Medicinal plants are rich sources of valuable molecules with various profitable biological effects, including antimicrobial activity. The advantages of herbal products are their effectiveness, relative safety based on research or extended traditional use, and accessibility without prescription. Extensive and irrational usage of antibiotics since their discovery in 1928 has led to the increasing expiration of their effectiveness due to antibacterial resistance. Now, medical research is facing a big and challenging mission to find effective and safe antimicrobial therapies to replace inactive drugs. Over the years, one of the research fields that remained the most available is the area of natural products: medicinal plants and their metabolites, which could serve as active substances to fight against microbes or be considered as models in drug design. This review presents selected flavonoids (such as apigenin, quercetin, kaempferol, kurarinone, and morin) and tannins (including oligomeric proanthocyanidins, gallotannins, ellagitannins, catechins, and epigallocatechin gallate), but also medicinal plants rich in these compounds as potential therapeutic agents in oral infectious diseases based on traditional usages such as Agrimonia eupatoria L., Hamamelis virginiana L., Matricaria chamomilla L., Vaccinium myrtillus L., Quercus robur L., Rosa gallica L., Rubus idaeus L., or Potentilla erecta (L.). Some of the presented compounds and extracts are already successfully used to maintain oral health, as the main or additive ingredient of toothpastes or mouthwashes. Others are promising for further research or future applications.

• MeSH
• Anti-Infective Agents * pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Flavonoids therapeutic use   MeSH
• Hydrolyzable Tannins metabolism   MeSH
• Communicable Diseases * MeSH
• Plants, Medicinal * metabolism   MeSH
• Plant Extracts MeSH
• Tannins metabolism   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands is a cosmopolite pathogen of woody plants which during the last couple of centuries has spread all over the world from its center of origin in Southeast Asia. In contrast to Chinese cork oak (Quercus variabilis Blume) forests native to Asia, which are generally healthy despite the presence of the pathogen, the populations of Cork oaks (Quercus suber L.) in Europe have been severely decimated by P. cinnamomi. The present study aims at identifying the differences in the early proteomic and metabolomic response of these two tree species that lead to their differences in susceptibility to P. cinnamomi. By using micropropagated clonal plants, we tried to minimize the plant-to-plant differences in the defense response that is maximized by the high intraspecific genetic variability inherent to the Quercus genus. The evolution on the content of Phytophthora proteins in the roots during the first 36 h after inoculation suggests a slower infection process in Q. variabilis plants. These plants displayed a significant decrease in sugars in the roots, together with a downregulation of proteins related to carbon metabolism. In the leaves, the biggest changes in proteomic profiling were observed 16 h after inoculation, and included increased abundance of peroxidases, superoxide dismutases and glutathione S-transferases in Q. variabilis plants, which probably contributed to decrease its susceptibility to P. cinnamomi.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Induction of plant defences can show various levels of localization, which can optimize their efficiency. Locally induced responses may be particularly important in large plants, such as trees, that show high variability in traits and herbivory rates across their canopies. We studied the branch-localized induction of polyphenols, volatiles (VOCs), and changes in leaf protein content in Carpinus betulus L., Quercus robur L., and Tilia cordata L. in a common garden experiment. To induce the trees, we treated ten individuals per species on one branch with methyl jasmonate. Five other individuals per species served as controls. We measured the traits in the treated branches, in control branches on treated trees, and in control trees. Additionally, we ran predation assays and caterpillar food-choice trials to assess the effects of our treatment on other trophic levels. Induced VOCs included mainly mono- and sesquiterpenes. Their production was strongly localized to the treated branches in all three tree species studied. Treated trees showed more predation events than control trees. The polyphenol levels and total protein content showed a limited response to the treatment. Yet, winter moth caterpillars preferred leaves from control branches over leaves from treated branches within C. betulus individuals and leaves from control Q. robur individuals over leaves from treated Q. robur individuals. Our results suggest that there is a significant level of localization in induction of VOCs and probably also in unknown traits with direct effects on herbivores. Such localization allows trees to upregulate defences wherever and whenever they are needed.

• MeSH
• Principal Component Analysis MeSH
• Fagales chemistry   metabolism   MeSH
• Herbivory * MeSH
• Insecta MeSH
• Plant Defense Against Herbivory * MeSH
• Trees chemistry   metabolism   MeSH
• Volatile Organic Compounds analysis   metabolism   MeSH
• Tilia chemistry   metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH

Vysokoškolská učebnice obsahující praktická cvičení, která se zaměřují na farmakognozii.

