Simultaneous application of salicylic acid and silicon in aerial parts of Scrophularia striata L. in response to drought stress

Plants respond to water shortage by regulating biochemical pathways which result in the biosynthesis of osmotic compounds. Active metabolites and compatible osmolytes control the inhibition of oxygen free radicals and dehydration. The physiological response of scrophularia striata to drought stress, a factorial completely randomized design (FCRD) experiment was conducted in three replication. Drought stress was induced at two levels (100% and 50% field capacity), and salicylic acid (SA) and silicon (Si) and Ecotype were also used at two levels of (0 and 100 PPM), (0 and 1 g/L) and (Ilam and Abdanan) respectively. Data analysis results indicated that the H2O2 content, Malondialdehyde (MDA), glycine betaine (GB) and the activity of the enzyme glutathione reductase (GR; EC 1.6.4.2) of aerial parts increased during the entire stress exposure period. Although the SA + Si + stress + ecotype interaction increased the content of soluble carbohydrate s and the GR activity in aerial parts of Ilam and Abdanan ecotypes, this interaction led to a decrease in MDA, H2O2 in Ilam ecotypes. The interaction between the stress + SA + Si + ecotype led to an increase in the phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL; EC 4.3.1.5) activity in the Abdanan ecotype, but no important difference was observed. As compared to the control treatment, the content of Polyphenol increased, The interaction between ecotype + stress + Si caused to increased the of proline content in the Abadanan ecotype. The results showed that the increase in antioxidant defense and compatible osmolytes due to the use of SA and Si can improve the drought tolerance in S.striata.

Changes in phenolic compounds production as a defensive mechanism against hydrogen sulfide pollution in Scrophularia striata

Increasing pollutants such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) from industrial activities is an ecological challenge for plants, which seriously affects their health and productivity. Scrophularia striata is a plant endemic to Iran growing in the province of Ilam, wherein a gas refinery releases toxic agents such as H₂S whose detrimental effects on the function and tolerability of medicinal plants in this region have yet to be elucidated. Thus, we initiated a hydroponic study into hormetic effect of sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) concentrations (0, 3 and 7 mM) as H₂S-donor at different time points on oxidative status and phenolic compounds, focusing more on phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) in S. striata. Our results indicated that hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) increased significantly at 3 mM NaHS after 48 h, while its peak at 7 mM occurred after 24 h. Nitric oxide (NO) level peaked at 3 mM and 7 mM after 24 h. Treatment with NaHS also resulted in a dose-dependent induction of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL) enzyme activities, phenolic acids production (cinnamic acid, coumaric acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid and salicylic acid) and acteoside accumulation, ultimately leading to an increase in antioxidant capacity. Modulation of soluble sugars contents including glucose, mannose and rhamnose/xylose, occurred after the treatment with NaHS, likely increasing plant tolerance due to their biological activity and structural effects. Overall, our results suggest that dose-dependent accumulation of phenolics, notably acteoside, leads to an augmentation in antioxidant system to deal with H₂S stress in S. striata.

Daily dynamics of intermediate metabolite profiles lead to time-dependent phenylethanoid glycosides production in Scrophularia striata during the day/night cycle

Phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) are important medicinal compounds found in Scrophularia striata, one of the plant species native to Iran. Since almost all aspects of plant life are controlled by night/light cycle, studying its relationship to valuable plant metabolites production will help us to determine the right time for their extraction. Therefore, the aim of this investigation is to figure out whether the diel light oscillations control PhGs production and how it relates to daily changes in upstream metabolic reactions and circadian clock in S. striata. For this, daily rhythms of metabolic pathways were examined every 4 h during a day/night cycle in 3 groups of control (16 h light/8 h dark), continuous light and darkness. The results showed that acteoside and echinacoside levels in each group peaked during the night and day, respectively. Thus, the PhGs production follows a rhythmic behavior in S. striata, which is probably controlled by circadian clock. Also, the levels of photosynthetic pigments, carbohydrates, amino acids, phenolic acids, phytohormones and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL) enzyme activities varied diel in a similar or different way among study groups. The observations revealed that light/dark cycle controls the carbon and energy flow from light reception to the production and consumption of starch, biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine, cinnamic acid and coumaric acid, activation of hormonal signaling pathways and enzymes involved in phenylpropanoid pathway. Overall, it can be concluded that PhGs accumulation time-dependent patterns is likely due to daily fluctuations in upstream metabolic reactions induced by light/dark cycle.

