Journal of Medicinal Plants Biotechnology

Abstract Thyme is one of the most important medicinal plants which grows naturally in wide areas of range lands in Iran and simultaneously is cultured widely in Iran and other parts of the world. As Iran has placed in arid and semi-arid regions of the world, with actually low precipitation, doing projects in order to reveal the mechanisms or increase the drought tolerance of crop and medicinal plants has great value. Drought stress decreases the yield and quality of medicinal plants as well as crops. To investigate the mechanisms of drought tolerance of thyme plants and to evaluate the possibility of increasing of drought tolerance in these valuable medicinal plants, activity of some antioxidant enzymes and total soluble proteins were been analyzed in Thymus vulgaris L.in a complete randomized design experiment. After reaching to the adequate stage of growth, seedlings were grown in pots containing suitable soil, were subjected to different levels of drought stress (80% as control, 60% and 40% irrigation of field capacity(FC) as treatments). Results show that, drought stress had significant effect on total protein content as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes. At 60% FC treatment and especially at 40% FC the amount of total soluble proteins drastically decreased. However; the activity of catalase increased at 60% FC treatment. The activity of peroxidase did not change significantly at 60% treatment but its activity decreased at 40% treatment. As a conclusion; it can be suggested that, one of the drought tolerance mechanisms of thyme is increasing of the activity of antioxidant enzymes especially the activity of catalase.  

Abstract       Avondol (Smyrnium cordifolium) is one of the most valuable medicinal plants and its use has a long history in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of growth regulators on the regeneration of various organs of the avondol in in vitro conditions. This study was conducted in tissue culture laboratory of Research Center of Agricultural and Natural Resources of Kermanshah as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with 3 replications. Factors of explant (leaf and stem) plant growth regulators of 2,4-D (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/l) and BA (0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1, mg/l) were examined. Six weeks after planting, callus color, callus formation rate, percentage of callus regeneration, callus diameter and callus fresh weight were recorded. The results showed that the highest callus formation rate in 2 mg/l 2,4-D alone, the highest percentage of callus formation of explants in 1 and 2 mg/l 2,4-D alone was obtained in stem explants. The highest callus diameter in the treatment of 2 mg/l 2,4-D alone and the highest weight in 1 and 2 mg/l 2,4-D alone and 2 mg/l 2,4-D with 0.25 mg/l BAwas obtained.
In order to direct regeneration, same calli were cultured on growth regulators BA (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/l) and IBA (0, 0.25, 0.5 mg/l) in MS medium with 3 replications. Six weeks after replanting the calli grew and did not regenerate. The results of the second experiment showed that the highest callus formation rate and callus diameter were obtained in combination of 0.5 mg/l BA alone. The highest percentage of callus formation was observed in two hormonal compounds: 0.5 mg/l BA alone and 1 mg/l BA with 0.25 mg/l IBA. The highest callus weight was obtained in 1 mg/l BA alone.

Abstract In order to investigate the effect of drought stress on vegetative growth and physiological characteristics of Damask rose, a factorial potted experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Treatments include three levels of Nanozeolite and four Irrigation intervals, which were performed in a roofed space with sufficient light. After determining the field capacity and soil wilting point, the reference weight was determined in terms of field capacity, and drought treatments were applied based on soil moisture. Various morphological factors, including diameter growth, seedling height, leaf number, leaf area, and aerial and terrestrial biomass were determined after applying stress. The results indicated that the highest total plant weight and shoot dry weight were obtained in 10g Nanozeolite treatment and irrigation interval  four days. The interaction effect of Nanozeolite and irrigation intervals on fresh and dry leaf weight was significant and reached its maximum in 10g Nanozeolite and irrigation interval four days treatments. Nanozeolite affected the number, length, volume, and dry weight of Damask rose root significantly, and consumption of 10g of Nanozeolite improved these traits. Irrigation intervals significantly affected all measured traits except shoot dry weight, the number of roots, plant height, and leaf relative water content. In general, it can be concluded that the use of Nanozeolite in low concentrations has improved growth indices and the application beyond the desired limit for the drought-tolerant Damask rose plant has adverse effects.