• MeSH
• Pharmacognosy MeSH

• Conspectus
• Farmacie. Farmakologie
• Učební osnovy. Vyučovací předměty. Učebnice
• NML Fields
• farmacie a farmakologie
• NML Publication type
• učebnice vysokých škol
• praktická cvičení

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) has increased substantially since the industrial revolution began, and physiological responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations reportedly alter the biometry and wood structure of trees. Additionally, soil nutrient availability may play an important role in regulating these responses. Therefore, in this study, we grew 288 two-year-old saplings of sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) in lamellar glass domes for three years to evaluate the effects of CO2 concentrations and nutrient supply on above- and belowground biomass, wood density, and wood structure. Elevated CO2 increased above- and belowground biomass by 44.3% and 46.9%, respectively. However, under elevated CO2 treatment, sapling wood density was markedly lower (approximately 1.7%), and notably wider growth rings-and larger, more efficient conduits leading to increased hydraulic conductance-were observed. Moreover, despite the vessels being larger in saplings under elevated CO2, the vessels were significantly fewer (p = 0.023). No direct effects of nutrient supply were observed on biomass growth, wood density, or wood structure, except for a notable decrease in specific leaf area. These results suggest that, although fewer and larger conduits may render the xylem more vulnerable to embolism formation under drought conditions, the high growth rate in sessile oak saplings under elevated CO2 is supported by an efficient vascular system and may increase biomass production in this tree species. Nevertheless, the decreased mechanical strength, indicated by low density and xylem vulnerability to drought, may lead to earlier mortality, offsetting the positive effects of elevated CO2 levels in the future.

• MeSH
• Biomass * MeSH
• Wood growth & development   MeSH
• Quercus growth & development   MeSH
• Carbon Dioxide MeSH
• Soil * MeSH
• Trees growth & development   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

V této knize se seznámíte s léčivými vlastnostmi stromů rostoucích v České republice a zjistíte, jak je využít v praxi. Najdete zde skvělé tipy na domácí medicínu, uvaříte si dobroty podle kuchařských receptů a nakonec se s námi vydáte na výlet za nejkrásnějšími stromy.; Pomáhají nám při zdravotních potížích, při léčbě různých onemocnění, zlepšují náš duševní stav a výrazně snižují hladinu stresu. Při vyčerpání nás nabíjí energií. Stromy nám přinášejí nejenom kyslík, nýbrž i radost, životodárnou energii a jsou velkým přínosem pro lidské zdraví

Oxidative status has been proposed as an important ecological and evolutionary force given that pro-oxidant metabolites damage molecules, cells and tissues, with fitness consequences for organisms. Consequently, organisms usually face a trade-off between regulating their oxidative status and other physiological traits. However, environmental stressors and the availability of dietary-derived antioxidants vary according to local conditions and, thus, organisms inhabiting different habitats face different oxidative pressures. Still, there is little information on how different environmental conditions influence the oxidative status of animals inhabiting terrestrial environments. In this work, we examined the variation in oxidative status in the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), a bird species with hatching asynchrony. Specifically, we examined the oxidative status of the largest and the smallest nestlings in the brood, inhabiting four forests differing in food availability and ectoparasite prevalence. We measured lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde; MDA) as a marker of oxidative damage, total antioxidant capacity (Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity; TEAC) and antioxidant enzymatic activity (catalase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase) in blood samples. The glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity differed among the forests, being the highest in the pine forest and the lowest in a mixed oak (Quercus) forest in the most humid area. Lipid peroxidation was higher in larger nestlings, suggesting higher oxidative damage with an increasing growth rate. Neither brood size, laying date, nor ectoparasites were related to the oxidative status of nestlings. These results suggest that nest rearing conditions might shape the oxidative status of birds, having consequences for habitat-dependent variation in regulation of oxidative status.

