Objective. Vaccinium genus plants have medicinal value, of which Vaccinium arctostaphylos (Caucasian whortleberry or Qare‐Qat in the local language) is the only available species in Iran. Public tendency to use herbal remedies and natural products such as synthesized nanoparticles is increasing due to the proof of the destructive side effects of chemical drugs. Nanosilver products have been effective against more than 650 microbe types. This study was aimed at assessing the possibility of green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Vaccinium arctostaphylos aqueous extract and at evaluating its antibacterial properties, as well. Materials and Methods. In order to synthesize silver nanoparticles, different volumes of Vaccinium arctostaphylos aqueous extract (3, 5, 10, 15, and 30 ml) were assessed with different silver nitrate solution concentrations (0.5, 1, 3, 5, and 10 mM) and different reaction time durations (1, 3, 5, 10, and 20 minutes) at room temperature using a rotary shaker with a speed of 150 rpm. Ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐Vis) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were carried out. The antibacterial activity of the aqueous extract and the synthesized nanoparticles was evaluated, as well. Results. Silver nanoparticle formation process was confirmed with XRD analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and FTIR spectroscopy. The UV‐Vis spectroscopy of silver colloidal nanoparticles showed a surface plasmon resonance peak at 443 nm under optimal conditions (3 ml aqueous extract volume, 1 mM silver nitrate solution concentration, and 3 min reaction time under sunlight exposure). The reduction of silver ions to silver nanoparticles in solution was confirmed, as well. Based on X‐ray diffraction analysis, the size of silver nanoparticles was in the range of 7‐16 nm. TEM images showed an even distribution of silver nanoparticles, with a spherical shape. FTIR spectroscopy demonstrated the presence of different functional groups of oxygenated compounds such as carboxyl, hydroxyl, and nitrogenous groups. The antibacterial properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were confirmed. Conclusion. The synthesized nanoparticles showed more antibacterial properties against gram‐positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) than gram‐negative ones (Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis).

The most important inhibitors used in bronze disease are BTA and AMT. While these inhibitors control corrosion, they are toxic and cancerous. In this study, the acacia fruit extract (200 ppm to 1800 ppm) was used to the prevention of corrosion inhibition of bronze alloy in corrosive sodium chloride solution 0.5 M, for 4 weeks consecutively. The Bronze alloy used in this research, was made based on the same percentage as the ancient alloys (Cu-10Sn). IE% was used to obtain the inhibitory efficiency percentage and Rp can be calculated from the resistance of polarization. SEM–EDX was used to evaluate the surfaces of alloy as well as inhibitory. The experiment was conducted in split plot design in time based on the RCD in four replications. ANOVA was performed and comparison of means square using Duncan's multiple range test at one percent probability level. The highest rate of corrosion inhibition (93.5%) was obtained at a concentration of 1800 ppm with an increase in the concentration of the extract, corrosion inhibition also increased, i.e., more bronze was prevented from burning. Also, the highest corrosion inhibitory activity of Acacia extract (79.66) was in the second week and with increasing duration, this effect has decreased. EDX analysis of the control sample matrix showed that the amount of chlorine was 8.47%wt, while in the presence of corrosive sodium chloride solution, after 4 weeks, the amount of chlorine detected was 3.20%wt. According to the morphology (needle and rhombus) of these corrosion products based on the SEM images, it can be said, they are the type of atacamite and paratacamite. They have caused bronze disease in historical bronze works. The green inhibitor of Acacia fruit aqueous extract can play an effective role in inhibiting corrosion of bronze, but at higher concentrations, it became fungal, which can reduce the role of Acacia fruit aqueous extract and even ineffective. To get better performance of green inhibitors, more tests need to be done to improve and optimize.

