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Plants synthesize aromatic components during their secondary metabolism, these components are known as volatile oils or essential oils. Oils extracted from medicinal and aromatic plants have been investigated and applied due to their ethnomedicinal properties and the presence of abundant bioactive compounds. Many research studies examined the variations in the yield and composition of essential oil depending on the season and duration of the day-night period. The aim of the present study is twofold, we have performed a bibliometric analysis by using the Scopus database (data collection) and VOSviewer software (analysis) along with a comprehensive review of the literature published to date on the essential oils extracted from aromatic and medicinal plants, with an emphasis on their chemical profiles based on climatic and circadian periods. Extensive research on this relationship between abiotic factors (climatic and circadian) and chemical constituents, has identified significant variability among them. Phyto medicines and preparations with well-defined and verified bioactive volatile components, action mechanisms, and therapeutic potential of essential oils, have been utilized as pharmacological means. During this study, it was observed that this field is under-explored, and only limited data is available so far, therefore it has a lot of scope for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phellinus linteus is a valuable edible and medicinal mushroom. Since the early 1990s, it has drawn significant attention from consumers due to its potential functional and medicinal benefits. P. linteus and its bioactive compounds have demonstrated various biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and hepatoprotective agents. This review systematically summarized the anticancer effects of the edible and medicinal mushroom, P. linteus, and its molecular mechanisms. These findings are obtained from the databases of Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and ResearchGate. Anticancer activities and their underlying mechanisms were mainly based on cancer cell proliferation inhibition, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis regulation, cell metastasis suppression, and immune cell activation. These effects are attributed to its bioactive components, viz. atractylenolide I, hispolon, and hispidin present in the mycelium and fruiting body. Based on our findings from the available literature, it is concluded that further comprehensive studies are required to identify all the bioactive compounds and the relationship between their structure and anticancer properties. Further, it is necessary to analyze its clinical use, safety, and efficacy alone as well as in combination with anticancer drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a group of heterodimeric and transmembrane glycoproteins, integrin receptors are widely expressed in various cell types overall the body. During cardiovascular dysfunction, integrin receptors apply inhibitory effects on the antioxidative pathways, including nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2)-Kelch like ECH Associated Protein 1 (Keap1)/antioxidant response element (ARE) and interconnected mediators. As such, dysregulation in integrin signaling pathways influences several aspects of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as heart failure, arrhythmia, angina, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, platelet aggregation and coagulation. So, modulation of integrin pathway could trigger the downstream antioxidant pathways toward cardioprotection. Regarding the involvement of multiple aforementioned mediators in the pathogenesis of CVDs, as well as the side effects of conventional drugs, seeking for novel alternative drugs is of great importance. Accordingly, the plant kingdom could pave the road in the treatment of CVDs. Of natural entities, polyphenols are multi-target and accessible phytochemicals with promising potency and low levels of toxicity. The present study aims at providing the cardioprotective roles of integrin receptors and downstream antioxidant pathways in heart failure, arrhythmia, angina, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, platelet aggregation and coagulation. The potential role of polyphenols has been also revealed in targeting the aforementioned dysregulated signaling mediators in those CVDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humanity is in more danger from escalating greenhouse gas (G.H.G.) emissions, making the world warmer. The study examined the relationship between China's environmental technologies, ecological innovation, and carbon emissions using time-series data from 1975 to 2020. The N.A.R.D.L. approach is used to examine the cointegration of variables in the short and long run. In the short run, environmental technologies, industrialisation (I.N.D.), positive shocks to natural resource depletion (N.R.D.), negative shocks to renewable energy (R.E.) use, and technical advancements affect carbon emissions. On the other hand, positive shocks to environmental technologies and financial development (F.D.), negative shocks to N.R.D., R.E. consumption (E.C.), and technical innovation all have a long-term effect on carbon emissions. Granger causality was used to examine the causal link between variables. According to the findings, environmental technologies, F.D., technical innovation, N.R.D., and economic growth (E.G.) cause carbon emissions. The impulse response function revealed an inverse link between asymmetric environmental technology and carbon emissions. In contrast, F.D. and N.R.D. directly affect environmental degradation over time. The outcome of the variance decomposition revealed that negative shocks of F.D. would likely exert greater pressure on achieving sustainable environmental agenda. Investment in environmental technology, F.D., technological innovation and R.E. should be encouraged by the Chinese government to achieve sustainable prosperity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most human infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms growing as biofilms. These three-dimensional self-organized communities are embedded in a dense matrix allowing microorganisms to persistently inhabit abiotic and biotic surfaces due to increased resistance to both antibiotics and effectors of the immune system. Consequently, there is an urgent need for novel strategies to control biofilm-associated infections. Natural products offer a vast array of chemical structures and possess a wide variety of biological properties; therefore, they have been and continue to be exploited in the search for potential biofilm inhibitors with a specific or multi-locus mechanism of action. This review provides an updated discussion of the major bioactive compounds isolated from several natural sources – such as plants, lichens, algae, microorganisms, animals, and humans – with the potential to inhibit biofilm formation and/or to disperse established biofilms by bacterial pathogens. Despite the very large number of bioactive products, their exact mechanism of action often remains to be clarified and, in some cases, the identity of the active molecule is still unknown. This knowledge gap should be filled thus allowing development of these products not only as novel drugs to combat bacterial biofilms, but also as antibiotic adjuvants to restore the therapeutic efficacy of current antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edible flowers are attracting special therapeutic attention and their administration is on the rise. Edible flowers play pivotal modulatory roles on oxidative stress and related interconnected apoptotic/inflammatory pathways toward the treatment of cancer. In this review, we highlighted the phytochemical content and therapeutic applications of edible flowers, as well as their modulatory potential on the oxidative stress pathways and apoptotic/inflammatory mediators, resulting in anticancer effects. Edible flowers are promising sources of phytochemicals (e.g., phenolic compounds, carotenoids, terpenoids) with several therapeutic effects. They possess anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-depressant, anxiolytic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective effects. Edible flowers potentially modulate oxidative stress by targeting erythroid nuclear transcription factor-2/extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (Nrf2/ERK/MAPK), reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant response elements (AREs). As the interconnected pathways to oxidative stress, inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), interleukins (ILs) as well as apoptotic pathways such as Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), Bcl-2, caspase and cytochrome C are critical targets of edible flowers in combating cancer. In this regard, edible flowers could play promising anticancer effects by targeting oxidative stress and downstream dysregulated pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irrespective of sex and age, cancer is the leading cause of mortality around the globe. Therapeutic incompliance, unwanted effects, and economic burdens imparted by cancer treatments, are primary health challenges. The heritable features in gene expression that are propagated through cell division and contribute to cellular identity without a change in DNA sequence are considered epigenetic characteristics and agents that could interfere with these features and are regarded as potential therapeutic targets. The genetic modification accounts for the recurrence and uncontrolled changes in the physiology of cancer cells. This review focuses on plant-derived flavonoids as a therapeutic tool for cancer, attributed to their ability for epigenetic regulation of cancer pathogenesis. The epigenetic mechanisms of various classes of flavonoids including flavonols, flavones, isoflavones, flavanones, flavan-3-ols, and anthocyanidins, such as cyanidin, delphinidin, and pelargonidin, are discussed. The outstanding results of preclinical studies encourage researchers to design several clinical trials on various flavonoids to ascertain their clinical strength in the treatment of different cancers. The results of such studies will define the clinical fate of these agents in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being a transcription factor, NF-κB regulates gene expressions involving cell survival and proliferation, drug resistance, metastasis, and angiogenesis. The activation of NF-κB plays a central role in the development of inflammation and cancer. Thus, the down-regulation of NF-κB may be an exciting target in prevention and treatment of cancer. NF-κB could act as a tumor activator or tumor suppressant decided by the site of action (organ). Polyphenols are widely distributed in plant species, consumption of which have been documented to negatively regulate the NF-κB signaling pathway. They depress the phosphorylation of kinases, inhibit NF-κB translocate into the nucleus as well as interfere interactions between NF-κB and DNA. Through inhibition of NF-κB, polyphenols downregulate inflammatory cascade, induce apoptosis and decrease cell proliferation and metastasis. This review highlights the anticancer effects of polyphenols on the basis of NF-κB signaling pathway regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application of green manures substitutes use of chemical fertilizers, improves soil health, prevents soil degradation also ensures food security. Two years' field experiment was laid out to determine the impact of Egyptian clover green manuring (GM) under varying nitrogen (N) levels on soil properties and maize production. Maize was grown using six N levels, i.e., 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 kg ha−1 along with GM and without GM. The GM improved grain yield (+33%, +48%) due to substantial improvement in grains/cob, 1000-grain weight and grain nutritional contents during spring 2017 and 2018 respectively. Likewise, GM also improved organic matter (OM) (+40%, +88%), available N (+210%, +219%), and total phosphorus (P) (+112%, +128%) compared to no GM. Similarly, 250 kg N ha−1 produced more grains/cob, biological yield and grain yield compared to control and other levels. In interactive effect, GM with 150 kg N ha−1 outperformed in improving 1000-grain weight, maize productivity and agronomic N efficiency. In conclusion, GM improved soil OM and total soil N compared to no GM. Moreover, GM with 150 kg N ha−1 improved productivity, agronomic N efficiency and saved 40% N compared with no GM where 250 kg N ha−1 gave best results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N-acetyl-5-methoxy-tryptamine (melatonin) is a natural substance produced both by plants, as a secondary metabolite, and animals, by the pineal gland and other tissues. In humans, melatonin participates in numerous functions including the regulation of mood, sleep, reproduction, promotion of immunomodulation, antioxidant defense and as an anti-inflammatory agent. The anti-inflammatory activity of melatonin could yield beneficial effects on intake, particularly against the chronic inflammation which underlies many chronic diseases. This review aims to provide an assessment of the literature data on the anti-inflammatory activity of melatonin, with a particular focus on the mechanisms responsible for this behavior. We can conclude that many in vitro studies and in vivo studies in experimental animal model systems show that melatonin exerts anti-inflammatory activity in a number of chronic diseases which affect different organs in different circumstances. Clinical trials, however, often fail to reach positive results and are thus far inconclusive. Thus, in the future, long-term well-designed investigations on melatonin-rich foods or melatonin food supplements could provide valuable information towards public health recommendations on melatonin, taking into account both the nature of the compound and the optimal dose, for protection from long-term inflammation linked to chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Androgen mediating signaling is implicated in regulating the expression of reproductive related genes. Any deviation in the gene expression might be the ignitable precursor for genomic instability that inflames the genomic rearrangements and a leading cause of cancer. The main goal of this study was to determine the relationships between trinucleotide repeats of androgen receptor (AR), sex steroids, and sexual function in men presenting with reduced sperm motility. We investigated the singleton or combinatorial effects of the length of trinucleotide repeats of AR on reproductive hormones, clinical parameters, semen analyses, as well as sexual assessment function of 210 asthenospermic outpatients along with 125 normal subjects. Sexual assessment was executed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15 score) which measures erectile function (EF), orgasmic function (OR), sexual desire (SD), intercourse satisfaction (IS), and overall satisfaction. Our findings suggest that long (>26 CAG)n repeats have an inverse correlation with circulatory FSH and T, whereas long (>25 GGC)n repeats have moderated affiliation with reduced sperm concentration. The study revealed a novel finding by exploring the negative correlation between elongated (CAG)n repeats and the cumulative IIEF-15 score, orgasm function (OR), and erectile function (EF) in asthenospermic men. This study examines the tri-nucleotide correlation with sexual function in Punjabi men enhancing our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of sexual performance.Abbreviations: AR: androgen receptor; IIEF-15 score: International Index of Erectile Function; EF: erectile function; OR: orgasmic function; SD: sexual desire; IS: intercourse satisfaction; FSH: follicular stimulating hormone; T: testosterone; NTD: N-terminal transactivation domain; DBD: DNA-binding domain; LBD: ligand