Quince Research Articles

Life forms of subtropic plants and their modification under conditions of introduction in the Forest Steppe of Ukraine

The taxonomic composition of the collection of subtropical plants of the Khorol Botanical Garden, consisting of 25 species: Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal, Cydonia oblonga Mill., Chaenomeles × californica Clarke ex Weber, Cormus domestica L., Mespilus germanica L., Crataegus azarolus L., Crataegus opaca Hooker & Arn., Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb, Prunus armeniaca L., Hovenia dulcis Thunb., Ziziphus jujuba Mill., Elaeagnus multiflora Thunb., Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb., Maclura tricuspidata (Carrière) Bureau, Ficus carica L., Passiflora incarnata L., Punica granatum L., Feijoa sellowiana O. Berg, Pistacia vera L., Citrus trifoliata L., Diospyros virginiana L., Actinidia chinensis Planch. Plants are presented in the collection areas «Garden of subtropical fruit crops», «Paradise Garden» and «Shaped Fruit Garden». The collection fund of the botanical garden was formed for a long time and each culture is at a certain stage of introduction. Subtropical fruit crops of the Khorol Botanical Garden: Asimina triloba L., Punica granatum L., Zizyphus jujuba Mill., Ficus carica L., Amygdalus communis L., Mespilus germanica L., Diospyros virginiana L. are studied as introductory populations. When creating garden compositions from subtropical species, attention was paid to the reaction of introducers to adverse weather conditions. According to the planting scheme, possible artificial forms of the plant crown are taken into account: formation of a plant with a low trunk and the same rounded crowns, in the form of spherical bushes, with main shoots-conductors formed in the form of ascending spirals. The search for the optimal life form for subtropical fruit introducers in the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine is carried out. The problematic moments are revealed and the ways of their solution are offered. During the modification of the crown shape, the morphological structure, peculiarities of growth and development of the introducer in new conditions, resistance to adverse weather conditions were taken into account. Asimina triloba, Cydonia oblonga, Chaenomeles × californica, Cormus domestica, Mespilus germanica, Prunus armeniaca, Ziziphus jujuba, Elaeagnus multiflora, Elaeagnus umbellate, Diospyros virginiana began to bear fruit at 6–9 years of age. The fruits have plants of typical and derived life form. This is the practical purpose of their introduction. Ficus carica, Punica have a modified life form. They are covered for the winter. It is established that most of the species composition of the collection of subtropical plants (22 species) have typical and derived life forms. 7 species: Laurus nobilis, Ficus carica, Camellia sinensis, Passiflora incarnate, Feijoa sellowiana, Punica granatum, Olea europaea in terms of introduction to the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine require mandatory modification of life form. Modification of life form is pruning, as well as warming the crown in the cold season.

Prophylactic efficacy of Unani herbal and herbo-mineral preparations in population at risk of COVID-19 – A randomised controlled prospective field trial

Present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Unani poly-herbal decoction and Khamira Marvareed (herbo-mineral preparation) in COVID-19 susceptible population. This study was conducted as prospective, open label, randomized Controlled, prophylactic Community-based clinical trial. Four thousand five hundred healthy adults from containment zone were allocated randomly into intervention (n=2250) and control group (n=2250). The intervention group was given a combination of herbal drugs namely Unnab ( Zizyphus jujube Mill.), 5 pieces; Sapistan ( Cordia myxa L . ), 9 pieces; Behidana ( Cydonia oblonga Mill.), 3gms in decoction form and Khameera Marwareed , 5gms as semisolid preparation, orally once daily in the morning for 20 days. No drug was given in the control group. The subjects were assessed on 0, 20 th and 35 th day. The prophylactic effect of the Unani intervention was evaluated on the basis of difference of COVID-19 incidence between the groups, COVID-19 like symptoms, scores of immunity status questionnaire and WHOQOL-BREF scale after completion of 35 th day of study. The study remained inconclusive to find any difference in COVID-19 incidence, but showed highly significant result (p<0.001) in favour of Unani intervention in containing all COVID-19 like symptoms except cough; highly significant results (p<0.001) in score of immunity status questionnaire and highly significant results (p<0.001) in scores of physical and psychological domains of WHOQOL-BREF scale. The highly significant results in almost all secondary outcomes suggest the efficacy of the Unani intervention in control of COVID-19 like symptoms and may be beneficial in prevention of COVID-19 infection.

