Literature review of 10 plants products for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and antiviral properties

The global health pandemic of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) did not have specifically approved medication for the treatment. To maintain the human immunity power by natural remedies is the only way to prevent coronavirus infection. We designed a study protocol by selecting 10 natural plant active constituents that were claimed by traditional and investigational ways to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and antiviral properties. We will analyze these selected 10 plants' active constituents by molecular docking analysis. This article is a literature review of selected 10 plants products including Coffea Arabica, Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Zizyphus vulgaris, Sisymbrium irio, Borago officinalis, Althaea officinalis, Malva sylvestris, Cordia Latifolia, and Adhatoda vasica for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and antiviral properties.

Parasitoids of Delia planipalpis (Meigen) and Delia platura (Stein) (Diptera, Anthomyiidae) in Mexico

Among the insect pests that affect crucifer crops in Mexico are Delia planipalpis (Meigen) and D. platura (Stein). They are a threat to the production of these vegetables since the damage they cause directly and indirectly affects yield, quality, and commercialization of these crops. Nevertheless, the existence of natural enemies of these dipterans is still unknown. It is fundamental to determine which parasitoids or predators can be considered possible biological control agents in an integrated pest management program. The sampling sites were located in Guanajuato, Puebla, and the State of Mexico, where plants of Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenk and capitata L., B. napus L., and Raphanus sativus L. infested with Delia spp. were selected. The symptoms observed were wilting, yellowish, flaccid leaves and individuals less developed than the rest of the crop. These plants were extracted with their root and the surrounding soil. Also, wild crucifers were collected, such as Raphanus raphanistrum L., Brassica campestris L., and Sisymbrium irio L. The first records of Aphaereta pallipes Say (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), Trybliographa rapae (Westwood) (Hymenoptera, Figitidae), and Aleochara bimaculata Gravenhorst (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) are reported parasitizing the puparia of these anthomyiid flies on cultivated and wild crucifers. This represents only a starting point for the continuous study of these parasitoids, which is needed to consider them useful for the biological control of D. planipalpis and D. platura.

Bioherbicidal Potential of Eucalyptus and Clove Oil and their Combinations on Four Weedy Species

Essential oils of eucalyptus leaves and clove buds were isolated and tested for their bioherbicidal potential on different annual weed species. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry analysis (GC-MS) identified thirteen compounds representing around 87.11% of the total isolated eucalyptus oil. The main constituent was 1,8-cineole, which accounted for 68.15% of the total identified compounds. As for clove oil, eleven compounds were identified, representing 90.03% of the total compounds. Eugenol was the dominant compound and accounted for 73.89%. The bioherbicidal efficacy of the two oils and their combinations by three concentrations (2.5, 5, and 10%) were tested on four weedy species, namely Chenopodium album, Raphanus raphanistrum, Melilotus indicus, and Sisymbrium irio. The isolated oils significantly affected the dry weight and inhibited the seedling growth of the four weedy species. Using the two essential oils, individually or within their combinations, showed the highest bioherbicidal efficacy against the targeted weeds in comparison with the synthetic herbicide. In addition, utilization of the two essential oils as natural bioherbicides caused an electrolyte leakage as a result of membrane disruption and loss of integrity of weed seedling tissues. The results showed the possibility of using eucalyptus and clove essential oils individually or in combination as a desirable alternative to synthetic herbicides for sustainable weed management.

CURRENT UPDATES ON SISYMBRIUM IRIO LINN: A TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANT

Sisymbrium irio Linn belonging to family ‘Cruciferae’ is one of the well-known plant used in Unani Thearpy. Several studies done throughout the world on ‘Sisymbrium irio L’, also known as ‘London Rocket’ or ‘Khakshi’ has established that this annual herb is of tremendous medicinal benefits. This plant exhibits potential pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, anticancer, detoxify spleen and liver, also used as febrifuge, expectorant, diuretic and used in the treatment of rheumatoid, voice disorders, boils, pimples, cough, and has bronchoprotective and hepatoprotective role. Various phytochemicals have been isolated scientifically from the different parts of the plants such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpinoids, carbohydrates, phenolics compounds, fatty acids, steroids, amino acids and proteins which were found to be of ‘Chemotherapeutic Interest’. This review paper summarizes the botanical description, ethnomedical, phytochemical and therapeutical role of the plant and highlighted the need of future research on this plant as a source of novel drug.

