Dodonaea Viscosa Research Articles

Effects of hydropriming treatments on the invigoration of aged Dodonaea viscosa seeds and water‐holding polymer on the improvement of seedling growth in a lava field

Restoration requires techniques similar to those used in agriculture to improve germination and seedling vigor. We treated 6‐year‐old (collected in 2003, S‐2003) and 1‐month‐old (S‐2009) seeds of Dodonaea viscosa with hydropriming (HP). Seeds were made permeable with hot water prior to hydration for 24 or 48 hours (HP‐24 and HP‐48, respectively) followed by dehydration. The resulting seedlings exposed to both HP treatments were sown in a lava field in soil mixed with hydrogel (HG) under the shade projected by five vegetation patches. The effects of these treatments on germination, seedling field survival, and growth were assessed. HP‐24 in S‐2009 and HP‐48 in S‐2003 increased the germination percentage from 22.5 and 31.7% in control seeds (permeable seeds) to 63.3 and 98.3%, respectively. The seedlings‐2009 (from S‐2009) with HG maintained high survival in all vegetation patches. Seedlings‐2003, however, had low survival. The lack of HG was negatively related to the photon flux in each patch. Survival of seedlings‐2009 increased with HG of up to 398.41 µmol m−2 s−1; after which survival decreased. During the rainy season, HP enhanced seedling growth, except the basal diameters and number of leaves in the seedlings‐2003 with HP‐24. During the dry season, the effects of HG and HP were similar for all the seedlings. In the following rainy season, the priming effect was lost while HG continued to promote seedling growth. The combined use of HP and HG and the shade projected by the patches resulted in a successful vegetation recovery strategy.

Deroplax silphoides (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Scutelleridae): A new plant pest in Israel

This is the first report of the invasive scutellerid bug Deroplax silphoides (Thunberg, 1783) from Israel. The species is a pest of ornamental plants, whose immature stages and life history were previously unknown. Information on its nymphs, life history and distribution is provided and its association with Dodonaea viscosa (Sapindaceae) is reported for the first time.

Pesticidal activity of certain plant extracts and their isolates against the cowpea beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae)

Summary Different extracts from seven plant species were assayed against the cowpea beetle (Callosobruchus maculatus) in the laboratory. The plants were extracted sequentially with petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl alcohol. The petroleum ether extract of each was fractionated into sap and unsap, then identified by GC chromatography. Also compounds isolated from chloroform and alcohol extracts of Citrullus colocynthis and petroleum ether extract of Nicandra physaloides were tested for their toxicity against the adult beetle. The sensitivity of the adults to various crude extracts revealed great variation in effectiveness. Petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of Nicandra physaloides proved to be the most toxic in comparison to other extracts tested, while petroleum ether extracts of Curcuma longa proved to be the least effective. All the fatty acid fractions of the seven plant species were toxic to the adult beetles at the tested concentrations. N. physaloides, Schinus terebinthifolius and Dodonaea viscosa resulted in 100% mortality of adults at the highest concentration tested (1.0%). Using 1.0% unsap fraction of Dodonaea viscosa resulted in 100% mortality between the adults. The least percentage mortality between the adult beetles recorded (22%) was for unsap fraction of T. orientalis at concentration of 0.0625% but increased to 80.0% mortality at concentration of 1.0%. The compounds isolated from chloroform and alcohol extracts of C. colocynthis and petroleum ether extract of N. physaloides proved to be highly efficient against C. maculatus adults.

Restoration impacts on fuels and fire potential in a dryland tropical ecosystem dominated by the invasive grassMegathyrsus maximus

