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Capparis spinosa L. (caper) is a halophytic plant that grows in semi-arid or arid environments. The current study used an integrated experimental and computational approach to investigate the network of inter-correlated effective variables on the activity of antioxidant enzymes, proline, and photosynthetic pigments in stressed caper. To investigate the possible relationships among intercorrelated variables and understand the possible mechanisms, predictive regression modelling, principal component analysis (PCA), Pearson's correlation, and path analysis were implemented. PCA successfully discerned different salt ratio- and drought-specific effects in data in the current study, and treatments with higher growth indices are easily recognizable. Different salt ratios did not have a significant effect on the activity of four antioxidant enzymes, proline and photosynthesis pigments content of caper. While at the mean level, the activity of four antioxidant enzymes of SOD, POD, CAT, and APX significantly increased under drought stress by 54.0%, 71.2%, 79.4%, and 117.6%, respectively, compared to 100% FC. The drought stress also significantly increased the content of carotemoid (29.3%) and proline (by 117.7%). Predictive equation models with highly significant R 2 were developed for the estimation of antioxidant enzyme activity and proline content (> 0.94) as well as pigments (> 0.58) were developed. Path analysis studies revealed that proline is the most important regressor in four antioxidant enzyme activities, while leaf tissue density was the most effective variable in the case of chlorophylls. Furthermore, the network of intercorrelated variables demonstrated a close relationship between caper's antioxidant defence system, pigments, and morphological parameters under stress conditions. The findings of this study will be a useful guide to caper producers as well as plant ecophysiological researchers., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is used in the management of autoimmune conditions and malignant illnesses. However, its therapeutic use is limited because of its severe side effects, especially hepatotoxicity attributed to oxidative stress. Nasturtium officinale R. Br (watercress or WC) has pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammation, and antioxidant activities. Therefore, the present study was design to assess effects of WC or its active ingredient, quercetin (QE), against CPA-induced hepatotoxicity. For this study, 49 male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were randomly selected and categorized into seven equal groups. The animals were pre- and post-treated with both hydroalcoholic extract of WC (500 mg/kg) and quercetin (75 mg/kg) for 10 consecutive days, and intraperitoneal administration of CPA (200 mg/kg) was performed on only day 10, one hour before the last dose of WC or quercetin. On day 11, all the animals were sacrificed, and their blood and liver were gathered for evaluation of the liver enzyme, hepatic oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes activity, and hematoxylin and eosin staining. CPA significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PCO) and nitric oxide (NO) levels and liver biomarkers. Otherwise, hepatic catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), total thiol content (tSH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were considerably lower than the control group. Results showed that WC has the ability to reduce the changes (MDA, PCO, FRAP, CAT, ALT and AST) and QE (MDA, PCO, AST) induced by CPA (p < 0.05). Histopathological finding confirmed the indicated results. These findings propose that WC and QE have protective effect against the CPA-induced hepatotoxicity by decreasing oxidative stress.

The aim of current study was to assess the antioxidant and renoprotective effects of Stachys pilifera Benth (S.P.B.) hydroalcoholic extract on nephrotoxicity induced with cisplatin (CP). Adult rats with bodyweight of 180-220 g were divided into five groups (n = 7) treated as follows: group 1, control; group 2, CP; group 3, pretreatment with S.P.B. before CP; group 4, posttreatment with S.P.B. after CP; and, group 5, S.P.B. extract. A single dose of CP (7 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected on the fifth day and hydroalcoholic extract of S.P.B. (500 mg kg -1  day -1 ) was orally administered. The levels of oxidative stress markers, biochemical tests, and histopathological staining were assayed in serum and renal tissue. Also, the chemical composition of S.P.B. extract was determined by GC-MS analysis. The main compositions of S.P.B. extract identified by GC-MS analysis, were hexadeca-2,6,10,14-tetraen-1-ol, 3,7,11,16-tetramethyl (24.77%), thymol (14.1%), and linolenic acid (13.4%). In groups treated and pretreated with S.P.B., blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide metabolite in serum as well as malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl content of kidney tissues were significantly decreased in comparison to CP group; in contrast, total thiol group showed a significant increase in treated group as compared to CP group. Furthermore, histological investigation indicated that treatment with S.P.B. improved renal damages induced by CP. The current study showed that S.P.B. hydroalcoholic extract improved the biochemical parameters and kidney function as well as restored antioxidant activity in CP-induced nephrotoxicity. However, it needs more investigations to define the mechanism of S.P.B. action. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In different regions of Iran, Stachys is demonstrated by 34 species, out of which 13 are endemic, one of these endemic species is Stachys pilifera Benth (S.P.B.). The oil of S.P.B. is mainly consisted of cis-chrysanthenyl acetate, cis-chrysanthenol, spathulenol, β-caryophyllene, linalool, and terpinen-4-ol. Moreover, phytochemical studies have shown the presence of compounds such as diterpenes, phenylethanoid glycosides, saponins, terpenoides, and flavonoids in Stachys species. The aerial parts of S.P.B. are consumed as herbal tea to treat several disorders, for example, infections, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis in Iranian folk medicine. The aim of current study was to evaluate the antioxidant and protective effects of S.P.B. hydroalcoholic extract on nephrotoxicity induced with cisplatin (CP). The current study showed that S.P.B. hydroalcoholic extract improved the biochemical parameters and kidney function as well as restored antioxidant activity in CP-induced nephrotoxicity. However, it needs more researches to define the mechanism of S.P.B. action., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Context: Stachys pilifera Benth (Lamiaceae) has long been used to treat infectious diseases, respiratory and rheumatoid disorders in Iranian folk medicine. Antitumor and antioxidant activity of the plant have been reported., Objective: The study was designed to assess the hepatoprotective activity of ethanol extract of Stachys pilifera in carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced hepatotoxicity in rats., Materials and Methods: The rats were randomly divided into six equal groups (n = 7). Group I was treated with normal saline; Group II received CCl 4 (1 mL/kg. i.p., twice a week) for 60 consecutive days; Groups III, IV and V were given CCl 4 plus Stachys pilifera (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/d,p.o.); Group VI received the extract (400 mg/kg/d, p.o.). Histopathological analysis and measurement of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), malondialdehyde (MDA), total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) were performed., Results: CCl 4 caused a significant increase in the serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP and MDA as well as decreased ALB, and TP serum levels (p < 0.001). The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg/d) significantly normalized the CCl 4 -elevated levels of ALT, AST, ALP and MDA (p < 0.001). The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg/d) also increased the serum levels of TP compared to CCl 4 group (p< 0.01). The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg/d) also decreased the histological injuries (inflammation and fatty degeneration) by CCl 4 ., Discussion: The results revealed that the Stachys pilifera extract could provide considerable protection against CCl 4 hepatotoxicity in rats that may be related to its antioxidant properties.

Prangos ferulacea is a well known and valuable medicinal plants and winter fodder in Iran. The present study aimed to investigate chemical components essential oils, aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves and flowers of P. ferulacea and their effects on the antioxidant activities. Essential oils (EOs) were obtained by Clevenger-type apparatus and EOs components were identified by GC–MS analysis. Two solvent (hydroalcoholic and water) were used to prepare extracts then total phenolic and flavonoids compounds of the respected extracts were determined. DPPH assay were used to evaluate antioxidant activity of EOs and different extracts from different parts of plant. Flower EO yield and components were higher and more complex than leaves. The main components of leaves oil were α-Pinene (36.82%) and camphene (15.83%) while Flowers EO is dominated by α-Pinene (20.91%), bornylacetate (13.80%). According to our results EOs showed the weakest antioxidant activity while the highest activities were recorded for hydroalcoholic extracts. Hydroalcoholic extracts also contain more the total phenols and flavonoids which may explain their higher antioxidant capacity than aqueous. In both cases flower extracts showed significantly higher antioxidant capacity even more than BHT and ascorbic acid as synthetic antioxidant. The results demonstrated that hydroalcoholic extracts of flower and leaves of P. ferulacea can be considered as a potential alternative to chemical additives for the food industry as well as animal husbandry due to their appreciable antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress causes various physiological and biochemical effects in plants. Chicory (Cichorium intybusL.), of the Asteraceae, is a medicinal herbal that is found in most parts of Iran. This study was taken as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design​ with four replications, to evaluate the effect of water deficit on changes in antioxidant enzyme activity, proline content, and ABA accumulation of four ecotypes of chicory (Sefid Shiraz, Siyah Shiraz, Sefid Isfahan, Siyah Isfahan). To conduct this research, greenhouse cultivation at four different irrigation levels, 100% (as a control), 80, 60 and 40% of field capacity (FC), was conducted and after 60 days of tension under specific treatment, the plants were harvested and the indicators were investigated. The results of the present study indicate that Siyah Shiraz performs better than the others under water deficit conditions, as indicated by higher antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase) activity, proline content (as non-enzymatic anti oxidant) and abscisic acid accumulation in leaves. Since activation of the antioxidant system helps the plants with stress-induced damages, our results indicate that Siyah Shiraz has a better defense system against oxidative damage. These data are useful for better understanding of the physiological basis of changes in drought resistance as well as crop breeding projects. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Poor germination and seedling establishment are major problems in arid and semi-arid environments, and these characteristics are considered to be important factors in later plant growth and yield. Laboratory experiments were conducted on Chicory ( Cichorium intybus L.) seeds to investigate the effects of eight seed priming methods, including hydropriming, low temperature, scarification, urea, KNO 3 , KCl, NaCl and ascorbic acid on germination percentage, seedling and radicle length, fresh weight and the activity of 4 antioxidant enzymes. The responses of primed and unprimed chicory seeds were determined under PEG 6000 induced water stress (−1.5 MPa) and non-stress conditions. Germination and seedling growth components were measured 7 days after seeds were placed in Petri dishes. Water stress significantly decreased germination and seedling growth while different priming methods positively affected germination percentage and primary seedling growth under control and water stress condition, both. The highest germination percentage and the best primary seedling growth were achieved in ascorbic acid priming treatment followed by KCl treatment. Water stress increased catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activity and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) while the activity of ascorbic peroxidase (ASP) did not affect significantly. Different priming methods affected antioxidant enzymes activity differently. The result of correlation analysis showed that under control conditions, seedling productivity (seedling weight) had negative and significant correlation with activity of CAT and POD. Almost all seed treatments in this study gave better performance than control (untreated) with clear effectiveness of ascorbic acid treatment in improving the germination percentage (100%) and early seedling growth. It also increased tolerance of seeds to water stress and that ascorbic acid is an effective tool to impart water stress tolerance in C. intybus . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Increased oxidative stress play an important role in the risk of cardiovascular disease, mortality, and mortality patients undergoing dialysis. Nasturtium officinale (watercress) contains numerous phytochemical compounds that act as an antioxidant by preventing oxidative damage to biomolecules. Therefore, this research aimed to explore the effect of the ethanolic extract of Nasturtium officinale (EENO) on antioxidant and biochemical markers of hemodialysis patients. Methods. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 46 hemodialysis patients were randomly recruited to consume either 500 mg/day EENO (n = 23) or placebo capsule (n = 23) for 4 weeks, at Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Yasuj, Iran, in 2019. Biomarkers of oxidative stress including glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total sulfhydryl protein (T-SH) and biochemical parameters such as BUN, Hb, WBC, PLT, Ca, Ph, K, ALB, TChol, TG, LDL, and HDL were evaluated on days 0 and 28. Results. The serum levels of MDA and BUN significantly decreased after taking EENO supplementation P < 0.001 ; however, SOD activity increased during the same period P < 0.001 . The serum levels of TAC remained constant in the intervention group, while it significantly declined in the placebo group P < 0.09 . The extract also prevented elevation in the serum levels of LDL and TG compared to the placebo group, although it was not statistically significant. Conclusions. The data indicated that the consumption of EENO improved some of the antioxidant parameters and minimizes the change in TG and LDL in hemodialysis patients. Therefore, due to the role of these factors in mortality and morbidity of dialysis patients, EENO can improve the condition of dialysis patients. However, more studies with longer intervention times and different doses of EENO are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma is a common chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the airways. One of the most devastating consequences of this inflammatory process is the production of reactive oxygen species responsible for oxidative stress. Nasturtium officinale commonly known as watercress has traditionally been applied in Iranian folk medicine to treat respiratory disorders and diseases mainly bronchitis and asthma. In accordance with these ethnopharmacological reports, through our previous in vivo experiment, we have confirmed significant effect of its hydroalcoholic extract in reducing lung inflammation and oxidative stress in an ovalbumin-induced asthmatic rat model. Aim of the study: The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of N. officinale hydroalcoholic extract (NOE) in patients with asthma, in order to confirm our findings of the previous performed in vivo study. The NOE capsules (500 mg) were treated twice daily for 4 weeks as a supplementary treatment in a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial in asthmatics. The primary outcome was Asthma Control Test score. The blood samples were taken at the beginning and end of the study. Then, the level of inflammatory markers, oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activity were measured. Treatment with NOE for one month caused a reduction in the levels of MDA, PCO and NO metabolite markers compared to the placebo group. In addition, FRAP levels as an indicator of total antioxidant capacity in the intervention group was significantly increased at the end of the treatment period compared to pre-treatment values. Findings demonstrated that NOE may have a therapeutic effect on asthma by improving oxidative stress. However, more studies are required to support these results. Moreover, bio-assay guided fractionation and isolation approach can be conducted to identify major bioactive compound/s. [Display omitted] • Nasturtium officinale has been well-known in Iranian folk medicine to treat respiratory disorders and ailments. • The efficacy of N. officinale on asthmatic patients was assessed through a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial. • The hydroalcoholic extract of N. officinale reduced the levels of inflammatory markers and enhanced antioxidant enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]