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Nymphoides peltata has been used as a medicinal herb in traditional medicines to treat strangury, polyuria, and swelling. The phytochemical investigation of the MeOH extract of N. peltata roots led to the isolation of three iridoid glycosides and three coumarin glycoside derivatives, which were characterized as menthiafolin (1), threoninosecologanin (2), callicoside C (3), and scopolin (4), as well as two undescribed peltatamarins A (5) and B (6). The chemical structures of the undescribed compounds were determined by analyzing their 1 dimensional (D) and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra and using high-resolution (HR)-electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS), along with the chemical reaction of acid hydrolysis. The wound healing activities of the isolated compounds 1–6 were evaluated using a HaCaT cell scratch test. Among the isolates, scopolin (4) and peltatamarin A (5) promoted HaCaT cell migration over scratch wounds, and compound 5 was the most effective. Furthermore, compound 5 significantly promoted cell migration without adversely affecting cell proliferation, even when treated at a high dose (100 μM). Our results demonstrate that peltatamarin A (5), isolated from N. peltata roots, has the potential for wound healing effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nymphoides peltata has been widely used pharmacologically in traditional Chinese medicine to treat heat strangury and polyuria. The aim of this study was to isolate the bioactive components from N. peltata and evaluate their potential use as antioxidant and anti-wrinkle agents. Phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of N. peltata roots led to the isolation of 15 compounds (1–15), which were structurally determined as α-spinasterol (1), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-oleanolic acid 28-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside (2), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (3), protocatechuic acid (4), vanillic acid (5), p-coumaric acid (6), caffeic acid (7), ferulic acid (8), neochlorogenic acid (neo-CQA) (9), chlorogenic acid (CQA) (10), cryptochlorogenic acid (crypto-CQA) (11), isochlorogenic acid B (3,4-DCQA) (12), isochlorogenic acid A (3,5-DCQA) (13), isochlorogenic acid C (4,5-DCQA) (14), and 3,4,5-tri-O-caffeoylquinic acid (TCQA) (15). Of these 15 compounds, compound 2 was a new oleanane saponin, the chemical structure of which was characterized by 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic data and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), as well as chemical reaction. Biological evaluation of the isolated compounds revealed that 3,4,5-tri-O-caffeoylquinic acid (TCQA) significantly improved Nrf2 levels in an Nrf2–ARE reporter HaCaT cell screening assay. TCQA was found to potently inhibit the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and to possess strong anti-wrinkle activity by modulating the MAPK/NF-κB/AP-1 signaling pathway and thus inhibiting MMP-1 synthesis in HaCaT cells exposed to UVB. Our results suggest that TCQA isolated from N. peltata might be useful for developing effective antioxidant and anti-wrinkle agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nymphoides peltata is widely used pharmacologically in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic medicine as a diuretic, antipyretic, or choleretic and to treat ulcers, snakebites, and edema. Previous studies have shown that phytochemicals from N. peltata have physiological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-wrinkle properties. Nevertheless, research on the anti-atopic dermatitis (AD) effect of N. peltata extract is limited. This study was undertaken to assess the in vitro and in vivo anti-atopic and antioxidant activities of a 95% EtOH extract of N. peltata roots (NPR). PI-induced RBL-2H3 cells and two typical hapten mice (oxazolone-induced BALB/c mice and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced SKH-1 hairless mice) were used to investigate the effect of NPR extract on AD. The expressions of AD-related inflammatory cytokines, skin-related genes, and antioxidant enzymes were analyzed by ELISA, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence, and skin hydration was measured using Aquaflux AF103 and SKIN-O-MAT instruments. The chemical composition of NPR extract was analyzed using an HPLC-PDA system. In this study, NPR extracts were shown to most efficiently inhibit IL-4 in PI-induced RBL-2H3 cells and AD-like skin symptoms in oxazolone-BALB/c mice compared to its whole and aerial extracts. NPR extract markedly reduced DNCB-induced increases in mast cells, epidermal thickness, IL-4 and IgE expressions, and atopic-like symptoms in SKH-1 hairless mice. In addition, NPR extract suppressed DNCB-induced changes in the expressions of skin-related genes and skin hydration and activated the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Three phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid) were identified by HPLC-PDA in NPR extract. The study shows that NPR extract exhibits anti-atopic activities by inhibiting inflammatory and oxidative stress and improving skin barrier functions, and indicates that NPR extract has potential therapeutic use for the prevention and treatment of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nymphoides peltata has been widely used pharmacologically in traditional Chinese medicine to treat heat strangury and polyuria. The aim of this study was to isolate the bioactive components from N. peltata and evaluate their potential use as antioxidant and anti-wrinkle agents. Phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of N. peltata roots led to the isolation of 15 compounds (1–15), which were structurally determined as α-spinasterol (1), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-oleanolic acid 28-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside (2), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (3), protocatechuic acid (4), vanillic acid (5), p-coumaric acid (6), caffeic acid (7), ferulic acid (8), neochlorogenic acid (neo-CQA) (9), chlorogenic acid (CQA) (10), cryptochlorogenic acid (crypto-CQA) (11), isochlorogenic acid B (3,4-DCQA) (12), isochlorogenic acid A (3,5-DCQA) (13), isochlorogenic acid C (4,5-DCQA) (14), and 3,4,5-tri-O-caffeoylquinic acid (TCQA) (15). Of these 15 compounds, compound 2 was a new oleanane saponin, the chemical structure of which was characterized by 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic data and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), as well as chemical reaction. Biological evaluation of the isolated compounds revealed that 3,4,5-tri-O-caffeoylquinic acid (TCQA) significantly improved Nrf2 levels in an Nrf2–ARE reporter HaCaT cell screening assay. TCQA was found to potently inhibit the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and to possess strong anti-wrinkle activity by modulating the MAPK/NF-κB/AP-1 signaling pathway and thus inhibiting MMP-1 synthesis in HaCaT cells exposed to UVB. Our results suggest that TCQA isolated from N. peltata might be useful for developing effective antioxidant and anti-wrinkle agents.