The effect of Scrophularia striata on cell attachment and biocompatibility of decellularized bovine pericardia

Since using tissue transplantation has faced limitations all over the world, regenerative medicine has introduced decellularized tissues as natural scaffolds and researchers are trying to improve their efficiency and function. In this study, to increase cell attachment and ultimately cell proliferation on decellularized bovine pericardia, scrophularia striata extract was used. Scrophularia striata is an Iranian traditional medicinal plant. For this aim after decellularization of bovine pericardium and analysis of its morphology, it was incubated in scrophularia striata solution. Next, isolated human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were cultured on the tissue. Finally, MTT assay, nitric oxide assay, and scanning electron microscopy observation were performed. MTT showed an increase in cell survival after treating the tissue with the plant extract after 48 h in a dose dependent manner significantly. The survival of cells in 0.5%, 2.5%, and 5% groups was about 5, 10 and 15 folds higher in comparison to control groups, respectively. Additionally, nitric oxide secretion in 2.5% and 5% samples was three and five folds higher than that in control group, respectively. Moreover, SEM observation indicated an impressive and dose-dependent effect of using Scrophularia striata on tissue biocompatibility. The results of this study showed that using Scrophularia striata increased cell viability and cell attachment on decellularized pericardia which could pave the way for the use of natural extracts of medicinal plants to reduce unwanted effects and make desired changes in decellularized tissues.

Phytotoxic Potential and Phenolic Profile of Extracts from Scrophularia striata

A large number of plants produce secondary metabolites known as allelochemicals that are capable of inhibiting the germination of competitive species. This process is known as allelopathy and is mediated by several classes of chemicals, among which phenolic compounds are the most frequent. Thus, plant allelochemicals can be used to control weeds in agricultural systems. In the present work, we analyzed the phenolic profile and phytotoxic potential of different extracts (pure water or water: ethanol 50:50) from Scrophulariastriata plants that were collected from two ecological regions in Iran (Pahleh and Lizan). The total polyphenolic content (TPC), as evaluated by the Folin-Ciocolteau method, ranged from 28.3 mg/g in the aqueous extract obtained from the Lizan ecotype to 39.6 mg/g in the hydroalcoholic extract obtained from the Pahleh ecotype. Moreover, HPLC analysis was aimed at determining the content of eight phenolic compounds, namely eugenol, rosmarinic acid, hesperetin, hesperedin, trans-ferulic acid, vanillin, and caffeic acid. According to the results, rosmarinic acid appeared to be the most abundant component. The phytotoxic activities of S.striata extracts were examined on the seed germination of a crop species, Lepidium sativum, and two weeds, Chenopodium album and Malva sylvestris. All extracts showed inhibitory effects on these species. The efficiency of these inhibitory effects depended on the type of plant species, origin, and concentration of extract. The highest phytotoxic activity was caused by approximately 1% concentration of extract. The most susceptible weed was M. sylvestris. The extracts that were obtained from the Pahleh ecotype, notably the hydroalcoholic ones, showed higher phytotoxicity against L. sativum, C. album and M. sylvestris. These results encourage further studies to support the use of S. striata as a source of bioherbicides.

Time-dependent behavior of phenylpropanoid pathway in response to methyl jasmonate in Scrophularia striata cell cultures

