Molecular diversity and phytochemical variability in the Iranian poppy (Papaver bracteatum Lindl.): A baseline for conservation and utilization in future breeding programmes

In the present investigation, 72 accessions of the Iranian poppy (Papaver bracteatum Lindl.) were analyzed for genetic diversity and population structure using start codon targeted polymorphism (SCoT) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers along with four important phytochemical traits to provide baseline knowledge for the Iranian poppy’s breeding and conservation plans. Twelve ISSR and thirteen SCoT primers generated a total of 98 and 186 fragments with a mean of 8.17 and 14.31 fragments per primer, respectively. Polymorphic information content for ISSR and SCoT primers ranged from 0.39 to 0.45 and 0.28 to 0.34, with the resolving power ranging from 21.61 to 3.97 and 13.08 to 28.02, respectively. Neighbour-joining (NJ) based clustering grouped 72 accessions into three main groups based on two markers studied (ISSR and SCoT) and the combined data (ISSR + SCoT), which associated with their eco-geographical regions. Population structure based analysis divided 72 accessions into 3 subpopulations using ISSR markers, when SCoT was used eight subpopulations were observed. However, when the combined data was used only three subpopulations were found, which corresponded to the grouping observed with the NJ method and these results were supported by principal coordinate analyses (PCoA). Phytochemical analysis revealed that plant capsule has higher total amounts of the alkaloids; thebaine, morphine and oripavine than stem tissues. Interestingly, for the geographical parameters, latitude showed a significant and positive correlation with thebaine extracted from both stem and capsules and the regression results confirmed these associations. Taken together, our results indicated that three populations Ploor, Eil-Teymoor and Anjomane due to their high contents of alkaloids like thebaine as well as the Taham population due to its high content of morphine and oripavine have a strong enough potency to be used in the pharmacy industry.Peer reviewe

Trichomes morphology and density analysis in some "Nepeta" species of Iran

Nepeta are widely distributed worldwide and in different parts of Iran where seventy-nine species were registered. The essential oil of these aromatic plants, which accumulates and secrets by trichomes, has been used in medicinal and industrial products. In addition, these epidermal structures can be used as taxonomic traits. We examined the morphology and density of leaves trichomes of twelve Nepeta species using the light and scanning electron microscopes. Three types of indumentum are found in these species, which composed of two main types of glandular: peltate and capitate, and nonglandular; branched and unbranched trichomes. The number of the observed hairs differed between the studied species and analyses of variant test (ANOVA) showed significant variations among some of them. CA-joined plot proved that trichomes could be used as distinguishing characteristic. Therefore, we suggested that the type of indumentum and the most abundant glandular and non-glandular trichomes have high taxonomic value in species identification within the genus.</p

Infraspecific variations in essential oil and glandular trichomes in Nepeta heliotropifolia

Yarmoohammadi M, Talebi SM, Nohooji MG. 2017. Infraspecific variations in essential oil and glandular trichomes in Nepeta heliotropifolia. Biodiversitas 18: 964-970. Nepeta heliotropifolia Lam. (Labiatae) is one of the perennial medicinal and aromatic plants, naturally grows in different regions of Iran. The essential oil composition of aerial parts and also the micromorphology and distribution of foliar trichomes of N. heliotropifolia from two different regions of Iran were studied. The extracted essential oils were significantly composed of caryophyllene oxide and phytol, which were quantified by GC and identified based on their GC/MS spectra. The essential oil compositions differed greatly with habitat as well as former investigations. Phytol was quantified between 0.75-10. 29% of the total essential oil, but caryophyllene oxide was quantified between 3.90-12.17% of the total essential oil. Trichomes investigations showed that leaves bear an indumentum of glandular and non-glandular hairs. Two main kinds of glandular trichomes were observed; peltate and capitate. The numbers of capitate and peltate trichomes varied between populations. Such great differences in the essential oil composition may be attributed to chemotype creation and also an adaptation of these populations to particular habitats.</jats:p