Nymphoides peltata is widely used pharmacologically in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic medicine as a diuretic, antipyretic, or choleretic and to treat ulcers, snakebites, and edema. Previous studies have shown that phytochemicals from N. peltata have physiological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-wrinkle properties. Nevertheless, research on the anti-atopic dermatitis (AD) effect of N. peltata extract is limited. This study was undertaken to assess the in vitro and in vivo anti-atopic and antioxidant activities of a 95% EtOH extract of N. peltata roots (NPR). PI-induced RBL-2H3 cells and two typical hapten mice (oxazolone-induced BALB/c mice and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced SKH-1 hairless mice) were used to investigate the effect of NPR extract on AD. The expressions of AD-related inflammatory cytokines, skin-related genes, and antioxidant enzymes were analyzed by ELISA, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence, and skin hydration was measured using Aquaflux AF103 and SKIN-O-MAT instruments. The chemical composition of NPR extract was analyzed using an HPLC-PDA system. In this study, NPR extracts were shown to most efficiently inhibit IL-4 in PI-induced RBL-2H3 cells and AD-like skin symptoms in oxazolone-BALB/c mice compared to its whole and aerial extracts. NPR extract markedly reduced DNCB-induced increases in mast cells, epidermal thickness, IL-4 and IgE expressions, and atopic-like symptoms in SKH-1 hairless mice. In addition, NPR extract suppressed DNCB-induced changes in the expressions of skin-related genes and skin hydration and activated the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Three phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid) were identified by HPLC-PDA in NPR extract. The study shows that NPR extract exhibits anti-atopic activities by inhibiting inflammatory and oxidative stress and improving skin barrier functions, and indicates that NPR extract has potential therapeutic use for the prevention and treatment of AD.

Nymphoides peltata is an aquatic floating weed widely distributed in the northern hemisphere of Eurasia. To better determine its phylogenetic relationships with other Nymphoides species and other aquatic plant species, the chloroplast genome of N. peltata was sequenced. The chloroplast genome size is 152,198 bp, consisting of a large single-copy region (84,223 bp) and a small single-copy region (17,817 bp) separated by a pair of inverted repeats with a length of 25,079 bp. The chloroplast genome contains 127 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 34 tRNA genes, and eight rRNAs. The maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree showed that N. peltata is more closely related to other Nymphoides species, providing new insight into the evolution and genetic diversity of aquatic weeds.

Due to its toxicity causing serious health problems, persistence in the environment and non-biodegradability, lead (Pb) is considered as one of the most harmful metals on earth. In this study, dried aquatic plants as sorbents including Nymphoides peltata (NP), Typha laxmannii (TL), and Eichhornia crassipes (EC) were examined and compared to discover the best biosorption for Pb. The effect of physical and chemical parameters including pH (2.0–5.5), sorbent dosage (1–5 g/l), metal concentration (20–100 mg/l), and contact time (~240 min) were investigated to determine the optimal condition for Pb(II) biosorption. As a result, the optimum pH, sorbent dosage, and contact time were 5.0, 1 g/l, and 120 minutes, respectively. Pb2+ biosorption data were found to follow the Langmuir isotherm model while the kinetic biosorption data followed pseudo-second-order model. The maximum biosorption capacity from Langmuir model was calculated as 63.3, 82.9, and 51.9 mg/g for EC, NP, and TL, respectively. All the results showed that biosorption efficiencies of Pb(II) by different biosorbents were in following order NP>EC>TL.

The clonal diversity of Nymphoides peltata in Japan was estimated using genome-wide SNPs. In total, 27 clones were detected by considering the genetic distances between clones. The number of clones was much smaller than the estimate of 61 from a previous study that used SSR (Short Sequence Repeats) markers. This may be because population have diminished due to environmental deterioration over the past decade, fewer samples were analyzed in this study, or there were technical problems with the SSR markers used in the previous study. The populations of N. peltata were genetically differentiated between the western and eastern regions of the Japanese archipelago. Artificial movements may have occurred in a few populations. • Clonal diversity of Nymphoides peltata may have been decreasing in Japan. • Genetic differentiation was observed between the eastern and western regions of Japan. • A few cases of anthropochory were suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of the study of species Nymphoides peltata (S. G. Gmel.) O. Kuntze in the Arkhangelsk region (Northwest Russia) are presented. In the region the species population is located at the border of geographic range and therefore this species is considered to be rare. The species was first found on the left bank of the Severnaya Dvina River near Anfimovskaya village in 2014 and and was considered to be a floristic discovery. In 2017, the study was repeated to asess the dynamics of the main populational and organism characteristics of the species within the given habitat. The study includes a map of the species presence, its description and the main morphological and anatomical parameters of over- and underground vegetative organs of the plants.

