Search

Introduction: The process of green synthesis of metal nanoparticles is considered to be eco-friendly and cost-effective. Methods: In this study, bimetallic Ag@Se-P and Ag@Se-S nanoparticles were synthesized successfully using Parkinsonia aculeata aerial parts and seed extracts. The phytochemical contents in P. aculeata aerial parts and seed aqueous extract serve as reducing and stabilizing capping agents without the need for any chemical stabilization additive in the synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles. Result and Discussion: The obtained results from UV-vis spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the successful synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles with cluster irregular spherical morphology, crystalline nature, and average particle sizes of 17.65 and 24.36 nm for Ag@Se-S and Ag@Se-P, respectively. The cytotoxicity assessment of greenly synthesized nanomaterials using seed and plant extracts showed cell inhibition >50 μg/mL. Ag@Se-S and Ag@Se-P seed and plant extracts significantly reduced LPS-induced inflammation, which was assessed by NO and cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α. The mRNA and protein expression levels of phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB) were significantly overexpressed in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell lines. Ag@Se-S and Ag@Se-P downregulated the expression of PI3K and NFkB in LPS-induced cell models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of different conventional and nonconventional methods for the extraction of secondary metabolites and antioxidant activity of aqueous and hydro-ethanolic extract of Retama raetam twigs including maceration, reflux, Soxhlet, microwave assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasonic assisted extraction. The aqueous and hydro-ethanolic extracts obtained by MAE showed the highest contents of total phenolics (160.43 ±1.42 and 175.71 ±2.09 mg EAG/g DR, respectively) and flavonoids of 12.28 ±0.92 and 39.97 ±1.11 mg EC/g DR, respectively. It also exhibited significant DPPH• scavenging capacity with IC50 values of 0.45 ±0.075 and 0.34 ±0.039 mg/mL and significant iron reducing capacity with EC50 of 0.358 ±0.02 and 0.28 ±0.01 mg/mL for the aqueous and hydro-ethanolic extracts, respectively. The MAE proved to be the most efficient extraction technique for the extraction of antioxidants from R. raetam twigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants have protective effect because of the presence of several compounds which have different mechanism of action. This study sought to assess the anti-oxidative effects of butanol seed extract of Parkinsonia aculeata on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage on Wistar rats. The Wistar rats were put into five groups, each with six rats: Group A received a daily dosage of liquid paraffin (1ml/kg); Group B received 1ml/kg body weight of CCl4 (30% in liquid paraffin intraperitoneal); Group C, D, and E received the seed extracts at 100, 120, and 160 mg/kg every day for two weeks. Induction of CCl4 was three times a week for two weeks simultaneously with the extract to the last day. After sacrificed, the liver was harvested and homogenized, and used for further analyses. There was a significant increase (p

The maintenance of the live fence of Parkinsonia aculeata Linnaeus in the Marvilla Sector of the "Pantanos de Villa" Wildlife Refuge, Lima, Peru, is of great importance to prevent the passage of external agents that may harm the maintenance of the area and the tranquility of wildlife species. Therefore, two treatments of home irrigation systems with plastic bottles were applied, the evaporation-condensation and the underground, to ensure the permanence of the plant species in the area, and in addition to a control sample. The sampling used was the completely randomized design with 10 repetitions (10 evaporation-condensation, 10 underground and 10 control). Two quantitative variables were evaluated: height (cm), diameter (mm); and a qualitative one: the quality of the seedling on a scale from 1 to 3. In the case of diameter, the evaporation-condensation method was found to be the most effective, in the case of growth in height, no significant differences were found between the treatments, as well as in the quality of the seedling. It is concluded that the method of home irrigation system in P. aculeata with plastic bottles, was the evaporation-condensation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinsonia aculeata L. growing in Saudi Arabia was investigated for its phytochemical profile, antioxidant, and cytotoxic properties. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS was employed as a powerful technique for the characterization of secondary metabolites from a hydroalcoholic extract, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate fractions of P. aculeata L. aerial parts. Sixty-nine compounds (flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenolics and fatty acids) were detected and characterized; flavonoids were the abundant components in the analyzed samples. The dichloromethane fraction was rich in phenolics as vanillic acid hexoside, flavonols as 3,7-dimthylquercetin, and flavones as 3′-hydroxymelanettin. However, the ethyl acetate fraction was rich in flavonoid-C-glycosides as luteolin-8-C-β-D-glucoside (orientin) and apigenin-8-C-glucoside (vitexin), flavonoid- O, C-diglycosides such as luteolin 7-O-[6′'-dihydrogalloyl]-glucosyl-8-C-pentosyl-(1 → 2)-glucoside and 2′'-O-rhamnosyl isoorientin. These compounds were identified for the first time in dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions of Saudi P. aculeata L.Additionally, all the samples were assessed for antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging method and for cytotoxic activity through MTT assay. Accordingly, the most active fraction was the ethyl acetate which showed the highest antioxidant activity (SC50 = 57.4 ± 1.2 μg/mL) compared with the positive control, ascorbic acid (SC50 = 12.4 ± 0.5 μg/mL) and moderate cytotoxicity against HepG-2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) and MCF-7 (breast carcinoma) cell lines with IC50 = 56.9 ± 3.1 and 95.8 ± 3.8 μg/mL, respectively compared with cisplatin (IC50 = 3.67 ± 0.22 and 5.71 ± 0.57 μg/mL, respectively for both cell lines). The antioxidant and cytotoxic activities may be attributed to the presence of high percentage of phenolic compounds and hydroxylated flavonoids detected in ethyl acetate fraction using UPLS-ESI-MS/MS.