Ecological restoration often attempts to promote native species while managing for disturbances such as fire and non‐native invasions. The goal of this research was to investigate whether restoration of a non‐native, invasiveMegathyrsus maximus(guinea grass) tropical grassland could simultaneously promote native species and reduce fire potential.Megathyrsus maximuswas suppressed with herbicide, and three suites of native species—each including the same groundcover and shrub, and one of three tree species—were outplanted in a randomized, complete block design that also included herbicide control (herbicide with no outplantings) and untreated control treatments. Fuels were quantified 27 months after outplanting, and potential fire behavior (rate of spread and flame length) was modeled withBehavePlus. Compared with untreated controls, native outplant treatments reducedM. maximuscover by 76–91% andM. maximuslive and dead fuel loads by greater than 92 and 68%, respectively. Despite reductions inM. maximusfuels, neither treatment‐level (grass + native) total fuel loads and fuel moistures, nor modeled fire behavior differed between outplant treatments and controls. The best performing native woody species (Dodonaea viscosa) had significantly lower average individual plant live fuel moisture (84%) thanM. maximus(156%) or other native woody outplant species (201–328%), highlighting the need for careful species selection. These results demonstrate that restoring native species to degraded tropical dry forests is possible, but that ecological restoration will not necessarily alter the potential for fire, at least in the short term, making selection of species with beneficial fuel properties and active fire management critical components of ongoing restoration.

GABAA receptor modulation and neuropharmacological activities of viscosine isolated from Dodonaea viscosa (Linn)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the modulation of GABA-evoked currents by the flavonoid viscosine at recombinant GABAA receptors, and subsequently to study its anxiolytic, sedative and anticonvulsant activities. Viscosine (1–300μM) positively modulated GABA-evoked currents at human α1β2γ2L and α2β2γ2L GABAA receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes in a flumazenil insensitive manner. In behavioral studies, viscosine at doses of 10–100mg/kg (i.p.) exerted significant anxiolytic effects in the elevated plus maze, light-dark and open field tests (*P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001 n=6, One-way ANOVA post-Dunnett's test), and sedative effects at high doses (100mg/kg i.p.) in hole board and thiopental induced sleep time tests. The anxiolytic effect in the elevated plus maze test was not blocked by flumazenil whereas pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) completely attenuated the effect, indicating that the activity was mediated via the non-benzodiazepine sites of GABAA receptors. Furthermore, viscosine at doses of 10–100mg/kg (i.p.) exerted anticonvulsant effects in a dose-dependent manner in PTZ, picrotoxin and bicuculline induced seizure paradigms (*P<0.05, **P<0.01,***P<0.001 n=6, One-way ANOVA post-Dunnett's test). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that the anxiolytic and anticonvulsant actions of viscosine are likely mediated via its positive allosteric modulatory action of GABA at different GABAA receptor subtypes.

Effect of Hautriwaic Acid Isolated from Dodonaea viscosa in a Model of Kaolin/Carrageenan-Induced Monoarthritis.

In the present work, the antiarthritic activity of hautriwaic acid is reported. This ent-clerodane diterpene isolated from Dodonaea viscosa was evaluated in mice using a kaolin/carrageenan-induced monoarthritis model. The inflammation observed in the joint (knee) on days 1-8 ranged from 50-70 %. After 10 days of treatment with different doses of hautriwaic acid (5, 10, 20 mg/kg), a decrease in knee inflammation was detected. This recovery was observed with both reference drugs, methotrexate (1 mg/kg) and diclofenac (0.75 mg/kg). In these groups of mice, the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in the joint was significantly lower than that of the negative control group (animals with damage without any treatment). The negative control group presented a decrease in the concentration of interleukin-10, while the groups that received hautriwaic acid at different dose exhibited an increase in this interleukin. This anti-inflammatory cytokine was not modified in the joint of mice with diclofenac, but in mice that received methotrexate, a significant decrease was observed. Hautriwaic acid isolated from D. viscosa diminished the joint edema induced by this mixture of polysaccharides (carrageenan), possibly by acting as immunomodulator of the inflammatory response.

Primary Succession on a Hawaiian Dryland Chronosequence.

