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Lysimachia foenum-graecum Hance (Primulaceae) is a medicinal plant used for cold, pain, ascariasis, etc., in China. Triterpenoid saponins have been found to be the main components of this genus. In this work, a pair of oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins with an unprecedented 4/5/6 fused tricyclic skeleton, foegraecumoside O (1) and foegraecumoside P (2) were isolated from the butanol fraction of the aerial parts of L. foenum-graecum. Their structures were determined using chemical methods and extensive spectroscopic analyses, along with quantum chemical calculations. Compound 2 displayed moderate cytotoxicity against HepG2, MGC-803, T24, NCI-H460, A549, and A549/CDDP (drug-resistant lung-cancer cell line) with IC50 at 12.4–19.2 μM in an MTT assay, comparing with the positive control doxorubicin, which had IC50 at 0.53–4.92 μM, but was inactive for A549/CDDP. Furthermore, a possible biosynthetic pathway for forming compounds 1 and 2 was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lysimachia capillipes Hemsl., a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is commonly prescribed for its anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated that Lysimachia capillipes Hemsl. saponins (LCS) are the primary bioactive component. However, its mechanism for treating colorectal cancer (CRC) is still unknown. Increasing evidence suggests a close relationship between CRC, intestinal flora, and host metabolism. Thus, this study aims to investigate the mechanism of LCS amelioration of CRC from the perspective of the gut microbiome and metabolome. As a result, seven gut microbiotas and fourteen plasma metabolites were significantly altered between the control and model groups. Among them, one gut microbiota genera (Monoglobus) and six metabolites (Ureidopropionic acid, Cytosine, L-Proline, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, Cyclic AMP and Suberic acid) showed the most pronounced callback trend after LCS administration. Subsequently, the correlation analysis revealed significant associations between 68 pairs of associated metabolites and gut microbes, with 13 pairs of strongly associated metabolites regulated by the LCS. Taken together, these findings indicate that the amelioration of CRC by LCS is connected to the regulation of intestinal flora and the recasting of metabolic abnormalities. These insights highlight the potential of LCS as a candidate drug for the treatment of CRC. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lysimachia vulgaris L. (yellow loosestrife) is a medicinal plant that has been used in the treatment of fever, ulcer, diarrhea and wounds in traditional medicine. A reliable in vitro culture protocol for yellow loosestrife was established. Explants (leaf lamina, stem internode and root segments) were cultured on Murashige and Skoog minimal organics (MSMO) medium supplemented with various plant growth regulator combinations. Of the tested combinations, those involving benzyladenine (BA) with either indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) were the most effective for all used explants in shoot production. Best shoot proliferation was obtained from leaf lamina explant cultured on media containing 0.5 mg/1 BA and 0.1, 0.5 or 1 mg/1 IBA, from stem internode explant cultured on media containing 1 mg/ 1 BA and 0.5 mg/1 IBA or 0.01 mg/1 thidiazuron (TDZ) and 0.5 mg/1 IAA, and from root explant cultured on media containing 0.5 mg/1 BA and 0.5 mg/1 IAA. Regenerated shoots were rooted on MSMO medium containing different concentrations of IAA, IBA, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). IBA was determined as the most effective auxin for rooting. Most shoots developed roots on medium with 0.5 mg/1 IBA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] To establish a quality analysis method for Guangxi Zhuang medicine Lysimachia foenum-graecum Hance. [Methods] The moisture, total ash and alcohol-soluble extracts of L. foenum-graecum medicinal materials were determined in accordance with the inspection method of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2015). [Results] The 10 batches of L. foenum-graecum medicinal materials from different origins and different collection times in Guangxi all had the same plant morphology and medicinal properties. The moisture content was 5.69%-10.51%, the total ash content was 5.50%-8.61%, the acid-insoluble ash content was 0.42%-0.78%, and the extract was 15.28%-20.75%. [Conclusions] This study is expected to provide a scientific basis for the development and utilization of L. foenum-graecum medicinal materials and the establishment of its quality standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress (OS) in renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) is induced by calcium oxalate (CaOx) stones and plays an important role in the pathology of CaOx nephrolithiasis. The nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway is an important endogenous antioxidant pathway. Flavonoids are compounds with 2-phenylchromone as the basic mother nucleus and are natural antioxidant components of Lysimachia christinae. Our previous studies demonstrated that the total flavonoids from L. christinae (TFL) reduced calcium and oxalic acid concentrations in urine, thus inhibiting CaOx stone formation. We also showed that TFL can reduce OS in renal tissue. However, whether TFL inhibit the formation of CaOx stones through the Nrf2/ARE pathway requires further investigation. Here, we found that TFL protected against injury to a renal cell line and renal tissue, reduced CaOx-induced OS in renal tissue, and reduced CaOx crystal formation. In addition, TFL significantly increased nuclear Nrf2 and the expression of the downstream antioxidant genes heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1). Furthermore, TFL increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, thereby alleviating OS in RTECs. Silencing Nrf2 expression blocked the protective effect of TFL on CaOx-induced OS. Taken together, our findings indicate that TFL reduce CaOx-induced OS in renal tissue by activating the Nrf2/ARE pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Lysimachia clethroides Duby is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb has been used in China to treat edema, jaundice diseases, hepatitis, tumor and inflammations, but the anti-tumor mechanisms are unclear. Aim of the study: The present study was undertaken to investigate if total flavonoids from Lysimachia clethroides Duby (ZE4) possesses anti-cancer effects through apoptotic pathways in human chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells. Materials and methods: K562 cells were treated with different concentrations of ZE4 at different time intervals. Cell viability was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry, Hoechst 33258 staining and COMET assay. Western blot analysis was used to detect Bcl-2, Trail and DR5 expressions. Results: 15 flavonoids were isolated and identified from ZE4. ZE4 could inhibit the growth of K562 cells significantly by induction of apoptosis. Marked morphological changes of apoptosis, DNA fragmentation and single DNA strand breakages were observed clearly after treatment of ZE4. Bcl-2 expression was down-regulated remarkably while Fas, Trail and DR5 up-regulated when apoptosis occurred. Conclusions: This result suggests that total flavonoids of Lysimachia clethroides Duby exert potential anti-cancer activity through growth inhibition and apoptosis in K562 cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose. Excessive glutamate amount can give oxidative stress to neuronal cells, and the accumulation of cell death can trigger the neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we discovered the neuroprotective effect of Lysimachia christinae Hance in the mouse hippocampal HT22 cell line. Method. Overnight incubated HT22 cells were pretreated with L. christinae extract dose dependently (1, 10, and 100 μg/ml). Followed by then, glutamate was treated. These treated cells were incubated several times again, and cell