ABSTRACT
Background: The medicinal plant milk thistle with the scientific name of Silybum marianum is an annual or biennial herb native to the Mediterranean regions and is found through the world. Extracts from the seeds of this plant have been used to cure liver disorders since ancient times. Featured phytochemicals of this medicinal plant are flavonolignan compounds and silybin is the most important one
Objective: In this study, the effects of applying different incoming feeds, defatting procedures and solvents on silymarin extraction process from the seeds of milk thistle have been investigated
Methods: Reflux extraction was used to obtain extracts. All extracts have been refluxed for 6 hours and the temperature was fixed at 60 degree C. Different incoming feeds including ground seeds, solvent defatted meal, cold press defatted meal, and separated pericarps have been subjected to the extraction system. Also, three different solvents including methanol, methanol 80%, and ethanol 80% were employed. Prepared extracts were weighed and then HPLC method analysis was used for quantifying silymarin compounds
Results: According to the presented data, the concentration and amount of silymarin in different extracts was compared. The extract obtained from ground seeds with methanol was able to reach the most amount of silymarin while the highest concentration of silymarin was obtained from the extract of ground pericarp with ethanol 80%
Conclusion: This study shows that a higher amount of active ingredient can be extracted by using ground seeds and methanol solvent. Of course, there are more impurities in this extract
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Background: One of the key questions in biochemistry is why cell becomes aged and what are the involved factors? Why cell growth is stopped after some divisions and cells become senescent? This occurs in a greater frame in the whole body and cells dye after a while. Androgenetic alopecia [AGA] is characterized by a loss or decrease in hair follicle size, which could be related to the loss of hair follicle stem cells. Therefore, it is of great importance to develop novel therapies to increase hair follicle stem cells viability and proliferation
Objective: In this study, we examined the effects of bFGF and aqueous Rosemary leaf and Marshmallow root extracts on human hair follicle mesenchymal stem cells [hHF-MSCs] proliferation in order to identify their potential for hair growth
Methods: hHF-MSCs were isolated from hair follicle tissues and their mesenchymal nature confirmed by detecting cell surface antigens via flow cytometry. Bromodeoxyuridine [Brdu] incorporation assay was used to study the cell proliferation effect of herbal extracts in hHF-MSCs
Results: Human hair follicle-derived mesenchymal stem cells [hHF -MSCs] were obtained by organ culture. They exhibited surface markers of mesenchymal stem cells as shown by positive staining for CD44, CD90 and CD105. Herbal extracts and bFGF were found to induce significant proliferation of human hHF-MSCs at concentrations ranging from 10 to 20 micro l/ml and 15 to 25 micro l/ml
Conclusion: These results suggest that herbal extract may produce positive effects on the hair growth promotion of hHF-MSCs and suggesting that herbal extracts may be a good candidate for helping hair growth promotion
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Background: Brassino-steroids as hormonal plants are of the most important components that have shown the biological effects. These compounds may be act as inducer of growth in the plant and their concentrations is increased under some stress conditions. Such clinical studies show that these hormones have also anabolic activities similar to the human anabolic hormones hence, may be administrated as supplements in athletes. Their increasing consumption as supplement suggests introducing a precise and accurate analytical method for determination of brassinosteroids in pharmaceutical dosage forms and also in some biological fluids
Objective: In the current study an HPLC method for detect and determination of brassino-steroids in capsules was developed and optimized in aspects of analytical conditions
Methods: In order to analysis of the sample a reversed phase HPLC system including a C18 column, and a mobile phase including water: Acetonitrile in an acidic media were used. Detection was carried out at 210 nm by an UV detector
Results: In this study, we attempted to optimize some analytical aspects e.g: solvent, stationary phase and other assay parameters to obtain best condition to assay. Also the validation parameters such as LOD, LOQ, accuracy, precision and linearity of the method were also studied and were satisfactory
Conclusion: Obtained data indicated that HPLC is a suitable analytical method for assay of brassino-steroids in pharmaceutical dosage forms
Subject(s)
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/instrumentation , Dietary Supplements , CapsulesABSTRACT
