The intention of the present wok is to provide an account on the pollen morphological features of Lamiaceae in Saudi Arabia as a basis for future studies of Lamiaceae pollens in the region. Pollen morphology of 20 species belong to 16 genera of the Lamiaceae has been investigated using Light Microscope (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The study revealed that the pollen grains were characterized by 3-zonocolpate or 6-zonocolpate. Size of the pollen is variable between the genera but not among the species of the same genus. The surface pattern of the exine varies from fine reticulate, rough reticulate, mega-reticulate, reticulate-perforate, bireticulate-perforate or granulate, leading to 6 types of pollen grains. These variations revealed by this study implies that pollen Morphology may be of significant value sharing in solving problems in the classification of Lamiaceae members. A Key to the species, based on the morphological features of pollen grains, is also provided.

Medicinal plants are of undoubted value, as they have been used for centuries to treat various diseases and health disorders in almost every part of the world. In several studies, the use of medicinal plants was found effective in treatment of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The World Health Organization has been working for many years to identify all surviving medicinal plants on the earth. An important step has also been taken by the Natural Health Product Regulation of Canada for promotion and usages of natural products. At present, the rapidly growing population of the world is facing many challenges from various infectious diseases that are associated with hepatitis A, B and C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, influenza virus, dengue virus and new emerging viruses. Hepatitis B virus causes a severe and frequently transmittable disease of the liver. Millions of people worldwide suffer from hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The drugs available on the market for the treatment of hepatitis B are not sufficient and also cause side effects in patients suffering from HBV infection. The pharmaceutical companies are searching for suitable alternative and natural inhibitors of HBV. Therefore, it is important to explore and use plants as a source of new medicines to treat this infectious disease, because single plants contain a priceless pool of active ingredients which could help in the production of pharmaceutical-grade peptides or proteins. However, the knowledge of the antiviral activity of medicinal plants is still limited.

A study was conducted to evaluate the role of salicylic acid (SA; 0, 0.5 and 0.75 mM) on the growth and activity of antioxidant enzymes and biochemical attributes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.cv. Sods 1) under salinity stress. Salinity exposure (0, 25, 75 and 125 mM NaCl) reduced growth of wheat significantly by reducing the fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, leaf development and inducing necrosis on old leaves. Lipid peroxidation and production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) increased by 3.37 fold and 2.54 fold, respectively, while membrane stability declined with 125 mM NaCl concentration which were however, ameliorated by the application of SA. Under normal conditions, application of SA (0.5 mM) improved growth significantly compared to the untreated controls. Salinity (125 mM) stress enhanced the accumulation of proline (4.63 fold), carbohydrates (39.61%), free amino acids (9.44) and protein content (7.91%) which were further stimulated by application of SA leading to better stress adaptation. Application of SA to salinity stressed upregulated the activity of antioxidant enzymes like SOD, CAT and APX by 1.76 fold, 2.25 fold and 2.22 fold, respectively leading to better elimination of reactive oxygen species and protection against oxidative stress. Moreover, excess uptake of Na in salinity stressed plants reduced the uptake of K + and initiated leaf necrosis. However, application of SA mitigated these negative effects to considerable extent. In conclusion, salinity stress adversely affected the growth and development of wheat plants. However, supplementation of proper dosage of SA mitigated these negative effects of salinity through the modulation of the levels of osmolytes, activities of antioxidant enzymes and uptake of essential elements.

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