Phytochemistry (extraction, identification and measurement of active components)
Issa Hakimi Nia; Gholamreza Abdi
Abstract
Background and Aim: The Vitex pseudo-negundo plant, belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is valued in traditional medicine due to its medicinal properties. This plant is used to treat inflammation, pain, and hormonal disorders. Its essential oil contains active compounds such as alpha-pinene and limonene, ...
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Background and Aim: The Vitex pseudo-negundo plant, belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is valued in traditional medicine due to its medicinal properties. This plant is used to treat inflammation, pain, and hormonal disorders. Its essential oil contains active compounds such as alpha-pinene and limonene, which play a significant role in its therapeutic effects. To investigate the functional diversity and composition of the essential oil of this valuable plant, 50 populations from natural habitats across 12 provinces of the country were collected and studied.Materials and Methods: In this study, 50 seed samples of Vitex pseudo-negundo were collected from diverse geographical regions across Iran. The collected seeds were thoroughly cleaned and then dried under shade at ambient temperature (approximately 25–30°C) for two weeks to preserve their volatile components. Essential oil extraction was performed by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. For each extraction run, 170 grams of the dried seed powder were placed in a round-bottom flask and mixed with 500 mL of distilled water. During this period, the vapor containing essential oil was condensed and collected in the graduated tube of the apparatus. The extracted oil was then separated from water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate to remove any residual moisture, and stored in sealed dark vials at 4°C until further analysis. The oil yield was calculated based on the dry weight of the seeds. For chemical characterization, the essential oil samples were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with an Agilent 7890A model equipped with a (HP-5-MS) capillary column. Helium was used as the carrier gas at a constant flow rate. The identification of individual compounds was carried out by comparing their mass spectra with those stored in the Wiley and Adams libraries, as well as by calculating and matching their retention indices relative to a series of n-alkane standards. This comprehensive approach enabled accurate determination of the major and minor volatile constituents present in each population.Results: The results showed that the essential oil yield in the studied populations varied depending on the geographical region, ranging from 0.29% to 0.59%. The highest essential oil yield (0.59%) was observed in populations from Zarful, Dasht-e Mook, Tang-e Pirzal, and Simareh. In contrast, the lowest yield (0.29%) was found in 13 different regions, including Tang-e Abolhayat, Karend, Sardasht, Farashband, Masjed Soleyman, Zeydun, Zeydun Behbahan, Pol-e Keshkan, Shush, Sheykhan, Gachgaran, Bouger, and Sorkheh Dizeh. Analysis of the essential oil composition of V. pseudo-negundo seeds identified eight major compounds, with varying abundances among different populations. These compounds included alpha-pinene (11.24–28.64%), limonene (4.63–17.56%), terpinyl acetate (1.18–13.20%), alpha-eudesmol acetate (4.44–10.58%), trans-caryophyllene (2.12–12.6%), beta-eudesmol (1.14–8.24%), geranyl linalool (2.41–6.56%), and verbenene (1.52–4.7%). Overall, alpha-pinene and limonene were found to be the primary compounds in all populations. Additionally, alpha-eudesmol acetate was consistently present in most regions at stable levels (5–10%). The highest concentration of this compound was observed in Pol-e Dokhtar (10.58%) and Lashkar Bolouki (10.24%), while the lowest was in Karend towards Sar Pol-e Zahab (4.44%). Trans-caryophyllene was also detected in most samples, with the highest (12.6%) and lowest (2.12%) amounts reported in Ghaemiyeh and Kashkoo village, respectively. The results of cluster analysis and biplot analysis of Vitex pseudo-negundo based on the quantity and quality of essential oil divided the habitats of this plant into five main groups. Conclusion: Results indicated that essential oil yield and compositional diversity are influenced by various factors, including genetic origin, climatic conditions, and environmental characteristics. Given the high percentage of alpha-pinene in the essential oil of this plant, its use in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries could be of significant interest.
Seifollah Bahramikia; saba safari; omid dezfoulian
Abstract
Background and objectives: Peptic ulcer disease is a multifactorial and complex condition. Despite advancements in medical science, managing gastric ulcers and their complications remains a challenge. Treatment of gastric ulcers with chemical medications often leads to numerous side effects, making the ...
