Extensive use of nanomaterials in agriculture will inevitably lead to their release to the environment in significant loads. Thus, understanding the fate of nanoparticles in the soil-plant environment, and potential presence and consequent implication of nanoparticles in food and feed products, is required. We study plant uptake of gold nanoparticles from soil, and their distribution, translocation and speciation (in terms of particle size change and release of ionic Au) in the different plant tissues of four important crops (potato, radish, carrot and lettuce). Our new analytical protocol and experiments show the feasibility of determining the presence, concentration and distribution of nanoparticles in different plant parts, which differ from plant to plant. Critically, we identify the evident capacity of plants to break down (or substantially change the properties of) nanoparticles in the rhizosphere prior to uptake, as well as the evident capacity of plants to reorganize ionic metals as nanoparticles in their tissues. This could lead to nanoparticle exposure through consumption of crops.
Carlina acaulis (Compositae) is traditionally used for food and medicinal purposes in central and southern Europe. Its root essential oil (EO), mainly composed by carlina oxide, is included in the BELFRIT botanical list of food supplements. It is also recognized as a potent mosquito larvicide. It is matter of concern whether this EO could be endowed with intrinsic toxicity to limit its use on a food level. Focusing on the insecticidal activity of this EO, we investigated the acute toxicity and sublethal effects on Musca domestica. In topical assays, the EO was extremely effective (LD50 = 2.74 and 5.96 μg fly-1, on males and females, respectively). The exposure to a sublethal dose (LD30) led to significant reductions of female longevity (LT50 = 6.7-9.0 days vs. control LT50 = 12.9-13.7 days). Treated females laid 2.5 times fewer eggs over control ones. F1 vitality decreased: F1 larvae and pupae showed high mortality, 2-4-fold higher over the control. The EO also showed high cytotoxicity on normal human fibroblasts (NHF-A12, IC50 = 9.4-14.2 μg mL-1 after 6-48 h). Overall, our findings support the employ of this EO for developing botanical insecticides. At the same time, they encourage food safety authorities to perform a full toxicological assessment for possible restrictions at food level.
- MeSH
- buněčné linie MeSH
- insekticidy toxicita MeSH
- kořeny rostlin chemie MeSH
- kukla účinky léků MeSH
- larva účinky léků MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Magnoliopsida chemie MeSH
- moucha domácí účinky léků MeSH
- oleje prchavé toxicita MeSH
- oleje rostlin toxicita MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Lycoris Herbert, family Amaryllidaceae, is a small genus of about 20 species that are native to the warm temperate woodlands of eastern Asia, as in China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the Himalayas. For many years, species of Lycoris have been subjected to extensive phytochemical and pharmacological investigations, resulting in either the isolation or identification of more than 110 Amaryllidaceae alkaloids belonging to different structural types. Amaryllidaceae alkaloids are frequently studied for their interesting biological properties, including antiviral, antibacterial, antitumor, antifungal, antimalarial, analgesic, cytotoxic, and cholinesterase inhibition activities. The present review aims to summarize comprehensively the research that has been reported on the phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Lycoris.
- MeSH
- alkaloidy amarylkovitých chemie terapeutické užití MeSH
- Amaryllidaceae chemie MeSH
- antimalarika chemie terapeutické užití MeSH
- fytonutrienty terapeutické užití MeSH
- kořeny rostlin chemie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Lycoris chemie MeSH
- rostlinné extrakty chemie terapeutické užití MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Čína MeSH
Složení volných a v proteinech vázaných aminokyselin bylo analyzováno metodou HPLC v nati a kořenech Smallanthus sonchifolius. V nati jakonu bylo stanoveno čtrnáct volných a patnáct vázaných aminokyselin, v kořenu tři volné a čtrnáct v proteinech vázaných aminokyselin. V nati mezi volnými aminokyselinami dominoval prolin (0,44 μg/mg) a kyselina asparagová (0,12 μg/mg), v kořenech potom prolin (0,28 μg/mg). Mezi vázanými aminokyselinami v nati převažovala kyselina asparagová (18,58 μg/mg), kyselina glutamo-vá (16,33 μg/mg) a prolin (14,52 μg/mg), v kořenech se jednalo zejména o prolin (3,14 μg/mg). V nati S. sonchifoli byly s použitím plynové chromatografie spojené s hmotnostní spektrometrií (GC-MS) identifikovány fruktosa, sacharosa a arabinosa ve volné formě. Z natě jakonu byl získán polysacharidový komplex a jeho výtěžek činil 5,13 ± 0,09 %. Fruktosa (3,11 μg/mg) byla jediným monosacharidem identifikovaným v hydrolyzátu získaného komplexu.
