Influence of drought stress, biofertilizers and zeolite on morphological traits and essential oil constituents in dracocephalum moldavica L.

Background: essential oil content and composition in medicinal and aromatic plants is highly affected by both biotic and abiotic factors

Objective: to investigate the effects of drought stress, zeolite and bio-fertilizers on morphological characteristics and essential oil constituents in Dracocephalum moldavica L

Methods: this experiment was conducted in the form of split factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications in two years [2014 and 2015]. The factorial experimental treatment was three levels of soil moisture [90%, 60% and 30%FC] applied to main plot, while application of zeolite [0 and 2 g per kg of soil] and bio-fertilizers [control, nitroxin, phosphate barvar-2 and nitroxin×phosphate barvar-2] were applied to sub plots

Results: application of zeolite had the highest effect on plant height, leaf area, dry matter and flowering top branches yield [FTBY] in 90%FC and essential oil percentage and yield in 60%FC. Similarly, combination of nitroxine+phosphate barvar-2 caused maximum value of plant height, leaf area, dry matter and FTBY in 90% FC and essential oil percentage and yield in 60%FC. The GC-MS analysis of the essential oil identified 14 compounds including ester and non ester combinations. The main compounds of ester combinations were geranyl acetate and neryl acetate and the main compounds of non ester combinations were neral, geraniol and geranial. The maximum percentage of ester and non ester combinations produced in 30% FC and 60-90%FC, respectively

Conclusion: application of zeolite accompanied by combination of nitroxine+phosphate barvar- 2 produced the highest value of examined traits in D. moldavica L.

[Effect of mycorrhizal fungi and biophosphor fertilizer on growth features, yield and yield components, and essntial oil constituents in Cuminum cyminum L.]

Background: Achievement of optimal production of medicinal plants along with adherence to scientific principles of sustainable agriculture is of great importance

Objective: Evaluation of different mycorrhiza fungi and biophosphorus fertilizer on morphological, yield, yield components, and quality and quantity of essential oils in cumin

Methods: This study was carried out in a factorial experiment based on RCBD with three replications at Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands. Factors were considered as inoculation with mycorrhiza species [G. mosseae, G. interradices, G. hoi] and types of biophosphate application [seed inoculation, and seed inoculation + foliar application], and non inoculation with employed treatments considered as control

Results: Results showed statistically [P <0.01] significant increase in plant height, canopy diameter, number of stem branches, number of umbel in plant, number of umbelet in umbel, number of seeds in umbel, number of seeds in plant, seed thousand weight, seed yield and essential oils content upon application of treatments compared to control. The highest value of plant height, canopy diameter, number of stem branches, number of umbel in plant and essential oils content were achived in plants inoculated with G. interradices. Maximum essential oil content and yield were obtained in plants treated with G. interradices, and the highest value of major oil constituents [Cuminaldehyde, p-Mentha-1,4-dien-7-ol, gamma-Terpinene, gamma-Terpinene-7-al, beta-Pinene, p-Cymene and Myrcene] was identified from G. mosseae and G. hoi treated plants

Conclusion: Totally and accordance with iteraction effects, co-application of G. interradices and foliar spray of biophosphate fertilizer produced maximum essential oil content and yield in cumin

[Effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on physiological traits, phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity of salvia mirzayanii rech. f. and esfand. under drought stress]

Background: environmental stresses and biotic and abiotic elicitors induce secondary metabolites biosynthesis and hypersensitive response in plants through activation of defense mechanisms

Objective: this study was carried out with the aim of assessing the effects of different drought stress and multi-walled carbon nanotube [MWCNT] levels on physiological variations, flavonoid and phenolic contents, and antioxidant capacity of Salvia mirzayanii

Methods: this study was arranged in a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design under research greenhouse of medicinal plants department at Arak University. The first factor was considered as drought stress in 4 levels [25, 50, 75 and 100% of field capacity], and the second factor was designated as foliar spray of MWCNT [functionalized and non- functionalized] at 4 different concentrations [0, 50 and 200 mg/L]

Results: results showed that drought stress and MWCNT and their interactions significantly affected some studied traits. Leaf relative water content [P<0.01] and chlorophyll index [P<0.05] was significantly changed under drought stress treatment, however, electrolyte leakage index significantly [P<0.01] affected under different levels of MWCNT. Furthermore, total phenolics was significantly [P<0.01] changed under interaction of experimental treatments. The highest and the lowest phenolics content were achieved in functionalized MWCNT exposed plants at 50 and 200 mg/L under 25% of FC, respectively

