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The crude extracts from stem barks of Pittosporum pentandrum (Blanco) Merr., Albizia julibrissin Durazz., and Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. were tested singly and in combination against the giant earthworms (Pheretima sp. Kinberg) infesting the Ifugao rice terraces causing water seepage and collapse of rice paddy walls. Laboratory assay revealed that all plant extracts used singly or in combination caused dose-dependent vermicidal effect causing 100% mortality to giant earthworms within 5-35 min. Field trials showed that at 100 mL/L crude extracts from the species used singly or combined effectively control giant earthworms within 2-6 h. The use of the organic vermicide from the above species, as demonstrated in this study, exhibits their potential as a safer way of managing destructive giant earthworms than synthetic chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Persian silk tree (Albizia julibrissin) has delicate flowers with a pleasant aroma profile, displaying notes of hyacinth and rose with subtle nuances of citrus, coconut and spice. In this study, a total of 29 odorants were identified in the flowers from a single A. julibrissin selection by the application of a cold‐solvent extraction (CSE), followed by solvent‐assisted flavour evaporation (SAFE) and aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA). Subsequently, nine odorants with flavour dilution (FD) factors ≥16 were quantitated by stable isotope dilution analysis (SIDA), and odour activity values (OAVs) were calculated. Odorants with OAV ≥1 included 2‐phenylacetaldehyde (OAV 3638), linalool (OAV 797), eugenol (OAV 231), geraniol (OAV 161), 1H‐indole (OAV 93), β‐ionone (OAV 31), 2‐phenylethanol (OAV 11) and γ‐octalactone (OAV 1). An aroma simulation model was prepared based on the quantitation data, and it closely matched the aroma of the flower isolate. Chiral chromatography was performed, and (S)‐(+)‐linalool was the only enantiomer detected. This study advances our understanding of A. julibrissin flower aroma chemistry and lays the groundwork for future investigations for the development of delicate floral aromas for flavour and fragrance applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The division of labor between florets responsible for reproduction and special functions occurs widely in condensed inflorescences. The capitulum of Albizia julibrissin consists of approximately 10–20 lateral flowers and usually one nectar‐secreting terminal flower; the two flower types are morphologically distinct, but the differences in reproductive function have not been revealed. To determine the differences in reproductive function between terminal and lateral flowers, we compared the ratio of terminal and lateral flowers at the flowering and young pod stages. Additionally, ovule number, stigma size, polyad size, and the ratio of flower abscission were compared between the two flower types. Significant differences were detected only in female fertility between the two flower types. At the flowering stage, 6.8% of flowers were terminal flowers, whereas at the young pod stage, all young fruits were obtained from lateral flowers. At the final stage of blooming, based on the generalized linear model analysis, the ratio of surviving terminal flowers was lower than that of the lateral flowers in a capitulum. These results suggest that the terminal flowers of A. julibrissin had female sterility or, at least, female fertility was lower than in lateral flowers. Therefore, it is necessary to reexamine some previous studies that assumed A. julibrissin to be andromonoecious with hermaphroditic terminal flowers and male lateral flowers. Further comparisons of the quality of ovules and polyads are necessary to clarify whether there is a division of labor between the terminal and lateral flowers in A. julibrissin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new lignan, julibrissinoside II, along with thirteen known compounds, was isolated from the stem bark of Albizia julibrissin. The structure of julibrissinoside II was determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods, including NMR and CD spectroscopic data. The isolated compounds were tested for their SREBP-1c inhibitory activity at different concentrations using mouse hepatocyte AML12 cell lines. Among them, linoleic acid (2) and 3-O-methylfisetin (4) showed significant SREBP-1c inhibitory activity at the concentration of 100 µM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of the Albizia julibrissin Leaf extracts (AJLE) on adipocytes using 3T3-L1 cells. AJLE inhibited adipogenesis by reducing the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs) that regulate enzymes involved in fat synthesis and storage, and subsequently reduced intracellular lipid droplets, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH), and triglyceride (TG). AJLE also increased the expression of brown adipocyte markers, such as uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1), PR/SET domain 16 (PRDM16), and bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) by inducing the differentiation of brown adipocytes, as shown by a decrease in the lipid droplet sizes and increasing mitochondrial mass. AJLE increased the expression of transcription factor A, mitochondrial (TFAM), mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, and UCP-1 protein expression, all of which are key factors in regulating mitochondrial biogenesis. AJLE-induced browning was shown to be regulated by the coordination of AMPK, p38, and SIRT1 signaling pathways. The ability of AJLE to inhibit adipogenesis and induce brown adipocyte differentiation may help treat obesity and related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural fibers are currently used as a replacement for synthetic fibers in all possible applications. To enhance the natural fiber’s application suitability, it is necessary to perform alternations on the fiber’s surface using a treatment. The present work deals with the enrichment of various characteristics of Albizia julibrissin fibers extracted from Albizia julibrissin plant stem using mercerization process using 5 (W/V)% of sodium hydroxide solution at four various soaking periods (15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes). The chemical analysis results showed that 45 minutes of the soaking period showed enhanced cellulose content of 60.30%, which was slightly higher than other soaking periods. Thermal analysis showed that char residue was 32% with a maximum degradation temperature of 350.5°C. X-ray diffraction results showed 45 minutes mercerized Albizia julibrissin fibers had a higher crystalline index of 36.36%, while the untreated Albizia julibrissin fibers had 27.77%. Scanning electron microscope elucidated that mercerization process removed the unwanted dirt’s from the surface of Albizia julibrissin fibers; this can aid in better mechanical interlocking with the matrix upon its usage in polymer composites. These desirable things make optimal mercerized Albizia julibrissin fibers as a suitable reinforcement.

