concentrations of 10 µM zinc oxide was increased. Based on the result it seemed that at concentrations of 1 and 10 µM copper oxide the amount of glycyrrhizin، phenolic compounds، flavonoids، anthocyanins were significantly increased، whereas، zinc oxide had no significant impact on the levels of these metabolites.

In this study، protein variations of seeds and five-day old cotyledonal leaves of four selected Brassica napus cultivars including Elite، Ocapy، Tasilo and Zarfam were analyzed by SDS-PAGE to identify protein markers. The amount of total soluble protein of seed storage proteins did not show significant differences in all cultivars whereas it was different in cotyledonal leaves. Protein patterns of seeds and cotyledonal leaves showed significant differences using SDS-PAGE and consequence analysis of bands by ImageJ program. Relative expression of six protein bands in seeds and five-day old cotyledonal leaves were significantly different. Three protein markers were identified by protein patterns of seed and cotyledonal leaves. The results of relationship analysis based on presence and absence of the specific protein bands in protein pattern of seed storage proteins showed that Tasilo and Elite cultivars had the highest similarities.

In this study، the hypothesis that defense response in leaves of the oilseed rape is induced under isothiocyanate stress was investigated. The effects of different concentrations of of methyl and propyl isothiocyanates (0، 1، 10 and 100 mM) were evaluated on accumulation of hydrogen peroxide، phenolic compound content and PAL and GST enzymes activities in Brassica napus L. Oxidative stress in isothiocyanates treated oilseed rape plantlets was deduced from increment of percentage of electrolyte leakage and from accumulation of hydrogen peroxide. Results showed that the PAL activity was significantly correlated to the contents of phenolic compounds in response to isothiocyanates. Results also showed that GST activity was induced in oilseed rape plantlets in response to exposure to 1mM isothiocyanate. Results suggested that production of total phenolic compound was not the only means of detoxifying in the oilseed rape plantlets and glutathione conjugation was also involved in the defense response to toxification in oilseed rape.