The indigenous systems of medicines, developed in India for centuries, make use of many medicinal herbs. These systems include Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and many other indigenous practices. The Nagapattinam district is considered as notable land for rich biological resources and broad spectra of plant existence. The flora of the district is wealthy and rich and vibrant because of the moist deciduous and dry deciduous mode of vegetation. The documentation of the present study provides evidence that medicinal flora play an important role in the human health care system of Mayiladuthurai Taluk, Nagapattinam district of Tami Nadu, India.
Upper Tanawallies is in the middle of the Western part of Hazara division, and includes the remote areas of four districts i.e. Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur and Tor-Ghar, having latitude 34°.34.40´ N to 34°.48.88´ N and 72°.84.27´ E to 73°.10.50´ E longitude. This area is loaded with plant diversity, and tree species in this area vary in their life form, leaf spectra and phenological behavior. There is no prior record of plants diversity in the area, hence, this study was conducted to explore the tree diversity, life form, leaf spectrum and phenology of the tree flora. A total 127 sampling stands (10 x 10 m2) were put into place in different locations in Upper Tanawallies to collect field data using the quadrat method. As an outcome, we learned that the region hosts 53 different tree species of 39 genera belonging to 25 tree families. The biological spectra of the trees were constructed according to Raunkiaer (1934). Results showed that Mesophanerophytes was the dominant life form class, contributing 34 (64%) of all tree species encountered, while Mesophyll and Microphyll was the dominant leaf size spectrum classes, each contributing to a count of 18 (34%) of all tree species. Frequent field visits were also carried out during the flowering and fruiting seasons in 2016/17. The result indicates that most tree species of the area show flowering during April-May (32%) while, maximum fruiting were recorded in June-July (36%). Our study concludes that anthropogenic activities on these forests should be reduced to overcome deforestation. This work will be the baseline for new research in the study area.
The response of cut Amaranthus tricolor foliage to continuous treatment with 200 mg·l-1 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (8-HQC) or 2, 4 and 6% ethanol was investigated. Application of ethanol and HQC enhanced the vase-life and final fresh weight. The best quality cut Amaranthus tricolor foliage were obtained when the stems held in 4% ethanol. These are the first published results that indicate that ethanol positively improved the postharvest quality of cut Amaranthus tricolor foliage.
Species of the genus Ganoderma are an example of some of the most thoroughly studied representatives of Basidiomycota both in terms of chemical composition and biological activity. Among the compounds found in this kind, the therapeutic effect is primarily associated with the polysaccharides that are heteroglycans or β-D-glucans and terpenoids represented mainly by triterpenes. Triterpene compounds have a structure composed of 30 carbon atoms, usually forming a system of five six-membered rings. Characteristic of these structures are functional groups (hydroxyl, carboxyl or ketone) and double bonds. Mycochemical studies have led to the isolation of numerous triterpenes of the lanostane type (ganoderic acids, aldehydes, alcohols, esters), lucidenic acids and others from various species of the Ganoderma genus. The broad spectrum of biological activity determined by triterpene compounds includes anti- tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, and antiviral effects. This work describes biologically active triterpenes in selected species of the genus Ganoderma: Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma applanatum, Ganoderma adspersum, Ganoderma pfeifferi, Ganoderma colossum and others. These species are sources of natural compounds valued for thousands of years in the traditional medicine of the Far East, while ongoing research has confirmed their medicinal properties nowadays.
Moringa oleifera (MO) Lam. is a medicinal plant that has crossed tribal, provincial and national boundaries in recent times, with its use and domestication cutting across different ethnic and geographical borders of the world in general and Nigeria in particular. In view of this observation, this present study was aimed at examining the contributing factors to the high diversity of this much prized economic and medicinal species in Nigerian gardens. The survey was conducted among 17 populations, from which a total of One Hundred and Four respondents were purposively drawn from the wards that make-up the Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State. The purposive technique allowed at least 6 individual respondents to be randomly selected from each ward, based on their interest in home gardening, and their attached importance, domestication and accessibility to MO. The approach thus provided the opportunity to obtain an understanding of its medicinal importance, side effects and possible need for conservation. The respondents, who are of different backgrounds, were interviewed using semi-structured questions. Data collected were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively using descriptive statistics. The results of the study revealed that 50% of the respondents were home gardeners, while 40% are without gardens, although 80% showed the desire to own same. Also, 80% believed home gardens should provide food (Vegetables, spices and fruits etc.) and herbs (health-care). Over 95% of respondents claimed to have information about or cultivated Moringa, and 89% of them agreed to the important roles of agencies, as well as the media (radio, newspapers, etc.) in the dissemination of relevant information about this species. Moreover, close to 90% also have access to the plant from different sources: own garden (25%), friends’ or neighbors’ garden (44.2%) or market (13.5%), while 13.5% patronize all these sources. The part(s) mostly used are leaves & flowers (52.9%), followed by all parts (21.2%) and pods (seeds) (19%), while stem and bark are least employed (1.9%). In addition, a majority of respondents claimed that Moringa has solved some of their health concerns (64%) and thus, recommended it to someone or vice-versa (80%) with 65% claiming, no side effects. Consequently, many widely endorsed the conservation of MO and other MAPs (80%), with over 60% alluding to individuals, and government as major players in this responsibility. We conclude, therefore, that gardens, particularly home-based, play a valuable role in the conservation of not only the plant emphasized in this study, but many other useful plant species, most especially medicinals, that have become the cornerstone of health delivery in most developing nations. This study, therefore strongly recommends the strengthening of this strategy.