Abstract The new concept of Metaverse seeks to create a virtual life with similar goals of real life. Although its mechanism has not been well identified so far, according to the current data, it is apparent that some facilities such as VR and AR can make a plural room for agricultural and medicinal plants aspects. This 4^th generation technology would play a significant role in the rings of agricultural value chains, and establish a new understanding among users and chains, also between the planet and the production and consumption fields. Theorizing this concept, the current article tries to define some common generalities related to Metaverse technology, then it shows how this future tool can monitor human and their agricultural products from pre-production stage to post-consumption phase; then it clarifies how man would be able to be a traveler of other sectors of surrounding ecosystems to find deeply out the consequences of every decision and action on other parts of the planet. Eventually, the importance of creating a "personal user metadata" in metaverse would be described in order to solve the problems facing mankind, resulting in a simple solution despite a complex approach in bottom layers as what we may see in soil mechanism in the nature.

Abstract Secondary metabolites are substances that exist in some plants and in a certain vegetative stage of growth. Alkaloids (Morphine, Codeine, Atropine), Terpenoids, Flavonoids, Pigments and Tannins are among the most important of these compounds. The process of changes of these effective substances in two medicinal plants Artemisia and Thymus at three altitude levels H₁ (700 to 800), H₂ (1300 to 1200) and H₃ (1700 to 1800) meters above sea level and three regions Climatic, arid, semi-arid and semi-humid conditions were studied by completely randomized block design with three replications. R software used fo statistical analysis, in addition to examining the changes of effective substances in these two medicinal plants, we achieved a new index for evaluating the severity and using it for drought zoning. The results of this research can be used in the exploitation of pasture medicinal plants. The introduced index shows that with the increase of drought severity, the amount of secondary metabolites increases significantly in different species and in different vegetative stages. This index can be used for ecology and climatology studies.

Abstract In the most regions of the world, salinity stress is the most important stress that limits the growth of plants and its performance by decreasing the osmotic potential and disrupting the absorption of water and some nutrients. Salicornia Persica, is a halophyte and annual plant and resistant to the salinity. Ascorbic acid can increase resistance of plant than stress through stimulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes. An experiment was carried out in2019 in the research greenhouse of Malayer University in a factorial format in a completely randomized design, in order to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of ascorbic acid (0, 0. 2mm) on the morphological characteristics of Salicornia Persica, under the conditions of salinity stress (0,300, and 600ppm). The results showed that salinity stress caused a significant increase in the dry weight of aerial parts. On the other hand, spraying with ascorbic acid caused an increase in the dry weight of aerial parts. Salinity caused a reduction in the amount of photosynthetic pigments. The amount of Proline increased at 300ppm salinity and decreased at 600ppm salinity. Generally, It can be concluded that spraying of Salicornia Persica with ascorbic acid improved the growth and the tolerance of this plant against the effects of salinity

Abstract Increasing the quality and longevity of cut flowers is one of the important discussions in post-harvest physiology and floriculture industry. The present study was conducted to find natural and appropriate alternatives such as medicinal plant extracts, in order to increase the life after harvesting of rose cut flowers and their potential to replace chemical compounds such as silver nitrate. This research aims to investigate the effect of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) plant extracts and silver nitrate in concentrations (3 and 5 ppm) and distilled water as a witness on the shelf life of cut flowers. Ilona variety Rose was done. The experiment was carried out under temperature conditions of 20±2 degrees Celsius, relative humidity of 50-55%, white light intensity of 12 micromoles per square meter per second and 12 hours in the form of a completely randomized design with 3 replications to measure the characteristics of shelf life, fresh weight, Dry weight, total chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids of leaves and stems, total phenol, total flavonoid, and anthocyanin of petals were measured. The results showed that, in general, Thyme and Rosemary extracts and silver nitrate used in this research improved the shelf life of rose cut flowers. The highest amount of fresh weight and gilt life was observed in the treatment of silver nitrate at the level (3 ppm), so that it increased the gilt life by about 13 days compared to the control. The lowest fresh weight and life expectancy belonged to the control treatment. Considering the better conditions of some of the properties measured in the use of Thyme and Rosemary extracts compared to silver nitrate and also the harmful effects of silver nitrate on the environment, it is possible to use rosemary extracts with a concentration of 3 ppm. recommended to increase the shelf life and quality of roses.

