Journal of Medicinal Herbs
Volume:4 Issue: 1, Spring 2013

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) formerly was important in Turkey. Saffron cultivation has been decreased and it is now only cultivated in three villages in this country. It is triploid and exclusively propagated in a vegetative way by corms. In Turkey, saffron is traditionally planted by placing corms in rows randomly without grading or sorting; which results in placement of corms in vertical, horizontal and reverse in rows at random. The study aimed to find the effect of corm size and position of placement in rows on stigma and corms yield. This study was done at the experimental fields of the Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Ankara University, during 2010-2011 using four different corms size and three placement positions in three replications. The results revealed that position of corms and their size had significant effect on stigma yield. Whereas, corm yield was influenced by corm size only. According this study, vertical placement produced more stigma yield than other ones in planting. Vertical placement corms in rows should be practiced to obtain more stigma yield.

Jasmonic acid (JA) is regarded as endogenous regulators that play important roles in regulating stress responses, plant growth and development.Effect of foliar application of JA on the essential oil and oil chemical components of hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) were investigated. This study conducted in a CRD with three replications and in experimental greenhouse, I.A.U., Shahrekord Branch, Iran at 2012. Experimental treatments included (I) water foliar application (control), (II) water + aceton foliar application (as a solvent), (III-V) 50, 100 and 200 JA µL. The essential oils obtained by hydro-distillation were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The results of GC-MS showed that the major components of the oil were cis-3-pinanone (10-39%), trans-3-pinanone (4-28%) and β-pinene (27-34%). The results of analysis of variance of the experiment showed that different levels of the foliar application of JA do have significant impacts on chemical constitutes in the essential oil.Finally, foliar application of 200 µL JA on some of secondary metabolite production in H. officinalis oil could be partially changed. Abbreviation: JA: Jasmonic Acid, MJ: Methyl Jasmonate, GC-MS: Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry µL: Micro liter, M: Molar; ANOVA: Analysis of Variance, CRD: Completely Randomized Design.

The purpose of present study was to examine and validate the folk's claim of inhalation of Monechma ciliatum seeds powder by traditional African natives for cold and allergic conditions, so as to formulate a useful therapeutic agent to respiratory tract infections. Different extracts were bio-assayed in vitro for their bioactivity to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Bacteria and fungi selected in the study were common pathogens for respiratory tract infections.  Klebsiella pneumoniae was highly sensitive to the hydroalcoholic extract (maceration by 70% ethanol and 30% water) and moderately sensitive to the extract (maceration by water). Staphylococcus aureus was found to be moderately sensitive to the hydroalcoholic extract (maceration by 70% ethanol 30% water). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was resistance to all extract used. In addition, all fungi used were found to be resistance to all extracts. Phytochemical screening test results of seeds of Monechma ciliatum to detect the major constituents showed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, triterpens, and anthraquinones. The findings of study support the traditional uses of the plant in the therapy of respiratory tract infections. The extracts of black mahlab could be used in future direction as alternative therapeutic agents for the treatment of human's respiratory tract infectious diseases caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus.

Knowledge of the traditional application of plants is declining faster than the plants themselves; this study was conducted to record and store the local knowledge and cultural outcomes for using the medicinal plants in treating diseases in Mobarakeh region, Isfahan, Iran. This study has done based on applying the desert survey, information of local people, and identification, classification and introducing these plants. Then the plant species were collected and transferred to the department of botany in Isfahan Research Center for Natural Resources in order to be identified after drying and preparing their herbarium. Finally, 200 plant species were identified; from which 75 ones, belonged to 73 genera, and 33 families with medicinal properties, were identified. From this number, 75% are herbaceous, ten percent shrubby and 15 percent are arboreous. The highest number of medicinal species belongs to the Lamiaceae family with nine species, Asteraceae family with eight species, Rosaceae family with six species, and the families Apiaceae, Papilionaceae, and Brassicaceae with five species. These plants are used in traditional medicine for treatment of gastrointestinal ailments, relaxation, cough, diarrhea, low blood sugar, and hyperlipidemia. According to results of this study, the preservation and conservation of some herbs species is essential. This document can play a role in preserving the indigenous knowledge of using these plants.

