Scopoletin sesquiterpene ethers from Artemisia persica

The roots of Artemisia persica afforded in addition to isofraxidin-derived sesquiterpene ethers, the scopoletin farnesyl ether scopofarnol and the new scopoletin drimenyl ether scopodrimol A. The structures and stereochemistries were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. According to the leaf morphology the accumulation of coumarin sesquiterpene ethers also suggests that the species should be transferred from the section Absinthium to the section Abrotanum.     

Borrelia persica Infection in Immunocompetent Mice - A New Tool to Study the Infection Kinetics In Vivo

Borrelia persica, a bacterium transmitted by the soft tick Ornithodoros tholozani, causes tick-borne relapsing fever in humans in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian peninsula. Immunocompetent C3H/HeOuJ mice were infected intradermally with B. persica at varying doses: 1 x 10⁶, 1 x 10⁴, 1 x 10² and 4 x 10⁰ spirochetes/mouse. Subsequently, blood samples were collected and screened for the presence of B. persica DNA. Spirochetes were detected in all mice infected with 1 x 10⁶, 1 x 10⁴ and 1 x 10² borrelia by real-time PCR targeting the flaB gene of the bacterium. Spirochetemia developed with a one- to two-day delay when 1 x 10⁴ and 1 x 10² borrelia were inoculated. Mice injected with only four organisms were negative in all tests. No clinical signs were observed when infected mice were compared to negative control animals. Organs (heart, spleen, urinary bladder, tarsal joint, skin and brain) were tested for B. persica-specific DNA and cultured for the detection of viable spirochetes. Compiled data show that the target organs of B. persica infections are the brain and the skin. A newly developed serological two-tiered test system (ELISA and western blot) for the detection of murine IgM, IgG and IgA antibody titers against B. persica showed a vigorous antibody response of the mice during infection. In conclusion, the infection model described here for B. persica is a platform for in vivo studies to decipher the so far unexplored survival strategies of this Borrelia species.     

Assessment of genetic diversity in Salvadora persica L. based on inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) genetic marker

Studies on the genetic variation in marginal populations and differentiation between them are essential for assessment of best gene conservation strategies and sampling schemes. In this study, ISSR markers were used to establish the level of genetic relationships and polymorphism 50 genotypes of Salvadora persica collected from 6 different regions of Hormozgan province. The ISSR analysis with 9 anchored primers also generated 105 scorable loci, of which 85 were polymorphic (80.95%). Parameters of genetic diversity and its partitioning were calculated. The genetic analysis demonstrated that S. persica maintain relatively high genetic diversity (PIC was 0.63, Na was 1.27 and Ho and He were 0.15 and 0.17 respectively). The coefficient of genetic differentiation among populations based on FST equaled 0.20. Genetic identities between population's pairs were high (mean I?=?0.88). These values are high as compared with other widespread congener species. Cluster analysis based on the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Averages (UPGMA) revealed 3 main clusters for the ISSR data. The levels of genetic diversity maintained within populations of S. persica indicate that an appropriate sampling design for ex situ safeguarding should capture the majority of genetic diversity found within these taxa to help ensure the long term viability of this species. Furthermore, it could be inferred that ISSR markers are suitable tools for the evaluation of genetic diversity and relationships within the Salvadora persica.     

Stand characteristics and distribution of a relict population of Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica C.A. Meyer) in northern Iran

Parrotia persica C.A. Meyer (Persian ironwood) is a deciduous tree of the family Hamamelidaceae, native to northern Iran and endemic to the Alborz Mountains. The study objectives were to assess the current status and distribution of Persian ironwood by characterizing four forest stands where the tree was either a dominant or co-dominant species. Species richness within the stands varied from 3 to 16 woody species and from 9 to 27 understory species. Basal area varied between 37 m²/ha and 77 m²/ha and tree density varied from 320 to 367 stems/ha. Parrotia persica represented 63-86% of the relative dominance and 41-100% of the relative density. In non-pure P. persica stands, other important tree species include Fagus orientalis and Carpinus betulus. Parrotia persica regenerates mainly by sprouts and coppicing. Conservation of relict forests, such as the Persian ironwood forests of the Alborz Mountains, is of particular concern because they represent the only natural occurrence of this species in the world. Anthropogenic disturbance, in the form of timber harvesting, livestock grazing, and clearing forest land for agriculture appear to be the largest threats to Parrotia persica's future.     

