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Nepeta L. is one of the important genus in the Lamiaceae family. It includes ca. 300 herbaceous species and mostly grows in Eurasia. Nepeta is represented in Turkey by 40 taxa and of these 16 are endemic. Nepeta species are commonly utilized in traditional medicine by the local people, primarily as spasmolytic, diuretic, and bronchodilator agents. As a consequence of studies on Nepeta taxa, terpenoids and flavonoids have been identified as the most common components. In this report, chemical contents of two endemic Nepeta taxa (N. viscida from Buharkent/Aydin and N. nuda L. subsp. lydiae from Altinyayla/Burdur) were presented. The main constituents were determined as ?-terpineol (20.59%), trans-?-caryophyllene (9.90%) and spathulenol (9.37%) for N. viscida, and 1,8-cineole (31.31%), borneol (18.95%) and caryophyllene oxide (14.59%) for N. nuda subsp. lydiae. © IJSM 2022.

Main conclusion Using virus-induced gene silencing, we demonstrated that the enzymes GES, ISY, and MLPL are responsible for nepetalactone biosynthesis in Nepeta cataria. Abstract Nepetalactone is the main iridoid that is found in the Nepeta genus and is well-known for its psychoactive effect on house cats. Moreover, there is a burgeoning interest into the effect of nepetalactone on insects. Although the enzymes for nepetalactone biosynthesis have been biochemically assayed in vitro, validation of the role that these enzymes have in planta has not been demonstrated. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a silencing method that relies on transient transformation and is an approach that has been particularly successful when applied to a variety of non-model plants. Here, we use a recently designed visual-marker dependent VIGS system to demonstrate that the nepetalactone biosynthetic enzymes GES, ISY, and MLPL impact nepetalactone biosynthesis in Nepeta cataria.

The biosynthesis of nanoparticles stands as an uncomplicated, biocompatible, inexpensive, and secure approach for replacing the available chemical and physical methods. In this paper, Selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) and silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were biosynthesized using Nepeta and Berberine plant extracts, respectively. UV–Vis, FT-IR, and FESEM/EDAX techniques were applied for confirming the synthesis of nanoparticles. In addition, the method of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was utilized to perform a sensitivity test on fungal species' leachates through the usage of Duplicate. The application biosynthesized Se-NPs and Ag-NPs at concentrations of 1 µg/mL and below caused no growth of fungal agents. However, antifungal drugs at concentrations higher than 1 µg/mL and even up to 64 µg/mL inhibited the growth of these drug-resistant fungi. A comparison of the results showed that even these nanoparticles in some cases have a better effect than the group of antifungal drugs. Therefore, the usage of biosynthesized nanoparticles is considered to be more convenient and economical due to the increasing drug resistance of opportunistic and pathogenic microorganisms towards the exerted target drugs.

The new benzofuran lignans nepetamultin A (1) and B (2) were isolated from flowers of Nepeta multifida L. [Schizonepeta multifida (L.) Briq.; Lamiaceae]. UV and NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric data indicated 1 was the 9′9′′′-di-O-methyl ester of schizotenuin A; 2, the 9′-O-methyl ester of schizotenuin C1. Biological studies revealed that 1 and 2 possessed antioxidant and antihyaluronidase activity.

In this survey, the chromosome counts of eight Nepeta L. species were investigated and the karyotypic diversity among these species was studied. The examined species belong to N. cephalotes Boiss. species group, namely N. eremokosmos Rech.f., N. gloeocephala Rech. f., cephalotes Boiss., N. pungens (Bunge) Benth., N. ispahanica Boiss., N. mahanensis Jamzad & Simonds, N. hormozganica Jamzad and N. denudata Benth. collected from different habitats in Iran. The ploidy levels, karyotype formula, chromosome length range, total karyotype length, several karyotype asymmetries values and Stebbins classification were determined in this study. Results showed the same chromosome number, 2n = 2x= 18 for all studied species. The basic chromosome number for the above mentioned species are x = 9. Also, the smallest chromosome length is 1.02 μm in N. mahanensis. The largest chromosome length is 2.3 μm in N. ispahanica. The chromosomes of species were metacentric or submetacentric. According to the Stebbins classification, these species were located into three classes 1A, 2A and 3A. The chromosome numbers for six of studied species are reported here for the first time.

Catnip (

As a popular medicinal plant traditionally used in Tibet of China, Nepeta angustifolia C. Y. Wu is mainly administered to treat apoplexia, cerebral haemorrhage, fainting and epilepsy and other symptoms, while its effect on hyperuricemia is still unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the improvement of the 70% ethanol extract of Nepeta angustifolia C. Y. Wu in fructose-induced hyperuricemic mice. The results revealed that Nepeta angustifolia C. Y. Wu significantly decreased blood glucose and blood lipid levels, as well as lowering the urinary levels of uric acid, creatinine and urea nitrogen. Meanwhile, it effectively restored the serum levels of uric acid, creatinine and urea nitrogen and inhibited serum and hepatic XOD activities and renal oxidative stress, while suppressing the secretions of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in kidney. Nepeta angustifolia C. Y. Wu also attenuated the infiltration of inflammatory cells and reduced the production and accumulation of glycogen and collagen, while restoring the dysregulated protein expressions of renal URAT1, GLUT9, OAT1 and OAT3. In summary, our results support the idea that Nepeta angustifolia C. Y. Wu is a promising agent for treating hyperuricemia.

In the present study, we utilized ISSR molecular markers to investigate infraspecific and infrageneric genetic variations in 34 populations from 25 Nepeta L. taxa. We used the CTAB protocol for DNA extraction. PCR was performed using 20 ISSR primers, and 12 of which produced scorable bands. The genetic diversity and polymorphism analyses showed high genetic variation among the taxa and their populations. The Analysis of Molecular Variance revealed significant genetic variation (P ≤ 0.001), which its great part belonged to among taxa variation. These findings were supported by the considerable amounts of genetic differentiation (GST) and total genetic variation in the pooled species (HT) that revealed the high genetic divergence of the studied taxa. Furthermore, the reticulation network of gene flow, a small number of gen flow index (Nm), and the mean difference within each species (HS) indicated a reduced level of gene flow among the taxa. We detected high genetic diversity among the populations of the same species, which revealed high infraspecific diversity. The haplotype network (TCS) demonstrated genetic difference at similar loci among each population’s individuals due to mutations on a scaffold of genetic relationships. According to STRUCTURE analysis and the neighbor-joining tree, 15 genotypes were detected among the studied taxa and their populations. The clustering pattern of these taxa and their populations did not agree with previous infrageneric classifications of Nepeta species in sections or groups. The occurrence of mutations and restricted gene flow create high infraspecific genetic divergence, which is reflected well in the infrageneric classification of Nepeta. Therefore, infraspecific variation should be considered in each taxonomic treatment of the genus.

The antihypoxic effect of the Nepeta multifida L. dry extract was studied in experiments on white Wistar rats. The life span of animals was determined against the background of acute hypoxias: hype...

Nepeta viscida, N. nuda subsp. nuda, and their putative hybrid N. × tmolea were evaluated for their essential oils with chemotaxonomical aspect. Hybrid of N. x tmolea individuals were observed in the regions where the distribution of N. viscida and N. nuda subsp. nuda taxa were present, namely Dursunbey (Balıkesir) and Ödemiş (İzmir) natural habitats, respectively. The aerial parts of the taxa were hydrodistilled for 4 h using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The essential oils were analyzed both by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The main components of the oils for the species collected were spathulenol, β-elemene, and 1,8-cineole, supporting the hybridization proposition.

When talking of herbal medicines, one of the most important herbal families is the Lamiaceae family that includes a varied range of plants with biological and medicinal interests. Medicinal propert...

This study aimed to investigate the encapsulation of the Nepeta binaludensis extract and its release kinetics under laboratory conditions. The Nepeta extract (extracted using a pulse electric field process, 6000 v and pulse number 60) was encapsulated with maltodextrin (with dextrose equivalent of 7 (MD7) and 20 (MD20)) and Arabic gum (AG) with a mass ratio of 1:5 (extract/wall material, w/w). Response Surface Methodology (RSM) has been used to optimize the microencapsulation efficiency and the physicochemical properties of encapsulated powders, considering the type of wall content. To investigate the release kinetics under laboratory conditions, the microcapsules stored for 35 days at a relative humidity of 55 and 75% at 4 and 25 °C and every 7 days were measured the amount of microencapsulated phenolic compounds. The results showed that the combination of MD7 (16.67), AG (16.67), and MD20 (66.67) had higher efficiency in the production of microcapsules, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant power and glass transition temperature compared to other cases. These microcapsules were thin, uniform, non-porous, and indented in shape. The monitoring of release kinetics during storage showed that the loss of phenolic compounds was significantly affected by the type of wall composition, such that the wall with formula MD7 (16.67), AG (16.67), and MD20 (66.67), had a higher inhibitory effect on reducing total phenolic compounds compared to other walls.

