Inter and intra population phenotypic variability of Lippia integrifolia(Verbenaceae) and its natural situation in the west-center of Argentina

The species Lippia integrifoliais an aromatic, sub-woody shrub, distributed from Northwest and Central Argentina to Bolivia. It is among the most important native aromatic species. It presents medicinal properties, some of which have been scientifically proven. As an alternative to harvesting, the process of domestication of the species was initiated. The objective of this work was to assess the phenotypic variability based on botanical-taxonomic and morpho-agronomic descriptors and the use of indicators to evaluate its natural situation in the west-center of Argentina. We worked in five wild populations, registering morphological variables, phenology, natural regeneration, herbivory and presence of diseases. L. integrifoliapresents a wide morphological variability, which can be explained with three morphological descriptors. Natural regeneration ́s rate is very low to zero, in four of the sites. The results obtained are of importance to make decisions related to the sustainable use in situ, and to begin a program of domestication of the species.

Investigation of important biochemical compounds from selected freshwater macroalgae and their role in agriculture

Background Freshwater macroalgae possess a number of important secondary metabolites. They are an unexplored source of medicinal compounds. In this study, three freshwater macroalgae—Chara vulgaris, Cladophora glomerata and Spirogyra crassa—were collected from the river Swat and the river Kabul in the Charsadda district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. To assess the role of freshwater macroalgae in agriculture, various experiments were performed on their extracts. Methanolic extract of the three macroalgae were first analyzed through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) for the presence of important medicinal secondary metabolites. The methanol based macroalgae extracts were tested for antibacterial, insecticidal, cytotoxic and phytotoxic activities. Results Initially, the algae were dried, crushed and treated with methanol for the extraction of secondary metabolites. The GC–MS results contained several important long chain fatty acids and other related long-chain hydrocarbons, such as alkanes and alkenes. Several benzene derivatives were also detected during the course of the investigation. Several of these compounds have established roles in the treatment of human ailments and can be supplied to farm animals. For example, phenylephrine is a decongestant, dilates pupils, increases blood pressure and helps in relieving hemorrhoids. Hexahydropseudoionone has uses in perfumes and other cosmetics. Several essential oils were also detected in the methanolic extract of the three macroalgae that can be utilized in various industrial products. Bioassays showed that these algal extracts—especially the Spirogyra sp. extract—contain moderate to maximum bioactivity. Conclusions Macroalgae possess important secondary metabolites with medicinal properties. These secondary metabolites can be used as biopesticides, plant growth enhancers, and remedies for various diseases in farm animals and for the control of weeds. They can be further explored for isolation and purification of useful biochemical compounds. Graphical Abstract

Effects on mammalian cell transcriptome reveal a plant extract's medicinal properties: Potential anti-COVID-19 and anti-cancer properties of Sarcopoterium spinosum

Plants with medicinal properties are usually identified based on traditional medicine knowledge or using low-throughput screens for specific pharmacological activities. Here, we suggest a different approach to uncover a range of pharmacological activities of a chosen plant extract without the need for functional screening. This tactic predicts biological activities of a plant extract based on pathway analysis of transcriptome changes caused by the extract in mammalian cell culture. In this work, we identified transcriptome changes after exposure of cultured cells to an extract of the medicinal plant Sarcopoterium spinosum. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) confirmed known anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of the extract and predicted novel biological effects on oxidative phosphorylation and interferon pathways. Experimental validation of these pathways uncovered strong activation of autophagy, including mitophagy, and astounding protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our study shows that gene expression analysis alone is insufficient for predicting biological effects since some of the changes reflect compensatory effects, and additional biochemical tests provide necessary corrections. In conclusion, this study defines the advantages and limitations of an approach towards predicting the biological and medicinal effects of plant extracts based on transcriptome changes caused by these extracts in mammalian cells.

The GC-MS analysis of methanolic extract of Chlorophytum borivilianum and compounds’ activities validation at standard databases