ABSTRACT This study evaluated the role Pentaclethra macrophylla plays in the bioremediation of crude oil-contaminated soil in a controlled environment. Viable seeds P. macrophylla were planted in plant bags containing 3000 of clay-loamy soil to which varying amounts (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 ml) of crude oil were added. Plant growth parameters (plant heights, girths, number of leaves, nodulation and germination rate) and soil physicochemical parameters (pH, organic matter, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium phosphorous, and nitrogen) were determined using standard methods. Results showed that the germination rate of P. macrophylla reduced progressively, 68%, 68%, 52%, 47% and 38% in that order, with increasing concentrations of crude oil, 0 ml, 25 ml, 50 ml, 75 ml and 100 ml. A similar pattern was observed for plant height, 16 weeks after planting, with values 52.80cm, 43.50 cm, 42.60 cm, 42.50 cm and 35.80 cm in that order; 0.37 mm, 0.26 mm, 0.24 mm, 0.22 mm and 0.21 mm in that order for girth; 15, 10, 8, 8 and 2 in that order for number of nodules and 16.00, 14.00, 14.00, 11.00 and 8.00 in that order for number of leaves. The physicochemical characteristics of the soil decreased corresponding to the concentration of crude oil, from 0-100 ml. Nevertheless, the plant exhibited the capability to endure the suppressive effect of crude oil with recorded relative growth rates ranging from 0-0.23 and percentage growth suppression of 0.00% - 32.20%. Being a native nitrogen-fixing plant, P. macrophylla could be utilised for the bioremediation of crude oil-contaminated soil in the Niger Delta.
The biogenesis of nanoparticles recently gained more attention. Here, we report the biogenesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles using aqueous extracts of the leaves, stem, root, flowers and fruits of Croton bonplandianum Baill. at room temperature. Croton bonplandianum is an important medicinal plant used to cure many pathological conditions in the traditional systems of Indian medicines due to the presence of important and specific bioactive compounds in the plant parts of this plant. Aqueous solution of Zinc Nitrate hexahydrate [Zn(NO3)2·6H2O] was used as a precursor and the various plant extracts played as reducing agents. The formation of ZnO nanoparticles was monitored by UV-Visible spectrophotometric analysis. The leaf extract showed strong absorbance peak at 302 nm, stem and fruit at 293 nm, root at 290 nm and flowers at 305 nm.
A study was conducted to investigate the effect of growing location in the physico-chemical properties of gum arabic obtained from Acacia senegal. Authentic representative gum exudates samples were collected from Abederafi, Yabello, Awash and Filtu areas of Ethiopia. The experiment was conducted to determine Moisture content (MC), Ash content (Ash), pH, Relative Viscosity (RV), Nitrogen (N), Crude Protein (CP) and Mineral contents. Laboratory analyses were employed to determine the physico-chemical characteristics. The results were analyzed by using SAS Statistical Software. The analysis indicated that very high significant differences (p < 0.001) were seen on Ash, pH, RV, iron, calcium, and sodium contents of the gum arabic samples between the study sites. Furthermore, significant differences (p < 0.05) were indicated for N, CP, Cu, K contents. The results also showed MC, Mn and Mg contents have no significant difference among growing locations. According to our results, the percentage moisture content of the gum arabic samples were between 12.64 % and 13.41 %, while Ash percentage were between 0.32 % and 16.98 %. The mean pH values of the gum samples, obtained by employing different concentration of aqueous solutions also ranged between 4.4 and 4.97. In addition, the relative viscosity of the gum samples studied fall between 0.9 to 4.2 centipose, while Nitrogen and crude protein contents of the gum arabic samples from the study areas were from 0.313 % to 0.513 % and 1.943 % to 3.21 %, respectively. The major mineral element compositions of the gum arabic samples in descending order were Mg, Ca, Na, Cu, Fe, Mn and K. As compared to international standards and prior studies on gum arabic, the gum-arabic samples from the study sites have comparable physico-chemical characteristics.