Nepeta cataria L., commonly known as catmint or catnip, belongs to the family “Lamiaceae” and is indigenous to Europe and Asia. The essential oil of this species is known for the richness and diversity of nepetalactones (NPL) which are used as mosquito/insect repellents in perfumery and cosmetic industries. Reports on Indian catmint germplasm are very meager and warrants exploration of its commercial potential as a natural, non-toxic source of insect repellents. With this objective, commercial open-pollinated seeds of catmint collected from its native, temperate habitat in Himalayas were introduced in the tropical plains. Subsequent to adaptation to a new zone we were able to isolate nineteen individual plants based on plant growth. Hydrodistillation of the fresh herb yielded essential oil in the range of 0.01% to 0.2%. Gas Chromatography (GC) and GC-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses of the oil revealed the dominance of monoterpene hydrocarbon, namely, 4aα,7α,7aα NPL (1) isomer (84%). The other two isomers of nepetalactone, 4aα,7α,7aβ NPL (2) and 4aα,7β,7aα NPL (3) were also present, although in very less amounts (1.0% and 1.6%, respectively). Sesquiterpenes identified were α-humulene (traces), (E)-caryophyllene (0.6%) and caryophyllene oxide (1.7%). We compared the identified Indian catmint chemotype with the other oils from temperate, sub-tropical and tropical locations based on literature search. The Indian chemotype was found to be similar to the oils from Burundi, France, Turkey, UK and USA, mainly due to more accumulation of 4aα,7α,7aα NPL (1) isomer. These oils grouped together in Principal Component Analysis. Breeding lines are presently being developed to improve yield related traits in this plant. Multidisciplinary R&D efforts along with setting up industry related guidelines are required to successfully commercialize catmint cultivation. Several species of Nepeta genus have high nepetalactone content too and their potential as a commercial source of these isomers still needs to be explored.

Background Conventional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery, often affect the patients’ quality of life due to their serious side effects, indicating the urgent need to develop less toxic and more effective alternative treatments. Medicinal plants and their derivatives are invaluable sources for such remedies. The present study aimed to determine the chemical composition, anticancer and antibacterial activities of Nepeta mahanesis essential oil (EO). Methods The chemical composition of EO was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Cytotoxicity and apoptosis/necrosis induction of EO was analyzed by MTT assay and Flow cytometry. Real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the Bax/Bcl2 gene expression. Also, the effect of the EO on the cells’ mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ROS level was assessed. DPPH assay was done to assess the free radical scavenging activity of the EO. The Antimicrobial activity, MIC, and MBC of the oil were determined via well-diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Results Based on the GC-MS analysis, 24 compounds were identified in the EO, of which 1,8-cineole (28.5%), Nepetalactone (18.8%), germacrene D (8.1%), and β-pinene (7.2%), were the major compounds. Also, the EO showed considerable cytotoxicity against MCF-7, Caco-2, SH-SY5Y, and HepG2 after 24 and 48 h treatment with IC50 values between 0.0.47 to 0.81 mg/mL. It was revealed that this compound increased the Bax/Bcl2 ratio in the MCF-7 cells and induced apoptosis (27%) and necrosis (18%) in the cells. Moreover, the EO treatment led to a substantial decrease in MMP, which is indicative of apoptosis induction. A significant increase in ROS level was also detected in the cells following exposure to the EO. This compound showed strong DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50: 30). It was also effective against Gram-positive E. faecalis (ATCC 29,212) and Gram-negative E. coli (ATCC 11,333) bacteria. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrated that the EO of N. mahanesis could be considered a bioactive product with biomedical applications that can be used as an alternative cancer treatment and applied in the biomedical industries.

Nepeta iraqo-iranica Haloob, Bordbar & Qader, sp. nov. (Figs. 1-2) Diagnosis:— Differs from N. wettsteinii, N. kurdica, N. humilis and N. petraea in form of verticillasters (congested into terminal elongated spike); shape of bract (broad lanceolate); length of bract (11‒13 mm); length of corolla (13‒14 mm); wide of the middle lobe of the lower lip of corolla (4‒5 mm). Type:— IRAQ. NE, 38 km from NE Sulaimaniya, N Basneh village, near Rushikani, Shahrbazhar (Chuwarta), 35°54’22.86”N, 45°35’04.26”E, 1575 m, 24. V.2021, Omar 60380 (holotype BAG!, isotype BAG!) Specimen examined:— IRAN. W, Kurdistan, NW of Bâne, near Bolhasan, 35°59’42.0”N, 45°36’00.9”E, 1516 m, 29. V.2019, Mirtadzadini et al. 3842 (MIR!). IRAQ. NE, 38 km from NE Sulaimaniya, N Basneh village, near Rushikani, Shahrbazhar (Chuwarta), 35°53’49.47”N, 45°34’07.66”E, 1790 m, 27. VI.2019, Haloob, Ikhlas, Hamahkan & Omar 60236 (BAG!). Description:—Annual. Stem erect, 30‒60 cm long, simple or branched from lower half, with dense puberulentcrispateand sparsely glandular papillose hairs. Leaves bright green, covered with dense pubescent or ± villose and sparsely glandular papillose hairs, more dense in lower face, lower leaves petiolate, petiole 10‒35 mm long, blade broad triangular-ovate, 25‒35 × 20‒30 mm, margin crenate, at base cordate-subcordate, apex rounded, sometimes mucrunulate, middle leaves petiole 5‒10 mm long, blade ovate, 11‒18 × 8‒15 mm, margin crenate-dentate, at base subcordate-subtruncate, apex obtuse, upper leaves sessile, lanceolate, 10‒15 × 3‒8 mm, at base cuneate, apex apiculatemucronate. Verticillasters congested into terminal elongated spike, 30‒60 mm long, 10‒15 mm wide, flowers many, pedicel 1‒2 mm long. Bracts sessile, broad lanceolate, 11‒13 × 2‒4 mm, green, purplish in the upper half, apex rostrate, adaxial surface glabrous, abaxial surface with villose-crispate and sparsely glandular papillose hairs. Calyx straight, tubular, oblique at throat, 8‒9 mm long, tube 5‒6 mm long, green, glabrous inside, covered with villose-crispate and sparsely glandular papillose hairs outside, upper teeth lanceolate, 2.0‒ 2.5 mm, lower teeth narrowly lanceolate 2.5‒3.0 mm, teeth purple, margin ciliated. Corolla lavender, 13‒14 mm long, exserted from the calyx, tube 7‒9 mm, upper lip 2 × 2 mm, lateral lobes of lower lip 1 mm, middle lobe 4‒5 mm, margin crenate, corolla villose outside, glabrous inside, internally with a dense tuft of short hairs at throat, upper lip covered with white pilose hairsinside. Stamens 4, posterior pair longer than anterior, filaments glabrous, free part 3.0‒ 3.5 mm, anthers dark lilac, glabrous. Style shortly 2-branched, branches unequal. Nutlets brown, ca. 1.7 × 0.8 mm, oblong; areole lobes oblique, areole 0.3‒0.4 mm, surface glabrous. Etymology:—The epithet of the new species refers to its common locality in Iran and Iraq. Phenology:—Flowering from mid-May to mid-June and fruiting June-July. Habitat, distribution, and conservation status:—The new species occurs on colluvial soils of hillslopes (Fig. 2). This species is currently known from two locations 10 km apart, one in Iran and the second in Iraq, near the border of two countries in Kurdistan region (Fig. 3). Further field observations are necessary, but at present by the extent of occurrence (EOO) of about 6.28 km 2 and the area of occupancy (AOO) of 3.8 km 2, this species is categorized as “Critically Endangered” (CR) (IUCN, 2012). Taxonomic notes:—The new species is similar to N. wettsteinii distributed in Gilan and Azerbaijan Province of Iran, and N.kurdica from Kurdistan region of Iran and Iraq, in Group IV (Jamzad 2012), in morphological characteristics such as stem indumentum, length of corolla, lower lip margin of corolla, and in the length of calyx exclusively similar to N. wettsteinii (The length of calyx according to Jamzad (2012)). But they differ mainly in plant height, size of lower leaf blade, inflorescence shape, length of bract, upper teeth shape of calyx, indumentum of bract and calyx (Table 1). In the new species the inflorescence is compressed and the calyces are not visible. The bracts and their indumentum cover the calyces. While in N. kurdica and N. wettsteinii, the calyces are visible in the inflorescence and can be counted. It should be mentioned that N. kurdica and N. wettsteinii were considered as synonymous by Rechinger (1982). Nepeta iraqo-iranica was also compared morphologically to N.humilis and N.petraea, the two other sympatric annual species, Group IV, from west of Iran and north-east of Iraq. The new species can be readily distinguished from them by the difference in shape of lower leaf blade, inflorescence shape, shape and length of bract, length of calyx and corolla (Table 1).

