Background: Zhumeria majdae is one of the most important, unic and endomic species of Hormozgan Province which used for diarrhoea, stomachache, cold, headache, wound and also as coolness from from ancient times by natives people of Hormozgan. Objective: The aim of the present study was to detect and compare the constituents of the essential oils of Zhumeria majdae at flowering stage in Geno, Sarchahan and Tangezagh mounts regions of Hormozgan Province. Methods: The leaves of Zhumeria majdae were collected at flowering stages. The essential oil of the leaves obtained by hydrodistillation using Clevenger type apparatus, was analysed by GC and GC/MS. Results: Essential Chromatogram of Zhumeria majdae shows that in Geno mount’s species 17 compounds, in Sarchahan mount’s 22 compounds and in Tange zagh mount’s 14 compounds, were exist. Oil yeild in that three regions were, in turne, 6.2, 6.1 and 5.3 percent. Linalool and Camphore were major compounds. Gama Terpinene, Octa 3-Carene ,Octan-3-one, Myrcene, Beta Bisabulene,Thymole and Terpinolene in Geno mount, Cis and Trans Linalool oxide, Linalool, Camphore, Neral, Geraniol, Geranial, Beta Elemene and Alpha Terpineol in Sarchahan mount and Alpha Pinene, Camphene, Orto Cymene, Limonene, Borneol, Nerol and Cis Jasmone in Tangezagh mount were more than other compounds. Conclusion: The numbers and contents of constituents of essential oils of Zhumeria majdae at flowering stages in various parts of Hormozgan province are different.

Background: Thymus species are of very important medicinal plants which are being used very much. The properties of essential oils of various Thymus species are related to Thymol and Carvacrol. Essential oils of the leaves and flowers of Thymus have antispasm, antiflatulence, anti rheumatism effects and are strong disinfectants. In pharmaceutics their essential oils are used for preparation of mouth washing solutions and anticough syrups. Objective: The purpose of this research is an investigation on the essential oils composition of Thymus daenensis Celak from four locations of Isfahan province in order to identify the most premium essential oil. Methods: The aerial parts of Thymus daenensis Celak in the flowering stage were collected in Aug. 2004 from Isfahan, Golpayegan, Samirom and Daran in Isfahan province of Iran and after drying at room temperature, were hydrodistilled for 2 h using a Clevenger-type apparatus.The essential oils were analysed by GC and GC/MS. Results: Essential oils were produced at the yields of 3.4% (Isfahan), 3.9% (Golpayegan), 3.05% (Samirom) and 3.2% (Daran), respectively. Twenty-seven compounds were identified among which thymol (51.3%-78.3%), p-cymene (2.7%-7.6%), γ-terpinene (2.7%-10.1%), carvacrol (2.0%-9.2%) and β-caryophyllene (2.4%-4.3%) were the major constituents, respectively. Conclusion: Samirom sample has the most effective properties of essential oil although it has the lowest yield.In the other hand Golpayegan sample has the highest yield of essential oil in spite of it’s lowest essential oil properties.So if it is desired to obtain the highest yield, the Golpayegan sample is the best one and if it is desired to produce the essential oil with the most effective properties, the Samirom sample is the best one.

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is extremely prevalent in the world. Despite treatment with antibiotics, recurrency is common in the patients and there is potential for developing antibiotic resistance. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of 7 medicinal plants on pathogenic bacteria causing Urinary Tract Infection. Method: Plants were collected from their natural habitats in Golestan province (North of Iran). Antibacterial effects of ethanolic extracts were analyzed by disc diffusion method. Also the Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts was determined by the microdilution Broth. Results: The results showed that Berberis vulgaris was the most effective extract with 29.4 mm diameter of inhibition zone on gram positive bacteria specially S. epidermidis. A. calcoaceticus, S. aereus, S. epidermidis, and S. saprophyticus were the most sensitive bacteria with maximum inhibition zone of 20.1, 26, 29.4, 28.5 mm, respectively. P. aeroginosa, C. freundii, K. pneumonia, and P. mirabilis were the most resistant bacteria in this research. Also extracts had better antibacterial effect in amount of 100 mg/ml. The lowest MIC values was measured in Berberis vulgaris with 0.09 mg/ml0 against S. epidermidis. Gram positive bacteria were more sensitive than gram negative bacteria. These plants in native’s traditional medicine have been used by rural people as antiseptic for the treatment of UTI. In addition, Our results showed that Berberis vulgaris and Hypericum perforatom were have strong antibacterial effects. Conclusion: In addition to Traditional uses of these plants in Golestan province for the treatment of UTI symptoms, invitro evaluation and clinical trials for their effects to treat UTI is suggested for future research.

