University of Isfahan Journal of Plant Biological Sciences 3041-9603 16 4 2025 02 19 Correlation and path analysis of morphologic characters associated with yield performance in black cumin Correlation and path analysis of morphologic characters associated with yield performance in black cumin 1 14 29274 10.22108/ijpb.2025.144116.1394 FA Naser Sabaghnia Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Maragheh, Iran Mehdi Mohebodini Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran. Asghar Ebadi Department of Plant Production, Moghan College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran Mohsen Janmohammadi Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Maragheh, Iran Journal Article 2025 01 22 Developing improved black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) cultivars requires robust tools to manage trait relationships within breeding programs. This study utilized path analysis to examine associations of yield performance and nineteen morphological characters in 27 black cumin genotypes. Correlation analysis indicated that yield had a meaningfully positive association with most characters, except for leaf width, seed width, and thousand-seed weight. Path analysis identified thousand-seed weight and dry shoot weight as the primary contributors to yield. Additionally, the follicles of the plant, main stem internodes, seed width, and seed length directly influenced seed yield as first-order characters. To ensure reliable results, characters with high collinearity, like the follicles of plant, seed length, and seed width, were excluded from the first-order character group. Assessment of seed yield components highlighted the path seeds of follicle → stem diameter → follicles of plant → dry shoot weight as the most significant and positively correlated pathway influencing seed yield in black cumin. Therefore, efforts to enhance the seeds of follicles, stem diameter, follicles of plant, and dry shoot weight could significantly improve yield performance. The characters identified as influencing seed yield suggest that, while maintaining other characters constantly, improving these specific characteristics will enhance the yield of black cumin, so the characters should be prioritized in future genetic improvement programs. Developing improved black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) cultivars requires robust tools to manage trait relationships within breeding programs. This study utilized path analysis to examine associations of yield performance and nineteen morphological characters in 27 black cumin genotypes. Correlation analysis indicated that yield had a meaningfully positive association with most characters, except for leaf width, seed width, and thousand-seed weight. Path analysis identified thousand-seed weight and dry shoot weight as the primary contributors to yield. Additionally, the follicles of the plant, main stem internodes, seed width, and seed length directly influenced seed yield as first-order characters. To ensure reliable results, characters with high collinearity, like the follicles of plant, seed length, and seed width, were excluded from the first-order character group. Assessment of seed yield components highlighted the path seeds of follicle → stem diameter → follicles of plant → dry shoot weight as the most significant and positively correlated pathway influencing seed yield in black cumin. Therefore, efforts to enhance the seeds of follicles, stem diameter, follicles of plant, and dry shoot weight could significantly improve yield performance. The characters identified as influencing seed yield suggest that, while maintaining other characters constantly, improving these specific characteristics will enhance the yield of black cumin, so the characters should be prioritized in future genetic improvement programs.

https://ijpb.ui.ac.ir/article_29274_8e528fb1fc9a076d084724396c3d41e9.pdf

University of Isfahan Journal of Plant Biological Sciences 3041-9603 16 4 2025 02 19 Chitosan Nanoparticles’ Biphasic Impact on Salvia nemorosa: Optimizing Resilience and Secondary Metabolism Chitosan Nanoparticles’ Biphasic Impact on Salvia nemorosa: Optimizing Resilience and Secondary Metabolism 15 31 29332 10.22108/ijpb.2025.144190.1396 FA Seyed Hamed Moazzami Farida Department of Plant and Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran Journal Article 2025 01 29 Nanotechnology offers innovative approaches to enhance crop resilience against environmental stresses. Chitosan nanoparticles (ChNPs) enhance plant defense mechanisms and stimulate secondary metabolite production. Salvia nemorosa, a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds, is sensitive to stressors impacting its growth and metabolite accumulation. This study explored the dose-dependent effects of ChNPs on S. nemorosa’s physiological and biochemical parameters, including photosynthetic pigments, oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzyme activities, and secondary metabolites. Two-month-old plants were foliar-sprayed with ChNPs (0–160 ppm), and their responses were assessed two weeks later. Lower doses (10–40 ppm, with an optimum at 20 ppm) improved growth, phenolic compound accumulation, and the activities of enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT), whereas higher doses (80–160 ppm) triggered oxidative stress, reduced chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, and decreased metabolite production. Antioxidant enzymes—superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD)—increased significantly at higher concentrations, reflecting a robust defense against oxidative damage. These findings highlight ChNPs’ dual role in stress tolerance and metabolite biosynthesis, offering insights for optimizing medicinal plant cultivation via nanotechnology. This study provides comprehensive insights into the biphasic effects of ChNPs on S. nemorosa, contributing to sustainable cultivation strategies. Nanotechnology offers innovative approaches to enhance crop resilience against environmental stresses. Chitosan nanoparticles (ChNPs) enhance plant defense mechanisms and stimulate secondary metabolite production. Salvia nemorosa, a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds, is sensitive to stressors impacting its growth and metabolite accumulation. This study explored the dose-dependent effects of ChNPs on S. nemorosa’s physiological and biochemical parameters, including photosynthetic pigments, oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzyme activities, and secondary metabolites. Two-month-old plants were foliar-sprayed with ChNPs (0–160 ppm), and their responses were assessed two weeks later. Lower doses (10–40 ppm, with an optimum at 20 ppm) improved growth, phenolic compound accumulation, and the activities of enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT), whereas higher doses (80–160 ppm) triggered oxidative stress, reduced chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, and decreased metabolite production. Antioxidant enzymes—superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD)—increased significantly at higher concentrations, reflecting a robust defense against oxidative damage. These findings highlight ChNPs’ dual role in stress tolerance and metabolite biosynthesis, offering insights for optimizing medicinal plant cultivation via nanotechnology. This study provides comprehensive insights into the biphasic effects of ChNPs on S. nemorosa, contributing to sustainable cultivation strategies.