Allelopathy is a natural strategy for the protection or inhibition toward other vegetation through the release of chemicals into the environment. Alpinia malaccensis is thought to be capable of carrying out allelopathic mechanisms, as this species is found to grow well on land invaded by Merremia peltata. Invasive type control with alleopathic mechanism is an alternative to consider as it does not leave a potential residue as a contaminant of soil as it is chemically controlled. The study attempt to investigate the content of A. malaccensis allelochemicals and analyzed the alelopathy potential of A. malaccensis on seed germination and seedling growth of M. peltata. Research method used completely randomized design with 6 replicates for seed treatment and three replicates for seedling treatment. Seeds which have relatively similar size and weight were obtained from the field. Seeds were germinated in petri dishes that have been coated by filter paper, each petri dish contained 6 seeds of M. peltata. The treatment of the seeds germination was performed by giving 3 ml of rhizomes and leaves extracts of A. malaccensis (control, 30 g/L, 60 g/L, 90 g/L, 120 g/L, and 150 g/L). The treatment of the seedlings was performed by giving 30 ml of rhizomes and leaves extracts of A. malaccensis (control, 50 g/L, 100 g/L, 150 g/L, and 200 g/L). The analysis of chemical compounds of fresh rhizomes and leaves showed that A. malaccensis contains alcohol, amide, fatty acid, phenol, ketones, and terpenoids. Rhizomes and leaves extracts 150 g/L of A. malaccensis showed the highest inhibition in germination, dry weight, plumule and radicle length of M. peltata sprout parameters. Rhizomes and leaves extract 200 g/L of A. malaccensis showed the highest inhibition in tendril length, amount of leaves, length and width of M. peltata leaves parameters. To be more efficient, application in the field should use low concentration of extracts that can inhibit the M. peltata. Results of this study are expected to provide information about alternative solutions to suppress the invasion of M. peltata to preserve ecosystems of Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (BBSNP) in Lampung. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its toxicity causing serious health problems, persistence in the environment and non-biodegradability, lead (Pb) is considered as one of the most harmful metals on earth. In this study, dried aquatic plants as sorbents including Nymphoides peltata (NP), Typha laxmannii (TL), and Eichhornia crassipes (EC) were examined and compared to discover the best biosorption for Pb. The effect of physical and chemical parameters including pH (2.0-5.5), sorbent dosage (1-5 g/l), metal concentration (20-100 mg/l), and contact time (~240 min) were investigated to determine the optimal condition for Pb(II) biosorption. As a result, the optimum pH, sorbent dosage, and contact time were 5.0, 1 g/l, and 120 minutes, respectively. Pb2+ biosorption data were found to follow the Langmuir isotherm model while the kinetic biosorption data followed pseudosecond- order model. The maximum biosorption capacity from Langmuir model was calculated as 63.3, 82.9, and 51.9 mg/g for EC, NP, and TL, respectively. All the results showed that biosorption efficiencies of Pb(II) by different biosorbents were in following order NP>EC>TL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many aquatic plant species are distributed over large areas and diverse environments with populations interconnected by abiotic and biotic mediators. Here, we examined differences and similarities in the population genetic structure of six sympatric and widespread aquatic plant species. We sampled the aquatic species from six Chinese lakes found on plateaus, plains, and different river systems and analyzed them using inter-simple sequence repeat ( ISSR) markers. Samples originating from each lake tended to cluster together. Of the six species, only Nymphoides peltata and Myriophyllum spicatum could be divided into plateau and plain groups, once Taihu Lake individuals were excluded. Genetic similarities between populations connected by the Yangtze River were not consistently higher than unconnected populations. Populations from Taihu Lake and/or Weishanhu Lake were distant from other lake populations for all species except Potamogeton lucens. The Taihu and Weishanhu populations clustered for Ceratophyllum demersum and Typha latifolia. Hydrophilous C. demersum had the lowest gene flow ( Nm = 0.913), whereas the entomophilous Hydrocharis dubia ( Nm = 2.084) and N. peltata ( Nm = 2.204) had the highest gene flow. The genetic relationships among distant populations of aquatic plants reflect the comprehensive effects of environmental selection pressure and biotic and abiotic connectivity. Differences in environmental factors between plateau and plain lakes and long distance hydrochory have limited importance on aquatic plant genetic structures. Among multiple evolutionary forces, gene flow mediated by birds may play the most important role in the formation of genetic patterns in the six species examined. For example, the close genetic relationship between Taihu Lake and Weishanhu Lake populations, each in different river systems and with different climates, may be related to the migration routes of birds. Differences in gene flow among the six aquatic plants may be attributable to different bird-transport and the fruit traits of each species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nymphoides peltata is an aquatic floating weed widely distributed in the northern hemisphere of Eurasia. To better determine its phylogenetic relationships with other Nymphoides species and other aquatic plant species, the chloroplast genome of N. peltata was sequenced. The chloroplast genome size is 152,198 bp, consisting of a large single-copy region (84,223 bp) and a small single-copy region (17,817 bp) separated by a pair of inverted repeats with a length of 25,079 bp. The chloroplast genome contains 127 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 34 tRNA genes, and eight rRNAs. The maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree showed that N. peltata is more closely related to other Nymphoides species, providing new insight into the evolution and genetic diversity of aquatic weeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Waterlogging or flooding is one of the most challenging abiotic stresses experienced by plants. Unlike many flooding-tolerant plants, floating-leaved aquatic plants respond actively to flooding stress by fast growth and elongation of its petioles to make leaves re-floating. However, the molecular mechanisms of this plant group responding to flood have not been investigated