viability, accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca2+, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and glutathione-related enzyme amount were measured. Results. As a result, L. christinae increases the cell viability by inhibiting the ROS and Ca2+ formation, recovering the level of MMP and enhancing the activity of glutathione production compared with only vehicle-treated groups. Conclusion. These draw that L. christinae may remarkably decelerate the neurodegeneration by minimizing neuronal cell damage via oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the saponins from whole plants of Lysimachia davurica Ledeb., two new saponins named davuricoside I (compound 1) and E (compound 2) were isolated. Their chemical structures were elucidated as 3β, 16α, 28, 29-tetrihydroxy-olean-12-en-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β- D-glucuronopyranoside (compound 1) and 3β, 16α, 29-trihydroxy-13, 28-epoxy-oleanane-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucuronopyranoside (compound 2) on the basis of their one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry data, and chemical methods. Compound 1 showed significant cytotoxic activity against human A2780 cells. (Managing editor: Wei Wang) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new phenols, methyl 3-(2-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3-hydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl) propionate (1) and myricetin-3,3′,5′-tri-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (2), together with six known phenols compounds (3–8), were isolated from the whole plant ofLysimachia patungensisHand.-Mazz. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of the interpretation of spectroscopic data,viz., ESI-MS, HR-TOF-MS, UV, IR, and NMR. All the known phenols were isolated from the genusLysimachiafor the first time. A preliminary bioassay revealed that compounds3and7exhibited significant protective effects against hydrogen peroxide-induced damage in human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) with the concentration of 10 μM, respectively. Compound1showed moderate activity against the HRECs damage at 100 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Whole herb of Lysimachia christinae has long been used as a remedy for cholelithiasis extensively in China. This study was aimed to validate the effect of L. christinae on eliminating preestablished cholesterol gallstone (CGS) in model animals. Materials and methods Acute toxicity of aqueous extract of L. christinae (LCAE) was estimated in male C57BL/6 mice, so was the efficiency of LCAE on preformed CGS induced by lithogenic diet. The effects of LCAE were also examined on bile secretion rate, the lipid profiles of bile and serum, body weight, main visceral organ indexes, and histomorphology of main visceral organs. Results Single dose of LCAE did not lead to death and changes on body weight gain, main visceral organ indexes, histomorphology of main visceral organs, and blood hemogram and biochemical indexes, even at dose of 50 g material/kg body weight. Preestablished CGSs were almost entirely eliminated after administration of LCAE for 2 wk at high dose or for 4 wk at low dose. LCAE promoted bile secretion and lowered cholesterol levels in either cystic bile or hepatic bile. LCAE also decreased serum cholesterol content, especially LDL-C content, tremendously, reduced the levels of serum HDL-C, phospholipid, and triglycerine a little, and lowered body weight and liver index significantly. After medication of LCAE for 8 wk , neither visceral indexes nor histomorphology of heart, kidney, and spleen were influenced, but fatty degeneration of liver induced by high fat and high cholesterol diet was reverted. Conclusion L. christinae can be considered as non-toxic. It showed prominent efficiency of eliminating preexisted CGS in mice and indicated a hypolipidaemic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new steroidal saponin, paridiformoside B (1), was obtained from the EtOH extract of the whole plant of Lysimachia Paridiformis Franch, togerher with one steroidal sapogenin (7) and seven known steroidal saponins (2-6, 8-9). Their structures were elucidated using extensive spectroscopic techniques including 1D and 2D NMR spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Lysimachia clethroides Duby (LC) is a traditional medicinal herb used to treat edema, hepatitis and inflammatory diseases in China and other Asian countries. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of LC extract and the mechanisms underlying were explored in both in vitro cell lines and acute lung injury (ALI) animal model of inflammation in vivo. Materials and methods: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw 264.7 murine macrophages were used to study the regulatory effects of LC extract on inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and proinflammatory cytokine expression. Western blotting or ELISA techniques were employed to estimate protein levels. RT-PCR was used for analyzing the interferon (IFN)-β production. LPS-induced ALI mouse model in vivo was employed to study the effect of LC extract. Further high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprinting technique was used to evaluate the active constituents present in LC extract, compared with reference standards. Results: Pre-treatment with LC extract inhibited the LPS-stimulated NO release, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 production in Raw 264.7 cells dose dependently. LC extract inhibited the LPS-stimulated IRF3 and STAT1 phosphorylation. Further, in vivo experiments revealed that LC extract suppressed the infiltration of immune cells into the lung and proinflammatory cytokine production in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in the LPS-induced ALI mouse model. Conclusions: Our results indicate that LC extract attenuates LPS-stimulated inflammatory responses in macrophages via regulating the key inflammatory mechanisms, providing a scientific support for its traditional use in treating various inflammatory diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a liver disease caused by a nonalcoholic fatty liver, is increasing in incidence worldwide. Owing to the complexity of its pathogenic mechanisms, there are no therapeutic agents for this disease yet. The ideal drug for NASH needs to concurrently decrease hepatic lipid accumulation and exert anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and antioxidative effects in the liver. Because of their multipurpose therapeutic effects, we considered that medicinal herbs are suitable for treating patients with NASH. Methods: We determined the efficacy of the alcoholic extract of Lysimachia vulgaris var. davurica (LV), an edible medicinal herb, for NASH treatment. For inducing NASH, C57BLKS/J lar-Leprdb/Leprdb (db/db) male mice were fed with a methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet ad libitum. After 3 weeks, the LV extract and a positive control (GFT505) were administered to mice by oral gavage for 3 weeks with a continued MCD diet as needed. Results: In mice with diet-induced NASH, the LV extract could relieve the disease symptoms; that is, the extract ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation and also showed antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. The LV extract also activated nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression, leading to the upregulation of antioxidants and detoxification signaling. Moreover, the extract presented remarkable efficacy in alleviating liver fibrosis compared with GFT505. This difference was caused by significant LV extract-mediated reduction in the mRNA expression of fibrotic genes like the alpha-smooth muscle actin and collagen type 3 alpha 1. Reduction of fibrotic genes may thus relate with the downregulation of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ)/Smad signaling by LV extract administration. Conclusions: Lipid accumulation and inflammatory responses in the liver were alleviated by feeding LV extract to NASH-induced mice. Moreover, the LV extract