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The use of chemical pesticides to protect agricultural products is a global concern because of their adverse effects on the environment and public health. To avoid the dangers of synthetic herbicides, research has turned to natural alternatives. This study was conducted to evaluate the allelopathic effect of essential oil (EO) extracted from Origanum syriacum, Origanum onites, and Origanum majorana. In addition, the chemical composition of the essential oil was elucidated by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. A total of 11 different components of O.syriacum were identified, and the main components were carvacrol (88.49), p-Cymene (5.71), γ-Terpinene (1.63), β-Caryoplhyllene (1.48), and Terpinen-4-ol (0.65), respectively. For O. onites, 10 different compounds were identified, and the main components were carvacrol (58.65), Thymol (30.97), Linalool (4.17), p-Cymene (1.94), and β-Caryoplhyllene (0.98), respectively. Finally, for O. majorana, 14 different compounds were identified, and the main components were carvacrol (40.57), α-Terpineol (29.28), p-Cymene (9.02), γ-Terpinene (5.80), and carvacrol methyl ether (3.46). Finally, 14 compounds from the Origanum majorana species were identified, with carvacrol (40.57), -Terpineol (29.28), p-Cymene (9.02), and -Terpinene (5.80) as the parent compound (3.46). Oxygenated monoterpenes were the highest in all species' EO content. EOs and plant extracts were tested at 5, 10, and 20 L/Petri concentrations against seed germination and seedling growth in four weed species (Thlaspi arvense, Amaranthus retroflexus, Rumex cripus, and Lactuca serriola). The concentrations of essential oil were set as 5, 10, and 20 µL/Petri dishes for seed germination. In the greenhouse experiment, the final concentration of solutions was set as 20 µL and the solutions were directly sprayed on the surface of the weeds, and the mortality rates were noted after 24 and 48 h of application. It was observed that increasing the application decreased seed germination. The phytotoxic effects on the seedling germination in the greenhouse were observed, resulting in 48.76–94% mortality rates. Consequently, the essential oil from Origanum species could be considered as an alternative bio-herbicide to tested weeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This present study aimed to delineate Rumex hastatus D. Don crude extract (Rh.Cr), n-Hexane, ethyl acetate, aqueous fractions (Rh.n-Hex, Rh.ETAC, Rh.Aq) and rutin for antidiarrheal, antisecretory effects, anti-spasmodic, gastrointestinal transient time, anti H. pylori, antiulcer effects, and toxicology. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of Rumex hastatus showed different phytoconstituents and shows different peaks in GC-MC chromatogram. Rumex hastatus crude extract (Rh.Cr), fractions, and rutin attributed dose-dependent (50–300 mg/kg) protection (0–100%) against castor oil-induced diarrhea and dose-dependently inhibited intestinal fluid secretions in mice. They decreased the distance traversed by charcoal in the gastrointestinal transit model in rats. In rabbit jejunum preparations, Rh.Cr and Rh.ETAC caused a concentration-dependent relaxation of both spontaneous and K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions at a similar concentration range, whereas Rh.n-Hex, rutin, and verapamil were relatively potent against K+-induced contractions and shifted the Ca2+ concentration–response curves (CRCs) to the right, Rh.Cr (0.3–1 mg/mL) and Rh.ETAC (0.1–0.3 mg/mL) shifted the isoprenaline-induced inhibitory CRCs to the left. Rh.n-Hex, Rh.ETAC and rutin showed anti-H. pylori effect, also shows an inhibitory effect against H+/K+-ATPase. Rumex hastatus showed gastroprotective and antioxidant effects. Histopathological evaluation showed improvement in cellular architecture and a decrease in the expression of inflammatory markers such as, cyclooxygenase (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor (TN,F-α) and phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B (p-NFƙB), validated through immunohistochemistry and ELISA techniques. In RT-PCR it decreases H+/K+-ATPase mRNA levels. Rumex hastatus was found to be safe to consume up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg in a comprehensive toxicity profile. Docking studies revealed that rutin against H+/K+-ATPase pump and voltage-gated L-type calcium channel showed E-values of −8.7 and −9.4 Kcal/mol, respectively. MD simulations Molecular Mechanics Poisson Boltzmann surface area and molecular mechanics Generalized Born surface area (MMPBSA/GBSA) findings are consistent with the in-vitro, in-vivo and docking results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hengduan Mountains region (HMR) on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, supports a high diversity of herbs, particularly in its subalpine to alpine ecosystems, due to high altitude and cool temperate climate. Current understanding on the formation of such herbaceous richness is based chiefly on molecular phylogenies; however, direct geological evidence is lacking because herbs are rarely preserved as macroscopic fossils. In this study, we present abundant fossil fruits and seeds of herbs from the late Pliocene Heqing Basin in the southern HMR. Our systematic analysis shows the presence of at least 18 species belonging to 11 genera, that is, Ranunculus, Corydalis, Rumex, Polygonum, Chenopodium, Stellaria, Fragaria, Astragalus, Aster, Carex, and Schoenoplectus, of which Polygonum is most abundant followed by Astragalus. This finding throws the first light from fossil evidence on the rise of herbaceous diversity in the region. We interpret the local assembly of these herbs as resulting from rapid pre‐Pliocene species diversifications of many herbaceous groups in the HMR. As nowadays most of these herbs grow primarily in meadows and a few occur as subaquatic plants, we suggest an open meadow hosting some scattered shrubs in the vicinity of a vegetated wetland in the Heqing Basin during the late Pliocene. This provides the first direct evidence of past treeless open vegetation within the HMR and thus improves our knowledge of vegetation evolution in the region. We suggest that the uplift‐induced climate cooling and monsoon‐associated precipitation seasonality are potentially the key driving forces for the opening of meadow vegetation in the HMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rumex is one of about 50 genera in the knotweed family, Polygonaceae. The genus comprises about 200 species with bisexual, or more commonly, unisexual flowers, with the species displaying monoecious, dioecious, synoecious (hermaphroditic) or polygamous reproductive systems. Some of the dioecious species have heteromorphic sex chromosomes, which is rare amongst angiosperms. We here present a plastid phylogeny of 67 species, representing all four subgenera. For this study, we used three chloroplast markers, rbcL, trnH-psbA, trnL-F and dense taxon sampling to reconstruct the most comprehensive molecular phylogeny of Rumex to date. The reconstructed phylogeny for this work resolves six major clades and one large grade in Rumex subg. Rumex. In addition, the species with known dioecious reproductive systems are resolved within a broader clade we term "the dioecious clade". These results suggest that the species with divergent reproductive systems are more closely related to each other than to other species comprising the rest of the Rumex genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant natural products or secondary metabolites have gained significant attention globally because of discoveries of semi-synthetic drugs novel bioactive compounds. Currently, a large part of global population relies on natural products to cure ailments and even chronic diseases and to enhance their immune system. Interestingly, the commonly used drugs for the treatment of some common human diseases like cancer, ulcer, tuberculosis, asthma, etc., have been reported to be of plant origin and recognized to elicit beneficial effects in virulent factors of diseases in vivo and in vitro. The herbal drugs are economical and considered as safe upto certain extent from major side effects. But, still there is need of rapid collection, characterization, taxonomy, certification, and storage for broad, efficient and effective use in drug design or discovery. In this review, we summarized the plants derived secondary metabolites used in treating common human diseases and emphasised the protein-ligand interactions between virulent factors of diseases namely Insulin, p53, Proteasome-associated ATPase, Enterotoxin, Choleragen, IgE with secondary metabolites Aloin, Sesamin, Alliin, Flavanon, Salannin Octyl-β-d-Glucopyranoside of plants respectively, through molecular docking. This study will play a valuable and effective role in drug designing and screening plant-derived metabolites for drug designing. [Display omitted] • Plant secondary metabolites interact with the virulent factors of some common human diseases • The protein-ligand interaction between plant metabolites and virulent factors play a vital role in drug designing • Herbal medicine are alternative and safe choice for the treatment human diseases [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we present pollen records together with a multiproxy analysis from a sediment core collected from the Güllük Bay (Bargilya Cove, Muğla, SW Turkey), covering the last 400 years. Pistachio shrubland was occupying around the Güllük Bay between 1613 and 1741 AD. However, after 1741 AD, the vegetation canopy suddenly changed and Turkish pine (Pinus brutia) was established. This supports that the main factor affecting the expansion of Pistacia lentiscus was precipitation rather than temperature after 1741 AD. This change is also indicated by high Sr-Ca values, reflecting arid conditions. Two anthropogenic phases developed in the region. The first phase is marked by Olea europeae between 1613 and 1789 AD. The second is characterized by Plantago, Caryophyllaceae, Cerelia, Rumex, and Sanguisorba minor type suggesting pastoralism and agricultural activities between 1789 and 1964 AD. Macrofaunal communities are also indicative of environmental changes. Abra ovata, Cerastoderma glaucum, Bittium reticulatum, and Skenea catenoides were first settlers between 1572 and 1643 AD. The prominent presence of lagoonal species Abra ovata and Hydrobia ventrosa indicates a lagoonal depositional environment in 1799-1948 AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The form and distribution of trace elements in tissues and fluids of the body have become key details in life sciences and medicine, and they may be used to discover disease biomarkers. In the current study, concentrations of twelve elements in Rumex nepalensis, Inula Discoidea, Tripleurospermum callosum, and Thymus migricus plants samples were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). All elements the range of correlation coefficient (R) obtained from 0.993 to 1. For R. nepalensis plant extract Zn (45.457 µg ml-1), Mn (41.357 µg ml-1), and Cu (13.628 µg ml-1); for I. Discoidea plant extract Zn (62.175 µg ml-1), Mn (53.288 µg ml-1), and Cr (16.904 µg ml-1); for T. callosum plant extract Mn (50. 594 µg ml-1), Cu (12.712 µg ml-1), and Cr (2.662 µg ml-1); for T. migricus plant extract Mn (53.893 µg ml-1), Zn (23.768 µg ml-1), and Cu (9.568 µg ml-1) were identified as the most intensive elements. These plants extracts could be a novel source of mineral constituents in various industries and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, airborne pollen grains of Trabzon were investigated using a volumetric trap VPSS 2000 (Lanzoni) from 01st January 2016 to 31st December 2016. During one-year study period, a total of 29150 polen m-3 belonging to 45 taxa were recorded. From identified taxa, 24 belong to arboreal (69.78%) and 21 taxa to non-arboreal (30.00%) and unidentified pollen grains (0.23%). In the investigated area, from arboreal plant taxa Alnus sp. (23.06%), Cupressaceae-Taxaceae (19.29%), Pinaceae (11.59%), Betula sp. (5.91%), Platanus sp. (3.38%), Quercus sp. (1.67%), Ulmus sp. (1.16%), Fraxinus sp. (1.05%) and from non-arboreal plant taxa Poaceae (13.56%), Urticaceae (7.10%), Boraginaceae (2.12%), Rumex sp. (1.92%), Mercurialis sp. (1.36%), and Artemisia sp. (1.25%) were responsible for the greatest amounts of pollen grains during the study period. The maximum pollen concentration of investigated area is recorded in February (38.39%), March (11.88%) and April (15.67%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Rumex alpinus is a native plant in the mountains of Europe whose distribution has partly been affected by its utilization as a vegetable and medicinal herb. The distribution of micro and risk elements in its organs is not well-known. The study examined the safety of consuming R. alpinus from the Krkonoše Mountains, the Czech Republic, and the Alps (Austria and Italy). Methods: We determined the total and plant-available content of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Al, As, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd in the soil and the total content in organs of R. alpinus. Results: The uptake and distribution of elements by plants were characterized by bioaccumulation (BF) and translocation (TF) factors. The level of elements accumulation by R. alpinus is considerably different, depending on local geological substrates and environmental conditions. Rumex alpinus has considerable tolerance to Zn, Cu, As, Cr, Ni, with an easy accumulation strategy. High Al and Cd content in belowground biomass (rhizome) indicate a defensive mechanism for them. Although the aboveground biomass (emerging, senescent, mature leaves, petiole) has some degree of accumulation of risk elements, the results showed that R. alpinus is an excluder. Conclusion: Rumex alpinus does not accumulate risk elements in organs (leaf and petiole) that are consumed based on the permissible limit according to World Health Organization (2001) and can therefore be used without concern. Caution must, therefore, be taken when consuming these plant parts in heavily contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative analysis of Rumex nepalensis var. remotiflorus revealed that its roots contain rich anthraquinones, which has emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion contents of up to 0.30, 0.67, and 0.98 mg/g, respectively. Further phytochemical study led to the isolation and purification of seven undescribed phenolic constituents, including one flavan derivative with a 13-membered ring, polygorumin A (1), two dianthrone glucosides, polygonumnolides F and G (2 , 3), two diphenylmethanones, rumepalens A and B (4 , 5), and a pair of epimeric oxanthrone C -glucosides, rumejaposides K and L (6a , 6b) from the roots of R. nepalensis var. remotiflorus. Furthermore, 1 undescribed natural product, 1- β -D-glucoside-6′-[(2 E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-propenoate]-3-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl (19), and 21 known phenolic compounds were obtained from the aforementioned plant for the first time. Their structures were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic data analysis. Notably, compounds 1 , 4 – 5 , and 7 – 9 exhibited inhibitory activity on α -glucosidase with IC 50 values ranging from 1.61 ± 0.17 to 32.41 ± 0.87 μM. In addition, the isolated dianthrone, chrysophanol bianthrone (14), showed obvious cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines (HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, and MDA-MB-231) with IC 50 values ranging from 3.81 ± 0.17 to 35.15 ± 2.24 μM. In silico target prediction and molecular docking studies demonstrated that the mechanism of the anticancer activity of 14 may be related to the interaction with protein kinase CK2. [Display omitted] • The chemical constituents of R. nepalensis var. remotiflorus were studied firstly. • Emodin, chrysophanol and physcion are major anthraquinones in the roots. • Seven undescribed phenols and one undescribed natural product were obtained. • Some isolates showed obvious inhibition on α -glucosidase and HL-60 cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water eutrophication caused by nitrogen pollution is an urgent global issue that requires attention. The Qingyi River is a typical micro-polluted river in China. In this study, we took this river as the research object to investigate the nitrogen pollution purification capacity of a herbaceous plant, Rumex japonicus Houtt. (RJH). Compared to nitrate nitrogen (NO 3 −-N) and nitrite nitrogen (NO 2 −-N), RJH showed better purification performance on total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and ammonia nitrogen (NH 4 +-N), with a highest removal rate of 37.22%, 52.13%, and 100%, respectively. RJH could completely remove ammonia nitrogen and exhibit excellent resistance to pollutant interference when the initial concentration of ammonia nitrogen in the cultivation devices increased from 1 mg/L to 10 mg/L or in the actual river. This indicated the great application potential of RJH in ammonia nitrogen removal from natural micro-polluted rivers. In addition, combined effects of nitrification of roots, absorption of self-growth, stripping, and others contributed to nitrogen removal by RJH. Particularly, the nitrification of roots played a dominant role, accounting for 73.85% ± 8.79%. High-throughput sequencing results indicate that nitrifying bacteria accounted for over 75% of all bacterial species in RJH. Furthermore, RJH showed good growth status and strong adaptability. The correlation coefficients of its relative growth rate with chlorophyll A and the degradation rate of absorption were 0.9677 and 0.9594, respectively. Our research demonstrates that RJH is one of the excellent varieties for ammonia removal. This provides a very promising and sustainable method for purifying micro-polluted rivers. [Display omitted] • A Rumex japonicus Houtt.