Effects of TiO2 nanoparticles and spermine on antioxidant responses of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. to cold stress

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) is known as an important medicinal plant throughout the world. Glycyrrhizin is one of the most important specialized metabolites produced by licorice. In order to study the effect of TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) and spermine on physiological and biochemical traits of licorice under cold stress conditions, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications. Plants were exposed to optimum temperature (26 ºC) as control and low temperature (4 ºC) as cold stress conditions and also treated with TiO2 NPs (2 and 5 ppm) and spermine (1 mM), separately. Results from physiological and biochemical analyses of the aerial parts of licorice seedlings showed that the growth parameters and the content of photosynthetic pigments decreased in response to low temperature. TiO2 NPs and spermine treatments increased plant resistance to cold stress and decreased the level of oxidative damage by reduction of alondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents. In other hand, TiO2 NPs and spermine caused increase of phenolics, total protein and osmolytes contents under cold stress conditions. An increase in glycyrrhizin content was significantly induced by low temperature, TiO2 NPs and spermine

Spectral, crystallographic, theoretical and antibacterial studies of palladium(II)/platinum(II) complexes with unsymmetric diphosphine ylides

The reaction of alpha-keto-stabilized diphosphine ylides [Ph2P(CH2)(n)PPh2C(H)C(O)C6H4-p-CN] (n = 1 (Y-1); n = 2 (Y-2)) with dibromo(1,5-cyclooctadiene) palladium(II)/platinum(II) complexes, [Pd/PtBr2(cod)], in equimolar ratio gave the new cyclometalated Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes [Br2Pd(kappa(2)-Y-1)] (1), [Br2Pt(kappa(2)-Y-1)] (2), [Br2Pd(kappa(2)-Y-2)] (3) and [Br2Pt(kappa(2)-Y-2)] (4). These compounds were screened in a search for novel antibacterial agents and characterized successfully using Fourier transfer infrared and NMR (H-1, C-13 and P-31) spectroscopic methods. Also, the structures of complexes 1 and 2 were characterized using X-ray crystallography. The results showed that the P,C-chelated complexes 1 and 2 have structures consisting of five-membered rings, while 3 and 4 have six-membered rings, formed by coordination of the ligand through the phosphine group and the ylidic carbon atom to the metal centre. Also, a theoretical study of the structures of complexes 1-4 was conducted at the BP86/def2-SVP level of theory. The nature of metal-ligand bonds in the complexes was investigated using energy decomposition analyses (EDA) and extended transition state combined with natural orbitals for chemical valence analyses. The results of EDA confirmed that the main portions of Delta E-int, about 57-58%, in the complexes are allocated to Delta E-elstat

Antioxidant Activity, Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents of Three Onobrychis Species from Iran

Background: Plant phenolic compounds are a main group of plant natural products and flavonoids are the largest and best studied natural phenols. These substances possess a series of biological properties and act on biological systems as antioxidants. In present research, the aim is to determine in vitro total phenolics content and antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts of three Onobrychis species belonging to the family Fabaceae, namely O. sosnovskyi Grossh., O. viciifolia Scop. and O. melanotricha Boiss. Furthermore, an attempt was made to identify any correlations between total phenolic content of the extracts with their antioxidant activities Methods: Total phenol and flavonoid contents of the extracts were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by three different test systems, namely 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging (DPPH), metal-chelation activity and ß-carotene/linoleic acid model. Results: Results indicated that O. viciifolia extract contains the highest total phenolic content (10.38 ± 0.33mg GAE/g of dry extract). However, the species are not remarkable different (P 0.55 to 0.98). Conclusion: Our results showed that the examined Onobrychis extracts represent strong antioxidant activity; hence, they can be suggested as antioxidant agents for special use in future

Comparative study on the morphology, palynology and essential oil composition of three trigonella L. species (Fabaceae) from Iran

