Background: Zataria multiflora Boiss. (Lamiaceae) has been found in Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Z. multiflora called ‘ Avishane Shirazi’ in Persian is used as a seasoned in many foods in Iran. The literature survey demonstrated that Z. multiflora has immunostimulant, pain-relieving, antinociceptive, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, antifungal effects and also widely used in traditional medicine for analgesia, diarrhea, infectious diseases, and gastrointestinal problems. Objective: The subject of this study is performing phytochemical constituents of methanolic extract of Z. multiflora. Methods: The application of various chromatographic techniques such as normal and reverse C18 chromatography let to isolation, purification and identification of several flavonoids. Results: In this investigation, the fractionation of methanol extract of the aerial parts of Z. multiflora led to the isolation and purification of three known flavonoid glycosides namely Luteolin 7-O-glucopyranoside, Apigenin 7-O-rutinoside and Luteolin 7-O-rutinoside whose structures were determined by 1D and 2D-NMR spectroscopic studies, in particular, homo-COSY and hetero (HSQC and HMBC). Conclusion: The results show a methanolic extract of Z. multiflora is a rich source of flavonoids and triterpenoids.

Background. Zataria multiflora Boiss is an Iranian medicinal plant from lamiaceae family. It could be found in central and southern regions of Iran. Several pharmacological effects such as antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseizure and anti-inflammatory effects have been reported for this plant but only its antifungal effects has been studied yet. Flavonoids and the essential oil are the most important constituents of this plant. In this study the possible anti-inflammatory effect of its total extract, the essential oil and flavonoid fractions were examined in carrageen an (CAR) test.Methods. Male Wistar rats weighing 180-220 g in groups of 6 were used. CAR was injected in sub plantar surface of right (10 mg/ml, 0.1 ml) paw of rats and the inflammation was measured 3 hrs later by plethysmograph. Dexamethasone (1mg/kg.ip) was used as standard.Results. All fractions of the plant including total extract (900 mg/kg p.o, 500 mg/kg i.p.), flavonoid (900 mg/kg p.o and i.p) and the essential oil had significant preventive effect on CAR-induced rat paw edema. In contrast to indomethacin (positive control) both total extract and the essential oil did not show any ulcerogenic effect on rat stomach.Discussion. Thus, this plant has a significant anti-inflammatory effect which in part is due to its flavonoids and the essential oil but other active substances of the plant could be involved. The lack of ulcerogenic effects is its important advantage. After purification of active ingredients further toxicological and in-vivo studies should be designed for this potential effective anti-inflammatory plant.

Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen that produces widespread infections. Increasing antibiotic usage for S. aureus infections, created antibiotic resistance and hence need for production of new antibiotics. Medicinal herb with antimicrobial effect have important role in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to survey antimicrobial effect of hydroalchoholic extract of Zataria multiflora on S. aureus. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentratioin (MBC) of extract of dried leaf of Z. multiflora were determined by macro-dilution method. The changes of the number of bacteria in the presence of different concentrations (25% and 30%) of extract and time were assessed. The results were compared with changes of the number of bacteria in presence of 4 µg/ml oxacillin. The results showed that MIC and MBC was equal 25% for extract of Z. multiflora and reduction of the number of bacteria on the present of 30% of extract after 8h is equal with reduction of the number of bacteria exposed to 4 µg/ml oxacillin after 4h. Z .multiflora is native for Iran. Further studies and research on the antimicrobial effects of this medicinal herb, probably, may lead to production of herbal drugs.