Anti-obesity effect of Cydonia oblonga Miller extract in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6 mice

• Cydonia oblonga Miller extract (COME) exerts anti-obesity effect in obese mouse. • COME reduces white adipose tissue deposition in high-fat diet induced obese mice. • COME induces the activation of AMPK in epididymal adipose tissue. • COME modulates adipogenic transcription factors and their target genes expressions. The present study was designed to explore whether Cydonia oblonga Miller extract (COME) had anti-obesity effects and the mechanism involved. COME reduced body weight, fat mass, adipose tissue weight, and serum levels of insulin, triglyceride, and leptin, but increased the serum levels of adiponectin and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese C57BL/6 mice. COME increased AMPK activation. COME suppressed adipogenesis by decreasing CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1, ATP-citrate lyase, fatty acid synthase, and adipocyte protein 2 mRNA expression and enhanced lipolysis by increasing carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 and hormone sensitive lipase mRNA expression. These results suggest that COME is potentially beneficial in inhibiting HFD-induced obesity by inducing AMPK activation and thereby, regulating several pathways involved in inhibiting adipogenesis, and promoting lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation. Our results suggest that COM may be used as an anti-obesity agent.

Tolerance of Pyrus spp. and Cydonia oblonga as pear rootstocks to iron chlorosis determined by in vitro growth, antioxidant and molecular responses

Determination of Fe-efficient rootstock genotypes is important for the success of pear cultivation in calcareous soils. Otherwise, the use of iron-containing fertilizers against Fe-chlorosis for a long time may cause significant environmental hazards. In the present study, the morphological, antioxidant and molecular responses of Pyrus elaeagrifolia (AH-0 and AH-1 wild pear clones), P. communis (OHxF 333) and Cydonia oblonga (QA) as pear rootstocks to iron deficiency were determined in vitro micro shoots. Iron deficiency was created by reducing the amount of ferric-sodium EDTA added as 0.1 mM at full strength in modified Murashige and Skoog's basal medium to 0.03 mM or 0.0 mM. After six weeks in cultures, shoot proliferation percentage, shoot number per explant, shoot length, dry and fresh weight, proline content, H2O2, total chlorophyll and Fe content, CAT (EC 1.11.1.6), SOD (EC 1.15.1.1) and APX (EC 1.11.1.11) activities were determined. The expression of the dehydrin gene DQ660905 originated from Malus domestica associated with stress response was evaluated in Fe-deficient micro shoots at 1, 2, 4, 8 days after stress. According to the findings, the percentage of decrease in the number of shoots and length of wild pear clones were lower than those of OHxF 333 and QA under Fe deficiency. Fresh and dry weights of all genotypes were increased in media containing ferric-sodium EDTA. Under Fe deficiency conditions, total chlorophyll of micro shoots was reduced in all genotypes. However, the decrease was not statistically significant only in the AH-0 wild pear clone. Also, prolin remained statistically the same in this clone with the decrease of ferric-sodium EDTA level in the medium, but increased significantly in other genotypes. APX and SOD activities of AH-1 clone were higher than other genotypes in deficient conditions. Differential expression of the dehydrin gene DQ660905 revealed that the highest increase was determined in QA, AH-1 at day 1, and in AH-0 at day 4. The overall expression of OHxF 333 was lower than the other genotypes. In conclusion, according to the findings of the study, tolerance of wild pear clones to Fe deficiency was higher than OHxF 333 and QA rootstocks.

Quince fruit and its useful properties

Fruits grown in Uzbekistan differ in appearance, taste and quality. Bexia is also one of the rarest fruits and is in short supply today. Bexia fruit is also widely used in medicine, as this fruit and seeds have healing properties. The quince tree is light-loving, grows slowly in the shade and gives low yields. Fruits are harvested in September-October; weight, 150–500 g depending on the navigation. The fruits of the quince tree, sown from seed, are small, stale, of poor quality, unfit for consumption and bear fruit in 8–10 years. However, seed seedlings and seedlings are a good graft for quince.

Effect of quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) fruit extract against oxalocalcic crystallization

Kidney stone or Urolithiasis is a solid particle that forms in the urinary tract. In Morocco, as in many countries, most patients use medicinal plants as an alternative therapy for many diseases, including lithiasis. The fruit of Cydonia oblonga Miller. is traditionally used for the prevention and treatment of several diseases. The present study aims to explore the effects of aqueous extracts of pulp and peel quince on oxalocalcic crystallization. These results show that the aqueous extracts of C. oblonga M can inhibit calcium oxalate crystallization.