binding domain; TNR: tri-nucleotide repeat [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor quality of sandy loam soils ​is the main reason for low crop yield. Improvement of physicochemical properties of these soils is very challenging. Addition of organic sources may improve the soil properties. Therefore, this study investigated the adequacy of poultry-manure-compost (PMC) and pressmud-compost (PrMC) at 0 (control), 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 t ha−1for improving the physicochemical properties of sandy loam soil and maize performance. An increasing trend in most soil and crop traits was seen with increasing compost levels. For 10 t PMC ha−1, soil inorganic-N (512%), organic-carbon (78%), and water-holding capacity (65.36%) improved maximum. This resulted in the maximum mean crop growth rate (43.85%), stover yield (94%), grain protein (21%), and nitrogen use efficiency (30.6 kg kg−1). Contrarily, grain oil (−7%) was lowest at 10 t PMC ha−1. Consequently, 10 t PMC ha−1could be much effective to improve the physicochemical properties of sandy loam soils and maize performance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Phytochemical investigations ofQuercus incanaled to the isolation of a new catechin derivative quercuschin (1), along with six known compounds: quercetin(2), methyl gallate (3), gallic acid (4), betulinic acid (5), (Z)-9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester (6) and β-sitosterol glucoside (7) from the ethyl acetate fraction of methanolic extract of the bark. Compound1was screened for its antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant potential. Antibacterial and antifungal activities of the compound were tested against different bacterial and fungal strains, employing the agar well diffusion methods. The antibacterial activity was the highest againstStreptococcus pyogeneswith 80.0% inhibition, while the antifungal activity of the compound was the highest againstCandida glabratawith 80.5% inhibition. The results of the antioxidant activity indicated that the compound exhibited antioxidant activity comparable to that of standard, butylated hydroxyanisole (51.2 μg/10 μl versus 45.9 μg/10 μl). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Political trust has been declining not only in the developed world but also in developing and transitional countries. Political trust is necessary for the legitimacy of the government. Researchers explored the issues of political trust from many variables. However, the literature is not very clear in terms of the linkage between the quality of governance and political trust. Although some authors tried to incorporate government quality for explaining political trust, they failed to specify the linkage between them. This research will investigate the relationship between the quality of government and political trust in developing and transitional countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants have been the main remedy to treat various ailments for a long time and nowadays, many drugs have been developed from traditional medicine. This paper reviews some medicinal plants and their main constituents which possess anti-inflammatory activities useful for curing joint inflammation, inflammatory skin disorders, cardiovascular inflammation and other inflammatory diseases. Here, we provide a brief overview of quick and easy reading on the role of medicinal plants and their main constituents in these inflammatory diseases. We hope that this overview will shed some light on the function of these natural anti-inflammatory compounds and attract the interest of investigators aiming at the design of novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of various inflammatory conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was designed to evaluate the urease inhibitory profile of extract and fractions ofPistacia atlanticassp. cabulica Stocks followed by bioactivity-guided isolated compounds. The crude extract was found significantly active with urease inhibitor (95.40% at 0.2 mg/mL) with IC50values of 32.0 ± 0.28 μg/mL. Upon fractionation, ethyl acetate fraction displayed 100% urease inhibition with IC50values of 19.9 ± 0.51 μg/mL at 0.2 mg/mL. However,n-hexane and chloroform fractions exhibited insignificant urease inhibition. Similarly, the isolated compound, transilitin (1) and dihydro luteolin (2) demonstrated marked urease attenuation with 95 and 98% respectively, at 0.15 mg/mL. Both the isolated compounds showed marked potency with IC50values of 8.54 ± 0.54 and 9.58 ± 2.22 μg/mL, respectively. In short, both the extract and fractions and isolated compounds showed marked urease inhibition and thus a useful natural source of urease inhibition. Graphical abstract showing the imagePistacia atlantica, chemical structure of isolated compounds and urease enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study describes thein vitroinhibition of protein denaturation of extract/fractions ofWithania somniferaand isolated withanolides including 20β hydroxy-1-oxo(22R)-witha-2,5,24 trienolide (1), (20R,22R-14α,20α)-dihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,5,16,24 tetraenolide (2). The results showed that the extract/fractions of the plant evoked profound inhibitory effect on thermal-induced protein denaturation. The chloroform fraction caused the most dominant attenuation of 68% at 500 μg/mL. The bioactivity-guided isolation from chloroform fraction led to the isolation of compounds1and2that showed profound protein inhibition with 78.05% and 80.43% effect at 500 μg/mL and thus strongly complimented the activity of extract/fractions. In conclusion, extract/fractions ofW. somniferapossessed strong inhibition of protein denaturation that can be attributed to these isolated withanolides. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study was designed to evaluate the antihyperalgesic effect of crude extract ofDiospyros lotusfollowed by the isolation and characterisation of 7-methyljuglone in acetic acid and formalin tests. The pretreatment of crude extract evoked dose-dependent inhibition of noxious stimulation with maximum effect of 56.78% in acetic acid-induced writhing test, which were 51.89% and 60.69% in first and second phases, respectively, at 100 mg/kg i.p. The structure of 7-methyljuglone was confirmed by spectroscopic analysis. 7-Methyljuglone evoked profound increase in pain threshhold dose dependently; when it was studied in acetic acid-induced writhing test with 63.73% pain attenuation while 51.22% and 65.44% pain amelioration in first and second phases, respectively, at 100 mg/kg i.p. In conclusion, crude extract and 7-methyljuglone ofD. lotusroots possessed both peripheral and central antinociceptive potential and thus could be a useful new therapeutic agent. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study was designed to assess the susceptibility of various microorganisms and inhibition on heat-induced protein denaturation against diosgenin and santonin, isolated from Polygonatum verticillatum rhizomes. Both diosgenin and santonin showed significant zone of inhibition when studied against various Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi). In antifungal assay, only santonin exhibited profound sensitivity against various fungi (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma harzianum and Fusarium oxysporum) used in the test. Both diosgenin and santonin also exhibited marked attenuation on heat-induced protein denaturation in a concentration-dependent manner with EC50 values of 375 and 310 μg/mL, respectively. In conclusion, both the isolated compounds have antimicrobial potential supported by strong inhibition on protein denaturation and thus support the antimicrobial uses of plant in traditional system of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to evaluate the isolated flavonoids (chrysin 1, and umbelliferone 2) from Potentilla evestita for cytotoxic, antitumour-promoting and inhibition of protein denaturation activities. The results showed marked cytotoxic effect of compounds 1 and 2 in brine shrimp cytotoxic assay at various concentrations with LD50 of 34.5 and 31.8 mg/mL, respectively. In Epstein–Barr-virus early antigen activation assay, both compounds 1 and 2 illustrated significant antitumour-promoting effect with IC50 values of 462 and 308 mol ratio/32 pmol TPA, respectively. The cytotoxic and antitumour-promoting effects of compounds were strongly supported by inhibition of protein denaturation activity with IC50 of 119 and 112 μg/mL, respectively. In conclusion, both compounds possess strong cytotoxic, antitumour-promoting and inhibition of protein denaturation activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, govaniadine, an alkaloid isolated fromCorydalis govanianaWall. was evaluated for its analgesic activity by writhing and hot-plate tests. Govaniadine did not display any toxic effects in mice up to 20 mg/kg during 24 h assessment study. The acetic acid-induced writhing was significantly reduced by pretreatment with govaniadine in a dose-dependent manner (1.25–5.0 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)). Furthermore, molecular docking study has shown that this alkaloid binds the COX-2 enzyme. In the hot-plate test, govaniadine at dose of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg, i.p. displayed analgesic effect at all time points (30, 60, 90 and 120 min). The analgesic effect of govaniadine was significantly antagonised by naloxone administration. Our results demonstrate for the first time that the peripheral and central analgesic effects of govaniadine could be in part related to the involvement of COX-2 activity and by its interaction with the opioid system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study was designed to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of a compound, umbelliferone, isolated from the chloroform fraction ofPotentilla evestitain animal models. When tested against acetic acid-induced noxious stimulus, it significantly prolonged pain threshold and provided 38.38% and 60.95% reduction in abdominal constriction at 5 and 10 mg/kg i.p., respectively. Post-umbelliferone injection evoked significant dose-dependent reduction in noxious stimulation with 33.65% and 58.89% pain attenuation at 5 and 10 mg/kg i.p., respectively, in the initial phase. In the late phase, it illustrated more dominant effect with 37.65% and 63.79% blockade of painful sensation. Similarly, it exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity during various assessment times (1–5 h) with 46.28% and 66.13% amelioration after 4th of administration against induced oedema. In conclusion, umbelliferone possessed strong antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting both peripheral and centrally acting pain mediators. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The paper seeks to use non-zero sum bargaining theory to analyze the Civil Service Reforms Act of 1978. President Carter believed that business practices can be used in federal bureaucracy to improve the efficiency and productivity in the government. The Carter Administration sought very actively the cooperation of the business and the labor union to pass the reforms. Both the labor union and the business groups bargained intensely to preserve and promote their interests in the reforms. Based on archival data from the President Jimmy Carter Library, this paper analyzes the bargaining position of the labor union and the business groups from the non-zero sum game theory to offer a different perspective on the passage of the Civil Service Reforms Act of 1978. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A new cinnamic acid derivative was isolated from the whole plant of Viola betonicifolia as off white needle. On the basis of various modern spectroscopic techniques including HREI-MS and 1D and 2D NMR, its structure was elucidated as 2,4-dihydroxy, 5-methoxy-cinnamic acid. It showed marked inhibition against DPPH (diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) free radicals with IC50 = 124 ± 5.76 µM. The antioxidant property of the compound was compared with α-tocopherole and vitamin C having IC50 values 96 ± 0.46 and 90 ± 0.56 µM, respectively. In case of antiglycation assay, the compound exhibited moderate activity (IC50 = 355 ± 7.56 µM) similar to standard compound, rutin (IC50 = 294 ± 0.56 µM). However, it was non-toxic to PC-3 cell line. It is concluded that 2,4-dihydroxy, 5-methoxy-cinnamic acid has antiglycation potential which was further augmented by its antioxidant activity and thus offered an ideal natural therapeutic option for the effective management of diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies were conducted at KPK Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan, in June 2008 and 2009 using a randomized complete block design. Plots were covered with transparent polyethylene films for different periods (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks). The temperature inside the film was about 10 °C greater than the atmospheric temperature. Solarization increased nitrogen (N) and organic-matter levels in both years, probably because of decomposition of plant residues. Increasing the period of solarization decreased weed density and both fresh and dry biomass. The effectiveness of solarization was species specific. In 2008, Cirsium arvense L. was controlled in the solarized soil, whereas Vicia sativa germination was stimulated by solarization. In 2009, suppressed weeds included Sorghum halepense whereas Chenopodium album L., Cyperus rotundus, and Rumex crispus L. were unaffected. Solarization increased yield of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) in both years. These results suggest that solarization should be practiced before planting horticultural crops in areas with a hot climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eruca sativaMiller is a worldwide common alimentary plant (rocket leaves). The aim of this study was to correlate the potentialin vitroscavenging activity of theE. sativahydroalcoholic extract (HAE) with itsin vivohypoglycaemic effect. In DDPH free radical (DFR) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays, HAE in a concentration dependent manner (25–100 μg/mL) displayed a strong scavenging activity with maximum effect of 88% and 75% at 100 μg/mL, respectively. Daily administration of HAE (50 mg/kg; p.o.) in thein vivomodel of alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits for 28 days showed significant reduction in glycaemia, also supported by recovery of body weight. In conclusion, our results give preliminary information on the potential use of this plant as a nutraceutical, useful to control and/or prevent a hyperglycaemic status. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this study, the anti-tumour-promoting and thermal-induced protein denaturation inhibitory activities of β-sitosterol (1) and lupeol (2), isolated from Diospyros lotus L., were explored. Compound 1 showed a marked concentration-dependent inhibition against 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (20 ng/32 pmol)-induced Epstein–Barr virus early antigen activation in Raji cells with IC50 of 270 μg/ml, without significant toxicity (70% viability). Compound 2 showed significant anti-tumour-promoting effect with IC50 of 412 μg/ml, without significant toxicity (60% viability). In heat-induced protein denaturation assay, compound 1 exhibited a concentration-dependent attenuation with a maximum effect of 73.5% at 500 μg/ml with EC50 of 117 μg/ml, while compound 2 exhibited a maximum effect of 59.2% at 500 μg/ml with EC50 of 355 μg/ml. Moreover, in silico docking studies against the phosphoinositide 3-kinase enzyme also show the inhibitory potency of these compounds. In short, both the compounds exhibited a marked anti-tumour-promoting and potent inhibitory effect on thermal-induced protein denaturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore the extract/fractions and compounds of Diospyros lotus against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strain. The results showed marked susceptibility of extract and its fractions against test pathogens. Among them, chloroform fraction was most dominant and effective against all tested bacteria. The chloroform fraction was subjected to column chromatography which led to the isolation of lupeol (1), 7-methyljuglone (2), β-sitosterol (3), stigmasterol (4), betulinic acid (5), diospyrin (6) and 8-hydroxyisodiospyrin (7). Among the isolated compounds, betulinic acid (5) showed significant activity against most of the tested pathogen. In conclusion, our study validated the traditional uses of the plant in the treatment of infectious diseases which was also strongly supported by the isolated compound, betulinic acid (5). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our present investigation, the crude methanol extract and chloroform fraction of the whole plant of Physalis minima Linn (Solanaceae) was investigated for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities in NMRI mice and Wistar rats of either sex at 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Various established in-vivo model's were used during the study. Both crude extract and chloroform fraction showed marked anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities as compared to a control at tested doses. The antipyretic potential of the crude extract and chloroform were insignificant in the Brewer's yeast fever model. Therefore, the whole plant of Physalis minima Linn could be considered as a potential candidate for bioactivity-guided isolation of natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The methanol extract of the rhizomes of Gloriosa superba Linn (Colchicaceae) and its subsequent fractions in different solvent systems were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities. Excellent antifungal sensitivity was expressed by the n-butanol fraction against Candida albicans and Candida glaberata (up to 90%) and against Trichophyton longifusus (78%) followed by the chloroform fraction against Microsporum canis (80%). In the antibacterial bioassay, the crude extract and subsequent fractions showed mild to moderate antibacterial activities. Chloroform fraction displayed highest antibacterial sensitivity against Staphylococcus aureous (88%) followed by the crude extract (59%). The total phenol content of the crude extract and fractions of the plant expressed no significant correlation with the antimicrobial activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An alcoholic extract obtained from the rhizomes of Gloriosa superba Linn (Colchicaceae) was screened for enzyme inhibition activities. The crude extract and its subsequent fractions including chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous were screened against lipoxygenase, actylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and urease. An outstanding inhibition on lipoxygenase was observed. The highest enzyme inhibition potency was expressed by the chloroform fraction (90%) among the tested fractions on lipoxygenase. Overall 67- 90% inhibition was found for lipoxygenase, 46-69% for acetylcholinesterase and 10-33% for butyrylcholinesterase, while urease was not inhibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The methanolic extract of the corms of Colchicum luteum Baker (Liliaceae) and its subsequent fractions in different solvent systems were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities. The crude extract and all the fractions demonstrated moderate to excellent antifungal activities against tested pathogens in antifungal bioassay. Excellent antifungal activity was shown against trichophyton longifusus, up to 75%, and microsporum canis, up to 85%, while the crude extract and subsequent fractions showed mild to moderate activities in an antibacterial bioassay with maximum antibacterial activity 58% against Bacillus subtilis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro enzymes inhibition activities of the crude methanolic extract and various fractions of Colchicum luteum Baker (Liliaceae) including chloroform, ethyl acetate, n -butanol and aqueous were carried out against actylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, lipoxygenase and urease enzymes. A significant enzyme inhibition activity (89%) is shown by the crude methanolic extract and its fractions against lipoxygenase, while low to significant activity (32–75%) was evident against butyrylcholinesterase. The crude methanolic extract and its various fractions demonstrated low activity (29–61%) against acetylcholinesterase and no activity against urease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crude methanolic extract and chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of Teucrium royleanum were examined as inhibitors of actylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, lipoxygenase and urease. A significant enzyme inhibition activity (52-83%) was shown by the crude methanolic extract and its fractions against acetylcholinesterase, while low to outstanding enzyme inhibitory activity was shown (19-93%) against butyrylcholinesterase. The crude methanolic extract and its various fractions demonstrated low activity against lipoxygenase and inactive against urease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]