Background: Plants are rich in phenolics (phenolic acids, flavonoids and Tannins). The interest in phenolics has been increased by recent reports of their antioxidant activities. These antioxidant nutrients from food sources reduce the harmful effects of oxidative stress and offer health advantages. Objective: Total phenolics, flavonoids contents and antioxidant capacity of seven culinary plants of Mazandaran province were investigated and compared to Rosemary. Methods: Methanolic extracts of dried powdered aerial parts of plants were prepared. Total phenolic compounds in extracts were determined spectrophotometrically using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent. Antioxidant activity assessed by using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Results: The total phenolic content of plants extracts ranged from 38.27 to 58.45 mgGAEg-1 (Gallic acid equivalent/g dried weight), flavonoid content ranged from 25.5 to 182.23 mgQUEg-1 (mg Quercetin equivalent/g dried weight) and IC50 ranges from 55.52 to 489.9 μgml-1. Among the 7 different plants, Marrubium vulgare contained a higher level of phenolics and high antioxidant capacity compared to Rosemary, while Mentha spicata had the lowest content of phenolics. Conclusion: The antioxidant capacity determined by the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method was lowest for of Mentha spicata. These results clearly showed the antioxidant activity could be correlated with the phenolic components content in the extracts.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) has a long and respected history of medicinal uses in Middle East and Persian medicine. The hypocholesterolaemic and hypoglycaemic effects of fenugreek were attributed to its major steroidal sapogenin, diosgenin and its major alkaloid, trigonelline. The knowledge of diosgenin and trigonelline biosynthesis is derived from studies of cholesterol and nicotinic acid production through acetyl-CoA→ mevalonate→ isopentenyl pyrophosphate→ squalene→ lanosterol→ cholesterol→ diosgenin and quinolinic acid→ nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide→ nicotinamide→ nicotinic acid→ trigonelline pathways, respectively. This paper reviews the secondary metabolites and metabolic pathways of diosgenin and trigonelline production in fenugreek as a medicinal plant and economical crop.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), wild or cultivated, is widely distributed throughout the world and belongs to the Fabacecae family. It is an old medicinal plant and has been commonly used as a traditional food and medicine. Fenugreek is known to have hypoglycemic, and hypocholesterolaemic, effects. Recent research has identified fenugreek as a valuable medicinal plant with potential for multipurpose uses and also as a source for preparing raw materials of pharmaceutical industry, especially steroidal hormones. A significant increase in quantity and quality yields through the suitable management of cultivation, breeding and biotechnology practices could make an immediate and important contribution to farm and pharmaceutical industry income. To achieve these goals with regard to sustainable production, we reviewed a summary of biology, cultivation and biotechnology of fenugreek in this paper.

Persian poppy or great scarlet poppy (Papaver bracteatum Lindl.) is proposed as a new source of raw material for codeine production and addiction treatment. This species as a native plant is growing in North and West of Iran. As for possible of illegal cultivation of opium poppy, cultivation of Persian poppy in Iran was associated with restrictions and despite the being abundant biodiversity of this plant in Iran, this plant was not considered yet. However, Persian poppy is lacking in morphine and rich in the baine. It has appropriate potential for domestication, mass production, and industrial processing as a valuable medicinal plant. For this reason, in this study was investigated kind of traits in this plant.

Background: Trigonelline in fenugreek seed is a valuable medicinal metabolite in reducing blood cholesterol and blood. Objective: Determine the most important components of seed yield, percent and yield of seed trigonelline in fenugreek under foliar application and non-application of methanol. Methods: The experiment was done a randomized complete block design with two treatments as foliar application of methanol (0 and 30 v/v%) and four replications. Path analysis and stepwise regression were used in order to denote the most important effective traits on seed yield, percent and yield of seed trigonelline in fenugreek. Results: The results showed that 1000-seeds weight and number of branches per plant for seed yield total dry weight and number of pods per plant for percent of seed trigonelline seed yield and percent of seed trigonelline for yield of seed trigonelline in the non-application of methanol, and also, the number of seeds per pod, percent of seed oil, number of pods per plant and plant height for seed yield leaf dry weight, shoot trigonelline and geometric mean diameter of seed for percent of seed trigonelline and seed yield percent of seed trigonelline and pod length for yield of seed trigonelline in foliar application of methanol (30 v/v%) treatment significantly justified changes related to the dependent variables. Path analysis of dependent variables showed that the yield of seed trigonelline by direct positive effect of seed yield and the percent of seed trigonelline were the most important yield components of seed trigonelline. Conclusion: Generally, the results indicate that seed yield and percent of seed trigonelline can be used for increasing of yield of seed trigonelline in the breeding of fenugreek.

Background: The seeds of some medicinal plants and their compounds have long been valued for their numerous health benefits. Objective: To investigate some physical and chemical properties of Salvia spp. Methods: Some physico-chemical properties in five species of Salvia seeds (consisted of S. officinalis L., S. macrosiphon L., S. hypoleuca L., S. sclarea L. and S. nemorosa L.) were measured at 8.73 ± 0.09% moisture content (d.b.) in four categories of large, medium, small size and ungraded lots with replication. Results: The largest major diameter (L1) value was recorded in S. hypoleuca L. The highest intermediate (L2) and minor diameters (L3), seed weight, volume, surface area, sphericity, arithmetic, geometric and square mean diameters, equivalent diameter and mucilage content were obtained in S. officinalis L. seeds. Also, the most percentage of oils content was observed in S. sclarea seeds. Maximum kurtosis index was obtained in S. officinalis L. for major and minor diameter, surface area, sphericity, arithmetic, geometric and square mean diameters and equinalant diameter, in S. hypoleuca L. for intermediate diameter and seed volume, and in S. nemorosa L. for seed weight. The highest skewness index was observed in S. hypoleuca L. for minor diameter, seed volume, surface area, arithmetic and square mean diameter and equivalent diameter, in S. nemorosa L. for major diameter and seed weight, in S. officinalis L. for intermediate diameter and sphericity, and in S. sclarea L. for geometric mean diameter. Conclusion: The maximum content of mucilage and oils were found in S. officinalis and S. sclarea, respectively. The mucilage content was significantly correlated to minor diameter and sphericity, while there was not significant correlation between content of seed oils and measured parameters.

Background: Fenugreek is a multipurpose and valuable medicinal plant that its consumption of seeds in the pharmaceutical industry for the economically production of mucilage (galactomannan) and trigonelline is very important. Foliar application of methanol as a biostimulant on C3 plants such as the fenugreek can increase the CO2 fixation in photosynthesis and decrease photo-respiration and the result will produce more dry matter in these plants. Objective: The aim was to determine changes in seed and mucilage yield of fenugreek in response to foliar application of different concentrations of methanol. Methods: This research was carried out at the experimental farm of Medicinal Plants Institute (MPI) of Academic Center for Education, Culture & Research (ACECR) located in Karaj during two cropping seasons based on a randomized complete block design with 5 treatments and 3 replications. Foliar application during the growing season was run 3 times with 12 days interval. The treatments were control (sprayed with distilled water without methanol) and foliar application of four different concentrations of methanol (10, 20, 30 and 40 volumetric percent). Results: Foliar application of different concentrations of methanol had a significant effect on number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, shoot dry weight, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, seed yield, yield of seed mucilage, seed ash content, seed swelling index (p≤0.01), plant height, and 1000 seeds weight (p≤0.05). Conclusion: Foliar application of methanol as a bio-stimulant and the new method in production of medicinal plants improved seed yield and yield of seed mucilage in fenugreek. In general, the maximum amounts of the studied traits were achieved in the foliar application of 40% v/v methanol concentration.