The influence of foliar fertilization of maiden pear trees and soaking the root system of the rootstocks in hydrogel with the addition of Trifender WP preparation on the growth of maiden quince trees in a nursery

The comparison of the influence of foliar fertilization with four preparations on the growth of ‘Conference’ maiden pear trees growing on MA quince rootstock was conducted in a nursery in a three-year period. The evaluation was conducted on the basis of maidens growth parameters and the state of their leaf minerals content as well as on photosynthetic activity of the maiden trees. The preparations used in the experiment affected the improvement of some growth parameters studied, especially the stem diameter and fresh mass of the maidens. Biopuls Original turned out to be the best preparation as it improved significantly three out of five studied growth parameters. A varied impact of the preparations used on the content of micro and macro-elements in leaves was detected. All tested preparations positively influenced the leaves area index of maiden trees except for Blackjak preparation. Photosynthetic intensity of maiden pear trees nourished through leaves was significantly smaller in comparison with the control. Only plants treated with Biopulus Original were characterized by a higher concentration of CO2 and its level in intercellular space. The aim of the second experiment was to check the influence of the application of Trifender WP preparation with hydrogel on the growth of ‘Champion’ maiden quince trees at the stage of planting the rootstocks into a nursery. A better branching of the rootstocks was obtained after the use of the preparation with hydrogel and the hydrogel alone. The trees in these combinations were also characterized by bigger fresh and dry mass of the leaves. The influence of Trifinder WP applied in connection with hydrogel was the best.

БЛИЖНИЙ МЕТЕМПСИХОЗ В СКАЗКАХ О ЗОЛУШКЕ

The article describes functional mechanism of heroine’s metempsychosis in the Oriental and Occidental Cinderella fairy-tale. According to the classification of Aarne - Thompson, these tales belong to the type 510 A “persecution of the heroine”, which is associated with a complex of other plots (510 B, 511, 511 A). We limit our research only to those tales in which the identification of the heroine occurs by the shoe. The origins of this literature phenomenon are disclosed in terms of religious conception and traditional believes of the representatives of the thai-kadai language group (IX-XIX centuries). For analysis the Zhuang, Thai and Lao versions of Cinderella fairy-tale were taken, the ritual and mythological aspect of fairytale narrative is disclosed on the material base. The article also describes functions of ancestors’ cult and discusses totemic attitude of the people of the East and South-East Asia in the functioning system of the oriental fairytale which all together form the metempsychosis conception. On the ground of the ethnographic data the author substantiates the choice of animal and plants (namely, a bird/parakeet, bamboo, quince tree, hazel, palm tree, dove) which were used for the sequence of character’s incarnations in the tales. If in oriental tales the heroine’s soul is transmigrated into animals and plants, in Western European fairy tales the heroine is transformed thanks to the help of a plant or bird - the reincarnations of her mother. Only Ch. Perrault, following the rationalistic spirit of the times, does not use metempsychosis directly, but his tale also contains transformations of the inanimate into the animate: plants and animals turn into coachmen and lackeys. The metempsychosis’ final aims of the magic fairy-tales are formulated. An appeal to the European tradition (Basile “The Cat Cinderella”, 1634; Perrault “Cinderella”, 1697; the Brothers Grimm “Cinderella”, 1812), in which metempsychosis is partially preserved, confirms the eastern origin of the tale and allows a deeper understanding of its folkloric origins.