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Background and objectives: Peptic ulcer disease is a multifactorial and complex condition. Despite advancements in medical science, managing gastric ulcers and their complications remains a challenge. Treatment of gastric ulcers with chemical medications often leads to numerous side effects, making the search for alternative therapeutic solutions highly beneficial. The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles is becoming increasingly important and represents a method for treating gastrointestinal ulcers. This study aimed to investigate the effect of silver nanoparticles synthesized from the aqueous extract of Quercus brantii flour (SNQBF) on the treatment of ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats.Methodology: In this study, silver nanoparticles were initially synthesized using a green synthesis method with oak extract acting as a reducing agent. The reaction between the extract and silver nitrate, along with the color change of the resulting solution, indicates the formation of silver nanoparticles at optimal concentrations, pH, and temperature. Additionally, the analysis of the resulting solution with a spectrophotometer at wavelengths between 380-430 nm confirmed the production of silver nanoparticles.In this investigation, after synthesizing silver nanoparticles from the aqueous extract of Quercus brantii flour, thirty male Wistar rats weighing 200±20 grams were randomly selected and divided into five groups. These groups included a normal group, an ethanol group (rats that received only 1 milliliter of ethanol), a standard group (rats receiving a dose of 50 mg/kg ranitidine), and experimental groups 1 and 2 (which received doses of 5 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg of Quercus brantii flour nanoparticles, respectively).In this study, one hour after the gavage of nanoparticles and the drug, all rats except for the normal group were gavaged with 1 milliliter of 96% ethanol to induce gastric ulcers. After one hour post-ethanol gavage, the rats were anesthetized using ketamine. To prepare serum, blood was collected from the heart of the animals. After the stomach tissue was harvested, the volume and pH of the gastric juice were evaluated. Finally, the stomach tissue was divided into two parts; one part was examined for ulcer index and percentage of ulcer inhibition, while the other part was used for histopathological studies and biochemical parameter assessments, including levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), carbonyl protein, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, catalase enzyme, and nitric oxide in the tissue.Results: In the present study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized from the aqueous extract of Quercus brantii flour using optimization methods for the parameters of concentration, temperature, pH, and time. Concentrations ranging from 3 to 6 of the extract and silver nitrate solution, a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius, pH = 7, and a time of 24 hours were selected as the optimal parameters. In this study, the structure and morphology of the nanoparticles were confirmed using various techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and dynamic light scattering.The results showed that the pH of gastric juice in the ethanol group decreased compared to the normal group. Additionally, the pH of gastric juice in the ranitidine group and experimental groups 1 and 2 increased, and an increase in the percentage of ulcer inhibition was observed in these groups. Biochemical parameter assessments in the rats indicated that in the ethanol group, the levels of malondialdehyde, carbonyl protein, reactive oxygen species, and serum nitric oxide were higher than in the other groups. Conversely, the levels of reduced glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase, tissue nitric oxide, and gastric mucus were at their lowest. In the standard group and experimental groups 1 and 2, the levels of malondialdehyde, carbonyl protein, reactive oxygen species, and serum nitric oxide decreased, while the levels of reduced glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase, tissue nitric oxide, and gastric mucus were at their highest.Conclusion: The green synthesis method is a rapid, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly process. The results of this study indicated that silver nanoparticles synthesized using Quercus brantii flour represent a promising approach for the treatment of gastric ulcers.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
Seyyedeh Maryam Zamanian Dehkordi; mohsen Jafarian Dehkordi; mohammad zavarshani; mohsen asgari; maryam zavarshani
Abstract
Background and objectives: Long-term elevation of blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) leads to an increased incidence of the non-enzymatic Maillard reaction. This process leads to the production of glycated proteins such as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), which increases under diabetic conditions. Various ...
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Background and objectives: Long-term elevation of blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) leads to an increased incidence of the non-enzymatic Maillard reaction. This process leads to the production of glycated proteins such as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), which increases under diabetic conditions. Various studies have shown that serious secondary complications of diabetes, including cardiovascular diseases and chronic kidney damage, are associated with increased HbA1c levels. Hence, lowering HbA1c levels contributes to the management of diabetic complications. In recent years, it has been demonstrated that medicinal plants are capable of decreasing HbA1c production. Considering that diabetes is one of the most common metabolic disorders in dogs, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Pistacia atlantica hydroalcoholic extract on hemoglobin glycation isolated from dogs under in vitro conditions.Methodology: Initially, 20 mL of blood was collected from a clinically healthy dog with normal fasting blood glucose levels, and hemoglobin was isolated from the blood sample. To prepare the hydroalcoholic extract, fruits of Pistacia atlantica Desf. were collected from the mountainous regions of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran. The fruits were air-dried at room temperature and subsequently extracted using a hydroalcoholic solvent (ethanol–water mixture). The hydroalcoholic extract was then prepared at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, and 1 g/dL. Glucose solutions at concentrations of 20 and 40 mmol/L were also prepared to simulate hyperglycemic conditions. Experimental mixtures containing hemoglobin, glucose, and the designated concentrations of the hydroalcoholic extract were prepared and incubated at 37°C in the dark for 7 and 14 days. Following incubation, HbA1c levels were determined using a colorimetric assay. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 26). Normality of the data was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Differences among groups were evaluated by one-way analysis of variance (One-way ANOVA), followed by Tukey's post hoc multiple comparison test. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: On day 7 under 20 mM glucose (hyperglycemic) conditions, HbA1c levels in the positive control and in the 0.1, 0.5, and 1 g/dL Pistacia atlantica extract groups were 9.67 ± 0.141, 8.68 ± 0.021, 9.16 ± 0.212, and 9.40 ± 0.141, respectively. On day 14, HbA1c levels in the same groups were 9.72 ± 0.141, 7.32 ± 0.021, 7.58 ± 0.002, and 8.21 ± 0.002, respectively. Statistical analysis indicated that HbA1c formation was significantly reduced in all extract-treated groups compared with the positive control (P < 0.05). Similarly, under 40 mM glucose conditions, HbA1c levels on day 7 in the positive control and in the 0.1, 0.5, and 1 g/dL extract groups were 18.42 ± 0.593, 17.07 ± 0.070, 17.58 ± 0.353, and 17.63 ± 0.123, respectively. On day 14, the corresponding values were 18.53 ± 0.141, 15.40 ± 0.067, 15.19 ± 0.124, and 16.86 ± 0.125, respectively. Statistical analysis also revealed a significant reduction in HbA1c formation in all extract-treated groups compared to the positive control (P < 0.05).Conclusion: The results indicate that the fruit of Pistacia atlantica possesses anti-glycation properties and can reduce HbA1c formation under hyperglycemic conditions. Therefore, it seems that the extract of this plant could serve as a therapeutic adjunct for reducing HbA1c levels and consequently reduce secondary complications associated with hyperglycemia, such as diabetes in dogs.
Agriculture and horticulture
zahra mottaki; ghader habibi
Abstract
Background and objectives: In nature, plants are continually exposed to abiotic and biotic stresses. Under altitudinal gradients, the environmental change in temperature, radiation, and moisture negatively affects plant growth. Among all the environmental factors that change with the altitude, high radiation ...
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Background and objectives: In nature, plants are continually exposed to abiotic and biotic stresses. Under altitudinal gradients, the environmental change in temperature, radiation, and moisture negatively affects plant growth. Among all the environmental factors that change with the altitude, high radiation is the most important factors limiting the plant growth. In such a condition, plants have developed various morphophysiological and biochemical adaptations, which are defined as photoprotection mechanisms, to avoid the harmful effects of higher intensities of light radiation. In this study, for the first time the role of high light stress and UVB on the regulation of photoprotection mechanisms in two ecotypes of Nepeta crassifolia plants was investigated. Indeed, a certain amount of UVB radiation on medicinal plants can be a suitable way to obtain a significant content of secondary metabolites and thus increase their medicinal and economic values.Methodology: Three to five seeds of Nepeta crassifolia were transferred and sown on the surface of the cylindrical plastic pots (30 cm in diameter and 40 cm in depth) containing sandy soil mixed with peat moss and perlite for 12 weeks, and were irrigated with distilled water every 7 days. Plants were grown at 25 °C day/14 °C night temperatures, with 16 h photoperiods and a daytime photon flux density of 400 μmol m–2 s–1, in an environmentally controlled growth chamber for a period of three months prior to the start of experiments. The mature plants were then exposed to irradiation with UVB (control, UVB, 15 and 30 kJ m-2 d-1) and high-intensity light (HL, 800 µmol m-2 s-1) stress for further 10 days. Measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence (which were described in the following section) and other analysis were performed on the fully expanded and mature leaves. For the latter analysis, leaf samples were freezed immediately in liquid N2 and stored until assay.Results: After exposure to UVB and HL stress, high altitude (3500 m) plants exhibited more tolerance to photoinhibition as compared to low-altitude plants. Under stress combination, low-altitude (2400 m) plants exhibited lower photochemical activity, which was associated with the down-regulation of chlorophyll, and consequently the occurrence of photoinhibition. The photoinhibition of PSII under combined stress was assessed by the analysis of maximal quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), which was consistent with the decrease in the activity of oxygen-evolving complex (Fv/Fo). Increased tolerance in high altitude plants was accomplished by higher levels of phenol content under UVB and HL stress coupled with higher levels of carotenoids, and consequently higher photochemical functioning. Conclusion: To sum up, exposure of high altitude plants to HL and UVB radiation caused further increases in the activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) enzyme as well as the accumulation of phenolic, rosmarinic acid and chlorogenic acid (CGA), which play a key role in enhancing resistance to combined stress in comparison to low-altitude plants. The present findings provide important information about the selection of resistant ecotypes to stress conditions with more valuable compounds. The results of this study are useful for scientific, agricultural and industrial purposes.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
Samaneh Akbari; Shahram Aramideh; Mahdieh Mousavi
Abstract
Background and Objectives: A number of plant secondary metabolites can function as botanical insecticides. These compounds exert their effects by disrupting molecular, biochemical, and physiological processes in insects, resulting in reduced feeding, growth, and survival. In this study, the lethal and ...