before. Here, we investigated the genetic basis of this adaptive response by characterizing the petiole transcriptomes of a floating-leaved species Nymphoides peltata under normal and flooding conditions. Results: Clean reads under normal and flooding conditions with pooled sampling strategy were assembled into 124,302 unigenes. A total of 8883 unigenes were revealed to be differentially expressed between normal and flooding conditions. Among them, top ranked differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in antioxidant process, photosynthesis process and carbohydrate metabolism, including the glycolysis and a modified tricarboxylic acid cycle – alanine metabolism. Eight selected unigenes with significantly differentiated expression changes between normal and flooding conditions were validated by qRT-PCR. Conclusions: Among these processes, antioxidant process and glycolysis are commonly induced by waterlogging or flooding environment in plants, whereas photosynthesis and alanine metabolism are rarely occurred in other flooding-tolerant plants, suggesting the significant contributions of the two processes in the active response of N. peltata to flooding stress. Our results provide a valuable genomic resource for future studies on N. peltata and deepen our understanding of the genetic basis underlying the response to flooding stress in aquatic plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adaptative changes to the aquatic environments are noticed in yellow floating heart, by anatomical analysis of itsvegetative organs and reported herein. Also, in order to follow the preference of this plant species for physicalchemical parameters of the studied habitat, some water analyses were performed such as: pH, chemical oxygen demand, total hardness, ammonium nitrogen (N-NH4 +), nitrite nitrogen (N-NO2 -), nitrate nitrogen (N-NO3). With respect to pH values, the results indicated that both sampling areas (Bugeac Lake, North Dobrudja and Crişan, in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve) are within recommended range for the ecological status of Nymphoides peltata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]4 3-). With respect to pH values, the results indicated that both sampling areas (Bugeac Lake, North Dobrudja and Crişan, in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve) are within recommended range for the ecological status of Nymphoides peltata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluid extract from the leave of water lily (Nymphaeaceae) was tested as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid solution. Weight loss and determination of the potential difference (Pd) of the steel samples were measured. The effect of concentration on the inhibitor performance of the extract was studied. The results obtained shown that the leave extract functioned as effective corrosion inhibitor. The fitting of the experimental data to the corrosion rate, potential difference and inhibitor efficiency equations revealed that the organic constituents of the extract were physically adsorbed on the corroding mild steel surface. The findings provide ready friendly application for the problematic fresh water weed water lily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eighteen endophytic fungi with different colony morphologies were isolated from the roots of Nymphoides peltata growing in the Dalsung wetland. The fungal culture filtrates of the endophytic fungi were treated to Waito-c rice seedling to evaluate their plant growth-promoting activities. Culture filtrate of Y2H0002 fungal strain promoted the growth of the Waito-c rice seedlings. This strain was identified on the basis of sequences of the partial internal transcribed spacer region and the partial betatubulin gene. Upon chromatographic analysis of the culture filtrate of Y2H0002 strain, the gibberellins (CAs: GA1 GA3 and GAJ were detected and quantified. Molecular and morphological studies identified the Y2H0002 strain as belonging to Aspergillus clavatus. These results indicated that A. clavatus improves the growth of plants and produces various GAs, and may participate in the growth of plants under diverse environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photochemical responses in the thylakoid membrane of Nymphoides peltatum to increasing lead (Pb) concentrations were investigated after 5 days of exposure. Pb accumulation increased in a concentration-dependent manner, with a maximum of 118.44 μg g at 100 μM. Nutrients (Zn, Mg, Mo, Ca, Fe and Mn), ATPase activity and pigment generally increased progressively at Pb concentrations of 12.5 and 25 μM, but then declined at concentrations of 50 and 100 μM. Moreover, Pb stress induced an increase in chlorophyll (Chl) a/ b ratio in a different extent. No outstanding changes were observed in several Chl a fluorescence parameters at low Pb concentrations (12.5 and 25 μM), while significant changes ( p < 0.05) were observed in these parameters at higher concentrations. The alterations of nutrients, ATPase activity and pigment content were associated with disturbances in the thylakoid membrane, indicated by the quenching of Chl a fluorescence. These results were indicative of a disarray in photochemical activities exerted by Pb phytotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study potential antioxidant defense mechanisms, the effects of increasing concentrations of lead (Pb) on polyamines (PAs), various thiols, vitamins C and E, and proline contents in sterilized seedlings of Nymphoides peltata (S.G. mel.) Kuntze were investigated after 5 days of exposure. The levels of total putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), and spermine (Spm) decreased significantly, while the ratio of (Spd + Spm)/Put first increased but then declined as the concentration of Pb increased. The trends for free, perchloric acid soluble-conjugated (PS-conjugated), and perchloric acid insoluble-bound (PIS-bound) PAs were similar to the trend seen for total PAs. Moreover, reduced glutathione (GSH), nonprotein thiols (NP-SH), phytochelatins (PCs), and vitamin C were induced at high Pb concentrations. No significant change was observed in vitamin E. An initial decline in proline content was followed by an increase as the Pb concentration rose. The reduced level of Put and elevated contents of GSH, NP-SH, PCs, vitamin C, and proline were found to be associated with antioxidant efficiency, which supports the hypothesis that they could play a significant role in the adaptation mechanisms of N. peltatum under Pb stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioaccumulation, subcellular distribution, and acute toxicity of yttrium (Y) were evaluated in Nymphoides peltata. The effects of Y concentrations