Antidiabetic potential of the isolated fractions from the plants of Rosaceae family in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Background and purpose:Diabetes is a group of multifactorial disorders characterized by chronic-elevated blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia). Natural remedies are used as alternative medications to treat diabetes. Here, we tested the protective effect of the plant extracts of the Rosaceae family on improving insulin secretion and repairing the pancreatic beta cells in diabetic rats.Experimental approach:The oligosaccharide fraction was isolated from the Rosaceae family of herbs. LC-MS/MS was applied to characterize the isolated fractions. The male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups, 10 each, including the control group with no intervention, diabetic rats without treatment, diabetic rats that received the extract of Malus domestica (apple), Cydonia oblonga (quince), Prunus persica (nectarine), and Prunus persica (peach), separately. Rats were monitored for the weight, fasting plasma glucose, and insulin levels. The effect of extracts in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats on the pancreatic islets was evaluated by morphometric analysis.Findings/Results:LC-MS/MS results indicated a similar mass spectrum of isolated fractions from nectarine and peach with Rosa canina. Oral administration of nectarine and peach extracts to STZ-induced diabetic rats showed restoration of blood glucose levels to normal levels with a concomitant increase in insulin levels. Morphometric analysis of pancreatic sections revealed the increase in number, diameter, volume, and area of the pancreatic islets in the diabetic rats treated with extracts compared to the untreated diabetic rats.Conclusion and implications:Nectarine and peach extracts’ anti-diabetic properties improved insulin secretion and pancreatic beta-cell function and subsequently led to restoring pancreatic islet mass in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Phytotherapy in Burn Wound Healing: A Review of Native Iranian Medicinal Plants

Studies have shown that burn wounds are one of the most severe forms of trauma which may cause disability, morbidity and mortality, stupendous hospital costs, and emotional disturbance. In spite of the therapeutic effects of synthetic drugs, due to their unwanted side effects, the tendency of people to use these drugs has been decreasing, contrary to the use of natural origin drugs. Medicinal plants that can be formulated to treat and repair the wound should be identified. Therefore, in this article a number of native Iranian medicinal plants that have been studied and their healing effects on burn wounds have been reported are discussed. In this review article, the keywords medicinal plants, burn, burn wound repair, burn wound and Iran were used to search for relevant articles indexed in databases such as IranMedex, Scientific Information Database, Google Scholar, Scopus, Institute for Scientific Information, Web of Science and PubMed. Based on the results, the medicinal plants Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f., Matricaria chamomilla L, Quercus brantii Lindl., Cydonia oblonga Mill., Scrophularia striata, Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, Portulaca oleracea L, Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume, Achillea talagonica Boiss., Olea europaea L., Hypericum perforatum L., Cucurbita pepo L., Teucrium polium L., Myrtus communis, Brassica oleracea L., Plantago major L., Malva sylvestris L., Arnebia euchroma (Royle) I.M.Johnst., Cucurbita moschata Duchesne, Achillea millefolium L., Lythrum salicaria L., Crocus sativus L. and Allium sativum L. are some of the most important herbal remedies to repair burn wounds. According to the various researches on the medicinal plants, the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antimicrobial effects of these plants have been scientifically demonstrated, which has led to information that can be used to produce antimicrobial drugs for infectious and burn wounds.

Promising traditional Indian medicinal plants for the management of novel Coronavirus disease: A systematic review.

Traditional Indian medical practices (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and homeopathy) are a vast reservoir of knowledge about medicinal plants. The promising pharmacological properties of these plants have paved the way for developing therapy against novel Coronavirus (CoV) infection. The current review will summarize published works of literature on the effects of traditional Indian medicinal plants against acute respiratory infection (COVID‐19, SARS, Influenza, and Respiratory syncytial virus infection) and registered clinical trials of traditional Indian herbal medicines in COVID‐19. The current study aims to comprehensively evaluate the data of traditional Indian medicinal plants to warrant their use in COVID‐19 management. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched along with different clinical trial databases. A total of 22 relevant traditional Indian medicinal plants (35 relevant studies) were included in the current study having potential antiviral properties against virus‐induced respiratory illness along with promising immunomodulatory and thrombolytic properties. Further, 36 randomized and nonrandomized registered clinical trials were also included that were aimed at evaluating the efficacy of herbal plants or their formulations in COVID‐19 management. The antiviral, immunomodulatory, and thrombolytic activities of the traditional Indian medicinal plants laid down a strong rationale for their use in developing therapies against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The study identified some important potential traditional Indian medicinal herbs such as Ocimum tenuiflorum, Tinospora cordifolia, Achyranthes bidentata, Cinnamomum cassia, Cydonia oblonga, Embelin ribes, Justicia adhatoda, Momordica charantia, Withania somnifera, Zingiber officinale, Camphor, and Kabusura kudineer, which could be used in therapeutic strategies against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.

The UHPLC-QTOF-MS Phenolic Profiling and Activity of Cydonia oblonga Mill. Reveals a Promising Nutraceutical Potential.

