Nova Biologica Reperta

Abstract Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) is one of the most important environmental challenges. Phytoremediation of oil-polluted soil depends on microorganisms of the rhizosphere. This study attempts to evaluate the microbial impact of Zea mays rhizosphere during a 60 day period using three different treatments: control soil, oil-polluted soil and oil-polluted soil including fertilizer (NH₄No₃, K₂HPO₄). Then, the rhizosphere bacteria were identified. The results showed that CFU per gram of control soil was higher than other treated soils, an indication of oil stress on microbial population. In addition, more bacterial diversity was observed in soils and different bacteria were isolated from the soils. Finally, the most resistant bacteria to the oil pollution were assayed. The assay of isolates indicated that all of those separated from the oil-polluted soil have the ability to produce biosurfactant in different quantities. Further investigation must be carried out to optimize the degradation of oil by these isolates.

Abstract This investigation was conducted to compare the photosynthetic indices in ironwood trees infected by Viscum album L. and healthy trees located both in stand and out of stand in plain forest of Tamishan, Nour city. In each position, five healthy and five infected trees were selected and photosynthetic parameters, stomatal conductance, transpiration and internal CO₂ were examined. Results showed that the amount of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance in healthy and infected branches were varied depending on the position of trees, individual trees and branch type. The amount of transpiration and internal CO₂ were significantly different in healthy and infected branches. The highest amount of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration and internal CO₂ both within and out of stand, were measured in healthy trees (except for stomatal conductance in out of stand). Both within and out of stand, healthy branch of infected tree indicates higher level of photosynthetic activity compared with infected branch. Also, twofold comparison of the four parameters investigated showed that photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration and internal CO₂ in healthy branches within stand were higher than those out of stand. It was also discovered that Viscum album caused disruption in photosynthetic activities of the host plant that, is why conducting supplementary studies in this regard is suggested to future researchers.

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the smoke of Verbascum speciocum leaves grown in 'Bouein Zahra' region, on the healing of skin lesions in Wistar rats. In this study in vivo conditions, 36 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. The operation day was considered as day zero and the procedure took 10 days. After the end of the treatment, i.e., on the 14^th day, rats were killed by choloroform and samples were collected for histological analysis Masson trichrome and Vangason staining for collogen and hydroxyprolline amino acid OD assessment was applied. Studies in experimental groups exposed to the smoke of the leaves revealed that there was no increase in epidermis thickness, hair follicles diameter, skin, nor in the number and diameter of blood vessels as compared with control and sham groups. However, the amount of hair follicles was decreased. There was an increase in collogen diameter but this increase was not significant. But a significant increase was observed in OD of hydroxyl proline amino acid assessment (p<0.001) in experimental groups compared with sham and control groups. The results indicated that the use of smoke of V.speciocum leaves on the skin lesion had absolutely no increase on the wound healing ratios and its closure; it maximally could had very little effect on the proliferation as one step in the repair process, which needs further investigation.

Abstract The tubers of Bongardia chrysogonum, belonging to to Podophyllaceae, are rich in alkaloids. In this study, total alkaloid content of the tubers of this plant in Naghadeh, Zanjan and Boukan were determined by spectrophotometeric method. In addition, the effects of soil characteristics such as total nitrogen, potassium, pH, soil texture and tubers nitrate levels on the plant total alkaloid content were measured. The results of the analyses indicated significant differences between the total alkaloid content of B.chrysogonum in these three regions. Moreover, the results showed significant differences among nitrates amounts of this plant in these habitats. The highest and lowest nitrate contents belong to Naghadeh and Boukan plants, respectively. The evaluation of soil samples of these three regions indicated that the texture of soil in Naghadeh is clay-loamy, in Zanjan it is silty- clay- loamy and in Boukan it is loamy- sandy. It was also discovered that increase in plant total alkaloid content depends on the increase of sand percentag in soil to some extent. The effect of soil pH on total alkaloid content turned out to be non-significant.

Abstract This paper explores flora of Rudbar Alamut region in NE of Ghazvin province situated in the south slope of central Alborz Chain Mountains. Alamut is divided into two parts, upper Alamut and lower Alamut. The minimum height in the region is 1265 m, located in Shahrak village, while the maximum height is 4175 m, located in Siahlan Mountain. Average of annual precipitation is 368.3 mm and annual average temperature is 14ºC. This reveals that 642 species and subspecies belong to 373 genera and 76 plant families growing in the region. The largest families are Asteraceae with 88 species, Paoilionaceae with 64, Poaceae with 56, Lamiaceae with 48, Brassicaceae with‌ 46, Apiaceae with 41, Charyophyllaceae with 34 and Rosaceae with 30, respectively. Nearly 190 species are medicinal plants, of which 51 are used traditionally by local inhabitatants, 59 species are endemic, 37 species are poisonous for animal and rarely for man, 75 species are weeds, 119 species are forage, and 17 species are cultivated.

Abstract Salinity is one of the important environmental factors that limit plant growth and product. Grapes are classified as salt sensitive plants. This paper attempts to evaluate the salinity effects on membrane lipid peroxidation, antioxidant components and antioxidative enzymes activity in four grape genotypes (Vitis vinifera L., Gharashani, LaaleBidaneh, Sachagh and Shahroodi) that commonly grow in the regions around Urmia Salt Lake. We came to the conclusion that malondialdehyde content and antioxidative enzymes activity increased significantly (P<0.05) in roots and leaves of all these genotypes. Gharashani and LaaleBidaneh genotypes showed higher antioxidative enzymes activity and lower membrane lipid peroxidation. Also, salinity had a significant effect on the accumulation of total phenolics content and phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity in all genotypes. Gharashani genotype showed the highest total phenols and PAL activity. There was a significant positive correlation among antioxidant enzymes activity, total phenolics content and PAL activity in leaves of all genotypes. It seems that Gharashani and LaaleBidaneh genotypes have a better antioxidant system compared with others and show higher efficiency for salinity tolerance.

Abstract Ascorbic acid (AA) as a vitamin and neuromodulator is present in most parts of CNS such as nucleus accumbens shell (Acbsh). This study evaluates the effect of intra-nucleus accumbens shell injection of AA on spatial learning and memory. 35 adult male Wistar rats (220-270 g) were divided into 5 groups: control (intact), sham AA (injected normal saline as AA vehicle) as well as 3 groups of AA (12, 24 and 48 μg/rat/side). After one week of recovery injections were performed. Thirty minutes after each injection the rats were trained in the Morris Water Maze (MWM) and spatial learning and memory parameters were recorded and then analyzed. The results showed that AA at the dose of 48 μg/rat/side significantly increased the travelled distance and latency time to reach the hidden platform in comparison with either control or sham groups (p<0.001). Intra-Acbsh injection of AA led to deficiency of spatial learning.