of 1-5 mg L applied for 4 days were assessed by measuring changes in photosynthetic pigments, nutrient contents, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, and ultrastructure. The accumulation of Y in subcellular fractions decreased in the order of cell wall > organelle > soluble fraction. Much more Y was located in cellulose and pectin than in other biomacromolecules. The content of some mineral elements (Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn, and Mo) increased in N. peltata, but there was an opposite effect for P and K. Meanwhile, ascorbate, and catalase activity decreased significantly for all Y concentrations. In contrast, peroxidase activity was induced, while initial rises in superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione content were followed by subsequent declines. Morphological symptoms of senescence, such as chlorosis and damage to chloroplasts and mitochondria, were observed even at the lowest Y concentration. Pigment content decreased as the Y concentration rose and the calculated EC and MPC of Y for N. peltata were 2 and 0.2 mg L after 4 days of exposure, respectively. The results showed that exogenous Y was highly available in water and that its high concentration in water bodies might produce harmful effects on aquatic organisms. N. peltata is proposed as a biomonitor for the assessment of metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Nymphoides peltata population expands quickly in Lake Taihu, China. One question addressed in this study is whether the seeds of N. peltata contribute to this expansion. The buoyancy and germination of N. peltata seeds and the development of N. peltata seedlings were studied, using seeds collected from Lake Taihu. The results indicated that a low wind velocity of 2.4–3.0ms−1 had a slightly negative effect on seed buoyancy. After 19 and 67h of gentle stirring, 50% and 90%, respectively, of the N. peltata seeds had sunk. Few seeds floated again after sinking, but these refloating seeds sank soon with the disturbance. The N. peltata seeds did not germinate without stratification, but the stratification of seeds for a two-week period resulted in a high germination rate (63.3%) at a light intensity of 20μmol photons m−2 s−1. Both the light and stratification treatments stimulated the seeds germination. The seeds did not germinate in sediment at depths greater than 0.25cm. A high germination rate (74%) was observed for the seeds that laid on the water–sediment interface; however, nearly all of the germinated seeds floated on the water surface after germination. Only a small fraction (14%) of the buoyant seedlings could re-establish in shallow water (less than 3cm). In the eighth week of the experiments, the buoyant seedlings that failed to re-establish rotted. When grown in low light intensity conditions, the N. peltata seedlings had smaller cotyledons, shorter primary roots, and weak development of adventitious roots. Sufficient light was important for both seed germination and seedling development. It was found that sexual reproduction is likely to have little direct contribution to the rapid expansion of N. peltata towards the centre of this large shallow lake. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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Nymphoides peltata is a distylous aquatic plant. In order to explore the relative importance of clonal growth and sexual reproduction within populations and also to reveal the origin of the commonly occurring one style morph populations in China, we studied the clonal diversity and population genetic structure of this species. By using seven single sequence repeat primer pairs, a total of 192 multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were identified among the 472 samples from the 21 populations analyzed; each population had two or more MLGs. The number of MLGs was lower for the one style morph populations than distylous populations. Analysis of molecular variance showed that a smaller proportion of genetic variation resided among populations (36.8%). A neighbor-joining tree indicated that there was no significant geographical structure of the genetic variation among populations of N. peltata. The Bottleneck tests indicated that there had been significant bottlenecks in most of the studied populations. The successful sexual recruitment from seeds may have contributed to the high clonal diversity in distylous populations of N. peltata in China. Demographic stochasticity or bottleneck should account for the one style morph population with several MLGs. And also the bottleneck effects or demographic changes caused by human activities occurring randomly in populations should account for the finding of no significant geographical structure of the genetic variation among the investigated populations of N. peltata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of increasing concentrations of lead (Pb) on Pb accumulation and its influence on nutrient elements, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, generation of superoxide anion (O), hydrogen peroxide (HO) content, antioxidant enzymes activities, soluble protein, and photosynthetic pigment, as well as chloroplast ultrastructure in steriled seedlings of Nymphoides peltata (S. G. Gmel.) Kuntze were investigated in order to understand Pb-induced toxicity. The accumulation of Pb was found to increase in a concentration-dependent manner. Nutrient elements (Ca, K, Fe, Mn, and Mo) were also affected. MDA content and O generation rate increased progressively, while HO content first boosted up at a low Pb concentration of 12.5 μM but then declined. Guaiacol peroxidase and catalase activities increased alternately, while superoxide dismutase activity gradually fell. Negative correlations were found between Pb and soluble protein and photosynthetic pigment. Moreover, Pb exposure resulted in a significant damage of chloroplasts. Taken together, these findings supported the hypothesis that Nymphoides peltatum underwent oxidative stress induced by Pb. In addition, both the disorder of nutrient elements and the damage to the ultrastructure of chloroplasts were indicative of general disarray in the cellular functions exerted by Pb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing season changes in the organic matter, organic carbon and chlorophyll content of the two dominant macrophytes, Nymphoides peltatum and Ceratophyllum demersum of Wular Lake, a Ramsar Site in Kashmir Himalaya were analysed during March-November 2011. The content of organic matter and organic carbon for Nymphoides peltatum were 114.1 g m-2 and 53.1 g C m-2 and Ceratophyllum demersum were 57.0 g m-2 and 26.4 g C m-2. Chlorophyll A (Chl a+b) and chlorophyll A+B (Chl a+b) pigments ranged from 1.75 mg g-1 (Chl a) and 2.1mg g-1 (Chl a+b) in Nymphoides peltatum to 4.41 mg g-1 (Chl a) and 5.69 mg g-1 (Chl a+b) in Ceratophyllum demersum. In full leaf out, the latter aquatic plants exceeded 15-20% coverage of the open water surface. Ceratophyllum demersum and Nymphoides peltatum achieved maximum growth in June and August respectively, but significant differences in their growth dynamics was observed. At the end of the vegetation period, these plants sink to the bottom and decompose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Species of the aquatic genus Nymphoides have distinct and highly modified inflorescence architectures in which floating leaves support aerial flowers. Three inflorescence types exist in Nymphoides, and these differ by their relative elongation of internodes and the number of flowers per node. We compared organ composition and arrangement among the three inflorescence architecture types in representative Nymphoides species and identified several orders of repeating sympodial modules that had the same positional organ arrangement in all Nymphoides examined. The three inflorescence architecture types were found to differ in development primarily by the relative elongation of internodes and/or expansion of leaves. We determined that inflorescence growth in Nymphoides proceeds by recapitulating at various positions one of three continuation axes: a rhizome, inflorescence, or floral continuation axis, all of which have sympodial, modular components. We established a developmental model that reiterated modular components of the continuation axes, and this model sufficiently reproduced the overall morphologies of all three Nymphoides inflorescence types. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We compared the growth responses of the floating-leaved species Nymphoides peltata to gradual and rapid rising water levels under two nutrient concentrations (1g and 12g of slow released fertilizer (N–P–K: 16–8–12) per container filled with 8kg washed sand), and predicted the population expansion after these floods. The results showed that the capacity for petiole elongation was dependent on leaf age, and only leaves that were no more than five days old had the capability to reach the water surface when the water level increased rapidly from 50cm to 300cm. Plants subjected to a gradual rising water level tracked the increase in water depth whose petioles elongated at 3.96±1.70cm per day and 4.80±0.16cm per day under low and high nutrient concentrations respectively throughout the experiment period. When water levels were rapidly raised, leaf petioles elongated rapidly at 25.48±1.51cm per day and 26.64±2.24cm per day under low and high nutrient concentrations respectively during the first ten days. Plants under a constant water level maintained highest mean leaf recruitment (mean 3.0±0.33 leaves and 24.4±5.87 leaves every ten days under low and high nutrient concentrations, respectively). Therefore, more young leaves existed in the canopy ensuring that when the water level increases, young leaves can rapidly emerge after submergence. Gradual water level rise did not significantly affect biomass and ramet production (4.75±1.41g and 5.50±1.22 ramets in low nutrient; 48.49±21.45g and 35.67±11.78 ramets in high nutrient), but rapid water level rise negatively affected ramet production in both nutrient concentrations (3.00±1.26 ramets and 11.25±4.19 ramets in low and high nutrients, respectively). The results indicated that continual leaf recruitment and rapid petiole elongation were both important ways in which N. peltata adapted to increasing water levels. Extreme flooding may be a disturbance factor that affects plant growth and the population expansion of N. peltata, while small gradual water level rise should not harm this species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nymphoidespeltata grown in a terrestrial habitat was approximately 59% higher in soluble sugar content, 27% higher in chlorophyll content and 9% and 6% lower in water content of root and stem, respectively, than those grown in an aquatic habitat. δ13C analyses suggested that N. peltata grown in the terrestrial habitat had higher water use efficiency than N. peltata grown in the aquatic habitat. These results indicate that N. peltata is well-adapted to the terrestrial habitat and suggest that this plant could develop multiple physiological strategies to enhance survival in dynamic and unpredictable environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Floating tablets prolong the gastric residence time of drugs, improve bioavailability, and facilitate local drug delivery to the stomach. With this objective, floating tablets containing aqueous extract of liquorice as drug was prepared for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori and gastric ulcers. Methods: The aqueous extract of liquorice was standardized by HPTLC. Tablets containing HPMC K100M (hydrophilic polymer), liquorice extract, sodium bicarbonate (gas generating agent), talc, and magnesium stearate were prepared using direct compression method. The formulations were evaluated for physical parameters like diameter, thickness, hardness, friability, uniformity of weight, drug content, buoyancy time, dissolution, and drug release mechanism. The formulations were optimized on the basis of buoyancy time and in vitro drug release. Results: The diameter of all formulations was in the range 11.166-11.933 mm; thickness was in the range 4.02-4.086 mm. The hardness ranged from 3.1 to 3.5 kg/cm2. All formulations passed the USP requirements for friability and uniformity of weight. The buoyancy time of all tablet formulations was less than 5 min and tablet remained in floating condition throughout the study. All the tablet formulations followed zero-order kinetics and Korsemeyer-Peppas model in drug release. Conclusion: The optimized formulation was found to be F6 which released 98.3% of drug in 8 h in vitro, while the buoyancy time was 3.5 min. Formulations containing psyllium husk, sodium bicarbonate and HPMC K100M in combination can be a promising for gastroretentive drug delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to evaluate nutritional potential of three local aquatic plants, Nymphaea alba-water lilly (Bum), Nymphoides peltata (khor) and Hydrilla species (Khel) which grow abundantly in the Dal and other lakes and water bodies of Kashmir. Proximate analysis revealed that all the three plants had dry matter below 10%. Crude protein content of Hydrilla, Nymphaea and Nymphoides was 17.10%, 20.28% and 21.87% respectively. Ether extract level of Hydrilla (2.79%), Nymphaea (1.5%) and Nymphoides (3.5%) was also estimated. Ash content varied from 8% in Nymphaea to 19.45% in