Green synthesis of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide and Silver Nanoparticles in Satureja hortensis Leave Extract: Evaluation of Antifungal Effects on Botryosphaeriaceae Species.

In recent years, green synthesis methods of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been attractive because of the more facile, cheaper, and appropriate features associated with biomolecules in MNPs biosynthesis. This research represented an easy, fast, and environmentally friendly method to biosynthesis of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by the Satureja hortensis leaf extract as stabilizer and reducer. The SPIONPs synthesized in co-precipitation method. The biosynthesized SPIONPs and AgNPs were studied their antifungal effects against three Botryosphaeriaceae plant pathogens, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Diplodia seriata, and Neofusicoccum parvum. UV-visible spectra (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (Fe-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM) analyses were used to evaluate the physicochemical properties and verify the formation of green synthesized SPIONPs and AgNPs. UV-Vis spectra revealed absorption peaks at 243 and 448 nm for SPIONs and 436 nm for AgNPs, respectively. Microscopic and XRD analysis showed that SPIONPs and AgNPs was found spherical in shape with an average particle size of SPIONPs and AgNPs 10 and 12 nm, respectively. The antifungal test against Botryosphaeriaceae species showed that SPIONPs and AgNPs possess antifungal properties against B. dothidea, D. seriata, and N. parvum. However, AgNPs exhibits greater antifungal activity than SPIONPs. The results of the cytotoxicity tests of SPIONs and AgNPs on the MCF-7 cell line showed that AgNPs was significantly more cytotoxic towards the MCF-7 cell line, whereas no significant cytotoxic effect was recorded by SPIONs. Therefore, these biosynthesized MNPs could be substituted for toxic fungicides that are extensively applied in agriculture and contribute to environmental health and food safety.

Phytochemical, antioxidant, enzyme activity and antifungal properties of Satureja khuzistanica in vitro and in vivo explants stimulated by some chemical elicitors.

Context: Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad. (Lamiaceae), is known for its antifungal and antioxidant compounds, especially rosmarinic acid (RA).Objective: The study examines the effect of elicitors on RA production and phytochemical properties of S. khuzistanica.Materials and methods: In vitro plants were treated with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). In vivo plants were treated with MWCNTs and salicylic acid (SA). RA was measured by HPLC. Catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were quantified. DPPH and ß-carotene were assayed in in vivo extracts. The antifungal effects of extracts were evaluated against Fusarium solani K (FsK).Results: The highest RA contents of in vitro plants were 50 mg/L MeJA (140.99 mg/g DW) and 250 mg/L MWCNTs (140.49 mg/g DW). The highest in vivo were 24 h MWCNTs (7.13 mg/g DW) and 72 h SA (9.12 mg/g DW). The maximum POD and APX activities were at 100 mg/L MeJA (5 and 4 mg protein, respectively). CAT had the highest activities at 50 mg/L MeJA (2 mg protein). DPPH and ß-carotene showed 50% and 80% inhibition, respectively. The FsK aggregation was the lowest for in vitro extract in number of conidia [1.82 × 1010], fresh weight (6.51 g) and dry weight (0.21 g) that proved RA inhibitory effects. The callus reduces FsK growth diameter to 2.75 on the 5th day.Discussion and conclusions: Application of MeJA, SA, and MWCNTSs could increase RA in S. khuzistanica and highlighted potential characteristics in pharmaceutical and antifungal effects.

In Vitro Study of the Anticancer Effects of Biotechnological Extracts of the Endangered Plant Species Satureja Khuzistanica.

Many medicinal plant species are currently threatened in their natural habitats because of the growing demand for phytochemicals worldwide. A sustainable alternative for the production of bioactive plant compounds are plant biofactories based on cell cultures and organs. In addition, plant extracts from biofactories have significant advantages over those obtained from plants, since they are free of contamination by microorganisms, herbicides and pesticides, and they provide more stable levels of active ingredients. In this context, we report the establishment of Satureja khuzistanica cell cultures able to produce high amounts of rosmarinic acid (RA). The production of this phytopharmaceutical was increased when the cultures were elicited with coronatine and scaled up to a benchtop bioreactor. S. khuzistanica extracts enriched in RA were found to reduce the viability of cancer cell lines, increasing the sub-G0/G1 cell population and the activity of caspase-8 in MCF-7 cells, which suggest that S. khuzistanica extracts can induce apoptosis of MCF-7 cells through activation of the extrinsic pathway. In addition, our findings indicate that other compounds in S. khuzistanica extracts may act synergistically to potentiate the anticancer activity of RA.

Interaction of melatonin and H2S mitigates NaCl toxicity summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) through Modulation of biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and physio-biochemical attributes.

