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In recent years, the exploration of the therapeutic potential of Salvia has gained considerable attention, leading to a growing number of scientific studies emphasizing its pharmacological properties. Despite this, therapeutic applications of Salvia remain underexploited, requiring further investigation. Iran is a major center for sage diversity in Asia, boasting 60 Salvia species, 17 of which are unique to the area. This study aimed to comprehensively explore and compare the extracts of 102 Salvia samples belonging to 20 distinct Salvia species from Iran, providing a deeper understanding of their specific polyphenol content and, consequently, their antioxidant capabilities and potential therapeutic uses. All samples were analyzed to determine the contents of total phenolics, total flavonoids, total tannin, photosynthetic pigments, and ascorbic acid, along with their antioxidant activity. These data were then combined with the forty distinct chemical fingerprints identified by ultrafast high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Multivariate data analysis was employed to find correlations and differences among the huge number of data obtained and to identify Salvia species with similar phytochemical and/or antioxidant properties. The results show that each Salvia species is characterized by a distinct class of polyphenols recognized for their antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective and neuroprotective properties. Overall, our findings reveal the potential of some Salvia species for targeted therapeutic applications and provide a rational basis for the development of Salvia-derived nutraceuticals, ultimately improving the prospects for the use of Salvia in medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Verbascum, belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae, has a significant center of diversity in Iran. Two of its species, V. erianthum and V. stachydiforme, originate in the Iranian-Turanian region, but no studies have been conducted on the induction of their hairy roots. This genus is a valuable source of biologically active compounds such as iridoid glycosides and flavonoids. Hairy root culture is a suitable technique for the production and accumulation of secondary metabolites. Three different studies were conducted to optimize the induction and establishment of hairy roots. In the first experiment, the influence of explant type (leaf and hypocotyl), six infection methods, and co-culture time (48 and 72 h) on the efficiency of hairy root induction was investigated. The results showed that the highest hairy root induction (68.18%) was observed in the leaf explants inoculated by direct infection with three wounds within 72 h co-culture time. In the second experiment, the effect of four Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains (ATCC 15834, A4, A7, and A13) and leaf age (14, 21, and 28 days) on transformation efficiency and some morphological traits examined in both species were studied. The high transformation efficiency of hairy root (80.55%) was detected in the 21-day-old leaf explant of V. erianthum species that was inoculated with the A13 strain. The transformed hairy root colons were confirmed by PCR using rolB gene-specific primers. To optimize hairy root growth and avoid tissue browning, hairy roots were cultured in various media containing different antioxidants and improver agents (including ascorbic acid, citric acid, and NAA). The results showed that the highest fresh growth index (20.42) and the lowest tissue browning (9%) as well as total phenol (8.51 mg GA/g DW), and total flavonoid content (4.42 mg QUE/g DW) were obtained in medium B5 with 1.5 mg/l NAA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary nitrates are thought to confer several cardiometabolic health benefits, including improvements in blood pressure and the plasma lipid profile. However, existing data from Iran is conflicting and there is a dearth of literature focusing on non-adult populations. A total of 988 adolescent girls were recruited from schools in different areas of Mashhad and Sabzevar, Iran. Dietary nitrate intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and participants were categorized into quartiles based on this. Differences in participant characteristics between quartiles were assessed using one-way ANOVA and associations between total nitrate intake, nitrate intake from vegetables and cardiometabolic risk markers (blood lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) were assessed using linear regression. Nitrate intake from vegetables was positively correlated with triglycerides, even after adjusting for several variables (β = 0.086, 95% CI = 0.002–0.097; P = 0.043). Total nitrate intake was also significantly positively associated with serum triglycerides (β = 0.097, 95% CI = 0.010–0.084; P = 0.012); however, this relationship disappeared after adjusting for several variables. Significant interaction effects were observed between total nitrate intake, nitrate intake from vegetables, and vitamin C upon triglycerides (P < 0.01). No significant relationships were found between total nitrate intake, nitrate intake from vegetables, and other cardiometabolic risk markers. Our findings suggest there may be neutral or possibly detrimental cardiovascular effects of dietary nitrate and/or vitamin C intake which are not in agreement with contemporary literature and warrant further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) is one of the medicinal plants of Anacardiaceae family and widely used as a spice in Iran and Arab countries. Rhus coriaria var. zebaria is a small tree or large shrub, wildly growing in Iraq and described as a new variety with special characteristics. These increase the importance of studying sumac in these areas. Here, the phytochemical variations and the antibacterial activity of 50 accessions of this variety from five different climatic conditions was evaluated in order to identify the best accession to use and the best area for its cultivation. This is the most comprehensive study on this plant. Essential oil compounds were identified using GC–MS method and according to the results, Z, E-2,13-octadecadien, caryophyllene oxide, 2,4-decadienal, E-caryophyllene and nonanoic acid were among the main compounds. Also, the variety is a rich source of minerals including K, Ca, Mg, Na, P, and N. Sumac fruit extract from Akre Xerds had the highest anthocyanin and the lowest amount was from Kavilca region. The radical scavenging effect of extract from Dostic area in the concentration of 400 µg/mL is closer to the effect of ascorbic acid. The largest inhibition was found in the sumac extracted oil of Xasto Zhere area against S. aureus in compared with penicillin and amoxicillin and enrofloxacin antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allium hirtifolium Boiss, called "Mooseer" in Iran, is a perennial herb and a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Herein the effect of different pretreatments including ultrasound (US), osmotic (OD), and ultrasound-assisted osmotic (UAO) pretreatment before microwave drying on its drying characteristics was investigated to evaluate quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Allium hirtifolium Boiss drying. All pretreated samples showed lower drying time compared to untreated samples. US and