نشریه زیست فناوری گیاهان دارویی
سال هفتم شماره 1 (Spring -Summer 2021)

In the present study, we evaluated the antifungal activity essential oil of Thymus vulgaris against Rhizoctonia solani as important pathogen on tomato plants. The T. vulgaris EO was extracted using a Clevenger apparatus. A total of thirteen compounds, representing 98.6 % of the oil were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main components of thyme oil were included thymol (48.9 %), p-cymene (15.8 %), borneol (8.1 %), γ-terpinene (5.7 %), isoborneol (3.7 %) and 4-terpineol (3.2 %) that identified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values obtained for thyme oil was considerably lower than the values obtained for synthetic fungicides such as Thiabendazole and Tebuconazole. The results of this evaluation of indicate that a compound found in thyme oil was effective in reducing growth and fungal biomass. These results indicate that thyme oil after suitable formulation could be used for the control of soil-borne fungal pathogens of tomato, especially Rhizoctonia solani are common in many parts of the world.

Calotropis (Calotropis procera (Aiton) W. T.) is a spreading shrub or medium-sized tree reaching 2.5 to 6 m in height. It has a deep taproot, 3-4 m deep, and a secondary root system with woody lateral roots that may rapidly regenerate adventitious shoots when the plant is injured. The stems are crooked and covered with a fissured corky bark. The grey-green leaves are 15- 30 cm long and 2.5-10 cm broad and have a succulent and waxy appearance, hence the name procera, which means wax in latin. Compounds derived from the plant have been found to have emetic-cathartic and digitalic properties. The principal active compounds are asclepin and mudarin. Other compounds have been found to have bactericidal and vermicidal properties. The root bark is an emetic. An infusion of bark powder is used in the treatment and cure of leprosy and elephantiasis. The extremely poisonous roots are used in the treatment of snakebites. The leaves are used for the treatment of asthma. The milky sap is used as a rubefacient and is also strongly purgative and caustic. The latex is used for treating ringworm, guinea worm blisters, scorpion stings, venereal sores and ophthalmic disorders, it is also used as a laxative. The local effect of the latex on the conjunctiva is congestion, epiphora and local anaesthesia. The latex contains a proteolytic enzyme called caloptropaine. The flower is digestive and tonic. It is used in the treatment of asthma and catarrh. The twigs are applied for the preparation of diuretics, stomach tonic and anti-diarrhoetics and for asthma. Also used in abortion, as an anthelmintic, for colic, cough, whooping cough, dysentery, headache, lice treatment, jaundice, sore gums and mouth, toothache, sterility, swellings and ulcers. Also, stem fibre used for various purposes, such as for making ropes, to form cheap cots, gunny bags, bow strings, fishing nets, and in the manufacture of paper, pulp and duplicating stencils.

DNA gyrase is an essential bacterial enzyme that catalyzes the ATP-dependent negative super-coiling of double-stranded closed-circular DNA. DNA gyrase has long been known as an attractive target for antibacterial drugs. Curcumin is a polyphenol, found in the spice turmeric, that has promising anticancer and antimicrobial properties. The aim of this research is the bioinformatical study of DNA gyrase inhibition by a Curcumin derivative. In order to investigate the mode of interaction of the compound with DNA gyrase active site, the chemical structure of Curcumin glucuronide wase designed using ChemDraw program, then transferred into Hyperchem software for energy minimization. Docking study was performed by AutoDock 4.2 program and the resulting docking poses were analyzed in AutoDockTools, DS Visualizer 3.5 and Ligplot software. Curcumin glucuronide was able to occupy the active site of the enzyme. In fact, this compound indicated favorable interactions with the key amino acid residues at active site of DNA gyrase. Docking results for this compound are in accordance with those of cocrystallized ligand. The Asn46, Glu50, Ala47, Val71, Val43 of DNA gyrase were the sites for hydrogen bonding interactions with this compound. Finally, in respect to high effectiveness and docking results, we can conclude that the Curcumin glucuronide may be regarded as antimicrobial agent.

Kojic acid is a fungal metabolic product produced by a few species of Aspergillus, especially by A. oryzae, which has the Japanese common name koji. This compound is an inhibitor of growth of bacteria and multiplication of viruses. In this study, kojic acid derivative, Kojic acid glucoside, was evaluated as DNA gyrase activity inhibitors. DNA gyrase has long been known as an attractive target for antibacterial drugs. In order to investigate the mode of interaction of the compound with DNA gyrase active site, the chemical structures of kojic acid glucoside wase designed using ChemDraw program, then transferred into Hyperchem software for energy minimization. Docking study was performed by AutoDock 4.2 program and the resulting docking poses were analyzed in AutoDockTools, DS Visualizer 3.5 and Ligplot software. Binding model and the best docked pose of this compound showed Kojic acid glucoside formed a hydrogen bond with Asp73, Asn46, Glu50, Thr165, Val71, Arg136 of DNA gyrase in active site. The insilico molecular docking study results showed that, Kojic acid glucoside have minimum binding energy and good affinity toward the active pocket, thus, this may be considered as inhibitor of DNA gyrase.

