Artemisia genus from Asteraceae family has 34 species in Iran with valuable medicinal compounds. The most important use of Artemisia has been the treatment of malaria in traditional Chinese medicine. In addition to artemisinin, it produces also other secondary metabolites such as polyphenols, terpenes, phytosterols and alkaloids. MEP (2-C-methyl-Derythritol- 4-phosphate pathway) pathway is a chloroplastic pathway by which monoterpenes are produced. It exists only in photosynthesis plants and some bacteria. In this study, monoterpene compounds produced by MEP pathway in three kinds of tissues including leaf, bud and flower were compared with the expression of three genes in the pathway (DXS, DXR, HDR). Monoterpene compounds were measured by GC/MS and genes expression was evaluated by Real-Time PCR. Six Monoterpene compounds including α-pinene, Camphene, β-Myrcene, 1,8- Cineole, Artemisia ketone and Camphor detected by GC/MS analysis on leaf, bud and flower extracts, with 60.8, 54 and 78.76 percent of extract, respectively. Artemisia ketone and Camphor had higher levels compared to other compounds. DXS expression in leaves was three times higher than that of buds and flowers. DXR showed the highest expression in flowers. Expression of HDR in leaves or buds was three times higher than that of flowers. Comparing the results of gene expression and GC/MS suggested that DXR plays more important role in producing monoterpene compounds and might be a candidate gene for genetic engineering.

Black cumin (Nigella sativa) is a medicinal plant of the Ranunculacea family which raised attention due to its pharmaceutical properties. Medical significance of N. sativa mainly attributed to its oxygenated monoterpenes which are biosynthesized via the methyl erythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway located in plastids. In this study, the essential oil components of leaves, flowers, and developmental stages of seed including half black seeds, soft black seeds, and hard black seeds were analyzed in N. sativa. Whereas no terpene was detected in flowers and leaves, seeds were found to be the major site of biosynthesis and accumulation of terpenes, and the amount of terpene compounds changed during seed maturation. The essential oil consists of monoterpenes (more than 99%) and sesquiterpenes (less than 1%). In order to improve our understanding of monoterpene metabolism, the partial sequence of a hypothetical monoterpene synthase (NsTPS2) was isolated from N. sativa plant using RACE-PCR technique. This monoterpene synthase was identified from RNA sequencing data from soft black seeds. Except of the highly conserved DDXXD motif in NsTPS2 which is necessary to validate monoterpene synthases, no other conserved regions of other identified monoterpene synthases were observed. Dendrogram analysis revealed that NsTPS2 had the highest homology with a terpene synthase (72. 89%) from Aconitum carmichaelii and these two sequences were grouped in the same group. Nigella sativa and Aconitum carmichaelii both belong to the Ranunculacea family. This indicates that the genetic information of plants of the Ranunculacea family can be used to isolate different monoterpene synthase. The results of this research can be useful in genetic manipulation and metabolic engineering of Nigella sativa.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive damage of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and reduction of dopamine in the striatum. Several studies have shown that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathophysiology of PD, and antioxidant agents can be useful in reducing the rate of neurodegeneration. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and neuroprotective effect of p-Cymene in the reserpine-induced (RES) PD rat model. Materials and methods: 40 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups, including control, receiving vehicle of p-Cymene + receiving vehicle of reserpine (VP+VR), receiving reserpine (1 mg/5 days/intraperitoneal) + vehicle of p-Cymene (RES+VP), receiving p-Cymene (50 mg/14 days/oral) + vehicle of reserpine (p-Cymene+VR) and receiving reserpine+p-Cymene (RES+p-Cymene) were divided. After the treatment, the animals were subjected to behavioral evaluation (catalepsy test and shuttle box test). At the end, the level of hippocampal catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) by ELISA and malondialdehyde (MDA) by thiobarbituric acid method and the density of apoptotic neurons in different areas of the hippocampus were measured. Results: The results showed a significant reduction in catalepsy behavior, amelioration of avoidance memory, a significant increase in CAT and SOD, and a decrease in MDA in the RES+p-Cymene group compared to the p-Cymene+VR group. On the other hand, p-Cymene prevented the increase in the density of apoptotic neurons caused by RES in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus. Conclusion: In general, the results showed that p-cymene had a protective effect in the PD model and prevented motor-cognitive disorders and neuronal damage caused by RES.

