Differential Influx of Natural Plant Growth Regulators during Embryogeny in the Recalcitrant Seeds of Syzygium cumini (L) Skeels

Background: The hormonal up-regulation and down-regulation in recalcitrant seeds, on the other hand, has received little research. We tested fou plant growth regulators from distinct families of phytohormones at the same time to better understand their differential input from maternal tissues to growing Syzygium cumini seeds. Methods: During April-June 2020, seeds were collected in their native habitats in the Western Ghats. Seeds were chosen at random from each treatment. The embryonic tissues of seeds were chopped up and frozen for LC-MS/MS hormonal profiling. Result: Except for ABA, the dynamics of key plant hormones in this recalcitrant seed were identical to that of desiccation-tolerant orthodox seeds. When compared to other conventional seeds, SA was shown to accumulate at an unusually high level in mature embryonic tissues, demonstrating the highly hydrated seed’s defense mechanism against fungal attack following seed shedding.

SURVIVAL AND NATURAL REGENERATION OF FOREST ESSENCES CULTIVATED IN ALTERED AREAS THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AFTER PLANTING

The evaluation of the survival and natural regeneration of tree species in a 35-year-old plantation was carried out to identify the species established in the area, aiming at their recommendation in forest restoration plantations in the State of Acre. In the 1980s, 138 forest species were planted in two experimental units (EU), of 1.38 ha each, in the Zoobotanical Park (ZP) of the Federal University of Acre, Rio Branco campus. The main activities carried out in the area, prior to planting, were agriculture and cattle raising. Survival status was measured through a census of all individuals planted at the time, who were still alive. In addition, all regenerating individuals from planted species were surveyed in the effective planting area of the experimental units. At the time of evaluation, living individuals of 41 and 46 species were found in experimental units 1 (EU-1) and 2 (EU-2), respectively. The species Syagrus sancona, Talisia esculenta, Acacia polyphylla, Couepia bracteosa, Mangifera indica, Syzygium cumini and Copaifera multijuga showed survival rates above 90% in at least one of the experimental units. Only Syagrus sancona and Handroanthus serratifolius presented high survival rates in both experimental. Regenerating individuals of the species Aspidosperma vargasii, Couepia bracteosa, Euterpe precatoria, Handroanthus serratifolius, Oenocarpus mapora, Onychopetalum periquino and Stryphnodendron pulcherrimum were found in the two EU.

Therapeutic Properties of Syzygium cumini (Jamun) and Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy) Against Various Lethal Diseases

Phytochemicals have recently been studied in vivo for their unmatched interactions in curing lethal diseases that can't be cured by allopathic medical intervention without any adverse effect on the patient health. These methods were being used in ancient India, where Jamun and Giloy have been used to decrease hormonal imbalance and pathological disorders. Signaling pathways of the active components of Tinospora cordifolia thus enable effective disease targeting. With so much to offer to the scientific world of medicine, the plant Tinospora truly acts as an incredible source as it deals with seasonal fever like Dengue, Malaria, Chickengunia, and anticancer and anti-HIV (research undergoing). Whereas the Syzygium cumini (Jamun) fruit and seed hold worth in treating various diet-related malfunctions, especially hyperglycemia. In the current research, Jamun seed and fruit extracts have been proved effective in the regulation of blood glucose and insulin parameters.

Ethanolic Extract of Syzygium cumini Causes Toxic Effects on Ethanol-induced Liver and Kidney Damage in Albino Wistar Rats: A Biochemical and Histological Study

Background: The therapeutic value of Syzygium cumini (S. cumini) has been documented in traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases and ailments. Various preparations of this plant have been made and used especially for liver inflammatory conditions in livestock. Further, many liver diseases in humans are inflammatory conditions, which are caused by alcohol intake. This study sought to examine the effect of S. cumini on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. Methods: Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups of five rats each. The first group was control and the other four were administered ethanol at varying doses to induce liver and kidney damages. Two doses of the S. cumini extract were administered at a concentration of 200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg. Silymarin was administered to the last group at 10 mg/kg. The liver and kidney tissue samples were collected and preserved for histological analyses and the rat sera were analyzed for the associated biochemical biomarkers. Results: Histopathological analyses revealed pyknotic nuclei and distortion in the arrangement of the hepatocytes in extract-treated groups. The kidney tissue samples showed signs of interstitial bleeding and aggregation of lymphocytes in the peri-glomerular areas. The analyses of the biochemical parameters revealed that there were significant increases in the aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), Urea and creatinine in the sera of the groups treated with the extract compared to those of the controls (P<0.05). Conclusion: The S. cumini extract caused elevation of serum hepatic and renal biomarkers at 400 mg/kg and did not have a hepatoprotective effect.

Tree species diversity in Kalidhar forest of western Shiwaliks, Jammu, JK (UT)

The present study was conducted in Kalidhar forest of western Shiwaliks, Jammu, JK (UT), to assess the tree diversity and undertake phytosociological analysis in three major land use (LU) classes i.e. Forest, Agriculture and Scrub area. A total of 70, 50 and 50 sample plots of 0.1 ha were laid respectively in forests, scrub and agriculture LU classes. The study revealed that in forests possess a total 39 tree species belonging to 19 families and 31 genera, whereas, in scrub and agriculture lands a total of 9 tree species (8 families and 9 genera) and 60 tree species (26 families and 46 genera) were recorded respectively. Mallotus philippensis was the most dense tree species with 2.85 individuals per ha in forests followed by Pinus roxburghii 2.06 per hectare. In scrub and agriculture land Acacia modesta and Grewia optiva were found the densest species respectively. The value of Importance value index (IVI) was found highest for Pinus roxburhii (44.63) in forests, whereas, respective values were recorded highest for Syzygium cumini (82.64) and Grewia optiva (29.0) in scrub and agriculture lands. Flacourtia indica and Pinus roxburghii showed random distribution in forest and Syzygium cumini was also found to have random distribution in the scrub lands. Contiguous distribution was found for all tree species encountered in agriculture (LU) class. The diversity values of Shannon Wiener and Simpson indices showed highest tree diversity in agriculture lands with the values of 3.19 and 0.07 respectively followed by that in forests (2.47 and 0.14). Tree species richness was found high in agriculture area with Margalef’s (59.86) and Menhinick’s (1.80).