strongly prevented liver fibrosis by blocking TGFβ/Smad signaling. Hence, LV showed sufficient potency for use as a therapeutic agent against NASH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Lysimachia christinae Hance is one of the herbs commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of cholecystitis and cholagogic efficiency. Aims of the study: The water extract of Lysimachia christinae Hance was investigated to see if it possesses cholecystitis and cholagogic effects through traditional pathways. Materials and methods: Lithocholic acid (LCA) and Escherichia coli were used to induce cholecystitis in adult guinea pigs. The present study evaluated the cholagogic effects of LCHE treatment on bile secretion and bile emptying in Sprague-Dawley rats and male Kunming mice. Results: The results showed that LCHE not only produced excellent anticholecystitis effects but also improved lesion severity in gallbladders induced by LCA. Similarly, LCHE administered to animals in the high-dose group exhibited an antibacterial effect in acute cholecystitis, and treatment with a mid-range or a high dose of LCHE resulted in an antipyretic effect, however, three doses of LCHE treatment groups had no effect on pathological change induced by Escherichia coli in gallbladder. Treatment with a high dose of LCHE significantly promoted bile secretion (0–90min, P <0.01), and treatment with a mid-range dose also significantly promoted bile secretion (30–60min P <0.05). Furthermore, treatment with a high dose of LCHE significantly promoted bile emptying (P <0.01). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that LCHE exhibits a marked anticholecystitis and cholagogic activity in animals, which supports previous claims of its use in traditional Chinese medicine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Lysimachia christinae Hance (Primulaceae) is a medicinal plant. The present study was undertaken to investigate protection of L. christinae against acute alcohol-induced liver injury in mice, the related mechanism of oxidative stress and its hepatoprotective chemical compound for the first time. Mice were orally administered alcohol at 6 g/kg 2 h after a 75% ethanol extract of L. christinae (ET) (100, 200, 400 mg/kg), quercetin (2, 4, 8 mg/kg) isolated from L. christinae, or bifendate (150 mg/kg) for seven consecutive days by intragastric administration (i.g.) except the normal group. Serum and liver tissue samples were collected 6 h after alcohol administration and the amount of quercetin in ET was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array detector (DAD). The results showed that alcohol-induced elevated serum alanine transferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities were significantly reduced by ET (200, 400 mg/kg), quercetin (4, 8 mg/kg) and bifendate (150 mg/kg), respectively. Further analysis demonstrated that lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels significantly decreased, while glutathione amounts, glutathione-s transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities all increased in livers of ET-, quercetin-, and bifendate-treated mice. Besides, amount of quercetin in ET was 1.03%. Taken together, our results indicate that L. christinae can protect against acute alcoholinduced liver injury in mice, the potential mechanism can be related to inhibiting liver oxidative stress injury, and its main hepatoprotective compound is quercetin, for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lysimachia hemsleyana Maxim. is an important medical plant in the Family Primulaceae. In this study, we determined the complete chloroplast genome of L. hemsleyana. It is 155,618 bp in length, containing a large single copy (LSC) region of 85,615 bp, a small single copy (SSC) region of 17,861 bp, which were separated by a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 26,071bp. The complete chloroplast genome of L. hemsleyana encoded a total of 134 genes, including 89 protein-coding genes with the pseudogene of ycf1, 8 ribosomal RNA genes and 37 transfer RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that L. hemsleyana was most closely related to the Korea endemic plant Lysimachia coreana with high bootstrap support value. This work provides basic molecular information that would be useful for further investigation on conservation genetics and evolutionary relationships of L. hemsleyana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lysimachia mauritiana Lam. (Primulaceae) is known as a medicinal plant with anti-tumor and anti-viral effects. In this study, we reported the first complete chloroplast genome sequence of L. mauritiana. The total length of the complete chloroplast genome was 152,691 bp, comprising a small-single copy region (SSC) of 17,928 bp, a large-single copy region of 83,811 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat regions of 25,476 bp. It contained 114 genes comprising 80 protein-coding genes, four rRNA, and 30 tRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis showed that a chloroplast genome of L. mauritiana was a sister to a monophyletic clade, including L. christinae, L. congestiflora, L. hemsleyana. Our study will help to provide basic information for further studies on phylogenetics and population genetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, located in Hunan Province, China, is a culturally rich region with a diverse population. The locals have a deep martial arts history and possess a wealth of traditional knowledge for treating bruises. Methods: In order to investigate this topic, we conducted ethnobotanical studies by visiting local medicinal markets and conducting interviews. Results: We identified 43 botanical drugs used for treating bruises, categorized into four types: sprains, contusions, strains, and bone injuries. The local people typically prefer to mash these botanical drugs freshly or make medicinal wine for external use. Treatment often involves a combination of drugs to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, with medications to dispel rheumatism, clear heat, and detoxify, tailored to the humid climate and high precipitation in mountainous areas. Based on the fidelity level values, the local plant resources with high acceptance, utilization, or potential value in the treatment of bruises included Sargentodoxa cuneata, Lycopodium japonicum, Dioscorea cirrhosa, Panax japonicus, Achyranthes bidentata, Lysimachia heterogenea and so on. Conclusion: Herbal medicine and related knowledge for treating bruises are diverse and rich in the Xiangxi region. However, the local traditional medicinal knowledge faces challenges regarding inheritance due to regional modernization. Therefore, it is crucial to protect and further study this knowledge in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study measured copper and zinc concentrations in medicinal herbs and soil sampled from three agricultural fields with ponds from mid-June till the end of July 2014. Six herb species were tested: Potentilla anserina L., Mentha arvensis, Achillea millefolium L., Comarum palustre L., Lysimachia vulgaris L., and Lycopus europaeus L. Two of the ponds were in the borough of Jabłonna Lacka and one in the borough of Sabnie. The fields around each pond were divided into transects with three concentric soil moisture sections, each with different soil water contents. Soil and plant samples were taken from each transect to determine the concentrations of copper and zinc by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Despite the use of fertilizers and pesticides in the fields, copper and zinc had not polluted the soil or the plants growing in the soil depressions. Out of the six plants tested, only C. palustre had an increased concentration of zinc. Different farming methods used on the fields affected the concentrations of copper and zinc in the soil of the different depressions. The highest concentrations of these metals were found in the soil of the periodically wet sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methanol extracts from 27 medicinal plant species were tested at concentrations