Background: Erection dysfunction, weakness, the inability to achieve an erection or hold the erection long enough to reach sexual relationship is said. Prevalence studies indicate that 20 to 22 percent of men around the world suffer from erectile dysfunction. Several methods have been proposed to improve this process but those have been unsuccessful mainly due to multiple complications
Objective: The aim of this study was assessing the effects of administration of Boswellia serrata and Lavandula angustifolia extracts in improving erection dysfunction following opioid dependence
Methods: Both plants were extracted and formulized for administration. Choosing patients was based on medical standards, questionnaire of International Index of Erection Function and standard criteria test. The proper cases were categorized randomly in one of three groups under study regarding DSM5 criteria. The investigation continued for two month for all groups: oral extract administered group, placebo treatment group and no premature treatment as a control group. The scores gained form fast ejaculating questionnaire were assessed in early stages of treatment [pretest], one month after treatment [posttests], and two month after treatment [fallow]
Results: The results showed with regarding inter group causes; the F value calculated for assessing drug effect in recovery of premature ejaculation in various stages would be meaningful in the level of 0.05 [F=3.601, P<0.05]
Conclusion: It seems that, administration of Boswellia serrata and Lavandula angustifolia extracts compounds can be effective in recovery of erection function in opioid addicted patients
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Boswellia , Lavandula , Substance-Related Disorders/drug therapy , PhytotherapyABSTRACT
Supercritical fluid extraction [SFE] is an alternative to liquid extraction using solvents. Supercritical fluids can have solvating powers similar to organic solvents, but with higher diffusivities, lower viscosity, and lower surface tension. Carbon dioxide is the most commonly used supercritical fluid owing to its nontoxic, nonflammable, inexpensive, environmental friendly properties and mild critical conditions [Tc = 31.1 C° and Pc = 73.8 bar]. Due to the low heat of process and the relatively unreactive solvent used in the extraction, the fragrant compounds derived often closely resemble the original characteristics of the raw material. Like solvent extraction, extracts a wide range of compounds and leaves the aromatics unaltered by heat, rendering an essence more faithful to the original. In this review, some aspects of this etraction methods have been discussed
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Camellia sinensis and Zataria multiflora as the potent antioxidants and antiinflammations are crucial in the management of wound therapy. Lipopolysaccharide [LPS] was used for the proliferative potential on fibroblast cells and induction of inflammatory mediators
Objective: We examined the effects of LPS and herbal extracts combination in order to identify their mechanisms of action in fibroblast proliferation and tissue regeneration
Methods: Human foreskin fibroblasts were treated by Salmonella enterica LPS [100micro g] and extracts [5%w/w]. Tissues of male Balb/c mice were harvested at 1, 3 and 7 days for biochemical and histopathological evaluations. Effects of LPS and extracts on cell viability, Nitric oxide [NO], Cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2] and Hydrogen peroxide H[2]O[2] levels were examined respectively by XTT assay and related kits
Results: Our pathological investigations for Camellia sinensis and LPS co-treated group indicated inflammatory cells on day 1 and fibroblast proliferation through wound area on day 3. After wound modelling the samples features were the same but with the difference in groups treated by LPS and Camellia sinensis extract which dermis and epidermis were seen. The Camellia sinensis extract and LPS co-treated wounds were showed low levels of H[2]O[2] and higher levels of NO compared to extract treated group [P<0.001]. Results illustrate a dose and time dependent significant difference in cell proliferation between groups
Conclusion: These results suggest that Camellia sinensis extract in combination with LPS may have potential of accelerating inflammatory phase of wound healing process by regulation of COX-2, NO and H[2]O[2] in skin fibroblast
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Background: L-menthol [[1R,3R,4S]-[-]-menthol] is a flavoring that is the main component of mint herb essential oils, especially of the Mentha piperita and Mentha arvensis species. Its low solubility in aqueous systems makes precise formulation necessary in the final products. Of the methods available for fabrication of nanoparticles for use in pharmaceuticals, electrospraying is easy and requires only one step
Objective: Electrospraying was used to fabricate menthol/PEG micro/nanoparticles. The experiments used menthol concentrations of 10%, 15% and 20% [wt] and PEG concentrations of 5%, 10% and 15% [wt]
Methods: The effect of menthol and PEG concentration on the morphology of the fabricated particles was investigated using scanning electron microscopy [SEM]. Response surface methodology [RSM] was used to determine the best levels for each parameter under optimal conditions