Hydrilla. Calcium content was 1.29%, 1.10% and 1.56% in Hydrilla, Nymphae and Nymphoides respectively. Fiber content was lowest (13.34%) in Hydrilla and highest (21%) in Nymphoides. Animals fed with aquatic plants (Group A) produced about 3 liters more milk per day per animal than straw fed (Group C) animals. There was however no significant difference in daily milk yield of Group A and Berseem fed (group B) animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Isozyme, RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) and microsatellite techniques were applied to determine the genetic diversity of a reed stand declining at the open water fringe for several decades and the accuracy of these methods was evaluated. Sampling was carried out along three transects parallel with and one transect at right angle to the lakeshore. In isoenzyme investigation, esterase and further 11 polymorphic loci of seven isozymes (with a total of 26 alleles) were analysed and 39 clones were distinguished. RAPD analysis involved 11 random decamer primers and, based on 141 repeatably amplifying and polymorphic RAPD fragments, 52 multilocus genotypes were differentiated. In microsatellite investigation, four primer pairs provided 47 polymorphic allelic variants that determined 37 multilocus phenotypes. Besides the differences, all the three methods revealed high number and intermingling (mixed) arrangement of clones at lower water depths, and low clone number and successive structure at the open water fringe of the stands. Only microsatellite analysis revealed different stages of colonization: old successful clone (colonizing the deeper water but almost completely disappearing at the lakeshore edge) and successful but young clone (with large extension at the lakeshore and just reaching the open water edge of the stand) were also distinguished. Finally, the present paper demonstrated that an appropriate data evaluation could make the result of RAPD comparable to that of microsatellite studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We provide a brief review of practices and relevant studies for restoration of Nymphoides peltata (yellow floating heart, Asaza), a distylous floating-leaf clonal plant, in Lake Kasumigaura, Japan to develop a model of integrated genetic and demographic conservation for threatened plants. Several theoretically expected issues, such as sudden extinction of small populations with low genetic diversity, limited seed production in small-sized local populations, and significantly high heterozygosity in adults that have survived environmental change, were ascertained through integrated studies on demography with discrimination of genets and genetics using highly polymorphic genetic markers. Investigation of genetic properties of the remnant soil seed bank suggested that the seed bank could potentially restore genetic diversity, although the fitness reduction of seed banks caused by inbreeding could affect the success of restoration. As a result of restoration efforts, increases in the number of local populations and genets in the Lake Kasumigaura metapopulation have led to population recovery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A vast ecosystem of wetlands and lakes once covered the Mesopotamian Plain of southern Iraq. Widespread drainage in the 1990s nearly obliterated both components of the landscape. This paper reports the results of a study undertaken in 1972–1975 on the vegetation of the wetlands prior to drainage and provides a unique baseline for gauging future restoration of the wetland ecosystems in Mesopotamia. Five representative study sites were used to assess the flora, three of which were wetlands. A total of 371 plant species were recorded in the five sites, of which approximately 40% represent obligate or facultative wetland species. The wetland vegetation was classified into five major physiognomic forms (submerged, floating, herbaceous tall emergent, herbaceous low emergent and woody low emergent), which was further subdivided into 24 fresh and halophytic communities. Water levels greatly fluctuated across the different types of wetlands, and mean surface water depth ranged from below to greater than 2 m above the sediment surface, reflecting permanently, seasonally or intermittently wet habitats. Aboveground biomass was also highly variable among the communities. The Phragmites australis community, which was the most extensive community type, had the greatest biomass with an average value of approximately 5,000 g m−2 in summer. Distribution and community composition were largely controlled by water levels and saline-freshwater gradients. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that salinity and water depth were the most important factors to explain species distribution. Environmental variables related to soil salinity separated halophytic species in woody low emergent and herbaceous low emergent forms ( Tamarix galica, Cressa cretica, Alhagi mannifera, Aeluropus lagopoides, Juncus rigida, and Suaeda vermiculata) from other species. Their habitats were also the driest, and soil organic matter content was lower than those of other species. Habitats with deepest water were dominated by submerged aquatic and floating leaved species such as Nymphoides peltata, Ceratophyllum demersum, and Najas armata. Such diverse environmental conditions in the Mesopotamian wetland would be greatly affected by evapotranspiration, river water inputs from north, ground water inputs, local soil conditions, and a tide or seiche-controlled northward transgression of water from the Gulf. These environmental conditions should be considered in restoration plans if plant communities existed in the mid-1970s are to be part of the desired restoration goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to present calculations of total costs of 13 alien invasive species (AIS) in Sweden. All species are subject to control by Swedish public authorities, and estimates for most AIS include either damage cost or actual control cost. The results indicate a total annual cost between approximately 1620 and 5080 million SEK, which correspond to SEK 175 and SEK 565 per capita in Sweden. The estimates are well within the range of similar calculations for other countries, but differ with respect to the composition of costs of different AIS. Whereas costs for the agricultural and forestry sectors dominate in most other studies, the costs of AIS in Sweden are more equally divided among different categories. The results also indicate that the highest costs are attributable to unintentionally introduced AIS and that the most reliable cost estimates are related to human and animal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The yellow floating