As versatile signaling molecules, melatonin (ML) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are well-known for their roles in response to abiotic stresses. However, their cross-talk to the regulation of biochemical defence responses and secondary metabolite synthesis during salinity has received less attention. Here, the role of ML-H2S interplay in inducing defensive responses and the biosynthesis of essential oil compounds in summer savoury plants under NaCl treatment was investigated. NaCl treatment, by increasing Na accumulation, disrupting nitrogen metabolism, and inducing oxidative stress, lowered photosynthetic pigments and savoury growth. NaCl treatment also resulted in a decrease in γ-terpinene (10.3%), α-terpinene (21.9%), and p-cymene (15.3%), while an increase in carvacrol (9.1%) was observed over the control. ML and ML + H2S increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the level of total phenols and flavonoids, resulting in decreased levels of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion and alleviation of oxidative damage under salinity. ML and ML + H2S increased K uptake and restored K/Na homeostasis, thus protecting the photosynthetic apparatus against NaCl-induced toxicity. ML and ML + H2S treatments also improved nitrate/ammonium homeostasis and stimulated nitrogen metabolism, leading to improved summer savoury adaptation to NaCl stress. ML and ML + H2S changed the composition of essential oils, leading to an increase in the monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes in plants stressed with NaCl. However, the addition of an H2S scavenger, hypotaurine, inhibited the protective effects of the ML and ML + H2S treatments under NaCl stress, which could confirm the function of H2S as a signaling molecule in the downstream defence pathway induced by ML.

Comparative transcriptome analysis to identify putative genes involved in carvacrol biosynthesis pathway in two species of Satureja, endemic medicinal herbs of Iran.

Satureja is rich in phenolic monoterpenoids, mainly carvacrol, that is of interest due to diverse biological activities including antifungal and antibacterial. However, limited information is available regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying carvacrol biosynthesis and its regulation for this wonderful medicinal herb. To identify the putative genes involved in carvacrol and other monoterpene biosynthesis pathway, we generated a reference transcriptome in two endemic Satureja species of Iran, containing different yields (Satureja khuzistanica and Satureja rechingeri). Cross-species differential expression analysis was conducted between two species of Satureja. 210 and 186 transcripts related to terpenoid backbone biosynthesis were identified for S. khuzistanica and S. rechingeri, respectively. 29 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in terpenoid biosynthesis were identified, and these DEGs were significantly enriched in monoterpenoid biosynthesis, diterpenoid biosynthesis, sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis, carotenoid biosynthesis and ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis pathways. Expression patterns of S. khuzistanica and S. rechingeri transcripts involved in the terpenoid biosynthetic pathway were evaluated. In addition, we identified 19 differentially expressed transcription factors (such as MYC4, bHLH, and ARF18) that may control terpenoid biosynthesis. We confirmed the altered expression levels of DEGs that encode carvacrol biosynthetic enzymes using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). This study is the first report on de novo assembly and transcriptome data analysis in Satureja which could be useful for an understanding of the main constituents of Satureja essential oil and future research in this genus.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization leads to a change of hormone profile in micropropagated plantlet Satureja khuzistanica Jam.

Phytohormones are supposed to contribute to the establishment of mutualistic Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbioses. However, their role in the acclimation of micropropagated plantlet inoculated with AM is still unknown. To address this question, we performed a hormone profiling during the acclimation of Satureja khuzistanica plantlets inoculated with Rhizoglomus fasciculatum. The levels of indoleacetic acid (IAA), methyl indole acetic acid, cis-zeatin, cis zeatin ribose, jasmonate, jasmonoyl isoleucine, salicylic acid, abscisic acid (ABA) were analyzed. Further, the relative gene expression of AOS (Allene oxide synthase) as a key enzyme of jasmonate biosynthesis, in either inoculated or non-inoculated micropropagated plantlets was evaluated during acclimation period. The concentrations of IAA and cis-zeatin increased in the plantlets inoculated by AM whereas the concentration of ABA decreased upon 60 days acclimation in the whole shoot of plantlets of S. khuzistanica. The relative expression of AOS gene resulted in an increase of isoleucine jasmonate, the bioactive form of jasmonate. Based on our results, IAA and cis-zeatin probably contribute to maintaining growth, and AM reduces transition stress by modifying ABA and jasmonate concentrations.

Fumigant Antifungal Activity via Reactive Oxygen Species of Thymus vulgaris and Satureja hortensis Essential Oils and Constituents against Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae and Rhizoctonia solani.

In this study, the fumigant antifungal activity of 10 Lamiaceae plant essential oils was evaluated against two phytopathogenic fungi, Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae, and Rhizoctonia solani. Among the tested essential oils, thyme white (Thymus vulgaris) and summer savory (Satureja hortensis) essential oils exhibited the strongest fumigant antifungal activity against the phytopathogenic fungi. We analyzed the chemical composition of two active essential oils and tested the fumigant antifungal activities of the identified compounds. Among the tested compounds, thymol and carvacrol had potent fumigant antifungal activity. We observed reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in two fungi treated with thymol and carvacrol. Confocal laser scanning microscopy images of fungi stained with propidium iodide showed that thymol and carvacrol disrupted fungal cell membranes. Our results indicated that ROS generated by thymol and carvacrol damaged the cell membrane of R. querqus-mongolicae and R. solani, causing cell death.