Conclusion: application of functionalized MWCNT at concentration of 50 mg/L along with moderate drought stress improved physiological traits and antioxidant activity of extract in S. mirzayanii plants

Comparison of chemical compounds and antioxidant and antibacterial properties of various satureja species growing wild in Iran

Background: Many members of the genus Satureja L. [Lamiaceae] have interesting pharmacological and biological properties

Objective: In this research, major essential oil [EO] compositions, rosmarinic acid [RA] content, and antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the leaf extracts of nine Satureja species [S. bachtiarica, S. mutica, S. sahandica, S. macrantha, S. atropatana, S. edmondi, S. spicigera, S. isophylla and S. intermedia] were assessed

Methods: The chemical composition of EO was determined using Gas Chromatography [GC] and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry [GC-MS] analysis. RA content of the extract was detected using a High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography [HPTLC] method, and the 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydracyl hydrate [DPPH] radical scavenging procedure was used to study of antioxidant capacity

Results: According to the analytical results, EO of the most samples were mainly composed of p-cymene, gamma-terpinene, thymol, and carvacrol. There was a wide variability for RA content among the studied species ranging from 0.03 mg g[-1] RA [S. sahandica] to 1.11 mg g[-1] RA [S. isophylla]. The lowest IC[50] in the radical scavenging assay was shown by S. sahandica extracts as compared to the other samples. This activity was followed by S. spicigera and S. edmondi. The minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] varied from 0.06 to 32 mg ml[-1], however, the minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC] value differed from 0.06 to >64 mg ml[-1]. Moreover, S. sahandica revealed the lowest inhibitory activity against all microorganisms tested particularly on E. coli

Conclusion: In conclusion, the extracts of certain Satureja species have the potential to be considered as alternatives for synthetic food preservatives and antibiotics

Essential oil compositions and photosynthetic pigments content of Pelargonium graveolens in response to nanosilver application

Nanosilver particles are among the potentially candidates for modulating the redox status and changing the growth, performance and quality of plants because of their physicochemical characteristics. This study was carried out to elucidate the potential effects of nanosilver particles application on variations of photosynthetic pigments [chlorophyll and carotenoids] and essential oil content and composition of Pelargonium graveolens. Four nanosilver particles [5 - 20 nm] concentration [0, 20, 40, and 80 mg.L[-1]] were used as foliar application. The essential oils were isolated from aerial flowering parts of the plants by hydro-distillation method and then subjected to GC and GC-MS apparatus to determine the oil constituents. Chlorophyll and carotenoids content increased in leaves of nanosilver treated plants in compare with the control. Nanosilver application at 40 mg.L[-1] was the most effective treatments in pigments and essential oil content. Also, results showed that 26 components were identified in essential oil and citronellol was the major component under all employed treatments. Maximum citronellol/geraniol ratio was obtained at 80 mg.L[-1] nanosilver treatment, indicating the positive influence of nanosilver particles on essential oil quality of Pelargonium plants. The nanosilver particles application could maintain and enhanced the photosynthetic pigments and essential oil content of P. graveolens plants. Our findings suggested that nanosilver application improved quality and quantity of essential oil

Seed alkaloids content and antioxidant enzymes activity in black henbane as influenced by ammonium nitrate application and water deficit stress

Since alkaloids are nitrogenous compounds, the availability of nitrogen [N] is expected to play an important role in the biosynthesis and accumulation of alkaloids in plants. This study intended to investigate the nitrogen [N] fertilization and water deficit stress [WDS] effects on seed tropane alkaloids elicitation including hyoscyamine [HYO] and scopolamine [SCO], and also antioxidant enzymes activities variations including superoxide dismutase [SOD], peroxidase [POX] and catalase [CAT] in black henbane. Plants were treated with different nitrogen [0, 0.14, 0.28 and 0.56 g N pot[-1] as ammonium nitrate, N0-N3, respectively] and WDS treatments [30, 60 and 90% depletion of water from field capacity, W1-W3]. Alkaloids extracted were identified by gas chromatography [GC] and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry [GC-MS] analysis. Results showed that the highest alkaloid content values in seeds [HYO: 0.145% dw; and SCO: 0.271% dw] achieved in plants grown under sever [W3] and moderate [W2] WDS accompanied with nitrogen supply of 0.28 g N pot[-1] [N2], respectively. The maximum and minimum [2.112 and 0.114 g.plant[-1]] total alkaloids yield were obtained in N3W1 and N3W3 treatments, respectively. Furthermore, SOD activity increased with increasing N fertilization in all WDS treatments. CAT activity increased with WDS up to 60% FC, and then decreased with WDS increase. The POX activity was the opposite to that of CAT activity with N application under WDS levels. Our results suggest that N in appropriate level may act as a modifier for seed physiological responses and as an elicitor for tropane alkaloids biosynthesis pathway in black henbane [hyoscyamus niger] plants

