scholarly journals Structural Adaptation and Physiological Mechanisms in the Leaves of Anthyllis vulneraria L. from Metallicolous and Non-Metallicolous Populations

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 662
Author(s):  
Marzena Sujkowska-Rybkowska ◽  
Ewa Muszyńska ◽  
Mateusz Labudda
Keyword(s):  
Radical Scavenging Activity ◽  
Radical Scavenging ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Adaptation Strategy ◽  
Arabinogalactan Protein ◽  
Structural Adaptation ◽  
Mesophyll Cells ◽  
Anthyllis Vulneraria ◽  
The Status ◽  
Antioxidant Machinery

Calamine wastes highly contaminated with trace metals (TMs) are spontaneously inhabited by a legume plant Anthyllis vulneraria L. This study determined an adaptation strategy of metallicolous (M) A. vulneraria and compared it with that of the non-metallicolous (NM) ecotype. We hypothesized that TMs may lead to (i) leaf apoplast modifications and (ii) changes in the antioxidant machinery efficiency that facilitate plant growth under severe contamination. To verify our hypothesis, we implemented immunolabelling, transmission electron microscopy and biochemical measurements. NM leaves were larger and thicker compared to the M ecotype. Microscopic analysis of M leaves showed a lack of dysfunctions in mesophyll cells exposed to TMs. However, changes in apoplast composition and thickening of the mesophyll and epidermal cell walls in these plants were observed. Thick walls were abundant in xyloglucan, pectins, arabinan, arabinogalactan protein and extensin. The tested ecotypes differed also in their physiological responses. The metallicolous ecotype featured greater accumulation of photosynthetic pigments, enhanced activity of superoxide dismutase and increased content of specific phenol groups in comparison with the NM one. Despite this, radical scavenging activity at the level of 20% was similar in M and NM ecotypes, which may implicate effective reduction of oxidative stress in M plants. In summary, our results confirmed hypotheses and suggest that TMs induced cell wall modifications of leaves, which may play a role in metal stress avoidance in Anthyllis species. However, when TMs reach the protoplast, activation of antioxidant machinery may significantly strengthen the status of plants naturally growing in TM-polluted environment.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Status of the Cutaneous Endogenous and Exogenous Antioxidative System of Smokers and the Short-Term Effect of Defined Smoking Thereon

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 537
Author(s):  
Silke B. Lohan ◽  
Karl Bühring ◽  
Anna-Christina Lauer ◽  
Annette Friedrich ◽  
Jürgen Lademann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Plasma ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Epr Spectroscopy ◽  
Radical Scavenging Activity ◽  
Radical Scavenging ◽  
Cigarette Consumption ◽  
Short Term ◽  
The Status ◽  
Β Carotene

The daily consumption of tobacco products leads to a boost in free radical production in tissues, promoting the risk for malignancies, metabolic alterations and chronic-inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to broaden the knowledge of the status of the antioxidative (AO) system in the skin, compared to the blood, of healthy appearing smokers. Both, the basic status compared to non-smokers and the short-term impact of controlled cigarette consumption in smokers were analyzed. Our study showed that the basic level of the AO system of smokers significantly differed from that of non-smokers. As determined by resonant Raman spectroscopy (RRS), the levels of exogenous AOs were decreased in both, the skin, in vivo (β-carotene and lycopene), and blood plasma (β-carotene only). In contrast, the levels of glutathione (GSH), the prototypical endogenous AO, which were analyzed by fluorimetric assays in cutaneous tape strips and blood plasma, were increased in the skin, although unchanged in the blood of smokers. Elevated cutaneous GSH levels were reflected by an elevated overall radical scavenging activity in the skin, as quantified by non-invasive electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Analysis of the expression of selected stress-associated genes in blood immune cells by quantitative RT-PCR in subgroups of non-smokers and smokers additionally demonstrated the downregulation of AKR1C2 in smokers, and its negative correlation with blood plasma levels of the protective immune mediator interleukin-22, assessed by the ELISA technique. Controlled cigarette consumption did not alter exogenous or endogenous AOs in the skin of smokers, but decreased lycopene levels in blood plasma. Moreover, there was a decline in blood IL-22 levels, while no relevant response of blood cell gene expressions was found after the considered short time. Our data therefore demonstrate a strengthened endogenous AO status in the skin of smokers, which may indicate a long-term adaptation to chronic oxidative stress in this specific organ. While this effect was not clearly visible in the blood, this compartment seems to be useful as an immediate indicator of the body’s AO consumption. Moreover, decreased levels of AKR1C2, which we show for the first time to be expressed in immune cells, may be a candidate marker for long-term smoking. In addition, this study demonstrates that the rate constant of a spin probe decline determined by EPR spectroscopy mainly represents the endogenous AO status of a tissue.