https://ijpb.ui.ac.ir/article_29332_8b5132d5413bb0fdb0e6d68e76af24b2.pdf

University of Isfahan Journal of Plant Biological Sciences 3041-9603 16 4 2025 02 19 Paclitaxel and other Anticancer Taxoids were Found in Oak Leaves Paclitaxel and other Anticancer Taxoids were Found in Oak Leaves 33 48 29525 10.22108/ijpb.2025.144645.1401 FA Mitra Jamshidi Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Ali Kasiri Bahnamiri Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Naba Najjar Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Atefeh Payez Department of Biological Science, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran Faezeh Ghanati Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2025 03 11 Diterpene alkaloid paclitaxel (with the trade name Taxol) and other taxoids are well-known anticancer drugs originally extracted from different Taxus spp. (Gymnosperm). The significant demand for paclitaxel prompted researchers to investigate taxoids in alternative species. Finding taxans in certain angiosperms like Corylus avelana and some endophyte fungi of Taxus and non-Taxus species brought the hypothesis that genes involved in paclitaxel production may have horizontally been transferred from Taxus sp. to other plants in their vicinity, through the mediation of microorganisms. The common habitats of certain oak species, i.e., Quercus brantii, Q. macranthera, and Q. castaneifolia with taxane-bearing plants in conserved regions of Iranian forests, promoted us to investigate the presence of taxoids in these species. The existence of paclitaxel, 10-deacetyl baccatin III, baccatin III, 10-deacetyl paclitaxel, cephalomannine, 7-epi 10 deacetyl paclitaxel, and 7-epi paclitaxel in oak leaf extracts was shown by HPLC and their structure were confirmed through LC-MS analysis. The cytotoxic potential of crude extracts was tested against Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK 293T) and Hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines. The results suggest that oak leaf can be introduced as a novel source of taxanes both for therapeutic utilization and as new precursors for upcoming paclitaxel semi-synthesis approaches. Diterpene alkaloid paclitaxel (with the trade name Taxol) and other taxoids are well-known anticancer drugs originally extracted from different Taxus spp. (Gymnosperm). The significant demand for paclitaxel prompted researchers to investigate taxoids in alternative species. Finding taxans in certain angiosperms like Corylus avelana and some endophyte fungi of Taxus and non-Taxus species brought the hypothesis that genes involved in paclitaxel production may have horizontally been transferred from Taxus sp. to other plants in their vicinity, through the mediation of microorganisms. The common habitats of certain oak species, i.e., Quercus brantii, Q. macranthera, and Q. castaneifolia with taxane-bearing plants in conserved regions of Iranian forests, promoted us to investigate the presence of taxoids in these species. The existence of paclitaxel, 10-deacetyl baccatin III, baccatin III, 10-deacetyl paclitaxel, cephalomannine, 7-epi 10 deacetyl paclitaxel, and 7-epi paclitaxel in oak leaf extracts was shown by HPLC and their structure were confirmed through LC-MS analysis. The cytotoxic potential of crude extracts was tested against Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK 293T) and Hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines. The results suggest that oak leaf can be introduced as a novel source of taxanes both for therapeutic utilization and as new precursors for upcoming paclitaxel semi-synthesis approaches.