Alternaria is considered one of the most common saprophytic fungi as well as is recognized as pathogens of various plant parts including seed. In May 2020, chlorosis and blight symptoms observed on seedlings emerging from seeds of Asafetida (Ferula assa-foetida). Using the agar plate test, a total of 19 fungal isolates were isolated from seed samples collected from different Asafetida growing regions of Iran. Based on morphological and molecular characteristics, all the isolates was identified as Alternaria alternata. Pathogenicity tests were conducted and Koch’s postulates were fulfilled by re-isolation of the identified fungus. This is the first report on isolation and identification of A. alternata associated with seed of Asafetida in world.

The medicinal value of the yew plant, especially Taxus baccata, is due to the presence of Paclitaxel under the brand name Taxol in its needle leaves. Taxol, with its antimicrobial properties, causes the death of proliferating cells by preventing the formation of abnormally dividing spindles. Abnormal division stops DNA transcription in the G2 / M division of mitosis and thus causes the proliferation of proliferating cells. Obtained for the first time from the yew plant. The yew tree with the scientific name of Taxus baccata L. is one of the coniferous trees of the plant belonging to the Taxaceae family. The yew forests are among the oldest forests in the world and are the heritage of the late third geological period. The yew is an endangered and regenerative plant. And it grows naturally very little. This tree is shade-loving and is distributed in humid and semi-humid areas and its distribution is in the forests of northern Iran. The use of this plant is the treatment of cancer, especially breast, uterine and ovarian cancers, which is related to the composition of taxol. It is a type of alkaloid diterpene that is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic drugs and is on the list of essential drugs of the World Health Organization. This substance is extracted from the skin, roots and other parts of the plant and is still extracted. Valuable plant source has retained its importance and status. Production of taxol through biotechnologies is one of the main options used and has advantages such as independence of production from geographical and environmental conditions, higher production speed and ease of extraction and prevention of extinction of native resources with a positive approach to increase the effective material.

Thymus is the eighth important genera of Lamiaceae family with regard to the number of containing species. It’s been used as a medicinal, aromatic and spicy plant. Demand for thyme products is growing and is not likely to be supported by collecting from natural populations because of insufficient/irregular rainfall in traditional source areas as well as destruction of its natural habitat. In this investigation nine populations (four population of Thymus kotchyanous from different part of Iran, one population of Thymus daenensis collected from Zanjan and four cultivars of Thymus vulgaris) planted in RCBD design with 3 replicates. Morphologically important traits were recorded to assess the genetic diversity within the Thymus genus. Considering dry matter yield, T. danensis with 4.1 tons/ha and 60% thymol component in essential oil has been selected as the most recommended population for cultivation in the cold region conditions. In the second rank, T. kochyanous code 54 had 3.5 tons/ha dry matter yield and 60% carvacrol content in essential oil samples. In conclusion, T. daenensis and T. kotchyanous_70 could selected for next phase of seed production.

Medicinal plants are potential sources of antimicrobial compounds, which could be used in the management of plant diseases. Research on plant extracts and essential oils which may substitute the use of agrochemical or which may contributes to the development of new compounds is extremely important. Essential oils are promising alternative compounds which have an inhibitory activity on the growth of pathogens. Application of essential oils is a very attractive method for controlling plant diseases. The Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum can be prevented through growing resistant cultivars, soil and seed disinfection by some chemicals. Recently the essential oils as a new method and replace for the control of plant diseases have been accepted. In this study the effect of essential oil of Thymus vulgaris was prepared by using a Clevenger apparatus and its antifungal effect on F. oxysporum was investigated in the laboratory based on mixing essential oil with medium with four replicates. Evaluation of essential oil antifungal was tested at different concentrations of essential oils (i.e. 0-2000 ppm). Growth rate decreases with increasing concentration. No growth was observed at concentrations of more than 1000 ppm. In section survey of enzyme activity, the essential oil reduces cellulase activity but over time, the effect of essential oil decreased. The results of this evaluation of indicate that compounds found in essential oil to reduce fungal growth and enzyme activity. Considering that the production of cellulase enzyme is one of the most important mechanisms influencing penetration to the host, thus reducing the amount of secreted enzymes indicates effect of essential oil on the pathogenic mechanisms and production of cellulase gene expression. These results indicate that essential oils after suitable formulation could be used for the control of Fusarium wilt caused by F. oxysporum pathogen.

Achillea vermicularis Trin. It belongs to the genus Achillea and the family Asteraceae, which is widely used in traditional medicine, especially in the treatment of arthritis, gastritis, asthma and liver diseases. From selecting a suitable plant sample, the whole vegetative body of the plant was harvested in the whole stage of flowering and after drying in room shade, it was powdered as a homogeneous mixture and its essential oil was extracted by distillation with water. Then, the components of the essential oil were identified and the amount of the components was identified using a gas chromatography device connected to a mass spectrometer. The results showed that the essential oil obtained from the dry vegetative body of the plant was white with a yield of 0.74%. (Table 1). The most important main compounds identified in the essential oil are: due to the high level of camphor (17.36%) and also bornel acetate (22.17%) which is a precursor to camphor and also the valuable substance 1 and 8-cineole (18.89%). The present study showed Zanjan city has a very good potential for producing yarrow.