Abstract Biodiversity plays a major role in the well-being of the world population by contributing to human livelihood and development. According to WHO reports, about 80% of the world's population still relies on herbal medicines. Today, most of the drugs are self-contained medicinal plants. Natural substances have long served as sources of therapeutic drugs, such as digitalis (from foxglove), ergotamine (from infected rye), salicylates (willow bark) being classic examples. Drug discovery from natural sources includes a multifaceted approach by combining botanical, phytochemical, biological and molecular techniques. Therefore, drug discovery based on medicinal plants is still an important and undiscovered area, research in this issue leads to important results in line with medicinal goals. The decrease in biodiversity is the result of the increase in global population, rapid industrialization, excessive deforestation, overexploitation of natural resources, Pollution and ultimately global climate change. Preserving plant biodiversity is important for creating structural diversity and main compounds in the future for the sustainable development of human civilization. This issue becomes more important for

Abstract It is essential to use corrective techniques in the cultivation of medicinal plants and to improve the quantity and quality of the essential oils and essence in them for the production of high-yielding plants. The influence factors in callus production and regeneration include genotype, growth regulators, culture medium, age and type of explants and environmental conditions. In this study, callus induction in seven plant species (Daucus carota, Dracocephalum kotschyi, Hyssopus officinalis, Galega officinalis, Amsonia tubemaemontana, Moringa oliefera, Urtica dioica) has been investigated in vitro, which were evaluated callus induction and organogenesis on the leafy specimen in MS and WPM medium with different concentrations of growth regulators. For this purpose, a factorial experiment was designed in a completely randomized design (CRD) and was investigated genotypic effects on callus induction and subsequent proliferation of the plant. The results showed that Daucus carota, Moringa oliefera and Hyssopus officinalis had a significant difference in callus induction with other species.

Abstract Thyme is one of the high consuming medicinal plant in Iran and Thymus persicus is an Iran endemic thyme species which grows in heavy metal contaminated areas of Zanjan province. In order to study of the effect of Nickel and Cadmium on the secondary compounds of Thymus persicus, seedlings were cultured in different concentrations of Ni and Cd: 0 (control), 0.2, .04 and 0.6 mM in a hydroponic culture system. Three weeks after treatment, the N-Hexane extract of aerial parts of plants at control and heavy metal stress treatments were analyzed using GC/MS. According to the results; thymol, thymoquinone, linalool and formic acid were the main components of the extract at the control treatment. The percentage of thymol increased at all Ni and Cd concentrations except for the 0.4 mM Ni, however; the amount of thymoquinone, linalool and formic acid decreased at all heavy metal treatments comparing to control. It can be suggested that Ni and Cd had different effects on extract composition in this plant. Some major compounds of extract increased and some decreased which showed unpredictable consequences. 

Abstract Yew is valuable medicinal plant because of the paclitaxel. However, due to the slow growth of endangered yew plant and low amounts of paclitaxel, the extraction of taxol from the plant is expensive and need appropriate substitute. Optimization of both biomass and metabolite culture media, is one of the main goals of invitro culture of yew plant. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of some elicitors on the activity of enzymes involved in paclitaxel biosynthesis with the aim of optimizing the production of this compound in vitro conditions. In order to produce callus, explants of T. baccata and T. brevifolia were cultured in B5 medium containing NAA (2 mg / l), 2,4-D (0.2 mg / l), kin (0.2 mg / l). The callus was cultured in media containing elicitors including salicylic acid (80 mg / L), methyl jasmonate (100 μM), cinnamic acid (0.25 M), and a combination of them. The effect of phenylalanine (0.1 mM) as a precursor of phenylalanine-ammonialase was also investigated. The experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with three replications. Finally, the effect of the mentioned treatments on the activity of polyphenol oxidase, superoxide dismutase and phenylalanine ammonialyase enzymes of the treated calli was evaluated. Results showed that the application of experimental treatments as well as their interaction significantly affect the activity of the studied enzymes. The results showed that methyl jasmonate increased the activity of phenylalanine ammonialyase and polyphenol oxidase. Also, in the interaction of methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid, the activity of superoxide dismutase was higher than the control. Also, the activity of the studied enzymes was different without considering the effect of the treatment under the influence of the species.

Abstract  
Antimicrobial-resistant bacterial strains cause serious infections that can lead to increased mortality and morbidity rates, longer hospital stays, and financial losses. Finding new bactericidal agents against these bacterial is a critical concern. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as an excellent antibacterial agent can play an effective role against these bacteria. Therefore, in the present study, biosynthesized AgNPs using leaf infusion of Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss were used to assess their bactericidal effects against a multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (a gram-negative strain). Based on the obtained results, the maximum zone of inhibition was 16 mm and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of biosynthesized AgNPs was 15.62 μg/mL against MDR A. baumannii. Therefore, biosynthesized AgNPs as cost-effective, eco-friendly, and safe alternative material with excellent bactericidal effect can be used in different fields such medical and food industries.
 

