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Aphids constitute a significant cohort of herbivorous insects, primarily nourishing themselves by extracting plant sap, sometimes posing a notable threat to plant health. Here, we present a comprehensive investigation into the aphid fauna associated with Carthamus in Iran, unveiling 18 species across 11 genera within the Aphididae. Furthermore, 31 associations between aphid species and host plants were recognized, of which two are new for Iran. Our study expands upon prior knowledge by documenting three new occurrences, shedding light on previously unrecorded aphid species in Isfahan and Razavi Khorasan provinces. In addition, we describe the previously unknown male of Uroleucon carthami, offering insights into its life cycle and reproductive strategies. An identification key to the apterous viviparous female aphids living on Carthamus in Iran is provided.

Objective: To investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Levisticum officinale extract on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Methods: Different doses of Levisticum officinale extract were given orally to rats for 10 days, then rats received a single dose of CCl4 (2.5 mL/kg, 50% v/v in liquid paraffin). Biochemical and histopathological assays were performed to assess the effects of the extract on liver function and architecture. Moreover, antioxidant and oxidative markers as well as inflammatory and fibrotic indicators were measured. Results: Pretreatment with Levisticum officinale extract significantly mitigated CCl4-induced damage to liver structure, improved serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, total bilirubin, and total protein, enhanced glutathione content and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the liver, as well as decreased plasma and hepatic malondialdehyde levels. Immunohistochemical results demonstrated that the extract reduced Ki-67 and α-SMA expression and Masson’s trichrome staining revealed decreased liver collagen in rats treated with Levisticum officinale extract. Moreover, Levisticum officinale extract markedly decreased the gene expressions of TNF-α, 1L-6, TGF-β1, MCP-1, and COX-2. Conclusions: Levisticum officinale extract exerts hepatoprotective effects on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic activities.

ObjectivePulicaria gnaphalodes (Vent.) Boiss, known as Kak-Kosh, is a desert-adapted species that has been widely distributed throughout Iran. This plant is a source of flavonoids and terpenes that are used in traditional medicine. Considering the medicinal importance of this plant, the aim of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of molecular and morphological markers to separate the populations.Materials and methodsIn this research, 20 populations of this species were collected from Kerman, Fars, Yazd and Hormozgan provinces and their genetic diversity was analyzed using 10 morphological traits and 25 ISSR primers. Sampling for genetic and morphological studies were carried out in spring and late summer, respectively.ResultsA total of 150 ISSR marker fragments were scored and 139 bands were found to be polymorphic [the percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB): 92.67%]. The average number of effective alleles (Ne) and expected Heterozygosity (uHe) for the amplification products were 1.470 and 0.288 respectively. Both Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) and UPGMA cluster analysis supported the clustering of all the populations into two groups. Small cluster contained populations 15, 18 and 19 and other populations were placed in a large Cluster. A weak relationship was observed between genetic diversity and GIS data. The Factor Analysis (FA) results for morphological traits detected three principal components with Eigen value greater than one (reproductive, leaf area, and vegetative components), which explained 69.24% of the total variability. These three components explained 28.77, 21.05 and 19.42 percentage of variability respectively. The FA analysis separated a group from the other populations.ConclusionsIn the present study, high levels of genetic and morphologic diversity were found between P. gnaphalodes populations. So that geographical separations have a weak effect on genetic diversity of populations. It seems that some probable factors such as perianality, self-incompatibility, pollination system, seed dispersal by wind, and gene flow could support achieving the population in a high level of genetic diversity.

Two new species of Cousinia are described from Iran. Cousinia bornmulleriana from the west that can be placed in sect. Haussknechtii based on some key characters such as flower numbers, phyllary numbers and the inflorescence form traits. This species can be also compared with its closest relative C. haussknechtii. and C. karkasensis. The second new species, C. semnanensis, from North East of Iran, belongs to the sect. Stenocephalae for its flower numbers, winged stem, and phyllaries shape, and is compared to C. alexeenkoana and C. glaucopsis as its close relative. Natural photos and distribution maps are presented.

