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Island ecological restoration presents challenges in establishing historical frames and reference ecosystems. Our study takes place in the Galapagos Islands and focuses on North Seymour (NS), recognized as a reference ecosystem for Baltra Island, which has suffered significant degradation. We assessed NS's arid plant community, comparing it with early twentieth‐century records. A first survey identified that dominant woody species on NS include native Bursera graveolens, Cordia lutea, Castela galapageia, Parkinsonia aculeata, and Opuntia echios, while Cleome viscosa is the only exotic species registered. A second survey divided both islands into evenly distributed plots, recording adults and juveniles of the five dominant species from the first survey. NS showed a structured community with higher species richness and density compared to Baltra. Castela galapageia prevailed in disturbed areas on Baltra. Juvenile regeneration was scarce on both islands. NS exhibited high species richness throughout, while Baltra had only two areas with similar high richness. Co‐occurrence analysis revealed significant associations between P. aculeata and B. graveolens on both islands. However, Baltra's network displayed missing links, indicating the need for restoration efforts. In conclusion, the structured plant community of NS can serve as one of the reference ecosystems needed for framing a restoration model for Baltra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retama monosperma, an endemic Mediterranean plant, is traditionally used for various illnesses and various biological activities due to its bioactive phytochemicals. The current research study investigated the acute toxicity and analgesic activity of the fractions from the stems of Retama monosperma. These activities were conducted in vivo using animal models (Swiss albino mice and Wistar Albino rats), focusing on the four fractions obtained from the stems of Retama monosperma (hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and aqueous), through Soxhlet extraction. Acute oral toxicity was assessed in mice, while analgesic activity was evaluated using the acetic acidinduced writhing test for peripheral effects and the tail immersion test for central effects. The fractions were confirmed to be nontoxic at doses of 50 and 2000 mg/kg, with the lethal dose exceeding 50 mg/kg for the ethanol fraction and 2000 mg/kg for the other fractions. The fractions studied inhibited the pain in a dose-dependent manner in the acetic acid-induced writhing test, especially for the ethyl acetate fraction. However, in the tail immersion test, the fractions did not exhibit significantly enhanced effects. The analgesic activity of Retama monosperma stems could be ascribed to the secondary metabolites detected in this plant. This study demonstrated the safety of fractions of R. monosperma in acute toxicity and highlights their potential for peripheral analgesic activity. Future investigations, including the isolation of active compounds, are necessary to complete this work and improve the application of this species in pain-associated diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

There are only 10 validly characterized species in the genus Sinomonas, all of which are isolated from various soil types in Asia and have been reported as a result of useful biotechnological applications. Here we described the first report of the species Sinomonas halotolerans isolated from rhizospheric soil samples of Parkinsonia aculeata based on materials collected from the Sonoran Desert, Mexico. Parkinsonia aculeata is an indigenous species that has weathered salinity, drought, and extremely high temperatures in the semiarid parts of Mexico and contributes significantly to the functionality of these ecosystems through considerable rates of vegetation. Materials were collected three times, in February, March, and August 2022 in 2 locations: Bahia de Lobos and Tesopaco, affected by two abiotic stress conditions: salinity and drought respectively. During the investigation, the strains BA8A, BA10B, and TA1 were isolated from both locations, they were identified using microbiological and molecular techniques. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences, the three strains were identified as Sinomonas halotolerans (99.9% sequence similarity). As the genus Sinomonas is still poorly known in America, our study may help to improve this situation and S. halotolerans might be considered a potential species to develop novel biotechnological applications with the aim to cope with the adverse effects of salinity and drought in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