of 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/mL for their in vivo fungicidal activities against six phytopathogenic fungi. Their efficacy varied with plant pathogen, tissue sampled and plant species. Very strong fungicidal activity was produced by extracts of Boswellia carterii, Saussurea lappa, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Piper nigrum, Rheum coreanum, Lysimachia foenum-graecum, Evodia officinalis, Santalum album and Curcuma longa at 2 mg/mL. At 1 mg/mL, S. album, P. nigrum and L. foenum-graecum showed potent fungicidal activity against Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei, Puccinia recondita and Magnaporthe grisea, respectively. Lysimachia foenum-graecum exhibited strong fungicidal activity against M. grisea at 0.5 mg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Boletín Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Plantas Medicinales y Aromáticas is the property of Universidad de Santiago de Chile and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The river valley forests of the Irtysh River Basin are a germplasm bank of Salicaceae species and rare plant resources in China, and the distribution varies with the river and is highly distinctive. However, there is a dearth of systematic research on the characteristics of plant resources. In this study, a comprehensive investigation was conducted in the trunk stream and six tributaries with valley forest distribution in the Irtysh River Basin, and 244 quadrats were set up. The analysis focused on the composition of the flora and resource characteristics. The results reveal the following: (1) The valley forests of the Irtysh River Basin contain 256 species of plants belonging to 57 families and 178 genera, among which 19 species of trees, 23 species of shrubs, and 214 species of herbs were investigated. (2) Among the identified species, 226 (88.67%) were recognized as resource plants, with medicinal plants being the most abundant (176 species, 68.75% of the total). (3) The distribution patterns of trees, shrubs, and herbs of each resource type vary across rivers. Elevation drop, river length, and river distance all significantly affect the number of specie. This study elucidated the current status and distributional characteristics of plant resources in the valley forests of the Irtysh River Basin, which is essential for both biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rising resistance to antimicrobials, particularly in the case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), represents a formidable global health challenge. Consequently, it is imperative to develop new antimicrobial solutions. This study evaluated 68 Chinese medicinal plants renowned for their historical applications in treating infectious diseases. Methods: The antimicrobial efficacy of medicinal plants were evaluated by determining their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against MRSA. Safety profiles were assessed on human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. Mechanistic insights were obtained through fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (FM and TEM). Synergistic effects with vancomycin were investigated using the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI). Results: Rheum palmatum L., Arctium lappa L. and Paeonia suffructicosaas Andr. have emerged as potential candidates with potent anti-MRSA properties, with an impressive low MIC of 7.8 µg/mL, comparable to the 2 µg/mL MIC of vancomycin served as the antibiotic control. Crucially, these candidates demonstrated significant safety profiles when evaluated on Caco-2 and HepG2 cells. Even at 16 times the MIC, the cell viability ranged from 83.3% to 95.7%, highlighting their potential safety. FM and TEM revealed a diverse array of actions against MRSA, such as disrupting the cell wall and membrane, interference with nucleoids, and inducing morphological alterations resembling pseudo-multicellular structures in MRSA. Additionally, the synergy between vancomycin and these three plant extracts was evident against MRSA (FICI < 0.5). Notably, aqueous extract of R. palmatum at 1/4 MIC significantly reduced the vancomycin MIC from 2 µg/mL to 0.03 µg/mL, making a remarkable 67-fold decrease. Conclusions: This study unveil new insights into the mechanistic actions and pleiotropic antibacterial effectiveness of these medicinal plants against resistant bacteria, providing robust evidence for their potential use as standalone or in conjunction with antibiotics, to effectively combat antimicrobial resistance, particularly against MRSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study recorded indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants in Shahrbabak, Iran. We described a method using data mining algorithms to predict medicinal plants' mode of application. Twenty-oneindividuals aged 28 to 81 were interviewed. Firstly, data were collected and analyzed based on quantitative indices such as the informant consensus factor (ICF), the cultural importance index (CI), and the relative frequency of citation (RFC). Secondly, the data was classified by support vector machines, J48 decision trees, neural networks, and logistic regression. So, 141 medicinal plants from 43 botanical families were documented. Lamiaceae, with 18 species, was the dominant family among plants, and plant leaves were most frequently used for medicinal purposes. The decoction was the most commonly used preparation method (56%), and therophytes were the most dominant (48.93%) among plants. Regarding the RFC index, the most important species are Adiantum capillus-veneris L. and Plantago ovata Forssk., while Artemisia auseri Boiss. ranked first based on the CI index. The ICF index demonstrated that metabolic disorders are the most common problems among plants in the Shahrbabak region. Finally, the J48 decision tree algorithm consistently outperforms other methods, achieving 95% accuracy in 10-fold cross-validation and 70–30 data split scenarios. The developed model detects with maximum accuracy how to consume medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Düzce University Journal of Forestry / Düzce Üniversitesi Orman Fakültesi Ormancılık Dergisi is the property of Duzce University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article provides an analysis of the vascular plant resources and diversity in Fanjing Mountain, Guizhou Province. The study found 284 species of vascular plants in the region, with dominant families including Liliaceae, Asteraceae, Polygonaceae, Leguminosae, Ranunculaceae, and Polygonum. Perennial herbs were the most dominant life type, and 222 species were identified as medicinal vascular plants. The article emphasizes the importance of conserving and utilizing these plant resources in the Fanjing Mountain Nature Reserve. The document also includes a table listing various plant species and their scientific names, organized by family and genus, contributing to research on traditional medicines and biodiversity in the region. [Extracted from the article]