Results: SEM results revealed that an increase in PEG and menthol concentrations in solution, increased the particle diameters. RSM showed that particle diameter should be calculated as the square root of a function of the first order and cubic forms of menthol and PEG. Optimization results show that the optimal menthol concentration is 10.7% [wt] and PEG concentration is 7.31% [wt]. The optimal modeled particle diameter of 1219 nm approached the real test particle diameters [1136 nm]. The results indicate that the modeled conditions were appropriate for menthol/PEG electrospray particles
Conclusion: The results showed that the maximum PEG concentration effects particle diameter because of its polymeric structure. At high menthol concentrations, the percentage of menthol in a droplet was greater than the PEG concentration and some menthol sublimated during drop formation. At low menthol concentrations, PEG covered the menthol and prevented sublimation, decreasing the effect of menthol concentration
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Background: Rumex turcomanicus Czerep. Locally named Sagh-Torshak, is one of native green vegetable medicinally valuable plant belongs to family Polygonaceae, growing spontaneously in Northeast Iran, where its leaves are highly appreciated and consumed. Despite the high consumption, its knowledge is inconsiderable
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of main phytochemical compound in leaf and root parts of R. turcomanicus Czerep. in different phenological stages
Methods: The wild-growing plants were harvested at vegetative, floral budding, full floweringand mature seed stages and dissected into root and shoot tissues, which were dried separately and subsequently assayed for total phenolics, flavonoid, ascorbic acid, oxalic acid content and antioxidant activity, by spectrophotometric method
Results: The results showed considerable contents of phenol, flavonoid and antioxidant activity in roots and shoots of plant, with the higher contents in roots as compared to shoots. Among different phonological stages the highest total phenol, flavonoid, oxalic acid content and antioxidant activity of shoots was obtained in mature seed stage. Ascorbic acid of shoot was highest in floral budding stage. The greatest total phenol and flavonoid content of root was observed in floral budding stage, while the highest antioxidant activity was obtained in mature seed stage. A high negatively correlation was obtained between ascorbic acid and Oxalic acid
Conclusion: The concentrations of secondary metabolites in Rumex turcomanicus Czerep. depend on the phenological stage and tissue of the plant. As plant aged, oxalic acid and ascorbic acid of shoots were increased and decreased, respectively
ABSTRACT
Background: Premature ejaculation is the most common disorder in men. Different methods have been proposed to recover this problem while, often most of them have been unsuccessful in practice due to multiple after comes
Objective: Our study aimed to compare the effect of combination extracts of [Boswellia serrata] and [Lavandula angustifolia] and placebo on recovery of premature ejaculation
Methods: Both plants were extracted and formulized for administration. Choosing patients was based on medical standards, questionnaire of premature ejaculation and standard criteria test. The proper cases were categorized randomly in one of three groups under study regarding DSM5 criteria. The number of samples in each group has hypothesized 30 and investigation continued for two month for all groups: oral extract administered group, placebo treatment group and no premature treatment as a control group. The scores gained form fast ejaculating questionnaire were assessed in early stages of treatment [pretest], one month after treatment [posttests], and two month after treatment [fallow]
Results: The results showed that combination therapy with plant extracts was significantly potent to reduce premature ejaculation performance scores index than placebo and control group; the F value calculated for assessing drug effect in recovery of premature ejaculation in various stages will be meaningful in the level of 0.05 [F=14.23, P<0.05]
Conclusion: It seems that, compounds of [Boswellia serrata] and [Lavandula angustifolia] extract can be effective in recovery of premature ejaculation opioid addicted patients. The mechanism and effective ingredients causing this effect are needed to be further investigated
ABSTRACT
Background: Isoflavones class of phytoestrogens including, genestein, daidzein and formononetin found in human dietary and show wide range of biological effects. These plant derived compounds have been shown to play a beneficial role in obesity and diabetes
Objective: In this study the impact of these phytoestrogens on glucose uptake in HepG2 cell were compared
Methods: Glucose uptake measurement was performed using 2-[N-[7-nitrobenzin-2-oxa-1, 3- diazol-4-yl] amino]-2-deoxyglucose [2-NBDG] and Omega FluoStar plate reader. Incubation of cells [10[4]/ml, in 24 well plate at 37 [degree sign]C in 5% CO[2] / air] with three phytoestrogens at concentration of 10[-4] M to 10[-9]M in two studies mood, short term treatment [one hour] and long term treatment [24 hours] was tested