Non-structural carbohydrates and nitrogen dynamics in mediterranean sub-shrubs: an analysis of the functional role of overwintering leaves.

Previous studies have led to contrasting results about the role of overwintering leaves as storage sites, which is related to leaf longevity and life-form. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional role of the leaves of four species of Mediterranean sub-shrubs, with different leaf phenology, as sources of nitrogen (N) and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) for shoot growth. The seasonal dynamics of the concentrations and pools of N and NSC were assessed monthly in the leaves and woody organs of each species. Overwintering and spring leaves served as N and NSC sources for shoot growth in the evergreen species analyzed, providing up to 73 % and 324 % of the N demand for spring and autumn growth, respectively. Excess autumn N was stored in woody structures which contributed to the N and NSC requirements of spring growth. In the winter deciduous species, woody organs were the main N source for spring growth, while current photosynthesis from immature brachyblasts seemed to be the main carbon (C) source. Due to their short lifespan, overwintering and spring leaves did not show several translocation processes throughout their life time, their contribution to new growth being made during senescence. The successive exchange of leaf cohorts displayed by Mediterranean sub-shrubs might serve as a mechanism to recycle N and C between consecutive cohorts as plants perform the pheno-morphological changes needed to adapt their morphology to the seasonality of their environment.

Production and optimisation of rosmarinic acid by Satureja hortensis L. callus cultures.

In this study, production and optimisation of rosmarinic acid, a phenolic acid and an economically important metabolite, was investigated in the callus cultures established from the mature seeds of Satureja hortensis L. (summer savory) plant. Gamborg's B5 basal medium, supplemented with indol butyric acid (IBA) (1.00 mg L(-1)), N6-benzyl aminopurine (6-BA) (1.00 mg L(-1)) and sucrose (2.5%, w/v), was employed for the establishment and maintenance of the callus cultures. Applications were individually prepared by preparing the media containing different IBA/6-BA combinations and sucrose concentrations. All of the applications were carried out in the continuous dark. In the applications, where the effects of IBA/6-BA combinations on the growth and rosmarinic acid accumulation were assayed (1-15 applications), the highest biomass yield was obtained from the medium supplemented with 1.00 mg L(-1) IBA and 5.00 mg L(-1) 6-BA. In the case of the rosmarinic acid accumulation, an opposite relationship was determined between the growth and rosmarinic acid production. While the highest biomass yield was obtained from the medium containing 1.00 mg L(-1) IBA and 5.00 mg L(-1) 6-BA, the highest rosmarinic acid accumulation was obtained from the medium supported with 1.00 mg L(-1) IBA and 1.00 mg L(-1) 6-BA. In the applications where the effects of sucrose concentrations on the growth and rosmarinic acid accumulation were examined, the highest biomass yield was obtained from the medium which is supplemented with 5.0% (w/v) sucrose. In this category, the highest rosmarinic acid accumulation was obtained from the medium which is supported with 3.0% (w/v) sucrose. According to the experiments carried out with the wild S. hortensis, it is found to have 25.02+/-1.21 mg g(-1) rosmarinic acid. No differentiation was observed in any callus during the course of this study.

Relationships among fourteen species of Satureja growing wild in Iran detected with molecular markers.

The genus Satureja is an important plant with a number of aromatic and medicinal properties. In this research, the relative efficiencies of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and selectively amplified microsatellite polymorphic loci (SAMPL) were used to detect genetic relationships among 14 species of Satureja, growing wild in Iran. Eleven AFLP and 14 SAMPL primer combinations produced 999 and 1142 scorable bands, respectively, all of the fragments of which were found to be polymorphic. The average genetic similarity values based on Jaccard's coefficient were 0.24 and 0.21 for AFLP and SAMPL, respectively, indicating considerable distance and diversity in the studied germplasm. The correlation coefficients were statistically significant between both marker systems (r = 0.89). UPGMA derived from the combined binary data matrices of both markers depicted genetic distinctions among the studied species and clustered them into two main clusters and several groups. S. edmondi showed the maximum distance from other species and was placed into a single main cluster, while the maximum similarity was obtained between S. rechingeri and S. khuzistanica. Our results indicate that both marker systems are suitable for differentiating individuals and species of this genus.

Inhibition of the mevalonate pathway enhances carvacrol biosynthesis and DXR gene expression in shoot cultures of Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad.

