• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.274-281
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• 2019

Pistacia chinensis Bunge has not only been used as a medicinal plant to treat various illnesses but its young shoots and leaves have also been used as vegetables. In addition, P. chinensis is used as a rootstock for Pistacia vera (pistachio). Here, the transcriptome of P. chinensis was sequenced to enrich genetic resources and identify secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways using Illumina RNA-seq methods. De novo assembly resulted in 18,524 unigenes with an average length of 873 bp from 19 million RNA-seq reads. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotation tool assigned KO (KEGG orthology) numbers to 6,553 (36.2%) unigenes, among which 4,061 unigenes were mapped into 391 different metabolic pathways. For terpenoid backbone and carotenoid biosynthesis pathways, 44 and 22 unigenes encode enzymes corresponding to 30 and 16 entries, respectively. Twenty-two unigenes encode proteins for 16 entries of the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway. As for the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways, 63 and 24 unigenes were homologous to 17 and 14 entry proteins, respectively. Mining of simple sequence repeat identified 2,599 simple sequence repeats from P. chinensis unigenes. The results of the present study provide a valuable resource for in-depth studies on comparative and functional genomics to unravel the underlying mechanisms of the medicinal properties of Pistacia L.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2016

Phytochemical investigation of Pistacia integerrima has highlighted isolation of two known compounds naringenin (1) and dihydrokaempferol (2). A crude extract and these isolated compounds were here evaluated for their effects on reversion of multidrug resistance (MDR) mediated by P-glycoprotein (P-gp). The multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein is a target for chemotherapeutic drugs from cancer cells. In the present study rhodamine-123 exclusion screening test on human mdr1 gene transfected mouse gene transfected L5178 and L5178Y mouse T-cell lymphoma cells showed excellent MDR reversing effects in a dose dependent manner. In-silico molecular docking investigations demonstrated a common binding site for Rhodamine123, and compounds naringenin and dihydrokaempferol. Our results showed that the relative docking energies estimated by docking softwares were in satisfactory correlation with the experimental activities. Preliminary interaction profile of P-gp docked complexes were also analysed in order to understand the nature of binding modes of these compounds. Our computational investigation suggested that the compounds interactions with the hydrophobic pocket of P-gp are mainly related to the inhibitory activity. Moreover this study s a platform for the discovery of novel natural compounds from herbal origin, as inhibitor molecules against the P-glycoprotein for the treatment of cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2311-2314
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• 2016

Pistagremic acid (PA) is a bioactive triterpenoid isolated from various parts of Pistacia integerrima plants. The aim of this research was to investigate PA for reversion of multidrug resistant (MDR) mediated by P-glycoprotein using rhodamine-123 exclusion study on a multidrug resistant human ABCB1 (ATP-binding cassette, sub-family B, member 1) gene-transfected mouse T-lymphoma cell line in vitro. Results were similar to those with verapamil as a positive control. Docking studies of PA and standard Rhodamine123 were carried out against a P-gp crystal structure which showed satisfactory results. Actually, PA cannot bind exactly where co-crystallized ligand of P-gp is already present. However, the docking study predicted that if a compound gives a lesser score then it may have some potency. The docking scores of PA and Rhodamine were similar. Therefore, we can conclude that there are certain important chemical features of PA which are responsible for the inhibiting potency of P-gp.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.253-258
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• 2016

Objectives: The goals of this research were to evaluate acute (single-dose) and sub-acute (repeated-dose) toxicity profiles of methanolic extract of Pistacia integerrima J. L. Stewart ex Brandis (PI) for Wistar rats and to assess the safety profile of PI by observing physiological changes, mortality, changes in body weight, the histopathology of body organs, the hematology and the biochemistry of the animals. Methods: The toxicity profile of PI was evaluated using Wistar rats of both sexes. Animals were divided into four groups: Group 1; control group (normal saline), Group 2; PI-1 (250 mg/kg), Group 3; PI-2 (500 mg/kg), Group 4; PL-3 (1,000 mg/kg). An acute-toxicity study in which animals received a single dose of PI extract (2,000 mg/kg) and were then observed for 14 days for changes in skin, fur, eye color, mucous membrane secretions and excretions, gait, posture, and tonic or clonic movements was performed according to guideline 425 of the Organization of Economic and Corporation Development (OECD). In the repeated-dose toxicity study (OECD - 407) animals received a daily dose of PI extract for 28 days (4 weeks). The parameters observed in this study include body weight, hematology and biochemistry of the animals. Results: In the acute toxicity study, no mortalities or changes in behavior were noted in the animals. The repeated-dose toxicity study was also devoid of any toxicity in the animals during the 28 days of testing with PI extract. The extract did not alter- the body weight, hematology or biochemistry of the animals. The methanolic extract of PI was to be found safe to the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) for the single-dose and repeated-dose toxicity tests in rats. Conclusion: The methanolic extract of PI was devoid of toxicity; hence, it can be used for various ayurvedic preparations and treatments of diseases.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.231-238
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• 2019

Objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD), an overwhelming neurodegenerative disease, has deleterious effects on the brain that consequently causes memory loss and language impairment. This study was intended to investigate the neuroprotective activity of the two essential oils (EOs) from Iranian Pistacia khinjuk (PK) leaves and Allium sativum (AS) cloves against β-Amyloid 25-35 (Aβ25-35) induced elevation of cholinesterase enzymes in AD. Methods: The EOs of PK (PKEO) and AS (ASEO) were prepared and analyzed in terms of extraction yield, phenolic content, and cholinergic markers in vitro. Moreover, both were administered orally to adult male Wistar rats at concentrations of 1, 2, and 3%. The inhibitory potential of PKEO and ASEO was compared with Donepezil (0.75 mg/kg) against the high activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes. Results: PKEO reached an inhibition rate of 83.6% and 81.4% against AChE and BChE, respectively. ASEO had lower anti-cholinesterase activity (65.4% and 31.5% for the inhibition AChE and BChE). PKEO was found to have more phenolic content than ASEO. A significantly positive correlation was observed between the total phenolics and anti-cholinesterase potential. In rats, both EOs decreased the enzyme activity in a concentration-dependent manner. As compared with Donepezil, the significant difference in the AChE and BChE inhibition occurred as rats were treated with PKEO 3% (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It could be concluded that PKEO and ASEO are potent inhibitors of AChE and BChE in rats that hold promise to be used for the treatment of AD.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.73-81
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• 2024

As a phreatophyte, pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is widely grown in water-limited conditions and recognized as an economically valuable crop in semi-arid regions. In Tajikistan, pistachio grows naturally and artificially in 79,000 ha, but the nut yield is very low due to less-developed plantation technologies. In this study, differences in pistachio plantation technologies of the major pistachio-producing countries and Tajikistan were analyzed to suggest ways to improve plantation technologies in Tajikistan. In the major pistachio-producing countries such as Iran, the United States and Turkey, seedlings of high nut-yielding varieties are grafted before planting. As a result, annually 349-4,479 kg ha^-1 of nuts are harvested in those countries. On the other hand, Tajikistan annually produces only 0.6-3.7 kg ha^-1. While seven suitable high nut-yielding varieties (Albina, Dangarinka, Saboh, Green girl, Mountain pearl, October, and Orzu) have been identified as suitable for Tajikistan's environment, the plantation area with grafted individuals using these varieties is limited to only 1.5 ha, necessitating widespread adoption. The low utilization of the high nut-yielding varieties is attributed to the lack of grafting specialists and skills, which have hindered increasing pistachio nut production in Tajikistan. Therefore, improving the basic capability of pistachio grafting should be prioritized to expand the economic profits from the pistachio forests in Tajikistan.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.10-19
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• 2016

This study was carried out in the Boin and Miryousef regions in Baneh of Kordestan province, west of Iran. Both areas were divided into two parts including protected and unprotected areas. In each area, 20 $1000-m^2$ circular plots were established following a selective method. Tree and shrub species were identified and the number of these species was counted in each sampling plot. The results indicated that 7 trees, 4 shrubs and 109 herbaceous species were found in the studied areas, 40 herbaceous, 7 tree and 3 shrub species were present in protected area, while unprotected area had 16 herbaceous and 3 tree species. The highest value of diversity indices belonged to protected areas in all vegetation layers. In tree layer, Quercus brantii had the greatest value of SIV, whereas the lowest value belonged to Pistacia atlantica. In shrub layer, the highest and lowest values of SIV belonged to Daphne mezereum and Cerasus microcarpa, respectively. Finally, in herbaceous layer, Luzula spicata had highest value of SIV, and lowest value was belonged to Galium sp.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.167-179
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• 2012