(RJH)-based phytoremediation technology was proposed. • Nitrification, absorption, stripping and other effects influenced ammonia removal. • Nitrification of roots accounted for 73.85% ± 8.79% of the total degradation rate. • The good growth status and strong purification ability of RJH were verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haldane's rule (HR, impairment of fertility and/or viability of interracial hybrids) seems to be one of few generalizations in evolutionary biology. The validity of HR has been confirmed in animals, and more recently in some dioecious plants (Silene and Rumex). Dioecious Rumex hastatulus has two races differing in the sex chromosome system: Texas (T) and North Carolina (NC), and T × NC males showed both reduced pollen fertility and rarity—two classical symptoms of Haldane's rule (HR). The reduced fertility of these plants has a simple mechanistic explanation, but the reason for their rarity was not elucidated. Here, we measured selected physiological parameters related to the antioxidant defense system in parental races and reciprocal hybrids of R. hastatulus. We showed that the X-autosome configurations, as well as asymmetries associated with Y chromosomes and cytoplasm, could modulate this system in hybrids. The levels and quantitative patterns of the measured parameters distinguish the T × NC hybrid from the other analyzed forms. Our observations suggest that the rarity of T × NC males is caused postzygotically and most likely related to the higher level of oxidative stress induced by the chromosomal incompatibilities. It is the first report on the physiological aspects of HR in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of extracts of Hypericum alpestre and Rumex obtusifolius L herbals on the amount of free proline and the activity of proline biosynthesis enzymes in various organs of the rat was studied. It was shown that the activity of proline biosynthesis enzymes under the influence of R. obtusifolius L. extracts decreased in the liver by 74.7%, in the brain by 51.7%, and no changes in enzyme activity were observed in the kidneys. Compared with the control group, proline biosynthesis in the liver of rats under the action of extracts of H. alpestre was completely inhibited, in the brain – by 29%. Inhibition of the activity of proline biosynthesis enzymes is explained by the presence of severalbiologically active compounds with anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and anti-aging properties in the extracts of herbals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rumex nervosus is a plant found and used in Saudi Arabia as traditional herbal medicine. Various types of plant extracts with inherent synergistic properties are being used against oral diseases. Thus, in the present study, the anti-microbial activity of Rumex nervosus extracts was studied against six common oral pathogenic bacterial strains and a pathogenic fungus. Materials and Method: Plants of R. nervosus were collected and air-dried, and extracts from various plant parts were obtained. Six clinical isolates of bacteria, namely Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, S. salivarius, S. sanguis, E. faecalis, and Lactobacillus acidophilus), and one pathogenic Candida (C. albicans) were obtained. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of R. nervosus was determined using the Kirby-Bauer agar disc diffusion method. Zones of inhibition were recorded after 48 h of incubation. Data collected were analyzed. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Methanol extract from leaves were highly effective against S. aureus, with a mean inhibition zone of 33 mm, followed by a 28-mm zone of inhibition using an extract from roots and a minimum inhibition zone using an extract from stems. Zones of inhibition using methanol extract from roots were effective against S. mutans, S. sanguinis, E. faecalis, and L. acidophilus, with mean inhibition zones being 19, 17, 33, and 31 mm, respectively. Conclusion: The study has provided insight into a new potential herbal anti-microbial agent that may benefit dental care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural hybrid zones provide opportunities for studies of the evolution of reproductive isolation in wild populations. Although recent investigations have found that the formation of neo‐sex chromosomes is associated with reproductive isolation, the mechanisms remain unclear in most cases. Here, we assess the contemporary structure of gene flow in the contact zone between largely allopatric cytotypes of the dioecious plant Rumex hastatulus, a species with evidence of sex chromosome turn‐over. Males to the west of the Mississippi river, USA, have an X and a single Y chromosome, whereas populations to the east of the river have undergone a chromosomal rearrangement giving rise to a larger X and two Y chromosomes. Using reduced‐representation sequencing, we provide evidence that hybrids form readily and survive multiple backcross generations in the field, demonstrating the potential for ongoing gene flow between the cytotypes. Cline analysis of each chromosome separately captured no signals of difference in cline shape between chromosomes. However, principal component regression revealed a significant increase in the contribution of individual SNPs to inter‐cytotype differentiation on the neo‐X chromosome, but no correlation with recombination rate. Cline analysis revealed that the only SNPs with significantly steeper clines than the genome average were located on the neo‐X. Our data are consistent with a role for neo‐sex chromosomes in reproductive isolation between R. hastatulus cytotypes. Our investigation highlights the importance of studying plant hybrid zones for understanding the evolution of sex chromosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contamination of water resources by effluents from various industries often contains heavy metals, which cause irreversible damage to the environment and health. The objective was to evaluate different biosorbents from the weed Rumex acetosella to remove metal cations in wastewater. Drying, grinding and sieving of the stems was carried out to obtain the biomass, retaining the fractions of 250 to 500 µm and 500 to 750 µm, which served to obtain the biosorbents in natura (unmodified), acidic, alkaline, and mixed. Proximal analysis, PZC, TOC, removal capacity, influence of pH, functional groups, thermal analysis, structural characteristics, adsorption isotherms, and kinetic study were evaluated. The 250 µm mixed treatment was the one that presented the highest removal percentages, mainly due to the OH, NH, -C-H, COOH, and C-O functional groups achieving the removal of up to 96.14% of lead, 36.30% of zinc, 34.10% of cadmium and 32.50% of arsenic. For contact times of 120 min and an optimum pH of 5.0, a loss of cellulose mass of 59% at 328 °C and a change in the surface of the material were also observed, which allowed for obtaining a topography with greater chelating capacity, and the Langmuir and pseudo-second order models were better fitted to the adsorption data. The new biosorbents could be used in wastewater treatment economically and efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rumex vesicarius (L.) is a folklore medicinal herb that has been used for centuries to cure cardiovascular diseases. The present work was carefully designed to ascertain the pharmacological basis for R. vesicarius's therapeutic efficacy in cardiovascular diseases, as well as the underlying mechanism. In the ex vivo investigation, the aqueous-methanolic leaf extract of R. vesicarius was shown to have endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant effects in rabbit aorta tissue preparations, and its hypotensive responses were quantified by pressure and force transducers coupled to the Power Lab Data Acquisition System. Furthermore, when rabbits were subjected to adrenaline-induced myocardial infarction, R. vesicarius demonstrated cardioprotective characteristics. In contrast to the intoxicated group, the myocardial infarction model showed lower ALP, CK-MB, CRP, LDH, ALT, troponin, and AST levels (p > 0.005–0.000), as well as edema, necrosis, apoptosis, inflammatory cell enrolment, and necrosis. R. vesicarius exhibited significant antioxidant activity and delayed noradrenaline-induced platelet aggregation. Its cardioprotective, anticoagulant, and vasorelaxant properties in both investigations (in vivo and ex vivo) are mediated through partial endothelium-dependent, NO and calcium channel blockade mediated vasorelaxation. The minimizing of adrenaline, oxidative stress, and tissue damage demonstrate its therapeutic efficacy in cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to assess the biological potency and chemical composition of Rumex vesicarius aboveground parts using GC–MS. In this approach, 44 components were investigated, comprising 99.99% of the total volatile compounds. The major components were classified as fatty acids and lipids (51.36%), oxygenated hydrocarbons (33.59%), amines (7.35%), carbohydrates (6.06%), steroids (1.21%), and alkaloids (0.42%). The major components were interpreted as 1,3-dihydroxypropan-2-yl oleate (oxygenated hydrocarbons, 18.96%), ethyl 2-hydroxycyclohexane-1-carboxylate (ester of fatty acid, 17.56%), and 2-propyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-ol (oxygenated hydrocarbons, 11.18%). The DPPH antioxidant activity of the extracted components of R. vesicarius verified that the shoot extract was the most potent with IC50 = 28.89 mg/L, with the percentages of radical scavenging activity at 74.28% ± 3.51%. The extracted plant, on the other hand, showed substantial antibacterial activity against the diverse bacterial species, namely, Salmonella typhi (23.46 ± 1.69), Bacillus cereus (22.91 ± 0.96), E. coli (21.07 ± 0.80), and Staphylococcus aureus (17.83 ± 0.67). In addition, the extracted plant was in vitro assessed as a considerable anticancer agent on HepG2 cells, in which MTT, cell proliferation cycle, and DNA fragmentation assessments were applied on culture and treated cells. The larvicidal efficacy of the extracted plant was also evaluated against Aedes aegypti, the dengue disease vector. As a result, we may infer that R. vesicarius extract increased cytocompatibility and cell migratory capabilities, and that it may be effective in mosquito control without causing harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing evidence from diverse taxa for sex differences in the genomic landscape of recombination, but the causes and consequences of these differences remain poorly understood. Strong recombination landscape dimorphism between the sexes could have important implications for the dynamics of sex chromosome evolution because low recombination in the heterogametic sex can favour the spread of sexually antagonistic alleles. Here, we present a sex-specific linkage