Two main tropane alkaloids variations of black henbane [hyoscyamus niger] under pgprs inoculation and water deficit stress induction at flowering stage

Plants infection with microorganisms as well as physical factors such as osmotic stresses especially drought stress induced particular secondary metabolite production. Plant root and shoot hyoscyamine [HYO] and scopolamine [SCO] variations were investigated under three water deficit stress [WDS] levels as 30 [W1], 60 [W2] and 90% [W3] water depletion of field capacity and Pseudomonas putida [PP] and P. fluoresence [PF] strains inoculation at flowering stage. Seedling radicles and culture media were inoculated with PP and PF [10[9] CFU/ml] strains. Monitoring of soil moisture levels was conducted using gravimetric method. Alkaloids extracted were identified by gas chromatography [GC] and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry [GC-MS] analysis. Results revealed that HYO was the prevalent alkaloid in root and shoot organs. The highest ratio of SCO to HYO [0.53] and the highest alkaloids both HYO and SCO content in root and shoot was observed in W3PF treatment. The largest total alkaloids [HYO+SCO] yield [25.7 mg.plant[-1]] was showed in PP treated plants under W1 conditions. Integrative use of effective Pseudomonades strains and WDS sounds to be an encouraging and eco-friendly strategy for increasing tropane alkaloids yield and content in Hyoscyamus niger root and shoot parts

Health orientation, research centeredness and realism in Avicenna's canon of medicine

Avicenna is a genius and unique person that his introduction needs a thick book. This study was conducted to more familiarity with Avicenna's methods and findings to improve human health. This was a library study. In order to improve exactness of findings, we computerized the Arabic, English and Persian versions of Avicenna's Canon of Medicine and have made a fast and accurate data bank and uploaded on the internet site of Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran, Deputy of Research as avail-able from: http:/www.elib.hbi.ir/persian/LIBRARY.htm and also theorizing Avicenna's Canon of Medicine as three roots [Root model] for current medicine, decayed, disabled and active roots and finally, after searching, gathering and encoding the findings, analyzed them as a qualitative research and thematic content. Health orientation, research centeredness and freeing from nihilism and also achieving to dynamic points and taking appropriate action in relation to treatment of some diseases such as rabies, leprosy, tuberculosis and similar cases at this valuable book can be regarded as a hypothesis to be approved or rejected using the new technology. So appropriate methods require testing many Avicenna hypotheses and if approved, utilize them as supportive methods and complementary of common treatment methods either or even as modern solutions. It is necessary that our students within course of Iranian and Islamic culture and civilization to be more familiar with activities of scientists like Avicenna to substitute the empty place of him

[Variations of root and shoot tropane alkaloids production of hyoscyamus niger under two rhizobacteria strains inoculation and water deficit stress]

Plants infection with microorganisms as well as physical factors such as osmotic stresses induced particular secondary metabolite pathways. To investigate the growth promoting effects of two Rhizobacteria strains including Pseudomonas fluoresces [PF] and Putida [PP] in combination with application of water deficit stress on plant biomass of Hyoscyamus niger young roots and variation of tropane alkaloids content and yield in root and shoot parts. Two grams of dried each shoot and root samples was added to appropriate volume of CHCl3: MeOH: NH4OH 25%, [15:5: 1], and sonicated for 20 min. Alkaloids extracted were analyzed by gas chromatographic [GC] method using a Younglin Acme 6000 GC system equipped with a flame ionization detector [FID] and HP-5MS capillary column [30 m x 0.25 mm, film thickness 0.25 micro m]. The identification of alkaloids was based on the comparison of their GC retention time and mass spectra data with their standards substances. Results indicated that the highest alkaloid content values in root [hyoscyamine: 0.26% DW; scopolamine: 0.12% DW] and shoot [hyoscyamine: 0.85% DW; scopolamine: 0.48% DW] were achieved in PF-187 treated plants grown under severe water stress conditions [W3]. By contrast, the maximum alkaloid yield in root [hyoscyamine: 1.92 mg.plant[-1]; scopolamine: 0.83 mg.plant[-1]] and shoot [hyoscyamine: 5.88 mg.plant[-1]; SCO: 3.06 mg.plant[-1]] were obtained in PP-168 treated plants under low water stress conditions [W1]. Rhizobacteria strains can function as environmentally sound tools to increase alkaloids production and counteract growing problems under stress conditions, especially by auxin production