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Background and Objectives: A number of plant secondary metabolites can function as botanical insecticides. These compounds exert their effects by disrupting molecular, biochemical, and physiological processes in insects, resulting in reduced feeding, growth, and survival. In this study, the lethal and sublethal effects as well as the impact on the nutritional indices of third-instar larvae of the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua Hübner, a major pest of sugar beet, were investigated under exposure to three botanical insecticides: matrine, neemarin, and tondexir.Materials and Methods: To determine LC₅₀, sublethal effects, and feeding indices of S. exigua, larvae were reared under laboratory conditions and treated with botanical insecticides including matrine (commercial name: Rui Agro, derived from Sophora flavescens Ait.), neemarin (EC 15%, derived from Azadirachta indica Juss. seeds), and tondexir (EC 80%, an oily extract of Capsicum annuum L.). Following preliminary tests, five logarithmically spaced concentrations of each insecticide were prepared. Treated sugar beet leaves were exposed to third-instar larvae, and larval mortality was recorded after 48 hours. Sublethal effects were evaluated using LC₂₅ concentrations of each insecticide. Treated larvae were monitored until adulthood, and biological parameters such as survival and fecundity were recorded. To compare the effects of different dietary treatments on the nutritional indices of third-instar larvae, food consumption, growth, and frass production were measured. A one-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Lethal concentration values were estimated using probit analysis in SPSS, and life table parameters were analyzed using the age-stage, two-sex life table theory with the TwoSex-MSChart software.Results: The LC₅₀ values of matrine, neemarin, and tondexir against third-instar S. exigua larvae after 48 hours were determined to be 47.61, 153.83, and 221.14 µL/mL, respectively. Sublethal effects were assessed at LC₂₅ concentrations. Results revealed that adult longevity and fecundity were significantly reduced in all botanical treatments compared to the control. The mean oviposition period of adult females decreased from 9.4 days in the control group to 4.90, 7.41, and 7.78 days in matrine, neemarin, and tondexir treatments, respectively. The net reproductive rate (R₀) declined from 283.60 offspring/female/generation in the control to 80.5, 162.57, and 184.22 in matrine, neemarin, and tondexir treatments, respectively. The intrinsic rate of increase (rₘ) was 0.159 day⁻¹ for matrine and 0.167 day⁻¹ in the control. Other life table parameters including the finite rate of increase (λ), gross reproductive rate (GRR), and mean generation time (T) were also significantly reduced in all treatments compared to the control. Furthermore, nutritional indices such as the Relative Consumption Rate (RCR), Relative Growth Rate (RGR), Efficiency of Conversion of Ingested food (ECI), and Efficiency of Conversion of Digested food (ECD) were all significantly lower in larvae fed with treated diets. Overall, matrine showed superior performance in all three categories—lethal, sublethal, and nutritional—compared to neemarin and tondexir.Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the tested botanical compounds significantly affect lethality, sub lethality, and nutritional indices of S. exigua. Matrine, neemarin, and tondexir may serve as environmentally friendly and sustainable alternatives for the integrated management of beet armyworm. Their application could contribute to reducing reliance on synthetic insecticides and lowering environmental risks, thereby improving pest management strategies.
Improvement and breeding
Ahmad Asgharzadeh; Mitra Hooshmand; Maryam Tatari; Susan Khosroyar
Abstract
Background and Objective: Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is globally recognized as a valuable medicinal plant due to its exceptional medicinal and nutritional properties. In addition to its widespread use in the pharmaceutical industry, garlic is extensively applied in food, hygiene, and cosmetic industries. ...