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

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

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

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

The present study was aimed at evaluation of the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity of total methanolic and aqueous extract of Fruit of P. aculeate Linn in mice and rats. The methanolic extract of P. aculeate L Fruit at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight has shown significant analgesic, antipyretic and antiinflammatory activity as compared to aqueous extract. The result of hot plate indicated that the total methanolic extract shows a significant increase (P<0.01) in reaction time at 2 and 3 hours comparable to the reference drug Pentazocin but lesser (P<0.05) at 1 hr. The tail immersion and hot plate test reveal that this plant has high analgesic activity. This is because some form of error may be introduced with the animal handing while the test is being elicited. Both test show highest degree of analgesia in methanolic extract compared to aqueous extract. The total methanolic extract of P. aculeate L fruit at the a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight has shown significant (p<0.001) antipyretic activity as compared to aqueous extract, it has shown significant fall in body temperature up to 4h following its admistration. The antipyretic activity stared as early as 1h and the effect was maintain for 4h. The response was comparable to that antipyretic activity of paracetamol a standard antipyretic drug. Total methanolic extract significantly inhibited Carrageenin-induced paw oedemaas compared; it may be due to possible inhibition of lipooxygenase pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

Hepatotoxicity is considered a serious condition which can be progressed to liver damage. The hepatoprotective effect of Parkinsonia aculeata (PA) aqueous extract against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity was investigated. Wister albino rats were orally pre-treated with PA aqueous extract (250 mg/kg BW) for 14 days. A single toxic dose of APAP (800 mg/kg BW) was orally administered at the 13th day. Collection of blood samples was done for the biochemical analysis, and the hepatic tissue was collected for histopathological examinations. Our results indicate that PA aqueous extract exhibit a significant hepatoprotective effect by ameliorating APAP-induced alterations of serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and bilirubin (total and indirect). Moreover, the prior administration of PA ameliorates the hepatotoxic changes induced by APAP as confirmed by liver histopathology. Taken together, the previous results demonstrated that the PA pretreatment provide significant hepatoprotective effect against the APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in animal models, thus PA could be a potential herbal medication that can be used in the future prevention of liver intoxication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

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

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

Seasonal variation of mycorrhization attributes in a degraded ecosystem seems to be key information in conceiving rehabilitation programs that use mycorrhized plantations specific to that ecosystem. In order to record seasonality of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in an Atlantic sand dunes forest, root colonization and spores abundance alongside rhizospheric phosphorus and nitrogen of two plant species: Juniperus phoenicea and Retama monosperma, endemic to Essaouira sand dunes forest, were followed through three years. The findings were tested for statistical significance and correlated among each and to some meteorological variables: temperatures, precipitations, and humidity. Results showed that mycorrhization frequencies and intensities and spores densities changed seasonally. They had their peak at late winter-early spring and their low at summer. Phosphorus and nitrogen evolved significantly following seasons. Significant negative correlation was noted between phosphorus and mycorrhizal attributes evolution. Nitrogen correlated positively and significantly though weakly with R. monosperma mycorrhizal attributes. The correlations between mycorrhizal attributes and meteorological variables were not all evident except for temperatures and temperatures-precipitations combination, which had a direct negative impact on mycorrhizal attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinsonia aculeata and Prosopis juliflora are two of the most problematic invasive plant species in the Brazilian tropical seasonal dry forest, but the mechanisms driving the biological invasion of this ecosystem is virtually unknown. This study assessed the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, in particular of Funneliformis mosseae, on the biological invasion process by P. aculeata and P. juliflora. F. mosseae is a cosmopolitan arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) frequently found in association with plants of different regions of the world. The present study was conducted to determine if F. mosseae is present in the soils from two invaded areas by P. aculeata and P. juliflora and to evaluate its contribution to the growth of these invasive plant species. Firstly, AMF colonization and AMF spore abundance was assessed in the roots and rhizosphere of both species in the field. Spores of F. mosseae were obtained from the soil samples and used to set up a greenhouse experiment to evaluate its effect on plant dry biomass and plant phosphorus concentration for both exotic plant species. We found that F. mosseae inoculation promoted the growth of the invaders and lead to a higher P concentration. Our results demonstrate that (a) AMF play an important role in the biological invasion process of the Brazilian tropical seasonal dry forest by P. aculeata and P. juliflora and (b) F. mosseae might be an important AMF species during the biological invasion process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antigenotoxic potential of P. aculeata L. leaf extract/fractions against maleic hydrazide (MH) using Allium cepa root chromosomal aberration assay. The excessive reduction in root growth and mitotic index value was observed after 3 h treatment of MH as compared to negative control (water). In case of MH treatment, frequency of aberrated cells significantly (p ≤ 0.05) raised from 129 to 337 at 0.1 ppm and 2.0 ppm concentrations respectively. From root growth inhibition test with MH treatment, EC 50 value i.e. 0.5 ppm was selected to study the antigenotoxic effect of different extract/fractions of P. aculeata L. leaves. All the extract/fractions showed increase in mitotic index and great reduction in chromosomal aberrations with rise in concentration against the genotoxicity of MH. Among all the extract/fractions, butanol and ethyl acetate fractions showed significant reduction in chromosomal aberrations in A. cepa cells and indicates the chemo preventive activity. Antigenotoxic property of this plant is due to the presence of various phytochemicals in leaf such as epi-orientin, Parkinsonin-A, Parkinsonin-B, orientin, iso-orientin, vitexin, iso-vitexin, C-glycosylflavone, parkintin, rotenoids, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides and anthraquinone etc. Our result showed that among all the treatments, simultaneous treatment showed best result followed by pre and post treatment. Further studies in animal model are suggested for further evaluation of the use of P. aculeata leaf extract in human welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