Cydonia oblonga Mill., normally known as the quince fruit, has been widely used in agro-food industries mainly to produce jams and jellies. However, other parts of the plants are still underutilized and not completely assessed for their nutraceutical profile. Therefore, in this work, the polyphenolic profile of C. oblonga was investigated using an untargeted metabolomics approach based on high-resolution mass spectrometry. Several compounds were identified in the different parts of the plants, including flavonoids (i.e., anthocyanins, flavones, flavan-3-ols, and flavonols), phenolic acids (both hydroxycinnamics and hydroxybenzoics), low-molecular-weight phenolics (tyrosol equivalents), lignans, and stilbenes. Overall, C. oblonga leaves showed the highest in vitro antioxidant potential, as revealed by 2,2-difenil-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assays, being 189.5, 285.6, 158.9, and 348.8 mg Trolox Equivalent/g, respectively. The enzymes acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterases were both inhibited by the different plant parts of C. oblonga, with stems showing the higher inhibitory potential. Interestingly, the fruit extracts were the only parts inhibiting the α-glucosidase, with a value of 1.36 mmol acarbose equivalents (ACAE)/g. On the other hand, strong tyrosinase inhibition was found for stems and leaves, being 72.11 and 68.32 mg Kojic acid Equivalent/g, respectively. Finally, a high number of significant (0.05 < p < 0.01) correlations were outlined between phenolics (mainly anthocyanins, flava-3-ols, and tyrosol equivalents) and the different biological assays. Taken together, our findings suggest a potential exploitation of C. oblonga leaves and stems for the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Inverstigation of structural and sensory physicochemical properties of low – fat milky dessert modified with Balangu (Lallemantia) and Quince (Cydonia oblonga) native gums

Inverstigation of structural and sensory physicochemical properties of low – fat milky dessert modified with Balangu (Lallemantia) and Quince (Cydonia oblonga) native gums

First Report of Didymosphaeria rubi-ulmifolii Brown Spot infection of Chinese quince fruit in South Korea.

Chinese quince (Pseudocydonia sinensis (Thouin) CK Schneid.), a deciduous tree in the family Rosaceae, is native to China, Japan, and South Korea; the fruit is known as mogwa in South Korea. The ripened yellow fruit has been used as a traditional therapeutic for respiratory ailments and as an additive in health products such as syrups, tea, and candies (Sawai et al. 2008). From May to August 2020, Chinese quince trees showing symptoms of brown spots were observed on the Kyungpook National University premises, Daegu, South Korea, with an incidence of 30%-40%. The disease first appeared as small, round, yellow specks on the fruits, which necrotized over time and gradually enlarged to 0.7-2.7 cm in diameter. To isolate the pathogen, symptomatic tissues obtained from disease fruit were surface sterilized for 1 min with 70% ethanol, rinsed in sterile distilled water, and plated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA). The inoculated plates were incubated at 25°C for 7 days. Successively, pure cultures were obtained by transferring hyphal tips to new PDA plates. Twenty isolates were obtained from 25 fruit. Colonies on PDA reached a diameter of 30-40 mm. After incubation for 7 days at 25°C, spreading with an even, colorless-to-buff glabrous margin, a submarginal ring of conidiomata developed from day 5 to 12 and was visible as scattered dots on either side of the plate. Conidiogenous cells were discrete (3.5-6 × 3.5-5 μm); conidia were ellipsoid to short-cylindrical [3-5 × 2.1-3.5 μm (n = 60)] and olivaceous in color. These conidial dimensions corresponded to those of Didymosphaeria rubi-ulmifolii Ariyaw., Camporesi & K.D. Hyde (basionym: Paraconiothyrium brasiliense), which has been found on Rubus ulmifolius in Italy (Ariyawansa et al. 2014). Sequence data for the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU), and partial translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF) (White et al. 1990, Rehner and Buckley 2005) were obtained for one of the pure culture isolate (BT1) with GenBank accession numbers MW020087, MW020060 and MW027220, respectively. The sequences of BT1 isolate using a BLASTn analysis showed 100% identity with the ex-type MFLUCC 14-0023 of D. rubi-ulmifolii in ITS, and LSU portions (accession nos. MT310602, and MT214555, respectively) and 99% identity in TEF portion (accession no. MT394734). The procedure for Koch's postulates was followed to confirm fungal pathogenicity using 3-day-old mycelial discs. Fifteen healthy fruit were divided into three groups of five fruit each, with each group receiving a different treatment. One group of fruit was wounded by puncturing with a sterile pin and inoculated using 5-mm agar discs with mycelium on the wounds. Mycelium covered agar discs were also placed on the surfaces of five unwounded fruits. The remaining five fruit were maintained as a control and inoculated with sterile PDA plugs. The pathogenicity test was replicated thrice. The wounded fruits showed symptoms similar to those observed in the field. The control group remained asymptomatic and the morphology of the fungus re-isolated from the inoculated fruit was the same as that of D. rubi-ulmifolii. The phylogeny, together with the morphological identification and inoculation results, confirmed the identity of the fungus as D. rubi-ulmifolii (Ariyawansa et al. 2014). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of D. rubi-ulmifolii causing brown spot in Chinese quince.

De novo assembly and characterization of the first draft genome of quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.)

Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) is the sole member of the genus Cydonia in the Rosacea family and closely related to the major pome fruits, apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) and pear (Pyrus communis L.). In the present work, whole genome shotgun paired-end sequencing was employed in order to assemble the first draft genome of quince. A genome assembly that spans 488.4 Mb of sequence corresponding to 71.2% of the estimated genome size (686 Mb) was produced in the study. Gene predictions via ab initio and homology-based sequence annotation strategies resulted in the identification of 25,428 and 30,684 unique putative protein coding genes, respectively. 97.4 and 95.6% of putative homologs of Arabidopsis and rice transcription factors were identified in the ab initio predicted genic sequences. Different machine learning algorithms were tested for classifying pre-miRNA (precursor microRNA) coding sequences, identifying Support Vector Machine (SVM) as the best performing classifier. SVM classification predicted 600 putative pre-miRNA coding loci. Repetitive DNA content of the assembly was also characterized. The first draft assembly of the quince genome produced in this work would constitute a foundation for functional genomic research in quince toward dissecting the genetic basis of important traits and performing genomics-assisted breeding.

Evaluation of Vegetative and Reproductive Characteristics of Some Quince (Cydonia Oblonga Mill.) Genotypes from Central Regions of Iran

ABSTRACT Identification and differentiation of quince cultivars and genotypes are more difficult than other members of the pomoideae sub-family due to the more limited range of traits of this species. This research was conducted to study the vegetative and reproductive traits of quince germplasm in the central regions of Iran and to identify important traits in the differentiation of these cultivars and genotypes. For this, 11 cultivars and genotypes collected from Isfahan province in the collection of the Agricultural Research Center were compared during 2018 to 2020 according to the National Guideline for Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) in quince. Fifty-five traits related to this guideline were considered along with 10 vegetative and fruit complementary traits. The results showed significant diversity in all plant organs and the general shape of the tree. Traits such as growth vigor, pubescence density, internode length, leaf dimensions, angle of leaf apex, flower size, petal arrangement, the undulation of petal margin, flowering time, fruit size, neck length, prominences of around the eyes, and fruit ripening time played an essential role in the differentiation of cultivars and genotypes. Cluster analysis divided cultivars and genotypes into four main groups. This grouping was able to divide the studied germplasm based on quantitative and qualitative characteristics as well as their collection location. NB4 and KVD2 genotypes are among the promising genotypes due to the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the fruit.

Identification and Genetic Relationship Analysis of &lt;i&gt;Torreya&lt;/i&gt; Based on nrDNA ITS Sequence

In order to evaluate the identification ability of nrDNA ITS sequences on Torreya , this study used ITS sequence and four different analysis methods (BLAST, K2P genetic distance, SNP analysis, NJ tree) to identify species of Torreya , and established phylogenetic trees to discuss their phylogenetic relationships. The results showed that the length of 48 ITS sequences was 1 095 bp~1 105 bp, the average intraspecies genetic distance was 0.001 6 and the average interspecies genetic distance was 0.015 0. At the species level, BLAST alignment and NJ tree had the highest efficiency in Torreya . The SNP loci analysis could effectively identify T. grandis cv . ‘ Merrillii ’ and T. grandis . The analysis of genetic relationship showed that all the other species of Torreya were single-line branches, but the quince tree of T. yunnanensis and T. fargesii were clustered into a cluster in the ML tree, indicating that the two were closely related. This provided evidence for the nuclear genome sequence proposed the incorporation of T. yunnanensis and T. fargesii . This study showed that ITS sequence could be used as a DNA barcode for the identification of Torreya , and providing reference for the identification and systematic relationship of Torreya.