Wild Food Plant Gathering among Kalasha, Yidgha, Nuristani and Khowar Speakers in Chitral, NW Pakistan

The documentation of local food resources among linguistic/cultural minorities is essential for fostering measures aimed at sustaining food biocultural heritage. Moreover, interdisciplinary studies on food cultural heritage represent a vital aspect of promoting environmental and social sustainability. The current study aimed to record the traditional foraging of wild food plants (WFPs) among three minority groups (Kalasha, Muslim Ismaili Yidgha, and Muslim Sunni Kamkata-vari speakers) as well as the dominant (Sunni Muslim) Kho/Chitrali people in the Kalasha and Lotkoh valleys, Chitral, NW Pakistan. A field survey recorded fifty-five locally gathered wild food plants and three mycological taxa. Most of the WFPs were used raw as snacks or as cooked vegetables, and Yidgha speakers reported the highest number of WFPs. Although the wild food plant uses of the four considered groups were quite similar, Yidgha speakers exclusively reported the use of Heracleum candicans, Matricaria chamomilla, Seriphidium brevifolium, and Sisymbrium irio. Similarly, Kalasha speakers reported the highest number of use reports, and along with Yidgha speakers they quoted a few WFPs that were frequently used only by them. The results of the study showed a remarkable degree of cultural adaptation of the minority groups to the dominant Kho/Chitrali culture, but also some signs of cultural resilience among those linguistic and religious minorities that were historically more marginalized (Kalasha and Yidgha speakers). The recorded food biocultural heritage should be seriously considered in future development programs aimed at fostering social cohesion and sustainability.

Identification of Delia spp. (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera, Anthomyiidae) and its cruciferous hosts in Mexico

Soil pests of cruciferous crops in Mexico have been gaining importance in recent years; such is the case of Delia spp. (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera, Anthomyiidae), of which, to date, there are no studies on the correct identification of associated species, as well as the range of hosts. In an integrated pest management program, it is essential to know this information to design and implement adequate phytosanitary measures. Plants infested by Delia spp. were collected in the states of Guanajuato, Puebla, and Mexico from June to November 2017 and March to December 2018 in commercial plantations of cruciferous crops (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica, botrytis and capitata), B. napus L., and Raphanus sativus L.) as well as some cruciferous weeds (R. raphanistrum L., Sisymbrium irio L., B. campestris L., Capsella bursa-pastoris L., and Lepidium virginicum L.) in the edges of these crops. The two species found in this study, Delia planipalpis (Stein) and Delia platura (Meigen), identified using male genitalia was corroborated by molecular techniques. Both species emerged from all the sampled hosts, except for C. bursa-pastoris and L. virginicum. The association of the two species in cruciferous crops and weeds, provides valuable information for the management of these insects not only in cruciferous crops but other ones that are strongly attacked by D. platura.

Duplication and functional divergence of a calcium sensor in the Brassicaceae

The presence of varied numbers of CALCINEURIN B-LIKE10 (CBL10) calcium sensor genes in species across the Brassicaceae and the demonstrated role of CBL10 in salt tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana and Eutrema salsugineum provided a unique opportunity to determine if CBL10 function is modified in different species and linked to salt tolerance. Salinity effects on species growth and cross-species complementation were used to determine the extent of conservation and divergence of CBL10 function in four species representing major lineages within the core Brassicaceae (A. thaliana, E. salsugineum, Schrenkiella parvula, and Sisymbrium irio) as well as the first diverging lineage (Aethionema arabicum). Evolutionary and functional analyses indicate that CBL10 duplicated within expanded lineage II of the Brassicaceae and that, while portions of CBL10 function are conserved across the family, there are species-specific variations in CBL10 function. Paralogous CBL10 genes within a species diverged in expression and function probably contributing to the maintenance of the duplicated gene pairs. Orthologous CBL10 genes diverged in function in a species-specific manner, suggesting that functions arose post-speciation. Multiple CBL10 genes and their functional divergence may have expanded calcium-mediated signaling responses and contributed to the ability of certain members of the Brassicaceae to maintain growth in salt-affected soils.