Maize is one of the major crops in the world and the most productive member of the Gramineae family. Since cold stress affects the germination, growth, and productivity of corn seeds, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of seed biopriming with Trichoderma harzianum on the tolerance of two genotypes of maize seedlings to cold stress. This study was conducted in triplicates in factorial experiment with a complete randomized block design (CRBD). The study was conducted in the greenhouse and laboratory of the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran. Experimental factors include two cultivars (AR68 cold-resistant and KSC703 cold-sensitive maize cultivars), four pretreatment levels (control, biopriming with T. harzianum, exogenous T. harzianum, and hydropriming), and two levels of cold stress (control and cold at 5 °C) in a hydroponic culture medium. The present study showed that maize leaves’ establishment rate and maximum fluorescence (Fm) are affected by triple effects (C*, P*, S). The highest establishment (99.66%) and Fm (994 units) rates were observed in the KP3 control treatment. Moreover, among the pretreatments, the highest (0.476 days) and the lowest (0.182 days) establishment rates were related to P0 and P3 treatments, respectively. Cultivar A showed higher chlorophyll a and b, carotenoid content, and establishment rate compared to cultivar K in both optimal and cold conditions. The highest root dry weight (11.84 units) was obtained in cultivar A with P3 pretreatment. The pretreatments with T. harzianum increased physiological parameters and seedling emergence of maize under cold and optimal stress conditions. Pretreatment and cultivar improved catalase activity in roots and leaves. Higher leaf and root catalase activity was observed in the roots and leaves of cultivar K compared to cultivar A. The cold treatment significantly differed in peroxidase activity from the control treatment. Cultivar K showed higher catalase activity than cultivar A. The main effects of pretreatment and cold on polyphenol oxidase activity and proline content showed the highest polyphenol oxidase activity and proline content in hydropriming (H) treatment. Cold treatment also showed higher polyphenol oxidase activity and proline content than cold-free conditions.

Astragalus fasciculifolius Bioss, commonly known as Anzaroot, is a medicinal plant from the Fabaceae family, recognized for its therapeutic properties due to its rich composition of saponins, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. These compounds have been shown to effectively treat heart diseases and inhibit cancer cell growth while also alleviating chemotherapy side effects. Recent research has focused on the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Anzaroot, exploring their potential cytotoxic effects against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. This study aims to bridge traditional herbal medicine and modern nanotechnology by evaluating the anticancer properties of AgNPs derived from this lesser-explored plant. This study was aimed to assess the cytotoxic effect of Anzaroot and green synthesized AgNPs using aqueous extract of Anzaroot on the MCF-7 cell line. To optimization of AgNPs synthesis, different parameters were evaluated including Anzaroot aqueous extract volumes (1, 2, 3 and 4 ml), silver nitrate solution (AgNO₃) concentrations (1, 5 and 10 mM), reaction time (30, 60 and 300 min) and reaction solution pH (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10) at room temperature. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) were used to characterization of the AgNPs using aqueous extract of Anzaroot-silver nanoparticles (Anz@AgNPs). The obtained Anz@AgNPs exhibited Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) centered at 443 nm, with an average particle size calculated to be about 16 nm. The XRD spectrum of Anz@AgNPs showed a face-centred cubic (FCC) crystalline nature. The optimized parameters for successfully AgNPs synthesis were optained as follow: 4 ml aqueous extract volume, 1 and 5 mM AgNO₃, reaction time of 300 min, and pH 8. MTT assay demonstrated the remarkable dependent dosage anticancer effect of the Anz@AgNPs against MCF-7 cell line. The IC50 value exposed that The lowest and the highest IC50 values was demonstrated for the Anz@AgNPs synthesized through the root extract (21.73 μg/Ml) and the aqueous root extract (348.21 μg/Ml) treatment. Based on the MTT assay, the Anz@AgNPs showed the inhibition of cell proliferation potential more than the aqueous extract of this plant. The plant organs used in Anz@AgNPs synthesis, root and gum, influenced their anticancer activity; nanoparticles synthesized from root extract demonstrated a stronger growth inhibitory effect than those from gum extract. The results demonstrated that anzroot plant can be effectively used as a reducing agent for AgNPs synthesis, and AgNPs have the potential to be used effectively in cancer therapy methods and to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.