Carvacrol is a major component of Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad (≤90%) that has significant antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Considering the specific capabilities of S. khuzistanica to produce highly pure carvacrol, this plant is an important potential source of carvacrol that could address the abundant consumption and increasing demand for this monoterpene in current world markets. This research was performed to better understand the process of biosynthesis and accumulation of carvacrol in S. khuzistanica. Tests were performed on shoot cultures of S. khuzistanica in Linsmaier-Skoog (LS) medium treated with different concentrations of fosmidomycin (an inhibitor of the non-mevalonate pathway) and mevinolin (an inhibitor of the mevalonate pathway) for 21 days at the following concentrations: 0, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 µM. The present study demonstrated that the MEP pathway is the major pathway that provides IPP for the biosynthesis of carvacrol, and the expression and activity levels of the DXR enzyme have a critical effect on carvacrol biosynthesis. Surprisingly, Mevinolin at concentrations of 75 and 100 µM increased the carvacrol content and the DXR activity and gene expression in S. khuzistanica plantlets.

Temporal dynamics of the arthropod community in pear orchards intercropped with aromatic plants.

BACKGROUND: Increasing attention has been paid to enhancing biological control through habitat management in agricultural systems for enhanced pest management. Pest management benefits can be realised by intercropping, which can increase natural enemy abundance and, in turn, reduce pest abundance. In this study, the composition and temporal dynamics of arthropod communities in pear orchards when intercropped with aromatic plants were investigated, and the effectiveness and applicability of aromatic plants as intercrops for enhancing insect control were assessed. RESULTS: When compared with natural grasses or clean tillage, intercropping significantly reduced pest abundance and increased the ratio of natural enemies to pests. Intercropping also shortened the occurrence duration and depressed the incidence peak in annual dynamics curves of the pest subcommunity and the arthropod community, mainly because of the repellent effects of aromatic plants. Equally important, intercropping significantly reduced the numbers of major pests, such as Psylla chinensis, Aphis citricola and Pseudococcus comstocki, while their incidence period was delayed to varying degrees, and the numbers of their dominant natural enemies (Coccinella septempunctata, Phytoseiulus persimilis and Chrysoperla sinica) increased. CONCLUSION: Intercropping with aromatic plants led to a considerable improvement in arthropod pest management by enhancing the activity of the beneficial arthropod community within the pear orchard ecosystem.

Multiplicação in vitro de segmentos apicais caulinares de segurelha (Satureja hortensis L. ) / In vitro multiplication of apical shoot segments of Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis L. )

O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito de BAP, na presença e ausência de ANA, sobre a multiplicação in vitro de segmentos apicais caulinares de Satureja hortensis. Os explantes foram isolados de plântulas germinadas in vitro e cultivados em meio nutritivo MS. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2x5, correspondendo às concentrações de ANA (0 e 1 µM) e de BAP (0; 5; 10; 15 e 20 µM), com seis repetições, cada uma composta por três explantes. Para a porcentagem de explantes com brotações houve efeito significativo para o fator BAP, aumentando à medida que cresce a concentração da citocinina. A variável "número de brotos por explante" apresentou interação entre os fatores, havendo a maior formação de brotos na presença de ANA na faixa de 10 - 15 µM de BAP. Na presença da auxina, o maior valor ocorreu com 15 µM de BAP tendendo a diminuir independente da presença de ANA. O enraizamento dos segmentos apicais foi maior na presença de ANA e ausência de BAP, diminuindo com o aumento da citocinina. O número de folhas foi influenciado pela maior concentração de BAP sendo que a 15 µM foi observado o maior número, tendendo à queda com aumento da concentração. A concentração de 15 µM de BAP, independente de ANA, proporcionou os melhores resultados na multiplicação da espécie produzindo aumento de brotações e número de folhas, à exceção do enraizamento que foi influenciado pela auxina.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of BAP in the presence and absence of NAA, on the in vitro multiplication of shoot apical segments of Satureja hortensis. The explants were isolated from seedlings germinated in vitro and cultured in nutrient medium MS. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2x5 factorial arrangement, corresponding to the concentrations of NAA (0 and 1 µM) and BAP (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 µM), with six replicates, each consisting of three explants. For the percentage of explants with shoots, there was no significant effect for the factor BAP, increasing as the concentration of BAP grows. The variable number of shoots per explant showed interaction between factors, with the highest shoot formation in the presence of NAA and BAP in the range of 10 -15 µM. In the presence of auxin, the highest value occurred with 15 µM BAP, tending to decline regardless of the presence of NAA. The rooting of the apical segments was higher in the presence of NAA and absence of BAP, decreasing with increasing cytokinin. Leaf number was influenced by the higher concentration of BAP, and the amount of 15 µMhadthe largest number, tending to decrease with increasing concentration. The concentration of 15 µM BAP, regardless of NAA, provided better results in the multiplication of the species, producing increased number of shoots and leaves, except for rooting, whichwas influenced by auxin.