map and revised genome assembly of Rumex hastatulus and provide the first evidence and characterization of sex differences in recombination landscape in a dioecious plant. We present data on significant sex differences in recombination, with regions of very low recombination in males covering over half of the genome. This pattern is evident on both sex chromosomes and autosomes, suggesting that pre-existing differences in recombination may have contributed to sex chromosome formation and divergence. Our analysis of segregation distortion suggests that haploid selection due to pollen competition occurs disproportionately in regions with low male recombination. We hypothesize that sex differences in the recombination landscape have contributed to the formation of a large heteromorphic pair of sex chromosomes in R. hastatulus, but more comparative analyses of recombination will be important to investigate this hypothesis further. This article is part of the theme issue 'Sex determination and sex chromosome evolution in land plants'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural hybridization between the native species Rumex madaio endemic to Japan and the congeneric invasive species R. obtusifolius, which frequently co‐occurs with R. madaio, was examined by molecular identification. At low frequencies, interspecific hybrids between the two species were confirmed using restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA. Whereas these two species can hybridize because their flowering periods overlapped to some extent, the extremely low fertility of R. madaio caused by unknown genetic factors seemed to prevent extensive hybridization between these species. Population genetic analyses based on single nucleotide polymorphisms showed that there was a distinct population genetic structure in R. madaio, suggesting that local populations should be treated separately for genetic conservation of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Phytochemical and biological investigations of the valuable plant, Rumex cyprius, family Polygonaceae, wildly grown in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were prepared from the different organs of R. cyprius. The extracts were analyzed by electrospray ionization source coupled to a mass spectrometer (ESI-MS) and tandem mass spectrometer (ESI-MS/MS) at different collision energies. The plant organs (leaf, fruit and stem) were standardized on the bases of quercetin by HPLC, and determined for their hepatoprotection in tetrachloride-induced acute liver toxicity using a mouse model. Results: Twenty-five phenolic compounds distributed between the leaf, fruit and stem of R. cyprius were identified. They were related to classes of anthraquinones, phenolic acids, flavonoid aglycones, glycosides and polyphenols. Twenty-two compounds in total were found and identified, and for the hepatoprotective effects, the leaf exhibited the best activity. Conclusion: R. cyprius is a source of potentially active phytoconstituents and a good natural hepatoprotective drug. This study is being documented for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Searches for larvae of Forester Ascita statices (Linnaeus, 1758) were carried out in the spring, late summer and early autumn of 2021 at a colliery spoil site in Glamorgan, South Wales. Spring larval searches were unproductive, with no larvae being recorded. Egg batches, leaf mines and early to mid instar larvae were, however, relatively easy to find in August and September. Young larvae appear surprisingly mobile, being able to disperse to new plants once their natal plants are exhausted. Small plants of Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa L. are preferred at this site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important staple foods consumed in many countries of the world. It is mostly consumed in developing countries where different chemical fertilizers are used to improve the productivity of the crop plant. In the present study, endophytic actinomycetes isolated from Rumex dentatus were identified morphologically and by scanning electron microscopy. Butyl isobutyl phthalate (BIBP) was isolated from the root endophyte Streptomyces sp. JR9 using column chromatography and HPLC methods. The compound was tested for its effect on rice seed germination. BIBP, extracts, and isolates were evaluated for their plant growth effect on rice in a growth chamber. Isolates were also screened in vitro for phosphate solubilization activity and enzyme production. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and BIBP produced in extracts were quantified and detected using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS) methods, respectively. BIBP was found to increase the germination of rice seeds by 6 to 12% in treated samples and displayed potent effect at lowest concentration (0.437 µM). Both the compound and the extract depicted significant increases in almost all growth parameters at lowest concentration of 0.125 µg/mL and 62.5 µg/mL, respectively. BIBP also increased significantly shoot length, fresh root, fresh shoot, and dried shoot weight at high concentrations and was more potent than the standard phytohormone IAA. HPLC quantification showed 7.952 µg/mg and 0.371 µg/mg of IAA in extracts of Streptomyces sp. JR9 and the stem endophyte Streptomyces sp. KS3, respectively. IAA containing extract of JR9 increased significantly most growth parameters at lowest concentration (125 µg/mL). The extract of KS3 depicted significant increases in almost all growth parameters at high concentration (500 µg/mL). Our investigation showed that streptomycetes isolated from R. dentatus and BIBP are potent growth promoting agents and can be used in agriculture as bio-fertilizer to improve the growth and productivity of rice. Key points: • Butyl isobutyl phthalate (BIBP) isolated from endophytic Streptomyces sp. JR9 is a potent rice seed germination activator and promotes significantly the growth of rice • Isolated endophytes showed the ability to produce enzymes and phytohormone IAA • Isolates enhanced significantly the growth of rice [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interspecific hybridization has been suggested to occur frequently in Rumex (Polygonaceae). Several hypothesized combinations of parental species of hybrids based on their intermediate morphology have been suggested in the genus, but few of them have been phylogenetically tested. We analyzed nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequence data of a putative natural hybrid between Rumex crispus and Rumex obtusifolius from Korea to confirm its hybrid status and to determine the maternal parent. Analysis of the nuclear DNA pgiC region revealed that R. crispus and R. obtusifolius have contributed to the nuclear genome of the putative hybrids. The haplotype distribution pattern inferred from the combined sequence data set of five chloroplast DNA regions (matK, rbcL-accD IGS, trnK-rps16 IGS, ycf6-psbM IGS and psbA-trnH IGS) indicated bidirectional hybridization events between R. crispus and R. obtusifolius. This paper provides the first molecular evidence for interspecific hybridization between R. crispus and R. obtusifolius. In addition, our findings strongly suggested that Korean populations of Rumex japonicus have a hybrid origin, and R. crispus may represent one of the parental taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies suggest that changes in leaf traits due to interactions between plants affect resource utilisation by herbivores, as well as herbivore distribution. However, this has not yet been confirmed experimentally. Here, we investigated the effects of phenotypic plasticity in leaf traits of Rumex obtusifolius (host plant) in response to intraspecific and interspecific interactions on the distribution of two leaf beetles, Gastrophysa atrocyanea (specialist herbivore) and Galerucella grisescens (generalist herbivore).We investigated the local population density of R. obtusifolius plants and the presence of leaf beetles on the plants at five study sites. Leaf chemicals (condensed tannins and total phenolics) were compared between aggregated and solitary R. obtusifolius plants. To clarify the effects of the interaction environment of R. obtusifolius plants on their leaf traits and on resource utilisation by the leaf beetles, we compared leaf chemicals and preferences of adult leaf beetles among treatments where R. obtusifolius experienced intraspecific interaction, interspecific interaction or no interaction in cultivation experiments. Finally, we evaluated the independent and combined effects of patch size and intraspecific interaction on leaf beetle distribution in mesocosm experiments.In the field, the presence of the specialist leaf beetle G. atrocyanea was positively correlated with the local population density (rosette overlap ratio) of R. obtusifolius plants; however, there was no correlation in the case of the generalist leaf beetle G. grisescens. In the cultivation experiments, plants in the intraspecific interaction treatment increased their leaf concentrations of condensed tannins and total phenolics, and G. atrocyanea consumed more of these leaves than leaves in other treatments. Similar results were observed in the field. In the mesocosm experiments, larger numbers of G. atrocyanea were distributed on R. obtusifolius plants exposed to below‐ground intraspecific interaction than on plants not exposed to intraspecific interaction.Our results provide experimental evidence that leaf‐trait changes in response to intraspecific interaction between host plants influence specialist herbivore distribution. This highlights the need to integrate plant–plant interactions into our understanding of plant–animal interactions. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Docks are a widespread problem in intensively managed grassland, requiring repeated pesticide applications for control purposes. New European Union pesticide regulations aim to restrict pesticide use. This necessitates improved efficiency of pesticide use including the most effective time to apply them during the target weed's lifecycle. The experimental site (52°21 N, 7°18 W) was reseeded with perennial ryegrass in October 2009. A plot (5 m × 10 m) experiment was laid down in a randomized complete block design with nine treatments and eight replicates. Four herbicides licensed for use in new leys (NLH) were each applied in April 2010. Four herbicides licensed for use in established grassland (EGH) were each applied 2 years later in April 2012. The ninth treatment was an untreated control. Dock numbers were measured over 5 years (2010–2014) and herbage production over 3 years (2012–2014). Across all treatments, dock numbers were relatively low until the fourth year during which there was more than a three‐fold increase due to clonal propagation. NLH gave more (p <.001) effective and enduring control than EGH. EGH varied in their effectiveness with (p <.001) recovery of individually marked docks that were 'apparently dead' following EGH application. In 2014 dock herbage dry‐matter (DM) production (t ha−1) was 3.41 in the control compared with 0.55 for NLH and 1.38 for EGH. Across all treatments in 2014 grass DM production declined with increasing dock herbage DM production (t ha−1): grass = 11.17 – 1.047 × dock (R2 =.73; p <.001). More eco‐efficient control of docks was achieved by herbicide application to new leys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus and its biofilm formation have been challenging to control in milk and dairy industries. Biofilms formed by Staph. aureus may result in the failure of antibacterial agents and disinfectants to penetrate the biofilm in an attempt to control contamination. Novel natural antibacterial agents are required to combat MDR bacteria and biofilms. In this study, we evaluated the bactericidal, antibiofilm, and antimotility effects of Rumex japonicus Houtt. (RJH) extract on MDR Staph. aureus isolated from milk. The RJH extract exhibited good antibacterial activity against MDR strains with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 0.78 to 6.25 mg/mL and minimum bactericidal concentrations ranging from 3.125 to 12.5 mg/mL. The extract showed strong inhibition of biofilm formation (81.9%) at sub-MIC value and eradication of biofilm at higher concentrations. The motility of Staph. aureus was effectively blocked by the extract. Major compounds emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion were identified in RJH extract using HPLC-linear trap quadrupole (LTQ)/Orbitrap-mass spectrometry. The extract was nontoxic to human epithelial cell lines such as Caco-2 and HT-29 cell lines at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 mg/mL, and from 0.1 to 0.75 mg/mL, respectively. These findings suggest that RJH extract could be an alternative to synthetic preservatives in milk and dairy products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Polygonaceae weed, Rumex dentatus L. grows in association with wheat, mustard and potato, while Polygonum glabrum Willd. grows in association with rice in India. Both larvae and adults of Galerucella placida Baly (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) voraciously consume these weeds. Applications of synthetic herbicides to control weeds are harmful to the environment including beneficial organisms. We propose to find volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from both weeds causing attraction of the biocontrol agent, G. placida, in order to attempt to use the insect as a biological weed control. Behavioral responses of G. placida towards volatile blends characteristic of undamaged (UD), insect-damaged (ID), jasmonic acid-treated (JA) or mechanically-damaged (MD) plants were conducted by Y-tube olfactometer bioassays. Cuminaldehyde was predominant in VOCs of UD R. dentatus, ID P. glabrum, and both JA and MD R. dentatus and P. glabrum. Geraniol was predominant in VOCs of UD P. glabrum, while 1,3-diethylbenzene predominated in VOCs of ID R. dentatus. Females were more attracted towards volatile blends of ID plants compared to UD or JA plants. Females did not show attraction towards volatile blends of JA plants. We identified two bioactive synthetics blends, one comprised of seven compounds – 16.65 µg 1,3-diethylbenzene, 10.72 µg acetophenone, 6.52 µg 2,6-(E,Z)-nonadienal, 2.46 µg 1-nonanol, 4.19 µg decanal, 9.86 µg 4-ethylacetophenone and 3.34 µg 1-hexadecene dissolved in 25 µl CH2Cl2 and the other containing five compounds – 2.50 µg 2-octanol, 6.84 µg limonene, 0.64 µg dodecane, 6.63 µg 4-ethylacetophenone and 0.24 µg geranyl acetone dissolved in 25 µl CH2Cl2. These two blends of volatile compounds could be used to attract the biocontrol agent during early vegetative period of these two weeds, which could lead to eradication of weeds from crop fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Flavonoids exhibited lowest energy and hydrogen bonding interactions with proteins of various bacterial strains. • Flavonoids have potent ability to inhibit 5-LOX. • Steroids and terpenoids are also biologically active with moderate activity due to hydrophobic interactions. Natural Products are bases for modern pharmaceuticals as they are precursors for many synthetic drugs. People also use natural products directly in the form of herbal medicines due to their less harmful effects. This research project aimed to investigate the new pharmacological potential of natural products found in Hypericum oblongifolium. Five compounds were identified from chloroform and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of H. oblongifolium. These compounds were identified as 21- β -hydroxyursolic acid (1), β -sitosterol (2), 7,4′-dihydroxy-5,3′-dimethoxyisoflavone (3), α -D-glucopyranosyl-6′- O -hexadecanoate (4), Quercetin-3′- O - ß -D-glucopyranoside (5). When these compounds were tested for antibacterial potential compound 5 showed maximum inhibition against gram-positive Bacillus subtilis and was highly active against Escherichia coli gram-negative bacterium. Minimum inhibition was shown by compounds 2 and 3 against Shigella flexneri among gram-negative bacteria. Compound 5 also exhibited the least binding energy in the molecular modeling of these compounds against Escherichia coli proteins GlcN-6-P synthase (PDB ID: 1MOQ). Compound 5 also showed good inhibition of lipoxygenase (5-LOX) enzyme with an IC 50 value of 30.1 ± 0.20 as it exhibited maximum hydrogen bondings and minimum energy when docked with LOX-5 (PDB ID 3V99) using a patch dock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme weather and globalisation leave our climate vulnerable to invasion by alien species, which have negative impacts on the economy, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Rapid and accurate identification is key to the control of invasive alien species. However, visually similar species hinder conservation efforts, for example hybrids within the Japanese Knotweed complex. We applied the novel method of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics (mathematics applied to chemical data) to historic herbarium samples, taking 1580 spectra in total. Samples included five species from within the interbreeding Japanese Knotweed complex (including three varieties of Japanese Knotweed), six hybrids and five species from the wider Polygonaceae family. Spectral data from herbarium specimens were analysed with several chemometric techniques: support vector machines (SVM) for differentiation between plant types, supported by ploidy levels; principal component analysis loadings and spectral biomarkers to explore differences between the highly invasive Reynoutria japonica var. japonica and its non-invasive counterpart Reynoutria japonica var. compacta; hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) to investigate the relationship between plants within the Polygonaceae family, of the Fallopia, Reynoutria, Rumex and Fagopyrum genera. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy coupled with SVM successfully differentiated between plant type, leaf surface and geographical location, even in herbarium samples of varying age. Differences between Reynoutria japonica var. japonica and Reynoutria japonica var. compacta included the presence of two polysaccharides, glucomannan and xyloglucan, at higher concentrations in Reynoutria japonica var. japonica than Reynoutria japonica var. compacta. HCA analysis indicated that potential genetic linkages are sometimes masked by environmental factors; an effect that can either be reduced or encouraged by altering the input parameters. Entering the absorbance values for key wavenumbers, previously highlighted by principal component analysis loadings, favours linkages in the resultant HCA dendrogram corresponding to expected genetic relationships, whilst environmental associations are encouraged using the spectral fingerprint region. The ability to distinguish between closely related interbreeding species and hybrids, based on their spectral signature, raises the possibility of using this approach for determining the origin of Japanese knotweed infestations in legal cases where the clonal nature of plants currently makes this difficult and for the targeted control of species and hybrids. These techniques also provide a new method for supporting biogeographical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the palynomorphological features of pollen grains of Rumex scutatus (Polygonaceae) have been studied. Samples of flowers and pollen grains were found and collected during field expeditions by various plant individuals in the "Shebenik" National Park in Albania. Two methods have been used for the preparation of pollen slides: acetolysis according to Erdtman and basic fuchsine method according to Smoljaninova and Gollubkova. The Kisser method was used to fix the slides. The results obtained regarding the palynomorphological features and the size of pollen grains for Rumex scutatus have been studied for the first time in the albanian literature and they are compared with those of the other two species, Rumex pulcher and Rumex acetosella, previously studied by other authors. The study showed that the pollen grains of Rumex scutatus are monads with radial and isopolar symmetry. Their dimensions at the polar and equatorial axis and the dimensions of their colpi and pores are larger than those of Rumex acetosella but smaller than those of Rumex pulcher. The exine layer had a thickness of about 1.45 µm and was presented perforate, unlike that of Rumex acetosella (reticulate) and Rumex pulcher (microreticulate). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A plant diversity study was conducted in the district of Cajatambo with emphasis on the agricultural and shrubland ecosystems. The records were made during 2015 and 2016 using 44 transects of 30 meters, in 9 plant formations. The alpha diversity in agricultural areas such as Parientana, Urpaycocha and Tizapampa grass were highly variable over time, but with low plant diversity, while the scrublands near the quarry and mine and the grasslands of Tocanca and road to Viconga were less variable and with higher diversity. The results suggest that an important factor for this behavior is the degree of human intervention. Beta diversity showed two large groups separated by altitude: one with agricultural zones and scrublands and the other with high Andean ecosystems. Both the agricultural zones and the scrublands showed that only in the dry periods of each year were some transects again quite similar (more than 80%), although others were less similar (62%). The presence and persistence of species during both dry seasons such as Trifolium repens, Rumex obtusifolius, Plantago lanceolata, Medicago sativa, Medicago polymorpha and Taraxacum officinale in the agricultural areas, as well as Minthostachys mollis, Ophryosporus peruvianus, Austrocylindropuntia subulata, Ribes viscosum, Acaena torilicarpa, Mutisia acuminata and Muehlenbeckia volcanica in the scrublands, is of great importance not only in the dynamics, but also in the management of the system because it includes species that are used by the inhabitants of Cajatambo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the bioaccumulation of the metals in Rumex acetosella L. collected from the tailings of abandoned mine in Žitkovac (near Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo and Metohija), and to establish the possibility of using those plants for medicinal purposes. Concentrations of heavy metals (Mn, Fe, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Cd, Zn, Ca and Mg) in soil, roots and aboveground parts of R. acetosella were determined by wet mineralization with nitric and perchloric acid. The results of the research indicate that R. acetosella accumulates large amounts of Ni, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, and Mn. The total phenol content, the total amount of flavonoids and the antioxidant activity of three different extracts of the root and aboveground parts of R. acetosella were determined by spectrophotometric methods. The acetone extracts contain the highest concentration of phenols and flavonoids. Ethyl acetate has proven to be a solvent that releases the least amount of phenols and flavonoids. The methanol extract of aboveground parts has the highest, while acetone root extract has the lowest antioxidant activity. Rumex acetosella can be used for medicinal purposes, but only collected from uncontaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antioxidant enzymes are one of the most important links in the plant defense system to various types of environmental stress, so their response to a particular type of stress may indicate the sensitivity or tolerance of the plant species. Our paper studied the difference in antioxidative enzyme [catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6), superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and Class III peroxidases (POD, EC 1.11.1.7)], isoenzyme pattern and activities between Rumex obtusifolius L. (Polygonaceae) plants grown on ash amended and uncontaminated soil. Modified SDS-PAGE electrophoresis revealed the presence of a new POD isoform in leaf samples growing on ash-amended soil, although the activity of POD in the leaves did not change significantly compared to control plants. On the other hand, in the roots of ash-growing plants POD activity decreased by 90%. Single CAT isoform was detected in both leaf samples, and results indicate 47% higher CAT activity in leaves of ash growing plants. Native electrophoresis detected two SOD isoforms in leaves and roots from the control plant. SOD isoforms were inhibited in the roots of plants grown on ash. The paper indicates the possible role of CAT, SOD and POD in the adaptive response of R. obtusifolius plants on ash amended soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was focused on synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Russelia equisitiformis plant (RelAgNps) and flower extracts (RefAgNps). Thus, the nanoparticles synthesis was confirmed using UV spectrometry and the FT-IR results showed the presence of similar compounds in the plant extract and FESEM-EDAX reveals the size, shape, and elemental composition of synthesized nanoparticles. The antioxidant activity of the RefAgNps from flower extract and RelAgNps from leaf extract was observed at the concentration of 25 μg/mL but the percentage of antioxidant activity of flower extract was comparatively higher than the leaf extract. This plant is also known to have antidiabetic activity and thus leaf extract and flower extract mediated nanoparticles is also known to have alpha amylase inhibition activity at the concentration of 12.5 and 100 μg/mL, respectively. Molecular docking of the plant compounds10-O-cinnamoyl sinuatol and rehmaglutin B were docked with alpha amylase enzyme proves the same with the binding energy of −9.1 kcal/mol. Thus, to the best of our knowledge this is the first-time nanoparticles have been synthesized using R. equisitiformis flower and leaf extract and observed to have potent antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rumex hastatus is known for its nutritional and pharmacological properties. The pre- sent research explored ultrasound- assisted extraction (UAE) for antioxidants from it. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used with the Box– Behnken design. Hydro-ethanolic solvent ratio, amplitude, and temperature were the independent factors while % extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant potential, and metal chelating activity (MCA) were the responses. The highest extraction yield was 11.58% that was obtained at 20% hydro-EtOH, 50°C temperature, and 50 m amplitude. The optimum conditions for the highest TPC were 80% hydro-EtOH, 60°C temperature, and 75 m amplitude, for the highest TFC were 80% hydro-EtOH, 50 °C temperature, and 50 m amplitude. For MCA, the optimum conditions were 20% hydro-EtOH solvent, 50°C temperature, and 100 m amplitude, respectively. UAE proved to be an efficient green technique for the extraction of bioactive and antioxidant substances from R. hastatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pseudometallophyte Rumex acetosella L. occupies habitats with normal and high soil concentrations of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu). It remains unclear if the plants respond to the toxic metals by altering their morphology and increasing the resilience of their cells. We compared plants growing on soils contaminated with Zn/Pb (populations Terézia, Lintich), or Cu (populations Špania Dolina, Staré Hory), with those from non-contaminated soil (Dúbravka) in Slovakia, and analysed leaf structure, physiology, and metal contents by light and electron microscopy, element localization by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) in scanning electron microscope, and by specific fluorescence dyes. In control population, the epidermis of the amphistomatic leaves of R. acetosella contained capitate glandular trichomes, consisting of four head (secretory), two stalk, and two basal cells. The ultrastructure of secretory cells revealed fine wall ingrowths bordered by plasma membrane protruding into the cytoplasm. The metallicolous populations had higher contents of Zn and Cu in the epidermal and glandular cells, and a higher density of both stomata and trichomes. Extensive cell wall labyrinth was present in the trichome secretory cells. Their abnormal number and elevated metal contents might indicate effects of heavy metals, especially of Cu, on mitosis and cell plate formation. Differences in leaf physiology were indicated by significantly higher cytoplasmic tolerance to Zn and Cu in metallicolous populations and by structural properties of glandular heads suggesting secretion of toxic metals. Our findings are suggestive of plant reactions to metal stress, which facilitate the populations to occupy the