We have characterized genetic, phenotypic and symbiotic properties of bacterial strains previously isolated from nitrogen-fixing nodules of Retama sphaerocarpa from Northern Algeria. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA genes and three concatenated housekeeping genes, recA , atpD and glnII , placed them in a new divergent group that is proposed to form a new Bradyrhizobium species, Bradyrhizobium algeriense sp. nov. (type strain RST89 T , LMG 27618 and CECT 8363). Based on these phylogenetic markers and on genomic identity data derived from draft genomic sequences, Bradyrhizobium valentinum LmjM3 T , Bradyrhizobium lablabi CCBAU 23086 T , Bradyrhizobium retamae Ro19 T , and Bradyrhizobium jicamae PAC68 T are the closest relatives of B. algeriense RST89 T , with sequence identities of 92–94% and Average Nucleotide Identities (ANIm) under 90%, well below the 95–96% species circumscription threshold. Likewise, a comparison of whole-cell proteomic patterns, estimated by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometric analysis, yielded almost identical spectra between B. algeriense strains but significant differences with B. valentinum , Bradyrhizobium paxllaeri , Bradyrhizobium icense , B. lablabi , B. jicamae and B. retamae . A phylogenetic tree based on symbiotic gene nodC revealed that the B. algeriense sequences cluster with sequences from the Bradyrhizobium symbiovar retamae, previously defined with B. retamae strains isolated from Retama monosperma . B. algeriense strains were able to establish effective symbioses with Retama raetam , Lupinus micranthus , Lupinus albus and Genista numidica , but not with Lupinus angustifolius or Glycine max. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Retama monosperma (L.) Boiss is a coastal shrub growing on sandy soils in the SW of the Iberian Peninsula and in the NW of Morocco. Although a native species, it has been considered to show an invasive behaviour. Tolerance of R. monosperma to salinity-one of the most limiting factors of coastal systems-was assessed as an eventual explanation to its invasive character. A glasshouse experiment, where young plants were irrigated with different NaCl concentrations (5 to 600 mM), was designed. R. monosperma physiological performance was examined by measuring gas exchange, quantum yield, and water potential, at 7, 30, and 60 days after reaching the assigned NaCl concentration. At the end of the experiment, after measuring free proline content in cladodes, plants were harvested, separated in stems, roots, and root nodules, and weighted and Na + content was measured in roots and cladodes. Although plants survived to high NaCl concentrations, increasing levels of salinity resulted in a progressive reduction in photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and water potential, and also in a progressive increase in proline and Na + content. Roots accumulated more Na+ than cladodes in all situations. Biomass allocation pattern was modified by the NaCl levels. The high tolerance of R. monosperma to a continued exposure to salinity could be one of the factors explaining its high expansion rate in coastal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to study the morphology of retama seeds and the combined effects of salt and water stress on the seeds germination of four Tunisian populations of Retama raetam. Seeds were harvested from Bouhedma National Park, Meknassi, Oueslatia, and Rtiba. In this study we were interested in evaluating different parameters of germination in presence of the salinity and osmotic stress. The results revealed that this species can withstand salinity up to 15 g/l of salt (the germination percentage of the Rtiba population reached 42%) and it can also tolerate severe drought resulted in significant doses of PEG6000 (germination percentage reached 29% to the water potential of -1.6 MPa of Oueslatia population). The morphological traits of the seeds were measured to find a relationship between the size of the seeds and their germination capacity under salinity and osmotic stress. Results have shown that for the correlation between morphological traits of seeds and the germination percentage, the seed weight is a major factor in promoting germination under stress and confirmed that saline water and sprouting inhibition have impact on the small caliber of seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Question Do the effects of grazing and fertilization on taxonomic and functional diversity follow the dynamic equilibrium model? Location Long-term permanent upland grasslands, Massif-central, France. Methods Over 8 yr, we monitored vegetation