Nepeta iraqo-iranica Haloob, Bordbar & Qader, sp. nov. (Figs. 1-2) Diagnosis:— Differs from N. wettsteinii, N. kurdica, N. humilis and N. petraea in form of verticillasters (congested into terminal elongated spike); shape of bract (broad lanceolate); length of bract (11‒13 mm); length of corolla (13‒14 mm); wide of the middle lobe of the lower lip of corolla (4‒5 mm). Type:— IRAQ. NE, 38 km from NE Sulaimaniya, N Basneh village, near Rushikani, Shahrbazhar (Chuwarta), 35°54’22.86”N, 45°35’04.26”E, 1575 m, 24. V.2021, Omar 60380 (holotype BAG!, isotype BAG!) Specimen examined:— IRAN. W, Kurdistan, NW of Bâne, near Bolhasan, 35°59’42.0”N, 45°36’00.9”E, 1516 m, 29. V.2019, Mirtadzadini et al. 3842 (MIR!). IRAQ. NE, 38 km from NE Sulaimaniya, N Basneh village, near Rushikani, Shahrbazhar (Chuwarta), 35°53’49.47”N, 45°34’07.66”E, 1790 m, 27. VI.2019, Haloob, Ikhlas, Hamahkan & Omar 60236 (BAG!). Description:—Annual. Stem erect, 30‒60 cm long, simple or branched from lower half, with dense puberulentcrispateand sparsely glandular papillose hairs. Leaves bright green, covered with dense pubescent or ± villose and sparsely glandular papillose hairs, more dense in lower face, lower leaves petiolate, petiole 10‒35 mm long, blade broad triangular-ovate, 25‒35 × 20‒30 mm, margin crenate, at base cordate-subcordate, apex rounded, sometimes mucrunulate, middle leaves petiole 5‒10 mm long, blade ovate, 11‒18 × 8‒15 mm, margin crenate-dentate, at base subcordate-subtruncate, apex obtuse, upper leaves sessile, lanceolate, 10‒15 × 3‒8 mm, at base cuneate, apex apiculatemucronate. Verticillasters congested into terminal elongated spike, 30‒60 mm long, 10‒15 mm wide, flowers many, pedicel 1‒2 mm long. Bracts sessile, broad lanceolate, 11‒13 × 2‒4 mm, green, purplish in the upper half, apex rostrate, adaxial surface glabrous, abaxial surface with villose-crispate and sparsely glandular papillose hairs. Calyx straight, tubular, oblique at throat, 8‒9 mm long, tube 5‒6 mm long, green, glabrous inside, covered with villose-crispate and sparsely glandular papillose hairs outside, upper teeth lanceolate, 2.0‒ 2.5 mm, lower teeth narrowly lanceolate 2.5‒3.0 mm, teeth purple, margin ciliated. Corolla lavender, 13‒14 mm long, exserted from the calyx, tube 7‒9 mm, upper lip 2 × 2 mm, lateral lobes of lower lip 1 mm, middle lobe 4‒5 mm, margin crenate, corolla villose outside, glabrous inside, internally with a dense tuft of short hairs at throat, upper lip covered with white pilose hairsinside. Stamens 4, posterior pair longer than anterior, filaments glabrous, free part 3.0‒ 3.5 mm, anthers dark lilac, glabrous. Style shortly 2-branched, branches unequal. Nutlets brown, ca. 1.7 × 0.8 mm, oblong; areole lobes oblique, areole 0.3‒0.4 mm, surface glabrous. Etymology:—The epithet of the new species refers to its common locality in Iran and Iraq. Phenology:—Flowering from mid-May to mid-June and fruiting June-July. Habitat, distribution, and conservation status:—The new species occurs on colluvial soils of hillslopes (Fig. 2). This species is currently known from two locations 10 km apart, one in Iran and the second in Iraq, near the border of two countries in Kurdistan region (Fig. 3). Further field observations are necessary, but at present by the extent of occurrence (EOO) of about 6.28 km 2 and the area of occupancy (AOO) of 3.8 km 2, this species is categorized as “Critically Endangered” (CR) (IUCN, 2012). Taxonomic notes:—The new species is similar to N. wettsteinii distributed in Gilan and Azerbaijan Province of Iran, and N.kurdica from Kurdistan region of Iran and Iraq, in Group IV (Jamzad 2012), in morphological characteristics such as stem indumentum, length of corolla, lower lip margin of corolla, and in the length of calyx exclusively similar to N. wettsteinii (The length of calyx according to Jamzad (2012)). But they differ mainly in plant height, size of lower leaf blade, inflorescence shape, length of bract, upper teeth shape of calyx, indumentum of bract and calyx (Table 1). In the new species the inflorescence is compressed and the calyces are not visible. The bracts and their indumentum cover the calyces. While in N. kurdica and N. wettsteinii, the calyces are visible in the inflorescence and can be counted. It should be mentioned that N. kurdica and N. wettsteinii were considered as synonymous by Rechinger (1982). Nepeta iraqo-iranica was also compared morphologically to N.humilis and N.petraea, the two other sympatric annual species, Group IV, from west of Iran and north-east of Iraq. The new species can be readily distinguished from them by the difference in shape of lower leaf blade, inflorescence shape, shape and length of bract, length of calyx and corolla (Table 1)., Published as part of Bordbar, Firouzeh, Haloob, Ali, Qader, Karzan Omar & Mirtadzadini, Mansour, 2022, Nepeta iraqo-iranica (Lamiaceae), a new species from the border of Iraq and Iran, pp. 195-200 in Phytotaxa 550 (2) on pages 196-198, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.550.2.8, http://zenodo.org/record/6641210, {"references":["IUCN (2012) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, version 3.1, 2 nd edition. IUCN Species Survival Commission. Gland, Switzerland, and Cambridge: International Union for Conservation of Nature.","Jamzad, Z. (2012) Nepeta. In: Assadi, M., Maassoumi, A. A. & Mozaffarian, V. (Eds.) Flora of Iran, vol. 76. Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands Press, Tehran, pp. 454 - 609. [in Persian]","Rechinger, K. H. (1982) Nepeta. In: Rechinger, K. H. (Ed.) Flora Iranica, vol. 150. Akademische Druck-und Verlagsanstalt, Graz, pp. 108 - 216."]}

Nepeta azurea R.Br. ex Benth. — Habit: Herb. Habitat: LMDF, BZ, UMF; 1 600–3 800 m. Distribution: II. Voucher: Near Ontulili Forest Station, Alt. 2 198 m, 5 Aug. 2015, SAJIT 003125 (HIB). References: Fries & Fries (1930b), Blundell (1987), Bussmann (1993, 1994), Agnew (2013)., Published as part of Zhou, Ya-Dong, Mwachala, Geoffrey, Hu, Guang-Wan & Wang, Qing-Feng, 2022, Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Mount Kenya, East Africa, pp. 1-108 in Phytotaxa 546 (1) on page 87, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.546.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/6550464, {"references":["Fries, R. E. & Fries, T. C. E. (1930 b) Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Flora des Kenia, Mt. Aberdare und Mt. Elgon. XIV. Notizblatt des Koniglichen Botanischen Gartens und Museums zu Berlin 11 (101): 20 - 47. https: // doi. org / 10.2307 / 3994695","Blundell, M. (1987) Collins guide to the wild flowers of East Africa. Collins, London, 464 pp.","Bussmann, R. W. (1993) The forest of Mt. Kenya (Kenya): A phytosociological approach with special reference to ecological problems. Ph. D. Thesis, Eberhard Karls Universitat Tubingen, Tubingen, 119 pp.","Bussmann, R. W. (1994) The forest of Mt. Kenya (Kenya): Vegetation, ecology, destruction and management of a tropical mountain forest ecosystem. Ph. D. dissertation, Universitat Bayreuth Startseite, Bayreuth, 252 pp.","Agnew, A. D. Q. (2013) Upland Kenya wild flowers and ferns, 3 rd edn. Nature Kenya Publications, Nairobi, 733 pp."]}