Growth and biochemical analysis of evergreen haloxeric tree species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvadora oleoides</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvadora persica</Emphasis> under NaCl stress

In vitro growth, development, total soluble proteins and peroxidase profiles of Salvadora oleoides and Salvadora persica under NaCl stress were analysed in the present investigation. The plants are evergreen haloxeric tree species of family Salvadoraceae. Shoot apex from natural plants were initially used for screening of NaCl tolerance on MS culture medium. Shoot apex of S. oleoides and S. persica could survive optimally up to 200 and 100 mM NaCl. Axillary buds from nodal shoot segments of S. oleoides and S. persica were activated on 6 and 4 μM BAP, and were used further for extraction of total soluble proteins and peroxidases. Total soluble proteins were increased up to 150 mM NaCl in S. oleoides, but decline above 50 mM NaCl in S. persica. Peroxidase activity remained almost constant in S. oleoides at all the concentrations and duration of NaCl, but increased at 100 mM NaCl during fourth week of treatment in S. persica. Eleven peroxidase isozymes were observed in zymogram of S. oleoides. Isozymes P1, P2, P3, and P4 were slightly appeared, but P6 isozyme was lacking in S. persica. The P5 isozyme was more prominent in S. persica than S. oleoides. Isozyme P9 of S. persica was visible during the first week of NaCl treatment, but disappeared in the fourth week. Molecular biology of these plants can be useful further for the understanding of stress tolerance mechanisms for prospects.     

Salvadora persica protects libido by reducing corticosterone and elevating the testosterone levels in chronic cigarette smoke exposure rats

Background & ObjectivesCigarette smoke is associated with several diseased states including defects in reproductive behavior. Salvadora persica (S. persica) known as the toothbrush plant is reported to possess several pharmacological properties including antidepressants and anxiolytics. The present research was done to determine the libido-protective effect of S. persica in chronic cigarette smoke-exposed rats.Materials and MethodsThe decoction of freshly dried roots of S. persica (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, oral) was administered to the chronic-cigarette smoke-exposed adult rats. The parameters related to libido were recorded using a close-camera circuit (CCTV). Serum corticosterone and testosterone levels were estimated. Further, the phytochemical constituents were identified in the decoction. The data obtained were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and significance was considered at p < 0.05.ResultsThe observation from the study revealed that cigarette smoke exposure reduces the sexual activity parameters significantly (p < 0.01), besides elevated the serum corticosterone and suppressed the testosterone levels in rats. Administration of S. persica at 200 mg/kg improved significantly (p < 0.05) the parameters related to libido. The decoction also reversed the changes in the levels of tested hormones in serum.Interpretation and ConclusionThe findings indicate that a 200 mg/kg S. persica decoction can protect libido in chronic cigarette smoke-exposed rats. The activity may be due to the presence of several phytoconstituents such as alkaloid, flavonoids and phytosterols that might produce vasodilatory effect in sex organs and enhance the synthesis of endogenous testosterone to improve libido characteristics weakened by chronic cigarette smoke exposure.     

Effects of Iso-osmotic Concentrations of NaCl and Mannitol on some Metabolic Activity in Calluses of Two Salicornia species

The comparative effects of salinity and drought on activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and contents of protein, proline, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde (MDA), and carotenoids were studied in calluses of Salicornia persica and Salicornia europaea. Calluses were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS medium) containing iso-osmotic concentrations of NaCl (100, 300, and 600 mM) and mannitol (200, 500, and 1000 mM). Proline content increased in calluses of both species under NaCl- and mannitol-induced stresses. Under both stresses, S. persica accumulated higher amounts of protein as compared to S. europaea. Under both stresses, protein content in S. persica decreased in comparison to control. Antioxidant enzyme activities showed different trends in the two Salicornia species under salt and drought stresses but were higher in S. europaea than in S. persica. Changes of hydrogen peroxide and MDA contents of calluses subjected to salt stress followed a pattern different from that observed under drought stress. MDA content showed similar changes to hydrogen peroxide content. Carotenoid content decreased in both species under both stresses. Overall, at the cellular level, S. europaea calluses were more tolerant to both NaCl- and mannitol-induced stresses than calluses of S. persica.     