Romaigucre et al. (1993) reported an stimulus-response (S-R) experiment in which the participants had to respond to bright or dim stimuli by pressing a key strongly or weakly. Reaction time (RT) for a compatible S-R assignment (bright-strong; dim-weak) was substantially shorter than for an incompatible S-R assignment (dim-strong; bright-weak). This effect was explained as a direct translation of stimulus intensity to response force (RF). In the present study, we looked for other stimulus features that could be directly transferred to RF. We investigated stimulus size (large/small), vertical location (above/below), and brightness (bright/dim). Delays of RT for incompatible trials were found in case of brightness and size, but not location. In a second experiment, we tested whether such a direct translation might even cause changes of spontaneous RF. Without being instructed about RF, participants made simple reactions to stimuli which differed either in location, size or brightness. Indeed, stimulus size affected RF: larger stimuli were associated with stronger responses. In contrast, brightness had no effect. Thus, we replicated and extended Romaigucre et al.?s (1993) finding. However, the direct-translation account for RF variations received only partial support from our data.
Phytochemicals, proximate, minerals and anti-nutrient compositions of young cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) leaves were determined using standard methods. Qualitative and quantitative analyses for phytochemicals confirmed the presence of bioactive constituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins in appreciable amounts, while terpenes, cardiac glycocides and tannins were only present in trace concentrations. Mineral analysis revealed that K recorded the highest content - with 214.00 ± 2.11 mg/100g, followed by Ca - 157.10 ± 1.47 mg/100g, Mg - 63.00 ± 0.58 mg/100g, P - 32.00 ± 0.61 mg/100g, while Fe had the lowest value - 0.10 ± 0.14 mg/100g. Proximate composition analysis of C. esculenta leaves indicated that CHO, protein and crude fibre were present in high quantities (35.22, 17.10 and 16.41 % respectively), while fat was at the lowest content (8.82%). Anti-nutritional factor analysis of young leaves of C. esculenta indicated that phytates was present in huge quantity - 11.03 ± 0.12mg/g, followed by oxalates - 7.62 ± 0.14 mg/g, while tannins recorded the lowest anti-nutritional contents - 0.12 ± 0.06 mg/g. This study has also revealed that the young leaves of C. esculenta contain appreciable levels of bioactive components (phytochemicals such as as alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins; minerals K, Ca, Mg, P and Fe) and appreciable amounts of CHO, protein and crude fibre. The results of anti-nutrients analysis showed high contents of phytate and oxalate. The last is probably responsible for the itching effect and also interferes with the utilization of essential nutrients. Thus, young leaves of C. esculenta provide appreciable quantities of nutrients and thus can rival other conventional vegetables normally consumed in Nigeria.
The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus geosporum) inoculation on Telfairia occidentalis grown in saline soil was investigated in a pot experiment. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design, with treatments replicated thrice. Standard recommended methods were used to determine photosynthetic pigments, minerals contents, biomass yield, AMF colonization and dependency. Our results show that saline soil treatment significantly (p=0.05) reduced total photosynthetic pigments contents - from 39.73 to 21.30 mg/kg, percentage AMF root colonization - from 53.97 to 22.41%, mineral contents; N - from 5.84 to 3.13%; P - 424.11 to 212.31 mg/kg; K - 3215.00 to 1220.00 mg/kg; Mg - 326.00 to 107.04 mg/kg; and Ca - 1640.00 to 813.00 mg/kg. Biomass yield of T. occidentalis was also significantly (p=0.05) reduced. In contrast, mycorrhizal dependency was significantly (p=0.05) increased in saline soil plants - from 15.13% to 100.00%. Herein, inoculation with G. geosporum significantly (p=0.05) increased total photosynthetic pigments - from 39.73 to 45.53 mg/kg; N - from 5.84 to 6.07%; P - 424.11 to 463.00 mg/kg; K - 3215.00 to 3470.12 mg/kg; Mg - 326.00 to 345.00 mg/kg and Ca -1640 to 1658.12 mg/kg; leaf dry weight - from 0.13 to 0.17g; vine dry weight - 5.21 to 5.81g; roots dry weight - 0.57 to 1.03 and total dry weight - 5.91 to 7.01g. Biomass yield was also significantly increased. R. irregularis colonization (from 22.41 to 53.97%) and mycorrhizal dependency in C. maxima was evident in both saline and non-saline soil treatments. The results of this work have shown that G. geosporum can enhance the ability of T. occidentalis to resist salt stress (possibly through several morphological/physiological changes and through improved vigour) via the extensive network of the mycorrhizal roots (which increases nutrient and water uptake). Inoculation with appropriate AMF can, therefore, be used to increase the productivity of T. occidentalis in saline soils.