Taihang Mountains are situated between Shanxi Province and the North China Plain, spanning Beijing, Hebei, Shanxi, and Henan provinces and cities. The mountains extend from northeast to southwest for over 400 km, naturally deviding the second step from the third one in China. The southeastern area of Taihang Mountains specifically refers to Changzhi City and Jincheng Administrative Region of Shanxi Province. Given Shanxi Province’s robust development plans for the southeast area of Taihang Mountains, the medicinal plant resources in this area will be affected. Therefore, it is imperative and urgent to conduct a comprehensive investigation and study on the medicinal plant resources in the southeast area of Taihang Mountains. By means of field investigation, literature review, and specimen identification, the plant resources and diversity of two counties in the southeast of Taihang Mountains were evaluated. The findings revealed 234 plants species across 172 genera in 70 families, primarily comprising angiosperms. The families with more species included Compositae, Leguminosae, Rosaceae, Labiatae, Ranunculaceae. Among the genera, those with more species were Cynanchum, Selaginella, Clematis, Thalictrum, and Rhamnus. A total of 114 medicinal plants were identified, constituting 48.72% of the total. Regarding medicinal parts, the concentration is in roots and rhizomes, followed by whole plants and fruits. On the basis of investigation and study, some suggestions on the development, utilization, and protection of medicinal plant resources in southeast Taihang Mountains were made. These suggestions provide valuable insights for the study on medicinal plant resources and vegetation in the southeast of Taihang Mountains, serving as a scientific basis for the protection and sustainable utilization of wild medicinal plant resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a serious health problem worldwide. Present treatments are insufficient and have severe side effects. There is a critical shortage of possible alternative treatments. Medicinal herbs are the most traditional and widely used therapy for treating a wide range of human illnesses around the world. In several countries, different plants are used to treat COPD. Purpose: In this review, we have discussed several known cellular and molecular components implicated in COPD and how plant-derived chemicals might modulate them. Methods: We have discussed how COVID-19 is associated with COPD mortality and severity along with the phytochemical roles of a few plants in the treatment of COPD. In addition, two tables have been included; the first summarizes different plants used for the treatment of COPD, and the second table consists of different kinds of phytochemicals extracted from plants, which are used to inhibit inflammation in the lungs. Conclusion: Various plants have been found to have medicinal properties against COPD. Many plant extracts and components may be used as novel disease-modifying drugs for lung inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the phenolic composition and antiproliferative activity of 16 different extracts (hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water) obtained from Bellis perennis, Convolvulus galaticus, Trifolium pannonicum and Lysimachia vulgaris on human breast cancer (MCF-7) and human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2/C3A) cell lines. Methods: The aerial parts of the plants were successively extracted with hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water using a Soxhlet apparatus. The phenolic content of the plants were determined by plants by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) while their antiproliferative activity was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide, a yellow tetrazole (MTT) assay. Results: Among the tested extracts, the methanol extract of B. perennis showed the best antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 cell line with IC50 (inhibiting 50 % of cell growth) value of 71.6 μg/mL. Furthermore, the dichloromethane extract of C. galaticus showed the best anti-proliferative activity against HepG2/C3A cell line with IC50 of 57.3 μg/mL. The HPLC data for the plant extracts showed the presence of the following phenolic compounds: gallic acid monohydrate, caffeic acid, rutin hydrate, luteolin-7-O-β-D glucoside, kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin, coumarin and apigenin. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that there is some justification for the use of B. perennis and C. galaticus as traditional anticancer medicinal herbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ethnoveterinary studies are important to maintain the sustainability of livestock health and support people's livelihoods through the provision of food, maintaining livestock health, and other biological resources. This study was carried out in Soro District, southern Ethiopia, to identify, document and analyse plant species with ethnoveterinary uses along with the associated indigenous and local knowledge. Materials and methods: Informants were selected using purposive (key informants) and systematic random sampling (general informants) methods. Data on ethnoveterinary plants and their uses were collected through semi-structured interviews, guided field walks, 13 focus group discussions with five to seven members in each and participant observation. Informant consensus factor and fidelity level were computed to identify the most common livestock ailment categories and the best plant species with ethnoveterinary use, respectively. Preference ranking methods were used to identify the potentially effective ethnoveterinary medicinal plants for the most frequently reported livestock ailments. The use diversity of multipurpose plants with ethnoveterinary importance was analysed using the analytical methods of ethnobotany including priority ranking, comparisons and important indices. The T-test statistic was used to compare knowledge differences among different social groups. Results: A total of 132 plant species in 120 genera and 61 families were reported by informants as having ethnoveterinary uses. The plants are said to be used by the local communities in various ways to treat 50 livestock health problems. Higher number of informants (23.77%) cited Momordica foetida for the treatment of 16 livestock ailments. The highest informant consensus value for this species is associated with its use for treating blackleg in cattle; Nicotiana tabacum was cited for the treatment of 15 livestock ailments mainly recommended for the Lumpy Skin Disease/Ailment of bovines; Croton macrostachyus for treatment of 13 livestock ailments including wooden tongue, FMD in bovines; and Gymnanthemum amygdalinum for nine ailments mainly diarrhoea of all livestock types. Achyranthes aspera is claimed to provide the most effective treatment for Aspiration pneumonia (severe coughing in bovines, sheep and goats) alone, while Croton macrostachyus, Ximenia americana, Allium sativum and Juniperus procera were indicated as potential plant species to treat Lumpy Skin Disease in bovines in the order given. The fidelity level analysis showed that Datura stramonium, Dodonaea viscosa subsp. angustifolia and Asparagus africanus were potential medicinal plant species to treat the respective ailments of rabies, Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and evil eye/spirit. Multipurpose plant species including Prunus africanus, Combretum molle and Afrocarpus falcatus have been highly threatened as indicated by direct matrix ranking mainly due to collection of fuel wood, construction materials and making household utensils, and farm implements rather than for other uses. Conclusion: Soro District has rich and diversified livestock herbal medicinal resources, and indigenous knowledge of remedy preparations and applications is transmitted through generation lines. This resource faces anthropogenic threats with deforestation being the leading factor. Consequently, ethnoveterinary medicinal plants continue to decline before adequate and proper scientific documentation and testing are made. There is a dire need for planning and implementation of appropriate in situ and ex situ conservation strategies and to strive towards ensuring the survival and sustainable utilization of such important plant resources of Soro District. This must be supported by further documentation of the associated indigenous knowledge and pharmacological testing of the key promising species including Balanites aegyptiaca (novel species/NS to treat specific ailment), Brugmansia suaveolens (novel species/NS reported first to treat Livestock ailments/LsAs), Euclea divinorum (NS to treat specific ailments), Grevillea robusta (NS), Hagenia abyssinica (NS for the reported specific ailment), Pentanema confertiflorum (NS), Juniperus procera (NS), Maesa lanceolata (NS), Millettia ferruginea (NS for reported specific ailments), Schrebera alata/NS, Securidaca longepedunculata, Spiniluma oxyacantha/NS, Vepris nobilis (novel species reported first to treat LsAs), Zanthoxylum asiaticum /NS and Ximenia americana (NS for specific ailments). This ethnoveterinary study attempted to fill part of the gaps concerning the prevalent livestock health problems and the associated indigenous and local knowledge in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a refractory disease with high mortality, which is characterized by a pathophysiological process of inflammation-related dysfunction of energy metabolism. Jieduan-Niwan formula (JDNWF) is a eutherapeutic Chinese medicine formula for ACLF. However, the intrinsic mechanism of its anti-ACLF effect still need to be studied systematically. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of JDNWF against ACLF based on altered substance metabolic profile in ACLF the expression levels of related molecules. Materials and methods: The chemical characteristics of JDNWF were characterized using ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Wistar rats subjected to a long-term CCL4 stimulation followed by a combination of an acute attack with LPS/D-GalN were used to establish the ACLF model. Liver metabolites were analyzed by LC–MS/MS and multivariate analysis. Liver function, coagulation function, histopathology, mitochondrial metabolic enzyme activity and mitochondrial damage markers were evaluated. The protein expression of mitochondrial quality control (MQC) was investigated by western blot. Results: Liver function, coagulation function, inflammation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial enzyme activity were significantly improved by JDNWF. 108 metabolites are considered as biomarkers of JDNWF in treating ACLF, which were closely related to TCA cycle. It was further suggested that JDNWF alleviated mitochondrial damage and MQC may be potential mechanism of JDNWF improving mitochondrial function. Conclusions: Metabolomics revealed that TCA cycle was impaired in ACLF rats, and JDNWF had a regulatory effect on it. The potential mechanism may be improving the mitochondrial function through MQC pathway, thus restoring energy metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants are increasingly used to treat skin diseases and as cosmetics. Türkiye has a rich diversity of medicinal flora, and patients have a choice of ethnomedicines to manage various dermatology problems. This comprehensive review aims to summarize the primary information available on the dermatological properties of medicinal plants in Türkiye and provide a baseline for the detection of new plant species having efficacy against skin conditions. In this review, clinical and experimental data were researched using relevant search terms in scientific literature databases like PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, EBSCO, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, and HighWire Press. The results are presented in different tables along with a regional comparative analysis. The study revealed that 439 taxa belonging to 89 families are used for the ethnomedical treatment of skin diseases or as cosmetics. The most commonly mentioned species are Plantago lanceolata L., Malva neglecta Wallr., Plantago major L., Juglans regia L., Hypericum perforatum L., Rubus sanctus Schreb., Urtica dioica L., Juniperus oxycedrus L., Echium italicum L., and Rosa canina L. This is the first nationwide ethnopharmacological review conducted in Türkiye for the treatment of dermatological disorders. Moreover, it is a contributing resource for further studies on using herbal remedies for the treatment of skin diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taibai Mountains, located at the northern foot of the Qinling Mountains, are composed of the Yuan Taibai Mountain (also known as East Taibai Mountain), Aoshan Mountain (also known as West Taibai Mountain) and their connection part. With its complex geographical and climatic conditions, Taibai Mountains are extremely rich in wild plant resources. Based on field investigation, literature review and specimen identification, wild vascular plants resources and their diversity in Taibai Mountains were studied by the sixth Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Resources Scientific Expedition Team of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University. 222 species of vascular plants belonging to 163 genera and 63 families were collected during July 2012 in this area, and most of the plants are angiosperms. The families with more species are Liliaceae, Ranunculaceae, Asteraceae, Rosaceae, and Saxifragaceae, and the dominant genus are Aconitum, Sedum, Eleutherococcus, Pedicularis, Polygonatum, and Patrinia. In terms of life form, perennial herbs are the main species, accounting for 72.97% of the total species, with others being some annual (or biennial) herbs, shrubs and lianas. Among all the collected vascular plants, 170 species of them are medicinal vascular plants, accounting for 76.58% of the total. Most of the medicinal parts are roots and rhizomes, followed by the whole plants. Finally, on the basis of investigation and study, some suggestions are put forward to strengthen the protection and utilization of plant resources in Taibai Mountains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aimed to explore the traditional knowledge and practices of indigenous communities in Bahawalpur and adjacent regions, Pakistan, to treat a variety of diseases with a particular focus on the usage of ethnomedicinal wild plants. The objective of the study was to collect and evaluate local and indigenous knowledge regarding the quantity, variety, use and management of resources by the people. Data were gathered using Rapid Appraisal Approach (RAA), which involved in-person interviews. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics methods as well as common ethnobotanical analytical techniques viz. use value (UV), relative frequency of citation (RFC), informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), relative importance (RI), frequency index (FI), family use value (FUV), family importance value (FIV), popular therapeutic use value (POPUT), plant part value (PPV), preference ranking (PR), cultural significance index (CSI), rank order priority (ROP) and Jaccard index (JI). A total of 158 plant species from 49 families were identified. The perennial herbs made up 72% of the documented species of therapeutic plants. There were 21 different species in each of the two major plant families i.e., Fabaceae and Poaceae. The maximum ICF were calculated for gonorrhea and paralysis (1.0) and maximum POPUT was calculated for skin disorders (0.088) and cough (0.077), respectively. The maximum UV was found for Rumex crispus (0.57) and RI for Leucaena leucocephala (4.38). Heliotropium crispum had the highest FL value (83%) and is used to treat kidney diseases. Alhagi maurorum had the greatest RFC (0.009) and FI (0.93). Arecaceae (0.45) and Fabaceae (13.39%) had the greatest FUV while Poaceae and Fabaceae had the highest FIV (13.29 for each). Leaves were the most frequently used plant part (35%). Alhagi maurorum (4.0) and Rumex crispus (32.57) had the highest CSI and ROP, respectively. The maximum JI (28.31) was calculated for Cholistan desert. These results showed the local population's reliance on herbal remedies to treat prevalent illnesses. To demonstrate the viability of species, it′s crucial to emphasize both the use and conservation of these species. Adopting innovative applications, enhancing their value, and prioritizing the protection of multipurpose wild plants in inhabited environments is vital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Dendrobium nobile L. is a rare orchid plant with high medicinal and ornamentalvalue, and extremely few genetic species resources are remaining in nature. In the normal purple flower population, a type of population material with a white flower variation phenotype has been discovered, and through pigment component determination, flavonoids were preliminarily found to be the main reason for the variation. Methods: This study mainly explored the different genes and metabolites at different flowering stages and analysed the flower color variation mechanism through transcriptome- and flavonoid-targeted metabolomics. The experimental materials consisted of two different