Anatomy of the leaf blades of Waldsteinia ternata (Stephan) Fritsch (Rosaceae) grown under different light conditions

The paper reports the results of a comparative study of the anatomical structures of the leaf blades of Waldsteinia ternata grown under different light conditions in the Siberian Botanical Garden of Tomsk State University. Waldsteinia ternata is a tertiary nemoral relict from the mountains of southern Siberia, which is found in a limited number of taiga communities due to narrow environmental tolerance to various factors. The species remains poorly studied; comprehensive studies of the anatomical features of its leaves have not been performed on the territory of Russia. Leaves of W. ternata are dorsoventral and amphistomatous with anomocytic type stomata. The plants are classified as mesophytes. The relationship between the development of the anatomical structure of leaves and light conditions was revealed. The W. ternata plants grown in the sun showed an increased number of stomata and epidermal cells, an increased thickness of the leaf and mesophyll, and an increased number of cells of the upper and lower epidermis, that is, the plants exhibited heliophytic features of plant adaptation to good light conditions. At the same time, the vascular tissues of the plants grown in the sun were less developed, which reflected their adaptation to unfavorable water conditions. A number of relative indicators, such as the stomatal index of the lower epidermis, the ratio of the palisade to spongy mesophyll, and the ratio of xylem to phloem, did not change under different growth conditions. Thus, under different light and water conditions, W. ternata acquires helioxeromorphic or sciomesomorphic features.

Pharmacognostic and Preliminary Phytochemical Evaluation of Leaf of Syzygium Cumini (L.) Skeels

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Family: Myricaceae) commonly known as Jamun is a widely used medicinal plant in Ayurveda. In spite of its numerous medicinal attributes, no published work is available on pharmacognostic characterization, physicochemical analysis of its leaves. The measures taken for pharmacognostic characterization were macroscopy, microscopy, powder microscopy, physicochemical evaluation, fluorescence analysis, and preliminary phytochemical screening. The microscopic evaluation showed useful characters for the recognition of leaf of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels . Transverse section, showed presence of single layer of wavy epidermal cells with striated cuticle single layer Palisade beneath upper epidermis in lamina region (contains compact elongated cells), Spheraphide in lamina region, collenchyma below the upper epidermis and above the lower epidermis in midrib region, Xylem and phloem in center, Sclerenchyma in between vascular bundle and collenchyma in midrib region. Wavy epidermal cell in the upper epidermis, anisocytic stomata in the lower epidermis, Bordered pitted reticulate vessels, Calcium oxalate crystal sheath in the lamina, fragment of fibers and Spiral vessels were observed in powder microscopy. Physicochemical studies showed total ash (3.1%), acid insoluble ash (0.7%), alcohol soluble extractive values (10.96 %), and water-soluble extractive values (12.32 %). Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of sugar, lipid, Glycoside, saponins, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, tri-terpenoids and steroids. The study forms the first report on pharmacognostic characters and a physicochemical parameter which could be useful for identification and authentication of the plant.

High-Frequency Ultrasound Assessment of Skin and Oral Mucosa in Metabolic Syndrome Patients—A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Exogenous factors (such as sun exposure, smoking habits, and diet) and endogenous (inflammatory status, general diseases) have a direct influence on skin and soft tissue characteristics. The study’s objective was to assess the impact of metabolic syndrome (MS) on characteristics of skin layers in sun-exposed and non-exposed maxillofacial tissues evaluated by high-frequency ultrasound (HFU), as a potential diagnosis and monitoring tool for the aging process. Material and methods: The present study included 102 subjects (24 with MS; 78 without MS). Anthropometric parameters and disease history were recorded, and blood samples were harvested in order to assess biochemical parameters of MS. Sun-exposed skin (zygomatic region) and non-exposed oral mucosa of the lower lip were assessed using HFU (DUB® cutis, Taberna Pro Medicum) with a 22 MHz probe. Results: Patients with cardiac disease had significantly lower values for epidermis density (p = 0.002). Gender was independently linked to the aged dermis depth (p < 0.001), aged dermis no. of px (pixels) (p < 0.001), dermis depth (p < 0.001), dermis no. of px (p < 0.001), and subcutaneous tissue density (p < 0.001). Patients with MS had thinner epidermis (p = 0.008) and thinner aged dermis (p = 0.037) when compared to non-MS subjects. Conclusion: Patients with MS had thinner epidermis and a lower epidermis number of pixels in sun-exposed skin. Women had lower epidermis density and thicker dermis in sun-exposed skin. Our study showed that HFU, as a non-invasive investigation approach, is useful to diagnose and monitor the aging process in skin and oral mucosa, correlated with skin phenotype pathological conditions.

Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Ocimum basilicum L

Aim: Standardization of Ocimum basilicum through pharmacognosy. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai “Between” Dec 2014-April 15. Methodology: Organoleptic evaluation was carried out based on sensory characters. A free hand anatomical section of the stem was observed. Powder analysis, maceration, Phytochemical test and Fluorescence analysis were conducted according to standard protocol. Results: The organoleptic characters of the dried leaves of Ocimum basilicum were green, aromatic, pungent and brittle in texture with anomocytic stomata with stomatal index 71.87% in the lower epidermis. A prominent bundle sheath in the leaf was evident. The macerated stem showed annular xylem vessels. The aqueous extract showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, and glycosides. Alkaloids and lignins were evident in the histochemical study. Conclusion: Pharmacognostic evaluation of Ocimum basilicum would help in identification, detection of adulterants and development of a monograph.

Anatomical Study of Some Species of the Brassicaceae Family

Study complete in postgraduate laboratories at the College of Science, Department of Biology, University of Kufa. The anatomical study revealed a variation in the formation of complex cells and epidermal cells, where they differed in their shapes and were irregular with wavy ridges and on the axial surfaces in R. sativusvar red L. and R. sativuslongipinntus L. Their walls were weak jagged in only R. raphenstrum. Also, the stomata were located on both sides of the leaf blade, and the upper epidermis contained fewer stomata compared to the lower epidermis.

Characteristics of heteroblasty in Hladnikia pastinacifolia (Apiaceae), a rare endemic from Slovenia

Hladnikia pastinacifolia, the most prominent endemic plant species in Slovenia, is rare and protected because it is a stenoendemic and paleoendemic species restricted to area of Trnovski gozd (W Slovenia). However, this species can be found in various habitats. The disparity between the non-specific habitat preference of the species and its rarity has not been sufficiently explained. Here we focus on the functional morphological features that are most indicative for the ecology of plant species: the anatomical and morphological characteristics of leaves. Hladnikia pastinacifolia exhibits heterophylly during ontogeny (heteroblasty). We aimed to describe and compare the anatomical characteristics of three H. pastinacifolia leaf morphotypes among them and in relation to various habitats. Therefore, we compared leaf functional features that are indicative for the ecology of plant species: the thickness of the leaf lamina, the spongy and palisade parenchyma, the thickness of the upper and lower epidermis and the number of leaf stomata in the upper and lower epidermis. These measurements were further used to calculate the ratio between the spongy and palisade parenchyma, leaf stomata index and the density of leaf stomata. We determined that the H. pastinacifolia heteroblasty belongs to the Apium-type. Results showed that the five-pinnate leaves were the most distinct type, being the thickest, with the highest numbers of stomata abaxially. When compared among habitats, leaves from the scree habitat were the thickest according to all the tissue layers studied. The indices calculated were less useful for the distinction between leaf types and habitats.

Rhizomatous geophytes from the genus Hosta in Western Siberia

This is research of biological features of the growth and development rhythm of 11 Hosta species in the conditions of forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia. A comparative analysis of the organogenesis of the species H. decorata, H. sieboldiana, and H. lancifolia is carried out. The seed productivity and viability of pollen of 9 species were established. It is provided the description of upper and lower epidermis, cross section of leaf. It is revealed that the structure of lamina is characterized by xeromesophytic characters. It is mentioned species specificity in arrangement of adaxial and abaxial stomas pursuant thereto leaves of two types of Hosta are amphistomatic and hypostomatic. It is concluded that on the lower epidermis of the leaf, the transpiration capacity is 3 – 8 times greater.