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Background and Objective: Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is globally recognized as a valuable medicinal plant due to its exceptional medicinal and nutritional properties. In addition to its widespread use in the pharmaceutical industry, garlic is extensively applied in food, hygiene, and cosmetic industries. In Iran, garlic is considered an important agricultural and industrial crop, cultivated across diverse regions, playing a significant role in public health and the production of therapeutic products. Its antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties make garlic a potent natural source for the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases. However, garlic production in Iran is significantly influenced by environmental conditions, soil quality, cultivation practices, and agricultural management strategies.Materials and Methods: This experiment was conducted during the 2022-2023 growing season in three major garlic-producing provinces of Iran: Razavi Khorasan (Quchan, Sabzevar, and Torbat-e Jam counties), Hamadan (Hamadan, Tuyserkan, and Asadabad counties), and Mazandaran (Kelardasht, Behshahr, and Sari counties). From each province, three counties were selected, and from each county, three villages were chosen. Within each village, three fields with approximately identical soil physicochemical properties and farm management practices were selected. A total of 81 fields were selected for sampling. The studied locations were considered as treatments. The collected data were analyzed based on a nested design. In all regions, the land was left fallow during the previous year with no fertilizer or irrigation application. Weed control was carried out manually through hand-weeding and hilling around the plants across all regions. The harvest criterion was the yellowing of 60-70% of the leaves. After harvest, the plants were dried in the field and then transferred to the laboratory for analysis. Measured traits included garlic bulb weight, number of cloves per bulb, clove weight, garlic yield, allicin content, flavonoid content, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activities, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and total phenol content. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS 9.4 statistical software, and mean comparisons of evaluated traits were conducted using Fisher's least significant difference (LSD) test at the 5% probability level. arlic bulb weight was recorded in Sanjuzan village (Hamadan province) at 59.1 g, while the lowest was recorded in Parkala village (Mazandaran province) at 32.4 g, indicating a 45% difference. Regarding the number of cloves per bulb, the highest value was recorded in Bidestan village (Torbat-e Jam, Razavi Khorasan) with 26.8 cloves, and the lowest was recorded in Artiman village (Tuyserkan, Hamadan) with 12.1 cloves, representing a 50% difference. The highest clove weight was observed in Hamadan regions (Vafarjin and Sulan) at 4.28 g, and the lowest was observed in Parkala at 1.15 g, demonstrating a 73% difference. The highest final yield (tons per hectare) was recorded in Sanjuzan at 17.7 tons, and the lowest was recorded in Parkala at 9.7 tons. Regarding biochemical compounds, the highest allicin content was recorded in Torbat-e Jam (6.38%), and the lowest was recorded in Kelardasht (1.46%). The highest total flavonoid content was also recorded in Torbat-e Jam (22.2 mg/g), while the lowest was recorded in Kelardasht (17 mg/g); the mean flavonoid content was 21.03 mg/g in Razavi Khorasan, 19.4 mg/g in Hamadan, and 17.1 mg/g in Mazandaran. Concerning antioxidant enzymes, Akapel village (Kelardasht, Mazandaran) exhibited the highest catalase (21.5 U/mg), glutathione peroxidase (12.9 U/mg), and superoxide dismutase (103 U/mg) activities, whereas the lowest values were observed in Shurin village (Hamadan) or Noorabad (Sabzevar). The highest DPPH radical scavenging capacity (75%) was observed in Akapel, and the lowest (52.5%) in Vafarjin.Conclusion: Overall, this study underscores the critical importance of selecting suitable regions for garlic cultivation. The findings indicate that diverse climatic conditions significantly influence both agronomic performance and biochemical composition of garlic. For achieving high quantitative yields, cooler and temperate regions such as Hamedan are recommended due to their favorable climatic conditions for growth and productivity. Conversely, for maximizing the accumulation of valuable medicinal compounds such as allicin, warmer and drier regions like Torbat-e Jam are more suitable. These environmental conditions enhance the biosynthesis of active compounds, thereby improving the medicinal quality of garlic. This information can serve as a practical guideline for agricultural planning and cultivar selection based on varied production goals, including culinary, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications.
Agriculture and horticulture
Haniyeh Shabkhiz; abdollah javanmard; sara molla ali abasiyan; mohammad reza morshedloo
Abstract
Background and objectives: Cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants has long had a special place in traditional Iranian agricultural systems, and these systems have played an important role in creating diversity and sustainability. Recently, agricultural lands contaminated with heavy metals have ...
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Background and objectives: Cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants has long had a special place in traditional Iranian agricultural systems, and these systems have played an important role in creating diversity and sustainability. Recently, agricultural lands contaminated with heavy metals have attracted much attention due to their destructive effects on agricultural ecosystems. Cadmium (Cd) stress causes changes in various morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes of plants. This study aimed to investigate the morphophysiological response of grapefruit mint plants to the application of carbon quantum dot nanoparticles (CQD-NPs) and mycorrhiza biofertilizer (AMF) under Cd stress conditions. Methodology: In order to investigate the effects of carbon quantum dots and mycorrhizal fungi on the morphophysiological characteristics of grapefruit mint plants under Cd stress. A factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications in the greenhouse of the department of production engineering and plant genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Maragheh University. The first factor included four Cd concentrations: (0, 10, 20 and 40 mg Cd kg−1 DM soil), the second factor included CQD-NPs levels (0, 5, 10, 20 mg L−1), and the third factor included inoculation and non-inoculation with AMF. In order to conduct the experiment, grapefruit mint rhizomes