Benzophenone C-glucosides and gallotannins from mango tree stem bark with broad-spectrum anti-viral activity

Knowledge regarding processes, pathways and mechanisms that may moderate methane (CH4) sink/source behaviour along the sediment - tree stem - atmosphere continuum remains incomplete. Here, we applied stable isotope analysis (&#948;13C-CH4) to gain insights into axial CH4 transport and oxidation in two common and globally distributed subtropical lowland forest species (Melaleuca quinquenervia and Casuarina glauca). We found consistent trends in CH4 flux (decreasing with height) and &#948;13C-CH4 enrichment (increasing with height) in relation to stem height from the ground. The average lower tree stem (0-40 cm) &#948;13C-CH4 of M. quinquenervia and C. glauca flooded forests (-53.96 &#8240; and -65.89 &#8240;) were similar to adjacent flooded sediment CH4 ebullition (-52.87 &#8240; and -62.98 &#8240;), suggesting that CH4 is produced mainly via sedimentary sources. Upper stems (81-200 cm) displayed distinct &#948;13C-CH4 enrichment (M. quinquenervia -44.6 &#8240; and C. glauca -46.5 &#8240; respectively) compared to lower stems. Coupled 3D photogrammetry and novel 3D measurements on M. quinquenervia revealed that distinct hotspots of CH4 flux and isotopic fractionation were likely due to bark anomalies where preferential pathways of gas efflux were likely enhanced. By applying a&#160; fractionation factor (derived from previous lab based tree stem bark experiments), diel experiments revealed greater &#948;13C-CH4 enrichment and higher oxidation rates in the afternoon relative to the morning. Overall, we estimate CH4 oxidation rates between the lower to upper stems across both species ranged from 1 to 69 % (average 33.1 &#177; 3.4 %), representing a substantial tree-associated CH4 sink occurring during axial transport.

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Antimicrobial activity of stigmasterol from the stem bark of Neocarya macrophylla

Journal of Medicinal Plants for Economic Development ◽

10.4102/jomped.v2i1.38 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Amina J. Yusuf ◽

Musa I. Abdullahi ◽

Godwin A. Aleku ◽

Ilyasu A.A. Ibrahim ◽

Celestina O. Alebiosu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Activity ◽

Broad Spectrum ◽

Antifungal Agent ◽

Stem Bark ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Chemical Diversity ◽

Antibacterial Drug ◽

Candida Spp ◽

Antimicrobial Drugs ◽

Antibacterial And Antifungal

Background: Natural products play a significant role in human therapy. They represent a huge reservoir of bioactive chemical diversity and help in understanding the cellular pathways that are essential component of drug discovery process. Objective: This study was aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial activity of stigmasterol isolated from the stem bark of Neocarya macrophylla. Methods: Stigmasterol previously isolated from the stem bark of N. macrophylla was subjected to antimicrobial screening against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), S. aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans and Candida krusei using agar diffusion and broth dilution methods. Results: Susceptibility test results showed that the compound (100 μg/mL) inhibited the growth of all the test organisms with mean zone of inhibition range from 23 mm to 30 mm except the VRE, S. typhi and K. pneumoniae. The activity of stigmasterol was compared with that of ciprofloxacin (5 μg/mL), the standard antibacterial drug, and fluconazole (5 μg/mL), the antifungal agent. The test compound displayed a broad-spectrum of activity, and in many cases exhibited comparable antibacterial activity when compared to ciprofloxacin. Interestingly, the compound also showed antifungal activity against Candida spp., affording comparable inhibitory effect as fluconazole. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC) of stigmasterol range from 6.25 μg/mL to 25 μg/mL and from 12.5 μg/mL to 50 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: These properties suggest that the isolated stigmasterol is a potent and broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal agent and as such may serve as a lead compound in the development of novel antimicrobial drugs.

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Quick Decline Disease Disturbs the Levels of Important Phytochemicals and Minerals in the Stem Bark of Mango (Mangifera indica)

International Journal of Agronomy ◽

10.1155/2016/8219356 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Abdul Saeed ◽

Muhammad Aslam Shad ◽

Haq Nawaz ◽

Mustafa Nawaz Shafqat ◽

Zahid Muneer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ascorbic Acid ◽

Amino Acid ◽

Free Amino Acid ◽

Free Amino ◽

Mangifera Indica ◽

Stem Bark ◽

Reducing Sugar ◽

Total Sugars ◽

Mango Tree ◽

Decline Disease

Quick decline is one of the deadly diseases of mango (Mangifera indica) which causes a serious damage to the tree and its production. In the current study, we examined the levels of important phytochemicals and minerals in the stem bark of healthy and infected mango tree. Infected stem bark showed 12.5% lower levels of total sugars and 51.1% higher levels of proteins as compared to healthy parts, whereas no variation was observed in reducing sugar, free amino acid, and ascorbic acid. Among micronutrients, the levels of Zn, Na, Cr, and Cl were lowered by 25%, 54.3%, 25%, and 75.4%, respectively, whereas the level of Ni was 62.5% higher in the infected stem bark when compared with the healthy stem bark. However, other micronutrients did not show significant differences between healthy and infected parts. Among macronutrients, the quantity of N, P, and Mg showed an increase of 51.2%, 34.7%, and 27.6%, respectively, whereas the quantity of Ca and K was decreased by 25.2% and 7.66% in the infected stem barks as compared to healthy ones. The results of this study provide some basic but important information that may ultimately be helpful in managing the quick decline disease in the mango trees.

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A Strengths-Based Approach to Autism: Neurodiversity and Partnering With the Autism Community

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/persp2.sig1.56 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 56-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Amy L. Donaldson ◽

Karen Krejcha ◽

Andy McMillin

Keyword(s):

Broad Spectrum ◽

First Language ◽

Family Members ◽

Community Identity ◽

Speech Language Pathologists

The autism community represents a broad spectrum of individuals, including those experiencing autism, their parents and/or caregivers, friends and family members, professionals serving these individuals, and other allies and advocates. Beliefs, experiences, and values across the community can be quite varied. As such, it is important for the professionals serving the autism community to be well-informed about current discussions occurring within the community related to neurodiversity, a strengths-based approach to partnering with autism community, identity-first language, and concepts such as presumed competence. Given the frequency with which speech-language pathologists (SLPs) serve the autism community, the aim of this article is to introduce and briefly discuss these topics.

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