We used measurements from airborne imaging spectroscopy and LiDAR to quantify the biophysical structure and composition of vegetation on a dryland substrate age gradient in Hawaii. Both vertical stature and species composition changed during primary succession, and reveal a progressive increase in vertical stature on younger substrates followed by a collapse on Pleistocene-aged flows. Tall-stature Metrosideros polymorpha woodlands dominated on the youngest substrates (hundreds of years), and were replaced by the tall-stature endemic tree species Myoporum sandwicense and Sophora chrysophylla on intermediate-aged flows (thousands of years). The oldest substrates (tens of thousands of years) were dominated by the short-stature native shrub Dodonaea viscosa and endemic grass Eragrostis atropioides. We excavated 18 macroscopic charcoal fragments from Pleistocene-aged substrates. Mean radiocarbon age was 2,002 years and ranged from < 200 to 7,730. Genus identities from four fragments indicate that Osteomeles spp. or M. polymorpha once occupied the Pleistocene-aged substrates, but neither of these species is found there today. These findings indicate the existence of fires before humans are known to have occupied the Hawaiian archipelago, and demonstrate that a collapse in vertical stature is prevalent on the oldest substrates. This work contributes to our understanding of prehistoric fires in shaping the trajectory of primary succession in Hawaiian drylands.

Pollination Strategies of Some Perennial Weed Species

Weeds have evolved a number of adaptations to thrive even under adverse conditions. One of the adaptations is their ability to set seeds even under pollination uncertain environments through autogamous self-pollination. Autogamous pollination which provides reproductive assurance (RA) is critical in annual weeds as they get only one chance to set seeds in their life; if they miss this chance their survival is threatened. In perennial weeds, however, RA through autogamous self-pollination is not so critical as they get repeated chances to set seeds; lack of seed set in some years does not affect their survival. There is very little information on pollination strategies of perennial weeds particularly of Indian species. To test this prediction, studies were carried out on five Indian perennial weeds — Cassia auriculata, Ipomoea obscura, Oxalis corniculata, Plumbago zeylanica and Dodonaea viscosa. Seed set in the populations of Ipomoea, Oxalis and Plumbago was exclusively dependent on autogamous pollination as they did not attract any pollinators and there was no difference in the extent of seed set in bagged and open-pollinated flowers. Autogamy was absent in Cassia; it depended exclusively on pollination by Xylocopa sp. Dodonaea depended on wind for pollen transfer. Thus, in agreement with the expectation, autogamy is not critical in perennial weed species and their pollination strategies vary from complete autogamy to obligate outbreeding, similar to non-weedy species.

Rapid in vitro Propagation of Dodonaea viscosa (Sapindaceae) Through Axillary Bud Multiplication and Indirect Organogenesis

Protocols of axillary bud multiplication were established for Dodonaea viscosa (Sapindaceae). Murashig &amp; Skoog’s medium with 0.2 mg/l BAP with 0.01 Naphthalene acetic acid induced high rate of shoot induction and an average of five shoots per node. Subsequent culture enhanced the number of shoots. Callus initiated from the basal cut end explants differentiated in to more than 10 shoots on MS Medium with 0.4mg/l Benzylaminopurine and 0.02mg/l Indole Butric Acid. Eighty per cent of the rooted shoots survived when transferred to greenhouse and subsequently to the field.

Effects of Camellia reticulata, Chloranthus japonicas, Dodonaea viscosa and Paris polyphylla on the proliferation of and tyrosinase activity in a melanocyte cell line

Objective To estimate the whitening effect of extracts of Camellia reticulata, Chloranthus japonicas, Dodonaea viscosa and Paris polyphylla. Methods A human epidermal melanocyte cell line HEM-m was cultured in vitro, and classified into several groups to be treated with 7 concentrations（10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 mg/L）of different plant extracts, including Camellia reticulata leaf extract, 70% ethanol-eluted fraction of Camellia reticulata leaf extract, extract of Camellia reticulata alabastrum, 70% ethanol-eluted fraction of extract of Camellia reticulata alabastrum, Chloranthus japonicas extract, Dodonaea viscosa extract, and Paris polyphylla extract. At the same time, the negative control group, blank control group and positive control group（treated with 100 mg/L arbutin）were set up. After 72 hours of treatment, MTT assay was performed to detect cell proliferation, and dopa-oxidation assay to estimate tyrosinase activity in melanocytes. Results As far as the inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HEM-m cells was concerned, 400 mg/L Camellia reticulata leaf extract, 70% ethanol-eluted fraction of Camellia reticulata leaf extract at 10-100 mg/L, extract of Camellia reticulata alabastrum at 10-25 mg/L, 70% ethanol-eluted fraction of extract of Camellia reticulata alabastrum at 10 mg/L and Dodonaea viscosa extract at 10-25 mg/L were equivalent to（all P > 0.05）, 800 mg/L Camellia reticulata leaf extract was significantly weaker than（P 0.05）, stronger than 70% ethanol-eluted fraction of extract of Camellia reticulata alabastrum at 10-25 mg/L（P < 0.05）, but weaker than the other concentrations of these plant extracts（P < 0.05 or 0.01）. Conclusion Special concentrations of Camellia reticulate and Dodonaea viscose can inhibit tyrosinase activity. Key words: Plant extracts; Melanocytes; Cell proliferation; Tyrosinase

