Toxicity of isolated phenolic compounds from Acorus calamus L. to control Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under laboratory conditions

Background Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), the tobacco cutworm, is an prominent agricultural pest. To reduce the use of chemical pesticides that cause health problems and that leave residue in the environment, some botanical pesticides have been developed. Our research aimed to evaluate the insecticidal efficacy of Acorus calamus L. extract for the control of S. litura under laboratory conditions. Results After 24 h of topical application, the A. calamus methanolic crude extract showed toxicity against secondary instar S. litura larvae (LD50 ~ 7.438 µg/larva). Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxy flavone), one of the isolated phenolic compounds, showed optimal control efficiency (LD50 ~ 2.752 µg/larva) and showed a reduction in carboxylesterase activities, which have detoxification reduction roles in larvae. Conclusion Chrysin in the crude extract of A. calamus may be an active compound to control this pest, and it may be applied as an alternative to minimize the usage of chemical insecticides. Graphical Abstract

Phytochemical Screening and In vitro Albumin Denaturation Inhibitory Potential of Methanolic Root Extract of Acorus calamus

Introduction: Medicinal plants are chief antidotes for numerous diseases and have been used since time immemorial. Sweet flag’s (Acorus calamus) presence is in Ayurveda and belongs to the genus Acorus L. of the family Acoraceae and is widely distributed in temperate to sub temperate regions. It is commonly used to treat appetite loss, diarrhoea, digestive disorders in traditional medicinal systems of Asian and European countries. The aim of this study is to explore the phytoconstituents, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of methanolic root extract of Acorus calamus. Materials and Methods: Methanolic root extract of Acorus calamus was done by the Hot Percolation method. Later it was dried and used to analyse the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials. Phytochemical screening was done to analyse the presence of various phytochemicals. Antioxidant effect of Acorus calamus was tested by 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and Albumin denaturation inhibitory potential test was organised for testing it’s anti-inflammatory Activity. The data were analysed statistically by a one-way analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan’s multiple range test was used to see the statistical significance among the groups. The results with the p<0.05 level were considered to be statistically significant. Results: Methanolic root extract of Acorus calamus was found to be rich in Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Sapanoids, Steroids and Phlobatannin. The presence of phytochemicals like alkaloids, saponins, Flavonoids indicates that the extract has potential for further in vitro analysis like antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials. It was observed that Acorus calamus has both antioxidant (IC50 of = 295 µg/ml) as well as anti inflammatory potentials (IC50 =310 µg/ml) and the activity increased in a dose dependent manner as compared to that of standard (Vitamin C and Diclofenac respectively). Conclusion: The study proves the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacy of Acorus calamus and throws light on the prospects of drug formulation against oxidant activity and inflammation.

Utilization of constructed wetland post harvested biomass through fly ash bricks plant: A phytoremediation approach

Toxic metal-contaminated wastewater is a major environmental issue that requires a practical and cost-effective technological solution. Heavy metal phytoremediation by constructed wetland is becoming more common around the world. Plants are used in phytoremediation to degrade, stabilize, and remove contaminants from soils, water, and waste. The key issues with managing heavy metal phytoremediation plants in an environmentally appropriate manner. The design of CWs for successful phytoremediation in heavy metals contaminated wastewater should not affect the local environment. By-product generation is another crucial part of phytoremediation’s success. Phyto-management has emerged as an alternative strategy in recent years. Phytoremediating plants ( C. indica and A. calamus) biomass has been successfully used in the manufacture of 70 fly-ash bricks. High rate of Cu (96 %), Zn (95 %), (Fe 93), and Cr (91 %) removal from Canna indica and Acorus calamus were found in the present study as compared to the Typha latifoliya, Myriophylhum aquaticum, Ludwigina palustris, Eichhornia crassipes, Schoenoplectus californicus, Cyperus papyrus, and Phragmites australis which indicates C. indica is the high potential for heavy metal removal and can be strongly used for industrial wastewater. In the way, the use of ornamental plants for phytoremediation of contaminated sewage wastewater would also change the landscape of the aquatic environment. This article summarises viable avenues in the method of using phytoremediating plant biomass for environmental protection.

Purification Effects on β-HCH Removal and Bacterial Community Differences of Vertical-Flow Constructed Wetlands with Different Vegetation Plantations

This study aimed to investigate the removal of β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) at realistic concentration levels (10 µg/L) in different plant species in constructed wetlands (Acorus calamus, Canna indica, Thalia dealbata, and Pontederia cordata) and the structure of the rhizosphere microbial community response of each group during summer and winter. Results showed that all groups of constructed wetlands had very good decontamination efficiency against β-HCH in water (90.86–98.17%). The species that most efficiently purified β-HCH in water was A. calamus in summer (98.17%) and C. indica in winter (96.64%). Substrate sorption was found to be the major pathway for β-HCH removal from water in the constructed wetlands. The ability of the wetland plants to absorb and purify β-HCH was limited, and C. indica had the strongest absorptive capacity among the four plant species. The mean β-HCH removal from the matrix of the planted plants increased by 5.8% compared with that of the control treatment (unplanted plants). The average β-HCH content in the plant rhizosphere substrate was 4.15 µg/kg lower than that in the non-rhizosphere substrate. High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) in the Chao1 and ACE indices of microbes in the substrate of four wetlands during summer and winter. At the genus level, the constructed wetlands with vegetation plantations showed higher microbial abundance than the constructed wetlands without vegetation plantations. In winter, the bacterial community structure of each constructed wetland was quite different, but no dominant flora in the bacterial community structure obviously changed. In summer, the bacterial community structure at the same stage was relatively small. The abundance of Actinobacteria and Sphingomonas remarkably increased over time in summer.

