Prunus cerasoides Extract and Its Component Compounds Upregulate Neuronal Neuroglobin Levels, Mediate Antioxidant Effects, and Ameliorate Functional Losses in the Mouse Model of Cerebral Ischemia

Prunus cerasoides (PC) has been reported to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, but its potential as a neuroprotective agent in a mouse model of cerebral ischemia has not been explored. Considering neuroglobin (Ngb), an endogenous neuroprotective factor, as a novel approach to neuroprotection, in this study, Ngb promoter activity, Ngb expression changes, and antioxidant protection by PC extract (PCE) and PC component compounds (PCCs) were analyzed in oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD)-treated neurons. In vivo analysis involved transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in mice with pre- and post-treatment exposure to PCE. Following ischemic stroke induction, neurological behavior scores were obtained, and cellular function-related signals were evaluated in the ischemic infarct areas. In addition to PCE, certain component compounds from PCE also significantly increased Ngb levels and attenuated the intracellular ROS production and cytotoxicity seen with OGD in primary neurons. Administration of PCE reduced the infarct volume and improved neurological deficit scores in ischemic stroke mice compared with the vehicle treatment. Increased Ngb levels in infarct penumbra with PCE treatment were also accompanied by decreased markers of apoptosis (activated p38 and cleaved caspase-3). Our findings point to the benefits of Ngb-mediated neuroprotection via PCE and its antioxidant activity in an ischemic stroke model.

Phenology and morphological flower of Prunus cerasoides Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don

Prunus cerasoides Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don, known as Himalayan cherry, is an ornamental plant that collected in Cibodas Botanical Garden. Moreover, the environment might be affecting the flowering period and morphological of P. cerasoides. This study was conducted in Cibodas Botanical Garden. It was aimed to evaluate the trend of the flowering period of P. cerasoides in Cibodas Botanical Garden during 20 years (2001-2020). The observation occurred five times, i.e. in 2001, 2004, 2010, 2015, and 2020. The results showed that P. cerasoides was able to flower two times in a year, but the period were not always the same every year. Generally, the flowering times of P. cerasoides in the first period was in January-February on 2001, 2004, 2010, and 2015, but in the second period, P. cerasoides experienced different flowering periods which is August 2001, June-August 2004, August-October 2010, and July-October 2015 with very rare/little (1%-30%) to rare/moderate (31%-60%) of flowers. In 2020, there was a significant shifting of the flowering period that P. cerasoides was flowering from March to June and the second period of flowering in October. The fruit only occurred in 2010 and 2015 with very rare/little fruit intensity (1%-30%) to rare/moderate (31%-60%).

Varietal Wealth of Prunus Species

Genus Prunus includes all the stone fruits (peach, nectarine, plum, apricot, almond and cherry) comprise around 98 species and classified under three subgenera namely: Amygdalus (peaches, nectraine and almonds), Prunophora (plums and apricots) and Cerasus (cherries). Genus Prunus have attained a prime position among all the temperate fruit crops as delicious edible drupe, and many species have ornamental values as well. Major species of importance are Prunus persica (peach), Prunus armeniaca (apricot), Prunus salicina (Japanese plum), Prunus domestica (European plum), Prunus americana (American plum), Prunus avium (Sweet cherry), Prunus cerasus (Sour cherry), Prunus dulcis (almond), Prunus ceracifera (Cherry plum), Prunus mira (Behmi), Prunus cerasoides (Wild Himalayan cherry), Prunus mahaleb (Mahaleb cherry) etc. Interspecific hybrids namely: plumcots, pluots and apriums also produce very delicious edible fruits. Commercial cultivars of different stone fruits are J H Hale, Cresthaven, Flordasun, Florda Prince, Elberta, Glohaven, July Elberta, Redhaven, Kanto 5, Sun Haven etc. of peaches, Fantasia, Mayfire, Red Gold, Snow Queen etc. belongs to nectarine, Turkey, Charmagz, Perfection, St. Ambroise, Royal, New Castle etc. are apricots, Santa Rosa, Black Beauty, Kelsey, Green Gage, Methley, Satsuma, Frontier, Burbank etc. are plums, Regina, Burlat, Lapins, Kordia, Stella, Bing, Van, Black Heart, Compact Lambert, Compact Stella etc. are cherries, and California Paper Shell, IXL, Mission, Nonpareil, Drake, Ne Plus Ultra, Pranyaj, Merced etc. are almonds.