Phyto Pharmacognostic Study of Lagerstroemia speciosa - An Analytical Study

Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers (Hindi - Jarul, Taglog - Banaba) a member of Lythraceae family is found all over India, specially in Bengal, Assam and Deccan Peninsula. The leaves of L. speciosa is widely used for lowering blood sugar levels in Philippines, Japan and Taiwan. Pharmacognostical investigation of leaves of L. speciosa was done by evaluating its morphological, microscopical studies, Physicochemical and phytochemical parameters. Rasa Nirdharana was done. Microscopical study revealed presence of epidermal cells contained clusters of rosette aggregate calcium oxalate crystals and few cells were mucilaginous. Lower epidermis showed the presence of anomocytic stomata. Physical constants of leaf powder showed, loss on drying - 3.8%, total ash - 6.7%, acid insoluble ash - 1.039%, water soluble extractive value - 8.88%, alcohol soluble extractive value - 4.49% and pH - 5.75. Preliminary phytochemical study revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, triterpenes, tannins, proteins and iron. Rasa Nirdharana confirmed the leaves are Kashaya in Rasa. The Pharmacognostical study was useful for authentication of leaves of Lagerstoemia speciosa.

Study of the Relationship between Leaf Color Formation and Anthocyanin Metabolism among Different Purple Pakchoi Lines

Purple pakchoi (Brassica rapa ssp. Chinensis) is particularly appreciated due to its high edible quality and ornamental value, but there are few studies on the underlying mechanisms of leaf color formation. To comprehensively assess the differences in purple formation in pakchoi, four lines of pakchoi with different purple leaves were used in this experiment to determine the pigment content and to investigate the distribution and components of anthocyanin using LCMS (Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry) and leaf cross-sections. Moreover, the expression levels of anthocyanin synthesis-related genes in four lines were calculated by qRT-PCR. The results showed that three new purple lines rich in anthocyanin and of high-quality were bred, and the anthocyanin were mainly distributed in both the upper epidermis and lower epidermis of leaves. Thirteen anthocyanin components were separated and identified, all the anthocyanins were acylated and glycosylated cyanidins; the main anthocyanins in purple pakchoi were a diacylated form of cyanidin 3-trans-(feruloyl)diglucoside-5-(malonyl)glucoside. Both the ratio of non-aromatic acylated cyanidin to aromatic acylated cyanidin and the ratio of anthocyanin content to chlorophyll content were responsible for the color formation in different purple pakchoi lines. When the ratio was high, the leaf appeared reddish purple, and when the ratio was low, the leaf appeared deep purple, even blackish purple. The expression level of BrF3H was significantly correlated with the content of anthocyanin through the correlation coefficient, which was speculated to be the main anthocyanin synthesis-related gene resulting in color differences among the four purple pakchoi lines. These results will enhance our understanding for the cultivation of new purple pakchoi varieties.

Analisis Morfofisiologi, Anatomi, dan Histokimia pada Lima Spesies Tanaman Gulma sebagai Respons terhadap Merkuri dan Timbal

Plants can be used as phytoremediation agents to improve critical land due to gold mining activities. This experiment aimed to analyze the morphophysiological, anatomical, and histochemical responses of Brachiaria mutica, Cyperus kyllingia, Ipomea aquatica, Mikania micrantha, and Paspalum conjugatum in response to the application of heavy metals mercury and lead in the forms of Hg(NO3)2 and Pb(NO3)2 in hydroponic experiments and to determine the ability of these plants to accumulate both metals. Morphological responses were observed by measuring number of leaves and plant dry weight, and physiological responses were observed by analyzing photosynthetic pigments, while anatomical and histochemical responses were analyzed by microscopic observation to tranversal slice of roots and leaves. The results showed that the applications of Hg(NO3)2 and Pb(NO3)2 treatments caused decreases in number of leaves, plant dry weights, and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid). The treatments also decreased leaf thickness due to the decrease in the epidermis, but they caused the increases in exodermis and endodermis of the roots. Mercury and lead were accumulated in large amounts in the roots, but accumulation in the shoot was less. Histochemical observation showed that lead was found in the roots of all the plants, especially in endodermic tissue and the vessel, whereas in the leaves the two metals were detected in the upper and lower epidermis, mesophyll, and vessel. Among the five species tested, C. kyllingia and P. conjugatum were the most tolerant to Pb and Hg.