POLYPLOIDY OF NORTH EAST ASIA AQUATIC AND SEMIAQUATIC VASCULAR PLANTS

The chromosome numbers of aquatic and semiaquatic vascular plants growing in extreme North-East Asia, east of the Lena River, were analyzed. We have reviewed the information about the karyological peculiarity of the aquatic flora based on published data, including our own definitions. The karyological data are considered depending on the taxonomic position, distribution and ecological characteristics of the species. The chromosome numbers are known for 119 out of 123 species. There is no data on Zannichellia komarovii, Eleocharis termale, Stuckenia subretusa and Potamogeton sibiricus. In the aquatic flora of North-East Asia, the proportion of polyploids is higher (79%) than that reported for the entire Beringian flora (69%). We analyzed species for the presence of polyploidy depending on the type of area. Analysis by latitudinal groups revealed that all Arctic and hypoarctic species of aquatic plants are polyploids. The minimum proportion of polyploids is observed among arctoboreal species. Analysis by longitudinal groups revealed that the lowest proportion of polyploids was noted among species found only in Eurasia and absent in North America (61%), and it was the highest among pluriregional species (96%). The species of the families Cyperaceae, Lemnaceae, Ranunculaceae and Poaceae are characterized by a high level of variability in the number of chromosomes. The greatest variety of chromosome numbers is observed in the polymorphic species Caltha palustris s. l., Agrostis stolonifera, Dupontia fisheri s. l., Phragmites australis, in all species of the genus Eleocharis, and in Nymphaea tetragona, Acorus calamus, Calla palustris. The isolated cases of a high level of ploidy were found in the extreme northeast, at the northern borders of ranges, in 3 species - Hippuris vulgaris, Arctophila fulva and Beckmannia syzigachne. Only diploids are known in the families Equisetaceae, Typhaceae, Zosteraceae from the flora of North East Asia. We revealed the existence of several chromosomal races in Ranunculus gmelinii and Caltha palustris (Ranunculaceae) in the Magadan region; the distribution of chromosomal races is partly related to geographic location and partly to plant habitats. Rare karyotypes in these species are observed in aquatic forms with mainly vegetative reproduction, growing in non-freezing watercourses.

Influence of jeringau (Acorus calamus Linn.) rhizome extract against dry-wood termites (Cryptotermes cynocephalus Light.)

Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis Muell Arg.) is classified as a hardwood, yet it is vulnerable to dry-wood termites attack, namely Cryptotermes cynocephalus Light. Hence, a preservative is necessary for prevention. The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of jeringau rhizome extract on dry-wood termites C. cynocephalus attack. The experimental design was a completely randomized factorial design with two factors include 2 levels of solvent (water and ethanol) and 4 levels of extract ratio (1:4, 1:6, 1:8, and 1:10). Parameters observed were actual retention, termites mortality, sample weight loss, and attack degree. Rubberwood was sized in 5 cm x 3 cm x 3 cm. The method used was immersing the samples in a container that contains jeringau rhizome extract in various treatments for 72 hours. The immersed samples were then fed to healthy and active C. cynocephalus for 12 weeks. The results showed that the type of solvents and extract ratio had a significant effect on termites mortality and samples weight loss, while actual retention was influenced by the extract ratio. In conclusion, the most effective formula to prevent dry-wood termites attack was jeringau rhizome extract with a weight ratio of jeringau powder and ethanol 1:6.

Indigenous Therapeutics of Alzheimer: A Review of Ayurvedic Herbs from its Ethnobotany to Phytotherapy

Ayurveda, often known as Ayurvedic medicine, is a customized system of the traditional system of medicine with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. This alternative medicine system has been used for more than 5,000 years in India, and it is grounded on a holistic view of treatment that stimulates and supports equilibrium in diverse facets of human life: the body, soul, and mind. A great variety of herbs and plants are used in Ayurveda for numerous advantages; however, the popular Ayurvedic medicinal plants and formulations that are used to delay the aging of the human brain and improve memory consist of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis, Evolvulus alsinoides, and other species), gotu kola (Centella asiatica), and guggulu (Commiphora mukul and correlated species) and a preparation identified as Brāhmī Ghṛita, containing Brahmi, Vacā (Acorus calamus), Kuṣṭha (Saussurea lappa), Shankhpushpi, and Purāṇa Ghṛita (old clarified butter/old ghee). One of the extremely common progressive neurodegenerative disorders is Alzheimer s disease (AD), which is characterized by profound memory loss ample enough to hinder social and occupational functioning. Globally, more than 20 million people are affected by this most common form of dementia. AD is characterized by a stealthy loss of memory, allied functional decline, and behavioral disturbances. With modern scientific methods, it is anticipated that this description can be further explored to disclose novel therapeutic pointers and push-start additional studies on the use of Ayurvedic medicine to prevent and treat AD. This paper reviews the clinical effects of a number of generally used types of herbal medicines to treat AD.

Computational View of β-Asarone–Human Serum Albumin Interaction

β-Asarone (BAS), a bioactive phytochemical from the medicinal herb, Acorus calamus Linn., has shown many pharmacological activities. Computational docking studies unveiled the interaction site of BAS on the human plasma carrier, albumin. The primary binding arrangement of BAS was placed at Sudlow's Site I of HSA, which is pinpointed in subdomain IIA of albumin. Hydrophobic and van der Waals forces together with hydrogen bonds appear to secure the BAS-albumin complex. The BAS at Site I was surrounded by more hydrophobic and polar residues than those seen at Site II, as evidenced by LigPlot+. Therefore, the interaction between BAS and albumin at Site I seems to be comparatively more stable owing to more vital interactions.