Background and Aim: Linalool is a monoterpenoid compound that is a major component of the essential oils of some aromatic plants, including lavender. The anxiolytic and sedative effects of this compound have been previously reported. In this study, the effect of systemic administration of linalool and its possible mechanism of action on pentobarbital-induced sleep in mice was investigated. Methods: In the first phase of this study, twenty-four mice in 4 separate groups received linalool at the doses of 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg sixty minutes before pentobarbital administration. Based on the results of the first phase of the study, 50 mg/kg was determined as the effective dose of linalool. In the next step, for determination of the involved mechanism in linalool hypnotic activity, diazepam as a GABA benzodiazepine receptor agonist, flumazenil a GABA benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, and WAY100635 a serotonin receptor antagonist were used. Results: Linalool, especially at the dose of 50 mg/kg, significantly and dose-dependently affected pentobarbitalinduced sleep by increasing sleep time and decreasing sleep latency. Co-administration of diazepam with linalool showed synergistic effects and increased sleep time,however, by flumazenil administration these effects were reversed. Administration of WAY100635 did not cause any effect on the increasing effect of linalool on pentobarbital-induced sleep. Conclusion: Linalool may possibly be effective on pentobarbital-induced sleep through the GABAergic pathway.

Background: Diabetes is a serious public health problem in low-and middle-income countries. There is a strong association between hyperglycemia, oxidative stress and the development of diabetes. Therefore, screening and early diagnosis of this disease in people at high risk can be effective in preventing these complications. The main route of insulin signaling is to control lipid and glucose metabolism, and its imbalance leads to type 2 diabetes. P-Cymene is an aromatic monoterpene with a wide range of therapeutic properties including antioxidant activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of p-Cymene at a dose of 50 mg / kg in preventing the symptoms of diabetes and serum factors. Methods: In this study, 30 male Wistar rats weighing approximately 250 g were randomly selected and divided into five groups: control, diabetic control (sham), metformin-treated diabetic (met), and non-diabetic treated. P-Cymene and diabetics treated with P-Cymene were divided. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at a dose of 55 mg / kg. One week after streptozotocin injection, treatment with PCymene at a dose of 50 mg / kg was performed by sunflower oil solvent for 28 days by gavage. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken from the hearts of rats and the parameters of glucose, insulin, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. Results: The results showed that diabetes increased water and food intake as well as glucose levels and decreased insulin (P<0. 001) and superoxide dismutase activity in rats and administration of P-Cymene extract improved the symptoms of diabetes and oxidative stress in Became diabetic rat.

Background: Basil (Ocimum basillicum L. ) is one of the most important medicinal plants belong to Lamiaceae family. Basil essential oil contains important terpenoid compounds, including monoterpanes and sesquiterpanes widely used in drug industries. Objective: In the current investigation, a completely randomized design-based experiment was conducted in greenhouse with three replications and treatments to study the effect of drought stress on the expression of some genes involved in monoterpanes and sesquiterpenes biosynthesis including selinene synthase (SES), beta-myrcene synthase (MYS), gamma-cadinene synthase (CDS), alpha-zingeberene synthase (ZIS) and geraniol synthase (GES), and the compounds produced by these genes in O. basilicum c. v. Keshkeni luvelou. Methods: Drought stress was applied at three levels of 100, 75 and 50% of field capacity (FC) at 6-8 leaf stages. Results: Analysis of gene expression data revealed that treatments 75% and 50% of FC increase the GES expression two and 3. 8 times, MYS expression 16 and 17. 4 times, and expression of the ZIS 1. 31 and 1. 41 times, respectively. The expression of SES gene was almost constant and the CDS expression was declined. Conclusion: the results of essential oil analysis showed that drought stress reduced the geraniol content, but increased beta-myrcene and gamma-cadinene contents. The results also showed that changes in MYS expression was consistent with the beta-myrcene content under drought stress conditions.