Перспективными источниками биологически активных веществ (БАВ), обладающих нейротропной активностью, являются представители рода Nepeta L. - котовник кошачий (Nepeta cataria L.) и котовник крупноцветковый (Nepeta grandiflora Bieb.). Цель - изучение в эксперименте in vivo и in vitro фармакологической активности экстрактов и фракций БАВ котовника кошачьего и котовника крупноцветкового. Методика. Для сравнительной оценки нейротропной активности экстрактов котовников кошачьего (Nepeta cataria L.) и крупноцветкового (Nepeta grandiflora Bieb.) проведен биологический скрининг образцов, обладающих дофаминергической активностью с применением тирозингидроксилазной специфической ферментной биотест-системы в условиях in vitro. Определение параметров острой токсичности и противовоспалительной активности экстракта проводили в экспериментах in vivo. Для оценки острой токсичности экстракта по методу Кербера использованы белые нелинейные мыши-самцы. Экстракты вводили животным внутрижелудочно в дозах 500, 1000, 1500 и 2000 мг/кг. Изучали влияние курсового (3-4 сут) введения выбранных по результатам скрининга экстрактов (дозы 10 и 100 мг/кг) на центральную нервную систему и поведение животных на моделях «приподнятый крестообразный лабиринт» и «хлоралгидратный сон». Препаратом сравнения служил экстракт пустырника (100 мг/кг). Результаты. В результате проведенных скрининговых исследований в условиях опытов in vitro с применением специфической ферментной биотест-системы на основе тирозингидроксилазы выявлена дофаминергическая активность у котовника крупноцветкового экстракта сухого и котовника кошачьего экстракта сухого. При однократном введении экстракты не приводили к гибели животных, изменению внешнего вида и поведенческих реакций мышей. В соответствии с классификацией токсичности химических веществ по ГОСТ 12.1.007-76 экстракты является малотоксичными веществами. В дозах 10 и 100 мг/кг экстракты оказывали статистически значимое седативное действие, снижали нервно-эмоциональное напряжение. Седативное действие проявлялось в ускорении процесса засыпания и увеличении продолжительности сна. Заключение. Выявлена дофаминергическая активность экстрактов котовника крупноцветкового экстракта сухого и котовника кошачьего экстракта сухого. Экстракты котовника кошачьего и котовника крупноцветкового являются малотоксичными веществами, обладают в опытах in vivo выраженным седативным действием, снижают нервно-эмоциональное напряжение. Экстракты котовника кошачьего и котовника крупноцветкового перспективны для дальнейшего изучения. Promising sources of biologically active substances (BAS) with neurotropic activity are representatives of the genus Nepeta L. - cat’s cat (Nepeta cataria L.) and large-flowered cat’s cat (Nepeta grandiflora Bieb.). The aim of the work is to study the pharmacological activity of extracts and fractions of BAS Catnip and large-flowered Catnip with the use of specific enzyme Biotest systems in in vitro experiments and using biological models on laboratory animals. Method. For a comparative assessment of the neurotropic activity of cat extracts (Nepeta cataria L.) and large-flowered (Nepeta grandiflora Bieb.) biological screening of samples with dopaminergic activity was performed using a tyrosine hydroxylase-specific enzyme Biotest system in in vitro experiments. The parameters of acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of the extract were determined. When studying the acute toxicity of the extract using the Kerber method, white non-linear male mice in the number of 30 individuals were used. Extracts were administered to animals intragastrically in doses of 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/kg. We studied the effect of course (3-4 days) administration of selected extracts based on the results of screening on the Central nervous system and animal behavior at doses of 10 and 100 mg / kg on the models «raised cruciform labyrinth» and «chloral hydrate sleep». Comparison drug-motherwort extract tablets at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Results. As a result of screening studies in in vitro experiments based on tyrosine hydroxylase, dopaminergic activity was detected in the cat’s large-flowered dry extract and cat’s dry cat extract. When administered once, the extracts did not lead to the death of animals, changes in the appearance and behavioral reactions of mice were not observed. According to the chemical toxicity classification according to GOST 12.1.007-76, extracts are low-toxic substances. In doses of 10 mg / kg and 100 mg / kg, these extracts have a significantly pronounced sedative effect, reduce nervous and emotional tension. The sedative effect is shown in improving sleep and increasing the duration of sleep. Conclusions. Dopaminergic activity was detected in the cat’s large-flowered dry extract and the cat’s dry cat extract. Extracts of Catnip and large-flowered Catnip are low-toxic substances, have a pronounced sedative effect in experiments in vivo, reduce nervous and emotional tension. Extracts of Catnip and large-flowered Catnip are promising for further study.

Nepeta curvidens is a plant of the mint family and an important species of the genus Nepeta. The main habitat of the N. curvidens in the Garin Mountains in Lorestan Province, Iran. Although locals have used N. curvidens as a food flavoring agent for years, few studies have been conducted on its phytochemical and biological properties. The chemical constituents of N. curvidens essential oil and then its biological properties were studied in detail in this investigation. N. curvidens essential oil was prepared from the aerial parts of the plant using the hydrodistillation method and its chemical composition was analyzed by the GC-MS method. Antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-Leishmania, and cytotoxic activities of the essential oil were investigated in vitro. In addition, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated in vivo. Most of N. curvidens essential oil compositions are composed of trans-caryophyllene (17.53%), allo-spathulenol (13.41%), germacrene D (10.12%), bicyclogermacrene (9.36%), α-pinene (9.12%), and β-phellandrene (6.87%). The highest antimicrobial and antifungal effects were observed against L. monocytogenes (MIC=156.25 μg/ml) and K. marxianus (MIC=625 µg/ml), respectively. Concentration-dependent effects were detected in the treatment of L. major, so that the number of macrophages infected with amastigote dropped significantly with higher concentrations. The essential oil showed the highest effect on the lung cancer cell line (A549) with the lowest IC50 (133.2μg/mL). The most resistant cell line to the essential oil was bladder cancer (C450) with an IC50 of 430.69 µg/mL. SI 19.49 index indicated high immunity of the essential oil on macrophage lines. Compared with morphine analgesic, the highest pain control effect of the essential oil was observed in primary and secondary phases at 100 mg/kg concentration in rats. At 100 mg/kg concentration, reduced swelling of the paw and ear was observed in mice compared to the dexamethasone anti-inflammatory drug. The essential oil presents remarkable therapeutic properties such as antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties that probably attributed to the presence of an important trans-caryophyllene compound. Outstandingly, the essential oil has low toxic effects on the normal line and high antitumor properties against cancer cells. Therefore, it is expected to be used in the preparation of less toxic drugs than chemical ones, although more studies are required.

Nepeta tenuifolia (N. tenuifolia) is a common aromatic herb that is widespread in East Asia. The aerial parts and spikes can be used as the traditional phytomedicines for the treatment of cold, fever, respiratory diseases, and skin diseases in the clinic and as a vegetable in salads or cooked foods. These applications have lasted for thousands of years due to their outstanding performance. In this review, with the help of PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, and CNKI, we have summarized the research achievements made in recent years on the various aspects of N. tenuifolia, covering botany, traditional uses, processing, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmaceutics. A total of 102 phytochemicals have been found and identified in N. tenuifolia, which were grouped into terpenoids, flavonoids, organic acids and other components, including many bioactive compounds such as pulegone, hesperidin, and rosmarinic acid. This plant has also exhibited antiviral, immunoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and miscellaneous bioactivities, including antitumour, antidiabetic, antibacterial, and antithrombus activities. The progress to date has provided basic and strong evidence to support the traditional uses of this herbal medicine. However, the present explanations seem insufficient and unsatisfactory, in term of the relationships between the traditional uses and the modern pharmacological actions, the action mechanisms and the material basis. Therefore, in the future, some comprehensive studies should be well designed for further understanding the development and utilization of N. tenuifolia.

The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L., resurged as an important urban pest in the last 20 yr. Yet, there are no commercial repellent products labeled for bed bugs available in the United States. We evaluated the repellency of two catnip oils from newly developed cultivars, CR3 and CR9, and compared each to 10 and 25% N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET). CR3 contains 63.4% E,Z-nepatalactone and 27.5% Z,E-nepatalactone, and CR9 contains 94.9% Z,E-nepatalactone. Arena studies showed that CR3 and CR9 oils were more effective than DEET within a 24-h period. At 10% concentration, both CR3 and CR9 oils exhibited a repellency of over 94% during the first 8 h. At 25% concentration, the repellency of CR3 and CR9 oils increased to 100%, and repellency of DEET was 92% during the first 24 h. Repellency of 25% CR3 and CR9 oils became lower than 25% DEET after being aged for 3 d. After 28-d aging, repellency of 25% CR3, CR9, and DEET reduced to 25, 64, and 92%, respectively. Soiled socks were placed above repellent treated bands to determine if the repellent can protect soiled socks from being infested. The 20% CR3 oil prevented 100% of bed bugs from infesting soiled socks showing that it was more effective than DEET. These results indicate that catnip oils from CR3 and CR9 cultivars are more repellent than DEET over a 24-h period following application, but their longevity is shorter than DEET after 72 h.

Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Nepeta nuda subsp. albiflora Boiss. were reported in this study. The ethanol and water extracts of Nepeta nuda subsp. albiflora were prepared and used for biochemical analyses. Antioxidant capacities of the extracts were evaluated by three different in vitro bioanalytical methods including a reducing antioxidant method and two radical scavenging antioxidant methods. The water and ethanol extracts of the plant sample were found to have effective antioxidant potentials. Phenolic content of Nepeta nuda subsp. albiflora was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Rosmarinic acid (182.0±4.5 µg/g), apigenin (84.5±57.6 µg/g), and quercetin (44.5±62.9 µg/g) were identified as major compounds in the ethanol extract of the plant sample. This study has a potential scientific base for further studies about Nepeta nuda subsp. albiflora related to plant biochemistry and plant based pharmacological industry.

Nepeta camphorata Boiss. & Heldr. is an endemic aromatic plant found on Mt Taygetos (South Peloponnese, GR) at small populations. It has an interesting biochemical profile and potential ornamental use. In the present study, we evaluated, for the first time, its antioxidant potential, asexual propagation and cultivation using different substrate mixtures. Wild N. camphorata plant material collected from Mt Taygetos was successfully propagated in-vitro without the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs). Eighty seven percent of the meristematic tissues used (i.e. nodes) were established and the average of 4.27 shoots/tissue, was recorded. Complete acclimatization of the plantlets was recorded after cultivation for 10-months. Stem cuttings taken from the micropropagated stock plants, gave 82% of rooting. N. camphorata plants cultivated in soil-based substrate mixtures showed significantly higher plant heights, leaf numbers, lateral stem and flower numbers, compared to plants cultivated in peat-based mixtures. Furthermore, anthesis was completed earlier in plants cultivated in the soil-based substrate. The antioxidant potential and phenolic compounds in N. camphorata was relatively high, especially in plants cultivated at the premises of the University of Peloponnese. We suggest that N. camphorata showed great potential for commercial use.

not available Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 27(1): 185-189, 2020 (June)

The floristic study carried out during 2015–2018 revealed that the flora of Koh-e-Safaid Range comprised of 654 species, 401 genera from 116 families. Leading families were Poaceae 72 species (11.07%), Asteraceae 56 species (8.61%), Rosaceae 43 species (6.61%), Lamiaceae 41 species (6.25%), Papilionaceae 38 species (5.84%), Brassicaceae 32 species (4.92%), Ranunculaceae 17 species (2.61%), Apiaceae and Polygonaceae each with 16 species (2.41%). The largest genera were: Prunus (9 species), Potentilla and Astragalus (8 species each), Artemisia, Allium (7 species) Euphorbia and Amaranthus (6 species each), Lepidium, Nepeta and Cotoneaster (5 species each). Therophytes with 257 species (39.23%) were the dominant life form, followed by nanophanerophytes 104 species (15.92%), geophytes 100 species (15.31%), hemicryptophytes 98 species (15.00%). Cuscuta reflexa, Viscum album and Viscum articulatum were three of the shoot parasites. The leaf spectrum was dominated by nanophylls 246 species (37.67%) followed by microphylls 140 species (21.43%) and mesophylls 128 species (19.54%). Eleven species (1.68%) were aphyllous. Majority of the species (459 species, 70.29%) had simple lamina while seven species (1.07%) had spiny leaves. Present report also listed the some of the endemic species while Cleome amblycarpa and Salvia reflexa are reported as a new addition to the list of Flora of Pakistan.

The objective of this study was to authenticate the ethnobotanical claims of theNepeta ruderalisBuch.-Ham. (N. ruderalis) extract in the traditional system of medicine. Crude extract was prepared via a simple maceration process. DPPH free radical scavenging and carrageenan-induced rat paw edema models were used to monitor antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses of theN. ruderalisextract. Furthermore, it was tested for antiplatelet aggregation, cardioprotective, and calcium channel antagonistic activities via standard documented protocols. TheN. ruderalisextract exhibited 80.82% antioxidant activity (IC50=207.51±4.36 μg) while the anti-inflammatory response was significant (p<0.05top<0.01) at 50 mg/kg (45.58%) and 100 mg/kg (60.90%) doses. Moreover, it was found to inhibit platelet aggregation (IC50=1.06and 0.91 mg/mL) and, in addition, to increase the force of contraction at the concentration of 3.0-10 mg/mL with a decrease in the heart rate on isolated paired atria (EC50=11.78 mg/mL). Relaxant activity was observed on the isolated rabbit jejunum (EC50=0.96 mg/mL) and trachea (EC50=0.89 mg/mL). However, in a cumulative way, an 80-millimolar potassium-induced contraction was evaluated (EC50=1.31 mg/mL). TheN. ruderalisextract exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, platelet aggregating, cardiotonic, and calcium channel antagonistic activities, therefore proving scientifically its effectiveness in the traditional system of medicine.

Mucilage is considered to play an important role in the survival of seeds in harsh desert environments. Nepeta micrantha is an ephemeral plant of the Gurbantungut Desert, China. The outer surface of N. micrantha nutlets contains a layer of mucilage. We hypothesised that mucilage improves germination during and after osmotic stress. Germination of both intact and demucilaged nutlets under different polyethylene glycol (PEG)-simulated drought stress was tested at the optimal light and temperature conditions. Germination of intact and demucilaged nutlets decreased with an increase in PEG concentration. However, there were no significant differences in germination between intact and demucilaged nutlets at the same PEG concentration, except at 15% PEG. Recovery percentage and final germination of intact nutlets were considerably higher than that of demucilaged nutlets after treatment with 15% PEG. These findings demonstrate that mucilage contributes significantly to drought tolerance ofN. micrantha nutlets by decreasing germination under moderate osmotic stress and aiding germination after the release of this stress.

Aims Niosomes have been considered as carriers for targeted delivery of drugs in modern drug delivery systems. The Iranian Nepta (Nepta genus) has unique biological properties; thus, this plant was used in this study to prepare the optimized formulation of niosomes containing extract, and to evaluate its cytotoxicity. Methods & Materials Initially, the extract of Iranian Nepta (N. persica) was prepared. Then, the nano-niosomal system, containing the extract was designed and synthesized using cholesterol and Span-60. The physicochemical properties of the system were evaluated by FTIR and SEM. MTT assay [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] was used to determine the toxicity of the Nepta extract and nano-system containing it against bone cancer cells (MG63). Findings An optimized formulation was obtained using cholesterol and Span-60 with a ratio of 80:20. The amount of extract release from this formulation continued with a steady slope over a long period of time. The survival rate of MG63 cells against 100 μg/mL of the free form of N. persica extract and its niosomal form were 22% and 8.88%, respectively. Conclusion The present research results suggested that N. persica extract exert anti-cancer effects and niosome could improve its anti-cancer efficiency. Therefore, it could be used as a proper carrier to deliver the extract to the target tissue.

Nepeta nuda L. (syn. N. pannonica L.) is a herbaceous perennial plant, is the most widespread species of the genus Nepeta , the largest genera in Lamiaceae family. However, N. nuda is well spread worldwide, and divided into four subspecies according to morphological differences which occur within large geographical range of distribution: subsp. nuda , subsp. albiflora , subsp. lydiae and subsp. glandulifera . In this review, previous reports on N. nuda concerningits botanical description and systematics, phytochemistry, use in traditional medicine, pharmacology, and posibilities for other applications were critically summarized. This paper includes data about N. nuda phytochemical compounds, ethnomedicinal uses, pharmacological properties, and prospect of it being applied as a natural herbicide an in management of plant diseases. All of this contributes to N. nuda being a highly promising plant in food and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in agriculture for the development of natural pesticides.