metal-contaminated sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chloroplast PSII photochemical efficiency is upregulated more rapidly than CO2 assimilation during photosynthesis induction, suggesting the existence of other electron sinks than that of CO2 assimilation. We hypothesized that the mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX) pathway could be such a sink. Inhibition of the AOX restricted light activation of the malate-oxaloacetate shuttle and caused an excessive reduction of PSI acceptor side and substantial accumulation of QA-, hindering the photosynthetic linear electron transport rate (ETR) and leading to an imbalance between light energy absorption and exploitation during photosynthetic induction. ETR limitation also restricted the formation of thylakoid pH gradient, evidenced by a decreased de-epoxidation of the xanthophyll cycle, thus preventing nonphotochemical quenching. Delayed CO2 assimilation due to thylakoid pH gradient restriction was partially reversed by exogenous ATP application. The AOX pathway acts as a photosynthetic electron sink, protecting the photosynthetic apparatus against photoinhibition and accelerating the induction of CO2 assimilation during photosynthetic induction in Rumex K-1 leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the progress of the spread of invasive species of insects in new geographical areas are usually intensively monitored, the decline of these species often escape attention and is poorly documented. In this study, we record the decline in abundance of Gastrophysa viridula (DeGeer), an invasive oligophagous consumer of dock (Rumex spp.). This species originally inhabited Alpine regions. In the late 1800s, G. viridula was recorded in montane areas in the Czech Republic and then throughout this country. Gastrophysa viridula was very abundant in 1995-1999, when we found it in all of the 177 stands of R. obtusifolius inspected in western Czech Republic. In a repeated study of its occurrence in the same area from 2019-2020, this species was present in < 30% of 434 of the stands inspected and was only abundant (≥ 55% of plants in the stand infested by G. viridula) in < 4% of these stands. Thus the local occurrence and abundance of G. viridula had decreased significantly. Of the possible reasons for this decline the most probable are the effect of climate warming on host plant seasonality, changes in agricultural use of grasslands and fragmentation of large stands of dock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rumex crispus L. (R. crispus) is regarded as an aromatic plant. It was used for its excellent biological properties in traditional medicine. The aerial part was extracted successively by maceration with three solvents increasing polarity (cyclohexane (CYH), dichloromethane (DCM), and methanol (MeOH)) to evaluate their chemical compositions and biological activities. The extracts were rich in phenolic compounds (13.0 to 249.8 mg GAE/g of dry weight (dw)). The MeOH extract has presented remarkable IC50 = 6.2 μg/mL for anti-DPPH and 31.6 μg/mL for anti-AChE. However, the DCM extract has the highest cytotoxic activity against the two cancer cells (HCT-116 and MCF-7) (69.2 and 77.2% inhibition at 50 μg/mL, respectively). Interestingly, GC-MS analysis enabled to identify three new compounds in R. crispus extracts, such as L-(−)-arabitol (5), D-(−) fructopyranose (7) detected only in MeOH extract, and 2, 5-dihydroxyacetophenone (3) detected in all extracts. For HPLC chromatograms, cardamonin (8), 5-hydroxy-3′-methoxyflavone (17), and 3′-hydroxy-b-naphthoflavone (18) showed the highest concentrations of 74.0, 55.5, and 50.4 mg/g of dw, respectively, among others who are identified. Some phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by HPLC in more than one organic extract, such as 4′, 5-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone (13), 4′, 5-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone (14), 5-hydroxy-3′-methoxyflavone (17), and 3′-hydroxy-b-naphthoflavone (18), were found for the first time in the R. crispus extracts. Our results showed that the biological activities of this plant might be linked to their phenolic compounds and that the polar extracts could be considered as new natural supplements to be used in food and pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palaeoecological reconstruction was carried out at Lake Hazar in eastern Turkey from 3.2 cal ka BP to ~510 cal years BP. To evaluate vegetation and climate changes, palynological and grain size analysis were performed by comparing geochemical data, magnetic susceptibility (MS), and Total Organic Carbon (TOC). A lake level reconstruction has been done by palynological data, indicating local environmental changes at Lake Hazar. The first lake level rise was recorded between 3.2 and 2.9 cal ka BP, showing higher river discharge due to the wetter climate. This is also evidenced by higher values in Ca/Ti and TOC values, in coarser grain size and the abundance of trees (mainly deciduous Quercus), while non-arboreal plants (NAP) decrease in the environs of Lake Hazar. A sharp drop follows this in lake level between 2.9 and 2.2 cal ka BP, evidenced by a higher the Sr/Ca ratio and fine-grained sediment (<35 μm), whereas the Ca/Ti ratio and TOC value decline. This longer drought was followed by the more extended period of humidity between 2.2 cal ka BP and ~650 yrs BP, consistent with a higher MS value, and the Ca/Ti ratio and TOC. The results identified a number of aridity events between 1.6 and 1.3 cal ka BP, at 1.1 cal ka BP, and at cal. ~900 yrs BP, evidenced by a high Sr/Ca ratio. A cultivation period starts to appear at 1.6 cal ka BP with Juglans (walnut) during the Sassanid dynasty in the region. Aridity event at 1.1 cal ka BP, corresponding to Medieval Warming, was characterized by dry climate and lake level drop. Simultaneously, the cultivation of walnut, olive, and Pistachio declined. The existence of Plantago lanceolata , Rumex , Sanguisorba minor −type, Scabiosa and Caryophyllaceae indicate farming and animal husbandry activities during the Late Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The phytochemical contents of traditional foods are necessary to further elucidate the impacts of the Mediterranean diet on health. Çalkama is traditional food prepared by using wild green plants including chard (Beta vulgaris var.cicl), wild fennel (Foeniculum vulgare spp), common mellow (Malva sylvestris L), common poppy (Papaver rhoeas L), dock (Rumex spp), common nettle (Urtica dioica L), sow-thistle (Sonchus asper (L) Hill), common stork's bill (Erodium circutarium (L)L Hér) and wild leek (Allium ampeloprasum L). OBJECTIVE: In this research, the antioxidant activity and the flavonoid and phenolic acid composition were separately analyzed for each plant and çalkama. METHODS: Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and total antioxidant capacity of each plant and çalkama were measured spectrophotometric assays. Ultra-fast liquid chromatography (UFLC) was performed to detect specific flavonoid groups. RESULTS: It was detected that one portion of çalkama (100 g) contained approximately 250 mg of flavonoids. Particularly, quercetin and apigenin contributed to the main flavonoid source and chlorogenic acid was the major phenolic acid in çalkama. CONCLUSIONS: According to our findings, this food can be considered as a good phenolic and flavonoid source which protects its high antioxidant capacity through preparation and cooking processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation is a self-protective response to start the healing process. An anti-inflammatory target worth developing are lipoxygenase inhibitors, which have been studied for several diseases, including severe respiratory disease. This research had the goals of estimating the activity of 21 compounds from K. galanga to inhibit the lipoxygenase (LOX) and estimating the bond stability of the ligand-LOX complex. Based on the compound's affinity for LOX, the compounds in K. galanga were selected by utilizing the PLANTS docking software, with zileuton as the reference ligand. The GROMACS application was used to simulate the molecular dynamics of the LOX-ligand complex at 310 K. Based on the chemPLP score, most of the 21 K. galanga compounds showed a higher affinity towards 5-LOX compared to zileuton. δ-3-carene had the best affinity for 5-LOX. In the simulation of molecular dynamics until 20 ns, the RMSD of δ-3-carene and 5-LOX was not more than 0.03 nm or 0.3 Å, indicating that the whole system showed decent stability and had -1.67392 x 106 kcal/mol as the average potential energy. The results showed that K. galanga contains active components of 5-LOX inhibitors that could be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant species are not only used as fodder or forage but also contribute substantially in the treatment of various health disorders, particularly in livestock. This study is the first quantitative ethnobotanical effort on ethnoveterinary uses of medicinal plants conducted in the Upper Neelum Valley of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan. Information pertaining to cure different ailments of animals were collected from 126 informants through semi-structured interviews, group discussion and field walks. In order to identify the plant species used and their preferred habitats, elderly and experienced members of the tribes, locally known 'Budhair' (aged), were interviewed and sometimes accompanied in the field. The data was further analyzed through ethnobotanical indices. In all, 39 plant species, belonging to 31 genera and 21 families were documented