Results: The data revealed, daidzein stimulates uptake of glucose, with a greater effect after a short treatment of one hour compared with treatment 24 hours. genistein exerted slightly inhibitory effect after one hour treatment compared with control, with the exception of treatment at 1 micro M, which stimulated uptake about three-fold compared with control. Longer treatments with 10[-4]M to 10[-6] M genistein resulted in gradual increase in glucose uptake to 2.4 times more than control, and thereafter a decline. A short treatment with formononetin inhibited glucose uptake, while longer treatments had variable effects, with an approximately two fold stimulation across a range of concentrations
Conclusion: Overall HepG2 cells showed a significant increase in glucose uptake after treatment with phytoestrogens compared to the control. There was significant difference in glucose uptake between short and long term treatments, as indicated by two-way ANOVA
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Scrophularia striata plant containing anti-inflammatory compounds and have nitric oxide production inhibiting properties. So can be an analgesic and act particularly on inflammatory kind of pain. The effect of ethanolic extract from aerial parts of Scrophularia striata was investigated on pain with formalin test in the male rats. In this study 40 Wistar male rats [250 to 300 g] were used and 8 animals were divided into five groups: 1.Control: [solvent], 2- Diclofenac [5 mg/kg], 3 - 6. Groups: Use extract with doses 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg intraperitoneally. At test time, the extract solved with 10 microl DMSO and diluted by adding PBS and injected into the peritoneum [0.5 ml volume]. After 30 minute, 50 microl formalin 2.5% injected to the right foot floor subcutaneously and the animal's pain behavior were recorded every 15 seconds for about 60 minutes. The final data of both acute and chronic pain phases were analyzed separately by using one-way ANOVA. In the acute phase, administration of 100 and 200 mg/kg doses of Scrophularia striata decreased symptoms of pain than the control group [p <0.05, p <0.01]. In the chronic phase, the extract caused a significant reduction in pain scores compared to controls, especially in doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg [p <0.01]. Our results showed that peripheral injection of ethanolic extracts of Scrophularia striata can significantly produces analgesic effects and provides most pain alleviation on the chorionic phase of the formalin test
Subject(s)
Male , Animals, Laboratory , Pain , Pain Management , Rats, Wistar , Anti-Inflammatory Agents , Plants, Medicinal , Plant ExtractsABSTRACT
Borage of Boraginaceae family is a valuable medicinal plant. This plant because their seeds contain unsaturated fatty acids is introduced as an important food. Many research has indicated that the borage extract is able to scavenge active oxygen species and DPPH free radical To study the effect of different levels of calcium nitrate on phenolic contents and antioxidant activities in aerial parts of borage. The split-plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications in the research farm of Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, located in Karaj was done from 2008 to 2009. Results showed that Phenolic content and antioxidant activity [IC50] in the various stages of growth significantly was different [p < 0.05]. Also, spraying of calcium nitrate had significant effect [p < 0.01] on antioxidant activity and phenolic content, but interaction effect of calcium nitrate and vegetative stages on amount of phenol and IC50 wasn't significant. Generally, results showed that spraying calcium nitrate throughout seed ripening increased antioxidant activity of borage plants. Considering to the borage plant is important in the formulation of health and food products, the increasing antioxidants compounds can be valuable
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Domestic cultivation under natural habitat may help to genetic diversity conservation and sustainable utilization of medicinal plant. Since alkaloids are nitrogenous compounds, the availability of nitrogen is expected to play an important role in the biosynthesis and accumulation of alkaloids in plants. The aim of this research was to study the effect of bio-fertilizer and chemical fertilizer on corm and colchicine yield in Colchicum kotschyi under natural habitat. The experiment was performed in a randomized complete block design with eight treatments including of three levels of urea as nitrogen fertilizer [50, 100 and 150 kg ha[-1]], three levels of Nitroxin [20, 40 and 60 L ha[-1]], combined treatment [urea 100 kg ha[-1] + Nitroxin 40 L ha[-1]] and no fertilizer as control with three replications at the natural habitat, during 2009 -2010. results showed that the application of Nitroxin 40 L ha[-1]resulted in the highest corm dry yield [101.4 g], while the lowest corm dry yield was obtained in control [42.39 g]. The yield of colchicin was higher in application of urea 100 kg ha[-1] [40.44 mg] or Nitroxin 40 L ha[-1] [37.58] than to other treatments, while the lowest colchicine yield was obtained in control [15.56 mg]. Generally moderate levels of chemical and biological fertilizers [urea 100 kg ha[-1]or Nitroxin 40 L ha[-1]] had the best results on corm and colchicine yield than to other treatments