In Vitro Scolicidal Effects of Salvadora persica Root Extract against Protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus

It has been known that Arak, Salvadora persica, has a number of medicinal properties. We tried to investigate in vitro scolicidal effect of root extracts of this plant against protoscolices from hydatid cysts of Echinococcus granulosus. Protoscolices were aseptically collected from sheep livers containing hydatid cysts. S. persica root extract was used in 10, 30, and 50 mg/ml concentration for 10, 20, and 30 min. The viability of protoscolices was ascertained by 0.1% eosin staining. Scolicidal activity of S. persica extract at a concentration of 10 mg/ml was 36.3%, 50.3%, and 70.8% after 10, 20, and 30 min of exposure, respectively. The scolicidal effect of this extract at a concentration of 30 mg/ml was 52.9%, 86.7%, and 100% after 10, 20, and 30 min of exposure, respectively. S. persica extract at a concentration of 50 mg/ml, meanwhile, killed 81.4%, 100%, and 100% of protoscolices after 10, 20, and 30 min, respectively. Also, the cytotoxic potential of S. persica was assessed on human liver cells (HepG2) using trypan blue exclusion test. No cytotoxic effect was observed on HepG2 cell line. The present study confirmed for the first time that the ethanolic extract of S. persica has high scolicidal power in vitro. However, in vivo effect of this material remains to be studied for treatment of echinococcosis in humans and herbivorous animals.     

High-throughput sequencing of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus ferganensis</Emphasis> indicates that it is a geographical population of <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. persica</Emphasis>

Peach belongs to the genus Prunus, which includes Prunus persica and its relative species, P. mira, P. davidiana, P. kansuensis, and P. ferganensis. Of these, P. ferganensis have been classified as a species, subspecies, or geographical population of P. persica. To explore the genetic difference between P. ferganensis and P. persica, high-throughput sequencing was used in different peach accessions belonging to different species. First, low-depth sequencing data of peach accessions belonging to four categories revealed that similarity between P. ferganensis and P. persica was similar to that between P. persica accessions from different geographical populations. Then, to further detect the genomic variation in P. ferganensis, the P. ferganensis accession “Xinjiang Pan Tao 1” and the P. persica accession “Xia Miao 1” were sequenced with high depth, and sequence reads were assembled. The results showed that the collinearity of “Xinjiang Pan Tao 1” with the reference genome “Lovell” was higher than that of “Xia Miao 1” and “Lovell” peach. Additionally, the number of genetic variants, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), structural variations (SVs), and the specific genes annotated from unmapped sequence in “Xia Miao 1” was higher than that in “Xinjiang Pan Tao 1” peach. The data showed that there was a close distance between “Xinjiang Pan Tao 1” (P. ferganensis) and reference genome which belong to P. persica, comparing “Xia Miao 1” (P. persica) and reference ones. The results accompany with phylogenetic tree and structure analysis confirmed that P. ferganensis should be considered as a geographic population of P. persica rather than a subspecies or a distinct species. Furthermore, gene ontology analysis was performed using the gene comprising large-effect variation to understand the phenotypic difference between two accessions. The result revealed that the pathways of gene function affected by SVs but SNPs and insertion-deletions markedly differed between the two peach accessions.     

Antioxidative enzymes in two in vitro cultured Salicornia species in response to increasing salinity

The effects of salt stress on dry mass, lipid peroxidation, polyphenol and hydrogen peroxide content and activities of antioxidative enzymes were investigated in seedlings of Salicornia persica and S. europaea grown in vitro. Seeds were germinated under a broad range of NaCl concentrations (0, 100, 200, and 300 mM) on Murashige and Skoog medium for 45 d. Dry mass of both species increased at low (100 mM) salinity but decreased at higher NaCl concentrations. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreased at low salinity, whereas increased at 200 and 300 mM NaCl. H₂O₂ content in S. europaea was considerably enhanced by salinity, but it was not significantly affected in S. persica. The salt stress progressively enhanced the polyphenol content in S. persica, whereas in S. europaea, it increased with respect to the control only at higher salinities. In both species, the salinity progressively enhanced the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities, whereas the CAT activity was only registered at the low salinity and the APX activity decreaseed in both species. The results indicate that S. persica exhibited a better protection mechanism against oxidative damage and it is more salt-tolerant than S. europaea.     