which were used by the indigenous communities of Kashmir Himalaya for curing 21 different diseases of 7 different types of livestock. The highest number of ethno-medicinal plants were contributed by the Polygonaceae family, followed by Crassulaceae, Asteraceae and other families. Roots were the most used part of the plant for preparing ethnoveterinary medicines, followed by the aerial parts. The highest frequency of citation (41) and relative frequency of citation (7.32) was recorded for Saussurea lappa, followed by Rumex acetosa (37/6.61), Rumex nepalensis (36/6.43), Thymus linearis (28/5.0) and Angelica cyclocarpa (28/5.0). The highest use value was recorded for Saussurea lappa (0.33), followed by Rumex acetosa (0.29), Rumex nepalensis (0.29), Thymus linearis and Angelica cyclocarpa (0.22 each). The current study has made an important contribution towards the preservation of indigenous plants-based knowledge from extinction. The phytochemical and pharmacological investigations of the plants with high use value can be a potential source of novel drugs to treat health problems of animals and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A flavone glucoside 'vitexin' (C21H20O10) was isolated from the leaves of Lantana camara through bioassay-guided isolation. Kupchan method of solvent-solvent partitioning of crude methanol extract from leaves of L. camara gave ethyl acetate, chloroform, hexane and aqueous fraction. Bio-assay with four fractions at 500 ppm, 1000 ppm and 10,000 ppm indicated chloroform fraction to be most potent phytotoxic against weeds (monocot: Phalaris minor, Avena fatua; Dicot: Chenopodium album, Rumex dentatus). Column chromatography of chloroform fraction with hexane: ethyl acetate (60:40) based on TLC profiling with vanillin visualisation stain and subsequent bioassays indicated sub-fraction (iii) of fraction 23 as most growth inhibitory. The chemical structure of the isolated compound was identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Shimadzu GC-MS-QP2010 ultra). The natural herbicidal activity of the isolated compound against various weeds in laboratory and field conditions is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aphid species, their parasitoids and predators on Curled dock (Rumex crispus L.) naturally grown in Erzincan and Erzurum provinces, Turkey were determined. Surveys were conducted at two week intervals from the seedling period until the end of the harvest period in 2017 and 2018. In the surveys, 30-40 plants were randomly selected and all parts of these plants were investigated with a magnifier. Four aphid species, thirteen predator and two parasitoid species were found. Rumex crispus was recorded for the first time as a host of Acyrthosiphon rubi Narzikulov (Hemiptera: Aphididae). In addition, parasitism rates of aphids were also established. The mean parasitism rate changed between 23.2% in 2017 and 23% in 2018. The relationship between total aphid number, total parasitized (mummified) aphid number and parasitism rate was measured. There was a high positive correlation (r = 0.838-0.861) between total aphid number and total parasitized aphid number, and a weak or intermediate correlation (r = 0.180-0.412) between total aphid number and parasitism rate during both growing seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The local inhabitants of Pirot County in Eastern Serbia were interviewed about plant's application in veterinary ethnopharmacology. • It was noticed 46 veterinary plants and 206 use reports. • It was found 22 plants not mentioned and 9 plants with different use in neighboring regions. • A good starting point for new phytopharmacological studies. This paper provides essential information on medicinal plant uses in the veterinary ethnopharmacology of Pirot County in Eastern Serbia, known as a relatively isolated, multiethnic, and a traditional agricultural area. The aim of the study was to collect, analyze, and evaluate the medicinal plants' ethnoveterinary knowledge in a Pirot County (2761 km2, total 92,479 inhabitants, of which 34,672 in the rural area). The local inhabitants of the rural area were interviewed by a semi-structured questionnaire to determine how many of them are familiar with the plants' application in veterinary ethnopharmacology. Interviews were conducted in four municipalities of the Pirot County, where the samples of the local rural population included 631 respondents (mean age 50; 45.59% women, 53.41% men) at 144 sites, of which 148 respondents from 92 villages reported the use of plants in veterinary medicine. The data are presented in a tabular manner and include scientific and local names, the part used, pharmaceutical form, therapeutic indication, and mode of administration, followed with several reports. Furthermore, most frequently reported taxa are systemized for each therapeutic group municipality - wise with calculated informant consensus factor. A comparison with previously published data collected from surrounding territories on the Balkan Peninsula was performed by considering the Jaccard index. The survey revealed 192 plants used by the local population for various health indications, of which 46 species were reported for use in veterinary medicine. Plants reported for the treatment of health issues in livestock (206 reports) were distributed in 30 families out of which the main ones being Asteraceae (8 species), Lamiaceae (4 species), Rosaceae (4 species) and the most abundant were Asteraceae (43 reports), Hypericaceae (28 reports), Polygonaceae (26 reports) and Ranunculaceae (23 reports). The most frequently used plants in veterinary ethnopharmacology were Cichorium intybus, Hypericum perforatum, and Rumex patientia. Aerial plant parts were exploited more frequently than underground parts. The mode of administration was primarily oral in the water extract form. The primary reported therapeutic groups were diarrhea (98 reports), wounds (27 reports), dermatological diseases (scabies and pediculosis) (14 reports), and elevated temperature (10 reports). The use of 22 plant species was not reported in other ethnoveterinary surveys in the Balkan Peninsula. Knowledge of plants for veterinary use is still constrained among the population of the rural parts of Pirot County. The study identified plant species used by the local population to deal with health issues in domestic animals. The presented findings of this study can be a good starting point for new phytopharmacological investigations in the veterinary domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palynological analysis and radiocarbon dating of a short sediment core from a high-altitude mire in the Arasbaran area of northwestern Iran reveals long-term vegetation dynamics, climate change and anthropogenic impact. Our findings indicate the prevalence of semi-desert steppe vegetation, with a variety of Asteraceae – mainly Lactuceae – species from 3000 to 1440 cal yr BP. This period is followed by a higher occurrence of Artemisia spp. and Brassicaceae (1440–1330 cal yr BP), a re-expansion of Lactuceae (1330–1030 cal yr BP) and Brassicaceae (1030–330 cal yr BP) and, finally, Caryophyllaceae species (since 330 cal yr BP). The reconstructed millennia-long dry climate in the highlands of northwestern Iran is in good accordance with climate reconstructions from other east Mediterranean sites. Two phases of moister conditions between 2100–1400 and 1000–350 cal yr BP would correspond to altitudinal Quercus–Carpinus forest expansion in the Arasbaran area. The earliest indication of anthropogenic activity in the area dates back to the onset of the record, around 3000 cal yr BP. The occurrence of small maxima of Juglans regia, Corylus avellana and Cornus mas pollen at around 1350 cal yr BP is interpreted to reflect a temporary expansion of fruit cultivation. For the last millennium the occurrence of pollen attributable to Polygonum, Euphorbia, Plantago and Rumex suggests a diversification of steppe vegetation, which may reflect intensified agropastoral activities in the Arasbaran highlands. Based on our pollen record, the regional vegetation in the Kalan area remained largely stable over the last three millennia. However, changes in local hydrology caused substantial changes in wetland vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) starch is known to possess unique physical and functional properties such as low amylose content, A-crystalline form, small granules, higher swelling power, etc. Due to the presence of significant amount of calcium oxalate crystals, the food industry is reluctant to explore this unique and cheap starch source for various food applications. Traditional processes utilizing various physical and chemical methods to remove oxalate content of starch inevitably change its physical and functional properties. However, using oxalate oxidase can effectively remove oxalates without altering the unique properties of starch. Hence, an attempt was made to optimize oxalate oxidase assisted starch extraction process from taro flour using response surface methodology. A central composite design comprising 20 experimental trials with 10 cube points augmented with six axial points and four replicates at the center point was applied. A mathematical model was developed to show the effect of taro flour concentration, enzyme load and incubation time on the oxalate removal. Validity of the model was experimentally verified and found that 98.3% of total oxalates can be removed under optimal conditions. This is the first report of optimization of the production of starch from taro flour using microbial oxalate oxidase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]