A preliminary inventory of the vegetation at the proposed site of the botanical garden of Ekiti State University was carried out with a view to providing baseline information about the richness, distribution, economic and medicinal importance of the available plant species. This is to serve as fundamental knowledge for a periodical assessment of impact as the garden is fully established. The proposed site measures 1944 m2 in size. With the aid of a geographical compass, the entire land area was divided into four axes (i.e. north-, south-, east- and west-wards) to serve as guide for enumerating the plant species and assessing their pattern of distribution. Plant collections were made from the four axes by means of secateurs and vasculum and thereafter prepared as herbarium specimens which were stored in the University Herbarium. Forty plant families, comprising eighty-four species were noted for the inventory. The economic and medicinal importance of the plant species was recorded. As at the period of the exercise, five plant species were abundant, twenty-three were occasional, while fifty-six were rare. It was deduced that the site is a secondary forest, rich in plant species and would be less costly to be prepared for the establishment of a botanical garden. Goals of sustainable development and species conservation was set for the management of the said garden.
Biological synthesis of metal nanoparticles gained worldwide interest due to their rapid, non-toxic, economical, single-step technique and eco-friendly alternative. Green-chemical approach of production of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) has been exploited in the field of medicine, food packaging, nano-optical and electrical devices. Muntingia calabura is a multipotent medicinal plant with astounded biological activities and phytoconstituents. The nanoparticles obtained using aqueous extracts of various parts of M. calabura were characterized with UV-VIS spectroscopy to obtain information concerning the optical properties of synthesized ZnO nanoparticles. The proposed green and economical method could be used for large scale production of nanostructures because of its advantages over other physical and chemical methods.
Pollen analytical study of two locally produced honey samples collected from Akwa Ibom and Cross River State, Southern Nigeria were carried out in order to ascertain the preferentially foraged plants by honey bees, as well as the concentration of heavy metals. Samples were subjected to standard laboratory procedures using an acetolysis mixture (pollen analysis) and atomic absorption spectrometry (heavy metals). The results from the analysis revealed 32 taxa belonging to 17 botanical families. The number of pollen grains in the honey samples varied significantly (between 4,887 - 12,755 pollen grains), indicating their richness in pollen grains. 12 elements - Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Rb, and Fe were detected. Potassium had the highest concentration, followed by iron, calcium, titanium, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, among others. What is more, in this study, some important honey plants: Spondias mombin, Daniella oliveri, Manihot esculenta, Treculia africana, Syzigium guineensis, Diospyros mespiliformis, Parkia biglobosa, Terminalia superba, Senna hirsuta, among others were found to be predominant and have been identified to be characteristic of the vegetation typical of Southern Nigeria. With regard to honey, this study gives an indication of the geographical and botanical origins, as well as types, source, and degree of contamination, and also an overall measure of honey purity. Such information, when displayed, can help consumers make informed decision when purchasing honey and will also help beekeepers to avoid possible contamination. Moreover, it will assist regulatory agencies in taking proper measures for environmental and consumer protection, since the concentration of heavy metals in honey is influenced by environmental pollution.
The research work has been carried out to estimate the low level cobalt application enhance antioxidant enzyme activities of cluster bean plants. The experiments were conducted in earthen pots containing 3 kg of air dried soil. The inner surface of pots was lined with polythene sheet. Cluster bean plants were raised in soil amended with different concentration of cobalt (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/kg). The antioxidant enzyme activities were analysed at 30, 60, and 90 days after sowing (DAS). There found a significant enhance antioxidant enzyme activities at 50 mg/kg cobalt application in the soil in all the sampling days when compared to control. Further increase in the cobalt level (100-250 mg/kg) in the soil decreased antioxidant enzyme activities of cluster bean plants in all the sampling days.
