Abolfazl Shakeri

During a survey of endophytic fungi associated with medicinal plants in Iran, three novel species of the genus Xenodidymella including X. euphorbiae, X. hamanae and X. kopetdagensis were isolated from asymptomatic tissues of Euphorbia kopetdaghi Prokh and Thymus transcaspicus Klokov. Species delimitation was conducted using a combination of morphological characterisation and multilocus phylogenetic analyses based on the ITS rDNA, partial beta-tubulin (tub2), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2) gene regions. Both Bayesian inference and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analyses revealed that each new species formed distinct, well-supported clades, clearly separated from previously known taxa. In addition, Xenodidymella camporesii is reported for the first time from healthy roots of Salvia sclarea L., representing a novel host record. These findings suggest a potential endophytic lifestyle for Xenodidymella species, contrasting with their traditionally known roles as pathogens or saprobes. This study contributes to the taxonomic expansion of the genus and underscores the rich, yet underexplored fungal diversity of Iran's arid and semi-arid ecosystems.

Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertner, commonly known as Milk Thistle, is a medicinal plant of the Asteraceae family, valued for its bioactive flavonolignans, particularly silybin (A + B). Despite its widespread distribution, limited research has explored the impact of diverse climatic conditions on its phytochemical properties especially on wild populations that evolved under diverse climatic conditions. This study examined the effects of climatic parameters on the phytochemical composition of S. marianum seeds collected from various geographical regions. The findings revealed substantial variation in silybin (A + B) content among wild populations. Seeds from Gorgan, characterized by high soil temperatures and moderate rainfall, exhibited the highest silybin content (0.06 mg/g dry weight), whereas Ardabil seed population, with its cold climate and high altitude, had the lowest content (0.018 mg/g dry weight). In contrast, phenolic and flavonoid compounds and antioxidant activity were highest in Ardabil seeds population, indicating enhanced biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in response to cooler temperatures and higher altitudes. Fatty acid composition also varied, with Ardabil seeds population containing more saturated fatty acids and Gorgan seeds population showing a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids. Additionally, drought stress significantly increased silybin content (A + B) while reducing phenol and flavonoid levels, highlighting an adaptive response to environmental stressors. This study underscores the significant influence of climatic factors on the phytochemical profiles of S. marianum. These insights are crucial for optimizing its cultivation and maximizing its medicinal potential.

Ziziphora clinopodioides (Lamiaceae) is recognized as a native Iranian herb used for the treatment of diarrhea, intestinal gas, nausea, and vomiting. There is lack of consensus among some authors on its taxonomic boundaries at the subspecific level. To resolve this issue, the present study aimed to employ a combination of morphological, molecular, and phytochemical analyses. Firstly, 90 vegetative and floral characteristics were measured from 90 specimens of this species followed by conducting multivariate analyses on the 46 significantly discriminating morphological traits. Additionally, molecular markers (SRAP) were utilized generating 601 total loci of which 593 (98.31%) were polymorphic. The SRAP markers proved to be efficient, as demonstrated by the principal component analysis plot, which grouped all individuals according to their morphotypes, regardless of geographical location. According to the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), 10.69% of the total variations were associated with within-populations, while 89.31% were observed among populations. Furthermore, chemical analysis of essential oils (EOs) revealed the presence of Pulegone, 1,8-Cineole, and P-Mentha-3-n-8-ol as the major (>10%) EOs constituents in Z. clinopodioides. Notably, eight EOs compounds (Menthone, B-Pinene, Terpinen-4-ol, Minth-furanone, a-Thujene, Tricyclene, Caryophyllene-oxide, and Germacrene-d) identified in this study, show reliable yields with chemotaxonomic significance within the complex. A high correlation between the genetic markers and EOs content (Pearson’s correlation coefficient, r = 0.6) suggests that genetic markers may be linked to the EOs constituents. Overall, our results obtained from a combination of morphological, molecular, and chemical analyses indicate that nine subspecies of the Z. clinopodioides complex could be decreased to four subspecies.

The abietane‐type diterpenoids are among the most significant diterpene subsets found in hundreds of plant species belonging to various families. Among which, the members of the genus Salvia and Euphorbia are rich in abietane diterpenoids. Because of the chemical diversity and notable bioactivities, such as anticancer, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities, they are attractive. Herein, recent advances in the isolation and characterization of abietanes from natural sources, as well as their biological activities, from 2015 up to 2024 are reviewed. During this time, over 300 abietanes with diverse structures have been discovered.

Acetophenones are naturally occurring phenolic compounds which have found in over 24 plant families and also fungi strains. They are exist in both free or glycosides form in nature. The biological activities of these compounds have been assayed and reported including cytotoxicity, antimicrobial, antimalarial, antioxidant and antityrosinase activities. Herein, we review the chemistry and biological activity of natural acetophenone derivatives that have been isolated and identified until January 2024. Taken together, it was reported 252 acetophenone derivatives in which the genera Melicope (69) and Acronychia (44) were the principal species as producers of acetophenones. Graphical Abstract