Introduction: Textured soy protein (TSP) and nuts are two processed forms of soybean (Glycine max L.) that are widely consumed for nutritional purposes in Iran. Recently, we have reported the antioxidant and anticholinesterase effects of raw soybean (RS) attributed to isoflavones, such as genistein. In this work, we aimed to compare in vitro antioxidant and anticholinesterase effects of TSP, nuts, and RS to select the most effective one for learning capacity and spatial memory studies. Methods: Genistein content was determined using high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), while diphenylpicrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were used to study antioxidant evaluation and Ellman’s colorimetric method was used to measure anticholinesterase. TSP extract (TSPE) was administered to male rats (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p] for 7 days) before scopolamine injection (1 mg/kg). Learning capacity and spatial memory were evaluated using passive avoidance test (PAT) and Morris water maze (MWM) methods compared to physostigmine and piracetam. Results: The greatest antioxidant and anticholinesterase effect was observed for TSPE, which significantly prolonged initially latency in PTA (P

Based on morphological and molecular evidence, two new species of Silene are recognized and described here, S. penduliflora F.Jafari, Keshavarzi & Doostm. sp. nov. and S. thyrsiantha F.Jafari, Mirtadz. & Keshavarzi sp. nov. The newly discovered species are distributed in the central and southeastern parts of Iran, growing in rocky habitats. Relationships among these species and their close relatives are demonstrated using nrDNA ITS and cpDNA rps16 phylogenies. Silene ghahremaninejadii, S. parrowiana, and S. shahrudensis form a clade with these new species. A key to S. penduliflora and S. thyrsiantha and their close relatives is provided.

Background: The safety of the use of medicinal plants is a general challenge among consumers. To improve the use, it is necessary to provide complete profiles of the natural medications for quality control and the therapeutic and toxicity effects. This study was conducted to evaluate the structural and functional toxicity of the methanolic extracts of Salvia rhytidea and Glycine max plants in mice. Methods: After determining the LD50, NMRI mice with mean weight of 25-30 g were treated intraperitoneally with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, and orally with 800 mg/kg of the extracts for 7 consecutive days. After the last treatment, the serum samples were prepared and used for the biochemical assays. The liver and left kidney were removed from the animals and fixed in 10% formalin for histopathological examinations. Results: The results indicated that the biochemical parameters of liver and kidneys were not significantly different among the experimental and control groups (P>0.05). Mild degenerative changes in the liver and kidneys were observed at the IP dose of 400 mg/kg and oral dose of 800 mg/kg of both extracts. Conclusion: The use of these plants’ extracts did not induce severe toxicity in the short-term; however, caution should be exercised with the long-term use.

Objective: Acantholimon is a genus of perennial plant within the Plumbaginaceae family. Here, we aimed to investigate anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial potential of methanol extract of three Iranian endemic species of Acantholimon including A. austro-iranicum, A. serotinum and A. chlorostegium. Materials and Methods: MTT assay was used to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction was examined by annexin V-PE apoptosis detection kit. Antioxidant activity was reported based on the DPPH-scavenging and DCF-DA assay. Antibacterial activity was measured by disc diffusion and micro-well dilution assay. Results: MTT assay showed less cytotoxicity of methanol extracts against the HUVEC normal cell line (IC50 values: 817-900 µg/ml) compared to cancer cell lines MCF-7, HT29, SH-SY5Y, NCCIT and A549 (IC50 values: 213 to 600 µg/ml) that show the specificity of extracts toward cancer cells. Plant extract showed apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phases documented by annexin V staining and flow cytometry. According to antioxidant tests, extracts exhibited significant DPPH scavenging potential (IC50 values: 30-37 µg/ml) and could protect against H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Antibacterial activities showed a stronger inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as Gram- negative bacteria (diameter of inhibition zone: 11-13 mm and minimal inhibition concentration (MIC): 3.175 to 12.5 mg/ml) compared to Gram-positive bacteria including Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus (diameter of inhibition zone: 3-7 mm and MIC: 25 to 50 mg/ml). Conclusion: Our results suggested moderate cytotoxic and antibacterial potential and noteworthy antioxidant activity for the examined Acantholimon species.

