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During the last few decades, human-driven activities have led to indiscriminate habitat destruction and exploitation of many plant species in Kashmir Himalaya. As a result, many species have become threatened and are struggling for survival. Of particular concern are the endemic and critically endangered species which have the highest risk of the extinction, hence warranting immediate conservation actions. Therefore the current study was carried out to understand the distribution, ecology and conservation implications of the four critically endangered endemic plants of Kashmir Himalaya. Habitat distribution modelling showed that the suitable potential areas for the species occurred from subalpine to alpine meadowlands with an elevational range of 1500–4600 m asl. The output of the MaxEnt model and field surveys have revealed that their highest potential distribution is in Panchari, Khrew, Ramnagar, Pahalgam, Gurez, Sonamarg, Gulmarg and Kishtwar forest ranges. Based on the field explorations and herbarium records, Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch have 27 distribution areas, Gentiana kurroo Royle 18, Lilium polyphyllum D. Don 12 and Aconitum chasmanthum Stapf have 15. Precipitation of the driest month and annual mean temperature played an important role in the distribution of the studied species. The species started their lifecycle with the onset of the spring season, flowered in summer, fruit in autumn and senesce in the winter season. Under natural conditions, the number of days required for germination ranged from 180 to 210 where cold stratification played a pivotal role. Since last few decades, the populations of these species have been shrinking in their natural habitats due to over-exploitation for medicinal purposes and habitat destruction through amplified humanoid interferences like the expansion of agricultural land, road building, grazing and urbanization. Thus there is an urgent need to come up with positive strategies to save whatever is left and plan long term rescue measures not only to protect these species from extinction but also to reintroduce them along with framing the plans to supply sustained raw materials for medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The edible mushrooms Verpa bohemica and Morchella esculenta are locally used for dietary and antioxidant in tribal areas of Kashmir Himalaya. In the present study, sequences of solvents on the basis of their polarity were used for the extraction from selected mushrooms. The comprehensive antioxidant activity of all edible mushroom extracts was evaluated by seven different methods. V. bohemica exhibited significant inhibitory activity of radicals among all the mushrooms while Morchella extracts protected the DNA damage from OH· radicals. This study provides us the substantiation for the use of these mushrooms as antioxidants besides being already eaten as food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consecutive solvent extraction of endophytic Alternaria sp. (DC401) isolated from Pinus ponderosa followed by chromatographic techniques led to the isolation of five perylenequinone compounds and one dihydronaphthaquinone derivative, which include three new perylenequinones ( 1 – 3 ). The compounds were identified as 6-methoxy-3,6a,7,10-tetrahydroxy-4,9-dioxo-4,5,6,6a,6b,7,8,9-octahydroperylene ( 1 ), 3,6a,9,10-tetrahydroxy-7,8-epoxy-4-oxo-4,5,6,6a,6b,7,8,9-octahydroperylene ( 2 ), 6-methoxy-3,6a,9,10-tetrahydroxy-7,8-epoxy-4-oxo-4,5,6,6a,6b,7,8,9-octahydroperylene ( 3 ), 3,6a,7,10-tetrahydroxy-4,9-dioxo-4,5,6,6a,6b,7,8,9-octahydroperylene (altertoxin I) ( 4 ), 3,6a,7,10-tetrahydroxy-4,9-dioxo-4,6a,6b,7,8,9-hexahydroperylene (dehydroaltertoxin I) ( 5 ), and 7-chloroscytalone ( 6 ). Structure of compounds 1 – 6 was determined on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis, as well as by comparison with literature reports. The antileismanial, antimicrobial, antimalarial and in vitro cytotoxic activities of compounds 1 – 6 were evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coccidiosis, caused by various Eimeria species, is a major parasitic disease in chicken. However the increasing resistance of these parasites to currently used anticoccidial drugs has stimulated the search for new methods of control. As part of this effort we investigated the root bark of Berberis lycium (barberry) as a potential source of compounds with anticoccidial activity. In the present study anticoccidial activity of different solvent extracts of the root bark of B. lycium and berberine was evaluated in vivo using broiler chicken. Results of the study demonstrated equipotent efficacy of pure berberine in comparison to that of standard drug amprolium on the basis of reduction in coccidian oocyst output, body weight gain of chicken and feed conversion ratio. Among the extracts crude methanolic extract showed highest anticoccidial activity tested at 300mg/kg body weight which could be due to the presence of alcohol-soluble active ingredients in root bark of B. lycium. Toxicological studies revealed that B. lycium extracts as well as berberine were not lethal up to dosage of 2000mg/kg body weight. LD(50) was not determined as mortalities were not recorded in any of the five groups of chicken. From the present study it can be concluded that root bark of B. lycium has the immense potential to contribute to the control of coccidian parasites of chicken. Our results corroborate the use of berberine for treatment of severe diarrhoea, amoebiasis and intestinal infections and could justify its use in folk medicine for treatment of haemorrhagic dysentery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a group of diverse molecules that are induced by phytopathogens as well as defense related signaling molecules. They are the key components of plant innate immune system especially systemic acquired resistance (SAR), and are widely used as diagnostic molecular markers of defense signaling pathways. Although, PR proteins and peptides have been isolated much before but their biological function remains largely enigmatic despite the availability of new scientific tools. The earlier studies have demonstrated that PR genes provide enhanced resistance against both biotic and abiotic stresses, which make them one of the most promising candidates for developing multiple stress tolerant crop varieties. In this regard, plant genetic engineering technology is widely accepted as one of the most fascinating approach to develop the disease resistant transgenic crops using different antimicrobial genes like PR genes. Overexpression of PR genes (chitinase, glucanase, thaumatin, defensin and thionin) individually or in combination have greatly uplifted the level of defense response in plants against a wide range of pathogens. However, the detailed knowledge of signaling pathways that regulates the expression of these versatile proteins is critical for improving crop plants to multiple stresses, which is the future theme of plant stress biology. Hence, this review provides an overall overview on the PR proteins like their classification, role in multiple stresses (biotic and abiotic) as well as in various plant defense signaling cascades. We also highlight the success and snags of transgenic plants expressing PR proteins and peptides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free radicals produced due to various environmental stresses and numerous metabolic processes ultimately lead to complete cell impairment. To combat this cellular damage organisms require dynamic defense system. In addition to inherent defense machinery, we can supplement the defense system of organisms with natural resources like herbs. The main objective of our research had been the investigation of the radical scavenging potential of folklore medicinal herb – Arnebia benthamii and its competence in protection against DNA damage. The presence of shikonin (5,8-dihydroxy-2-(1-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone) in the plant was confirmed by HPLC quantification from its roots. The ethyl acetate extract of 50 μg/ml yields the 5.19 μg/g shikonin. This ethyl acetate extract exhibited complete protection of DNA by quenching of hydroxyl radicals. The activity of plant extract was also compared with the synthetic shikonin which also validates our study that the presence of dye like substance can also be potential candidate for the augmenting antioxidant defense system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]