Basic density and CO2 sequestration in seven species from the Commemorative Arboretum of 500 Years of Brazil in Alberto Löfgren State Park, São Paulo

Carbon sequestration involves the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere, aiming to reduce the greenhouse effect. Wood basic density is a direct part of this process. We selected five trees in each of the following species to determine wood basic density and quantify carbon, both sequestered and fixed, for 10 years: Alchornea sidifolia, Ceiba speciosa, Gallesia integrifolia, Guazuma ulmifolia, Inga marginata, Maclura tinctoria, and Prunus cerasoides. The study was conducted in the Commemorative Arboretum of 500 Years of Brazil in Alberto Löfgren State Park, São Paulo. Using maximum moisture content capture of CO, we studied variations of wood density and CO2, both fixed and sequestered, by an individual tree in the same species and between species. Values of fixed and sequestered CO2 showed variations among species with a high dependence on wood density such that trees with higher amounts of CO2, both fixed and abducted, were also trees that showed the highest increment both in height and diameter (DBH). Based on these metrics, G. ulmifolia, I. marginata, M. tinctoria, and P. cerasoides showed the most potential to sequester carbon. Our calculations showed that planting these four species would result in the sequestration of around 30 tons of carbon per hectare.

Pattern of Forest Resource Utilization in Some Villages of Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India

The Garhwal Himalaya, located in the Himalayan Biodiversity Hotpot, is facing a tremendous pressure especially in human habitation localities where majority of the inhabitants are dependent on the natural resources for their daily needs. The forest resource use patterns vary from one place to another depending upon the livelihood status of inhabitant of particular area. The present study deals the forest resource use pattern in five villages namely Ghidrasu, Daang, Kathur, Khon and Thapli situated in the fringe of a reserve forest of Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India. The average fodder consumption was found 1136.13±148.44 kg/ family/ month that ranged 1047.62–1334.56 kg/ family/ month. The average fuelwood consumption/ household/ month varied from 451.04 to 560.74 kg (average 486.30±43.90 kg). The average LPG consumption varied from 13.59 to 14.26 kg/ household/ month (average 13.85±0.25 kg) in the area. The total importance value (TIV) analysis revealed that Aesculus indica, Euonymus pendulus, Lyonia ovalifolia, Myrica esculenta, Pinus roxburghii, Prunus cerasoides, Quercus oblongata, Rhododendron arboreum and Swida macrophylla were the tree species of higher socioeconomic values hence needs especial concern and priority in conservation and management related activities.

Postharvest responses of Carnation cut flowers to Prunus cerasoides mediated silver nanoparticles

Introduction: The procedure to synthesize silver nanoparticles (SNPs) from Prunus cerasoides leaf extract and their effect on vase life and flower quality of cut carnation were investigated. Methods: SNPs were bio-synthesized from Prunus cerasoides leaf extract and characterized by using UV-Vis technique, TEM, and SEM images. The postharvest responses of carnation cut flowers to the biosynthesis SNPs were evaluated through vase life, relative fresh weight, vase solution uptake, flower diameter of cut carnation. Results: SNPs were synthesized under optimum conditions, including using the extract of leaf heating at 60 oC in 30 min, 4 mM of silver nitrate, pH of 11, and 180 min of reaction time. SNPs exhibited antimicrobial activity and then alleviated the bacterial development in the preservative solution. All treatments with SNPs had improved the vase life and quality of cut carnation compared to the control. A vase solution containing 2% sucrose enhanced the carnation cut flowers. Conclusions: The preservative solution containing 25 ppm SNPs and 2% sucrose showed the best effect. SNPs could be used as a promising antibacterial agent applied in the preservative solution for cut carnation flowers.