Cousinia elymaitica, which has been collected from western Iran, is described in this paper as a new species. This new species has been assigned to the sect. Pugioniferae on the basis of its habit, purple corolla and decurrent leaves. Its closest related species is C. macroptera. A distribution map and an illustration of the related specimens have also been provided.

The current investigations suggest the segregation of Jurinea cartilaginea from Jurinea, and its placement among Centaureinae. Molecular studies, based on the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (nrITS), chromosome number data and pollen morphology, support the morphological results. Based on these results, J. cartilaginea is related to and, therefore, transferred to the genus Karvandarina. Due to the morphological characters differing from Karvanderina aphylla, a new subgenus, Pseudojurinea, is described. Molecular study also supports the monophyly of Jurinea.

In this study, we investigated the chromosome numbers of some endemic species distributed in East and South-East Iran. The mitotic chromosome counts were presented for the first time for six species in three angiosperm families including: Linaria iranica (2n=12), Nanorrhinum campyloceras (2n=18), Chaenorhinum grossecostatum (2n=24) (Plantaginaceae), Gaillonia bruguieri (Rubiaceae) (2n=22), Nepeta rivularis and N. assurgens (Lamiaceae) (2n=18).

The micromorphology of petal and pollen grain of 16 species of the genus Cotoneaster Medik., belonging to two subgenera (Cotoneaster and Chaenopetalum) has been studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. We used different multivariate statistical methods to reveal the species relationships. Results showed that in comparison to most genera of the family Rosaceae, both tri- and tetracolporate pollen grains are observed in one specimen. Palynological observation revealed that shape of tricolporate pollen in most species is prolate-spheroidal, but also subprolate and prolate pollen grains can be recognized. In the other hand, tetracolporate pollen is quadrangular. The main ornamentation type was mainly striate which in turn can be subdivided to several categories; however, psilate one is also recognized also (C. persicus). The results revealed that pollen traits are probably effective in separating the sections and using these traits for placing a species in a particular section is probably helpful. Apomixis is one of the reasons for not changing the ornamentation of the both surface of the petals and their similarity to each other in different species. Totally, the studied micromorphological characters of petal cannot be used as diagnostic tools for Cotoneaster in Iran.

Veronica subgenus Pentasepalae is the largest subgenus of Veronica in the Northern Hemisphere with approximately 80 species mainly from Southwest Asia. In order to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships among the members of V. subgenus Pentasepalae and to test the “out of the Iranian plateau” hypothesis, we applied thorough taxonomic sampling, employing nuclear DNA (ITS) sequence data complimented with morphological studies and chromosome number counts. Several high or moderately supported clades are reconstructed, but the backbone of the phylogenetic tree is generally unresolved, and many Southwest Asian species are scattered along a large polytomy. It is proposed that rapid diversification of the Irano-Turanian species in allopatric glacial refugia and a relatively high rate of extinction during interglacial periods resulted in such phylogenetic topology. The highly variable Asian V. orientalis–V. multifida complex formed a highly polyphyletic assemblage, emphasizing the idea of cryptic speciation within this group. The phylogenetic results allow the re-assignment of two species into this subgenus. In addition, V. bombycina subsp. bolkardaghensis, V. macrostachya subsp. schizostegia and V. fuhsii var. linearis are raised to species rank and the new name V. parsana is proposed for the latter. Molecular dating and ancestral area reconstructions indicate a divergence age of about 9 million years ago and a place of origin on the Iranian Plateau. Migration to the Western Mediterranean region has likely taken place through a North African route during early quaternary glacial times. This study supports the assumption of the Irano-Turanian region as a source of taxa for neighboring regions, particularly in the alpine flora.

