Involvement of Auxin Biosynthesis and Transport in the Antheridium and Prothalli Formation in Lygodium japonicum

The spores of Lygodium japonicum, cultured in the dark, form a filamentous structure called protonema. Earlier studies have shown that gibberellin (GA) induces protonema elongation, along with antheridium formation, on the protonema. In this study, we have performed detailed morphological analyses to investigate the roles of multiple phytohormones in antheridium formation, protonema elongation, and prothallus formation in L. japonicum. GA4 methyl ester is a potent GA that stimulates both protonema elongation and antheridium formation. We found that these effects were inhibited by simultaneous application of abscisic acid (ABA). On the other hand, IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) promoted protonema elongation but reduced antheridium formation, while these effects were partially recovered by transferring to an IAA-free medium. An auxin biosynthesis inhibitor, PPBo (4-phenoxyphenylboronic acid), and a transport inhibitor, TIBA (2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid), both inhibited protonema elongation and antheridium formation. L. japonicum prothalli are induced from germinating spores under continuous white light. Such development was negatively affected by PPBo, which induced smaller-sized prothalli, and TIBA, which induced aberrantly shaped prothalli. The evidence suggests that the crosstalk between these plant hormones might regulate protonema elongation and antheridium formation in L. japonicum. Furthermore, the possible involvement of auxin in the prothalli development of L. japonicum is suggested.

Traditional Approach to Cure Shingles Using Medicinal Plants in Eastern Nepal

Oral Collection and documentation of indigenous knowledge of local people have an important role in scientific research, biodiversity conservation, and the drug development process. A study was carried out to document the medicinal plants that have been used by the local folk healer to treat Shingles in Ilam district, Eastern Nepal. A renowned folk healer who was involved in curing Shingles for decades and 30 key informants were selected for the interview to know the methods of curing Shingles. Altogether six plants viz: Oroxylum indicum, Cynodon dactylon, Centella asiatica, Drymaria cordata, Sesamum indicum, and Lygodium japonicum were found to be used against the disease. The traditional method of preparing medicine from these plants was found to be highly effective. The finding provides a clue for further extensive lab-based research to isolate the specific compounds that are effective against the disease.

Extracts of Leaves of Six Locally Available Plants from Bagmati Province of Nepal as Potent Inhibitors of Alpha-amylase, Lipase, Tyrosinase, Elastase, and Cholinesterases

Background: Medicinal plants and their products are gaining global popularity due to their several health benefits. However, the biological activities of the vast majority of medicinal plant species have not been explored yet. In this study, we evaluated the enzyme inhibitory potential of six medicinal plant species involved in digestion, skin-related problems, and neurological problems. Methods: The 80% methanol extracts of leaves of six locally available plants from the Bagmati province of Nepal were analyzed for their flavonoids content, phenolics content, antioxidant activity, and enzymes inhibitory potential. Antioxidant activity was analyzed by the DPPH assay. Alpha-amylase inhibition was carried out by the DNSA method. Lipase, tyrosinase, elastase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitions were analyzed by using p-NPB, L-DOPA, AAAPVN, acetylthiocholine, and butyrylthiocholine as a respective substrate. Results: Among the analyzed plants species, Artocarpus heterophyllus displayed highest α-amylase (IC50=6.28 ± 0.01 μg/mL), lipase (IC50= 475.14 ± 3.17 μg/mL), elastase (IC50= 72.75 ± 3.41 μg/mL) and acetylcholinesterase (IC50= 68.66 ± 1.71 μg/mL) inhibition, whereas, Actinidia deliciosa displayed highest tyrosinase inhibition (IC50=139.87 ± 0.72 μg/mL) and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition (IC50= 18.32 ± 0.44 μg/mL). Furthermore, Jasminum humile showed no inhibitory tendencies against elastase and Lygodium japonicum showed no inhibition towards lipase and elastase at the given concentration range. Conclusions: Our study revealed that A. deliciosa and A. heterophyllus are the potential source of α- amylase, lipase, elastase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors. Based on our findings, we concluded that the analyzed plant species are of great scientific interest to the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food industries.

Morphological and anatomical adaptations to dry, shady environments in Adiantum reniforme var. sinense (Pteridaceae)

The natural distribution of the rare perennial fern Adiantum reniforme var. sinense (Pteridaceae), which is endemic to shady cliff environments, is limited to small areas of Wanzhou County, Chongqing, China. In this study, we used brightfield and epifluorescence microscopy to investigate the anatomical structures and histochemical features that may allow this species to thrive in shady, dry cliff environments. The A. reniforme var. sinense sporophyte had a primary structure and a dictyostele. The plants of this species had an endodermis, sclerenchyma layers and hypodermal sterome, reflecting an adaption to dry cliff environments. Blades had a thin cuticle and isolateral mesophyll, suggesting a tolerance of shady environments. These characteristics are similar to many sciophyte ferns such as Lygodium japonicum and Pteris multifida. Thus, the morphological and anatomical characteristics of A. reniforme var. sinense identified in this study are consistent with adaptations to shady, dry cliff environments.

Identifikasi Tumbuhan Paku di Hutan Penggaron Kecamatan Ungaran Kabupaten Semarang

<p><em>Indonesia has a strategic geographical area with high biodiversity potential, it is located in the equatorial region which causes Indonesia have a tropical climate. The biodiversity of forests in Indonesia includes ferns. Nail plants can be found with a variety of types in various environments, especially in shady areas such as forests. Ferns are plants that have an important role in the forest ecosystem as a source of germplasm. Besides that, ferns also have the potential as a source of food and medicine for the Penggaron Forest, or who is familiarly called the Penggaron Tourism Area, is one of the natural tourism objects located in Semarang Regency, precisely in Susukan Village, Ungaran District, Semarang Regency. This study aims to identify the species of ferns in the Penggaron Forest. Data collection techniques used in identifying plant ferns are: 1) orientation and exploration of locations; 2) gathering ferns by exploring along the main road to the location of the campsite; 3) record and document the ferns found in the field. The results of the identification of ferns in the Penggaron Forest there are 2 families of ferns consisting of 23 species of plants. The Scizaeaceae family consists of 4 types of plants namely Lygodium flexuosum, Lygodium japonicum, Lygodium palmatum, and Lygodium circinatum. While the Polypodiaceae family consists of 19 types namely Nephrolepis hirsutula, Nephrolepis biserrata, Dryopteris scotii, Adiantum, Adiantum raddianum, Mickelopteris cordata, Pteris ensiformis, Pteris asperula, Pteris biaurita, Pteris vittata, Adiantum, Adiantum raddianum, Mickelopteris cordata, Pteris ensiformis, Pteris asperula, Pteris biaurita, Pteris vittata, Adiantum, Adiantum raddianum, Mickelopteris cordata, Pteris ensiformis, Pteris asperula, Pteris biaurita, Pteris vittata crenata, Tectaria angulata, Tectaria maingayi, Tectaria heracleifolia, Pleocnemia irregularis.</em></p>