In vitro Antioxidant Potential of Abrus precatorius L. and Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson

Antioxidant substances are an important part of human life as it plays a key role in nutraceuticals and also help to defend free radicals present in our body. The present study highlights the need to find potent natural antioxidants from medicinal plants. Different extracts of Abrus precatorius L. (Fabaceae) and Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson (Acanthaceae) were successively prepared using petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, and ethanol. It was evaluated for antioxidant activities using various assays. Maximum extractable total phenolics and flavonoids were recorded in varied extracts of A. precatorius and A. gangetica. The extracts also showed efficient phosphomolybdenum reduction, reducing power activity, nitric oxide, and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging properties. It is very clear from the results that the studied plants A. precatorius and A. gangetica have remarkable medicinal uses with extraordinary potential for pharmaceuticals. Further detailed studies will pave the way to promote natural drugs for health benefits.

Evaluating the Potential of Tridax procumbens and Asystasia gangetica as Ruminant Feed

Tridax procumbens and Asystasia gangetica are extensively prevalent and can be found from tropical Asia to Africa. Both plant samples were found to have a high nutritional value, especially in protein, and to be highly attractive to ruminants. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to measure and compare the nutrient composition of Tridax procumbens and Asystasia gangetica in terms of the nutritional value for ruminants. Both plants samples were collected at Besut campus, University of Sultan Zainal Abidin. The samples were then washed under tap water to remove foreign matter such as soil to prevent soil contamination in the analysis. Then, the samples were dried in a furnace below 60 - 70˚C and crushed prior to further analysis using proximate analysis. Seven parameters were measured using proximate analysis, which included dry matter (DM), moisture, ash, crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), ether extract (EE), and nitrogen-free extract (NFE). The findings in this study show that A. gangetica had significantly higher (p < 0.05) in dry matter (DM) (18.84%), crude protein (CP) (22.27%), and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) (50.25%). However, T. procumbens showed the highest nutrient in moisture (88.70%), ash (12.15%), crude fibre (CF) (25.01%), and ether extract (EE) with 3.71%. Thus, this study revealed that A. gangetica to have a higher potential to be used as an animal feed than T. procumbens.

Mycorestoration of crude oil polluted soil using Pleurotus tuberregium

Crude oil contamination is known to cause unwholesome damage to man, his environment comprising of soil, air and water bodies as well as other forms of life. This study determined the effect of crude oil polluted soils on the composition of different microorganisms and plants and the growth of Pleurotus tuberregium. Oil polluted soils in bowls were amended with sawdust from Brachystegia nigerica as substrate. Fruiting bodies and the diameter of the mushroom cap were found to increase with increasing weeks of exposure to oil as against the control which had no fruiting bodies throughout the experiment. Pepperomia pellucida was found to be the predominant weed (n = 20), followed by Asystasia gangetica (n = 11). The bacterial and fungal counts were higher at the oil polluted soil attached to sclerotia than the control. The growth of Pleurotus tuberregium in the polluted soil samples showed its ability to degrade and utilize hydrocarbon as the source of carbon and energy, thereby remediating the contaminated soil environment. This work has shown that the fungus has bioremediation and pollution control capacity.

Invasive Weed Asystasia gangetica as a Potential Biomonitor and a Phytoremediator of Potentially Toxic Metals: A Case Study in Peninsular Malaysia

The invasive weed Asystasia gangetica was investigated for its potential as a biomonitor and as a phytoremediator of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in Peninsular Malaysia owing to its ecological resistance towards unfavourable environments. The biomonitoring potential of PTMs was determined based on the correlation analysis of the metals in the different parts of the plant (leaves, stems, and roots) and its habitat topsoils. In the roots, the concentrations (mg/kg dry weight) of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn ranged from 0.03 to 2.18, 9.22 to 139, 0.63 to 5.47, 2.43 to 10.5, and 50.7 to 300, respectively. In the leaves, the concentrations (mg/kg dry weight) of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn ranged from 0.03 to 1.16, 7.94 to 20.2, 0.03 to 6.13, 2.10 to 21.8, and 18.8 to 160, respectively. In the stems, the concentrations (mg/kg dry weight) of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn ranged from 0.03 to 1.25, 5.57 to 11.8, 0.23 to 3.69, 0.01 to 7.79, and 26.4 to 246, respectively. On the other hand, the phytoremediation potential of the five metals was estimated based on the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and the translocation factor (TF) values. Correlation analysis revealed that the roots and stems could be used as biomonitors of Cu, the stems as biomonitors of Ni, the roots and leaves as biomonitors of Pb, and all three parts of the plant as biomonitors of Zn. According to the BCF values, in the topsoil, the “easily, freely, leachable, or exchangeable” geochemical fractions of the five metals could be more easily transferred to the roots, leaves, and stems when compared with total concentrations. Based on the TF values of Cd, Ni, and Pb, the metal transfer to the stems (or leaves) from the roots was efficient (>1.0) at most sampling sites. The results of BCF and TF showed that A. gangetica was a good phytoextractor for Cd and Ni, and a good phytostabilizer for Cu, Pb, and Zn. Therefore, A. gangetica is a good candidate as a biomonitor and a phytoremediator of Ni, Pb, and Zn for sustainable contaminant remediation subject to suitable field management strategies.