This study was aimed to evaluate toxicity in repeated doses for 28 days, reproductive toxicity and cytotoxicity of a polar fraction obtained from the hydroethanolic extract of Parkinsonia aculeata (PfrHEPA) in experimental models. To perform the toxicity test in repeated doses for 28 days, male and female Wistar rats were treated via orogastric for 28 days with PfrHEPA (35, 70 or 140 mg/kg) according to the guidelines established by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) number 407 (1995). For assessment, the impact of PfrHEPA on the reproductive output various parameters were measured, including maternal weight, no. of pregnant females, female fertility index (%), gestation lengthtime, implantation sites, litter size and placental index of test animals. The cytotoxicity of PfrHEPA was performed on the tumor lines NCI-H292 (human lung carcinoma), HL-60 (human promyelocytic leukemia) and HCT-116 (colorectal cancer). In the repeated dose toxicity test for 28 days, no mortality was observed in the male and female rats treated with PfrHEPA as well as morphological changes and biochemical and hematological parameters. In the reproductive toxicity test, no abnormalities were observed related to the toxicological parameters in both mothers and offspring. Regarding the cytotoxicity assay, the PfrHEPA fraction did not demonstrate significant cytotoxic effect on the cell lines analyzed. The present results suggest the use of PfrHEPA is safe and well tolerated in rats. Further studies are planned to identify and purify the active compounds for subsequent in vivo evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The methanol extract of the seeds of Retama raetam was studied for its preventive and curative effects in gentamicin-induced acute renal failure in rats. Thirty rats were divided into five different groups; each group contains six rats. Group I was served as a control group, Group II, III and IV were administered a daily dose of gentamicin (40 mg/kg body weight s.c) for 13 days. In case of group III, rats were administered with the extract at a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight on the 14th day onwards for 10 days. While, in group IV rats were treated with an oral dose of the extract equivalent to 30 mg/kg b.w. before 2hs of subcutaneous injection of gentamicin for 13 days. Group V rats were given the extract at a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight for 13 days. Serum urea and creatinine levels were measured. Moreover, histopathological as well as morphometrical investigations were performed. In the gentamicin model, the methanol extract of R. raetam (30 mg/kg b. wt.) reduced blood urea and serum creatinine effectively in the curative and the preventive treatment. Light microscopic examination of the renal tissues from gentamicin-treated rats revealed severe histopathological and morphometrical changes, whereas specimens obtained from extract-treated rats revealed only mild changes. These findings recommend that the methanol extract of the seeds of R. raetam counteract the deleterious effect of gentamicin on renal tubular function and structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinsonia aculeata and Prosopis koelziana are two spinous ornamental plant from Leguminosae family. Besides their traditional uses, many pharmacological activities have been reported from family members, although little studies have been done about their antimicrobial properties. Excessive drug resistance and ineffectiveness of some antimicrobial drugs have led to exploitation of natural sources especially plant materials for treatment of infection diseases. Present study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial properties of methanol extract and different fractions of Parkinsonia aculeata and Prosopis koelziana growing in south of Iran against P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, M. gypseum and C. albicans. Methanol extract and three fractions of each Parkinsonia aculeata and Prosopis koelziana including ethyl acetate, chloroform and aqueous fractions had been assayed separately against microorganisms. The antimicrobial activities of the extract and fractions were measured by standard agar diffusion Methods (disc-diffusion and well-diffusion methods). The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by measuring the inhibition zones against the test organisms in each method. Methanol extract and chloroform fraction (at 40 mg/ml concentration) demonstrated stronger (20 and 15 mm inhibitory zones) and broader spectrum of antimicrobial activity as compared to other fractions of Parkinsonia aculeate but for Prosopis koelziana, just ethyl acetate fraction was effective (30 and 12 mm inhibitory zones in disk and well-diffusion methods respectively). In disc-diffusion method the highest bacterial and fungal inhibitory zones were related to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus niger by inhibition zones of 20 ± 0.3 and 13 ± 0.1 mm respectively. In well-diffusion assay, the best results were attributed to Aspergillus niger and Staphylococcus aureus with the inhibitory zone of 30 ± 0.2 and 16 ± 0.1 mm. It is concluded that Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphyloccus species were more susceptible to the Parkinsonia aculeata extracts and Prosopis koelziana gave best response against Candida albicans and Aspergillus species. These results support the notion that the two plant extracts and fractions may have a role as pharmaceuticals for antimicrobial treatments. It need more extensively studies to explore its potential role in the treatment of infectious diseases.