Essential oil analysis of eight 'Nepeta' taxa in Iran

Nepeta is one of the largest and important genera of Lamiaceae that is found in many parts of the world as wild plants. These aromatic plants produce essential oil for various pharmaceutical and industrial products. The essential oil composition in eight taxa of Nepeta was analyzed. One natural population from each taxon was selected, and their essential oils extracted using Clevenger apparatus. Moreover, GC and GC/MS analysis methods allowed to reveal the variability in essential oil composition and profile among the studied taxa. The oxygenated monoterpenes were dominant in the oils of N. meyeri, N. mirzayanii, N. racemosa, N. binaludensis, and N. glomerulosa. Phytol was the major compound in the essential oil of N. kotschyi var. persica and N. saccharata (11.56% and 27.04%, respectively). 4aα,7α,7aβ-nepetalactone (73.89%) and 4aα,7β,7aα-nepetalactone (83.92%) were the major constituents in essential oil of N. mirzayanii and N. meyeri, respectively. 1,8-cineol was the principal constituent in the oil of N. glomerulosa var. carmanica, N. binaludensis, N. pogonosperma and N. racemosa (23.34%, 43.49%, 53.94% and 70.89%, respectively). The studied taxa were classified into four distinct groups according to the UPGMA tree with high level of bootstrapping support. Each group was characterized by special trait(s) that could be used for identification of them. Therefore, four chemotypes were separated among the studied taxa: 1,8-cineol, 4aα,7α,7aβ-nepetalactone, 4aα,7β,7aα-nepetalactone, and carvacrol. It was also noticed that the composition of essential oil was highly varied compared to previous results.</jats:p

Taxonomic value of stem anatomical characters in classification of some Adonis (Ranunculaceae) species in Iran

The genus Adonis L. belongs to the Ranunculaceae family and consists of some species in Iran among which majority of the species are annual and belong to the Sect. Adonis. The Middle East is the most important area of annual species distribution. Species in the section are often morphologically very similar and this defies species recognition and imposes some difficulties. In this study, different anatomical characters of various populations of three species of Adonis (A. aestivalis, A. flammea and A. dentata) were evaluated using numerical taxonomic methods. Obtained results demonstrated that simultaneous application of both qualitative and relative characters offers a better chance in species delimitation in future researches

The phytochemical and morphological diversity analysis of Ziziphus nummularia (Burm.f.) Wight & Arn. populations in South of Iran

Ziziphus nummularia is a multipurpose and tropical tree with medicinal, nutritional, industrial, and economic values. This tree, which belongs to the Rhamnaceae family, is originated from the South of Asia and North of Africa. This research was carried out to investigate the phytochemical and morphological diversity of 20 wild populations collected from different Southern regions of Iran. Statistical significant difference ranges between population were found in respect to saponin of the leaf (2.2-5.4 mg/g) and fruit (1.2-3.2 mg/g), phenol of the leaf (0.7-2.9 mg/g) and fruit (0.03-0.4 mg/g), tannin of the leaf (0.8-3.5 mg/g) and fruit (1.5-1.7 mg/g), and flavonoid of the leaf (3.3-4.3 mg/g) and fruit (1.5-2.4 mg/g). A factor analysis based on principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the first three components (PC1-PC3) explain 79.04% of total variations. The first component (PC1) is explained by the most important traits of the PCA coefficient such as the leaf saponin, width of the end leaf, fruit saponin, length of the end leaf, leaf length and width, and leaf phenol with 42% of the total variation. Hierarchical cluster analysis divided the populations into four main groups with high diversity. In general, the Izeh Tarakab population had the highest content of leaf and fruit saponin. The content of leaf and fruit saponin as the major secondary metabolite could be a good determinant for detecting diversity in the wild population of Z. nummularia

Isolation and investigation of antibacterial activities and cytotoxicity of atropine and scopolamine

Medicinal plants contain various secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, polyphenols, terpenes, tannins, terpenoids, and flavonoids. These compounds are important sources for treating numerous diseases. Datura stramonium, a plant from the Solonaceae family, is rich in alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. Over time, this plant has demonstrated significant therapeutic effects. The objective of this study was to extract atropine and scopolamine compounds, which are alkaloids found in D. stramonium leaves, and investigate their antibacterial and cytotoxic effects. Atropine and scopolamine were isolated from D. stramonium and analyzed using high-performance chromatography (HPLC) and carbon and proton NMR (NMR H1, C13). The antibacterial activity of atropine and scopolamine against Shigella dysenteriae (PTCC 1188), Streptococcus pyogenes (ATCC 19615), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (CIP 81.55) was investigated using the disc diffusion and microdilution methods. The cytotoxic activity on AsPC-1 (pancreatic adenocarcinoma), MCF-7 (breast cancer), and ACHN (renal carcinoma) cell lines was studied using the MTT reagent assay method. Both compounds exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against S. dysenteriae, while the lowest antibacterial activity was observed against S. pyogenes. All three cancer cell lines were treated with different concentrations of atropine and scopolamine for 24 and 48 h. The results of both extracts showed that increasing the concentration of the extracts decreased the viability of all three cell lines. The IC50 values of both extracts were measured at 24 and 48 h. Preliminary results confirm the therapeutic potential of these two compounds, but further studies are required to investigate there in vivo effects