UAO pretreated samples showed lower drying time compared to OD pretreated samples. Based on the fitting data of 8 common thin-layer models, the Logarithmic model was the best model to describe the microwave drying behavior of Allium hirtifolium Boiss slices. UAO pretreated samples had higher water diffusivity and the effect of ultrasound power was significant (p < 0.05) on it. The obtained values were in the range of 3.074 × 10–7 and 8.574 × 10–7 m2/s which are in the general range of diffusivity of food material. Samples subjected to OD pretreatment showed lower Total Color Difference (ΔE) and Browning Index (BI) and higher rehydration ratio compared to UAO pretreatment. Generally, compared to OD pretreatment, UAO pretreatment did not show a significant effect (p > 0.05) on the total phenolic content and vitamin C of samples. However, it had a significant effect (p > 0.05) on the antioxidant content of the samples. Consequently, UAO pretreatment can reduce the drying time while maintaining the quality of samples and contributes to energy saving. Therefore, it is recommended to use UAO pretreatment in microwave drying of Allium hirtifolium Boiss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown that adherence to dietary patterns rich in plant-based foods may reduce the odds of osteoarthritis; however, limited data are available on the association of consumption of diets rich in phytochemicals and odds of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). In this case–control study conducted in Iran, we aimed to investigate whether a higher dietary phytochemical index (DPI) is associated with decreased odds of having KOA. A total of 124 cases aged 20–60 years diagnosed with bilateral primary KOA according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria and 124 controls frequency-matched on age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) were included in the study. A validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to collect information on dietary intakes. To calculate DPI scores, the dietary energy derived from foods rich in phytochemicals (kcal) was divided by the participant's total daily energy intake (kcal). Patients with KOA had lower intakes of dietary fiber (P = 0.004), vitamin A (P = 0.007), vitamin C (P = 0.001), and folate (P = 0.021) compared to controls. In the crude model, individuals in the third tertile of DPI had 65% lower odds of having KOA compared to those in the first tertile (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.67, P-trend = 0.001). After adjustment for potential confounders, including age, sex, physical activity, smoking, and supplement use, this inverse association remained significant (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.73, P-trend = 0.004). After further adjustment for BMI, this inverse association between DPI and odds of KOA also remained significant (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.69, P-trend = 0.003). These findings suggest that adherence to a phytochemical-rich diet, as indicated by the increasing DPI score, is associated with lower odds of KOA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of modern and safe techniques to increase plant growth and yield is of significance. There is little data, to our knowledge, on the use of organic fertilization and ozonated water (ozone (O3) affecting tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) growth and quality. Different tomato growth and fruit quality parameters including yield, fruit number, leaf fresh and dry weight, leaf and inflorescence number, plant height and stem diameter, distance from the first inflorescence to the collar, total soluble solids, total acidity, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total were determined. O3 treatment resulted in significant affects in all tomato parameters. One of the interesting results of the present research is the increased concentration of the antioxidant ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in response to ozonation, which can also improve tomato quality. However, organic fertilization and its interaction with the O3 treatment significantly affected only some of the measured tomato parameters. Ozonated water, at proper concentrations, may improve tomato growth and fruit quality, and if combined with organic fertilization, its positive effects may increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green space of parks with its vegetation population of trees and shrubs plays a key role in air purification and the absorption of air pollutions, thereby contributing to the alleviation of environmental pollutions. The present factorial experiment was carried out in urban parks with 18 treatments. The leaf samples of 18 ornamental species were collected in two sites [(1) the margin and (2) the downtown] of Rasht city in north of Iran. Then, they were subjected to the measurement of leaf relative water content, total chlorophyll content, leaf extract pH, and ascorbic acid content to evaluate their air pollution tolerance index (APTI). The tolerance of the species was assessed by two methods: the comparison of their APTI with the average APTI of all species and the use of a constant APTI as a standard. The results showed that the species differed in their tolerance in different sites. Among the studied 18 species, Yucca filamentosa and Berberis thunbergii were identified as air pollution-tolerant species, so they are recommended for the use in parks. Yucca had an APTI of 78.24 and Berberis had an APTI of 67.56. The lowest APTI was obtained from Fraxinus excesio and Ligustrum texanum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the association of dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) with incidence of CKD in subjects with dysglycemia.Methods: We followed-up 1179 subjects aged ≥30 years with dysglycemia from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) for 3 years, who were initially free of CKD. Dietary intakes of TAC, vitamin C, vitamin E, and β-carotene were assessed by a food-frequency questionnaire at the baseline. Dietary TAC was estimated using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity method. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated, using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation and CKD was defined as eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Odds ratios (ORs) using multivariable logistic regression were reported for the association of incident CKD with dietary TAC.Results: A total of 197 (16.7%) cases of incident CKD were recorded after 3 years of follow-up. After adjustment for age, sex, smoking, physical activity, body mass index, hypertension, and total energy intake, the top tertile of dietary TAC compared to the bottom was associated with 39% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.40-0.93] lower risk of incident CKD (P for trend = 0.025). Furthermore, the highest tertile of vitamin C intake compared to the lowest risk of incident CKD was decreased (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.38-0.93, P trend 0.023). Intakes of vitamin E and β-carotene were not significantly associated with incident CKD risk.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that diets high in TAC are associated with a lower risk of incident CKD among subjects with hyperglycemia after 3 years of follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]