[Investigating acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effects of some ferula species]

Nowadays, one of the methods for treatment of Alzheimer is using of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors [AChEIs]. Discovering the drugs with better effects and fewer side effects especially from natural sources is the aim of many researchers. In the present investigation, AChEI effects of six Ferula species have been studied. Total extracts of six species of Ferula including F. persica var. persica, F. hezarlalezarica, F. ovina, F. oopoda, F. hirtella and F. szowitsiana were obtained by using methanol 80% and different fractions of the species were prepared by using hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, methanol 50% and water, respectively with maceration method. AChEI activity of each extract in concentration of 300 micro g/ml was determined by Ellman method in 96 - wells plates in 405 nm. The results revealed that among examined samples, only F. persica var. persica chloroform fraction showed reasonable AChEI activity [27.3%] while other extracts had trace activity or no effect. It seems that relatively non-polar components of F. persica var. persica had AChEI activity. Since, sesquiterpene coumarins are the major compounds in Ferula species, they may be considered as AChEI agents in Ferula persica var. persica, but more investigations are necessary to establish the idea

[Investigation of the best method for extraction of phenolic compounds from echinaceae purpurea L. [moench]]

Echinacea spp. Have been used in traditional medicine for many years. Recently, many investigations have been done on this plant and they showed that the plant is an immunostimulant agent. The plant contains different components such as flavonoids, phenolic compounds and isobutylamides. Phenolics are one of the most important agents in immunostimulant effects of the plant; therefore, determination of a method for the best extraction of these compounds from the plant is important. In this research, the effects of solvent, extraction procedure, plant particle size and plant: solvent ratio on extraction of phenolic compounds of Echinacea purpurea [L.] Moench have been investigated. Different polar and non-polar solvents from hexane to acidic water were used in order to determine the best solvent for phenolics extraction. Moreover, the methods of maceration, sonification, perculation, digestion and continuous extraction [by use of soxhelet apparatus], different particle sizes of the plant powder and various plant: solvent ratios were examined as well. The results showed that the best method for extraction of phenolics is methanol: water 80:20 as solvent, method of digestion [2h, 50[degree sign] C], particle size of 300 micro m for the plant powder and plant :solvent ratio of 1:200. It can be concluded that in order to efficient extraction of phenolic compounds from Echinacea purpurea aerial parts, special condition should be considered

effects of fruit maturity and 1-methylcyclopropene [1-MCP] treatment on alpha-farnesene metabolism in scald resistant and susceptible cultivars of apple fruit

It was found that, climatic conditions and fruit ripeness are important factor for the occurrence and intensity of superficial scald. 1-MCP is an inhibitor of ethylene action in plants and inhibits many ripening related processes along with the production of ethylene and volatiles. Apples are often held for several months at low temperature either in air [MA] or in controlled atmosphere [CA] storage, therefore they are prone to the occurrence of a large number of physiological disorders. In this work an investigation was made in order to determine the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene [1.0 microl I [-1]] treatment on superficial scald development and alpha farnesene metabolism on scald-resistant 'Golden Delicious' and scald-susceptible 'Imperial Delicious' apples. Fruits harvested on two dates and stored 24 weeks in refrigerated air storage [RA] at 6.5-1 °C, Peel tissue samples were taken at harvest after 6, 12 and 24 weeks. A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure with UV detection at 232 nm and 269 nm has been used for the determination of alpha-farnesene and Ctols contents. Scald symptoms were restricted to untreated control fruit of both harvests of Imperial as during storage period increased to 65 and 45%, respectively for the first and second harvest compared with no scald symptoms in those in Golden Delicious. At 1.0 microl I [-1], 1-MCP completely eliminated superficial scald during storage period in Imperial apples. Large increases in peel tissue content of alpha-farnesene observed in untreated fruit of both harvest dates in Golden Delicious and Imperial cultivars. 1-MCP strongly decreased alpha-farnesene and conjugated trienols accumulation in treated fruit peel tissues at both maturity stages of two cultivars during storage. The results confirm the proposed role of Ctols in scald induction and indicate that alpha farnesene production is strongly regulated by ethylene. In general, we conclude that only alpha-farnesene synthesis and its oxidation products [Ctols] levels in peel tissue could not be involved to the inherent nature of scald susceptibility or resistance in two cultivars tested

Cytokinins affect fermentation product accumulation, vitamin c reservation and quality of stored broccoli in modified atmosphere packages

Broccoli inflorescences are rich in health promoting compounds such as vitamin C which may contribute to the high antioxidant capacity found in freshly- harvested broccoli. However, high looses of this essential compound has been reported after harvesting. Modified atmosphere packaging has been shown to be potentially useful in storability and quality retention of Broccoli florets; however, supplemental methods of extending shelf life are desirable because of the high fermentation product. In this way florets were treated post harvest with benzyl adenine at 50 ppm before packaging in polymeric bags [polyethylene and polypropylene] and storage at 1°C. Factors including ethylene production, chlorophyll, vitamin C, fermentation product, appearance, pH and titrable acidity were measured every three day intervals. During storage of cytokinin treated florets under MAP, all changes related with loss of quality were reduced and delayed with time. Additionally vitamin C remained almost unchanged. This improved retention was mainly due to decreased ethylene production. Cytokinin treatment significantly reduced fermentation product in packaged broccoli

[Investigating on the quality of wild licorice roots collected from different regions of Iran]

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. has been used in respiratory diseases, gastric and duodenal ulcers and liver insufficiencies for many years. The plant grows in different regions of Iran. Since our country is considered one of the greatest exporting countries of the plant roots, investigation of licorice quality from different parts of Iran and determination of the best area for its growing seems to be important. According to validated references, glycyrrhizic acid percentage and water-soluble extractives are determinative of quality; therefore, in this investigation, these two factors have been measured in the plants collected from different regions of Iran. Roots of the plant were collected from Kerman, Kermanshah, Sirjan, Sarhadd [Fars province], Istahban [Fars province], Ghasredasht [Fars province], Najaf Abad [Isfahan province], Ganjnameh [Hamedan province], Ekbatan [Hamedan province], Mahabad, Khorram Abad and Ardabil and water-soluble extractives using maceration method and glycyrrhizic acid percentage with HPLC technique were determined in each sample. The results showed that the amount of water-soluble extractives and glycyrrhizic acid are high in samples from Kermanshah, Sarhadd and Kerman while these two factors are the lowest in the plant roots collected from Ekbatan and Ganjnameh. The plant roots collected from Kermanshah, Sarhadd and Kerman have the highest quality and are the best for medicinal purposes, sweetening and flavoring agent and for exporting as well