[Central and general obesity measures for prediction of cardiovascular disease in diabetic adults: Tehran lipid and glucose study]

Considering the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus worldwide and in the Middle East countries and high prevalence of cardiovascular disease [CVD] in diabetic patients, this study aimed to compare different abdominal and central obesity measures, as important risk factors of CVD, for prediction of CVD in Iranian men and women with type 2 diabetes. We followed 1010 patients with type 2 diabetes for a median follow up period of almost 8 years. The hazard ratios [HRs] for CVD were calculated for a 1 standard deviation [SD] change in each anthropometric measure, using Cox proportional regression analysis. A hundred and eighty-eight cardiovascular events occurred in diabetic patients. In the age adjusted model, in diabetic men, waist to hip ratio [WHR], waist to height ratio [WHtR] and waist [WC] were associated significantly with CVD but in the multivariate model, only WHR was associated significantly with CVD. WC in diabetic women and WHtR in both genders were marginally associated with CVD. Central obesity measures were stronger than the general obesity parameter for prediction of CVD in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and WHR was the most important anthropometric measure in these patients in both genders

[Assessment of folic acid and vitamin B[12] status and some of the interactive factors in mentally retarded patients]

Mental retardation is a disorder in people under 18, accompanied with restriction in mental abilities, daily activities, and social skills. These patients are at risk of malnutrition. The objective of this study is assessment of folic acid, vitamin B[12] and some of the interactive factors in mentally retarded patients. This descriptive study was conducted in 40 subjects 7-15 years old, which were divided into two groups: girls [n=20] and boys [n=20]. 24 hours dietary recall for two consecutive days and food frequency questionnaire [ffq] were used to evaluate intake of folate and vitamin B[12]. RIDA method was used for measurement of serum folate and vitamin B[12] with siwul- tral- SNB-Radioassay kit. Chi square and independent T-test and Spearman and Mann- Whitney also were used to compare groups. The results of this study showed that folate and vitamin B[12] intakes, were lower than RDA in all subjects. Meanwhile serum folate, erythrocyte folate and serum vitamin B[12] were low in 65, 62.5 and 35 percent of subjects, respectively. Mean [ +/- SD] of serum folate, vitamin B[12] and erythrocyte folate levels were 2.89 and 3.11 [ng/ml], 274.5 and 327.75 [pg/ml] and finally 98.26 and 103.27 [ng/ml] in girls and boys, respectively. Serum folate level correlated positively with vegetables consumption [p<0.05, r= 0.87]. Erythrocyte folate levels correlated negatively with anticonvulsant drugs consumption [p=0.01, r=-0.66], and parasite evidence [p=0.01, r=-0.82] and correlated positively with vegetables consumption [p<0.05, r=0.22]. Finally, serum vitamin B[12] level correlated negatively with anticonvulsant drugs consumption [p<0.01, r=-0.46] and parasite evidence [p<0.05, r=-0.60] and correlated positively with meat consumption [p=0,01, r=0.42]. The status of folate and vitamin B[12] in these mental retarded patients was not sufficient due to both low intake and parasite evidence and finally anticonvulsant drug consumption

[ effect of retinoic acid on human embryonic stem cells with and without rosette morphology]

Introduction: Human Embryonic Stem [hES] Cells are pluripotent cells derived form the inner cell mass of blastocyst. These unique cells have the potential to form virtually any cell type in the body and can be propagated in vitro indefinitely in an undifferentiated state. This study was initiated to assess the effect of retinoic acid [RA] on hES cells with and without rosette morphology [neuroectodermallike cells]

Material and Methods: Embryoid bodies [EBs] were made from ES cell line [Royan H1] with and without rosset compartments. The EBs treated with retinoic acid [RA][10 microM] for 20 days and the cultured on tissue culture plate individually containing neuronal medium . Differentiated cells were evaluated by phase contrast microscopy and immunocytochemistry

Results: Differentiated cells were positive with the neuron specific antibodies against microtubules associated protein 2 [a+b] [MAP-2], neurofilament protein [NP], neuron-specific enolase [NSE], synaptophysin, and tubulin Ill. In presence of RA, more EBs were differentiated into neurons in both groups [in group with rosette compartment, 73.2% vs. 13.2%, P<0.01, and in group with non-rosette compartment, 57.5% vs. 19.5% P< 0.01]. Moreover, RA in EBs with rosette compartment increased neural morphology

Conclusion: These results showed RA induces hES into neurogenesis and rosette compartments of hES have more potential for neurogenesis and these cells may be used in stem cell transplantation therapies for neuronal diseases in future