Potamogeton perfoliatus L. Extract Attenuates Neuroinflammation and Neuropathic Pain in Sciatic Nerve Chronic Constriction Injury-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Rats

Sciatic nerve injury is often associated with neuropathic pain and neuroinflammation in the central and peripheral nervous systems. In our previous work, Potamogeton perfoliatus L. displayed anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic properties, predominantly via the inhibition of COX-2 enzyme and attenuation of oxidative stress. Herein, we extended our investigations to study the effects of the plant’s extract on pain-related behaviors, oxidative stress, apoptosis markers, GFAP, CD68 and neuro-inflammation in sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) rat model. The levels of the pro-inflammatory marker proteins in sciatic nerve and brainstem were measured with ELISA 14 days after CCI induction. Pretreatment with the extract significantly attenuated mechanical and cold allodynia and heat hyperalgesia with better potential than the reference drug, pregabalin. In addition, CCI lead to the overexpression of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis alpha (TNFα), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), and NADPH oxidase-1 (NOX-1) and decreased the catalase level in sciatic nerve and brainstem. The observed neuro-inflammatory changes were accompanied with glial cells activation (increased GFAP and CD68 positive cells), apoptosis (increased Bax) and structural changes in both brainstem and sciatic nerve. The studied extract attenuated the CCI-induced neuro-inflammatory changes, oxidative stress, and apoptosis while it induced the expression of Bcl-2 and catalase in a dose dependent manner. It also decreased the brainstem expression of CD68 and GFAP indicating a possible neuroprotection effect. Taking together, P. perfoliatus may be considered as a novel therapy for neuropathic pain patients after performing the required clinical trials.

Estimation Standard And Seeded Pan Evaporation Using Modelling Approach

Evaporation is an important meteorological variable that has also a great impact on water management. In this study, FAO-56 Penman-Monteith equation (FAO56-PM), multiple stepwise regression (MLR) and Kohonen self-organizing map (K-SOM) techniques were used for the estimation of daily pan evaporation (Ep) in three treatments, where C was the standard class A pan with top water, S was A pan with sediment covered bottom, and SM was class A pan containing submerged macrophytes (Myriophyllum sipctatum., Potamogeton perfoliatus, and Najas marina), in an six-season experiment. The modelling approach included six measured meteorological variables; daily mean air temperatures (Ta), maximum and minimum air temperatures, global radiation (Rs), relative humidity (RH), and wind speed (u) in the 2015–2020 growing seasons (from June to September), at Keszthely, Hungary. Average Ep varied from 0.6 to 6.9 mm d−1 for C, 0.7 to 7.9 mm d−1 for S, whereas from 0.9 to 8.2 mm d−1 for SM during the growing seasons studied. Correlation analysis and K-SOM visual representation revealed that Ta and Rs had stronger positive correlation, while RH had a negative correlation with the Ep of C, S and SM. Performances of the different models were compared using statistical indices, which included the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), scatter index (SI) and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE). The results showed that the MLR method provided close compliance with the observed pan evaporation values, but the K-SOM method gave better estimates than the other methods. Overall, K-SOM has high accuracy and huge potential for Ep estimation for water bodies where freshwater submerged macrophytes are present.

Anti-Inflammatory, Antipyretic, and Analgesic Properties of Potamogeton perfoliatus Extract: In Vitro and In Vivo Study