scholarly journals Antihelminthic Activity, Phytochemical Profile and Microscopic Features of Ocimum basilicum Collected in DR Congo

2020 ◽  
pp. 42-50
Author(s):  
Carlos N. Kabengele ◽  
Etienne M. Ngoyi ◽  
Giresse N. Kasiama ◽  
Jason T. Kilembe ◽  
Aristote Matondo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Radical Scavenging Activity ◽  
Radical Scavenging ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Scavenging Activity ◽  
Sodium Potassium ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Microscopic Features ◽  
Phytochemical Profile ◽  
Dose Dependent

Aim: The main aim of the present study is to validate the bioactivity of O. basilicum, a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat helminthiasis in DRC. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Science Faculty, University of Kinshasa, between June 2018 and March 2019. Methodology: Different parts (stems, leaves and flowers) of O. basilicum and specimens of earthworms of Benhamia rosea were collected and identified at University of Kinshasa. Micrographic examination was carried out using Biolux NV microscope and X-ray fluorescence method for mineral content determination. Radical scavenging activity was performed using the ABTS radical test. Results: Microscopic analysis of O. basilicum powder revealed various histological elements like crystalline fibres, sclerotic fibres, fragments of spiral vessels, pluricellular hairs and glandular hairs. Phytochemical screening in solution and by TLC revealed the presence of polyphenols (flavonoids, anthocyanins, saponins), alkaloids, steroids, coumarins, terpenoids, irridoids and anthraquinones. 20 elements including calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulphur, chlorine, aluminium, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, strontium, rubidium, bromine, silver, vanadium, neodymium, silicium and lead were determined. The aqueous extract of O. basilicum showed good dose-dependent antihelminthic activity and radical scavenging activity with IC50: 27.04 ± 4.58 µg/mL. Conclusion: This study provides an additional information on the mineral composition and antihelminthic activity of O. basilicum growing in DRC. The antihelminthic activity of this plant could be associated to the presence of flavonoids. To the current knowledge, no study on the histological elements of O. basilicum is available in the literature.

Phenolic constituents of Crithmum maritimum and their radical scavenging activity

Planta Medica ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (09) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Ngom ◽  
L Breant ◽  
C Antheaume ◽  
C Minker ◽  
A Leick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radical Scavenging Activity ◽  
Radical Scavenging ◽  
Scavenging Activity ◽  
Phenolic Constituents

Carum copticum L. essential oils as natural antimicrobial and antioxidant

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 515-520
Author(s):  
M Kazemi
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oils ◽  
Radical Scavenging Activity ◽  
Radical Scavenging ◽  
Dpph Radical ◽  
Dpph Radical Scavenging Activity ◽  
Carum Copticum ◽  
Microbial Strains ◽  
Pharmaceutical Industries ◽  
Dpph Radical Scavenging ◽  
Antioxidant Effects

Carum copticum L. comprises several relevant species for food, cosmetic, perfumery and pharmaceutical industries. GC/MS analysis of the enential oil of C. copticum revealed γ- terpinene as a major component of C. copticum, with its contribution of 33.85%. Essential oils (EOs) exhibited a significant antimicrobial activity against all tested microbial strains. In addition, the C. copticum oil demonstrated the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity. These results clearly show the antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of the plant essential oil.

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