Hepatoprotective properties and biotransformation of berberine and berberrubine by cell suspension cultures of Dodonaea viscosa and Ocimum basilicum

IntroductionBiotransformations are having great potential to generate novel or known products more efficiently. Berberine (BB) represents one of the most studied among the naturally occurring protoberberine alkaloids due to its wide range of pharmacological activities. ObjectiveFirstly, to isolate BB from Berberis vulgaris roots, semisynthesis of berberrubine (M1). Secondly, to investigate the liability of BB and M1 for biotransformation by cell cultures of Ocimum basilicum and Dodonaea viscosa focusing on the production of more potent hepatoprotective metabolites. Finally, the hepatoprotective properties of both BB and M1 are studied against B. vulgaris alcoholic extract. MethodsFor the biotransformation, BB and M1 (10 mg/mL) in methanol, equal volume of methanol (control) and distilled water (blank) were added to Suspension cultures of O. basilicum and D. viscosa and were kept under light at 23°C on a gyratory shaker at 100rpm for 14days before the cells being harvested and the contents of each flask, lyophilized separately were dissolved in methanol and subjected to TLC and LC/MS analyses. For hepatoprotective properties TBARS was determined in liver homogenate, protein free supernatant according to the method described by Tappel and Zalkin (1959). The TBARS level was calculated against control according to the following equation:TBARSlevelnmol/mL=Absorbance/0.156. ResultsBB was identified in the root extract using HPLC. LC/MS analyses of lyophilized media from all cultures showed the absence of biotransformation. However, M1 was biotransformed by O. basilicum and D. viscosa cultures into BB (100%) and a new oxidized derivative of M1 (M1TD; 78.9%), respectively, while BB was transformed into palmatine (27.7%) by culture of D. viscosa only. For the hepatoprotective potential of M1and BB in comparison with B. vulgaris extract, all samples decreased Thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) level in a dose dependent manner. IC50 of BB, B. vulgaris ethanolic extract and M1 were 19.5, 16 and 9.8μg/mL, respectively. M1 with IC50 9.8μg/mL was the most potent inhibitor of lipid peroxidation induced by Fe2+ and H2O2 in liver homogenate at P<0.05. ConclusionThis study reports that the biocatalysis system of D. viscosa cultures showed appreciable capacity in oxidizing the phenolic group of M1 at C-9 and opening of the methylenedioxy ring of BB at non-extreme pH or temperature, followed by methylation to give palmatine. However, the biocatalysis system of O. basilicum culture showed a great capacity towards methylation of phenolic groups as evidenced by methylating OH of M1 at C-9 to give BB. In vitro biological tests indicated that M1 possess better hepatoprotective properties than BB and B. vulgaris methanolic extract.

A study on regeneration status of Dodonaea viscosa in forest of malakand division

A study on regeneration status of Dodonaea viscosa in forest of malakand division

Evaluating nurse plants for restoring native woody species to degraded subtropical woodlands.

Harsh habitats dominated by invasive species are difficult to restore. Invasive grasses in arid environments slow succession toward more desired composition, yet grass removal exacerbates high light and temperature, making the use of “nurse plants” an appealing strategy. In this study of degraded subtropical woodlands dominated by alien grasses in Hawai'i, we evaluated whether individuals of two native (Dodonaea viscosa, Leptocophylla tameiameia) and one non-native (Morella faya) woody species (1) act as natural nodes of recruitment for native woody species and (2) can be used to enhance survivorship of outplanted native woody species. To address these questions, we quantified the presence and persistence of seedlings naturally recruiting beneath adult nurse shrubs and compared survival and growth of experimentally outplanted seedlings of seven native woody species under the nurse species compared to intact and cleared alien-grass plots. We found that the two native nurse shrubs recruit their own offspring, but do not act as establishment nodes for other species. Morella faya recruited even fewer seedlings than native shrubs. Thus, outplanting will be necessary to increase abundance and diversity of native woody species. Outplant survival was the highest under shrubs compared to away from them with few differences between nurse species. The worst habitat for native seedling survival and growth was within the unmanaged invasive grass matrix. Although the two native nurse species did not differentially affect outplant survival, D. viscosa is the most widespread and easily propagated and is thus more likely to be useful as an initial nurse species. The outplanted species showed variable responses to nurse habitats that we attribute to resource requirements resulting from their typical successional stage and nitrogen fixation capability.

Biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Dodonaea viscosa Linn. and its effective antibacterial activity

Biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Dodonaea viscosa Linn. and its effective antibacterial activity

Pharmacokinetic Profiling of a Novel Flavonoid “Viscosine” from Dodonaea viscosa Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Pharmacokinetic (PK) profiling of a novel flavonoid “Viscosine” was carried out in healthy rabbits following both IV and oral administration. Various PK parameters were investigated using the developed HPLC–UV method. The concentration of the Viscosine in plasma samples following both IV and oral administration was plotted as a function of time on normal and semi-log graph papers. The plasma drug concentration as a function of time profile of the Viscosine following IV bolus administration and oral administration showed the bi-exponential decline that indicates that PK of the Viscosine follows two compartment open model. The Viscosine is rapidly but incompletely absorbed following oral administration from hard gelatin capsules and tmax was achieved just in 0.5 hr (30 min). The mean ± SD of Cmax was 0.981 ± 0.021 µg/mL. The very low plasma drug concentration achieved shows that Viscosine has lower permeability following oral administration. Similarly, following IV bolus drug administration, the plasma drug concentration as a function of time curve of Viscosine was a bi-exponential curve that follows two compartment open model. Viscosine is readily distributed and established equilibrium between central and peripheral compartments. Higher volume of distribution (Vd) shows the longer stay in the peripheral compartments. The β-elimination half-life is approximately 3.8 hr. The AUC values also indicate the distribution of the drug in various body fluids. In summary, the bioavailability of the drug after oral administration (F = 0.32) indicates that Viscosine is a low soluble drug; however, the Vd was higher compared with the IV bolus injection while MRT was about 15.45 hr. These studies indicate that capsules can be used as a suitable dosage form for the administration of Viscosine.

Innovative Biocontrolling Method of Dengue Fever Vector, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

The control of mosquitoes is an important public health concern around the world. The activity of petroleum ether extracts of Dodonaea viscose, Lantana camara and Ruta chaliphenses have been investigated towards larval development of Aedes aegypti. The plant extracts exhibits variable biological activity against Ae. aegypti. The greatest effect was observed with Dodonaea viscose and Lantana camara. They showed acute LC50 (2days) of 126.2, 136.9 and chronic LC50 (10 days) of 64.6 and 68.5 ppm, respectively. Larvae suffered chronic toxicities leading to 97.8% mortality using Dodonaea viscose and 95.6% using Lantana camara. Egg hatchability was significantly reduced in Dodonaea viscose and Lantana camara concentrations. All extracts concentrations of Dodonaea viscose and Lantana camara as well as higher extract concentration of Ruta chaliphenses caused significant high hindrance of subsequent larval development and consequently reduced both pupation and adult mergence. Drastic retardation of development was shown using Dodonaea viscose extracts (17.3, 7.4%) and Lantana camara extracts (19.3, 9.0%) from larval stage managed to pupal and adult stages, when reared in very low concentration (100 ppm) of the extracts. Ruta chaliphense was only more effective at higher concentrations. Hence, application of these extracts to Ae. aegypti mosquito breeding sites can be used as an innovative valuable alternative to the existing synthetic pesticides for the control of Ae. aegypti.

