Journal of Medicinal Plants Biotechnology

Abstract Due to the side effects of resulting from the consumption of chemical preservatives and also over increasing of bacterial resistance to the antibiotic, identification of natural origin antimicrobial compounds are very important. Therefore, the present study was performed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Dorema aucheri, Zataria multiflora Boiss and Ferulago angulate.  The antimicrobial activity of extracts evaluated by Disc diffusion. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were determined by using the dilution method. The Z. multiflora Boiss extract had a strong antibacterial activity and stopped the growth of both Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus  aureus in MIC  of  10 & 20 μg/ml in respectively. Also Dorema aucheri ethanolic extract had antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes at less concentration andalso it was effective on Escherichia coli in concentration of 40μg/ml. Moreover, Ferulago angulata ethanolic extract was effective on bacteria tested in concentration used. The highest diameter of inhibition zone was related to Dorema aucheri ethanolic extract on Listeria monocytogenes. According to the results, these extracts can be used as a potential sources of antibacterial compounds for food and pharmaceutical industries.

Abstract Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) is one the oldest known medicinal plants, which is naturally and
commercially grown in Iran and many parts of the world. In this study, the genetic variation of 17 Iranian
fennel ecotypes were investigated by ISSR molecular marker. The ISSR markers produced a total of 51
genomic DNA segments, of which 45 bands were polymorphic. The mean polymorphism per primer, mean
Polymorphic Index Content (PIC), and Marker Index (MI) were 9, 0.478 and 5.92, respectively. The
dendrogram was constructed using UPGMA method and Jaccard’s similarity matrix. The ecotypes were
grouped under three main groups. The 2D and 3D PCoA analysis confirmed the results of the cluster analysis.
The results indicated that the studied ecotypes had meaningful genetic diversity, and the genetic grouping
using ISSR markers was correlated with the geographical distribution of the genotypes. This study could
improve the knowledge about the Iranian fennel genetic pool, and contribute to breeding and germplasm
protection programs of medicinal plants.

Abstract Marine macroalgae are a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids and compounds with inhibitory properties of
free radicals that contain numerous physiological effects that can be play an important role in human health.
In this study, the fatty acid composition, physicochemical properties, ability of free radicals scavenging and
sensitivity evaluation of Nizimuddinia zanardini (collected from the coast of Qeshm ) were conducted.
Assessment of physicochemical properties of N. zanardini was performed with measuring the water holding
capacity, swelling capacity, and oil holding capacity and identify the fatty acid composition was conducted by
using a gas chromatography. The inhibitory activity of extract algae, investigated by measuring the inhibitory
effect of DPPH and superoxide radicals. As well as to assess the odor and flavor indicators of aqueous extract
of seaweed, the 17 non-trained panels were used. Water holding capacity and swelling capacity of N. zanardini,
not showed statistically significant differences with increasing temperature (p>0.05). N. zanardini had the
content of 41.61% SFAs, 30.82% MUFAs and 7.52% PUFAs, respectively. Superoxide radical scavenging
(21/05%) was high but DPPH free radical scavenging activity (2/73%) in the studied macroalgae, was low.
The results of the sensitiviti evaluation showed that the studied macroalgae have an acceptable odor and flavor.
Based on our results, N. zanardini can be considered as a potential source of unsaturated fatty acids and
compounds with inhibitory properties of free radicals for using in food and medicine industries.

Abstract The use of Algae was common for a long time for prevention and treatment of diseases through their various
combinations. Red Algae (Gracilaria salicornia) has some combinations with specific chemical structures, so
it can dispose singlet oxygen and absorb radicals. The objective of this study is to show the lethal effects of
Gracilaria salicornia extract on breast cancer (MCF 7) and the human lung fibroblast cell line (MRC5)
using the MTT method and study of compounds by GC MASS. Algae was harvested from Chabahar coast and
it was prepared for hydro-alcoholic extract based on Soxhlet method and three fractions of hexane, chloroform
and ethyl acetate . The five concentrations of extracts were effected and the results were evaluated. Grasilaria
hydro-alcoholic extract was used to assess its anti-cancer compounds and antioxidant effects by GC-Mass.
Statistical analysis was performed using prism. The statistical significance of difference analyzed by one-way
ANOVA/Tukey test. Result was considered significant at P< 0.05.
The results showed that different concentrations of ethanolic extract and fractions significantly reduced the
growth of MCF7 and MRC5 cell lines compared to the control group after 48 hours (P<0.05). The IC50 results
was determined in MCF7 for total extract, fractions of ethyl acetate, chloroform and hexane it was respectively
equal to 528, 192, 107, and 272 μg/ml and for MRC5 in order 879,205,185 and 366 μg/ml. Based on the results,
the Algae can be considered as a strong chemical agent and suitable growth deterrent for this cell line.

Abstract Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) is a perennial plant that well known due to natural sweeteners Diterpenes
that contributes 4-20 percent of dry matter of the plant's leaves. Since stevia multiplication is performed by
seed, transplanting, cuttings and tissue culture, this study specifically compare the chemical compounds of the
plant in different growth conditions, including natural and tissue culture conditions using plant extracts and
essential oil. The results showed that among 55 identified chemical compounds in the extract of tissue culture,
16 compounds were common and 39 others were exclusively in tissue culture condition. Also, among total of
70 chemical compounds in the extract of natural condition, 54 compounds were exclusively observed in extract
of stevia grown in natural condition. The results of GC-MS of essential oil showed that there were eight similar
compounds among natural and tissue culture samples. Therefore, among 41 identified chemical compounds in
the stevia essence obtained from tissue culture, there were only 33 of composition exclusively observed in
tissue culture conditions. Also, among 164 compounds identified in a plant essential oil grown in a natural
conditions, 156 of them were exclusively observed in natural conditions.

Abstract Native plants to desert ecosystems, have unique features to ensure their survival in harsh conditions. Choghan
(local name for Salsola tragus) is an ancient desert plant, have used for medicinal properties, and was the only
washing plant in many parts of Iran. Urban culture and supply all kinds of chemical detergents have led to the
forgetfulness of the capacities of national and patriotic detergent plant. Identify and preserve of such valuable
plants that is resistant to harsh conditions and generally are halophyte, can be exploited in therapeutic
applications, detergent plant production programs, sustainable agriculture, environmental protection and
desertification. In order to study the response of callus initiation of this plant tissues, seeds were sterilized and
planted on MS medium. After two days, explants of root, stem and leaf were cultured on MS medium with
NAA hormone with three levels: 0, 5 and 10 mg per liter. After three weeks, callus formation was evaluated.
The results showed that the best explants for good callus induction, were the explants of leaf and then stem in
16 hours of light with an intensity of 3000 lux at a concentration of 5 mg of the NAA.