Evaluation of the Allelopathic Effect and Phytochemical Constituents of Nepeta Meyeri Benth

Abstract

Introduction: The herbicide that was used to eliminate Cuscuta known as one of the most important parasitic weeds of agricultural land, always is the biggest threat to human health and other living organisms. Using of allopathic component instead of these herbicide is one of the best ways to reduce weeds in the agricultures. N.meyeri is one of the plants that by its allopathic property which prevents the growth of other plants in its sourending. Scope: This study aimed to evaluate of the allopathic effect of N.meyeri on the growth of Cuscuta in-vitro and analyze phytochemical compounds present in plants. Methods and materials: 147g of dried plant powder were extracted by soxhelet with three solvents of N-hexane, chloroform and methanol, respectively, and then dried by rotary evaporator. The methanolic extract was fractionated by various chromatographic methods (VLC, HPLC) and finally a pure substance was identified by NMR. For allelopathy test, 3 dilutions (0.5, 1, 2mg/ml) of each extract were prepared and examined on Cuscuta seeds in-vitro, and distilled water, DMSO and trifluralin used for control. And antioxidant assay test was performed on methanolic extract by DPPH method and quercetin control. Results: In allelopathic test, chloroform extract then n-hexane extract was most effective in inhibition and methanolic extract was most effective in inducing seed growth and germination. In antioxidant assay, the IC50 of total methanolic extract was 70.15μg/ml that showed an acceptable activity. Finally, Quercetin-3-O-rutinoside was purified from ethyl acetate sub fraction of methanolic extract. Conclusion: N.meyeri showed an acceptable allopathic and showed an antioxidant activity.