• MeSH
• Antioxidants metabolism   MeSH
• Diet * MeSH
• Ecosystem * MeSH
• Glutathione Peroxidase metabolism   MeSH
• Catalase metabolism   MeSH
• Malondialdehyde metabolism   MeSH
• Oxidation-Reduction MeSH
• Oxidative Stress physiology   MeSH
• Passeriformes physiology   MeSH
• Lipid Peroxidation MeSH
• Geography MeSH
• Songbirds physiology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Spain MeSH

Článek prezentuje výsledky farmakodynamické studie nového gelu obsahujícího extrakt z Aloe vera a extrakt z dubové kůry v podmínkách destruktivního zánětlivého onemocnění parodontu. Farmakodynamika nového gelu byla studována následujícími metodami: antimikrobiální účinek – difuzní metodou v agarovém gelu (srovnávaný produkt – Metrogyl denta® gel); reparativní účinek – na modelu lineárních řezných ran (srovnávaný produkt – měsíčková mast); protizánětlivá aktivita – na modelu akutního zánětu vyvolaného karagenanem (srovnávaný produkt – 5% gel sodné soli diklofenaku). V rámci studie bylo zjištěno, že antimikrobiální aktivita nového gelu proti Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Pseu-domonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Candida albicansNCTC 885-653, Escherichia faecalis ATCC 29212. Staphylococcus mutans ATCC 35668 byla mírně nižší ve srovnání s gelem Metrogyl denta®, který vykazuje silnou antimikrobiální aktivitu. Podle reparativního účinku na modelu lineárních řezných ran vykazoval nový gel vyšší účinek (o 24 %, p < 0.001) ve srovnání s přípravkem na bázi léčivého rostlinného materiálu měsíčkovou mastí. Za podmínek akutního zánětu vyvolaného karagenanem byla prokázána významná protizánětlivá aktivita nového gelu. Přípravek překonal gel sodné soli diklofanaku v prvních hodinách experimentu, což ukazuje na anti lipooxygenázovou aktivitu nového gelu. Zjištěná antimikrobiální, reparativní a protizánětlivá aktivita nového gelu obsahujícího extrakty z Aloe vera a dubové kůry potvrdila možnost jeho použití při léčbě destruktivních zánětlivých onemocnění parodontu.

The article presents the results of a pharmacodynamic study of a new gel containing an extract of Aloe vera and an extract of oak bark under the condition of destructive inflammatory periodontal diseases. Pharmacodynamics of the new gel was studied by the following methods: antimicrobial effect – by diffusion method in agar gel (compared product – Metrogyl denta® gel); reparative effect – on the model of linear cut wounds (compared product – Calendula ointment); anti-inflammatory activity – on the model of acute carrageenan-induced inflammation (compared product – Diclofenac natrium gel5%). It has been established that the antimicrobial activity of the new gel against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Bacillus subtilisATCC 6633, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Candida albicans NCTC 885-653, Escherichia faecalisATCC 29212, and Staphylococcus mutans ATCC 35668 is slightly lower in comparison with Metrogyl denta® gel exhibiting a powerful antimicrobial activity. According to the reparative effect on the model of linear cut wounds, the new gel exceeded the effectiveness (by 24%, p < 0.001) of the compared drug based on the medicinal plant material – Calendula ointment. A significant anti-inflammatory activity of the new gel has been revealed under the conditions of acute carrageenan inflammation. It exceeded the Diclofenac natrium gel in the first hours of the experiment, indicating an anti-lipoxygenase activity of the new gel. The established antimicrobial, reparative and anti-inflammatory activity of a new gel containing aloe vera and oak bark extracts confirmed its potential use in the treatment of destructive inflammatory periodontal diseases.

• MeSH
• Aloe MeSH
• Quercus MeSH
• Phytotherapy methods   MeSH
• Gels therapeutic use   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Disease Models, Animal MeSH
• Periodontitis * therapy   MeSH
• Plant Extracts * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH

Naučte se využívat léčivou sílu bylin tak, jak to uměli naši předci. V knize se dozvíte, kdy, kde a jak je sbírat a jak z nich vytvořit léčivé elixíry. Základní recepty na tinktury, masti, sirupy a odvary, přehled léčivých bylin a jejich účinků a také povídaní o tom, jak je staří Slované využívali při různých magických obřadech v průběhu roku.; Přehled léčivých rostlin, předpisy na domácí přípravu odvarů, tinktur, sirupů, olejů a mastí, léčba zdravotních potíží u dospělých i dětí.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antarctica, Cladosporium arenosum from marine sediment sand. Argentina, Kosmimatamyces alatophylus (incl. Kosmimatamyces gen. nov.) from soil. Australia, Aspergillus banksianus, Aspergillus kumbius, Aspergillus luteorubrus, Aspergillus malvicolor and Aspergillus nanangensis from soil, Erysiphe medicaginis from leaves of Medicago polymorpha, Hymenotorrendiella communis on leaf litter of Eucalyptus bicostata, Lactifluus albopicri and Lactifluus austropiperatus on soil, Macalpinomyces collinsiae on Eriachne benthamii, Marasmius vagus on soil, Microdochium dawsoniorum from leaves of Sporobolus natalensis, Neopestalotiopsis nebuloides from leaves of Sporobolus elongatus, Pestalotiopsis etonensis from leaves of Sporobolus jacquemontii, Phytophthora personensis from soil associated with dying Grevillea mccutcheonii.Brazil, Aspergillus oxumiae from soil, Calvatia baixaverdensis on soil, Geastrum calycicoriaceum on leaf litter, Greeneria kielmeyerae on leaf spots of Kielmeyera coriacea. Chile, Phytophthora aysenensis on collar rot and stem of Aristotelia chilensis.Croatia, Mollisia gibbospora on fallen branch of Fagus sylvatica.Czech Republic, Neosetophoma hnaniceana from Buxus sempervirens.Ecuador, Exophiala frigidotolerans from soil. Estonia, Elaphomyces bucholtzii in soil. France, Venturia paralias from leaves of Euphorbia paralias.India, Cortinarius balteatoindicus and Cortinarius ulkhagarhiensis on leaf litter. Indonesia, Hymenotorrendiella indonesiana on Eucalyptus urophylla leaf litter. Italy, Penicillium taurinense from indoor chestnut mill. Malaysia, Hemileucoglossum kelabitense on soil, Satchmopsis pini on dead needles of Pinus tecunumanii.Poland, Lecanicillium praecognitum on insects' frass. Portugal, Neodevriesia aestuarina from saline water. Republic of Korea, Gongronella namwonensis from freshwater. Russia, Candida pellucida from Exomias pellucidus, Heterocephalacria septentrionalis as endophyte from Cladonia rangiferina, Vishniacozyma phoenicis from dates fruit, Volvariella paludosa from swamp. Slovenia, Mallocybe crassivelata on soil. South Africa, Beltraniella podocarpi, Hamatocanthoscypha podocarpi, Coleophoma podocarpi and Nothoseiridium podocarpi (incl. Nothoseiridium gen. nov.) from leaves of Podocarpus latifolius, Gyrothrix encephalarti from leaves of Encephalartos sp., Paraphyton cutaneum from skin of human patient, Phacidiella alsophilae from leaves of Alsophila capensis, and Satchmopsis metrosideri on leaf litter of Metrosideros excelsa.Spain, Cladophialophora cabanerensis from soil, Cortinarius paezii on soil, Cylindrium magnoliae from leaves of Magnolia grandiflora, Trichophoma cylindrospora (incl. Trichophoma gen. nov.) from plant debris, Tuber alcaracense in calcareus soil, Tuber buendiae in calcareus soil. Thailand, Annulohypoxylon spougei on corticated wood, Poaceascoma filiforme from leaves of unknown Poaceae.UK, Dendrostoma luteum on branch lesions of Castanea sativa, Ypsilina buttingtonensis from heartwood of Quercus sp. Ukraine, Myrmecridium phragmiticola from leaves of Phragmites australis.USA, Absidia pararepens from air, Juncomyces californiensis (incl. Juncomyces gen. nov.) from leaves of Juncus effusus, Montagnula cylindrospora from a human skin sample, Muriphila oklahomaensis (incl. Muriphila gen. nov.) on outside wall of alcohol distillery, Neofabraea eucalyptorum from leaves of Eucalyptus macrandra, Diabolocovidia claustri (incl. Diabolocovidia gen. nov.) from leaves of Serenoa repens, Paecilomyces penicilliformis from air, Pseudopezicula betulae from leaves of leaf spots of Populus tremuloides. Vietnam, Diaporthe durionigena on branches of Durio zibethinus and Roridomyces pseudoirritans on rotten wood. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes.

• MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Fungi * classification   MeSH
• DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH