Nova Biologica Reperta

The enhancing effect of electromagnetic field on the expression of Oligodendrocyte transcription factor 1 and 2 (Olig1/2) in the mice cerebral cortex

Farhad Mashayekhi

Olig1 and Olig2, two transcription factors, play regulatory function in the differentiation and specification of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). In this study the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on total protein concentration ( TPC ) and Olig1 and Olig2 expression in the cerebral cortex of mouse was examined. Twenty-one Balb/c mice were separated into three groups: control, EMF and Sham groups (n=7 for each group). The mice were placed inside the solenoid for a daily EMF exposure of 50 Hz, 1 mT for 6 h/day, 7 days/week for 10 days. The Sham group was also located in the same coil with no exposure. Mice were anesthetized after the final exposure session and their cerebral cortex were collected. TPC and the expression of Olig 1 and Olig2 were studied by Bio-Rad protein assay and western blot, respectively. The cerebral cortex samples were removed for further analysis. There was no significant difference in TPC in the EMF treated cortical samples as compared with those from the SHAM and control groups. It was also shown that the expression of Olig1 and Olig2 was increased in the EMF treated cortical extracts as compared with those in controls and SHAM groups. Therefore, it could be concluded that EMF enhances Olig1 and Olig2 expression in the mice cerebral cortex. Moreover, as Olig1 and Olig2 plays important role in the development of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, it can be deduced that EMF may affect OPC differentiation by increasing the expression of Olig1 and Olig2. Further studies are needed to clarify the extent of EMF impact on oligodendrocyte differentiation.

Hepatoprotective activity of Silver Nanoparticles synthesized using aqueous leaf extract of Punica granatum against induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Manoj Kumar

Punica granatum leaf extracts have been used since time immemorial in traditional medicines. It is used for its antioxidant properties. Green nanoparticle synthesis is an emerging field which has opened an entirely different scope for medicinal formulations. It has been reported by many users that the green nanoparticles are more effective medicines as compared with their simple extracts. Thus, in order to evaluate these speculations, the present work was undertaken to assess the hepatoprotective activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized using aqueous leaf extract of Punica granatum in comparison with the aqueous extract. After CCl₄ intoxication the serum bilirubin total increased significantly (p<0.05) and the total protein level decreased significantly (p<0.05) as compared with the control group; in addition, alkaline phosphatase activity, aspartate aminotransferase activity and alanine transaminase activity increased significantly (p<0.05). The CCl₄ intoxicated rats were treated with aqueous leaf extract and synthesized nanoparticles, the results clearly revealed that the aqueous extract of Punica granatum showed hepatoprotective effect, as the liver profile altered by CCl₄ toxicity, recovered to normal control values. Moreover, the nanoparticles synthesized using aqueous leaf extract of Punica granatum were comparatively more effective as hepatoprotective agent than the aqueous extract of Punica granatum.

Production and biochemical characterization of a thermostable phytase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LOR10

Arastoo Badoei-dalfard

Phytase can improve the nutritional value of plant-based foods by enhancing protein digestibility and mineral availability through phytate digestion in the stomach and the food processing industry. Microbial sources are more promising for the production of phytases on a commercial scale. The objectives of this exploration were to screening and isolation of phytase-producing bacteria from hot spring with commercial interest. Molecular identification of the best isolate was achieved by the 16S rDNA gene. Optimization of phytase production was prepared in the presence of different phosphate, nitrogen, and carbon sources. Enzyme activity and stability were also explored in the presence of different pHs, temperatures, and ion compounds. Comparing the 16S rDNA gene sequence of the isolate LOR10 with those in GenBank using Clustal omega shows 98% sequence homology with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Medium optimization studies showed that galactose, yeast extract, and tricalcium phosphate were the best sources of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphate for phytase production, respectively. The optimum temperature activity was also observed to be 70^oC. Phytase stability was at its optimum in a pH range of 5.0–8.0. Phytase activity increased in the presence of CaCl₂, ZnCl₂, and MnSO₄ about 1.4, 2.3 and 1.6 folds, respectively. It could be mentioned that phytase activity decreased by about 30 % in the presence of EDTA and SDS. On the basis of the results, it could be concluded that LOR10 phytase has a great potential for commercial interest as an additive to animal plant-based foods.

The effect of salt stress on ion accumulation, photosynthesis and compatible solute contents in four grapevine (Vitis vinifera) genotypes

Nasser Abbaspour

Salinity tolerance of four grape genotypes [GharaUzum, Hosseini, AghUzum and Keshmeshi] was studied under various salinity levels (25, 50 and 100 mM NaCl). As a result, growth indices were significantly (P<0.05) reduced by salinity, whereas Cl^- and Na⁺ contents in the plant parts were increased. Cl^- accumulation exceeded than that of Na⁺ in all treatments. Among the genotypes studied, GharaUzum and Keshmeshi had the lowest and highest Cl^- concentrations in the leaf lamina, respectively. Photosynthesis and transpiration rate as well as stomatal conductance were greatly reduced by salinity and were shown to be highly correlated with leaf Cl^- content. GharaUzum showed lower reduction in photosynthesis parameters. Soluble sugars, proline and glycine betaine contents increased in the leaf lamina of all the genotypes studied treated with moderate salinity (50 mM). In conclusion, the results showed that GharaUzum and Keshmeshi had the highest and lowest salt stress tolerance among the genotypes studied, respectively.

The effects of copper nanoparticles and cold atmospheric plasma on biochemical indices of Dracocephalum moldavica

Alireza Iranbakhsh

The Moldavian dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L., Lamiaceae) is an annual medicinal plant with beneficial nutritional sources that plays important roles in human and animal feed. Nanoparticles and cold atmospheric plasma increase biochemical compounds in plants. In this study, the effects of copper nanoparticles and cold atmospheric plasma on biochemical indices of the medicinal plant Dracocephalum moldavica were investigated. Moldavian dragonhead plants were subjected to four doses of copper nanoparticles (0, 25, 50 and 75 mgl^-1) and cold atmospheric plasma at three durations (zero, 20 and 30 s). The results showed that cold atmospheric plasma significantly increases the essential oil percentage, while it decreases the amount of flavonoid content and activity of catalase and peroxidase enzymes. Cold atmospheric plasma (20 s) showed significant positive impact on essential oil content, while different time duration (20 and 30 s) did not show a significant impact on other traits. Lower doses of copper nanoparticles (25 and 50 mgl^-1) showed positive impacts on measured traits, while 75 mgl^-1 dose negatively affected the measured traits and functioned as a heavy metal. The cold atmospheric plasma and copper nanoparticles interactions indicated that cold atmospheric plasma had an incremental effect on the improvement of measured traits and increased the effect of copper nanoparticles. In conclusion, the results showed that copper nanoparticles with 25 mgl^-1 dose along with cold atmospheric plasma with 20 s duration had significant positive effects on the improvement of biochemical indices of Dracocephalum moldavica.

The effect of salinity on seed germination, early seedling growth and anatomical structure of Beta vulgaris

Fatemeh Nejadhabibvash

Beta vulgaris belongs to the family Amaranthaceae and was found to have halophytic ancestors. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of sodium chloride on seed germination, therefore the early stages of seedling growth of Beta vulgaris grown under different salinity levels (0, 100, 150 and 200 mM of NaCl) were studied. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. It was revealed that as concentration of NaCl increases, the rate and percentage of germination, length and fresh weight of radicle & plumule and seedling vigour index decrease. In conclusion, our results indicated that salt stress decreased Beta vulgaris seed germination and early seedling growth while induced changes in the anatomical characteristics such as increased level of cutin synthesis on epidermal leaves cells and altered the thickness of vascular system, epidermis and parenchyma in leaves, roots and petioles.

