Journal of Medicinal Plants Biotechnology

Abstract This study investigated the effect of different levels of charcoal obtained from acacia wood on some growth characteristics, essential oil content, and nutrient absorption of sage plants under cadmium stress. The experimental treatments included different levels of charcoal (0, 1, and 2% by weight) and cadmium stress at three levels of 0, 30, and 60 mg/kg of soil, which was factorial in the form of a completely randomized design with 4 replications in the research greenhouse of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. The results showed that increasing the concentration of cadmium caused a significant decrease in the growth of sage plants in terms of height, stem diameter, number of sub-branches, leaf area, number of leaves, biomass, and root growth. Cadmium stress also caused a decrease in essential oil content and the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium elements, and increased iron, manganese, and cadmium in the aerial parts of the sage plant. The use of charcoal reduced the harmful effects of cadmium on growth by reducing the transfer of cadmium from roots to aerial organs and improving the absorption of nutrients. In plants treated with increasing charcoal concentration, the amount of essential oil in the flowering branches of sage significantly increased. The greatest effect of charcoal on morphological traits, percentage of essential oil, and concentration of nutrients was observed in the highest concentration used (2% by weight) and in plants under severe cadmium stress.

Abstract An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of water deficit stress (field capacity (FC), 50%, and 30% of FC) and foliar application of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and spermidine (control and 3 mg L⁻¹), as well as their combined application, on growth and selected physiological traits of basil. The highest plant biomass was observed under irrigation at FC + simultaneous foliar application of spermidine and GABA. The main effects of water deficit and foliar treatments significantly influenced chlorophyll, H2O2, malondialdehyde, proline, elemental content, and essential oil content of the plant. The highest chlorophyll a, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium content were observed under irrigation at FC. Irrigation at FC and 50% FC significantly increased chlorophyll b and nitrogen contents. Irrigation at 30% FC resulted in elevated levels of H2O2, malondialdehyde, and proline accumulation. All three foliar treatments led to increased chlorophyll b, nitrogen and potassium contents. Simultaneous foliar application of both compounds contributed to a reduction in H2O2 and malondialdehyde levels, while enhancing chlorophyll a, proline, phenolic compounds, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and essential oil contents. Essential oil content was notably increased under irrigation at 50% FC. Sixteen constituents were identified in the basil essential oil, with methyl chavicol (38.42–42.38%) being the predominant compound, particularly prominent in the treatment combining irrigation at 30% FC with foliar application of both compounds. The results of the present study demonstrate the positive effect of concurrent application of both compounds on the evaluated physiological and biochemical traits of basil under water deficit conditions.

Abstract To investigate the effect of proline and gamma-aminobutyric acid on the quantitative and qualitative traits of medicinal plant chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) under water deficit stress, an experiment was conducted according to split plots design with a completely randomized block arrangement with four replications during the spring and summer of 2024 in the research greenhouse at the University of Zanjan. The main factor consisted of two irrigation levels (70 and 100% of field capacity) and the subplots included foliar applications of two levels of proline (0.5 and 1 mM), gamma-aminobutyric acid (0.5 and 1 mM) and control treatment (distilled water).
The results showed that the highest chlorophyll a content (1.40 mg/g fresh weight) was achieved under 100% field capacity irrigation combined with 1 mM proline. Foliar application of 0.5 mM proline under 70% irrigation level resulted in the highest phenolic content (4.78 mg gallic acid/g dry weight) and the greatest total antioxidant activity (51.75%). The maximum flavonoid content (1.49 mg quercetin/g dry weight) was observed with 0.5 M GABA treatment. Additionally, the highest thousand-seed weight (148 mg) was recorded under full irrigation (100% field capacity) with 1 mM proline, compared to the control. Overall, the combined application of 0.5 mM proline and GABA was most effective in mitigating the adverse effects of drought stress on chamomile.

Abstract Irinotecan is considered to be one of the most effective anticancer drugs for colorectal cancer therapy. In this study, the role of human serum albumin (HSA), as a protein biopolymer and safe drug delivery system, in the binding of irinotecan was surveyed. The interaction between irinotecan and HSA has been studied by fluorimetry, circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy as well as molecular docking study. By the analysis of the fluorescence spectra, it was observed that irinotecan can quench the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA through a static quenching procedure. The binding parameters were determined according to the modified Stern-Volmer equation and the enthalpy change (ΔH^° and entropy change (ΔS^°) of binding were calculated to be -19.11 kJ mol⁻¹ and 13.80 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. The Analysis of the thermodynamic parameters indicated that the hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions played the dominant role in the stabilization of the irinotecan-HSA complex. The competitive site markers experiments indicated that the drug binds to the site I of HSA, confirmed by molecular docking. The distance, r, between the donor (HSA) and the acceptor (irinotecan) was obtained according to Förster’s theory of non-radiation energy transfer. The quantitative analysis of the far-UV CD and FT-IR spectra represented that irinotecan has induced some alterations in the secondary and tertiary structures of the protein.

Abstract Medicinal plants have been associated with human life throughout history and have been used as food, fodder and medicine. One of these plants is wild celery, which is one of the endemic plants of the Zagros region of Iran, which, like other plants, undergoes some biotic and abiotic stresses during its growth in these regions. Wild celery is resistant to temperature, humidity and drought stress in its growing place, because over time it has adapted to the conditions of the Zagros region. There is no salt in the natural growth place of this plant. Regional pests have also been observed in the main habitats of this plant. By knowing the ecological conditions of its growing place as a model from nature, wild celery can be cultivated in agricultural conditions. leucoptera scitella zell, Hyadaphis foeniculi and Eupithecia sp are regional pests of wild celery. When wild celery is cultivated in the field, the most important weeds in its fields are mentioned Avena ludoviciana Dur, Hordeum murinum L., Hordeum spontaneum C. Koch, Secale cereal L, Phalaris minor Retz., Bromus tectorum L., Malva sylvestris L., and Alhagi camelorum Fisch.

Abstract Anghuzeh is one of the important medicinal plants of Apiaceae family. Anghuzeh is very important in traditional Iranian medicine and there is a great global demand for it. This plant has many applications in the pharmaceutical field and has been used in the treatment of diseases for a long time. The results of the research of Angouzeh plant conducted in this field show the anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant effects. The applications of this plant in the food industry are very important, so this plant is used as an additive, flavoring or spice in the preparation and processing of various foods. Anghuzeh also has many applications in the cosmetics industry. The importance of Anghuzeh is due to the valuable gum that is obtained from cutting its roots. In recent years, due to the considerable profit from the sale of gum, the harvesting of this plant from nature has increased, and this issue leads to the extinction of the Anghuzeh generation. Anghuzeh gum contains special compounds. Essential oil is one of the main active ingredients in gum, which is used in other related industries after extraction and purification. At present, Anghuzeh gum is sold in raw form in Iran. It is hoped that with proper planning and the creation of suitable conversion industries for Anghuzeh, it will be possible to create good added value (valuation) for the country while creating employment.