Anthelmintic,anticoccidial and antioxidant activity of Salvadora persica root extracts

Human infection with parasites is still one of the big problems worldwide. Medicinal plants succeeded to overcome a variety of protozoan and helminthic parasites. In this study, Salvadora persica root extracts (SE) were used to treat helminthosis and coccideosis. Three doses were used (200, 100 and 50 mg/ml) to study the anthelmintic activity of S. persica. Allolobophora caliginosa was used as a model worm. Also, Albendazole was used as a reference drug. In order to study the anticoccideal activity of SE, a group of mice were infected with Eimeria papillata sporulated oocysts. Experimental mice were treated with SE (300 mg/Kg) for 5 days. The extract was able to decrease the number of meronts and gamonts of the parasite in jejunum. Also, it regulates the level of glutathione and malondialdehyde and the activity of catalase as well. We conclude that S. persica possesses a powerful Anthelmintic, anticoccidial and antioxidant activity.     

Obolarina persica sp. nov., associated with dying Quercus in Iran

A new species, Obolarina persica, is described from Iran. It is widely associated with dying Quercus brantii, on which it produces charcoal-like stromata. The fungus described herein differs from the other described species, Ob. dryophila, primarily in its much larger ascospores.     

New taxa of Jurassic bivalve mollusks from Iran

A new subgenus, Isognomon (Semignomon), and eight new species Isognomon (Semignomon) tabasicum, Arcomytilus nudus, Plagiostoma immensum, Pinna Alborzica, Trigonia plana, Protocardia razavii, Corbula jurassica, and Ceratomya persica are described from the Jurassic of Iran.     

C-banded karyotypes in theScilla hohenackeri group,S. persica,andPuschkinia (Liliaceae)

Quantitatively evaluated C-banding karyograms and further observations on karyotype structure are presented forScilla persica, 7 species of theScilla hohenackeri group, andPuschkinia scilloides. Within theS. hohenackeri group very diverse and species-specific banding patterns are found. On the basis of karyology,S. bisotunensis andS. furseorum should be closely grouped together, whileS. persica andPuschkinia scilloides appear quite isolated.     

Archaeological Evidence for Peach (Prunus persica) Cultivation and Domestication in China

The cultivated/domesticated peach (Prunus persica var. persica; Rosaceae, subgenus Amygdalus; synonym: Amygdalus persica) originated in China, but its wild ancestor, as well as where, when, and under what circumstances the peach was domesticated, is poorly known. Five populations of archaeological peach stones recovered from Zhejiang Province, China, document peach use and evolution beginning ca. 8000 BP. The majority of the archaeological sites from which the earliest peach stones have been recovered are from the Yangzi River valley, indicating that this is where early selection for favorable peach varieties likely took place. Furthermore, peach stone morphology through time is consistent with the hypothesis that an unknown wild P. persica was the ancestor of the cultivated peach. The oldest archaeological peach stones are from the Kuahuqiao (8000–7000 BP) and Tianluoshan (7000–6500 BP) sites and both stone samples segregate into two size groups, suggesting early selection of preferred types. The first peach stones in China most similar to modern cultivated forms are from the Liangzhu culture (ca. 5300 to 4300 BP), where the peach stones are significantly larger and more compressed than earlier stones. Similar peach stones are reported from Japan much earlier (6700–6400 BP). This large, compressed-stone peach was introduced to Japan and indicates a yet unidentified source population in China that was similar to the Liangzhu culture peach. This study proposes that the lower Yangzi River valley is a region, if not the region, of early peach selection and domestication and that the process began at least 7500 years ago.     

Host-parasite interface of Veronica persica and Sorosphaera veronicae (Plasmodiophoromycetes)

The host-parasite interface between host, Veronica persica Poir., and parasite, Sorosphaera veronicae Schroeter, is observed to consist of a single, unit membrane, presumably the plasma membrane of the fungal parasite.     

Rising the Persian Gulf Black-Lip Pearl Oyster to the Species Level: Fragmented Habitat and Chaotic Genetic Patchiness in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinctada persica</Emphasis>