Trigonella L. is one of the important genera of the family Fabaceae, many species of which have nutritional and medicinal properties. In this investigation, morphological characters related to habit and pollen grain of three Trigonella species i.e., T. disperma, T. subenervis and T. aphanoneura were studied. Oils from the aerial parts of two species were investigated by GC and GC/MS methods and compared with T. disperma, which had been studied in advance. T. subenervis represented oils rich in spathulenol (15.1%). It also contained a small amount of germacrene D (0.6%). T. aphanoneura also represented oils rich in spathulenol (10.4%). The amount of four compounds in this species was ≤1%, and n-octyl acetate was the lowest component in quantity. According what we found out, phytochemical and morphological data could clarify the relationships among the Trigonellaspecies better than pollen morphological dat

In Vitro Evaluation of Phenolics Content, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Three Centaurea L. Species from Iran

Background: Members of the genus Centaurea L. (Astraceae) are used in some countries for betterment of various ailments in the popular medicine. The main group of secondary metabolites in plants are phenolic compounds and flavonoids which are the main subset of phenolic compounds, possess a lot of biological properties such as antioxidant activity. The aim of present research is to determine in vitro total phenol and flavonoid contents, antioxidant potency and also antibacterial activity of the methanolic extracts of capitulla and aerial parts of three Centaurea species, namely C. sosnovsky Grossh., C. irritans Wagenitz and C. kandavanesis Wagenitz. In addition, any relationships between the phenolics content and their antioxidant properties were discussed. Methods: To determine total phenol and flavonoid contents of the methanolic extracts, Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods were used, respectively. To evaluate antioxidant activity three different test systems, namely 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging (DPPH), Cu-chelating and ß-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching were used. In addition, disc diffusion method was used to assess antibacterial activity of the extracts against 6 gram positive and negative bacteria. Results: Results indicated that the highest total phenol content (98.91 ± 1.87mg GAE/g of dry extract) represented by the aerial part extract of C. kandavanensis. The highest total flavonoid content (5.382 ± 0.231mg GAE/g of dry extract) and also DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50; 0.20 ± 2.02 mg/ml) were exhibited by the capitulla extract of C. sosnovsky. However, the aerial part extract of C. irritans had the most potency for β-carotene bleaching (74.74%) among the studied samples. In addition, the extracts had acceptable antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria tested. Conclusion: Overall, high content of phenolic compounds and proper antioxidant activity of the examined Centaurea extracts may suggest them as potent antioxidants for special use in future

The study of saponin content in the aerial parts and roots of three Silene L. species (Caryophyllaceae)

Saponins are secondary metabolites that are found in many plants and some animals. These compounds are high molecular weight glycosides, consisting of a sugar moiety linked to a triterpene or steroid aglycone. Many saponins have detergency properties and give stable foam in water. The genus Silene L. with more than 700 species is one of the largest genera of the family Caryophyllaceae mainly distributed in northern hemisphere. Saponins are one of the important secondary metabolites in the members of the genus. Quantitative and qualitative study of the saponins in the aerial parts and roots of three Silene species, namely S. ginodioica Ghaz. subsp. Penducularis (Fenzl ex Boiss.) Melzh., S. spergulifolia (Willd.) M. Bieb. and S. swertiifolia Boiss. were carried out by spectrophotometry and TLC methods. In this study, 5 fractions were obtained from each plant part and in both parts of the three species, fraction 1 contains the highest amounts of saponins. On the other hands, root extracts have high amounts of saponins. In addition, thin layer chromatography (TLC) of the extracts revealed some saponins spots with different Rf

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using aqueous seed extract of Cuminum cyminum L. and evaluation of their biological activities