Lumnitzera littorea is a critically endangered true mangrove species in Sri Lanka. Although this species was observed in several localities in the past, it was only found in Madu Ganga Ramsar site. Even there, the population is considerably low with low regeneration potential. We have recorded a new population of L. littorea from Bentota estuary which was believed to be disappeared a long ago. This population is a considerably large and young. Hence, this new population would be the key to the future conservation of this highly threatened species in Sri Lanka. However, it is currently facing numerous threats from people thus proper conservation actions should immediately be taken.
In order to elucidate the role of cortical input on sensory information processing in different thalamic somatosensory nuclei we recorded potentials evoked (EPs) by whisker deflections of short duration from ventral posteromedial (VPm) and medial posterior (POm) nuclei while manipulating cortico-thalamic activity by means of local cooling, lidocaine application or electrical stimulation. It appeared that only the earliest sub-component of the first negative wave of the EPs resulted from peripheral input, while the rest of the potential?s negativity depended on cortical feedback. The latencies and amplitudes of EPs recorded at both nuclei were not significantly different, which might be attributed to urethane anesthesia.
Allergic over burden increases at an alarming rate worldwide. In India allergy becomes a major health problem from last decade with increasing urbanization. The study is aimed to know the allergic problems among the common people of Serampore sub division of West Bengal, India. A survey was conducted on 100 randomly selected people of the study area. The allergic patients were asked about their time of onset of allergy, duration, symptoms etc. Most of the patients were found to suffer from allergy mostly at spring season. In the study area Moringaoleifera and Buteamonosperma plants were found in large numbers. The antigenic extracts from pollen grains of these plants were prepared and specific IgE against these allergens in the patient sera were determined. Most of the patient showed high IgE titre against the pollen antigen of Moringaoleifera. This is a potent aero-allergen in the study area.
The importance of trees in the environment cannot be overemphasized. This present study, therefore, deals with the distribution and relative density of trees species in Kainji Lake National Park. Data were collected using plot sampling techniques. Therein, a 50 by 50 m2 plot was randomly laid. Within each sample plot, data on all trees ≥ 10 cm in diameter at breast height were enumerated. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result shows that different types of plants species were enumerated in the selected plots. This included six families of trees: Fabiaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Rubiaceae, Maliaceae, Annonaceae and Mimosaceae. The percentage score of tree species in the four plots reveals that Afzelia africana recorded the highest with a total number of 60 species, followed by Detarium macrocarpium with 47 species, while Anogeissus leiocarpus and Azadirachta indica recorded 31 and 17 species, respectively. Gardenia aqualla was the least species recorded. The density and relative density of Afzelia africana recorded the highest, with 1.2ha and 26.9%, followed by Detarium microcarpiuum with 0.94ha and 21.1%, respectively, while Gardenia aqualla was the least with 0.02 ha and 0.4%. In terms of mean height, Daniela oliveri recorded the highest, with 28.1m, followed by Afzelia africana with 21.8%, while Azadirachta indica was the least with 5.8%. The mean DBH of Entada africana and Anogeissus leiocarpus recorded was 28.7cm and 28.1cm, while Prosopis africana and Accacia gournmaensis recorded 14.0 and 13.4, respectively, which were the least. The Types of wild animal species that are associated with the tree species includes Baboon, Kob, Grim duiker, Francolin, Patas monkey etc. Relative abundance of the animal species shows that Papio anubis recorded the highest with 40.5 individuals, while Erythrocebus patas recorded the least with 2.5 individuals.
The present report illustrates an improved and reproducible micropropagation system for economically valuable bamboo species Pseudoxytenanthera stocksii using nodal segments. Direct organogenesis from nodal segments was accomplished by culturing on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6.0 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). On this medium combination 9.0±0.25 shoots per explant were induced. Shoot multiplication was subjective to the combination of auxins and cytokinins concentrations used and number of repeated transfer of mother explants or subculturing of in vitro regenerated shoot clumps on fresh medium. Maximum 41.9±1.00 shoots were observed on MS medium supplemented with 4.0 mg/L of BAP and 0.25 mg/L of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Half strength MS medium containing various concentrations of auxins was used for in vitro root formation. Successful rooting with maximum response was achieved on half strength MS medium + 50% sucrose and 1.0 mg/L IBA (24.3±0.27 roots). The rooted plantlets were planted the soilrite and hardened in the greenhouse for 6-8 weeks. Completely acclimatized plantlets exhibited 96% survivability. The present propagation protocol could satisfy the demand of P. stocksii and could be explored for the commercial propagation of this valuable manga bamboo.
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