were cultivated in small pots and transferred to large pots after three months of cultivation. Also, in order to contaminate the soil, cadmium nitrate salt was sprayed between the layers of sieved soil and then grapefruit mint seedlings were planted. In addition, in treatments with biofertilizer, 100 gr of Mycorot biofertilizer was added at the time of planting the seedlings. In the continuation of the experiment, after the plants were fully established in the pots and after three weeks of seedling growth, CQD-NPs were sprayed on the plants at four growth stages. Finally, data analysis was performed using SAS statistical software and means were compared with the LSD test at a probability level of five percent.Results: The results indicated that with increasing Cd stress intensity, plant height, leaf dry weight, leaf length, leaf number, and chlorophyll index (SPAD) decreased significantly. The highest levels of these traits were also obtained in the non-stress treatment with the application of 20 mg L-1 of carbon quantum dot and mycorrhizal fungi. However, the percentage of essential oil (EO) and antioxidant enzymes of the plant showed an increasing trend with increasing stress. The highest percentage of EO was observed at medium Cd stress level, with the application of 20 mg L-1 of CQD-NPs and AMF. The lowest level of this trait belonged to the severe Cd stress treatment without the use of CQD-NPs and AMF. In addition, the results of this study indicated that the use of CQD-NPs and AMF biofertilizer increased the percentage of grapefruit mint EO by 87% compared to the control. It is worth noting that the chlorophyll index (SPAD) decreased by 52% with increasing Cd stress intensity, even with the combined application of CQD-NPs and AMF biofertilizer. The highest activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) enzymes was obtained at severe cadmium stress levels (40 mg kg−1 soil). The use of CQD-NPs and AMF increased the activity of APX and GPX enzymes by 76.91 and 88.72 percent, respectively, compared to the control. Conclusion: CQD-NPs and AMF biofertilizer were able to modulate some of the effects of heavy metal stress of Cd by improving the growth of grapefruit mint plants and affect the quality of the EO of this medicinal plant. Keywords: biofertilizer, carbon quantum dot, essential oil, medicinal plants, Phytoremediation
Phytochemistry (extraction, identification and measurement of active components)
Razieh Niazmand; Elham Merrikhi Ardebili; Abdollah Jamshidi
Abstract
AbstractBackground/Objective: Cuminum cyminum (C. cyminum), having numerous bioactive compounds including flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolics, is known as a valuable source for medicinal and therapeutic properties. One of the major challenges in this industry is the production waste, especially C. ...
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AbstractBackground/Objective: Cuminum cyminum (C. cyminum), having numerous bioactive compounds including flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolics, is known as a valuable source for medicinal and therapeutic properties. One of the major challenges in this industry is the production waste, especially C. cyminum husks, which are often left unused. This study focuses on C. cyminum husk wastes to investigate and develop various methods for extracting bioactive compounds from these wastes, and to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of these compounds. The main goal of this research is to promote the optimal use of agricultural waste and turn it into valuable resources using therapeutic and industrial applications, as well as to introduce scientific innovations in extracting and exploiting these resources.Materials and Methods: Green cumin husks were collected as waste from a cumin processing factory in Mashhad, Iran. After thorough washing to remove soil and impurities, the husks were air-dried on cotton cloth in shaded conditions. After drying, the husks were powdered using a semi-industrial mill. In order to extract the bioactive compounds, a solvent extraction method and three types of solvents including aqueous, alcoholic, and hydroalcoholic were used. The total phenolic content (TPC) of the extracts was measured using the Folin–Ciocalteu method with gallic acid as the standard, and identified by chromatography analyses. Antioxidant capacity was assessed via the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay. To determine the antimicrobial activity, the broth microdilution method was used to establish the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Three pathogenic bacterial strains were tested: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. The results were analyzed using Minitab software, and significant differences between means were examined using Tukey's test at a 95% confidence level.Results: The extraction yield varied depending on the method used: aqueous extract yielded 25%, alcoholic extract 5%, and hydroalcoholic extract 8.76%. The highest total phenolic content was found in the alcoholic extract, measuring 251.76 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram (±0.01), while the aqueous extract had the lowest, at 152.80 mg/g. Chemical analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of several major compounds, including 6-methoxy-8-nitroquinoline, benzeneacetic acid, and p-xylene. Among the three methods, the hydroalcoholic extract showed the highest antimicrobial activity. At concentrations of 500, 800, and 1000 mg/mL, inhibition zones against Staphylococcus aureus measured 15 mm, 19 mm, and 22.5 mm, respectively. For Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the inhibition zones were 11 mm, 12 mm, and 13 mm, respectively. However, no inhibitory effect was observed against Escherichia coli, indicating a limited antimicrobial spectrum. These findings suggest that the extraction method has a significant impact on both the yield and biological activity of the obtained extracts.Conclusion: The present study showed that cumin husks, despite being ignored in the industry as agricultural waste, have a high capacity in providing phenolic and bioactive compounds. Hydroalcoholic extraction of cumin husks was identified as the best method in terms of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. These findings can pave the way for scientific and industrial exploitation of these plant wastes and the development of new medicinal and natural products.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
Sara Sepehrzadeh; Roghayyeh Afroundeh
Abstract
Background and Objective: Obesity, as a chronic and multifactorial disease, is one of the most important public health challenges in the world, which is associated with increased low-grade chronic inflammation, metabolic disorders, and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Low-grade chronic inflammation ...