ABSTRACT
Borage is a valuable medicinal plant and its production to meet the needs of the pharmaceutical industry has a high value. Thus, the study of bio-fertilizers effect on its qualitative and quantitative yield seems to be necessary. To determine the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus biofertilizers on morphological, agronomical and phytochemical characters of borage and feasibility of replacing chemical fertilizers with biological fertilizers. This experiment was done in the Research farm of ACECR, Institute of Medicinal Plants along 2009 -2010 on the base of factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design [RCBD] with three replications. The treatments combination was three levels of biofertilizers [Control or no applying fertilizer, Nitroxin and Bio- Phosphor and three levels of chemical fertilizers [0, 50 and 100 percent of the nutritional needs of the farm]. The biological and chemical fertilizers as well as their interactions had significant effects on flower number, grain yield and content of total phenol, oil and gamma- linolenic acid. The chemical and biological fertilizers significantly increased the morphological and agronomical characters. Although the oil and gamma-linolenic acid content significantly decreased with application of chemical fertilizer, the application of bio-fertilizers significantly increased the gamma-linolenic acid content. Although the qualitative yield decreased with consumption of chemical fertilizers, the borage performance in respect of all studied traits increased with application of bio-fertilizers. Therefore, the biofertilizers can be an alternative to replacing chemical fertilizers for increasing borage production which is in order to minimize of environmental pollution and sustainable agriculture
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As application of chemical fertilizers has been recognized to cause pollution soil, water and agricultural products, today bio-fertilizers are an alternative to mineral fertilizers for increasing soil productivity and plant growth in sustainable agriculture. To determine the effects of biological and chemical fertilizers on qualitative and quantitative yield of Shirazian Babooneh [Matricaria recutita L.]. This study was done in a randomized complete block design with three replications and six treatments along 2009-2010. The treatments were A [Control or no applying fertilizer], B [Bio-fertilizer as Nitroxin+ 53 Kg/ha chemical fertilizer], C [Bio-Super nitro plus and Nitroxin + 35 Kg/ha chemical fertilizer], E [Bio-fertilizer as Bio-sulfur] and F [106 Kg/ha chemical fertilizer]. The fertilizer treatments had significant effects on plant height [p<0.05], plant dry weight [p<0.05], capitol diameter [p<0.01], fresh weight of capitol per ha [p<0.01], dry weight of capitol per ha [p<0.05], essential oil yield per ha [p<0.01], chamazulene content [p<0.01] and total flavonoid content [p<0.01]. The chemical fertilizer had not significant effect on qualitative and quantitative yield of Shirzian Babooneh and the lowest qualitative and quantitative yield of Shirazian Babooneh was related to control [A] and chemical fertilizer [F] treatments. Although, the application of bio-fertilizers significantly increased the yield in respect of all studied parameters, the highest dry weight of capitol and content of essential oil were observed in biosulfur [E] treatment. The application of the bio-fertilizers increased qualitative and quantitative yield of Shirazian Babooneh and Bio-sulfur treatment was the best treatment. Also, the application of the bio-fertilizers can be in order to reduction in application of chemical fertilizers in agro-ecosystem which is attitude toward minimize of environmental pollution and sustainable agriculture
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Studies have demonstrated that plant extracts have various biological effects including immunomodulatory effect. In the present study, the immunomodulatory effects of Lavandula officinalis on lymphocyte proliferation and tumor necrosis factor alpha cytokine production were investigated. [3H] - thymidine incorporation assay on stimulation of the peripheral lymphocytes with PHA and determination of tumor necrosis factor alpha production was assayed, using LISA method. The herbal extract in a concentration of 50 micro g/ml and lesser, in the presence of mitogen increased peripheral blood lymphocytes proliferation. However, there was not significant effect in concentrations more than 50 micro g/ml. Also, the extract in the concentration of higher than 50 micro g/ml suppressed the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha in the exposed cells. The extract showed immunomodulatory effect by increasing of lymphocyte proliferation in a concentration of 50 micro g/ml and lesser. Also, decreasing in tumor necrosis factor alpha in the concentration of more than 50 micro g/ml was observed. Further studies, should focus on identifying the immunomodulatory mediator of this herbal extract