Pistachio shell (Pistacia vera) (PS), a low-cost material, has been utilized for the removal of the Cr(VI) ions after treatment with citric acid. Batch experimental steps were applied to obtain Cr(VI) ion adsorption details for the equilibrium between Cr(VI) and modified pistachio shell (MPS). The influences of contact time, pH, adsorbent dose and initial chromium concentration on the adsorption performance of MPS was investigated in detail. The results displayed that adsorption of Cr(VI) by MPS reached to equilibrium after 2 h and after that a little change of Cr(VI) removal efficiency was observed. The sorption percent is higher at lower pH and lower chromium concentration. Two possible mechanisms for reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) can be suggested in Cr(VI) removal. In the first mechanism, Cr(VI) is reduced to Cr(III) by surface electron-donor groups of the adsorbent and the reduced Cr(III) forms complexes with adsorbent or remains in the solution. This Cr(III) is not adsorbed by adsorbent at pH 1.8. But in second mechanism, the adsorption-coupled reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) occurred on the adsorbent sites. The equilibrium sorption capacity of Cr(VI) ion after 2 h was 64.35 mg/g for MPS.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.208-217
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• 2018

In this study, samples were collected from the leaves and stems of healthy wild Pistachio trees (Pistacia atlantica L.) from various locations of Baneh and Marivan regions, Iran. In total, 61 endophytic bacteria were isolated and grouped according to phenotypic properties. Ten selected isolates from each group were further identified by partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Based on the results, isolates were identified as bacteria belonging to Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Bacillus, Pantoea and Serratia genus. The ability of these isolates was evaluated to phytohormone production such as auxin and gibberellin, siderophore production, phosphate solubilization, atmospheric nitrogen fixation, protease and hydrogen cyanide production. All strains were able to produce the plant growth hormone auxin and gibberellin in different amounts. The majority of strains were able to solubilize phosphate. The results of atmospheric nitrogen fixation ability, protease and siderophore production were varied among strains. Only Ba66 could produce a low amount of hydrogen cyanide. The results of biocontrol assay showed that Pb78 and Sp15 strains had the highest and lowest inhibition effects on bacterial plant pathogens, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae Pss20 and Pseudomonas tolaasii Pt18 under in vitro condition. Pb3, Pb24 and Pb71 strains significantly promote root formation on carrot slices. To our knowledge this is the first report of the isolation of endophytic bacterial strains belonging to Pantoea, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Serratia and Stenotrophomonas genus from wild pistachio trees with plant growth promoting potential and biocontrol activity.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2011

Mastic is a bleed resin formed in pistacia lentiscus tree extract form the anacatdiaceae family. Mastic is used as a food ingredient in the Mediteraanean resin, and has been used by local inhabitants as a traditional medicine for relief of upper abdominal discomfort, dyspepsiaand peptic ulcer. Clinically, mastic has been effective in the treatment of benign gastric and duodenal, ulcers, giving symptomatic relief and endoscopically proven healing. In this study, to enhance activiteies of poorly water soluble Mastic with oils, surfactants and cosurfactants and then the mixure was microemulsified in aqueous media under condition of gentle agitation and digestive motility that would be encountered in the gastrointestinal tract. Formulation development and screening were based on phase diagrams and characteristics of resultant microemulsion. For optimum mastic formulation, microemulsions with various ratio (w/w%) of mastics, oils, surfactants and cosurfactants were prepared and their solubility was evaluated by monitoring particles size in their buffer through visual asessment and electrophoretic light scattering spectrophotomerter (ELS). In vitro activity of self microemulsified mastic (SME mastic) was determined by minimum ingibition concentration (MIC) test against a panel of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) clinical strains. Additionally, in vivo activity of SME masitc was investigated us mouse infected by CH275 of H. pylori. The mean diameter of SME mastic was less then 100 nm in water and SME mastic was showed similar antiboisis effect compared to tometronidazole, clarithromycin and omeproazole. Consequently, SME mastic would be effective system to exterminate H. pylori. If mastic were dose with combined treatment, mastic might augur well for effect of H. pylori eradication as good remedy.