Role of glutathione and glutathione S-transferase in lead tolerance and bioaccumulation by Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq

Glutathione (GSH) plays a central role in the plant tolerance against the toxic effects of metals. It is a key antioxidant and acts as a cofactor for glutathione S-transferase (GST). The main objective of this study was to determine the Pb tolerance and bioaccumulation by Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq. and their relation to GSH production and GST activity. The relationship between the Pb tolerance and bioaccumulation by D. viscosa and the effect of the exposure time on the GSH production or the GST activity was assessed in trials with perlite under different Pb treatments. D. viscosa showed a remarkable tolerance to Pb [half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 2,797 mg kg−1] and accumulated up to 11,428 mg Pb kg−1 in dry roots with a limited translocation to shoots without any signs of phytotoxicity after 105 days of exposure. The stress caused by the fast Pb uptake rate (489 mg kg−1 day−1) during the first 10 days of exposure was strongly correlated to increased GSH contents (~1.3-fold) and GST activities (~3.6-fold) in both shoots and roots. The results indicate that the Pb stress triggered a defense mechanism that involved increased contents of GSH and GST activities, suggesting that both variables are involved in the tolerance of D. viscosa against Pb toxicity.

The essential oil of Dodonaea viscosa leaves is allelopathic to rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.)

The essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis L. is widely used as a folk medicine. In this study, the allelopathic activity of Dodonaea viscosa (aqueous, and acetone extracts 0, 30, 60 and 100%) on R. officinalis L. was investigated under laboratory conditions. The essential oil of air-dried samples was obtained by hydro distillation and was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The effect of the of D. viscosa on the chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, total phenols content, proline content, and chemical composition in rosemary was evaluated. A significant reduction of chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate was observed. On the other hand, an increase was detected in the total phenols and proline content. Aqueous extract increased the 1,8-cineol content from 4.6% to 7.0%, the camphor content from 4.8% to 8.9% and the borneol content from 4.1% to 7.2%. As a result, allelopathic activity of D. viscosa on rosemary was confirmed.

Data Driven Decision-Making

Ecology![Figure][1] CREDIT: USDA FOREST SERVICE A combination of remote sensing and ecological modeling can increase the efficacy of the reintroduction of endangered plant species, a study in a Hawaiian dryland habitat shows. Reintroductions and habitat restoration are important components of conservation, but with often-limited resources, it can be important to maximize the chances of success. Questad et al. used LiDAR (airborne light detection and ranging) data to determine the optimum topographic features. LiDAR enables mapping of topography at a scale that is relevant to the establishment of individual plants — in this case the shrub Dodonaea viscosa and its associated native plant species. The topographic mapping was used to model the optimization of water and nutrient availability and hence to determine sites that were most promising for restoration. Experimental plantings showed better establishment and growth in the sites that LiDAR identified as suitable. This suite of techniques indicates promise for restoring vegetation and species of conservation concern in a wider range of degraded and disturbed habitats. Ecol. Appl. 24 , 385 (2014). [1]: pending:yes

Anti-fungal properties of 43 plant species against Alternaria solani and Botrytis cinerea

Investigation of plants containing natural anti-microbial metabolites for plant protection has been identified as a desirable method of disease control. Crude methanolic extracts of 43 plant species belonging to 27 families, which most of them are medicinal plants, mostly collected from the west of Iran were screened for anti-fungal activity against two economically important phytopathogenic fungi, Alternaria solani and Botrytis cinerea during 2010–2012. Bioassay of the extracts was conducted by agar diffusion method on agar plate cultures with five replications. Among all the 43 plant methanolic extracts, mycelia growth of A. solani and B. cinerea was reduced by 28 (65%) and 30 (70%) plant extracts when compared to the control, respectively. The strongest extracts with more than 50% inhibition against A. solani were Elaeagnus angustifolia, Dodonaea viscosa, Haplophyllum perforatum and inflorescence of Allium hirtifolium, respectively. Leaves of A. hirtifolium, H. perforatum, inflorescence of A. hirtifolium and D. viscosa showed highest inhibitory effect (≥50%) against B. cinerea. Moreover, complete inhibition of leaves of A. hirtifolium against B. cinerea was due to their fungistatic activity. The results of this experiment and high number of plants with anti-fungal activity showed that the flora in the west of Iran could be regarded as a rich source of plants with anti-fungal activity. Therefore, further screening of other plant species, identifying active fractions or metabolites and in vivo application of active extracts are warranted.