Parkinsonia aculeata L. growing in Saudi Arabia was investigated for its phytochemical profile, antioxidant, and cytotoxic properties. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS was employed as a powerful technique for the characterization of secondary metabolites from a hydroalcoholic extract, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate fractions of P. aculeata L. aerial parts. Sixty-nine compounds (flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenolics and fatty acids) were detected and characterized; flavonoids were the abundant components in the analyzed samples. The dichloromethane fraction was rich in phenolics as vanillic acid hexoside, flavonols as 3,7-dimthylquercetin, and flavones as 3′-hydroxymelanettin. However, the ethyl acetate fraction was rich in flavonoid- C -glycosides as luteolin-8- C -β-D-glucoside (orientin) and apigenin-8- C -glucoside (vitexin), flavonoid- O , C -diglycosides such as luteolin 7- O -[6′'-dihydrogalloyl]-glucosyl-8- C -pentosyl-(1 → 2)-glucoside and 2′'- O -rhamnosyl isoorientin. These compounds were identified for the first time in dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions of Saudi P. aculeata L. Additionally, all the samples were assessed for antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging method and for cytotoxic activity through MTT assay. Accordingly, the most active fraction was the ethyl acetate which showed the highest antioxidant activity (SC 50 = 57.4 ± 1.2 μg/mL) compared with the positive control, ascorbic acid (SC 50 = 12.4 ± 0.5 μg/mL) and moderate cytotoxicity against HepG-2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) and MCF-7 (breast carcinoma) cell lines with IC 50 = 56.9 ± 3.1 and 95.8 ± 3.8 μg/mL, respectively compared with cisplatin (IC 50 = 3.67 ± 0.22 and 5.71 ± 0.57 μg/mL, respectively for both cell lines). The antioxidant and cytotoxic activities may be attributed to the presence of high percentage of phenolic compounds and hydroxylated flavonoids detected in ethyl acetate fraction using UPLS-ESI-MS/MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temporal progress of Parkinsonia aculeata dieback through a well-established, naturally occurring dieback affected site was monitored using two transects over a seven-year period. This revealed the time and spatial dynamics underlying the nature of this disorder. Assessment of this site demonstrated a decline in individual plant health over consecutive years, with 98% of parkinsonia plants dying over the study period. Minimal recruitment of new plants led to a collapse in the parkinsonia population. Macrophomina phaseolina (Botryosphaeriaceae) was the only species with known pathogenicity on parkinsonia found in the transect site. This information provides a valuable insight into the timeframe involved in this disease process from infection through to plant death. This is the first research to date to assess the temporal movement of parkinsonia dieback.

Ethnopharmacobotanical information reports that Parkinsonia aculeata infusion is used to control diabetes-related complications and dyslipidemia. However, few studies are reported on the safe use of this species. The aim of this study is to evaluate the acute toxicity, embryotoxicity and cytotoxicity of a polar fraction obtained from hydroethanolic extract of P. aculeata (PfrHEPA). For the acute toxicity test, we considered the Up and Down method which the guidelines are described by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD N=425). The animals were treated with PfrHEPA (2000 mg/kg) or with distilled water (10 ml/kg) by gavage and observed from Day 1 to14. For embryotoxicity assay, zebrafish embryos were exposed to PfrHEPA (100 mg/L) and toxicity parameters were observed during four consecutive days. The cytotoxicity of PfrHEPA (5, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 µg/ml, respectively) was performed on normal cell lines (mesenchymal stem cells, African green monkey renal cells and mouse pre-adipocytes 3 T3-L1 using the MTT salt reduction assay. In the acute toxicity test, no mortality was observed in mice treated with PfrHEPA (2000 mg/kg), as well as behavioral changes, histopathological abnormalities and hematological and biochemical variables. In the embryotoxicity test, no abnormal changes related to the toxicological parameters were observed in the period of 96 h. Regarding the cytotoxicity assay, PfrHEPA showed no cytotoxic effect on the normal cell lines tested, with an IC50 value > 100 µg/ml. These results suggest the safe use of P. aculeata, however, more trials are needed for PfrHEPA to be presented as new safe therapeutic proposal for the control of metabolic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacobotanical information reports that Parkinsonia aculeata infusion is used to control diabetes-related complications and dyslipidemia. However, few studies are reported on the safe use of this species. The aim of this study is to evaluate the acute toxicity, embryotoxicity and cytotoxicity of a polar fraction obtained from hydroethanolic extract of P. aculeata (PfrHEPA). For the acute toxicity test, we considered the Up and Down method which the guidelines are described by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD N°425). The animals were treated with PfrHEPA (2000 mg/kg) or with distilled water (10 ml/kg) by gavage and observed from Day 1 to14. For embryotoxicity assay, zebrafish embryos were exposed to PfrHEPA (100 mg/L) and toxicity parameters were observed during four consecutive days. The cytotoxicity of PfrHEPA (5, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 μg/ml, respectively) was performed on normal cell lines (mesenchymal stem cells, African green monkey renal cells and mouse pre-adipocytes 3 T3-L1 using the MTT salt reduction assay. In the acute toxicity test, no mortality was observed in mice treated with PfrHEPA (2000 mg/kg), as well as behavioral changes, histopathological abnormalities and hematological and biochemical variables. In the embryotoxicity test, no abnormal changes related to the toxicological parameters were observed in the period of 96 h. Regarding the cytotoxicity assay, PfrHEPA showed no cytotoxic effect on the normal cell lines tested, with an IC50 value > 100 μg/ml. These results suggest the safe use of P. aculeata, however, more trials are needed for PfrHEPA to be presented as new safe therapeutic proposal for the control of metabolic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Germination rate and germination percentage of R. raetam seeds were significantly influenced by ψ , T and their interactions (P < 0.01). • Cardinal Ts were 4.2°C for T b , 17°C for T o and 30°C for T c at 0 MPa. The T d (the T at which ψ b(50) starts to change) was estimated to be 10°C. • By increasing Ts to T o , hydrotime constant (θH) decreased nonlinearly and then stabilized to 30 MPa °C h at Ts ranging from 15 to 30°C. • The HTT model can accurately describe the time course of germination across all Ts and ψ s for this plant (R2 = 0.90). • Estimated parameters using HTT model were 388.6 MPa °C h for θ HTT , –0.913 MPa for ψ b(50) and 0.047 MPa °C h for the k T (the slope of ψ b(50) x T ≥ T d). Abstract Retama raetam (Forssk Webb; Fabaceae) is a xerophytic shrub that is distributed from northern to southern Tunisia and which is of interest for medical use and for revegetation. To quantify seed germination responses of R. raetam to temperature (T) and water potential (ψ), and to determine cardinal Ts, a hydrothermal time model (HTT) was used. The experiment was conducted at