In this investigation, morphological (flower weight, flower diameter, peduncle length, number of flowers per inflorescence, number of petals and number of stamens), oil content, dry matter and monoterpenes of two important scented species of roses namely Damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) and Musk rose (Rosa moschata J. Herrm. var. nastarana Christ in Boiss.) from two locations (Meimand and Shiraz) were assessed. The monoterpenes of oil was determined by GC and GC-MS methods. In Damask rose, there was no statistically significant difference in studied characteristic of flowers between Meimand and Shiraz, the percentage of dry matter showed significant difference (Max. 21.57% in Meimand). On the other hand, harvesting time affected the percentages of oil content and dry matter. The highest dry matter produced on the fourth and the first times of harvesting in Meimand (22.92%) and Shiraz (20.29%), respectively. The highest oil content observed in the second time of harvesting (May 1) in Meimand and Shiraz (0.09% and 0.08%, respectively). There was no correlation between oil content and morphological characteristics. Monoterpenes content was 49.9% and 52.0% in Meimand and Shiraz, respectively. In Musk rose, flower characteristics didn’t show significant differences, but the number of stamens and dry matter percentage were significantly different between Meimand and Shiraz (120.58 stamens in Shiraz and 24.15% Dry matter in Meimand). The highest oil content obtained in the second time of harvesting (May 1) in Meimand and Shiraz (0.08%). Maximum of dry matter produced on the second and the first times of harvesting in Meimand (25.27%) and Shiraz (24.81%). A positive correlation was obtained between flower weight and number of stamens (r = +0.96). Percentages of monoterpens were 41.8% and 39.8% in Meimand and Shiraz, respectively.

Background and Objectives: Wilt disease caused by the pathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae is one of the dangerous factors threatening the cultivation of pistachio trees in the country, which has spread in different parts of the country in the last two decades, including Semnan province. Lack of suitable fungicides to control V. dahliae and continuous use of several common fungicides in the country has contributed to the spread of the fungus. Therefore, in the current situation, we need to use new compounds with high efficiency to control this pathogenic fungus. Therefore, the aim of this study was to use plant essential oils and monoterpene compounds to control pistachio verticillium Fungus. Materials and Methods: In this study, V. dahliae native isolates obtained from gardens of Shahrood (Semnan province) were used. After isolation and purification of V. dahliae, macroscopic and microscopic features including colony characteristics on PDA and conidium / microsclerotia size and shape were used for tentative-identification of isolates using valid keys. Then, the essential oils of Shirazi Thyme (Zataria multiflora) and Peppermint (Mentha piperita) were used to evaluate the antifungal effect. After preparing the herbal plants (from the medicinal plants farm of Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Semnan Province (Shahrood)), the essential oil extraction process was performed using Clevenger method. The antifungal effect was investigated by mixing with culture medium at concentrations of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 μ, L/mL. Also, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined for the two essential oils. Then, using Thymol and Carvacrol monoterpenes, antifungal effects were tested by mixing with culture medium at three concentrations of 15, 150 and 1500 μ, L/mL against V. dahliae. Results: The conidia of the isolates were evaluated in the dimensions of 1. 6 to 3. 7 μ, m individually. The microsclerotia dimensions of the isolates were 17 to 45 μ, m. Due to the dimensions of conidia, microsclerotia and colony color, the isolate was identified as V. dahliae in pistachio tree. Both Shirazi thyme essential oil and peppermint were effective in preventing the growth of V. dahliae hyphae. The results showed that Shirazi thyme essential oil had a stronger antifungal effect compared to peppermint essential oil, so that in the third week, growth was observed only at a concentration of 20 μ, L/mL, but in the case of peppermint essential oil, fungal growth was observed in all concentrations. The results of MIC and MFC were 20 and 30 μ, L/mL for Shirazi thyme and 100 and 150 μ, L/mL for peppermint essential oil, respectively. Other results of this study showed that thymol was more potent than carvacrol in preventing the growth of V. dahliae, so that at concentrations of 150 and 1500 μ, L/mL of both compounds, no fungal growth was observed, but at a concentration of 15 μ, L/mL carvacrol the growth of fungal hyphae was close to control treatment. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that two essential oils of Shirazi thyme (with the main monoterpene compounds of carvacrol and thymol) and peppermint were very effective in controlling V. dahliae, so that at concentrations less than 150 μ, L/ml, they showed the fungicidal effect. The results of this study can be used as a method to control pistachio Verticillium wilt disease.