heart is a water weed causing nuisance problems in Swedish water-courses. An economic analysis where various management options are considered is required. Using a choice experiment, we estimate the benefits of a weed-management program and perform cost-benefit analysis. In order to be able to distinguish between those who have a demand for a program from those who do not, we introduce a way to distinguish demanders from non-demanders in the choice experiments. Using a simple cost-benefit rule, we find that cutting the weed in certain places in the lake can be justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A 12-week microcosm experiment was conducted to identify the intraspecific and interspecific interference abilities of two floating-leaved aquatic plants Nymphoides peltata (Gmel.) O. Kuntze and Trapa bispinosa Roxburgh. N. peltata exerted a strong interspecific interferential effect on T. bispinosa, but the opposite was not apparent. There existed an intraspecific interferential effect of T. bispinosa on itself, although the interspecific interference of N. peltata was stronger. No apparent intraspecific interference was found among the individual plants of N. peltata. The removal of N. peltata had a positive impact on growth and performance of T. bispinosa, whereas no apparent impacts were found in the removal of T. bispinosa on growth and performance of N. peltata. Moreover, both the removal of N. peltata and T. bispinosa did not show apparent effects on growth of the remaining individuals of the species themselves. These results suggest that N. peltata has distinct interferential advantages over T. bispinosa and that this depends mainly upon the differences between the two species in morphology and life history. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of competition on growth and performance of Nymphoides peltata (Gmel.) O. Kuntze in microcosm. Part of the research on growth and biomass allocation of N. peltata in response to competition had been reported early (Wu, Z. & D. Yu, 2004, Hydrobiologia 527: 241–250). This paper focuses on the morphological variations of N. peltata under competitive pressure. First, competition between N. peltata and Zizania latifolia (Griseb.) Turcz. ex Stapf. was assigned with the densities of N. peltata to Z. latifolia ratios of 4:0, 4:2, 4:4 and 4:8. Water surface coverage, surface area per leaf blade and number of leaves per plant of N. peltata all declined significantly with increasing density of competitor. Similar results were also found for petiole length and density of branching. However, the variations of planting density did not significantly affect the number of ramets per plant and the stolon length of N. peltata. Second, competitions between N. peltata and emerged Z. latifolia, floating-leaved Trapa bispinosa Roxb. and submerged Myriophyllum spicatum L. were also studied simultaneously. The results showed that significant difference was only found for the water surface coverage of N. peltata. No other significant differences were found for the number of ramets per plant, number of leaves per plant, density of branching, surface area per leaf blade, petiole length, and stolon length of N. peltata. Our studies indicate that N. peltata presents morphological variations when it is growing with Z. latifolia, such that the growth of above-ground parts decrease (i.e., leaf number, petiole length, branching density) and the growth of below-ground parts remains stable (i.e., stolons length). However, N. peltata does not show apparent differences in morphology when it is growing with T. bispinosa or M. spicatum. Accordingly, we conclude that the growth of N. peltata may be apparently inhibited by the presence of Z. latifolia, while T. bispinosa and M. spicatum may have little impact on the growth and performance of N. peltata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Distyly is a sexual polymorphism in which plant populations contain two floral morphs differing in morphology and physiology. The dimorphism serves to promote animal-mediated cross-pollination between the floral morphs. Clonal propagation can interfere with the functioning of distyly by compromising intermorph pollinations, resulting in reduced fertility.• Here, we investigate the relations between clonal growth and sexual reproduction in the aquatic macrophyteNymphoides peltata(Menyanthaceae). Surveys of morph representation in 30 populations from five regions of China revealed that most populations exhibited strongly biased morph ratios and 30% contained a single floral morph.• Experimental pollinations indicate thatN. peltatapossesses a strong dimorphic incompatibility system preventing self and intramorph fertilizations. An experiment involving the manipulation of morph ratios in an experimental population and an investigation in a natural population with strong morph substructure both provided evidence that compatible pollen dilution limits fertility.• Despite constraints on the functioning of distyly inN. peltatawe found no evidence for evolutionary changes to the heterostylous syndrome, as reported inNymphoides, including populations ofN. peltatain other parts of its geographical range.New Phytologist(2004)doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2004.01234.x© New Phytologist(2004) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were designed to investigate the effects of competition on growth and biomass allocation in Nymphoides peltata. First, competition between N. peltata and Zizania latifolia was assigned with the densities of N. peltata to Z. latifolia ratios of 4:0, 4:2, 4:4 and 4:8. The increase of density of Z. latifolia resulted in apparent decrease of total biomass, relative growth rate (RGR), leaf area ratio (LAR) and mean leaf area per plant of N. peltata. N. peltata allocated above-ground biomass to shoots and roots and decreased the ratios of above-ground to below-ground biomass (Ab/Bb) with increasing density of Z. latifolia. Second, competitions between N. peltata and emerged Z. latifolia, floating-leavedTrapa bispinosa and submerged Myriophyllum spicatum were studied in the mean time. Total biomass, Ab/Bb and mean leaf area per plant of N. peltata were higher when competing with floating-leaved T. bispinosa than in N. peltata growing in the community with submerged M. spicatum and emerged Z. latifolia. There were no significant differences in RGR, net assimilation rate (NAR) and LAR of N. peltata when growing with each of the competitor species. Our studies indicate that the growth of N. peltata is strongly inhibited by the presence of Z. latifolia, and N. peltata can show certain competitive advantages over T. bispinosa and M. spicatum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]