six constant Ts (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 °C) at each of the following ψ s (0, –0.3, –0.7 and −1 MPa; provided by PEG 6000). Results showed that germination rate (GR) and germination percentage (GP) were significantly influenced by ψ , T and their interactions (P < 0.01). Cardinal Ts for R. raetam was 4.2 °C for T b (the base T), 17 °C for T o (the optimum T) and 30 °C for T c (the ceiling T) in the control condition (0 MPa). The T d (the T at which ψ b(50) starts to change) was estimated to be 10 °C. By increasing T to T o , hydrotime constant (θ H) decreased nonlinearly and then stabilized to 30 MPa °C h at Ts ranging from 15 to 30 °C. The study showed that when the HTT model is applied, it can accurately describe the time course of germination across all Ts and ψ s for this plant (R2 = 0.90). Moreover, estimated parameters using HTT model were 388.6 MPa °C h for the hydrothermal time constant (θ HTT), –0.913 MPa for the base water potential (ψ b(50)) and 0.047 MPa °C h for the k T (the slope of the relationship between ψ b(50) and T ≥ T d). The parameters presented in this study can easily be used in R. raetam SG simulation models for characterizing the physiological status of R. raetam seed populations and also for predicting germination time courses of this plant under different environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work focuses on the variability of Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb bioactive compounds as a function of the plant cycle. The main results showed that it exhibited the highest percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids, along with superior levels of vitamin C and total phenolic compounds (66.49%, 645.6 mg⋅100 g-1 FW and 23.9 mg GAE⋅g-1, respectively) at the vegetative stage. Instead, at the flowering and mature fruiting stages, R. raetam (Forssk.) Webb exhibited notable contents of proline (25.4 µmol⋅g-1 DW) and carotenoids (27.2 µg⋅g-1 FW), respectively. The gathered data concerning the antioxidant activity highlighted the effectiveness of the vegetative stage in comparison to the other periods. Actually, IC50 and EC50 values of the hydromethanolic extract obtained from the plant shoots at the vegetative stage were of 23, 380, 410, 1160 and 960 µg⋅mL-1 (DPPH· and ABTS·+ radicals scavenging activity, reducing power, chelating power and β-carotene bleaching activity, respectively). Furthermore, the four studied stages showed appreciable antibacterial capacities against human pathogens with a higher efficiency of the vegetative stage extract. Finally, the LC-DAD-ESI/MSn analysis revealed the predominance of isoflavonoids as main class of phenolic compounds and demonstrates that individual phenolic biosynthesis was clearly different as a function of plant growth. These findings highlight that reaching the optimum efficiency of R. raetam (Forssk.) Webb is closely linked to the physiological stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-soil feedback is recognized as the mutual interaction between plants and soil microorganisms, but its role on the biological invasion of the Brazilian tropical seasonal dry forest by invasive plants still remains unclear. Here, we analyzed and compared the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) communities and soil characteristics from the root zone of invasive and native plants, and tested how these AMF communities affect the development of four invasive plant species (Cryptostegia madagascariensis, Parkinsonia aculeata, Prosopis juliflora, and Sesbania virgata). Our field sampling revealed that AMF diversity and frequency of the Order Diversisporales were positively correlated with the root zone of the native plants, whereas AMF dominance and frequency of the Order Glomerales were positively correlated with the root zone of invasive plants. We grew the invasive plants in soil inoculated with AMF species from the root zone of invasive (Ichanged) and native (Iunaltered) plant species. We also performed a third treatment with sterilized soil inoculum (control). We examined the effects of these three AMF inoculums on plant dry biomass, root colonization, plant phosphorous concentration, and plant responsiveness to mycorrhizas. We found that Iunaltered and Ichanged promoted the growth of all invasive plants and led to a higher plant dry biomass, mycorrhizal colonization, and P uptake than control, but Ichanged showed better results on these variables than Iunaltered. For plant responsiveness to mycorrhizas and fungal inoculum effect on plant P concentration, we found positive feedback between changed-AMF community (Ichanged) and three of the studied invasive plants: C. madagascariensis, P. aculeata, and S. virgata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nurse plants promote establishment of other plant species by buffering climate extremes and improving soil properties. Soil biota plays an important role, but an analysis to disentangle the effects of soil microorganisms, soil properties and microclimate on facilitation is lacking., In three microhabitats (gaps, small and large Retama shrubs), we placed six microcosms with sterilized soil, two per soil origin (i.e. from each microhabitat). One in every pair received an alive, and the other a sterile, inoculum from its own soil. Seeds of annual plants were sown into the microcosms. Germination, survival and biomass were monitored. Soil bacterial communities were characterized by pyrosequencing., Germination in living Retama inoculum was nearly double that of germination in sterile inoculum. Germination was greater under Retama canopies than in gaps. Biomass was up to three times higher in nurse than in gap soils. Soil microorganisms, soil properties and microclimate showed a range of positive to negative effects on understory plants depending on species identity and life stage., Nurse soil microorganisms promoted germination, but the effect was smaller than the positive effects of soil properties and microclimate under nurses. Nurse below-ground environment (soil properties and microorganisms) promoted plant growth and survival more than nurse microhabitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Plant Production is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The study was conducted at the Awash National Park (ANP) Ethiopia, todocument Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and to assess the spread of Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. A total of 64 sample plots were laid systematically along the altitudinal gradient of 750 to 1916 m.Potential IAS were recorded. IAS which may threaten biodiversity of the park includes species such as Prosopis juliflora, Parthenium hysterophorus L., Cryptostegia grandiflora Roxb. ex R. Br., Parkinsonia aculeata L., Senna occidentalis (L.) Link, Datura ferox L. and Xanthium strumarium L. Except P. juliflora and P. hysterophorus, all others were not recorded in Ethiopia as IAS. P.juliflora was recorded in three plots with cover of 1% to 10%. P. juliflora was also found spread in different parts of the park particularly following the route of cattle movement. P. hysterophoruswas recorded in and around nine sample plots. Plot 46, 47 and 48 werehighly infested by P. hysterophorus which covered more than 60, 70 and 80% of the ground layer respectively. C. grandiflora was recorded in 11 plots with cover ranging from 1% to 35%. In view of all the natural as well as anthropogenic threats to the biodiversity of the Park, the ANP is at high risk. The rich biodiversity needsimmediate management intervention.

Successive aqueous (10 ºC, 25 ºC and 80 ºC) and alkaline (1M NaOH; 25 ºC) extractions of milled Parkinsonia aculeata endosperms gave rise to four galactomannan fractions. These extractions furnished viscous galactomannans with Man:Gal ratios ranging from 3.1:1; 3.7:1; 4.9:1 and 6.1:1 (P1, P2, P3 and P4, respectively). Fraction P1 was used for structural studies by using methylation analysis, periodate oxidation and 13C-NMR. It showed a linear backbone of beta(1->4) linked D-mannose units, to which single alpha(1->6)-linked D-galactose are attached. This galactomannan has Mw 775700 g/mol and intrinsic viscosity of 558 mL/g. The four fractions and the crude endosperm were treated with epichlorydrin and used as matrix for affinity chromatography. All columns tested showed ability to bind lectin samples. The efficiency is related to the degree and pattern of substitution of galactosyl units on the D-mannan backbone.

Background Retama raetam (RR) fruit is used in traditional Saudi folk medicine as a hypoglycemic herb. However, the potential toxicity of RR has not been fully investigated. The current study aimed to explore the potential acute and subacute toxicities of the methanolic extract of RR fruit in male and female rats. Methods The extent of acute toxicity of RR was tested 14 days after a single oral dose was administered (250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, or 750 mg/kg). Additionally, subacute toxicity was tested 28 days after an oral dose of 250 mg/kg/d, 500 mg/kg/d, or 750 mg/kg/d was administered for 4 weeks. Results Subsequent to variable dosage testing, oral LD 50 of RR was found to be 1995 mg/kg in rats. Oral doses of 500 mg/kg and 750 mg/kg significantly decreased body weight gain. Subacute administration (750 mg/kg) was associated with significant manifestations of toxicity. Additionally, subacute administration of the extract at doses of 500 mg/kg or 750 mg/kg significantly elevated alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase activities. Hepatotoxicity of RR was confirmed with histopathological findings. Subacute administration of RR (500 mg/kg) showed histopathological changes in the liver as indicated by degenerated hepatocytes and early fibrosis, while a dosage of 750 mg/kg showed congested central vein and vascular degeneration. Moreover, subacute administration of the extract at doses of 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, or 750 mg/kg showed histopathological alterations in rat kidney that ranged from mild interstitial congestion to tubular degeneration. The extract showed positive result in the Ames test. Conclusion Repeated administration of methanolic extract of RR (250 mg/kg) has a low nephrotoxic subacute toxicity potential, while it might have hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, and mutagenic effects at higher doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retama raetam is a medicinal and aromatic plant present in the humid to the arid bioclimatic regions of Tunisia. In this work, we investigated R. raetam shoots antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and its natural antioxidant contents obtained from four fractions (petroleum ether, acetone 60%, ethyl acetate and water). Results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction exhibits the highest antioxidant activity as compared to the other ones. In fact, IC 50 values of ethyl acetate extract were equal to 33.5, 500 and 1380 μg/ml (DPPH and ABTS radicals scavenging activity and reducing power, respectively). Accordingly, this fraction presented the highest total polyphenol and flavonoid contents (401 mg GAE/g DR and 33.21 mg CE/g DR, respectively). Moreover, RP-HPLC analysis showed that syringic acid and coumarin were the major phenolic compounds. Furthermore, this moderately polar fraction showed considerable antibacterial properties against human pathogen strains especially against Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus . Finally, fractionation allows the identification of R. raetam most active molecules and therefore the optimization of their utilization. Our findings pointed out the appropriate solvent for extracting R. raetam potent phenolics which might provide a rich and novel source of natural antioxidants as food additives replacing synthetic ones in food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field surveys conducted in North-central Argentina on Parkinsonia aculeata L. between 2008 and 2011 revealed the presence of the stem-galling midge Neolasioptera aculeatae Gagné (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Bionomical and field host range studies were conducted to determine the insect's suitability for biological control of P. aculeata. Presence of N. aculeatae galls was restricted to the northern distribution of P aculeata. Larvae and/or pupae were found by dissecting galls collected throughout the year on P. aculeata plants at different phenological stages. Emergence of N. aculeatae adults occurred 13 to 34 days from field collection and over an average period of 22 days. Field host range surveys indicated that of the 11 legume species sampled, N. aculeatae adults only emerged from galls collected on P. aculeata. The biological attributes of N. aculeatae and its restricted field host range suggests that it will be a promising biological control agent for P. aculeata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-plant facilitation is an important driver of plant diversity, which in turn maintains ecosystem multifunctionality and can buffer some negative effects of climate change. Facilitation is classically attributed to the amelioration of environmental extremes and resource availability. Integrating below-ground biota into the positive plant interactions framework should provide a more realistic understanding of this process, enabling us to gain insights into the dynamics of below-above-ground communities., We tested the effect of below-ground biota on the performance of a plant community and of individual species using soil extracts from the understorey of a benefactor plant species and adjacent open spaces. Soil bacteria from extracts and experimental microcosms were analysed using pyrosequencing., Soil biota had a significant effect on the abundance, growth, functional traits and reproductive output of beneficiary plant species through processes that are independent of the direct influence of the benefactor species. Different soil bacterial communities were associated with the benefactor species, the individual beneficiary plant species and the plant community, revealing complex below-above-ground links between plants and soil microbiota., Synthesis. The below-ground biota cultivated by benefactor plant species play a fundamental role in positive interactions between plant species contributing to the preservation of diversity and the evolution of plant communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retama monosperma (L.) Boiss. (white bridal broom) is a legume shrub that establishes mainly on coastal sands and dunes in zones under a Mediterranean climate. The species is able to tolerate salt spray, high temperatures