Chlorophytum borivilianum (Safed Musli), a member of the Liliaceae family is a well-known plant in India for its aphrodisiac and adaptogenic activities. The present study was carried out to identify the novel compounds based new medicinal properties of the plant. The preliminary phytochemical screening and GC-MS based chromatographic analysis of a methanolic extract of C. borivilianum (MECB) tubors resulted the detection of Phenol, Tannins, Flavo-noids, Alkaloids, Saponins, and Glycosides in the plant. In GC-MS analysis of the MECB, more than 200 compounds were identified in different peak are-as. All of them were crosschecked at various online compound databses like PubChem, Drugbank, etc. for the identification of their known biological ac-tivities, if any. Out of them, mainly 21 compounds (falling in 70.74% peak area) like 4-mercaptophenol, 1,4-Benzenediol, 2-methoxy-, Octadecanal, Pentadecanal, 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, Betulin, Levomenthol, etc. were characterized in this study. As per their reported medicinal activities at standard databases the plant tubor is hereby reported to have anti-microbial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-neoplastic, anti-pruritic, anti-tussive and anti-spasmodic activites. Moreover, the compounds like Cyclo-hexanol, 5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl), Palmitoyl Chloride, Triarachine, Phytol, 4-mercaptophenol with their mentholating, food additives and other valua-ble effects have underlined the industrial value of the plant.

Responsiveness of cauliflower varieties to the use of biocompost and mineral fertilizers

Цветная капуста – одна из наиболее ценных овощных культур по своим питательным и лечебным свойствам. Эта культура отличается высоким содержанием полноценного растительного белка, ее используют как диетический продукт при диабете и заболеваниях желудка, кишечника, печени. Однако выращивание цветной капусты сопряжено с большими проблемами ввиду очень высокой требовательности этой культуры к уровню плодородия почвы, элементам минерального питания, влажности почвы и воздуха. В почвенно-климатических условиях ЦНЗ России уровень урожайности цветной капусты колеблется в пределах 10–20 т/га, в среднем по России – 9,7 т/га, что не всегда компенсирует затраты на ее выращивание. Важнейшее условие повышения урожайности и рентабельности этой культуры – оптимизация питательного режима и внедрение новых высокоурожайных сортов и гибридов. Цель работы: поиск способов оптимизации питания капусты цветной с помощью органических удобрений (компостов) и их комбинаций с минеральными удобрениями. В 2020–2021 годах отделом земледелия и агрохимии ВНИИО-филиале ФГБНУ ФНЦО были проведены комплексные исследования по изучению отзывчивости некоторых сортов и гибридов цветной капусты на применение органических (птичий компост в дозе 6 т/га) и минеральных (N120P120K180) удобрений и их сочетаний, а также по влиянию этих удобрений на качество продукции. Было изучено семь сортов и гибридов капусты цветной отечественной и зарубежной селекции. Результаты исследований показали, что совместное применение минеральных и органических удобрений в наибольшей степени увеличивает продуктивность капусты, в среднем на 30%, в то время как чисто минеральные – на 25%, а чисто органические – на 19%. Совместное применение минеральных и органических удобрений позволяет получать в среднем 28,3 т/га головок цветной капусты, по отдельным сортам и гибридам – от 23,9 до 38,1 т/га. Качество продукции остается хорошим при применении минеральных и органических удобрений как раздельным, так и совместным способами. Cauliflower is one of the most valuable vegetable crops for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Differs in a high content of complete vegetable protein, is a dietary product for diseases of the stomach, intestines, liver and diabetes. However, the cultivation of cauliflower is fraught with great problems due to the very high demands of this crop on the level of soil fertility, elements of mineral nutrition, soil and air moisture. In the soil and climatic conditions of the Central Black Earth Region of Russia, the yield level of cauliflower fluctuates between 10–20 t/ha, on average in Russia 9.7 t/ha, which does not always compensate for the costs of its cultivation. The most important condition for increasing the yield and profitability of this crop is the optimization of the nutritional regime and the introduction of new high-yielding varieties and hybrids. The aim of our work was to find ways to optimize the nutrition of cauliflower using organic fertilizers – composts and their combinations with mineral fertilizers. In this regard, in 2020–2021, the Department of Agriculture and Agrochemistry of the ARRIVG-branch FSBSI FSVC conducted comprehensive studies to study the responsiveness of some varieties and hybrids of cauliflower to the use of organic (bird compost at a dose of 6 t/ha) and mineral (N120P120K180) fertilizers and their combinations, as well as the effect of these fertilizers on product quality. Seven varieties and hybrids of cauliflower of domestic and foreign selection were studied. The research results showed that the combined use of mineral and organic fertilizers to the greatest extent increases the productivity of cabbage, on average by 30%, while purely mineral fertilizers – by 25%, and purely organic – by 19%. The combined use of mineral and organic fertilizers allows to obtain an average of 28.3 t/ha of cauliflower heads; for individual varieties and hybrids from 23.9 to 38.1 t/ha. Product quality remains good when mineral and organic fertilizers are used both separately and jointly.