A new endemic species from western Iran, Teucrium elymaiticum Attar, Sotoodeh & Mirtadzadini, spec. nova is described. It belongs to section Scordium. Considering the combination of some characteristics like indumentum, bracts, pedicel, calyx, corolla size, and nutlet shape and size, the new species is related to T. scordium subsp. scordioides (Schreb.) Arcang.. The differences between these two species are highlighted. Images, distribution map and an updated identification key for the genus are presented.

In this research, morphology and anatomy of male flower structure in Pycnocycla nodiflora Decne. ex Boiss. belonging to family Apiaceae were studied.. Application of some characteristics such as inflorescence, umbel florets and fruits in the classification of members of this family have paved the way for studies focusing on the flower structure. Morphological and cytohistological studies were performed by stereo- and light-microscopy using fixation and sectioning. Some morphological specificities of flower in this species included compound umbel inflorescences composed of 3-5 umbellules, involucre with 5 short and triangular bracts, 7 flowers in an umbellule, swollen peduncle in male flowers, heteromorphous sepals, color combination of white and purple of petals. Ttrichoms were abundantly observed on most flower parts. Anthers were dorsifix and structures with wrinkled edges were seen in the middle of male flower receptacles. Anatomical studies demonstrated the presence of secretory ducts with shizogenous development in sepal and petal structures. Hair formation on the epidermis of these structures was increased during maturation. Middle layer was transient and tapetum was of secretory type. Simultaneous cytokinesis produced tetrahederal tetrads. Anther dehiscence was longitudinal and released pollen grains were dumbbell shape. Some anthers in flower as well as some pollen sacs in an anther developed insimultaneously.

DNA barcoding is one of the developing methods in molecular systematics for the identification of species. psbA- trnH is one of the most variable noncoding regions of chloroplast genome and a standard DNA barcode for plant species. However, intraspecific inversions limited the ability of this barcode in the identification of species. The efficiency of these structural changes in the identification of Capparis spinosa genre, including C. spinosa, C. parviflora, C. mucronifolia and C. cartilaginea, was investigated in the present study. Twenty five sequences from 4 species of this complex and 3 other species of the genus Capparis was aligned. The results revealed intraspecific polymorphism in 2 regions of psbA-trnH (8% of whole region) in this group. Analysis of data showed that ignoring these inversions has led to overestimating intraspecific divergence, underestimating interspecific divergence, and disability of psbA-trnH in the identification of closely related taxa. Using reverse complementary sequence may partly overcome this problem. Based on the results of this study, it can be recommended that sampling from a wide geographic range of a species would reveal more intra-specific molecular variation and increase the efficiency of a DNA barcode. Key words: Capparis Spinosa, Intraspecific Inversion, psbA- trnH Region.

In this project, the wild plants of Riseh-Paqal'e area which is located about 60 km in northeast of Shahrebabak and 300 Km in west of Kerman city were identified. Total area is about 40000 hectars and with average altitude about 2300 meters from the sea level. This mountainous and arid area belongs to Irano-Turanian region. More than 1000 specimens were collected and indentified from the area. According to this study, 205 plant species which belonged to 41 families and 151 genera were identified. 37 families, 132 genera and 182 species belonged to dicotyledons and 4 families, 19 genera and 23 species belonged to monocotyledons. The biggest family was Asteraceae with 33 species and the biggest genus was Astragalus with 16 species. Meanwhile, there were 9 rare species, 33 endemic species and 13 monospeciefic genera in the studied area. Phytogeographically, 54% of the studied plant species belonged to Irano-Turanian region. Biological types of this area included: hemicryptophytes 45.5%, therophytes 34.5%, chamaephytes 9.5%, geophytes 5.5% and phanerophytes 5%.