Zataria multiflora Boiss. is one of the valuable and endangered medicinal plants used in food and medicine industries. A study was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications in four habitats of Isfahan, Fars, Yazd and Hormozgan provinces to investigate some of the mineral elements of Zataria multiflora Boiss. (Shirazian thyme) and also for comparing the accumulation of heavy metals in some natural habitats of the country. The mineral elements of this medicinal plant including micronutrients and a number of essential and high-consumption elements such as iron, zinc, manganese, copper, magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium and a number of metals such as chromium, cobalt, silicon, lead, arsenic, nickel, cadmium, vanadium, totally 17 elements, were measured by using an inductively coupled plasma measuring apparatus (ICP-OES). The results of analysis of variance showed a significant difference among habitats for all elements except arsenic, cadmium and mercury (P <0. 01). The three mentioned metals were not detected by the ICP apparatus and were, therefore, considered negligible. The results of this research also showed that the habitat affected the qualitative attributes of the study species. The plants grown in Yazd had the maximum amount of sodium, magnesium, iron and the minimum amount of calcium and cobalt, while the plants grown in Isfahan had maximum amount of zinc, manganese, copper, potassium and minimum amount of sodium and magnesium, indicating the significant effect of habitat on the qualitative attributes on this medicinal plant. Comparison of the amount of heavy elements accumulated in collected plants with permissible limit, reported by the World Health Organization, indicated that these elements were not toxic. This research was aimed to study the possibility of introducing ionomic indicators for identification of Zataria multiflora Boiss. populations as well as comparison of product health among different habitats.

Zataria multiflora is traditionally used for diarrhea, cold, blowing, headache, wound, fever, skin sensitiveness and fat and sugar blood from ancient times. This investigation was carried for knowing some ecological characteristics of Zataria multiflora and using them in abundant cultivation for using in medicinal industries and prevents the plants region from destroying from 1379 for two years. Climatic, Geologic and Geomorphologic characteristics, Land types, Companion plants, Habitat types and Distribution map were provided for all of habitats and in Ahmadi, Badafshan and Tangezagh regions phenologic study were done, and also vegetative parameters measurement and soil analysis. This species was distributed from Northern to the nearest point to Persian Gulf (Abgarme geno) and from the Western point in Chahshanbeh mount in Gavbandy to Bashagard region (Khomeini shahr shang mountain), in East from 25°m to 185°m altitude. Climate of the regions is semi-dry, hot and semi-dry desert. 57.6 percent of habitats of this species are mountainous region and 54.6 percent of it was located on Calcareous structure. This plant grows in sandyloam with pH=7.9-8.4 and EC=0.58-1.05 mm fern.There are more than 150 species were determined in all of habitats that Cymbopogon olivieri, Amygdalus scoparia, Pistacia khinjuk, Pistacia atlantica, Teucrium pollium, Amygdalus lycioides and Astragalus jasciculifolius were common in all of them.

Zataria multiflora Boiss. (Avishan Shirazi) is a plant belonging to the labiatae family indigenous to Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The plant is used in traditional medicine as antiseptic and antispasmedic.In the present study, the analgesic effect of Z. multiflora fractions was investigated. The dried and powdered plant was extracted with methanol and preliminary phytochemicl tests were performed. The presence of alkaloids and flavonoids was shown. The methanol: chloroform (1:1) extract was prepared and partitioned between methanolic water (9:1) and n-hexane. The active hydroalcoholic fraction was further partitioned between methanolic water (3:2) and chloroform. The hydroalcoholic fraction showed significant activity in whriting test. This fraction was further fractionated on silica gel column giningsix fractions. FractionsA, C, F showed activity comparable to that of morphine.

Optimization of callus culture of Zataria multiflora carried out in order to improve rosmarinic acid (RA) production as a secondary metabolite. The research was conducted using factorial experiments based on randomized complete design. Callus induction from the shoot node culture was realized on MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-D (0.5mg/l) and Kinetin (1mg/l). Optimized growth was obtained on Gamborg medium (salt and vitamins) with BA (0.75 mg/l) in dark. The tissues were cultivated in the same medium with sucrose (30, 60 g/1) or glucose (60, 75, 90 g/l) under 16h light/ 8h dark or continuous dark. Accumulation of RA was measured after 45 days of culture by HPLC. Accumulation of RA in callus culture was higher than in seedlings. Also, the higher biomass was obtained with callus culture. High quantities of RA (15.6%) were obtained with glucose treatment. There was not significant difference between 90 and 75g/1 glucose for RA content, but higher callus growth was obtained with 75g/l than with 90g/l glucose. The results indicated that osmotic agents and illumination had a significant effect on RA accumulation in Zataria callus cultures. Furthermore, higher biomass and RA amounts can be obtained from callus cultures than from the cultured seedling.