Effects of Pretreatment and Drying on the Volatile Compounds of Sliced Solar-Dried Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) Rhizome

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) rhizomes are mostly used as spice and medicine due to their high aroma intensity and medicinal bioactive compounds. However, the volatile compounds of ginger, partly responsible for its aroma and medicinal properties, can be affected by the pretreatment, drying method, and extraction processes employed. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of pretreatment and drying on the volatile compounds of yellow ginger variety at nine months of maturation. The effect of potassium metabisulfite (KMBS) and blanching pretreatment and drying on the volatile compounds of ginger using head space solid-phase microextraction with GCMS/MS identification (HS-SPME/GCMS/MS) was investigated. KMBS of concentrations 0.0 (control), 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, and 1.0% and blanching at 50°C and 100°C were used for pretreatment and dried in a tent-like concrete solar (CSD) dryer and open-sun drying (OSD). The different concentrations of KMBS-treated fresh ginger rhizomes did not result in any particular pattern for volatile compound composition identification. However, the top five compounds were mostly sesquiterpenes. The 0.15% KMBS-treated CSD emerged as the best pretreatment for retaining α-zingiberene, β-cubebene, α-farnesene, and geranial. The presence of β-cedrene, β-carene, and dihydro-α-curcumene makes this study unique. The 0.15% KMBS pretreatment and CSD drying can be adopted as an affordable alternative to preserve ginger.

Anti-Planktonic and Anti-Biofilm Properties of Pentacyclic Triterpenes—Asiatic Acid and Ursolic Acid as Promising Antibacterial Future Pharmaceuticals

Due to the ever-increasing number of multidrug-resistant bacteria, research concerning plant-derived compounds with antimicrobial mechanisms of action has been conducted. Pentacyclic triterpenes, which have a broad spectrum of medicinal properties, are one of such groups. Asiatic acid (AA) and ursolic acid (UA), which belong to this group, exhibit diverse biological activities that include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and immunostimulatory. Some of these articles usually contain only a short section describing the antibacterial effects of AA or UA. Therefore, our review article aims to provide the reader with a broader understanding of the activity of these acids against pathogenic bacteria. The bacteria in the human body can live in the planktonic form and create a biofilm structure. Therefore, we found it valuable to present the action of AA and UA on both planktonic and biofilm cultures. The article also presents mechanisms of the biological activity of these substances against microorganisms.

Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Activity Comparison in Various Plant Parts of Justicia adhatoda L.

There are many medicinal plants that have various medicinal properties in their different parts. The medicinal plants are major backbone of pharmaceutical industries. In this article we compare the antioxidants properties from various plants parts (root, stem, leaf, flower and bark) of the most important medicinal plant, Justicia adhatoda L. Various plant parts showed the good amount of antioxidant properties. These results enhance the medicinal properties of this plant due to the presence of good amount of antioxidants; among all the plant parts leaves and flowers showed maximum natural antioxidants, hence the study could be saying that this plant has good efficacy of antioxidants.

Moringa oleifera : Nutritional and Medicinal Properties for preventive health care

Moringa oleifera, commonly known as ―drum stick‖ or the ―horse radish‖ is cultivated all over the country as it can withstand both severe drought and mild frost conditions. It is a good source of protein, vitamins, fatty acids, micro-macro minerals and other essential phytochemicals. Due to its high nutritional content, the extract of leaves of Moringa oleifera is used to treat malnutrition and supplement breast milk in lactating mothers. Because of its medicinal value, it is also used as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, cardiovascular hepatoprotective, anti-ulcer, antimicrobial agent. The pharmaceutical effects of Moringa oleifera makes it useful in therapeutic remedy in traditional medicinal system. Each part of the tree is useful in one form or another due to high nutritional and medicinal value. This paper reports the results of the study made on how these can help boosting the immunity level in individuals.

Spices

The term “spices” has been derived from the word “species,” which was connected to the group of exotic foods in medieval times. Spices and herbs have a long history of culinary use, medicinal properties, and as additives and thus have a distinct place in Ayurveda. Exhibiting the merits of spices by scientific methods still remains a challenge. This review investigates the anti-diabetic properties in preventing and managing diabetics and associated complications with commonly used spices. The bioactive compounds in these spices are additionally discussed. The major aim and object of the present work is to investigate the customary therapeutic usage of basic Indian spices and to corelate their observed pharmacological activities with the presence of explicit bioactive compounds present for the treatment or counteractive action of diabetes. This includes the basic underlying mechanism of their blood glucose lowering property including exploratory experimental evidence from proposed animal and human trials.