MeJA triggers a time-dependent behavior of the phenylpropanoid compounds. Plant cells produce a large number of metabolites in response to environmental factors. The cellular responses to environmental changes are orchestrated by signaling molecules, such as methyl jasmonate (MeJA). To understand how the MeJA changes the behavior of amino acids, carbohydrates, and phenylpropanoid compounds such as phenolic acids, phenylethanoid-glycosides, and flavonoids in Scrophularia striata cells; we monitored the metabolic responses for different times of exposure. In this study, we performed a time course analysis of metabolites and enzymes in S. striata cells exposed to MeJA (100 µM) and evaluated the metabolic flux towards carbon-rich secondary metabolites production. Moreover, we calculated the biosynthetic energy cost for free amino acids. Our results indicated that MeJA accelerates the sucrose degradation and directs the metabolic fluxes towards a pool of flavonoids and phenylethanoid glycosides through a change in enzyme behavior in the entry point and center of the phenylpropanoid pathway. MeJA also decreased and then raised the amino acid biosynthesis cost in S. striata cells in a time-dependent manner, indicating the cells evolve to utilize amino acids more economically by reducing cell growth. Finally, we classified the marked changes in the metabolites level and enzyme activities into three groups including early-, late-, and oscillatory-response groups to MeJA and summarized our findings as a model depicting pathway interactions during MeJA elicitation. Determination of metabolic levels in response to MeJA suggests that the changes in metabolic responses are time-dependent.

Crosstalk among polyamines, phytohormones, hydrogen peroxide, and phenylethanoid glycosides responses in Scrophularia striata to Cd stress

Plants respond to Cadmium (Cd) as a hazardous heavy metal through various mechanisms depending on their available metabolite resources. In this research, the physiological and signaling pathways mediating the responses to Cd stress in Scrophularia striata seedlings were characterized after they were exposed to different Cd concentrations at different time periods. The results showed that the polyamines (PAs), Abscisic acid (ABA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) contents were significantly enhanced at 48 h. Moreover, the enzyme activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL) as regulator enzymes in the phenylpropanoid pathway was increased, related to the reinforcement of phenolic compounds such as phenylethanoid glycosides (as a special compound of this plant). This metabolic profiling indicates that the signal transduction of Cd stress increased the activity of different enzymes (PAL and TAL) by regulating the PAs metabolism, the modulation of ABA, and the H₂O₂ content. As a result, it caused the accumulation of phenolic compounds, especially echinacoside and acteoside, both of which are required to improve the response of Cd stress in S. striata.

Clinical, in vitro and phytochemical, studies of Scrophularia striata mouthwash on chronic periodontitis disease

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory process of the oral cavity that is caused by different reasons. Streptococcus mutans bacteria is the main cause of the disease. Scrophularia striata in Iranian traditional medicine is used to heal inflammation of gum and mouth. Also, In vitro anti-bacterial effect of S. striata in S. mutans have been demonstrated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Clinical, in vitro and chemical constituent studies of S. striata on chronic periodontitis disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study is a randomized clinical trial that was performed in Dental College, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. Fifty patients with chronic periodontitis (20-50 years old) were selected and the study was approved and registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials as number IRCT2015081323468N1 prior to the experiment. The 50 patients were divided into two groups. One group used herbal mouthwash that was made from hydro alcoholic extract of S. striata and another group used Irsha mouthwash (Iranian form of Listerine mouthwash). Patients were followed up after two weeks and four weeks of using mouthwash for assessment of plaque index (PI), pocket depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP) and counting Streptococcus mutans. The mouthwash was standardized according to gallic acid, quercetin and apigenin reference using the RP-HPLC method. The total phenolic and flavonoids contents were also determined spectrophotometerically.

RESULTS

S. striata in the short term, improve plaque index, pocket depth and bleeding on probing but the number of Streptococcus mutans changed significantly in the long term and is more potent in comparison to Irsha mouthwash. The mouthwash was standardized according to gallic acid, quercetin and apigenin standard (3, 24, 11 μg, respectively). The total phenolic and flavonoid content of mouthwash were 120.7 μg GAE/100 cc and 78.6 μg QE/100 cc respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

S. striata mouthwash is effective in the treatment of chronic periodontitis disease and is more potent comparing the Iranian Irsha mouthwash.

Water stress alleviation by polyamines and phenolic compounds in Scrophularia striata is mediated by NO and H2O2

Plants respond to water stress through a variety of mechanisms, depending on metabolites preferences and their available resources. This work was performed to elucidate the cross-talk between signaling molecules (polyamines (PAs), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and nitric oxide (NO)), phenolic compounds and osmolytes (phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs), phenolic acids, flavonoids, soluble sugars and amino acids) under water stress in Scrophularia striata plants. The results revealed that PAs, NO levels were enhanced in the plants, earlier in response to polyethylene glycol-induced water stress. The antioxidative mechanisms with increased activity of catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and also phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL), as key enzymes in phenolic pathway were deployed in response to the stress. Mannose, glucose, xylose/rhamnose which are involved in PhGs biosynthesis as well as in serving osmotic adjustment were modulated. The elevated content of arginine and methionine as PAs precursors and tyrosine and phenylalanine as PhGs precursors was enhanced by water stress and was significantly associated with PAs and PhGs accumulations. Metabolic profiling revealed new information about relationship between stress signal molecules; PAs, NO and H₂O₂, osmolytes (sugers, PhGs) and phenolic compounds which involved in the improvement of water stress tolerance in S. striata.