flower color phenotypes, purple flower (PF) and white flower (WF), observed during three different periods. Results and discussion: The results identified 1382, 2421 and 989 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the white flower variety compared with the purple flower variety at S1 (budstage), S2 (chromogenic stage) andS3 (flowering stage), respectively. Among these, 27 genes enriched in the ko00941, ko00942, ko00943 and ko00944 pathways were screened as potential functional genes affecting flavonoid synthesis andflowercolor. Further analysis revealed that 15genes arepotential functionalgenes that lead to flavonoid changes and flower color variations. The metabolomics results at S3 found 129 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), which included 8 anthocyanin metabolites, all of which (with the exception of delphinidin-3-o-(2'"-omalonyl) sophoroside-5-o-glucoside)were found at lower amounts in the WF variety compared with the PF variety, indicating that a decrease in the anthocyanin content was the main reason for the inability to form purple flowers. Therefore, the changes in 19 flavone and 62 flavonol metabolites were considered the main reasons for the formation of white flowers. In this study, valuable materials responsible for flower color variation in D. nobile were identified and further analyzed the main pathways and potential genes affecting changes in flavonoids and the flower color. This study provides amaterial basis and theoretical support for the hybridization and molecular assisted breeding of D. nobile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CEROPEGIA lodarensis (≡ Huernia lodarensis) is a succulent plant with medicinal uses in Arabian folk medicine. It belongs to Ceropegia sect. Huernia, the most diverse and widespread section of the highly succulent plants informally known as stapeliads. Morphological identification of this species is difficult and often impossible without flowers. This study tested the performance of three DNA barcodes to identify C. lodarensis at the molecular level. These DNA barcodes are: the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, plastid psbA--trnH intergenic region, and noncoding plastid trnL--trnF. The identification was done using BLASTn searches; and tree-based methods, namely maximum likelihood (ML), maximum parsimony (MP) and neighbour joining (NJ). Results showed that the candidate regions have a low species-level resolving ability. However, ITS has the highest identification success rate at the sect. Huernia level, suggesting its potential for plant identification systems of Huernia species at the section level. Additional work is needed to examine the utility of further DNA loci. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the largest concerns with world health today is still antibiotic resistance, which is making it imperative to find efficient alternatives as soon as possible. It has been demonstrated that microbes are reliable sources for the creation of therapeutic antibiotics. This research intends to investigate the endophytic microorganisms from several medicinal plants in Fenghuang Mountain (Jiangsu Province, China) and to discover new antibiotics from their secondary metabolites. A total of 269 endophytic strains were isolated from nine distinct medicinal plants. Taxonomic analysis revealed that there were 20 distinct species among these endophytes, with Streptomyces being the most common genus. Three of the target strains were chosen for scale-up fermentation after preliminary screening of antibacterial activities and the metabolomics investigation using LC-MS. These strains were Penicillium sp. NX-S-6, Streptomyces sp. YHLB-L-2 and Streptomyces sp. ZLBB-S-6. Twenty-three secondary metabolites (1–23), including a new sorbicillin analogue (1), were produced as a result of antibacterial activity-guided isolation. Through spectroscopic analysis using MS and NMR, the structures of yield compounds were clarified. According to antibacterial data, S. aureus or B. subtilis were inhibited to varying degrees by sorrentanone (3), emodic acid (8), GKK1032 B (10), linoleic acid (14), toyocamycin (17) and quinomycin A (21). The most effective antimicrobial agent against S. aureus, B. subtilis, E. coli and A. baumannii was quinomycin A (21). In addition, quinomycin A showed strong antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus, Cryptococcus neoformans, and two clinical isolated strains Aspergillus fumigatus #176 and #339, with MIC as 16, 4, 16 and 16 µg/mL, respectively. This is the first time that bioprospecting of actinobacteria and their secondary metabolites from medicinal plants in Fenghuang Mountain was reported. The finding demonstrates the potential of endophytic microbes in medical plants to produce a variety of natural products. Endophytic microbes will be an important source for new antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humanity will always be indebted to plants. In the ongoing scientific era, the ‘Herbal Revolution’ has helped discover several valuable medicinal plants and associated novel secondary metabolites from the diverse unexplored ecosystems, treating several diseases via phytotherapy. The Aconitum genus comprises several economically-important poisonous mountainous medicinal plant species whose unique biodiversity is on the verge of extinction due to illegal human intervention triggered habitat loss, over-harvesting, and unrestricted trading. Owing to its vast diversity of diterpene alkaloids, most species are extensively used to treat several ailments in rural parts of the world. Irrespective of this, many unexplored and intriguing prospects exist to understand and utilize this critical plant for human benefit. This systematic review tries to fill this gap by compiling information from the sporadically available literature known for ~300 Aconitum spp. regarding its nomenclature and classification, endangerment, plant morphology, ploidy, secondary metabolites, drug pharmacokinetics, conservation, and omics-based computational studies. We also depicted the disparity in the studied model organisms for this diverse genus. The absence of genomic/metagenomic data is becoming a limiting factor in understanding its plant physiology, metabolic pathways, and plant-microbes interactions, and therefore must be promoted. Additionally, government support and public participation are crucial in establishing conservation protocols to save this plant from endangerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological cultivation is a promising regime for medicinal plant production. For a long time, unreasonable farming methods have threatened soil health and medicinal agriculture and restricted the sustainable development of ecological agriculture for medicinal plants. However, there is a lack of comprehensive discourse and discussion about the pros and cons of different tillage regimes. Here, the research trend and application prospects of no-tillage (NT) are comprehensively reviewed, and the ecological benefits, challenges, and opportunities of the NT system in ecological agriculture of medicinal plants are scrutinized, aiming to call for an about-face in the sustainable conservation and utilization of both phytomedicine resources and agricultural/ecological resources. An exhaustive literature search in PubMed, Bing, Scopus, and CNKI was performed to outline the research trend in conservation tillage and medicinal plants during the recent four decades. The application of NT has a long history and can reduce tillage frequency and intensity and protect soil from erosion and deterioration. NT is often combined with organic mulch to significantly reduce soil disturbance. NT and stover mulching have the advantages of saving manpower and resources and improving soil quality, crop yield, and quality. The ecological and economic benefits of NT in long-term medicinal plant cultivation could be prominent. In developing medicinal plant cultivation, competing with food crops should be avoided as much as possible, and the impact on the production of major grain crops should be minimized. Therefore, the