https://ijpb.ui.ac.ir/article_29525_535450b784456c401c66529258ae7cfd.pdf

University of Isfahan Journal of Plant Biological Sciences 3041-9603 16 4 2025 02 19 Micromorphological Study of Epidermis and Stomata in Some Stachys L. Species (Lamiaceae) From Iran Micromorphological Study of Epidermis and Stomata in Some Stachys L. Species (Lamiaceae) From Iran 49 58 29618 10.22108/ijpb.2025.144905.1405 FA Somayeh Akramifard Department of Plant and Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran Saeed Afsharzadeh Department of Plant and Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran Azadeh Akhavan Roofigar Natural Resources Research Division, Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Isfahan, Iran Journal Article 2025 04 12 Stachys L. is a taxonomically complex and morphologically diverse genus within Lamiaceae, comprising nearly 300 species worldwide, including 34 species reported from Iran. Despite its ecological significance and traditional medicinal uses, the micromorphological characteristics of its leaf surfaces, particularly the epidermis and stomata, have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, 15 species of Stachys were analyzed using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to explore their epidermal and stomatal features. Measurements included stomatal length, width, and stomatal index (SI) alongside qualitative assessments of surface ornamentation and stomatal types. The largest stomata were observed in S. pilosa, whereas S. ixodes had the highest SI and S. obtusicrena the lowest. All species exhibited irregular epidermal cell outlines and a combination of anisocytic and diacytic stomatal types. These micromorphological characters, particularly when interpreted in combination with other morphological data, provide informative characters that can aid in the taxonomic identification and classification of Stachys species. Stachys L. is a taxonomically complex and morphologically diverse genus within Lamiaceae, comprising nearly 300 species worldwide, including 34 species reported from Iran. Despite its ecological significance and traditional medicinal uses, the micromorphological characteristics of its leaf surfaces, particularly the epidermis and stomata, have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, 15 species of Stachys were analyzed using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to explore their epidermal and stomatal features. Measurements included stomatal length, width, and stomatal index (SI) alongside qualitative assessments of surface ornamentation and stomatal types. The largest stomata were observed in S. pilosa, whereas S. ixodes had the highest SI and S. obtusicrena the lowest. All species exhibited irregular epidermal cell outlines and a combination of anisocytic and diacytic stomatal types. These micromorphological characters, particularly when interpreted in combination with other morphological data, provide informative characters that can aid in the taxonomic identification and classification of Stachys species.

https://ijpb.ui.ac.ir/article_29618_592e8fd2562292691a22b4423da73631.pdf

University of Isfahan Journal of Plant Biological Sciences 3041-9603 16 4 2025 02 19 Physiological and biochemical responses of lilac sage (Salvia verticillata L.) to methyl jasmonate and multi-walled carbon nanotubes: A comparative study Physiological and biochemical responses of lilac sage (Salvia verticillata L.) to methyl jasmonate and multi-walled carbon nanotubes: A comparative study 59 77 29660 10.22108/ijpb.2025.144443.1399 FA Nosrat Rahmani Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran Tayebeh Radjabian Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2025 02 21 Lilac sage (Salvia verticillata L.) a medicinal plant from the Lamiaceae family, is rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, which are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. This study aims to compare the effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and methyl jasmonate (MJ) on the physiological and biochemical responses of S. verticillata. At the twenty-two-leaf stage, plants were subjected to foliar application of MJ (100 µM) and MWCNTs (100 mg L⁻¹), and some physiological and biochemical traits were assessed at multiple time points. The application of MJ enhanced the accumulation of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. It increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes while simultaneously causing a reduction in chlorophyll content, likely due to stress-related responses. In contrast, the application of MWCNTs initially promoted chlorophyll and protein synthesis, followed by a delayed increase in oxidative stress markers and the activation of key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of phenolic acids. Principal component analysis provided strong evidence for the distinct mechanisms of action of MJ and MWCNTs. While MJ primarily functions through stress signaling pathways, MWCNTs combine growth stimulation with stress induction, impacting metabolic processes in different ways. These findings offer insights for optimizing elicitation strategies for enhancing the production of bioactive compounds in medicinal plant biotechnology. Lilac sage (Salvia verticillata L.) a medicinal plant from the Lamiaceae family, is rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, which are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. This study aims to compare the effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and methyl jasmonate (MJ) on the physiological and biochemical responses of S. verticillata. At the twenty-two-leaf stage, plants were subjected to foliar application of MJ (100 µM) and MWCNTs (100 mg L⁻¹), and some physiological and biochemical traits were assessed at multiple time points. The application of MJ enhanced the accumulation of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. It increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes while simultaneously causing a reduction in chlorophyll content, likely due to stress-related responses. In contrast, the application of MWCNTs initially promoted chlorophyll and protein synthesis, followed by a delayed increase in oxidative stress markers and the activation of key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of phenolic acids. Principal component analysis provided strong evidence for the distinct mechanisms of action of MJ and MWCNTs. While MJ primarily functions through stress signaling pathways, MWCNTs combine growth stimulation with stress induction, impacting metabolic processes in different ways. These findings offer insights for optimizing elicitation strategies for enhancing the production of bioactive compounds in medicinal plant biotechnology.

https://ijpb.ui.ac.ir/article_29660_edcd524db8a7f94fd9557024211a3fcd.pdf