Antioxidant and Larvicidal Activity of Areal Parts of Scrophularia striata against Malaria Vector Anopheles stephensi

BACKGROUND

Scrophularia striata is a perennial plant which is native in all parts of Iran, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. In this study, the total phenol content, antioxidant and larvicidal activities of total extract and different fractions of this plant were evaluated.

METHODS

The aerial parts of S. striata were collected from Boli village, Illam Province, western Iran in Apr 2013. The total phenol content of total extract and different fractions were evaluated by Folin-Ciocalteu method. Moreover, antioxidant activity was tested by DPPH and FRAPS assays. Larvicidal activity was investigated according to standard method described by WHO.

RESULTS

Ethyl acetate fraction (EF) had the highest content of total phenol (75.9±0.06mg Gallic acid equivalent/g dry extract). Furthermore, among the tested extract, methanol-water fraction (MWF), total methanol extract (TME) and water fraction (WF) showed the highest antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay (IC₅₀= 226.8, 283.66 and 299.4 μg.ml^-1, respectively). In FRAP assay MWF and WF and TME had the highest antioxidant activities (664.4±0.002, 565.3±0.003, 519.5±0.003mmol FeII/g dry extract, respectively). Ethyl acetate fraction had maximum larvicidal activity (LC₅₀ 49.1ppm) followed by TME (LC₅₀ 64.26ppm) and hexane fraction (HF) (LC₅₀ 89.69).

CONCLUSION

Scrophularia striata collected from west of Iran illustrated considerable antioxidant and larvicidal effects and further in vitro and in vivo experimental models for investigation would be required.

Profiling of acidic (amino and phenolic acids) and phenylpropanoids production in response to methyl jasmonate-induced oxidative stress in Scrophularia striata suspension cells

A metabolic profiling including calculation of energy cost of amino acids biosynthesis in cultured cells of Scrophularia striata showed that methyl jasmonate-inducible oxidative stress elicited secondary metabolites formation derived from phenylalanine and tyrosine and increased energy cost for these amino acids biosynthesis. Understanding of the metabolic pathways in cell culture of Scrophularia striata, an aromatic plant species, facilitates means of production of pharmaceutical metabolites under oxidative stress. In this study, we evaluated the effects of MeJA on the S. striata metabolic pathway and the responses to oxidative stress. Exposure to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) affects plant growth, effectively induces production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inserts oxidative stress at the cellular level which results in alteration of primary metabolites and production of phenylepropanoid compounds. Cells treated with MeJA indicated increase in the activities of three antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPx) as well as intracellular H2O2 and MDA contents compared with mock-treated cells. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based metabolome analysis revealed dynamic metabolic changes in oxidatively stressed S. striata cells, e.g., general phenylpropanoid pathway, phenylethanoid-glycosides, lignans, and increased energy cost of biosynthesis and accumulation of amino acids. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA)-derived score plots demonstrated that MeJA affects cellular metabolism in S. striata cells and significantly alters metabolite composition under MeJA-inducible oxidative stress. These observations suggest that MeJA-elicited cell suspension cultures of S. striata balanced the production of primary and secondary metabolites in coordination with ROS-scavenging system.

The healing effect of scrophularia striata on experimental burn wounds infected to pseudomonas aeruginosa in rat

BACKGROUND

The cause of death in burn patients after 48 hours of hospitalization has been reported to be bacterial infections. Recently, due to the compounds accelerating the healing process and the intense reduction of treatment side effects, medicinal plants are used to cure burn wound infections. This study aims to investigate the medicinal effect of the ethanolic extract of Scrophularia striata on burn wound infection in in-vivo and in-vitro in comparison with silver sulfadiazine (SSD).

