Vocabulary for Lower Back and Lumbar Pain in Russian Dialects: ‘utin’ and ‘chemer’

A semantic-motivational and etymological analysis of two Russian dialectisms ‘utin’ and ‘chemer’ are carried out in the article, in the semantic structure of which (among others) meanings associated with diseases of various localization and etiology (the authors are mainly interested in the semantics of low back pain) are presented. The semantic organization of the corresponding etymological and derivational nests is reconstructed; nests are matched by value configuration. The authors show what semantic transitions determined the appearance of the meaning «lumbar pain» (and, secondarily, «lower back» and «spine») in the words ‘utin’ and ‘chemer’. Both designations for low back pain are analyzed in a broad ethnolinguistic context, which implies taking into account the practices of traditional medicine, which are due to archaic ideas about pain and disease. It is shown that etymological magic is repeatedly triggered in the nest of the word ‘utin’, and its action is carried out in two directions: from the generating verb *tęti, *tьnǫ «cut down, cut» to the derivative ‘utin’, and then from it to other words of the morphosemantic field (‘utyug’, ‘utin’ «boundary», ‘utinok’ «stump», ‘ovin’, ‘tyn’ etc.). In the nest of the word ‘chemer’, a nontrivial transition of botanical meaning («poisonous plant») to physiological one («poisoning» → «pain in case of poisoning» → «pain of various etiologies, including lumbar pain») is restored, then (in parallel) to somatic and demonic.

Critical Analysis of Snuhi - Euphorbia Neriifolia (Upavisha- Poisonous Plant) and its Application as a Therapeutic Aid

Traditional system of medicines has vast applications of poisonous plants; hence the knowledge about poisonous plant and its therapeutic effects becomes very essential to develop a new drug for the new diseases like Covid 19 and other diseases. Many research studies have showed that the poisonous medicinal plants are endowed with properties like Antidiabetic, Anticancer, Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Cytogenetic effect. This study focused on one such drug called Snuhi - Euphorbia Neriifolia, a Upavisha or a poisonous plant to evaluate its therapeutic effects, which would be helpful for the mankind after the proper Shodhana (purification), by conducting experimental studies, toxicity studies and thereby applied in various diseases for its therapeutic benefits and to relieve the sufferings of the patients.

Kuchala (Strychnous Nuxvomica Linn) - Known as Toxic and Less Known as an Effective Medicinal Herb

Strychnous nuxvomica Linn, known as Kuchala in Ayurveda is a well known poisonous herb that consists of multiple health benefits in Indian system of medicine. In Ayurveda, it is said as Upavisha and used as a popular folk medicine from ancient times. This Kuchala is still being used in rural India in the medicinal form. Strychnine is a main contain of Kuchala which was first used in 1540 for the purpose of medicine and continued to be used in many stimulants, tonics and cathartics. It includes constituents like alkaloids with flavonoids, iridoids and phenolic glycosides. Research studies have reported its anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antipyretic, gastroprotective, antidiabetic, antialcoholic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antinociceptive, anti-snake venom and neuropharmacological properties. Though considered as an extremely poisonous plant, but has enormous medicinal properties.

Unpalatable plants induce a species-specific associational effect on neighboring communities

In grazing conditions, unpalatable species may induce either associational defense or neighbor contrast susceptibility in neighboring communities. Using surveys from eight grasslands, we tested whether various unpalatable species have the same impacts on neighboring communities in response to grazing. The studied unpalatable species were: Phlomis cancellata (an unpalatable nonpoisonous plant), Euphorbia boissieriana, E.microsciadia (poisonous plants), and Seseli transcaucasicum (a highly poisonous plant). Our results showed that, in the ungrazed grasslands, communities containing P. cancellata had lower biodiversity than communities without it. In the moderately- and heavily grazed grasslands, P. cancellata induced associational defense in the neighboring communities. In heavily grazed grasslands, both Euphorbia species promoted neighbor contrast susceptibility in the neighboring communities. Similarly, S. transcaucasicum in a heavily grazed grassland, induced neighbor contrast susceptibility. Different responses of plant community vulnerability among the studied unpalatable plants might be due to herbivore different foraging decisions. Accordingly, grazers selectively choose from other patches when facing P. cancellata and other plant individuals when there is a poisonous plant in a patch. Our results suggested that grazing intensity may not substantially affect the foraging decisions of sheep and goats in response to unpalatable species. We recommend monitoring the abundance of poisonous species to maintain the sustainable use of grasslands.