Abstract Active substances or secondary metabolites in medicinal plants are regularly produced in response to biotic and abiotic stresses and determine the ability of plants to adapt during growth and development. In order to increase the quantity and quality of the effective substance of the green cumin medicinal plant, with the scientific name Cuminum cyminum L from the Chetrian family, we need to identify the germplasm and useful genes in domestic and wild populations of this plant. In the current research, five selected genes in the biosynthesis pathway of flavonoids in cumin, obtained from previous research based on NGS method, which had the highest expression changes in drought stress, were validated. DNA from young leaves of selected ecotypes was extracted and quality measured with agarose gel. Considering the PCR test and the observation of a single band in all cases and the lack of difference in the length of the amplified fragment among the selected ecotypes; The length polymorphism of the fragments resulting from the amplification was rejected due to the presence of deletion and addition regions between different genotypes. This experiment could not confirm the placement of the two studied ecotypes of Sadouq and Rafsanjan in terms of seed yield, essential oil and extract content, in two different groups in terms of the studied genes. Also, he could not confirm the difference in the expression of two genes (with sequence numbers DN1196 and DN32640) in drought stress and normal irrigation in the previous research

Abstract Cancer is one of the important problems affecting public health worldwide. The use of medicinal plants and their effective compounds is an alternative solution to prevent and treat cancer. In the present research, the synergistic effects of lemon balm hydro-alcoholic extract and graphene nanoparticles on cervical cancer cells were investigated. Dilutions of 100 and 200 ug/ml total phenolic compounds equivalent to gallic acid were prepared and the effect of these extract concentrations in combination with graphene nanoparticles (0, 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml) on the survival of Hela cancer cells was evaluated using the MTT assay. Based on the results, the treatment with lemon balm extract had a significant effect on reducing the cell survival (p≤0.05). Addition of graphene nanoparticles to the plant extract only at a concentration of 200 μg/ml caused a significant reduction of cells in both concentrations of the extract compared to the treatment without graphene nanoparticles. In general, the hydro-alcoholic extract of lemon balm is able to prevent the growth of HeLa cells. On the other hand, synergistic anticancer effects were observed in the combination of plant extract and graphene nanoparticles, which can be a solution to increase the efficiency of medicinal plants to fight cancer cells.

Abstract The formulation of nanoparticles mediated medicinal plant extract is cost-effective, eco-friendly, stable and quicker than conventional methods. These nanoparticles particularly bioformulated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plant extracts are the most effective against bacteria. Therefore, in the present study, we determined the antibacterial activity of Nigella arvensis-derived AgNPs (Na-AgNPs) against an antibiotic resistance Klebsiella pneumonia using agar well diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). According to results, the bioformulated Na-AgNPs showed a maximum inhibition zone of 14 mm and MIC value of 15.62 μg/mL against K. pneumonia. Therefore, bioformulated Na-AgNPs as an alternative to chemical antibacterial agents can be used to manage of infections in medicine and other industries.

Abstract Cumin is an annual and herbaceous plant belonging to the parsley family. In this research, five selected genes effective in the biosynthesis of flavonoids, which were identified by NGS method in cumin and had the most expression changes, were studied bioinformatically. Among these, two gene fragments, DN32640 and DN1196, which had the greatest evolutionary distance and were from two different families, were investigated for further identification. The sequence of DN1196 is from the GT6 family, a glycosyltransferase in the biosynthesis pathway of phenolic compounds, and the sequence of DN32640 is from the BHLH family, a transcription factor in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway. The coded protein of the sequence DN1196, with more than 85% similarity with a protein from the carrot plant, glycosylates it in the final step of flavonol synthesis by transferring a glucose molecule. In this process, two transcription factor proteins interact with this protein. The predicted secondary structure of the product of this gene was identified in accordance with the carrot protein sequence. The encoded protein of the DN32640 sequence, with more than 90% similarity to the carrot protein, is a transcription factor of the BHLH family and a component of the MBW complex. This transcription factor is involved in regulating the final stages of the path leading to the biosynthesis of anthocyanins and tannins. The secondary structure of this gene product was determined based on the identified protein sequence of carrot. Considering the importance of these two genes and the interaction of their product with other proteins, they can be used in genetic manipulations to produce more phenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins in cumin.