Marine organisms with long pelagic larval stages are expected to exhibit low genetic differentiation due to their potential to disperse over large distances. Growing body of evidence, however, suggests that marine populations can differentiate over small spatial scales. Here we focused on black-lip pearl oysters from the Persian Gulf that are thought to belong to the Pinctada margaritifera complex given their morphological affinities. This species complex includes seven lineages that show a wide distribution ranging from the Persian Gulf (Pinctada margaritifera persica) and Indian Ocean (P. m. zanzibarensis) to the French Polynesia (P. m. cumingii) and Hawai’i (P. m. galtsoffi). Despite the long pelagic larval phase of P. m. persica, this lineage is absent from continental locations and can only be found on a few islands of the Persian Gulf. Mitochondrial COI-based analyses indicated that P. m. persica belongs to a clearly divergent ESU and groups with specimens from Mauritius (P. m. zanzibarensis). Microsatellite data, used here to assess the spatial scale of realized dispersal of Persian Gulf black-lip pearl oysters, revealed significant genetic structure among islands distant of only a few dozen kilometres. The scantiness of suitable habitats most likely restricted the distribution of this lineage originating the observed chaotic genetic patchiness. The hatchery-based enhancement performed in one of the sampled islands may also have affected population genetic structure. The long-term accumulation of genetic differences likely resulted from the allopatric divergence between P. m. persica and the neighbouring Indian Ocean black-lip pearl oysters.     

Nebkhas of Salvadora persica and their effect on the growth and survival of Prosopis cineraria,Tamarix aphylla,and Capparis decidua trees and shrubs

Few studies were published on the effect of nebkhas (phytogenic mounds) on species diversity and soil resources, but no detailed study has been conducted yet on possible specific influence of nebkhas on growth and survival of the plants associated with them. We studied the nebkhas of Salvadora persica and their effect on growth and survival of three woody species (Prosopis cineraria, Tamarix aphylla, and Capparis decidua) in the Ommanian coast of Hormozgan Province in the south of Iran. The results showed that mean height and mean canopy diameter of P. cineraria and T. aphylla trees and shrubs inhabiting nebkhas of Salvadora persica were considerably higher than those of plants of these species growing outside nebkhas. The reverse occurred in the case of C. decidua. Generally, the percentages of stems with dead parts were significantly lower in plants inhabiting the nebkha sites in comparison to comparable ones growing outside the nebkhas. Salvadora persica nebkhas are enriched with more soil nutrients in comparison to inter-nebkha sites. Soil accumulated per each hectare in the nebkhas of the study area dominated by trees of Salvadora persica amounted to 237.6 m³. This indicates the great importance of nebkhas in the protection of soil and the associating species.     

Alterations in lipid peroxidation,lipid profile,insulin sensitivity,and hepatic histopathological changes in diabetic rats following the treatment with Salvadora persica

We examined the effects of various partitions of Salvadora persica extract on lipid profile (LP), lipid peroxidation, and insulin sensitivity (IS) of diabetic rats. The rats were divided into normal control, diabetic control (DC), standard, sham, and test groups. The test groups were treated with an oral dose of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg of crude, aqueous, and ethyl acetate partition of S. persica extract. After 21 days of experiment, the fasting blood glucose (FBS), LPs, lipid peroxidation, IS, liver enzymes levels, liver histopathology, and body weight alteration were evaluated. A significant decrease in FBS and lipid profile (except HDL) were observed in rats treated with various dose of extract compared with the DC rats ( P < 0.05). Treating diabetic rats with various extracts of S. persica meaningfully decreased the level of malondialdehyde ( P < 0.05). Animals treated with various dose of aqueous extract showed better results ( P < 0.01). On the basis of used indirect indexes to determine IS, all partitions of extracts showed anti-insulin resistance effects in diabetic rats. On the basis of our statistical analyzing, treating diabetic rats with all of the three extracts of S. persica decreased the elevated levels of alanine phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine transferase. Also, pathological changes in the liver tissue were reduced following treatment with the S. persica. In conclusion, our results give evidence that the S. persica extract, especially aqueous partition, has a healing effect on diabetes and can be considered as an alternative therapy for this disease.     

Foraging Behaviour of Bees as Influenced by Quality and Quantity of Rewards from Flowers

Foraging behaviour of four honeybee species (Apis mellifera A. cerana, A. dorsata and A, florea) was studied in relation to energy production rates of Prunus persica and a simultaneously blooming weed, Lepidagathus incurva. Energy produced ranged from a minimum of 0.642±0.01 joules (L. /“cwrra)/flower/day to a maximum of 1.49±0.14 joules/day (P. persico). The weed having higher nectar sugar concentration and high flowering density attracted more number of bees as compared to peach. The foraging rates of bees were much higher on the weed and they could harvest more energy per unit time from the weed flowers. Evidently, food acquisition efficiency and quality of food determines the foraging decision of bees.