Phyto-compounds from a rather poisonous plant, Strychnos nux-vomica, show high potency against SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

Background: Strategy to inhibit the virus replication is an attractive means in combating SARS-CoV-2 infection. Objective: We studied phyto-compounds from Strychnos nux-vomica (a poisonous plant) against SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase by computational methods. Method: Molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and energetics calculations were employed to elucidate the role of the phyto-compounds. Results: Ergotamine with a binding free energy of -14.39 kcal/mol showed a promising capability in terms of both the binding affinity and interacting to conserved motifs, especially the SDD signature sequence. The calculated dissociation constants for ATP, ergotamine, isosungucine and sungucine were 12 µM, 0.072 nM, 0.011 nM and 0.152 nM, respectively. The exhibited kd by these phyto-compounds reflected a tens of thousands fold potency as compared to ATP. The binding free energies of sungucine and isosungucine were much lower (-13.93 and -15.55 kcal/mol, respectively) compared to that of ATP (-6.98 kcal/mol). Conclusion: Sharing the same binding location as that of ATP and having high binding affinities, Ergotamine, Isosungucine, Sungucine and Strychnine N-oxide could be effective in controlling the SARS-CoV-2 virus replication by blocking the ATP and inhibiting the enzyme function.

Interaction between root exudates and rhizosphere microorganisms facilitates the expansion of poisonous plant species in degraded grassland

Background The interaction between rhizosphere microorganisms and rhizosphere exudates is considered a ‘novel weapon’ for poisonous plants’ colonization, but the relationship between them in facilitating the expansion of poisonous plants in degraded or barren land is poorly understood. We examined this relationship in different degradation levels of alpine grasslands on the Tibetan plateau (3,700 m a.s.l) by determining the composition of root exudates, soil physical and chemical properties, rhizosphere microbial diversity and carbon metabolism of the main poisonous and non-poisonous plant species. Results Soil nutrients, including total organic carbon, total nitrogen and available phosphorous, diversity of microorganisms and microbial carbon metabolism were greater in the rhizosphere of poisonous than in non-poisonous plant species (P < 0.05). The distribution of bacteria and root exudates were plant species specific. Soil microbial communities were affected by habitat and plant species in degraded grassland, and more so for bacteria than fungi. The cell growth and death pathway for the poisonous species Ligularia virgaurea was greater than for other poisonous species (P < 0.05), and the difference increased with an increase in grassland degradation and a decrease in soil nutrients (P < 0.05), which could explain how L. virgaurea became the dominant poisonous species in degraded alpine grassland. The roots of L. virgaurea exudated such compounds as alkaloids, lupinic acid, terpenes, artemisinin, and coumarin, which were correlated positively with different bacteria in different habitats. Conclusion It was concluded that poisonous plant species adapted to degraded grassland through the interaction of root exudates and rhizosphere microorganisms, which facilitated their expansion in degraded alpine grassland.

A Total of Eight Novel Steroidal Glycosides Based on Spirostan, Furostan, Pseudofurostan, and Cholestane from the Leaves of Cestrum newellii

Previously, various steroidal glycosides were reported from plants of Cestrum species. However, phytochemical investigation has not been conducted on Cestrum newellii. A systematic phytochemical investigation of the leaves of C. newellii resulted in the isolation of eight novel steroidal glycosides (1–8), which were classified into three spirostanol glycosides (1–3), two furostanol glycosides (4 and 5), two pseudofurostanol glycosides (6 and 7), and one cholestane glycoside (8). In addition, three known cholestane glycosides (9–11) were isolated and identified. The structures of the new compounds were determined based on spectroscopic data and chemical transformations. Compounds 1 and 2 are spirostanol glycosides having hydroxy groups at C-2, C-3, C-12, and C-24 of the aglycone moiety. Although C. newellii is known to be a poisonous plant, the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay exhibited that none of the isolated compounds were cytotoxic to HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells.

A Comprehensive Review on Pharmacological Properties of Abrus precatorius L.

Background: Abrus precatorius L. (A. precatorius) is a valuable plant from the family Fabaceae which is a pea family. It is commonly known as Gunja or Jequirity, significantly found throughout India mainly Himalaya to Southern India and Ceylon. It is considered a poisonous plant due to the presence of abrin. Objective: A. precatorius has many pharmacological and biologically active constituents, such as alkaloids, glycosides and flavonoids situated in different parts of the plant. The objective of this review is to provide a retrospective study based on its anticancer potential. Results: Recent studies of A. precatorius are based on the isolation, characterization, and pharmacological evaluation of different secondary metabolites. These constituents possess significant cytotoxic properties against various cancer cell lines including breast, lung, liver, ovarian, prostate and leukaemia. A. precatorius is also reported to have anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, abortifacient, antioxidant, anthelmintic activity, antifertility, nephroprotective, and immunomodulatory activities. Conclusion: The present review summarizes the anticancer potential of A. precatorius and its constituents. However, extensive research is required to establish it as a potent chemotherapeutic agent.

PRiME 2020 #F01-1561

Progress and a price reduction of the photovoltaic power generation technology are important research themes. Then, it is splendid if the poisonous plant and the activated carbon can be used. A poisonous plant and the used activated carbons are collected in large quantities and cheaply from the imminent place. With the I-V characteristics of dye-sensitized solar cell where four kinds of edible food colors for as an adsorption pigment each were used, the open circuit voltage, short circuit photocurrent density, and light energy conversion efficiency were showed the highest values for a gardenia blue pigment. With the CV curves of the glassy carbon electrode before and after the modification of the ingredient derived from charcoal burner, a cathodic peak potential around -755 mV was positively shifted to the approximately 125 mV after modification.