of substrate and air, and low levels of soil nutrients and humidity. It is important in middle stages of dune succession, functioning as a key species in structuring the plant community, and it can play an important role in geomorphology. Retama monosperma enriches soil with N and other nutrients, ameliorates the typical harsh environmental conditions in dunes for other plants, and provides refuge and food for wildlife and forage for livestock. Leaves fall rapidly after emergence, and gas exchange is carried out in photosynthetic stems (cladodes), thereby reducing salt-induced stress. Some compounds isolated from the species show potential in pharmacological applications. It has high fruit production and effective associated seed dispersers. Recently, it has been reported that R. monosperma displays invasive behaviour in coastal areas in different parts of the world, including within its natural range, showing potential to negatively affect singular and protected coastal dune flora. Here we present a summary of the biology of R. monosperma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenotypic plasticity has long been suspected to allow invasive species to expand their geographic range across large-scale environmental gradients. We tested this possibility in Australia using a continental scale survey of the invasive tree Parkinsonia aculeata (Fabaceae) in twenty-three sites distributed across four climate regions and three habitat types. Using tree-level responses, we detected a trade-off between seed mass and seed number across the moisture gradient. Individual trees plastically and reversibly produced many small seeds at dry sites or years, and few big seeds at wet sites and years. Bigger seeds were positively correlated with higher seed and seedling survival rates. The trade-off, the relation between seed mass, seed and seedling survival, and other fitness components of the plant life-cycle were integrated within a matrix population model. The model confirms that the plastic response resulted in average fitness benefits across the life-cycle. Plasticity resulted in average fitness being positively maintained at the wet and dry range margins where extinction risks would otherwise have been high ("Jack-of-all-Trades" strategy JT), and fitness being maximized at the species range centre where extinction risks were already low ("Master-of-Some" strategy MS). The resulting hybrid "Jack-and-Master" strategy (JM) broadened the geographic range and amplified average fitness in the range centre. Our study provides the first empirical evidence for a JM species. It also confirms mechanistically the importance of phenotypic plasticity in determining the size, the shape and the dynamic of a species distribution. The JM allows rapid and reversible phenotypic responses to new or changing moisture conditions at different scales, providing the species with definite advantages over genetic adaptation when invading diverse and variable environments. Furthermore, natural selection pressure acting on phenotypic plasticity is predicted to result in maintenance of the JT and strengthening of the MS, further enhancing the species invasiveness in its range centre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a research conducted in order to describe the host specificity, biology, geographic distribution, and systematic of tortricid moths reared on the invasive weed Mexican palo verde, Parkinsonia aculeata. It discusses the identification of native herbivores of the Mexican palo verde as potential biological control agents against this invasive weed in Australia.

Abstract: Retama raetam (RR) fruits are used in Saudi traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes. Current study aimed at evaluating the potential and mechanisms of the antidiabetic activity of the RR methanolic extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Oral LD50 of the extract was found to be 1995mg/kg. The extract was administered once orally to STZ-diabetic rats at three dose levels; 100, 250 or 500mg/kg/day for 4 consecutive weeks. RR extract at 250 or 500mg/kg significantly lowered blood glucose levels at the 3rd and 1st week of treatment, respectively. Meanwhile, oral glucose tolerance test indicated that the same two doses significantly lowered glucose levels at 30 and 60min after glucose challenge. Administration of RR extract at 500mg/kg/day for 4 consecutive weeks significantly increased serum insulin level. In vitro studies indicated that the extract significantly inhibits glucose absorption by rat isolated intestine. The extract neither altered glucose uptake by rat isolated psoas muscle nor the activity of hepatic microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase. In conclusion, the methanolic extract of RR improves STZ-induced diabetes in rats. This can be attributed, at least partly, to stimulating pancreatic insulin release and reducing intestinal glucose absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydraulic lift (HL) is the process by which plants can passively transfer water from deep, moist soil layers to shallow, dry soil layers. Although it has attracted recent research interest, a mechanistic understanding and its implications for ecosystem functioning are still lacking. Here we describe HL seasonal patterns in a semi-arid shrub species and its influence on plant water dynamics. We measured soil water availability and plant water status over the course of 1 year. Soil water potential in the rhizosphere of Retama sphaerocarpa (L.) Boiss (Fabaceae) individuals and in adjacent land was recorded using soil psychrometers. Sap flow was recorded simultaneously using the stem heat balance method (SHBM). Our results show a seasonal HL trend linked to mean seasonal soil water potential with greatest HL amplitudes at moderately low water potentials (ca −4 MPa). HL amplitude was negatively affected by nocturnal transpiration, and HL patterns were recorded in all seasons and at water potentials ranging from −0.1 MPa to −8.5 MPa which is consistent with R. sphaerocarpa deep rooting habit and its steady access to ground water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To test how well species distributions and abundance can be predicted following invasion and climate change when using only species distribution and abundance data to estimate parameters. Location Models were developed for the species' native range in the Americas and applied to Australia. Methods We developed a predictive model for an invasive neotropical shrub ( Parkinsonia aculeata) using a popular ecophysiological bioclimatic modelling technique (CLIMEX) fitted against distribution and abundance data in the Americas. The effect of uncertainty in model parameter estimates on predictions in Australia was tested. Alternative data sources were used when model predictions were sensitive to uncertainty in parameter estimates. The resulting best-fit model was run under two climate change scenarios. Results Of the 19 parameters used, 9 could not be fitted using data from the native range. However, only parameters that lowered temperature or increased moisture requirements for growth noticeably