changes in 24 experimental plots in two productive grasslands after modification of grazing intensity (including abandonment) or fertilization regime (including cessation of fertilization). Botanical surveys and plant trait measurements ( LDMC, SLA and reproductive plant height) were performed within each plot. We analysed taxonomic responses using PRC and functional responses from observed temporal changes of CWM traits and Rao index. Results Grazing abandonment led to significant reductions in species richness and functional convergence toward taller plants with higher LDMC in both grasslands. Intermediate and high grazing pressure did not differ but showed strong variations in taxonomic diversity between years. Changes in functional vegetation structure were mostly driven by species turnover and weakly influenced by intraspecific trait variability. Community responses to modified fertilization regime were more complex, with strong differences between the two mown grasslands. Species richness did not change significantly although species evenness decreased in the highly fertilized treatments ( NPK), particularly in the most productive grassland. Here, functional changes were largely driven by intraspecific trait variability. Both functional divergence and convergence were found for different traits. In NPK, grassland assemblages converged toward taller plants while SLA diverged. Conclusions In our upland study system the different components of grassland diversity responded differently, in terms of direction or rate of change and mostly under extreme modifications of management. Following abandonment, the observed patterns suggest a prominent and consistent role of competitive exclusion, as expected under the DEM. However, our findings also suggest the role of additional processes, especially the importance of niche differentiation, for our mown grassland under NPK. Timing and net effects of these combined assembly drivers were sensitive to even slight differences in initial productivity and species composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Forest recovery in Mediterranean environments is influenced by factors such as aridity, herbivory and facilitation by shrubs, as well as by seed limitation in the case of highly fragmented forests. How these various factors interact can determine the direction of secondary succession, yet these interactions are poorly understood. We assessed the relative importance of several factors in forest species recruitment in Retama sphaerocarpa (L.) Boiss ( Retama) shrublands at different spatial scales. Location Centre of the Iberian Peninsula. Methods We surveyed mid- and late successional woody species common in Holm oak forests in 29 Retama shrublands that are distributed along an environmental gradient of increasing aridity and herbivory (regional scale) and are located at various distances from forest patches of different sizes (landscape and local scale). In each Retama shrubland, we analysed the effects of microhabitat (under Retama canopy vs open gaps), aridity, presence of nurse shrubs, herbivory, based on the density of pellet droppings, and propagule pressure, measured as the ratio between the size of forest patches acting as seed sources and their distance to Retama shrubs. Results Quercus ilex, Asparagus acutifolius and Juniperus oxycedrus were the mid- and late successional woody species most recruited in Retama shrublands. Their frequency, which increased with precipitation, was higher under Retama canopy than in gaps. Differences in Q. ilex recruitment between Retama canopy or gaps increased with rainfall, suggesting a decrease in Retama facilitation effectiveness with increasing aridity. Frequency of recruited oaks increased with the total area of woodland remnants located at <0.5 km, yet propagule pressure did not modulate the positive effect of Retama and rainfall on recruitment. Forest patches at distances >0.5 km did not contribute to recruitment. Conclusions Presence of the shrub R. sphaerocarpa and dispersal-related processes at local scale are main determinants of the colonization of shrublands by late successional woody species. Preserving Retama shrublands and Q. ilex woodland remnants is therefore crucial for extensive passive restoration of Mediterranean oak forests. However, facilitation by Retama is much weaker when both aridity and herbivory are high, regardless of seed source availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Dieback causes a progressive reduction in plant population health, resulting in the death of plant parts and often plant death. It is prevalent in many invasive woody weeds in Australia