Aflatoxin (AF) is the most important fungus that contaminates food and feed and can enter the food chain of humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of thistle seeds (silybum marianum L.) to reduce the adverse effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the immune system, variables related to the intestine, appearance and mortality of the broiler chickens. In this experiment, a total of 216 male Ross 308 broiler chickens in a completely randomized factorial design 3 × 3 with nine treatments, four replications, and six chickens unit were grown on the ground for 35 days. Treatments was included three levels of AFB1 (0, 250, and 500 ppb) and three levels of milk thistle seed (0, 0.5 and 1%). Influenza and Newcastle diseases virus (IDV & NDV) titers in two steps (25 and 34 days), variables related to the intestine at the end of the experiment along with the weekly appearance and mortality of broiler chickens were evaluated. Analysis of IDV and NDV results in the day 34 showed a reduction in titers of them in birds receiving diets contaminated with 500 ppb AFB1 (p ≤ 0.05). Also, the length of the ileum and the total intestine at the end of the experimental period (day 35) indicated decrease in the group of birds received diets containing 500 ppb AFB1 (p ≤ 0.05).  Chicks receiving diet containing 500 ppb of AFB1 had the most of feather abnormalities, aggressive behavior and minimal body size compared with other treatments. Mortality due to AFB1 consumption in various experimental treatments was not significant. Probably phitosomes of milk thistle seeds (MTS) reduce the mortality rate, nervous and aggressive behavior and increase the immunity of broilers against IDV & NDV in AFB1 exposure time.

Tragacanth is a natural gum obtained from the dried sap of several species of Middle Eastern egumes of the genus Astragalus, that is a viscous, odorless, tasteless, water-soluble mixture of polysaccharides. Tragacanth is used in pharmaceutical and foods industries as an emulsifier, thickener, stabilizer, and texturant additive. Sponge cake is one of the most popular bakery products due to its nutritional value, ready-to-eat nature, long-shelf life and specifically its fine structure. Tragacanth gum can improve textural properties of bakery products duo to its nature as a hydrocolloid. In this study, texture profile analysis (TPA) and also cutting tests (for crumb and crust) were applied to find out the effects of tragacanth gum on the textural properties of commercial sponge cakes during 30 days. The concentrations of tragacanth gum were 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8% (w/w) in the cakes’ batter. Results revealed that tragacanth gum up to 0.4% led to softening the texture of the cake and reducing the signs of aging. Application of tragacanth gum (up to indicated level) in bakery products, particularly the sponge cake, can improve textural properties and increase shelf life of these products.

Clematis is an ornamental and medicinal plant that is primarily planted as an ornamental plant. Clematis orientalis is native to Asia and Central Europe, used as an antiseptic and refrigerant. The propagation of Clematis is very important. In this study, the effects of plant growth regulators on rooting and growth of the plants in vitro culture were examined.

In this study, effects of growth regulators, including naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), at the concentrations of 0.0, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6 mg/mL and Indol butyric acid (IBA) at the concentrations of 0.0, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6 mg/mL on micropropagationin Murashige and Skoog’s  medium (MS) were investigated.

Results indicated that the effects growth regulators of auxin at different concentrations on in vitro growth micrpropagules were significant. The highest rooting and number of stems were obtained from control. Increase concentration of growth regulators decreased rooting. The highest decrease rate was obtained from0.6 mg/L auxin.

The result of study indicated that positive effects lateral shoot explants and Murashige and Skoog’s medium (MS) without growth regulators on micropropagation.

Herbal extracts contain the important useful natural compounds. In the food industry are great important due to properties flavoring and aroma's, as well as delaying the corruption and are widely used as condiments, flavorings, preservatives and antioxidants.

The extract of Tragopogon graminifolius was added to milk prepared for yogurt production before packing and adding starter at different concentrations of 500,1000, and1500 parts per million, and produced yogurt was assessed of physical, chemical, sensory and rheological ,within 21 days and at specified time intervals.

Results indicated that adding extracts salsify has been effective on chemical properties of yogurt. The extract constant acidity and increased shelf life and water-holding capacity (WHC). In addition, the extract reduced among of water in yogurt and undesired on the rheological properties of yogurt such as viscosity.

According to the results of the experiments of physical, chemical, and rheological, concluded the extract from Tragopogon graminifolius was most desirable efficiency of the process changes acidity, pH, WHC, the amount of water coming out of yogurt.