Search results for "Plant Root"
showing 10 items of 232 documents
Evaluating ancient Egyptian prescriptions today: Anti-inflammatory activity of Ziziphus spina-christi.
2015
Abstract Background Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. (Christ's Thorn Jujube) is a wild tree today found in Jordan, Israel, Egypt, and some parts of Africa, which was already in use as a medicinal plant in Ancient Egypt. In ancient Egyptian prescriptions, it was used in remedies against swellings, pain, and heat, and thus should have anti-inflammatory effects. Nowadays, Z. spina-christi, is used in Egypt (by Bedouins, and Nubians), the Arabian Peninsula, Jordan, Iraq, and Morocco against a wide range of illnesses, most of them associated with inflammation. Pharmacological research undertaken to date suggests that it possesses anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, hypotensive and anti-microbial e…
The Arabidopsis heavy metal P-type ATPase HMA5 interacts with metallochaperones and functions in copper detoxification of roots
2005
*† ‡ § Summary Since copper (Cu) is essential in key physiological oxidation reactions, organisms have developed strategies for handling Cu while avoiding its potentially toxic effects. Among the tools that have evolved to cope with Cu is a network of Cu homeostasis factors such as Cu-transporting P-type ATPases that play a key role in transmembrane Cu transport. In this work we present the functional characterization of an Arabidopsis Cutransporting P-type ATPase, denoted heavy metal ATPase 5 (HMA5), and its interaction with Arabidopsis metallochaperones. HMA5 is primarily expressed in roots, and is strongly and specifically induced by Cu in whole plants. We have identified and characteriz…
Trans-epithelial transport of the betalain pigments indicaxanthin and betanin across Caco-2 cell monolayers and influence of food matrix.
2012
Purpose: This study investigated the absorption mechanism of the phytochemicals indicaxanthin and betanin and the influence of their food matrix (cactus pear and red beet) on the intestinal transport. Methods: Trans-epithelial transport of dietary-consistent amounts of indicaxanthin and betanin in Caco-2 cell monolayers seeded on TranswellR inserts was measured in apical to basolateral (AP-BL) and basolateral to apical (BL-AP) direction, under an inwardly directed pH gradient (pH 6.0/7.4, AP/BL) mimicking luminal and serosal sides of human intestinal epithelium. The effect of inhibitors of membrane transporters on the absorption was also evaluated. Contribution of the paracellular route was…
The cypsela (achene) of Echinacea purpurea as a diffusion unit of a community of microorganisms
2021
AbstractEchinacea purpurea is a plant cultivated worldwide for its pharmaceutical properties, mainly related to the stimulation of the immune system in the treatment of respiratory infections. The cypselas (fruits) of E. purpurea were examined in order to investigate the presence, localization and potential function(s) of endophytic microorganisms. Electron and confocal microscopy observations showed that three different components of microorganisms were associated to cypselas of E. purpurea: (i) one endocellular bacterial component in the cotyledons, enclosed within the host membrane; (ii) another more generic bacterial component adhering to the external side of the perianth; and (iii) a f…
A plant genetically modified that accumulates Pb is especially promising for phytoremediation
2003
6 pages, 3 figures, 1 table.
Toxicity assessment and biodegradation potential of water-soluble sludge containing 2,4,6-trinitrotoluen
2013
The water-soluble phase of trinitrotoluene-containing sludge (SLP) was characterized with regard to trinitrotoluene (TNT) concentration, ecotoxicity, and a model biodegradation experiment as evaluation criteria for further development of appropriate treatment technologies. SLP contained 67.8 mg TNT/l. The results of germination and root-elongation tests indicated that SLP had a species-specific phytotoxic effect. The results of a 21 day degradation experiment demonstrated TNT conversion to 4-amino-2,6-DNT and 2-amino-4,6-DNT, with a simultaneous reduction in the total concentration of nitroaromatics. Addition of inoculum stimulated the TNT degradation process. The presence of the sludge sol…
Pharmacological Properties of Shikonin – A Review of Literature since 2002
2013
The naphthoquinone shikonin is the main active principle of Zicao, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine made from the dried root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon. Studies carried out over the past 30 years have provided a scientific basis for the use of Zicao which has been long employed in folk medicine to treat a variety of inflammatory and infectious diseases. In particular, shikonin has been shown to possess many diverse properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, antimicrobial, and wound healing effects. The fact that shikonin shows so many beneficial properties has increased the interest in this molecule dramatically, especially in the past few years. The aim o…
Modulation of COX, LOX and NFκB activities by Xanthium spinosum L. root extract and ziniolide.
2012
Xanthium spinosum L. (Asteraceae) is a medicinal weed distributed worldwide. Many of its diverse ethnopharmacological uses - namely diarrhoea, inflammation, liver disorders, snake bite and fever - are linked - at least in part - to an uncontrolled release of arachidonic acid metabolites. The crude extract of X. spinosum roots from Jordanian origin dose-dependently inhibited the 5-LOX (IC50 is approximately equal to 10 μg/mL), COX-1(IC50 is approximately equal to 50 μg/mL), and 12-LOX (IC50 is approximately equal to 170 μg/mL) enzymatic pathways in intact pro-inflammatory cells. A direct activity at the level of PLA2 is not probable, but the extract induced the synthesis of the anti-inflamma…
Antifungal steroid saponins from Dioscorea cayenensis.
2004
From the rhizomes of Dioscorea cayenensis Lam.-Holl (Dioscoreaceae), the new 26- O- beta- D-glucopyranosyl-22-methoxy-3 beta,26-dihydroxy-25( R)-furost-5-en-3- O- alpha- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)- alpha- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[ alpha- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)]- beta- D-glucopyranoside ( 1) was isolated together with the known dioscin ( 2) and diosgenin 3- O- alpha- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)- alpha- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[ alpha- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)]- beta- D-glucopyranoside ( 3). Their structures were established on the basis of spectral data. Compound 2 exhibited antifungal activity against the human pathogenic yeasts Candida albicans, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis (MICs of …
Steroidal saponins from Asparagus acutifolius.
2007
Abstract Six new steroidal saponins ( 1 – 6 ) were isolated from the roots of A. acutifolius L., together with a known spirostanol glycoside ( 7 ). Their structures were elucidated mainly by extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D and 2D NMR, FABMS and HRESIMS). Compounds 4 – 7 demonstrated antifungal activity against the human pathogenic yeasts C. albicans , C. glabrata and C. tropicalis with MICs values between 12.5 and 100 μg/ml.