and has been suggested as a potential mechanism for biocontrol of these species. Parkinsonia aculeata one such invasive tree in northern Australia. It has naturalised across a wide range of climatic zones and some populations have been heavily reduced by dieback occurrence. The cause(s) of dieback in parkinsonia remain elusive, although fungal endophytes have been previously implicated. In this study, we characterised the culturable fungal endophyte community of healthy and dieback-affected parkinsonia using culture-based techniques, and identified cultured isolates via amplicon sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the rDNA operon. Eight isolates, identified as pathogens, were selected for a 10-week pathogenicity trial, including water stress treatments, on parkinsonia seedlings. We isolated a taxonomically diverse fungal community from parkinsonia, representing 54 unique species from 25 families. Communities were similar across healthy and dieback-affected plants, but differed by plant tissue. Of the eight putative pathogenic isolates tested in the pathogenicity trial, inoculation with Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae, Botryosphaeria dothidea and Pestalotiopsis mangiferae resulted in the largest lesions, but systemic infection or dieback-like symptoms were not observed in any treatment despite plant stress being induced by drought or inundation. We concluded that inoculation of parkinsonia with the tested putative fungal pathogens is unlikely to result in dieback, which has implications for future work in biocontrol of parkinsonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Retama sphaerocarpa is a shrub widely used in traditional medicine. Owing to the huge demand for bioactive natural components, it is fundamental to study in detail the composition of this kind of plants. In this vein, the phenolic fraction of grains and stems from R. sphaerocarpa grown in Algeria was thoroughly investigated by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS). The extracts obtained by methanol:water (50:50) extraction were also evaluated for their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The UHPLC–MS analysis allowed the identification of forty two compounds, with twenty one identified in grains and twenty six in stems extracts. Thirty one of these components are referenced for the first time as constituents of R. sphaerocarpa . Stems showed to contain a considerably higher amount of phenolic compounds (11.40 g kg −1 of dry weight). Piscidic acid was identified as the major component, followed by quinic acid and morin/quercetin-di- O -rhamnoside. A taxifolin isomer, isorhamnetin- O -hexoside and an apigenin-6,8-di- C -hex o side isomer were found to be the major phenolic compounds in R. sphaerocarpa grains. The studied samples exhibited moderated antioxidant activities, with stems extract showing the most promising results. This fraction of R. sphaerocarpa also exhibited relevant inhibition against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . These results are a relevant contribution to the valorization of R. sphaerocarpa as a valuable source of natural bioactive compounds, with recognized nutraceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted in Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir State to determine the species composition and relative abundance of pollinators on Parkinsonia aculeata L., (Family Fabaceae) is a perennial flowering plant, growing as an avenue tree on roadsides. Parkinsonia flowers attracted 27 species of insects belonging to orders Hymenoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera. They included Megachile bicolor (Fabricius), Megachile hera (Bingham), Megachile lanata (Fabricius), Megachile disjuncta (Fab.), Megachile cephalotes (Smith), Megachile badia (Fab.), Megachile semivestita (Smith), Megachile vigilans (Smith), Megachile relata (Fab.), Megachile femorata, Andrena sp., Amegilla zonata (Linnaeus), Amegilla confusa (Smith), Apis dorsata (Fab.), Apis cerana (Fab.), Apis florea (Fab.), Ceratina smaragdula (Fab.)