Natural antioxidants, especially those of plant origins, have shown a plethora of biological activities with substantial economic value, as they can be extracted from agro-wastes and/or under exploited plant species. The perennial hydrophyte, Potamogeton perfoliatus, has been used traditionally to treat several health disorders; however, little is known about its biological and its medicinal effects. Here, we used an integrated in vitro and in vivo framework to examine the potential effect of P. perfoliatus on oxidative stress, nociception, inflammatory models, and brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia in mice. Our results suggested a consistent in vitro inhibition of three enzymes, namely 5-lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 (COX-1 and COX-2), as well as a potent antioxidant effect. These results were confirmed in vivo where the studied extract attenuated carrageenan-induced paw edema, carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration into the peritoneal cavity by 25, 44 and 64% at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg, p.o., respectively. Moreover, the extract decreased acetic acid-induced vascular permeability by 45% at 600 mg/kg, p.o., and chemical hyperalgesia in mice by 86% by 400 mg/kg, p.o., in acetic acid-induced writhing assay. The extract (400 mg/kg) showed a longer response latency at the 3 h time point (2.5 fold of the control) similar to the nalbuphine, the standard opioid analgesic. Additionally, pronounced antipyretic effects were observed at 600 mg/kg, comparable to paracetamol. Using LC-MS/MS, we identified 15 secondary metabolites that most likely contributed to the obtained biological activities. Altogether, our findings indicate that P. perfoliatus has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic and antipyretic effects, thus supporting its traditional use and promoting its valorization as a potential candidate in treating oxidative stress-associated diseases.

Approach to optimizing ecological monitoring of water quality using indicators of constancy of higher water vegetation (using example of upper course of white river in Bashkortostan republic)

The article provides an analysis of the dynamics of the constancy indicators of representatives of higher aquatic vegetation (VBR) in the upper reaches of the Belaya River (Republic of Bashkortostan) from 2005 to 2019. Constancy indicators of 11 species of BBP (Butomus umbellatus L., 1753; Elodea canadensis Michx., 1803; Najas marina L., 1753; Potamogeton natans L., 1753; Potamogeton perfoliatus L., 1753; Potamogeton crispus L., 1753; Stuckenia pectinata L., 1753; Myriophyllum spicatum L., 1753; Lemna minor L., 1753; Spirodela polyrhiza Schleid., 1839 and Ceratophyllum demersum L., 1753) were registered in the areas of 2 state water posts the Shushpa railway station and the Arsky Kamen recreation house. In the course of research, for the first time, lists of permanent, additional and random species of BBP were compiled, correlation-regression models of the relationships between the constancy indicators of representatives of higher aquatic vegetation with the content of chemicals were calculated, the pollutants most strongly affecting the constancy indicators of representatives of BBP were identified, determined in the water of the upper course of the Belaya River.

MACROPHYTE-ASSOCIATED MACROINVERTEBRATES OF HETEROGENEOUS WATER BODIES OF THE VOLOGDA REGION, RUSSIA

In august 2018, fauna of aquatic macroinvertabrates from Persicaria amphibia (L.) Delarbre, Butomus umbellatus L. and Potamogeton perfoliatus L. was studied in Kubenskoe Lake as well as in Vozhe Lake and Mologa River in order to compare the phytophilic and bottom fauna of heterogeneous water bodies. Macrophyte-associated invertebrates and samples of zoobenthos in thickens (in total 37 samples were analyzed) were collected. 68 species of aquatic invertebrates were recorded, including 49 species from Kubenskoe Lake, 41 from Mologa River, and 31 from Vozhe Lake. In the thickets of three macrophyte species, less than a third of all macroinvertebrate richness from the investigated water bodies is recorded. The most abundant species were Endochironomus albipennis Meig., Glyptotendipes gripekoveni Kief., Cricotopus gr. sylvestris. By using cluster analysis, the fauna of all biotopes was divided into macrophyte-associated and bottom-associated. The abundance and biomass of invertebrates in zoophytos in most cases is 3–15 times higher than in zoobenthos. In lakes, species diversity in zoophytos is 1.5–5 times lower than in soil. In the Mologa River the species diversity of zoophytos, on the contrary, is slightly higher. In lakes in the trophic structure, filter-collectors predominate. In the Vozhe Lake a high proportion of predators in the biomass is also recorded. In the Mologa River the trophic structure is more various: along with the collector-filterers, scrapers, shredders and predators are represented. In comparison with research of the 1970s, community structure of macrophyte-associated invertebrates in Vozhe Lake has not practically changed. The dominance of E. albipennis was detected in the Kubenskoe Lake and that was not previously indicated for this reservoir. The species composition and abundance of aquatic macroinvertebrates is determined by the type of substrate (soil or plant), while the structure of communities depends primarily on a type of reservoir, and not on a type of thicket.

New find of rare freshwater brown algae Pleurocladia lacustris А.Braun (Phaeophyсеае) from Dnieper Estuary of the Black Sea (Ukraine)

In article reports a new find of Pleurocladia lacustris in Ukraine. The species grew in the brackish-water Dnieper Estuary (depth 0.2 m, salinity of estuary water was 4.68‰, temperature – 23 °С, pH – 7.9) P. lacustris is a filamentous benthic species, the cells of which are not calcified here, as in freshwater conditions, but are covered with a slimy sheath. It was found in fouling of bushes of green algae Cladophora glomerata (Linnaeus) Kützing and Ulva flexuosa Wulfen, as well as blue-green (Calothrix C.Agardh ex Bornet & Flahault and Oscillatoria sp.) on a concrete slab in July 2020. The thickets of Potamogeton perfoliatus L., Ruppia maritima L., and Stuckenia pectinata (L.) Börner predominated in the coastal area of the estuary. Color illustrations of the vegetative and generative organs of P. lacustris are presented, its diagnostic macroscopic and microscopic characteristics are shown, which turned out to be somewhat larger than the data of the determinants. The ecological characteristics of the algae habitat meet the known requirements. This rare species is known in about 50 localities in Europe, North America, Australia and Africa. In many countries P. lacustris is considered an endangered species and is included in the protected red lists.

AQUATIC VEGETATION OF SHALLOW HYPERTROPHIC LAKE IN DIFFERENT HYDROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Comparison of the distribution of aquatic vegetation in shallow hypertrophic Lake Nero (Yaroslavl oblast, Russia) in different hydrological conditions – during low water phase in 2002–2004 and water level rise in 2017 is presented. The total area covered by aquatic vegetation increased from 14.8 km2 in 2000–2004 to 15.8 km 2 in 2017. Correspondingly, the lake area covered by macrophytes showed its increase from 27% to 29%. The observed increase in the total plant coverage was mainly driven by helophytes which increased in the coverage area from 8.4 km2 to 11.2 km2. The coverage area of submerged vegetation during this period decreased from 5.4 km2 to 3.6 km2. Potamogeton perfoliatus showed the highest reduction in the coverage area by factor of 2.6 in the central part of the lake. In contrast, the coverage area of Ceratophyllum demersum and Myriophyllum verticillatum did not change mostly in the shallow, southern part of the lake. The analysis of literature and our data revealed that increase in water level due to building a dam on the River Veksa in the 1980s and impact of climatic factors had a negative influence on submerged vegetation. Thus, the high water level is one of the mechanisms stabilising the ecosystem of the Lake Nero in the turbid, phytoplankton-dominated state.

Sixteen new records for the flora of Lebanon

Significant new species that belong to diverse genera and families were recorded to exist in Lebanon during our continuous non-stop field survey all over the country. The authors gathered some exceptional taxa from distinctive locations and habitats of the country, which were not reported so far in the flora documentation with the exception of Quercus libani, that is regarded as a very atypical species (for Lebanon) discovered for the first time after Post in 1932. The current paper deals with the records Anchusa milleri Lam. ex Spreng, Bassia hyssopifolia (Pall.) Kuntze., Eminium heterophyllum (Blume) Schott., Euphorbia prostrata Aiton, Euphorbia serpens Kunth, Hypericum olivieri (Spach) Boiss., Kickxia cirrhosa (L.) Fritsch., Lamium macrodon Boiss. & A.Huet, Onosma fruticosum Sm.lder, Plantago crypsoides Boiss., Platanthera holmboei H.Lindb., Potamogeton perfoliatus L., Quercus libani G.Olivier, Rhamnus kurdica Boiss. & Hohen., Tulipa biflora Pall. and Xanthium strumarium subsp. sibiricum (Patrin ex Widder) Greuter. The plants were photographed, collected, dried and herbarium specimens were prepared and deposited in K. Addam's Herbarium AUL University (Lebanon). Their taxonomical and ecological characters as well as their geographical distributions were exhibited. New Taxa (representing 14 genera in 12 families of flowering plants) were recognized with the reference of different floras and recent literature for their authentication. The present study also files them with updated nomenclature, descriptions, and notes on phenology and images for their easy identity.

Food Variety of Lesser Whistling Duck in Malaysian Lakes

Food distribution and diversity is a significant factor that determines the habitat and site selection of avian species. Its effects on the health, reproduction, survival rate, diversity indices, population structure and home range of avian species. In wetland ecosystem, bird home range and population structure is influenced by richness and diversity of food resources and availability of suitable foraging sites. The aim of the study was to ascertain the food variety of Lesser Whistling Duck - Dendrocygna javanica in Paya Indah Wetland Reserve (PIWR). A scan method was employed from strategic places or blinds using a spotting scope and binocular to determine the food selection and density by Distance sampling point count method. Food items were categorised into the aquatic plants (AP), aquatic invertebrates (AIV), aquatic vertebrates (AV), terrestrial plants (TP), terrestrial vertebrates (TV) and terrestrial invertebrates (TIV). Distance analysis indicated that PIWR harboured 3.88 &#177; 0.00 birds per ha (n = 188 individuals). In addition, the results revealed that higher bird relative abundance of Lesser Whistling Duck concentrated in the shallow of Belibis lake that was rich in submerged and emergent vegetation (Eleocharis dulcis, Philydrum lanuginosum, Utricularia vulgaris, and Potamogeton perfoliatus). Kruskal-Wallis H test showed that food items were significantly different. Lesser Whistling Duck showed strong correlationship with AIV (r2 = 1.00, P<0.05) and negative relationship with water TP (r2 = -0.061, P<0.05). The regression model highlighted that Lesser Whistling Duck significantly preferred aquatic invertebrates, r2 = -0.686&#177;0.68; P<0.001 and aquatic vertebrates, -0.459&#177;0.26) than other food items. The results revealed that shallow marshy-based lakes rich in aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates harboured higher population of Lesser Whistling Ducks to utilize it and performed multiple activities than other habitats.

Ecological and hygienic assessment of the technogenic reservoir state of the gold extraction enterprise (Zauralye of the Republic of Bashkortostan)

Introduction. The population using waste man-made water reservoirs for recreation and providing household needs can be a potential health risk. Such pollutants as heavy metals do not undergo decomposition processes. They accumulate in the biotic and abiotic components of the reservoir. Subsequently, hazardous toxicants can enter the human body through food chains. An ecological and hygienic assessment of the state of the waste reverse reservoir of the Semyonov gold recovery plant has been carried out. Material and methods. The object of the study is located in the Zauralye of the Republic of Bashkortostan at the geographical coordinates 52° 30’20″ N, 58° 19′48″ E. The content of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd) in water, bottom sediments and biomass of aquatic macrophyte (Potamogeton perfoliatus L.) was studied. In the bottom sediments, mobile forms of metals have been detected. They are extracted by an acetate-ammonium buffer with pH = 4.8 Results. It has been revealed that in water the concentration of heavy metals is higher than the maximum permissible concentrations for fishery reservoirs: 19-27 times for copper, 10-24 times for zinc, 2.7-5.8 times for lead, 1-1.4 times for cadmium. Exceeding the standards for water bodies for drinking, domestic and cultural water use is recorded for cadmium (6 times) and lead (2.5 times). In bottom sediments, the zinc content of mobile forms is 372.00 ± 28.51 mg/kg, copper - 144.37 ± 4.08 mg/kg, lead - 14.09 ± 1.48 mg/kg, cadmium - 0.036 ± 0.002 mg/kg. The total index (ZC), reflecting the additive excess of the background, is 1686, which corresponds to an extremely high level of man-made pollution of bottom sediments. The concentrations of heavy metals in the aboveground and underground organs of Potamogeton perfoliatus L. are much higher than the background levels. Conclusion. The waste reverse reservoir of the Semenov gold extraction factory is potentially dangerous to the local population health when it is used for breeding poultry, watering cattle, and fishing. The activities aimed at improving the environmental and hygiene situation in the territory of the locality are imperative.