Evaluating changes in the plant communities after overgrazing in the Golbahar plain, northeast of Iran

Hamid Ejtehadi

Overgrazing affects plant communities, and is a significant disturbance factor in arid and semi-arid regions. The immediate changes of plant communities after overgrazing in the disturbed arid ecosystems of Iran have been poorly studied. We recorded data from 100 random samples before and after overgrazing in the Golbahar plain located in the northeastern Iran to determine the changes in the plant physiognomic, species composition, and diversity after overgrazing. We compared life-forms spectra, change in the RIVI of the recorded plant species, species composition, and species diversity before and after the grazing. Our results showed that therophytes were the dominant life-form in the area, and decreased after overgrazing. The community composition of the area remained unchanged after overgrazing. Species diversity at the level of rare and frequent species reduced after overgrazing. Our findings implied that overgrazing could not immediately affect the community structure of degraded arid areas. However, it causes changes that might reduce ecosystem services in them. It is not possible to completely exclude grazers in such areas, fencing or reducing the number of the livestock entries should be applied to restore the vegetation in the area.

A new insight to the phytochemical and morphological diversity in commercial pomegranate (Punica granatum) cultivars

Zahra Noormohammadi

The pomegranate fruit is one of the most important horticultural products due to the presence of polyphenolic, antioxidant and anti-fungal compounds. In the present study, morphological and phytochemical compounds diversity was investigated in eight Iranian commercial pomegranate cultivars. Fourteen morphological characters and 10 chemical compounds were measured. Based on PCA analysis the most variable morphological characteristics among Punica cultivars studied were the wood surface, the leaf tip, the leaf incision, growth power and rained condition. High-performance liquid chromatograms of chlorgenic acid, caffeic acid, Para Coumaric acid as well as titrable acidity, total soluble solid, total phenolic contents, antioxidant activity in juice and peel of cultivars differentiated the cultivars studied. Comparing the two UPGMA dendrograms of Punica cultivars based on morphological data and chemical contents indicated certain disagreement between them. The correlation between morphological and chemical compounds and geographical distances of Punica cultivars was not statistically significant by the Mantel test. These findings indicate that Punica cultivars studied differ in their genetic content, however, this genetic difference is not correlated with their geographical distance.

Onosma sulaimanica (Boraginaceae), a new record for the flora of Iran

Farideh Attar

In this article the collection of specimens related to Onosma sulaimanica from Kordestan Province, Iran, was confirmed and reported for the first time. Therefore, the species is recorded for the flora of Iran. This species is placed in the sect. Onosma, subsect. Onosma, ser. Wheeler-hainesii. A diagnostic key of related taxa belonging to series Wheeler-Hainesii and Aleppica, and the photos, micrographs and a distribution map of the species were also presented.

Phelipanche pouyanii (Orobanchaceae), a new species from Iran

Jamil Vaezi

Phelipanche pouyanii is described here as a new species from South Khorassan Province, East of Iran. Its diagnostic morphological features are the calyx teeth being far longer than the calyx tube and staminal filaments being glabrous. These characters clearly differentiated the new species from its closely related taxa, i.e., P. mutelii, P. angustelaciniata and P. nana. Results obtained from the pollen and seed micromorphological characters showed no significant taxonomic value in the delimitation of the new species from its closely related species. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, however, showed sufficient differences to delineate the new species from its closely related species.

Introduction of seed and capsule micromorphological features of the genus Scrophularia (Scrophulariaceae) in Iran

Farideh Attar

In the present study, seed surface ornamentations in 31 species (34 populations) and the capsule surface sculpturing in five species of the genus Scrophularia L. distributed in Iran were examined using Scanning Electronic Microscopy. Based on the published seed surface terminologies, all examined seeds show the reticulate pattern with scalariform inner ornamentations. However, there is enough but untrustworthy variations in epidermal cell shapes and the walls’ characteristics to divide the seed surface sculpturing patterns into four different groups: (1) cells with completely irregular shape; (2) cells without distinct shape so that their boundaries are not clear; (3) reticulate polygonal cells bordered with distinct walls neither undulate nor vesiculate, divided in two subgroups; forming elongated narrow cells and wide cells; (4) reticulate polygonal cells bordered with undulated or sometimes vesiculate walls divided in two subgroups; forming elongated narrow cells and wide cells. In addition, all the species' seeds can be alveolate, ridged or without distinct alveoli or ridges regarding their surfaces. There have also been variations in size, shape and color of the seeds even in a single individual. There are no applicable features of capsule surface sculpturing analyzed here, based on which species could be classified in certain groups.