The issue of male sexual dysfunction arises due to numerous complications linked with sperm motility, imbalance of antioxidant enzymes and hormonal levels. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is widely used as a standard toxin to induce chemical injury and toxicity. A lot of research has been performed on many species of the genus Nepeta in vitro and in vivo but the plant Nepeta paulsenii have been rarely used in this aspect. The current research was designed to explore the impacts of methanolic extract of the Nepeta paulsenii plant on CCl4 induced testicular impairment in male albino rats. Forty-eight rats were distributed equally into 8 groups; Control, Vehicle control, CCl4 treated (1 ml/kg), CCl4 + Silymarine treated, CCl4 + Nepeta paulsenii (200 mg/kg) treated, CCl4 + Nepeta paulsenii (400 mg/kg), Nepeta paulsenii (200 mg/kg) and Nepeta paulsenii (400 mg/kg) treated. Blood and testicles were obtained and analyzed. To check antioxidant enzymes, hormonal concentrations, daily sperm production (DSP), protein content and histopathology various analyses were performed. CCl4 exposure resulted in adverse morphological changes and significant (p

It has been known for centuries that cats respond euphorically to Nepeta cataria (catnip). Recently, we have shown that Lonicera tatarica (Tatarian honeysuckle), Actinidia polygama (silver vine), and Valeriana officinalis (valerian) can also elicit this "catnip response". The aim of this study was to learn if the behavior seen in response to these plants is similar to the response to catnip. Furthermore, we studied if these responses are fixed or if there are differences between cats. While nepetalactone was identified decades ago as the molecule responsible for the "catnip response", we know that this volatile is found almost exclusively in catnip. Therefore, we also aimed to identify other compounds in these alternative plants that can elicit the blissful behavior in cats. Bioassays with 6 cats were performed in a low-stress environment, where 5 plants and 13 single compounds were each tested for at least 100 and 17 h, respectively. All responses were video recorded and BORIS software was used to analyze the cats' behavior.Both response duration and behavior differed significantly between the cats. While individual cats had preferences for particular plants, the behavior of individual cats was consistent among all plants. About half a dozen lactones similar in structure to nepetalactone were able to elicit the "catnip response", as were the structurally more distinct molecules actinidine and dihydroactinidiolide. Most cats did not respond to actinidine, whereas those who did, responded longer to this volatile than any of the other secondary plant metabolites, and different behavior was observed. Interestingly, dihydroactinidiolide was also found in excretions and secretions of the red fox, making this the first report of a compound produced by a mammal that can elicit the "catnip response". A range of different cat-attracting compounds was detected by chemical analysis of plant materials but differences in cat behavior could not be directly related to differences in chemical composition of the plants. Together with results of, among others, habituation / dishabituation experiments, this indicates that additional cat-attracting compounds may be present in the plant materials that remain to be discovered.Collectively, these findings suggest that both the personality of the cat and genetic variation in the genes encoding olfactory receptors may play a role in how cats respond to cat-attracting plants. Furthermore, the data suggest a potential distinct mechanism of action for actinidine.

Medicinal plants are valuable species, but their geographic distributions may be limited or exposed to extinction by climate change. Therefore, research on medicinal plants in the face of climate change is fundamental for developing conservation strategies. Distributional patterns for a semi-endemic medicinal plant species, Nepeta glomerulosa, distributed in southwestern and central Asia was determined based on a maximum–entropy algorithm. We evaluated potential geographic shifts in suitability patterns for this species under two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5) of climate change for 2060. Our models based on climatic features indicate that the species occupies montane areas under current conditions; transfer of the model to future climate scenarios indicated that suitable areas for the species will increase in general, and the species will likely track its favored set of climate conditions. But the types and degrees of these changes differ among areas. Our findings can be used to inform conservation management programs for medicinal, endemic, and endangered species that probably respond similarly to climate change in southwestern and central Asia.

Nepeta badachschanica Kudrjasch., Bot. Mater. Gerb. Inst. Bot. Zool. Akad. Nauk Uzbeksk. S.S.R. 9: 18. 1947. Type: ��� Tajikistan, Pamir occidentalis. Inter fl. Jazgulem et Vancz, in viciniis pag. Chej-Chak, 1620 m, 29 September 1932, Lanina 1240 (holotype: LE!). Perennial herbs, 30���50 cm tall. Numerous stems, stout, almost branched from the base, 3���4 mm diameter, white pubescent; internodes 3���6 cm long. Leaves opposite, lamina almost round, at the base slightly heart-shaped, 1.5���3.5 cm long, margine dentate-crenate, abaxially strongly wrinkled, with depressed veins on both sides, densely white pubescent; petioles densely white pubescent, 1.2���4 cm long. Verticillasters with lower peduncles longer than 1 cm, the upper ones are only 0.3���0.5 cm long; floral leaves similar to stem leaves, lamina 7���8 mm long; petioles 5���6 mm long; the uppermost floral leaves are narrow, entire, lanceolate-linear, 5���6�� 1 mm, sessile, white pubescent; the bracts are shorter than half of the calyx, densely pubescent, curved upward; verticillasters 8���15 mm in diameter at fruiting, consisting of 6���8 flowers. The calyx is tubular, two-lipped, almost sessile or on a very short peduncle with 13 veins; the upper lip is three-toothed; the lanceolate teeth are 2 times shorter than the tube, the lower lip is bipartite, the teeth are narrower, 1.5 times shorter than the upper ones. Flowering calyx 7���8 mm, fruiting calyx 9���10 mm, densely pubescent. Corolla 12���13 mm long; tube protrudes slightly from the calyx, expanding towards the pharynx. The upper lip of the corolla is two���lobed, oval, pubescent outside, the lower lobe is tripartite, the lateral lobes are semicircular, triangular, the middle lobe is much wider, not dissected along the edge (Fig. 4). Phenology: ���Flowering from July to September, fruiting from September to October. Distribution, habitat and ecology: ��� Uzbekistan and Tajikistan; new record for Uzbekistan, occurring in southern part Uzbekistan mountain, Babatag and Gissar ridge, mountain Tschulbair. This species grows in colored clays and fine-soil hillsides, 900���1600 m (Tschukervanik 1987) (Fig. 5). Etymology: ���The specific epithet ��� badachschanica ��� derived from Badakhshan, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous region in Tajikistan, the type locality of this species. Common name (assigned here): ��� Badakhshon zufosi (Uzbekistan name). Taxonomic notes: ���Morphologically, Nepeta badachschanica is obviously different from other Central Asia species by having numerous leafy axillary branches (vs. branches less) and general inflorescence paniculate (vs. less branched paniculate) (Pojarkova 1954). Conservation status in Uzbekistan: ��� Nepeta badachschanica Kudrjasch. is distributed in only two localities of southern Uzbekistan: the first population is in the mountain Babatag, the second population is in Gissar ridge, Tschulbair mountain. The distance between the populations is 50 km. In total, there are approximately more than 2,000 individuals in two populations. The populations are not declining; there are no current threats, and the species is very unlikely to become Extinct or Critically Endangered in a short time. Thus N. badachschanica should be classified as Least Concern (LC) based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2019). Additional specimens examined: UZBEKISTAN: Surkhandarya, mountain Babatag, near village Kuruksai, 38��18���15.26���N, 68��16���29.09��� E, 12 Jun. 2019, O . T. Turginov s.n. (TASH!); Surkhandarya, South western Gissar, mountain Tschulbair, near village Sina, 38��23���19.13��� N, 67��39���40.04��� E, 24 May 2020, Pulatov et al. 604-619 (TASH!)., Published as part of Zhao, Yue, Chi, Jian-Cai, Chen, Ya-Ping, Liang, Cun-Zhu, Turginov, Orzimat T., Pulatov, Sardor O., Rakhmatov, Abdurashid A., Aromov, Tolmas B. & Xiang, Chun-Lei, 2022, Three new records of Lamiaceae from China and Uzbekistan, pp. 111 in Phytotaxa 531 (2) on page 111, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.531.2.3, http://zenodo.org/record/5869183, {"references":["Tschukervanik, T. I. (1987) Nepeta L. In: Adylov, A. T. (Ed.) Conspectus florea Asiae Mediae, vol. 9. Tashkent, Academiae Scientiarum URSS, pp. 44 - 57.","Pojarkova, A. I. (1954) Nepeta. In: Shishkin, B. K. & Yuzepchuk, S. V. (Eds.) Flora of the USSR. vol. 20. Acad. Sci. U. S. S. R., Moscow, pp. 191 - 292.","IUCN Standards and Petitions Subcommittee. (2019) Guidelines for Using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Version 14. IUCN Standards and Petitions Subcommittee."]}

This study assessed the inhibitory potential of the probiotics Lactobacillus (LB) exopolysaccharides (EPS) with or without extracts of Satureja calamintha on enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEc) responsible for gastroenteritis. Methanolic and hydromethanolic extracts were prepared by cold maceration and subjected to phytochemical screening. The compounds of the extracts were determined with the colorimetric assays and identified using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Antioxidant activities of the extracts were also evaluated by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging. Antibacterial effect on EPEc was evaluated by using both agar disc diffusion and microdilution methods. The in vitro test of auto-aggregation was investigated. Microbiological analysis showed that 63% of the isolated LB were producing EPS, with the amount ranging from 8.21 to 43.13 mg/L. Chemical analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of polyphenols and flavonoids, more abundant in the hydromethanolic extract, which presented the highest content with 2.11 mg EGA/g of polyphenol and 1.64 mg EC/g of flavonoids and 1.71 mg EGA/g of polyphenol and 1.15 mg EC/g of flavonoids in the methanolic extract. Hydromethanolic extracts and EPS exhibited a more important activity than did the methanolic extract against EPEc. The combined action of EPS and extracts reduced the aggregation ability of EPEc and decreased the rate of their adhesion.

In this work, the effects of salt stress on Nepeta racemosa Lam. were studied to analyze the possibility of using it as a potential culture for salinity-affected soils. A total of nine concentrations of salts—NaCl (18, 39, and 60 mg/100 g soil), Na2SO4 (50, 85, and 120 mg/100 g soil), and a mixture (9 g NaCl + 25 g Na2SO4, 19 g NaCl + 43 g Na2SO4, and 30 g NaCl + 60 g Na2SO4/100 g soil)—simulated real salinity conditions. Environmental electron microscopy offered information about the size and distribution of glandular trichomes, which are very important structures that contain bioactive compounds. The chlorophyll pigments, polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were determined based on spectrophotometric protocols. The results have shown a different impact of salinity depending on the salt type, with an increase in bioactive compound concentrations in some cases. The highest polyphenol concentrations were obtained for Na2SO4 variants (47.05 and 46.48 mg GA/g dw for the highest salt concentration in the first and second year, respectively), while the highest flavonoid content was found for the salt mixtures (42.77 and 39.89 mg QE/g dw for the highest concentrations of salt in the first and, respectively, the second year), approximately 100% higher than control. From the Pearson analysis, strong correlations were found between chlorophyll pigments (up to 0.93), antioxidant activity and yield for the first harvest (up to 0.38), and antioxidant activity and flavonoid content for the second harvest (up to 0.95). The results indicate the possibility of growing the studied plants in salt-stress soils, obtaining higher concentrations of bioactive compounds.

Microbial biodeterioration is a growing problem in cultural heritage (CH). Many biocides used to control CH biodeterioration have toxic effects and risks of contamination for health and the environment. Essential oils (EOs) due to their antimicrobial potential and low toxicity represent a sustainable and safe alternative in the control of microbial growth in heritage assets. Nevertheless, EOs volatility is one of the main challenges for its use in bio-mitigation adapted to cultural heritage. The encapsulation of EOs may have an alternative strategy for the use of EOs as green biocides that promote a controlled release of EO. In this study, seven EOs of flavouring herbs were screened to evaluate their antimicrobial potential against filamentous fungi, yeast or bacteria strains, previously isolated from colonized artworks. Free EOs, namely L. luisieri and C. nepeta EOs, showed a large antimicrobial spectrum, with high activity for A. niger, Cladosporium spp., Penicillium spp., Rhodotorula sp. and Arthrobacter sp. strains. EO of T. vulgaris shows similar antifungal activity when encapsulated by co-precipitation with β-cyclodextrin, for an encapsulation efficiency higher than 50%. The results suggest the potential use of EO in the safeguard of cultural assets, as eco-friendly, biodegradable and non-toxic biocides, as a green and useful approach when compared to traditional biocides.

Ultrasonication technology was utilized for extraction of effective components from Nepeta (Nepeta binaludensis Jamzad). Response surface methodology was employed in order for investigation the effects of independent process variables (ultrasonic extraction time (UET, min): 5, 10 and 15 min, ultrasound amplitude (UA, %): 20, 60 and 100%, ultrasonic extraction temperature (UEC, °C): 25, 35 and 45 °C and ultrasonic duty cycle (UDC, %): 20, 60 and 100%) on the yield (Y), total phenolic compounds (TPC), half maximal of radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activity (IC50) and ferric reducing-antioxidant power (FRAP) of ethanolic Nepeta extract. According to Derringer’s desired function approach, the optimal conditions based on both individual and combinations of all process variables were UET 15 min, UA 60%, UEC 25 °C and UDC 60%. At this optimum condition, the Y, TPC, IC50 and FRAP of the ultrasound-assisted extract (USx) were found to 10.93%, 402.63 mg GA/kg, 0.33 mg/mL and 2838.34 µmol Fe2+/kg, respectively which were well matched with the predicted values. The evaluation of antioxidant activity (IC50 and FRAP) indicates that the phenolic compounds from Nepeta possess significant antioxidant activity. Also, HPLC analysis revealed that at optimal condition of UAE, the quantity of caffeic acid (85.71%), rutin (3550%) and rosemarinic acid (468.62%) in extract increased in comparison with conventional method (solvent extraction).

The role of dormant buds in the formation and transformation of herbaceous life forms of plants was determined by the example of a number of species of the genus Nepeta. Different variants of shoot formation and mechanisms reorganization of biomorphs with the participation of dormant buds are described. It has been established that regular and irregular development of dormant buds may lead to the formation of shortened, remote-nodal, and elongated residue, which are the basis for the construction of new shoot structures (shoot systems and rooting partial formations) typical for long-rhizome biomorphs.

In infectiology, some essential oils (EOs) are able to competewith antibiotic therapy and even surpass it; it is in this context that a study of the chemical composition and the antibacterial power of the EOs of three aromatic and widely used medicinal plants in traditional medicine was conducted which are Satureja calamintha subsp. nepeta (L.) Briq, Lavandula multifida L., and Mentha pulegium L. The extracted EO yields were of the order of 2.6%, 0.12%, and 5.29% for Satureja calamintha, Lavandula multifida, and Mentha pulegium, respectively. The obtained EOs were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results of these analyses showed that Lavandula multifida contains carvacrol as a majority compound (70.65%); by contrast, the pulegone is the majority compound of Satureja calamintha and Mentha pulegium that contain about 87.04% and 71.97%, respectively. The EOs with the pulegone as predominant compound (Mentha pulegium and Satureja calamintha) showed higher antibacterial activity when tested against some multiresistant strains, compared to those with the carvacrol as major compound. In conclusion, this study may open up prospects for the formulation of phytomedicines against resistant and nonresistant bacteria incriminated in nosocomial infections.

Nepeta cataria var. citriodora Beck. (catmints) is a source industrial production of citral and attractive raw material for food industry and cooking. Aerial part of Nepeta are characterized by high antimicrobial activity and fungicidal action against mold fungi, used in folk medicine, as ingredient in recipes for sausages, liqueurs and soft drinks, vegetable and fruit canned food, in the manufacture of vermouth. Ukrainian variety 'Melody' was created specifically for growing in the Forest-Steppe zone, and variety 'Peremozhets' - in the Steppe zone. Data on the yield aerial part and essential oil Nepeta was determined. The dry aerial part of plants N. cataria we used to create a dry spicy mixture for sweet dessert dishes. Quantitative content and qualitative composition of essential oil of plants by organs and phases of vegetation are presented in the article. In our research we used essential oils obtained by hydro distillation procedure for 2 h using Clevendger-type apparatus from the flowering parts of plants N. cataria 'Peremozhets' and 'Melody'. Investigate of components was carried out by high effective gas chromatography with HP 6890 chromatograph coupled with HP 5972 mass selective detector. The most abundant components of Nepeta essential oil was citral, geraniol, as well as nerol, citronellol, citronellal, carvacrol, camphor, eugenol. We proposed fractional distillation of essential oils to obtain a line of flavors with stable sensory and physicochemical indicators for food industry. The separation of essential oils into fractions was carried out on a pilot installation of fractional distillation DFD (Device of Fractional Distillation). Calculations of parameters controlled dispersal of essential oils (residual pressure, temperature regimes, number of theoretical plates, reflux number) were carried out. During fractionation of essential oil of N. cataria four fractions were obtained with a content of 96 ±0.5% to the total mass of samples. Sensory and physicochemical analysis of aromatic fractions announced them as promising flavours for food industry.