The free and protein-bound amino acid composition of the herb and roots of Smallanthus sonchifolius was analyzed by HPLC method. Fourteen free and fifteen protein-bound amino acids were determined inyaconherb, and three free and fourteen protein-bound amino acids in the roots. Among the free amino acids, proline (0.44 μg/mg) and aspartic acid (0.12 μg/mg) were dominant in the herb and proline (0.28 μg/mg) in the roots. Among the protein-bound amino acids, aspartic acid (18.58 μg/mg), glutamic acid (16.33 μg/mg) and proline (14.52 μg/mg) prevailed in the herb, and proline (3.14 μg/mg) in the roots. Fructose, sucrose and arabinose were identified in free form in the herb of S. sonchifolius applying gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The polysaccharide complex was obtained from yacon herb, its yield was 5.13 ± 0.09%. Fructose (3.11 μg/mg) was the only monosaccharide identified in the hydrolysate of the obtained complex.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: This study is one of the first post-civil war efforts to document traditional botanical knowledge in Bié province, central Angola, in a first step to bring more studies on the use of medicinal plant resources in this area so as to bring new insights into Angolan bio-cultural diversity. AIM OF THE STUDY: Examine the variety of plant species used for medical purposes, as well as characterize their social and cultural values. Also, it is aimed to compare their uses in the studied region with those in Sub-Saharan Africa and report new ethnomedicinal uses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We documented traditional medicinal plant knowledge among professional herbalists in two areas in Bié province through participatory observation, semi-structured interviews and transect walks. Ethnobotanical information was quantified based on Use Reports to (1) rate traditional knowledge; and (2) determine most useful taxa. RESULTS: In total, 10 traditional healers shared information on their knowledge. A total of 87 plant species distributed among 57 genera and 36 botanical families were documented with Fabaceae being the best-represented family with 18 species, followed by Phyllanthaceae (6), Apocynaceae (5), Asteraceae (5), Rubiaceae (5), Lamiaceae (4), and Ochnaceae (3). Most medicinal plants are usually gathered at a distance from human settlements because of the belief in the higher efficacy of 'wild' plants shared by all herbalists. Roots are the most common plant part used (79%), explaining why the consulted herbalists call themselves 'root doctors'. CONCLUSIONS: The culturally most important medicinal species identified in this study, i.e. Securidaca longepedunculata, Garcinia huillensis, Annona stenophylla, Afzelia quanzensis and Strychnos cocculoides, were previously reported for the same use in neighbouring countries and elsewhere in Africa. Our study also indicates that there are several locally valuable species that have not yet been studied for their medical potential, to name a few: Alvesia rosmarinifolia, Diplorhynchus condylocarpon, Eriosema affine, Paropsia brazzaeana, Rhus squalida, Sclerocroton cornutus or Xylopia tomentosa. Moreover, the ethnomedicinal use of 26 species was reported for the first time to sub-Saharan Africa. CLASSIFICATION: Ethnopharmacological field studies.
- MeSH
- etnobotanika MeSH
- fytoterapie * MeSH
- kořeny rostlin * chemie klasifikace MeSH
- kulturní charakteristiky MeSH
- léčivé rostliny * chemie klasifikace MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- rostlinné extrakty škodlivé účinky izolace a purifikace terapeutické užití MeSH
- rozhovory jako téma MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- tradiční africká medicína * MeSH
- zdraví - znalosti, postoje, praxe * etnologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Angola MeSH
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Contamination of soil by mercury poses several risks to human health through consumption of fruits and vegetables. In Slovakia, a high concentration of mercury is found in the soil of the Central Spiš region. The objective of the study is to measure the mercury concentrations in the parts of selected plant species and trees growing within 100 meters of a former ore processing facility. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 24 samples of plants, 20 samples of parts of needle-leaved trees and 9 samples of parts of broad-leaved trees were collected from soils with a high concentration of mercury. The concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in different parts of the plants: leaves - 18 species, roots - 15 species, stems - 11 species, flowers - 7 species), and different parts of trees (crust - 8 species, branches - 8 species, needles - 5 species, cones - 5 species, leaves - 3 species). RESULTS: The concentrations of mercury in the soils taken at a depth of 0.25 m exceeded the maximum allowed levels more than 50-times. Potatoes, parsley and carrots from these soils exceeded the maximum allowed mercury levels 6-times, 5-times and twice, respectively. The average concentrations of mercury in the roots of 2-year onions exceeded the limit more than 50-times. The flowers of cornflower contain 18.20 mg*kg -1 , leaves of dandelion 10.61 mg*kg -1 and roots of plantain 6.80 mg*kg -1 of mercury. Regarding trees, the highest concentrations were found in the branches of juniper and leaves of aspen - more than 1 mg*kg -1. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic monitoring of mercury is still very important, since it was found that the end of ore processing does not solve the issue of contamination in the Central Spiš region. Therefore, the consumption of fruits and vegetables from the areas of former ore processing facilities is not recommended.
- MeSH
- hutnictví MeSH
- kontaminace potravin analýza MeSH
- kořeny rostlin chemie MeSH
- látky znečišťující půdu analýza MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
- nadzemní části rostlin chemie MeSH
- rtuť analýza MeSH
- stromy chemie MeSH
- zelenina chemie MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Slovenská republika MeSH
The possibility of Miscanthus×giganteus cultivation as an energy crop on the different types of mining rocks was studied. It was revealed that a loess-like loam and red-brown clay with the added black soil were the most suitable for plant growing. The yield of dry above-ground biomass ranged from 4.3 to 6.8 t DM ha-1 after the first year of cultivation and from 8.9 to 9.7 t DM ha-1 after the second year while using these substrates. The application of amendments stimulated the growth and development of plants and increased productivity from 50 to 140%. M.×giganteus showed sufficient tolerance and good enough growth on the geochemically active dark-gray schist clay with yield from 2 to 3 t DM ha-1 after the first year of cultivation already. For plants grown on the different strata of dark-gray schist clay, the thermal decomposition of the biomass took place in four stages in the temperature range from 30 to 640 °C. The samples grown on stratum 0-20 cm showed the highest reactivity with a peak 30.6%/min at 290 °C. There were differences in the concentrations of determined heavy metals: iron, zinc, copper, and lead in the plant tissues depending on the layer depth of dark-gray schist clay from 0 to 20 cm to 40-60 cm. The relatively limited content of heavy metals in the above-ground biomass was due to the preferential accumulation in the roots.
- MeSH
- biologická adaptace * MeSH
- biomasa MeSH
- hornictví * MeSH
- kořeny rostlin chemie růst a vývoj MeSH
- látky znečišťující půdu analýza MeSH
- lipnicovité chemie růst a vývoj MeSH
- půda chemie MeSH
- těžké kovy analýza MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Ukrajina MeSH
Low back pain (LBP) represents an important subgroup of vertebrogenic pain with estimated prevalence around 80 %. Locally acting injectable collagen for topical application has recently extended the limited range of treatment options. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of injectable collagen in patients with LBP. Patients suffering from LBP (< three months) were enrolled. They were administered either collagen 4 ml or trimecaine 1 % 4 ml in the form of subcutaneous paravertebral injections into eight pre-specified points (0.5 ml per each point) in the following schedule: two administrations in the first and second week, one in the third week. The pain intensity, Thomayer distance, Oswestry disability index, Lasseque test, quality of life, consumption of rescue medication and safety were evaluated. Exertional and rest pain, evaluated by a visual analogue scale, gradually decreased in both groups. Both treatments showed a statistically significant improvement in mobility and quality of life. The consumption of paracetamol as a rescue medication was significantly lower in patients treated with collagen than in the group treated with trimecaine (p=0.048). The analgesic efficacy of locally acting injectable collagen, as well as an analgesic sparing effect when compared to local anesthetics were demonstrated.
- MeSH
- akutní bolest farmakoterapie MeSH
- analgetika aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- Hamamelis MeSH
- jednoduchá slepá metoda MeSH
- kolagen aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- kořeny rostlin chemie MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- lumbalgie farmakoterapie MeSH
- prospektivní studie MeSH
- rostlinné extrakty aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- trimekain aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- výsledek terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
- srovnávací studie MeSH
Microbial bioremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil is a potential technique to reduce heavy metals in crop plants. However, the dynamics and roles of the local microbiota in bioremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil following microbial application are rarely reported. In this study, we used Pseudomonas chenduensis strain MBR for bioremediation of Cd-contaminated paddy soil and investigated its effects on the dynamics of the local soil bacterial community and Cd accumulation in rice. Cd accumulation in rice grains and roots were significantly reduced by the addition of the strain MBR. The addition of the strain MBR caused greater changes in bacterial communities in rhizosphere soil than in bulk soil. MBR enhanced the roles of microbial communities in transformation of Cd fractions, especially in rhizosphere soil. The strain MBR likely regulated abundant subcommunities more than rare subcommunities to improve Cd bioremediation, especially in rhizosphere soil. Consequently, the dynamics and functional roles of the local microbial communities differed significantly during bioremediation between abundant and rare subcommunities and between rhizosphere soil and bulk soil. This study provides new insight into the microbiota-related mechanisms underlying bioremediation.
The worldwide growing interest in traditional medicines, including herbal medicines and herbal dietary supplements, has recently been accompanied by concerns on quality and safety of this type of health care. The content of nutritional and potentially toxic elements in medicinal plants is of paramount interest as it may vary remarkably according to different environmental and ecophysiological factors. In this study, the concentrations of essential and non-essential trace elements-Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Sr, and Zn-were determined in the roots and aerial parts of the worldwide distributed and economically important medicinal herb Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's wort) and in its growing substrate. Most of the analyzed trace elements varied considerably in the plant parts according to edaphic conditions and soil geochemistry. However, uptake and retention in H. perforatum compartments of Co, Cr, and Ni, which markedly differentiated the investigated soils, were controlled by excluding mechanisms of the plant. Despite this, the Ni concentrations in the aerial parts, commonly used in herbal preparations, of H. perforatum plants from serpentine soils were not insignificant in relation to eventual human consumption. Good practice to assure the herbal product quality of H. perforatum collected from the wild cannot ignore the thorough understanding of the geolithological and geochemical features of the harvesting areas.
