نشریه اکوفیتو شیمی گیاهان دارویی
سال یازدهم شماره 2 (پیاپی 42، تابستان 1402)

To investigate the effect of the environment on phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant and phytochemical properties of essential oils in five cultivars of hop, in four regions of Golestan province (Gorgan, Aliabad, Galikesh, and Azadshahr), an experiment was conducted as randomized complete block design with three replications during 2021-2022. Fruit extracts were prepared by soaking method using acetone solvent and the phenolic and flavonoid contents and the antioxidant properties were determined via Folin-Ciocalteu, aluminum chloride colorimetric, and DPPH method, respectively. Extraction of essential oils from fruit and identification of the compounds in the essential oil were carried out by water distillation method (Clevenger machine) and a gas chromatograph connected to a mass spectrometer (GC/MS), respectively. Overall, 32 compounds were identified, including Beta-acid, Alpha-acid, Co-humulone, total oil, Caryophyllene, Humulene, and Myrcene compounds, as the main components of the essential oil. Cascade cultivar in Gorgan region had the highest rate of phenolic and flavonoid contents as well as antioxidant activity, which can be related to the climatic conditions of the region and the higher potential of this cultivar. Also, all cultivars in Gorgan region had the highest content of secondary metabolites than others. Among the cultivated cultivars, Cascade and then Centennial had the highest content of secondary metabolites in all cultivation areas. Therefore, in order to achieve higher secondary metabolites, cultivation of Cascade in Gorgan region is recommend. On the other hand, Nugget in Galicash had the lowest content of secondary metabolites, which can be related to its lower potential in production of secondary metabolites and the climatic conditions of Galicash region which is located at a higher altitude and has a negative effect on the production of secondary metabolites. Therefore, considering the effect of different environmental conditions on the medicinal compounds of the species, it is recommended to evaluate the effect of the other factors, including the soil of the habitats.

In view of enriched secondary metabolites in Alcea L., this study was carried out in order to determine and compare thebioactive compounds and their correlation with antioxidant activity in flowers and roots of different species of Alcea Seeds of different ecotypes of Alcea collected from Isfahan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Lorestan, and Markazi provinces. The study was arranged in a randomized complete block design in the Research Farm of Shahrekord University in summer 2018. Herbarium specimen were prepared and transferred to the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, and ultimately four different species of A. rufecense, A. schiraziana, A. lavateriflora, and A. rechingeri were identified. Physiological traits including percentage of extract and mucilage of flowers and roots were measured along with phytochemical traits, namely total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity of flowers using spectrophotometry. The results of analysis of variance indicated a significant difference between species and ecotypes (P≤0.01). Results of mean comparisons showed the highest percentage of extract, mucilage, total phenolics, and flavonoids contents were recorded in flowers of A. rufecense species. Also, tthe highest root mucilage and total anthocyanins contents and also the lowest IC50 of the flowers were recorded in A. lavateriflora species. In addition, the highest percentage of flower extract, root mucilage, flower mucilage, and total flavonoid content were observed in Sch6, Rech3, Ruf1, Sch4, respectively. Also, the highest total phenol and anthocyanin content and the lowest IC50 of flowers were observed in Lav4. Findings suggest that physiological and phytochemical studies can be used along with morphological studies for more accurate identification of ecotypes and species. It was also found that this plant is a very rich and affordable source of mucilage and antioxidant compounds, and by choosing the suitable species and ecotype, the highest number of these compounds can be achieved.

The science of ethnobotany is the collection of reliable data about the medicinal uses of plants in different cultures, which can be the basis for the discovery of new drugs. This research was conducted with the aim of identification and introduction of native medicinal use and ethnobotanical indicators of plant species of Susan in Susan region of Khuzestan province in Iran with an area of 1016 ha. Using a questionnaire, the data was collected from 80 (55 men and 25 women) native participants in the age range of 30-75 years old. Also, 109 species of medicinal plants belonging to 40 plant genera were collected and identified from Susan region in the northwest of Izeh city, Khuzestan, Iran. According to the obtained results, Asteraceae with 16 species, Lamiaceae with 12 species, Apiaceae with 8 species, Fabaceae with 7 species, and Brassicaceae with 6 plant species had the most medicinal uses. The results of the investigation of the traditional use of plants in this region showed that medicinal plants are mainly used for the treatment of digestive diseases, respiratory diseases, skin diseases, and blood circulation diseases (fat, high blood pressure, and blood sugar), urinary tract diseases, and as a sedative.

Effects of packaging film, temperature, and storage time on the biochemical properties of dried leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis L. were investigated in a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design at Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources during 2017-2018. Plant samples were collected and shade-dried from the newly grown branches of eight-year-old plants in June. Then, the samples were packed in packaging films including control (without coating), polyamide 80, 90, and 120 µ, polyethylene 90 µ and common plastic, before they were stored at 4 ℃ and 25 ℃ for one year. The biochemical compounds of the plant were measured every three-months. Chlorophylls and carotenoids were measured using dimethyl sulfoxide method. Phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were assayed by Folin-Ciocalteu, aluminum-chloride, and DPPH method. Findings showed that chlorophylls and carotenoids decreased over time; however, 4 ℃ preserved the pigments better than 25 ℃. The highest phenol content (4.5 mg/g) was observed in common plastic after 6 months, and the highest flavonoids (2.87 mg/g) was observed in polyamide 90 µ and polyethylene 90 µ stored for 3 months at 4 ℃. Total phenols and flavonoids in treatments were 1.78 and 3 times higher than the samples without coating stored for 12 months at 25 ℃. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in all packages at the beginning of the experiment, and the antioxidant activity decreased by 30.8% after 12 months storage at 25 ℃ without coating. According to the findings of the study, in order to preserve the quality of dried rosemary leaves, they are recommended to be stored in polyamide 90 and 120 µ and polyethylene 90 µ at 4 ℃ for 3 months, because in these treatments, in addition to the increase in total phenols and flavonoids (1.2-1.3 times compared to the beginning of the experiment), the content of total chlorophylls, carotenoids, and antioxidant activity did not increase highly.