METHODS

One hundred and fifty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 3 equal groups. A hot plate of 1×1cm was used to create second degree burn wounds. The ethanolic extract of S. striata was provided through percolation method. Group 1 was treated with SSD, group 2 with S. striata, and group 3 was considered as control group. All animals were infected to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. On days 3, 7, 10, 14, and 21 after burn wound injury, the animals were euthanized and were evaluated histologically. The MIC and MBC were determined using the micro dilution method.

RESULTS

The rate of wound healing was significantly greater in S. striata group in comparison to SSD and control groups.

CONCLUSION

S. striata contains was shown to have anti-bacterial and wound healing effects while this effect was significantly more than SSD denoting to its use when needed for burn wounds infected to P. aeruginosa.

Effects of Scrophularia striata water extract on quality and shelf life of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillets during superchilled storage

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Scrophularia striata water extract on the quality and shelf life of the rainbow trout fillet during superchilled storage. Fish samples were treated with 1% and 3% S. striata water extract and then stored at -2°C for 20 days. The samples were analyzed periodically for chemical, microbial and sensory characteristics. Results indicated that incorporation of S. striata water extract on rainbow fillets caused the delay of lipid peroxidation and hydrolytic spoilage in 3% treated sample in comparison with the control sample at the last day of the experiment (P<0.05). Moreover, fish fillets containing 3% S. striata water extract showed lower bacterial count than the control and 1% water extract supplemented samples (P<0.05) during the experiment. According to sensory analysis results, 3% treated samples were acceptable even at the end of the 20-day storage. It was concluded that the effect of S. striata extract on fish samples was to retain their good quality characteristics and extend the shelf life during superchilled storage.

Two matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors from scrophularia striata boiss

Many species belonging to the Scrophularia genus have been used since ancient times as folk remedies for many medical conditions such as scrofulas, scabies, tumors, eczema, psoriasis, inflammations. The aim of this study was to characterize the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) inhibitor compounds of the Scrophularia striata extract by bio-guide fractionation. The aerial parts of S. striata were collected and different extracts were sequentially prepared with increasingly polar solvents. The MMPs inhibitory activity of the crude extract and its fractions were evaluated by the Zymoanalysis method. The pure compounds were purified from the active fraction by chromatography methods. Chemical structures were deduced by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Two active compounds (acteoside and nepitrin) were identified by bio-guide fractionation. The inhibitory effects of nepitrin and acteoside at 20 µg/mL were about 56 and 18 percent, respectivly. The inhibitory effects of acteoside at 80 µg/mL were increased to about 73 percent. In summary, the results suggest that nepitrin effectively inhibited MMPs inhibitory activity at low concentrations, whereas acteoside showed inhibition at high concentrations.

Neuroprotective Effect of Total and Sequential Extract of Scrophularia striata Boiss. in Rat Cerebellar Granule Neurons Following Glutamate- Induced Neurotoxicity: An In-vitro Study

Neuroprotective effect of the extract from aerial parts of Scrophularia striata Boiss (Scrophulariaceae) was investigated against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity on cultured rat pups Cerebellar Granule Neurons (CGNs). CGNs from 8 days old Sprague-Dawley rat were prepared and cultured. The experiments were performed after 8 days in culture. The plant was collected from the northeastern part (Ruin region) of Iran and air-dried at room temperature. The total extract was prepared with maceration of prepared powder in ethanol 80% for three times. SEQUENTIAL EXTRACTS WERE OBTAINED USING DRIED AND POWDERED AERIAL PARTS WITH INCREASINGLY POLAR SOLVENTS: petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol 80% solution. Cultured cells were exposed to 125 μM of glutamate for 12 h following a 24 h of incubation with test fractions at concentration of 10 mcg/mL. Morphological assay was performed using invert light microscope after fixation and staining with haematoxylin. Neuronal viability was measured using MTT assay. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed by Tukey post-hoc test. Values were considered statistically significant when p-value ≤ 0.05. Results of this study showed a significant neuroprotective activity of high polarity methanolic fraction of aerial parts of Scrophularia striata against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in a dosedependent manner. Treatment with 10 mcg/mL of the fractions showed the best result.