The aim of this review was to represent a category of applied plant biostimulants and to highlight the effect of their application on morphological and phytochemical properties of medicinal plants in in vivo and in vitro conditions and their mechanism of action. Plant biostimulants, safe for both human beings and the environment, are substances or materials, except for nutrients and pesticides, which have the ability to beneficially modify plant growth and have been accepted over the past decade. Plant biostimulants have natural and synthetic origin. The natural biostimulants contain amino acids, bacteria, seaweed, yeast, chitosan, phytohormones, and also plant growth regulators (synthetic hormones), phenolic compounds, inorganic salts, essential elements, and other different substances are some examples of synthetic biostimulants. The plant biostimulants through different mechanisms of action (such as nitrogen assimilation) are sustainable management practice for production of medicinal plants, increasing biomass production, and enhancing secondary metabolites synthesis and it is investigated and shown in many studies in recent years. Furthermore, there are many reports on positive effects of biostimulants and elicitors application on medicinal plants in in vitro culture condition. Some products of companies active in the formulation of biostimulants in Iran are mentioned in this review. In conclusion, yield response in medicinal plants to biostimulants application showed that each medicinal plant responds in a different way based on the chemical composition and components of biostimulants, the timing and rate of application.

Background: Antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates are the main nosocomial infection agent and the norB efflux pump plays an important role in antibiotic resistance.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition of Anthemis atropatana extract and analysis of its anti-efflux activity on ciprofloxacin resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains.
Methods: In this experimental study, the A. atropatana extract was prepared by maceration technique and its phytochemical composition was analyzed by GC/MS method. Subsequently, norB efflux pump was detected in 50 clinical isolates of S. aureus using cartwheel and PCR methods. Finally, after treatment of strains with SubMIC concentration of extract, its anti-efflux activity was evaluated via Real Time PCR.
Results: GC-MS analysis of A. atropatana extract was shown the most frequent component was belonged to Dodecane (9.8%) and Tridecane (6.4%). Moreover, the cartwheel and PCR methods was showed that out of 50 isolates, 10 isolates had norB efflux pump. In addition to, after treatment of strains with subMIC concentration of A. atropatana extract, the Real Time PCR results was indicated that the norB gene expression was down-regulated.
Conclusion: Based on the results obtained in this study, it seems that the extract has potential uses for pharmaceutical industries.

Background: Visfatin is protein with insulin-like function that is expressed in high levels in visceral fat tissue and its circulating levels is associated with obesity and diabetes.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of 10 weeks of rhythmic aerobic exercise and green tea supplementation on visfatin levels and insulin resistance in obese type II diabetic women.
Methods: 46 obese diabetic women (BMI>30) 45 -60 years old were selected and randomly assigned into four groups of green tea (n=12), aerobics + green tea (n=12), aerobics (n=12) and control (n=10) groups. Subjects in green tea supplementation group received 1500 mg capsules containing green tea extract daily for 10 weeks. Also exercises were performed three sessions a week in a ten week period. The analysis of variance with Tukey test and dependent t-test were used to within and between groups analysis.
Results: The results showed that visfatin have significant difference between groups (P=0.001) however, there was no significant difference between interventions. Also, there was no significant differences between interventions for HOMA, insulin and glucose.
Conclusion: Although there are no significant differences between interventions, significant reduction of visfatin after aerobic exercise and consumption of green tea may be due to improvements in glycemic index and weight loss and the HOMA index. Therefore, it seems that supplementation with green tea along with aerobic exercise may influence weight control and improved glycemic index in  type II diabetic patients.