Salinity stress is one of the major abiotic stresses, which reduces plant growth by reducing water absorption and disrupting the balance of nutrients. To study the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on the physiological traits of Capparis spinosa L. at high salt concentrations, a greenhouse experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement based on a randomized complete block with three replications in 2022. The first factor included 5 levels of salinity (100 (control), 200, 300, 400, and 500 mM), and the second factor comprised 4 levels of nitrogen fertilizer (50, 100, 150, and 200 ppm). The traits under study included shoot dry weight, proline content, soluble sugar, malondialdehyde enzyme activity, and catalase. Results showed that quantum yield, proline content, and soluble carbohydrate were affected by salinity and nitrogen concentrations. With increasing salinity levels from 100 to 500 mM, proline and soluble carbohydrate content increased, but with increasing nitrogen levels from 50 ppm to 200 ppm, soluble carbohydrates and proline content decreased and increased, respectively. Shoot dry weight and catalase activity were affected by the interaction of salinity and nitrogen levels. Results showed that at high levels of salinity and increasing nitrogen levels to 150 and 200 ppm, shoot dry weight content decreased while catalase, and peroxidase activity and shoot sodium content increased. According to these results, application of 200 ppm nitrogen is recommended in low (100 and 200 mM) and medium (300 mM) salinity levels while in high salinity (400 and 500 mM) levels, application of 50 ppm nitrogen in the nutrient solution of Capparis is recommended.

The genus Anthemis L. is the second largest genus in the Compositae family, which consists of 39 annual and perennial species scattered throughout Iran. In this research, a species of Anthemis lorestanica Iranshahr was collected from two regions in Isfahan province, namely Makdin region (sample 1) and Badum Valley region (sample 2) in 2017.  The samples were identified in the herbarium of the Research Institute of Forests and Pastures in the Department of Botany. The essential oils were extracted from its flowers and leaves by water distillation method (Klenger method). Then the essential oil samples were measured and identified by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography connected to mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The amount of essential oil in sample 1 was 0.12% for flower and 0.08% for leaf. Major compounds in the flower consisted of methyl decanoate (18.6%), α-cadinol (11.1%), and n-tricosan (9.1%). Major compounds in leaves were neryl acetate (13.4%), α-cadinol (12.9%), and dihydro eudesmol (8.5%). Essential oil contents of sample 2 were 0.2% for flower and 0.08% for leaf. The main flower compounds included spathulenol (68.8%), dehydro-aromadendrane (5.2%), and oplopanone (3%). The main compounds of the leaves were oplopanone (12.3%), 1-icocen (11.5%), and dihydro eudesmol (10.9%).

Aloe vera L. is one of the oldest and most traditional medicinal plants in history, which is more than a thousand years old. Today, its biological activity is not limited to therapeutic purposes. The expansion of the Aloe vera L. industry became evident during the 90s when the development of this product began due to the global demand from consumers for a healthier lifestyle. Considering this plant's relationship with agriculture, industry, and the economy, the present work examined   chemical, biological, and nutritional properties of Aloe vera and its processing methods, innovations, and biosynthesis of nanoparticles, and industrial applications. Applications of this plant are detailed in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries, and the global vision of the million-dollar market around this product is discussed. Also, the biosynthesis method of nanoparticles using Aloe vera L. as a reducing agent is presented. Aloe vera L. has been used to produce nanomaterial through biosynthesis. This plant has many unique properties and is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, sunburn relief, immune system strengthening, anti-aging, and anti-cancer properties. The study concludes that biosynthesized nanoparticles with Aloe vera L. are environmentally friendly, simple, economical, and safe.

Mechanical ventilation-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common nosocomial disease defined as occurring 48 hours after initiation of mechanical ventilation. In the present study, the effect of oral consumption of the traditional medicinal product (a product containing honey, ginger, cardamom, alpinia, saffron, mastic, and cinnamon) on the prevention and treatment of VAP was investigated. The study was a randomized clinical trial, conducted on 41 intubated patients admitted to Loghman Hakim and Shohadaye Tajrish hospitals in Tehran during 2019-2020. Patients were divided into two groups including 19 cases (control) and 22 cases (intervention). In the intervention group, patients received 10 ml of mixed honey syrup (manufactured by Niyak Gorgan Pharmaceutical Factory) three times a day by gavage. In all patients, variables such as demographic information, underlying diseases, medications, duration of intubation, rate of VAP, and clinical and laboratory information were recorded and evaluated. The incidence of VAP based on the CPIS score was 50% and 47.36%  in the intervention and control group, respectively, showing no significant difference ​​(P≤0.558). Also, based on the analysis of the obtained data, no significant difference was found between the days of antibiotic treatment in patients with pneumonia. Based on the findings, this product had no effect on the rate of pneumonia caused by mechanical ventilation devices, but its positive effects were evident in stopping fever faster in the patients of the intervention group.