Introduction: There are many reports on the application of medicinal plants in traditional medicine, as well as numerous applications of metallic nanoparticles in different biomedical fields. Plant extract mediated green synthesis of nanoparticles and investigations on their therapeutic effects are new concepts. The medicinal plant of Cuminum cyminum L. includes a wide range of secondary metabolites with a high reducing power, which can be used for green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles. The main aims of this study were phytochemical analysis of seed aqueous extract of Cuminum cyminum, biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using this extract, the achievement of optimization condition for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles, and assessment of biological activaties of both the extract and the synthesized nanoparticles.   Materials & Methods: Total phenol and flavonoid, reducing sugar, starch, and ascorbic acid contents were measured by Folin-Ciocalteo, aluminum chloride, dinitrosalicylic acid, anthrone, and dinitrophenyl hydrazine reagents, respectively. The Ag+ ions reduction and characterization of silver nanoparticles were assessed by UV-Visible spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Antioxidant activity of the samples was screened by DPPH free radical scavenging. Antibacterial activity of the samples was also evaluated against four gram-positive and -negative bacteria namely, Bacillus cereus (PTCC 1247), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) by disc diffusion method. In addition, antifungal activity was assessed against Fusarium oxysporum.   Findings: The indings indicated that the seed extract contained the high amounts of total phenolic and flavonoidic compositions, as well as sugar, starch, and ascorbic acid. Different analyses showed that the mean size of the synthesized nanoparticles was 5-45 nm in the optimal condition. The samples had proper antioxidant potential (IC50=1.35-1.67 mg/ml) and the extract in combination with silver nanoparticles represented synergistic effect in DPPH free radical scavenging (IC50=1.35 mg/ml). In addition, the investiogated samples had a good antibacterial activity against some of tested bacteria and also antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum.   Discussion & Conclusions: It seems that the secondary metabolites of Cuminum cyminum have good potential for the reduction and stabilization of the synthesized Ag nanoparticles. Both the seed extract and synthesized nanoparticles using this extract have considerable biological activities and may be used in antioxidant nutrient production or medicinal supplements in future

Meiotic chromosome number and behaviour of Onobrychis avajensis (Fabaceae): a new species from western Iran

Background and aims – The present study is focused on the cytogenetic and morphological criteria allowing to distinguish a new taxon from Onobrychis sect. Heliobrychis. This section is the largest section in O. subg. Sisyrosema represented with 21 species in Iran. The new species belongs to the O. subsect. Boissierianae characterized by perennial plants with well-developed stems and O. andalanica group with uniformely yellow corolla. Methods – The morphological features and meiotic chromosome number and behaviour were studied in O. avajensis Ranjbar. Key results – The novelty Onobrychis avajensis Ranjbar, endemic to Iran, is described and illustrated from two collections from a single locality between Avaj and Abgram in Qazvin Province in the west Zagros. It is closely related to O. andalanica Bornm. but differs from it in a few morphological characters. In addition, meiotic chromosome number and behaviour were studied in O. avajensis. This report is the first cytogenetic analysis of this taxon. O. avajensis is a diploid plant and possesses 2 n = 2 x = 16 chromosomes, consistent with the proposed base number of x = 8. The general meiotic behaviour of the species was regular, with bivalent pairing and normal chromosome segregation at meiosis. Meiotic abnormalities were observed included a varying degree of sticky chromosomes with laggards, precocious division of centromeres in metaphase I, bridges in anaphase I and multipolar cells in telophase II. Conclusion – Morphological features support the separation of Onobrychis avajensis Ranjbar as a new species

The taxonomic importance of leaf epidermis morphology and peduncle anatomy in Trigonella disperma Bornm. ex Vassilcz.

In this research, anatomical characteristics of peduncle and of epidermis in eight populations of Trigonella disperma in Iran were studied. Various anatomical characters were compared such as number of collenchyma, parenchyma, sclerenchyma fiber layers, and number of vascular bundles, density and size of stomata in adaxial and abaxial surfaces of leaflet, stomata type and epidermal cell shape. A variety of noticeable anatomical features were seen in the studied populations. Obtained results were analyzed by means of MVSP ver3.1 which attest intraspecific variations

Systematic study of simple-leaved group of Astragalus sect. Incani DC. in Iran

In this investigation, morphological pollen characteristics of different populations of 5 species belonging to simple-leaved group of Astragalus sect. Incani DC. in Iran were studied. Results showed that all studied taxa formed two groups. In addition, chromosome number and meiotic behavior were studied in 3 populations belonging to two species of this group. All taxa were diploid and had the basic chromosome number of 2n = 2x = 16. Although the taxa represented regular meiosis, but some abnormalities such as laggard and fragmented chromosomes in anaphase/telophase I and II and diakinesis/methaphase I, cytomixis in anaphase/telophase I and II, multipolar cells in telophase II, binucleouli cells in prophase I and bridges in anaphase I and telophase II were obseved