Morphological and Physiological Traits in Seedlings’ Populations Obtained from the Hybridization of Promising Genotypes of Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.)

Abstract Some morphological and physiological traits of seedlings in eight quince populations from seeds obtained in 2015 (350 progenies per population) were evaluated in 2017 and 2018. They resulted from open pollination of ‘Viduja’, KVD2 and KVD4 genotypes as well as from the crossings of ‘Viduja’ × KVD4, KVD2 × ‘Viduja’, KVD2 × KVD4, KVD4 × ‘Viduja’ and KVD4 × KVD2. Populations showed significant differences in some measured traits, including height and diameter of seedlings, canopy width, annual growth, leaf iron, and chlorophyll content, as well as catalase and peroxidase activities. Based on the results of descriptive statistics, a high variation coefficient was observed in canopy width, peroxidase activity, chlorophyll, and iron content traits. Results of simple correlation showed that there were significant positive correlations between leaf iron content and catalase activity as well as canopy width with both annual growth and leaf length. Cluster analysis among populations based on total traits divided the populations into four distinct groups. The role of the female parents was visible in reciprocal crosses of ‘Viduja’ × KVD4 and KVD2 × KVD4, but all populations with similar female parents were not grouped in the same clusters.

Behavioral and neurological improvement by Cydonia oblonga fruit extract in chronic immobilization stress rats.

It is known that chronic stress is a contributing factor to several physical and mental diseases. In this study, we examined the effect of hydroethanolic extract of Cydonia oblonga fruit (HECO, 300 mg/kg) in chronically immobilized rats on physiological and behavioral parameters by the open field test (OFT), sucrose preference test (SPT), and forced swimming test (FST) and on neurological alterations by analysis of the hippocampal neurogenesis. A daily 6 hr exposure to chronic immobilization stress (CIS) for 21 consecutive days induced anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors in rats' concomitant with decreased weight gain and increased plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels, rats also showed atrophy in the CA3 subregion of the hippocampus and a decreased number of Ki67 and DCX positive cells in the dentate gyrus (DG). Treatment with HECO successfully suppressed the physiological and behavioral markers of the CIS and prevents the structural abnormality and the impaired cell proliferation in the hippocampus. Moreover, the daily administration of HECO improved the mood function in normal rats. Taking together, our findings demonstrate, for the first time, the anti-depressive effect of C. oblonga fruit by enhancing the hippocampal neurogenesis in the rat model of depression.

Herbal approach for the management of C0VID-19: an overview

Abstract COVID-19 is the most recently discovered coronavirus infectious disease and leads to pandemic all over the world. The clinical continuum of COVID-19 varies from mild illness with non-specific signs and symptoms of acute respiratory disease to extreme respiratory pneumonia and septic shock. It can transmit from animal to human in the form of touch, through the air, water, utensils, fomite and feco-oral route blood. The pathogenesis and clinical features of COVID-19 be the same as the clinical manifestation associated epidemic Fever. In Unani medicine, various herbal drugs are described under the caption of epidemic disease. Great Unani scholar also Avicenna (980–1037 AD) recommended that during epidemic condition movement should be restricted, self-isolation, fumigation around the habitant with perfumed herbs (Ood, Kafoor, Sumbuluttib, Saad Kofi, Loban, etc.), and use of appropriate antidotes (Tiryaqe Wabai) and vinegar (Sirka) as prophylaxis. Herbal approach is based on single (Unnab—Ziziphus jujuba, Sapistan—Cordia myxa, Bahidana—Cydonia oblonga, Khatmi—Althea officinalis, Khubazi—Malva sylvestris, Zafran—Crocus sativus, Sibr—Aloe barbedensis, Murmuki—Commiphora myrrha, Darchini—Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Qaranfal—Syzygium aromaticum, Rihan—Oscimum sanctum, Habtus Sauda—Nigella sativa, Aslus Sus—Glycyrrhiza glabra, Maghze Amaltas—Cassia fistula and Adusa—Adhatoda vasica) and compound drugs (Habbe Bukhar, Sharbat Khaksi, Sharbat Zanjabeel, Naqu Nazla, Majoon Chobchini, Jawrish Jalinus and Khamira Marvareed) most of them are claimed for anti-viral, anti-pyretic, blood purifier, cardioprotective and expectorant activities. Traditionally most of the herbal practitioners are using it.