altered the model prediction in Australia. Differences in predictions were dramatic, and reflect climates in Australia that were not represented in the Americas (novel climates). However, these poorly fitted parameters could be fitted post hoc using alternative data sources prior to predicting responses to climate change. Conclusions Novel climates prevented the development of a predictive model which relied only on native-range distribution and abundance data because certain parameters could not be fitted. In fact, predictions were more sensitive to parameter uncertainty than to climate change scenarios. Where uncertainty in parameter estimates affected predictions, it could be addressed through the inclusion of alternative data sources. However, this may not always be possible, for example in the absence of post-invasion data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased knowledge about toxicological effects of heavy metals on the environment and in drinking water is well recognized and therefore, it is inevitable to search for different methods to reduce water pollution. The Saharan plant Retama raetam (Fabaceae family) was used as locally available adsorbent for removal of copper ions from aqueous solution. Various biosorption parameters such as initial metal concentration, pH and temperature on the capacity of copper biosorption were investigated. The relation between the phytochemical composition (polyphenol, alkaloids, terpenoids, carbohydrates) of the aerial parts of Retama raetam and the percent of adsorption for copper ion was examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myrtus communis, Arbutus unedo and Retama sphaerocarpa are Mediterranean shrubs widely used in revegetation of semiarid degraded soils. The aim of this work is to study the resistance of these plants to arsenic under controlled conditions, in order to evaluate their potential use in revegetation and/or phytoremediation of As-polluted soils. R. sphaerocarpa showed higher resistance to As than M. communis or A. unedo according to its higher EC50, P status and P/As molar ratio in both, roots and shoots, and the lower increases in lipid peroxidation and decrease of chlorophyll levels in response to arsenic, while the highest arsenate sensitivity was obtained for A. unedo. Arsenic was mainly retained in roots, and, although M. communis accumulated higher arsenic amounts than the other two species, R. sphaerocarpa showed the highest root to shoot transfer. Most of the studied parameters (chlorophylls, MDA and total thiols) showed significant correlation with arsenic concentration in roots and leaves of plants, so they can be useful indexes in the diagnosis of arsenic toxicity in these species. According to our results, both M. communis and R. sphaerocarpa could be used in the revegetation of moderately arsenic contaminated sites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Effective parameters are of major importance in modelling surface fluxes at different scales of spatial heterogeneity. Different ways to obtain these effective parameters for their use in meso-scale and GCM models have been studied. This paper deals with patch-scale heterogeneity, where effective resistances were calculated in two patches with different vegetation (Retama sphaerocarpa (L.) Boiss shrubs, and herbaceous plants) using different methods: aggregating soil and plant resistances in parallel, in series or by an average of both. Effective aerodynamic resistance was also calculated directly from patch fluxes. To assess the validity of the different methods used, the Penman-Monteith equation was used with effective resistances to estimate the total λE for each patch. The λE estimates found for each patch were compared to Eddy Covariance system measurements. Results showed that for effective surface resistances, parallel aggregation of soil and plant resistances led to λE estimates closer to the measured λE in both patches (differences of around 10%). Results for effective aerodynamic resistances differed depending on the patch considered and the method used to calculate them. The use of effective aerodynamic resistances calculated from fluxes provided less accurate estimates of λE compared to the measured values, than the use of effective aerodynamic resistances aggregated from soil and plant resistances. The results reported in this paper show that the best way of aggregating soil and plant resistances depends on the type of resistance, and the type of vegetation in the patch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In this study, complementary species-level and intraspecific phylogenies were used to better circumscribe the original native range and history of translocation of the invasive tree Parkinsonia aculeata. • Species-level phylogenies were reconstructed using three chloroplast gene regions, and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to reconstruct the intraspecific phylogeny. Together, these phylogenies revealed the timescale of transcontinental lineage divergence and the likely source of recent introductions of the invasive. • The sequence data showed that divergence between North American and Argentinean P. aculeata occurred at least 5.7 million years ago, refuting previous hypotheses of recent dispersal between North and South America. AFLP phylogenies revealed the most likely sources of naturalized populations. The AFLP data also identified putatively introgressed plants, underlining the importance of wide sampling of AFLPs and of comparison with uniparentally inherited marker data when investigating hybridizing groups. • Although P. aculeata has generally been considered North American, these data show that the original native range of P. aculeata included South America; recent introductions to Africa and Australia are most likely to have occurred from South American populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To prioritize weed management activities it is necessary to predict the extent of future infestations of individual weed species. Management effort should focus on populations which are likely to spread and produce new satellite populations. Deciding which aspects of an invading population to manage, new emerging distant satellites or the existing core from which most seed originates has been the subject of much debate. We use extensive survey data to define the core and satellite populations and dispersal function of Parkinsonia aculeata in the semi-arid rangelands of the Northern Territory of Australia. We described populations in terms of three size classes, classified on the basis of plant height (small (<0.4 m), medium (>0.4 and <2.5 m) and large (>2.5 m)). Data were recorded as a spatial point pattern and a dispersal function was derived from the distribution of the distance of each medium plant to the nearest P. aculeata neighbour that was greater than 2.5 m. All large and medium P. aculeata were classified as members of core or satellite populations. From these classifications, we tested critical assumptions of Moody and Mack's model, namely (i) the satellites form multiple disjunct foci that do not overlap; (ii) the system is homogenous and there are no abiotic or biotic restrictions to the weeds expansion enabling it to expand radially in any direction; (iii) the densities of all foci are uniform; (iv) there is no extinction through stochastic processes; and (v) there are no threshold effects. When the medium size class was considered, the population density and area occupied by the weed increased. Two satellite populations were comprised solely of medium plants, suggesting the number of satellites increased marginally from eight to 10 when data from both size classes were considered. Most individuals were part of the core population. The core population increased in density and we argue this core population is most likely to give rise to new satellites and should be managed in preference to emerging satellite populations. We suggest the invasion is behaving like a source-sink system, where the core population is the source of most new medium plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of interactions between Bacillus thuringiensis, a drought-adapted bacterium, and two isolates of Glomus intraradices, an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, on Retama sphaerocarpa, a drought-adapted legume, were investigated. The fungal isolates were an indigenous drought-tolerant and a nonindigenous drought-sensitive isolate. Shoot length and root growth, symbiotic parameters, water transport (in terms of percent relative plant water uptake), and volumetric soil moisture and soil enzymatic activities in response to microbial inoculations were evaluated. Retama plants colonized by G. intraradices plus Bacillus possessed similar shoot length after 30 days from sowing compared with noninoculated Retama plants after 150 days. Inoculation with drought-adapted bacterium increased root growth by 201%, but maximum root development was obtained by co-inoculation of B. thuringiensis and the indigenous G. intraradices. Nodules were formed only in plants colonized by autochthonous AM fungi. Relative water uptake was higher in inoculated than in noninoculated Retama plants, and these inoculants depleted soil water content concomitantly. G. intraradices-colonized Retama reached similar shoot length irrespective of the fungal origin, but there were strong differences in relative water uptake by plants colonized by each one of the fungi. Indigenous G. intraradices-colonized roots (evaluated as functional alkaline phosphatase staining) showed the highest intensity and arbuscule richness when associated with B. thuringiensis. The interactive microbial effects on Retama plants were more relevant when indigenous microorganisms were involved. Co-inoculation of autochthonous microorganisms reduced by 42% the water required to produce 1 mg of shoot biomass. This is the first evidence of the effectiveness of rhizosphere bacterium, singly or associated with AM fungus, in increasing plant water uptake, which represents a positive microbial effect on plants grown under drought environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Background and Aims Hard-seeded (physical) dormancy is common among plants, yet mechanisms for dormancy release are poorly understood, especially in the tropics. The following questions are asked: (a) whether dormancy release in seed banks of the tropical shrub Parkinsonia aculeata (Caesalpiniaceae) is determined by wet heat (incubation under wet, warm to hot, conditions); and (b) whether its effect is modified by microclimate.• Methods A seed burial trial was conducted in the wet–dry tropics (northern Australia) to compare dormancy release across different habitats (open, artificial cover, ground cover and canopy cover), burial depths (0, 3 and 20 cm) and burial durations (2, 6 and 14 weeks). Results were compared with predictions using a laboratory-derived relationship between wet heat and dormancy release, and microclimate data collected during the trial.• Key Results Wet heat (defined as the soil temperature above which seeds were exposed to field capacity or higher for a cumulative total of 24 h) was 43·6 °C in the 0 cm open treatment, and decreased with increasing shade and depth to 29·5 °C at 20 cm under canopy cover. The dormancy release model showed that wet heat was a good predictor of the proportion of seeds remaining dormant. Furthermore, dormancy release was particularly sensitive to wet heat across the temperature range encountered across treatments. This resulted in a 16-fold difference in dormancy levels between open (<5 % of seeds still dormant) and covered (82 %) microhabitats.• Conclusions These results demonstrate that wet heat is the principal dormancy release mechanism for P. aculeata when conditions are hot and wet. They also highlight the potential importance of microclimate in driving the population dynamics of such species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinsonia aculeata is an invasive tree native to tropical America, but introduced to Australia. Propagation and stand regeneration is mainly by seed. To gain baseline knowledge for management decisions, seed bank dynamics were monitored for two months during the fruit dispersal period at a coastal wetland in Costa Rica (native habitat), and at a coastal wetland and two semi-arid rangeland sites in Northern Queensland, Australia (introduced habitats). Seed bank densities underneath dense, uniform Parkinsonia stands were found to be lowest in the Australian wetland but highest in the Costa Rican wetland. Post-dispersal seed losses were highest in the Australian wetland, primarily due to seed germination and/or death. At the other sites, seed losses were minor during the study period, and predation was the most important cause of losses. At the two rangeland sites bruchid beetles accounted for more than 95% of the seed losses by predation. Total predation was lowest in the Costa Rican wetland. In order to test for intrinsic differences of seed characteristics, germination trials were conducted using both canopy seeds and seeds from the soil seed bank. Dormancy release and germination rate were studied under four temperature treatments. In all populations, dormancy release increased with increasing temperature, but averaged responses were significantly different between Costa Rican and Australian seed populations, and between seeds collected from the soil and from trees. Germination rate of scarified seeds was fastest at 35 °C in all tested seed populations. While high seed germination levels seem to explain low seed bank densities in the Australian wetland, the large seed banks at the rangeland sites reflect the lower incidence of favourable conditions for germination. In the Australian wetland biocontrol with bruchids is unlikely to be successful, while control by conventional methods, such as killing stands by basal bark spraying, seems feasible, due to a lower long-term risk of re-infestation from the soil seed bank. At the rangeland sites conventional control will be difficult and costly. Parkinsonia stands may be better left to their own, while bruchid populations are monitored and management efforts are concentrated on preventing further invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]