., Xylocopa latipes (Drury), Nomia iridescens (Smith), Nomia curvipes (Fab.), and seven species of unidentified insects. Megachile bees were most abundant and constituted more than 95% of the insects visiting Parkinsonia aculeata flowers. Species diversity measured by Shannon Wiener index showed a high value of H' = 2.03, reflecting a diverse pollinator community in the area. The foragers of all the species were found to be most active between 11.00 and 15.00 hrs and the population of flower visitors declined thereafter. Information on diversity of native pollinators from disturbed habitats and their specific dependence on P. aculeata during dearth period will provide a base for conservation of pollinators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel Infinitesimal Columns (IC) simulation model is introduced in this study for the quantitative analysis of core-shell nanoparticles (CSNP) by means of XPS, which combines the advantages of existing approaches. The IC model is applied to stabilised Lumidot™ CdSe/ZnS 610 CSNP for an extensive investigation of their internal structure, i.e. calculation of the two shell thicknesses (ZnS and stabiliser) and exploration of deviations from the idealised CSNP composition. The observed discrepancies between different model calculations can be attributed to the presence of excess stabiliser as well as synthesis residues, demonstrating the necessity of sophisticated purification methods. An excellent agreement is found in the comparison of the IC model with established models from the existing literature, the Shard model and the software SESSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinsonia aculeata L. (Caesalpiniaceae) is a traditional ethnomedicine and has been used for the empiric treatment of hyperglycemia, without scientific background. Mechanistic analyses at molecular level from the antioxidant mechanism observed by P. aculeata are required. Herein the effects of the treatment by hydroethanolic extract partitioned with ethyl acetate of P. aculeata aerial parts (HEPa/EtOAc) in mice fed a high-fat diet that share many obesity phenotypes with humans were evaluated. The animals were treated orally with HEPa/EtOAc (125 and 250 mg/kg/day) and pioglitazone (5 mg/kg/day), for 16 days. After the treatment, HEPa/EtOAc reduced fasting serum glucose and insulin levels, as well as homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance. In addition, an improvement in glucose intolerance was also observed. Indeed, a reduction in the circulating levels of TNF-α and IL-6 was also observed. Furthermore, at molecular level, it was demonstrated that the HEPa/EtOAc treatment was able to improve these physiological parameters, through the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) per si, as well as the enhancement of antioxidant mechanism by an increase in PPARγ/Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) axis expression in liver and adipose tissue. In sum, P. aculeata is effective to improve insulin resistance in a mouse model of obesity and this effect seems to involve the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms through the increase in PPARγ/CuZn-SOD axis expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Ethnopharmacological relevance The search for natural agents that minimize obesity-associated disorders is receiving special attention. Parkinsonia aculeata L. (Caesalpineaceae) has long been used in Brazil as a hypoglycaemic herbal medicine, without any scientific basis. Aims of the study In this context, we aimed to use molecular and physiological methods to study the effect of a hydroethanolic extract partitioned with ethyl acetate from the aerial parts of Parkinsonia aculeata (HEPa/EtOAc) on insulin resistance in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity (DIO). Material and methods Firstly, C57BL/6J mice were fed either with standard rodent chow diet or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 consecutive weeks. Then, the animals were treated with HEPa/EtOAc at two doses (125 and 250 mg/kg/day) or metformin (200 mg/kg/day) for 16 days. At the end of the experiment, body weight, fat pad weight, fasting serum glucose (FSG), insulin (FSI) and leptin were measured. Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) was also calculated. Glucose, insulin and pyruvate tolerance tests were performed. The expression and phosphorylation of IRβ tyr , Akt ser473 , AMPKα and PGC1α in liver, muscle and adipose tissue were determined by Western blot analyses. Results Herein we demonstrate for the first time an improvement in insulin resistance following HEPa/EtOAc administration in obese mice, as shown by increased glucose, insulin and pyruvate tolerance, as well as an improvement in FSG, FSI, HOMA-IR and circulating leptin levels, which together are in part due to enhancement of the insulin signaling pathway in its main target tissues. Surprisingly, the increase in activation of the AMPKα-PGC1-α axis by HEPa/EtOAc was similar to that produced by metformin treatment in the liver and muscle tissues. Conclusion In conclusion, P. aculeata appears to be a source of therapeutic agent against obesity-related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]