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Background and Objective: Obesity, as a chronic and multifactorial disease, is one of the most important public health challenges in the world, which is associated with increased low-grade chronic inflammation, metabolic disorders, and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Low-grade chronic inflammation in obesity is associated with dysregulated secretion of adipokines and increased inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and lipocalin-2, along with decreased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-10 (IL-10). Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, has the potential to modulate these biomarkers. However, evidence regarding the effects of resveratrol supplementation on inflammatory profiles in inactive obese women, particularly in middle age, remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of resveratrol supplementation on serum levels of adiponectin, lipocalin-2, IL-10, and CRP in inactive obese middle-aged women.Methodology: The present study was a semi-experimental trial with a pretest–posttest design including a control group. Twenty inactive obese female volunteers with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m² participated and were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 10) or the control group (n = 10). The experimental group received a daily capsule containing 250 mg of pure resveratrol for eight weeks, administered in a fasting state, while the control group did not receive any intervention. To control for confounding factors, all participants were instructed not to use any medications or supplements during the study period. Blood samples for the assessment of biochemical markers, including adiponectin, lipocalin 2, interleukin 10 (IL 10), and C reactive protein (CRP), were collected one day before the intervention and 48 hours after the final day of supplementation. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check the normality of the data distribution, and the Levene test was used to check the homogeneity of variances. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests for within-group comparisons and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for between-group differences. A significance level of P < 0.05 was considered for all tests.Results: The results of the paired t-test showed that in the supplement group, the levels of adiponectin and interleukin-10 significantly increased in the post-test compared to the pre-test (both P = 0.001), and the levels of lipocalin-2 and C-reactive protein (both P = 0.001) significantly decreased. The results of the analysis of covariance showed that there was a significant difference between the post-test of the supplement group and the control group for the variables adiponectin (F = 92.49, P = 0.001), interleukin-10 (F = 37.61, P = 0.001), lipocalin-2 (F = 66.42, P = 0.001), and C-reactive protein (F = 12.08, P = 0.001).Conclusion: Significant reductions in lipocalin 2 and C reactive protein, along with significant increases in adiponectin and interleukin 10, indicate a decrease in systemic inflammation, improved metabolic status, and reduced obesity among participants. Overall, resveratrol supplementation may serve as an effective and safe intervention to reduce inflammation, improve metabolic indices, and assist in weight management in middle-aged obese women. Therefore, the use of this supplement under the supervision of a specialist physician is recommended as a complementary strategy for controlling obesity and mitigating its associated complications.
Improvement and breeding
سپیده قطب زاده کرمانی; Ghasem Mohamadi-Nejad; Mahdiyeh Salarpour
Abstract
AbstractBackground and Objectives: Cuminum cyminum L. (green cumin) is one of the most important medicinal and spice plants, with a wide genetic diversity in Iran. This diversity, expressed in physiological, metabolic, and agronomic traits, provides valuable resources for breeding programs aimed at enhancing ...
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AbstractBackground and Objectives: Cuminum cyminum L. (green cumin) is one of the most important medicinal and spice plants, with a wide genetic diversity in Iran. This diversity, expressed in physiological, metabolic, and agronomic traits, provides valuable resources for breeding programs aimed at enhancing yield, quality, and stress tolerance. The present study aimed to compare ten native Iranian cumin ecotypes in terms of antioxidant capacity, secondary metabolites, and agronomic traits, in order to identify superior genotypes for targeted breeding and medicinal exploitation.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted during the 2023–2024 growing season at the Experimental Farm of the Research Technology Institute of Plant Production, Afzalipour Research Center, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Ten native cumin ecotypes (Esfarayen, Bardaskan, Khansar, Ardestan, Sepidan, Sivand, Sirjan, Mahan, Bardsir, and Rafsanjan) collected from different provinces of Iran (North Khorasan, Razavi Khorasan, Isfahan, Fars, and Kerman) were evaluated under uniform agronomic conditions including land preparation, planting, irrigation, weed control, and harvesting. Throughout the growing season, sampling and trait measurements were conducted using standardized procedures. Evaluated traits included seed yield per hectare, essential oil content (%), essential oil yield (calculated as seed yield × essential oil content), cuminaldehyde percentage, total protein content, total phenolics, and total anthocyanins. Activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)) were also assayed using conventional enzymatic methods. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) to assess ecotype effects, Pearson correlation to determine relationships among traits, stepwise regression to identify key predictors of seed yield, and principal component analysis (PCA) to explore trait variation patterns and ecotype differentiation.Results: Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the ecotypes for all studied traits, indicating substantial genetic diversity within native Iranian cumin. The Esfarayen ecotype exhibited the highest seed yield, exceeding the lowest-yielding ecotype, Sirjan, by 111%. However, Esfarayen had the lowest total phenolics and protein content. The Mahan ecotype stood out with the highest essential oil content and essential oil yield among all ecotypes, whereas Bardsir showed the highest total anthocyanin levels. Rafsanjan exhibited the highest total phenolics and activities of guaiacol peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase but had the lowest catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. Conversely, Sepidan showed the highest catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. Significant negative correlations were observed between protein content and CAT and SOD activities. Additionally, essential oil content negatively correlated with anthocyanin levels, and cuminaldehyde content was negatively correlated with total protein, suggesting metabolic pathway trade-offs in the synthesis of these compounds. Stepwise regression identified four key traits as significant predictors of seed yield: essential oil content (17%), cuminaldehyde percentage (14%), APX activity (10%), and SOD activity (9%), collectively explaining 50% of the variation in seed yield. PCA revealed that the first two principal components accounted for 61.20% of the total trait variation, effectively differentiating the Mahan, Esfarayen, Sepidan, and Rafsanjan ecotypes based on their combined performance and biochemical profiles.Conclusions: The results highlight a rich pool of genetic and biochemical diversity among Iranian cumin ecotypes, which can be exploited to develop high-yielding, high-quality, and stress-tolerant cultivars. Esfarayen, Mahan, Rafsanjan, and Sepidan emerged as promising candidates for breeding programs, each combining specific desirable traits. The findings also emphasize that improving EO yield in cumin is more effectively achieved through enhancing seed yield rather than increasing EO percentage alone. These outcomes underline the necessity of multi-objective breeding approaches to balance productivity, phytochemical composition, and resilience in medicinal and aromatic plants.
Identification, introduction, ecology and ethnobotany
hossein batooli; Zahra Batooli
Abstract
Background and objective: Bibliometric analyses serve as powerful tools for mapping knowledge and identifying research trends. However, these analyses primarily focus on international scientific output, while national journals hosting indigenous research receive less attention. This study aimed to conduct ...
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Background and objective: Bibliometric analyses serve as powerful tools for mapping knowledge and identifying research trends. However, these analyses primarily focus on international scientific output, while national journals hosting indigenous research receive less attention. This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the articles published in the Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research that have been indexed in Scopus.Methodology: The present study is applied in its objective and, in terms of type, is a scientometric research that, using retrospective bibliometric analysis and science mapping, examined the knowledge structure and research trends of 235 articles indexed from the Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research in the Scopus database up to October 22, 2025. Bibliographic data, including authors, publication year, and keywords, were extracted from Scopus and standardized in Excel software. Other examined indicators, including Citation, Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI), Prominence percentile, Mendeley readership, and SciVal topics, were manually extracted for each article. After standardizing author names, authors with the highest number of articles were identified. Furthermore, VOSviewer software was used to map keyword co-occurrence. In the co-word analysis, keywords were first extracted, and after standardization and thesaurus creation, a co-occurrence map was drawn. Additionally, author keywords were thematically categorized.Results: Findings indicated that 90 articles (38.2%) received at least one citation. The average citation for cited articles was 1.8. Results showed that more than 159 plant species from 42 families were investigated in these articles. The highest number of investigated plant species belonged to the genera Satureja, Nepeta, Salvia, Mentha, Papaver, Thymus, Allium, Artemisia, Citrus, Dracocephalum, Lallemantia, Stachys, and Viola; accordingly, the majority of studied species were classified within the families Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Apiaceae. Analysis of 1135 author keywords showed that all author keywords were organized into 12 main thematic categories. The keyword co-occurrence map clustered 47 frequent keywords into 8 distinct clusters. The keywords “Essential oil” and “Medicinal plant”, with 64 and 46 occurrences respectively, formed the central core of the network. Keywords “Antioxidant activity” (29 occurrences), “Drought stress”, “Flavonoid”, and “Proline” (each with 16 occurrences) were also among the highly frequent keywords. Co-authorship analysis revealed that, among the 649 contributing authors, only 99 (15.3%) had at least one co-authored article with another author within the analyzed dataset.Conclusion: The Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research demonstrates a strong emphasis on high-value native taxa, particularly Satureja species, and frequently addresses ecologically relevant challenges, such as drought stress. While exploratory work touching upon emerging domains e.g., nanotechnology appears in a limited number of recent articles, such themes remain nascent and warrant further development to constitute a sustained research direction. To strengthen scientific impact, strategic focus on existing strengths and the development of international collaborations are recommended. Encouraging and inviting influential authors to publish systematic review articles in the journal's core fields, as well as activating and enhancing the journal's official presence on scientific social networks like ResearchGate to increase article accessibility and visibility, are suggested. Furthermore, forming interdisciplinary research consortia involving experts from botany, chemistry, pharmacy, social sciences, and new technologies can lead to more focused, in-depth, and applied research on native species and the investigation of their economic and social dimensions.
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