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Ferula assa - foetida L., commonly known as Asafetida is an herbaceous, moncarpic, perennial medicinal plant of the Apiaceae family. The main origin of Ferula assa - foetida is the steppes of Iran and Afghanistan. Asafetida gum-resin has a long history for food additive and medicinal uses. In Asian traditional medical systems Asafetida gum-resin has been expected to be used as digestive system, cleansing and strengthening the gastro-intestinal tract, anthelmintic, antispasmodic, carminative, expectorant, laxative, sedative and stomachic. Due to its current uses as well as its pharmacological effects further information needs for future clinical studies. The aim of this review was to provide an update overview of research studies focused on the pharmacological effects of Asafetida gum-resin. A computerized search of published articles was performed using the electronic database such as MEDLINE to 2010. The results indicate that, the large numbers of articles published on pharmacological effects of Asafetida over recent three decade. Asafetida gum-resin exert several pharmacological effects including, anti-histamine effect in gastero intestinal system, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anticholinerginc, and hypoglycemic as observed in experimental and clinical studies. In conclusion the present scientific-based evidence provides good information about pharmacological effects of asafetida gum-resin. This information may be useful to researcher for induction of clinical trial for this herbal medicine in treatment of traditionally recognized application such as gastrointestinal disease, cancer, hypertension and diabetes
Subject(s)
Plant Preparations/pharmacology , Plants, Medicinal , Medicine, TraditionalABSTRACT
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
Subject(s)
Pseudomonas putida , Pseudomonas fluorescens , Alkaloids , Tropanes , DehydrationABSTRACT
St. John's wort [Hypericum perforatum L.] is an important medicinal plant that has been widely used for its antidepressant properties. In this study morphological characteristics variation of populations of H. perforatum were investigated. In this study, different morphological characteristics of 25 H. perforatum populations in Iran's natural habitats were evaluated in 2010. The results indicated that the highest coefficients of variations were found in flowers number, the fifth internodes' length and capsule length [respectively, 93.46, 85.28 and 84.7%]; however the lowest coefficients of variations were seen in flower width [11.72%] and sepal length [11.91%]. The largest dimensions of flowers, sepals and petals related to the population which was gathered from Zanjan/Tarum city. The highest leaves dimensions and dark glands density on the bottom leaves were observed in Alamut and Kalaleh populations. The highest positive significant correlations were seen between flower length with flower width; dark glands density on the middle leaves surface area with dark glands density on the bottom leaves surface area; petal length with flower length and width; capsule length with capsule width; non-flowering branches number with branches number; light glands density on the middle leaves surface area with light glands density on the bottom leaves surface area. The lowest significant correlations were observed between capsule length with flower length and width. The principal components analysis showed that four components explained 68.9% of total variance. The cluster analysis divided these populations into four clusters with no consistency in their geographical distributions. In conclusion, this study indicated that there were high variations among the Iranian St. John's wort populations which can be utilized in the breeding programs
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Fenugreek [Trigonella foenum-graecum L.], wild or cultivated, is widely distributed throughout the world and belongs to the Fabacecae family. It is an old medicinal plant and has been commonly used as a traditional food and medicine. Fenugreek is known to have hypoglycemic, and hypocholesterolaemic, effects. Recent research has identified fenugreek as a valuable medicinal plant with potential for multipurpose uses and also as a source for preparing raw materials of pharmaceutical industry, especially steroidal hormones. A significant increase in quantity and quality yields through the suitable management of cultivation, breeding and biotechnology practices could make an immediate and important contribution to farm and pharmaceutical industry income. To achieve these goals with regard to sustainable production, we reviewed a summary of biology, cultivation and biotechnology of fenugreek in this paper