Background: As an important plant belonging to the Nepeta genus, Nepeta racemosa has been reported to be widely used in traditional medicine. The present study was conducted to investigate the phytochemical content and antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of the decoction, infusion and hydro-alcoholic extract of this plant. Materials and Methods: The total phenolic content of the samples was determined using a slightly- modified Folin–Ciocalteu method. The DPPH free radical scavenging method was used to evaluate the antioxidant activities, and the Vanillin-Sulphuric Acid Method for the saponin content of the extract. Moreover, their inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase were investigated based on standard methods. Results: The phenolic content of the plant decoction was found to be 222.8 mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram of dried extract and its flavonoid content 87.8 mg of quercetin equivalent per gram of dried extract. The highest saponin content obtained was associated with the hydro-alcoholic extract of the plant with 41.9 mg of quillaja equivalent per gram of dried extract. The plant decoction also showed the highest potential compared to the other samples in terms of antioxidant properties investigated using the DPPH and FRAP methods. Furthermore, the plant decoction showed great potential in terms of its inhibitory effects on α-amylase with 9.45 µmol of acarbose equivalent per gram of dried extract, and α-glucosidase with 33.57 µmol of acarbose equivalent per gram of dried extract. Conclusion: According to the results, Nepeta racemosa was found to exhibit high levels of antioxidant and antidiabetic abilities, which are directly proportional to its phenolic and flavonoid contents.

Abies and Nepeta species are well known for their traditional use in traditional medicine from Bukovina, Romania, and other parts from the world. However, too few studies present the connection between phenophase, chlorophyll content and antioxidant activity of extracts obtained from medicinal plants. Phenophases, like stages from vital cycle of plants, involve seasonal and evolutionary changes, including chlorophyll content of the leaves. With these changes, there are also changes in the oxidative activity of the extracts obtained from the studied plants. The chlorophyll was extracted with acetone, being quantitatively measured using the spectrophotometer. Antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH method. This method is one from the most popular ways to measure the antioxidant capacity of a substance. The studied species are Abies alba and Nepeta pannonica. Plants were harvested from different locations of Bukovina, from areas of Câmpulung Moldovenesc and Cacica localities, Suceava county, Romania. Chosen phenophases were growing and flowering. The DPPH method implies making some extracts with organic solvents from collected plants, in this case being acetone. Using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil reactive, there was determined the antioxidant capacity of mentioned extracts. There were observed variations of this depending of phenophase and collecting areas, being closely related to total chlorophyll content. The both species have behaved differently and obtained results can be used to determine the optimal harvest moments of these plants.

Active ingredient of the commercial herbicide BASTA (B), phosphinothricin, acts as an inhibitor of glutamine synthetase (GS), a key enzyme in ammonium assimilation. The treatment with BASTA leads to an elevation of ammonium levels in plants and further to various physiological alterations, ammonium toxicity and lethality. Results of the present study emphasize the complexity underlying control mechanisms that determine BASTA interaction with essential oil (EO) from Nepeta rtanjensis (NrEO), bioherbicide inducing oxidative stress in target plants. Simultaneous application of NrEO and BASTA, two agents showing differential mode of action, suspends BASTA-induced ammonium toxicity in Arabidopsis thaliana plants. This is achieved through maintaining GS activity, which sustains a sub-toxic and/or sub-lethal ammonium concentration in tissues. As revealed by the present study, regulation of GS activity, as influenced by BASTA and NrEO, occurs at transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and/or posttranslational levels. Two genes encoding cytosolic GS, GLN1;1 and GLN1;3, are highlighted as the main isozymes in Arabidopsis shoots contributing to NrEO-induced overcoming of BASTA-generated ammonium toxicity. The effects of NrEO might be ascribed to its major component nepetalactone, but the contribution of minor EO components should not be neglected. Although of fundamental significance, the results of the present study suggest possible low efficiency of BASTA in plantations of medicinal/aromatic plants such as Nepeta species. Furthermore, these results highlight the possibility of using NrEO as a bioherbicide in BASTA-treated crop fields to mitigate the effect of BASTA residues in contaminated soils.

The ecophysiological behaviours (translocation and accumulation) of Fe and Mn in three aromatic species spontaneously growing in soils from the abandoned mine in Rosalgar (Setubal District, SW Portugal) were analysed in order to assess their potential impact on human health. Three different Lamiaceae species (Origanum vulgare subsp. virens, Calamintha nepeta subsp. glandulosa and Lavandula stoechas subsp. luisieri) were selected to determine their chemical compositions. The rhizosphere soil characteristics were also studied. Soils had a slightly acid pH, ranging from 5.6 to 6.4, and a low-medium fertility. The mean total contents of Mn and Fe in these soils were 13,605 mg/kg and 81,870 mg/kg, respectively. These values are higher than the average concentrations in non-contaminated soils in the region (737 mg Mn/kg and 36833 mg Fe/kg). The Mn concentration in the available fraction of these soils was also very high (467–1000 mg/kg). The Fe concentration in the soil available fraction was 69–124 mg/kg. Each species had a different accumulation pattern, as lavender is the only one that translocates Mn to the aerial part, where the concentration reaches a mean value of 890 mg/kg. This concentration is much higher than that observed in the other two species and is higher than the normal range for plants (10–500 mg Mn/kg). Two parameters were used to evaluate the risk posed to human health due to the consumption of O. vulgare and C. nepeta: the estimated daily intake (EDI) and the target hazard quotient (THQ). The EDIs of the studied elements in these two species, which are used for culinary purposes by the inhabitants of the region, were lower than the provisional tolerable daily intake value. Thus, their consumption for alimentary purposes is safe. On the other hand, the THQ values show that inhabitants who consume oregano and calamint may be exposed to health risks as the individual THQ for Mn was higher than unity.

The oxidative stability and oxidation kinetics of pure soybean oil (PSO) supplemented with 0.5–6% of pulse electric field ethanolic extract (PEFx) of Nepeta (Nepata binaludensis Jamzad) or 100 ppm of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) were evaluated at 100–120 °C. The oxidative stability of PSO decreased with increasing temperature and improved significantly (p

In this study, two Nepeta species, Nepeta viscida, N. nuda subsp. nuda, and their putative hybrids N. x tmolea were investigated for their trichome structure and density. For this purpose, fresh or herbarium specimens were used. SEM photographs were taken with the standard techniques in Balıkesir University. While N. x tmolea individuals are similar to N. nuda subsp. nuda in some respects (for example, absence long glandular trichomes on the stem, the absence of glandular hairs on the corolla), it shows some transition between N. viscida and N. nuda subp. nuda in some respects (for example, while the corolla of N. viscida does not contain long glandular hair, presence in a high density in N. nuda subsp. nuda and low density in N. x tmolea individuals).

Chlorophylls from plants are photosynthetic pigments. Their quantity offers valuable informations about photosynthetic activity, growing and developing of plants. Photosynthetic pigments decrease quantitatively during senescence process or in stress conditions. The present study has been realized in laboratory conditions with material harvested from spontaneous flora. The purpose of this research was the investigation of variations of chlorophyll content from samples of biological material collected from Nepeta pannonica L. and Abies alba Mill. plants, from Câmpulung Moldovenesc and Cacica areas, Suceava county, Romania. The targeted phenophases were growth and flowering. There were realized acetonic extracts from samples for spectrophotometric determinations. Obtained data were processed to estabilish chlorophyll a and b content. There were observed that at Abies alba species, from both locations, the chlorophyll a content grew during flowering phenophase, while the chlorophyll b content had little variations. At Nepeta pannonica species, the chlorophyll a and b content decreased visibly during the flowering, due to stress. Leaves of plants from this species presented a intense green color in the growing phenophase, while during flowering phenophase they had a purple or yellow coloration. Obtained results revealed a different dynamics of chlorophyll content at studied species.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the variability in elemental composition of seven medicinal plants and their respective soils belonging to protected and nearby unprotected sites of the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park. The medical plants under study were Achillea wilhelmsii C. Koch, Peganum harmala Linn, Sophora mollis (Royle) Baker, Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth, Seriphidium quettense (Podlech.) Ling, Hertia intermedia (Bioss) O. Ktze, and Nepeta praetervisa Rech. F. Macro (C, H, N, S, K, Ca), micro (Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn), beneficial (Al, Co, Na), others (As, Br, Cr, Cs, Hf, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sr, Sn, V and Th) and rare earth elements (Ce, Eu, La, Lu, Nd Sc, Sm, Tb and Yb) were characterized by means of standard organic elemental and instrumental neutron activation methodologies and by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results showed that, among macro nutrients, carbon concentration was the highest element in both plant and soil samples followed by H and K. Elements such as Cl, Na and Fe were detected in considerably good amounts; all the other elements were found in trace quantities. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to identify spatial variation in elemental composition of medicinal plants, in which 80-90% of the total variance in whole set of data was found. In particular, the findings highlighted the presence of essential and beneficial elements such as C, H, N, K, Ca, Fe, Mn and Na, in samples from protected sites, while potentially dangerous elements such as Al, As, Br and Cr were detected in samples from unprotected sites. These results emphasized on the need for rational exploitation of valuable medicinal plants and supporting protected areas as an excellent source of biodiversity conservation.