full utilization of soil resources in forests, mountains, and wasteland is advocated, and sustainable soil utilization is the core issue in the process of land reclamation. NT and stover mulching not only inherit the traditional concept of "natural farming", conform to the basic laws of ecology, as well as the growth characteristics of medicinal plants, but also protect the ecological environment of the production area. It would become the core strategy of ecological agriculture for medicinal plants. Our summary and discussions would help propose countermeasures to popularize NT and organic mulch, promote relevant research and scientific allocation of resources, and adapt to local conditions to achieve precise management and harmonize conservation and production of medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Shui are a small Chinese sociolinguistic group living in Sandu Shui Autonomous County, south of Guizhou Province. The Shui people have accumulated and developed rich traditional medicinal knowledge, which has played a significant role in their healthcare. Traditional ethnic herbal medicines, like Shui ethnomedicine, have become an important resource of rural development in Guizhou Province. However, not much research has been conducted to document the medicinal plants traditionally used by the Shui people. This study's aims are (1) to record the current use of medicinal plants in Sandu County and associated traditional knowledge, including the medicinal plant species used and the types of diseases treated by local healers and any unique aspects of their preparations; (2) to analyze the most important medicinal plant species using relative frequency of citation (RFC); and (3) to provide useful information and data for possible future development and application of ethnomedicine and promote the conservation and preservation of Shui traditional medicinal knowledge. Methods: Field surveys were conducted between July 2015 and August 2022 in Sandu County. A total of 15 local healers as key informants were interviewed. An additional 132 informants from villages and local markets were also interviewed through semistructured interviews and focal group discussions. Local Shui healers were followed during their collection of medicinal plants in the fields and recorded the medicinal plants' names, uses, and parts used. An ANOVA was used to evaluate the number of medicinal plants recognized by local healers across age-groups and townships, and relative frequencies of citation values were determined for the recorded medicinal plants. Results: In this study, data collected from 15 Shui healers and 132 other informants were analyzed. The healers used fresh or dried parts of 505 plant species as medicine to treat a wide range of conditions and diseases. These plants belong to 405 genera from 156 families, with Fabaceae being the highest represented plant family. The Jiuqian township had the highest distribution of per capita healers (pch); only one local healer was in Zhonghe. Of the 15 local healers, only two were younger than 40 years of age. There is a major concern that traditional medicinal knowledge may be lost if there are not sufficient trainees or suitable successors. Among the common medicinal plants, most are herbaceous and the Shui typically use the whole plant in their medicines. There are 85 different recorded diseases treated by Shui medicinal plants, and among them, rheumatism and bone fractures have the largest number of species used. Three medicinal plant species, Isodon amethystoides, Asarum insigne, and Acorus tatarinowii, are the most commonly used ethnomedicines by the Shui people. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that Shui people have extensive knowledge of a diverse range of medicinal plants, many of which had not been systematically recorded before the current study. Further research on the chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of Shui medicinal plants will be useful for developing functional foods or pharmaceutical products, particularly those of Isodon amethystoides, Asarum insigne, and Acorus tatarinowii. Additionally, as a result of rapid economic growth, fewer young people in Shui communities pursue traditional medicinal studies. Only 15 traditional Shui healers remain in the county, and only two of them are below the age of 40 years. Therefore, to conserve Shui's traditional medicinal knowledge, initiatives and policies are required to regenerate, strengthen, and promote Shui medicinal knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, food and medicinal plants have been documented, but their use patterns are poorly understood. Useful plants are non-random subsets of flora, prioritizing certain taxa. This study evaluates orders and families prioritized for medicine and food in Kenya, using three statistical models: Regression, Binomial, and Bayesian approaches. An extensive literature search was conducted to gather information on indigenous flora, medicinal and food plants. Regression residuals, obtained using LlNEST linear regression function, were used to quantify if taxa had unexpectedly high number of useful species relative to the overall proportion in the flora. Bayesian analysis, performed using BETA.INV function, was used to obtain superior and inferior 95% probability credible intervals for the whole flora and for all taxa. To test for the significance of individual taxa departure from the expected number, binomial analysis using BINOMDIST function was performed to obtain p-values for all taxa. The three models identified 14 positive outlier medicinal orders, all with significant values (p < 0.05). Fabales had the highest (66.16) regression residuals, while Sapindales had the highest (1.1605) R-value. Thirty-eight positive outlier medicinal families were identified; 34 were significant outliers (p < 0.05). Rutaceae (1.6808) had the highest R-value, while Fabaceae had the highest regression residuals (63.2). Sixteen positive outlier food orders were recovered; 13 were significant outliers (p < 0.05). Gentianales (45.27) had the highest regression residuals, while Sapindales (2.3654) had the highest R-value. Forty-two positive outlier food families were recovered by the three models; 30 were significant outliers (p < 0.05). Anacardiaceae (5.163) had the highest R-value, while Fabaceae had the highest (28.72) regression residuals. This study presents important medicinal and food taxa in Kenya, and adds useful data for global comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants are widely used in folk medicine but quite often their composition and biological effects are hardly known. Our study aimed to analyze the composition, cytotoxicity, antimicrobial, antioxidant activity and cellular migration effects of Anthyllis vulneraria, Fuchsia magellanica, Fuchsia triphylla and Lysimachia nummularia used in the Romanian ethnomedicine for wounds. Liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to analyze 50% (v/v) ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the plants' leaves. Antimicrobial activities were estimated with a standard microdilution method. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by validated chemical cell-free and biological cell-based assays. Cytotoxic effects were performed on mouse fibroblasts and human keratinocytes with a plate reader-based method assessing intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP), nucleic acid and protein contents and also by a flow cytometer-based assay detecting apoptotic–necrotic cell populations. Cell migration to cover cell-free areas was visualized by time-lapse phase-contrast microscopy using standard culture inserts. Fuchsia species showed the strongest cytotoxicity and the highest antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. However, their ethanolic extracts facilitated cell migration, most probably due to their various phenolic acid, flavonoid and anthocyanin derivatives. Our data might serve as a basis for further animal experiments to explore the complex action of Fuchsia species in wound healing assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]