Evaluasi Potensi Keragaman Hijauan Penutup Tanah di Perkebunan Kelapa Sawit Rakyat Kabupaten Aceh Timur Provinsi Aceh

Kabupaten Aceh Timur memiliki area perkebunan kelapa sawit rakyat mencapai 25,997 ha. Namun, analisis terhadap keragaman dan potensi produksi hijauan yang di area perkebunan kelapa sawit belum pernah dilakukan. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis potensi keragaman hijauan yang tumbuh di area perkebunan kelapa sawit rakyat Kabupaten Aceh Timur. Penentuan titik plot pengambilan sampel dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode purposive sampling, berdasarkan kriteria umur tanaman sawit yaitu TBM (0-3 Tahun), Muda (4-8 tahun), Remaja (9-14 tahun), Dewasa (15-20 tahun) dan Tua (20-25 tahun). Parameter yang diamati meliputi keragaman, produksi hijauan segar, produksi bahan kering dan kandungan nutrisi hijauan. Spesies yang mendominasi pada area TBM yaitu Asystasia gangetica L, Imperata cylindrica, Oplismenus compositus, Panicum repens dan Paspalum conjugatum dengan INP 14,29. Spesies yang mendominasi pada area tanaman muda yaitu Axonopus compressus, Clidemia hirta dan Drymaria cordata dengan INP 19,64. Spesies yang mendominasi pada area tanaman remaja yaitu Panicum repens, Paspalum conjugatum dan Urochloa reptans L dengan INP 20,41. Spesies yang mendominasi pada area tanaman dewasa yaitu Adiantum hispidulum Sw dan Nephrolepis biserrata dengan INP 20,00. Spesies yang mendominasi pada area tanaman tua yaitu Imperata cylindrica dan Clidemia hirta L dengan INP 33,33. Potensi produksi hijauan mencapai mencapai 13,37 ton ha-1 hijauan segar dan 3,19 ton ha-1 bahan kering. Kandungan protein kasar yang berasal dari hijauan di bawah naungan kelapa sawit berkisar antara 8,55% - 12,84%, sedangkan kandungan serat kasar berkisar antara 17,65% - 24,70%. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian disimpulkan bahwa keragaman hijauan di bawah naungan kelapa sawit di Kabupaten Aceh Timur dikategorikan sedang.

EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL AND REDUCING POWER OF CALLUS INDUCED FROM LEAVES OF ASYSTASIA GANGETICA (L.) T.ANDERSON

Objective: Neuropathic pain arises from demage, or pathological changes in the peripheral or central nervous system. The pain is difficult to treat as standard treatment with conventional analgesics doesn`t typically provide effective relief of pain. Methods: It was a one year study of utilization and analysis of prescriptions for PNDs (Painful neuropathic disorders). The parameters evaluated were demographic profile of the patient (age and gender), type and etiology of PNDs, drug data (name of the group of drugs with individual drugs, mono or polytherapy, number of drugs per prescription, formulation) and associated adverse drug reactions (ADR) with the prescribed drug. Results: Maximum number of patients of PNDs resides in the age group of 18 – 35 y (41.2%) & more common in females. The most common PND encountered was painful diabetic neuropathy (43.9%) followed by cervical and lumbar radiculopathy, postherpetic neuralgia. 2942 drugs were prescribed in 1020 prescriptions, out of which 96.8% were oral and 3.2% were topical formulations. Most frequently prescribed group of the drug was tricyclic antidepressants (27.3%) followed by anticonvulsants (25.3%). Polypharmacy was seen 89.7% as compared to monotherapy (10.3%). Only 132 ADRs of various types were seen. The most common organ system affected was central nervous system followed by gastrointestinal systems. The most common drugs implicated for ADRs were TCAs (24.4%), anticonvulsants (16.6%), and Pregabeline (9.8%). There were no fatal adverse events. Mild to moderate ADRs included constipation, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dryness of mouth. Conclusion: The choice of drug depends on etiology of neuropathic pain, drug efficacy and availability and also on ADR profile.

New records for the flora of Fujairah Emirate (United Arab Emirates)

During floristic research in 2017–2020 in the Emirate of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), we made new findings that complement the species composition of the flora of vascular plants in the territory of the Emirate and the UAE as a whole. The article provides data on 7 new ergasiophytes and ergasiophygophytes, alien to the Emirate of Fujairah: Asystasia gangetica T. Andersson (Acanthaceae) found growing wild in Dibba, A. gangetica subsp. micrantha (Nees) Y. F. Deng et N. H. Xia (Acanthaceae), as a weed in the nurseries of Dibba, Rul Dadna and Al Bidiya, Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. (Apiaceae), as a weed in Dibba town, Basella alba L. (Basellaceae) cultivated and becomes wild in Dibba town, Citrus ×limon (L.) Osbeck (Rutaceae) cultivated and often found growing wild in Dibba, the village of Sharm and other settlements of the Emirate, Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. cultivated and becomes wild in Dibba, Rul Dadna, Al Bidiya and other places, and M. paniculata (L.) Jack (Rutaceae) cultivated and becomes wild in plant nurseries in Dibba and Al Bidiya. Asystasia gangetica, A. micrantha, and Centella asiatica are new alien species for Fujairah Emirate and the UAE, and Basella nigra, Murraya koenigii and M. paniculata are new also for Arabia as a whole. A brief history of the study of the flora of the UAE and a preliminary summary of its species diversity are also given.