Treating burns remains a challenge for modern medicine, especially in developing countries that cannot afford expensive, advanced therapies. This review article summarises clinical and animal model studies of botanical preparations and their mixtures in treating burn wounds and sunburn. Articles available in electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct and Google Scholar, published in English in 2010–2022, were considered. In the described clinical trials, it was shown that some herbal preparations have better effectiveness in treating burn wounds, including shortening the healing time and reducing inflammation, than the conventional treatment used hitherto. These herbal preparations contained extracts from Albizia julibrissin, Alkanna tinctoria, Aloe vera, Arnebia euchroma, Betula pendula and Betula pubescens, Centella asiatica, Hippophaë rhamnoides, Juglans regia, Lawsonia inermis, and mixtures of Matricaria chamomilla and Rosa canina. Research on animal models shows that many extracts may potentially benefit the treatment of burn wounds and sunburn. Due to the diverse mechanism of action, antibacterial activity, the safety of use and cost-effectiveness, herbal preparations can compete with conventional treatment. The growing interest in alternative medicine and herbal medicine encourages further research. Not only single preparations but also their mixtures should be taken into account because the research conducted so far often suggests a synergistic effect of the ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Table 1 Chemical and physical properties of mercerized and untreated AJ fibers HT

Albizia julibrissin Durazz is one of the most common herbs used for depression and anxiety treatment, but its mechanism of action as an antidepressant or anxiolytic drug have not been fully understood. We previously isolated and identified one lignan glycoside compound from Albizia Julibrissin Durazz, (-)-syringaresinol-4-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (SAG), that inhibited all three monoamine transporters with a mechanism of action different from that of the conventional antidepressants. In this study, we generated homology models for human dopamine transporter and human norepinephrine transporter, based on the X-ray structure of Drosophila dopamine transporter, and conducted the molecular docking of SAG to all three human monoamine transporters. Our computational results indicated that SAG binds to an allosteric site (S2) that has been demonstrated to be formed by an aromatic pocket positioned in the scaffold domain in the extracellular vestibule connected to the central site (S1) in these monoamine transporters. In addition, we demonstrated that SAG stabilizes a conformation of serotonin transporter with both the extracellular and cytoplasmic pathways closed. Furthermore, we performed mutagenesis of the residues in both the allosteric and orthosteric sites to biochemically validate SAG binding in all three monoamine transporters. Our results are consistent with the molecular docking calculation and support the association of SAG with the allosteric site. We expect that this herbal molecule could become a lead compound for the development of new therapeutic agents with a novel mechanism of action.

Treating burns remains a challenge for modern medicine, especially in developing countries that cannot afford expensive, advanced therapies. This review article summarises clinical and animal model studies of botanical preparations and their mixtures in treating burn wounds and sunburn. Articles available in electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct and Google Scholar, published in English in 2010–2022, were considered. In the described clinical trials, it was shown that some herbal preparations have better effectiveness in treating burn wounds, including shortening the healing time and reducing inflammation, than the conventional treatment used hitherto. These herbal preparations contained extracts from Albizia julibrissin, Alkanna tinctoria, Aloe vera, Arnebia euchroma, Betula pendula and Betula pubescens, Centella asiatica, Hippophaë rhamnoides, Juglans regia, Lawsonia inermis, and mixtures of Matricaria chamomilla and Rosa canina. Research on animal models shows that many extracts may potentially benefit the treatment of burn wounds and sunburn. Due to the diverse mechanism of action, antibacterial activity, the safety of use and cost-effectiveness, herbal preparations can compete with conventional treatment. The growing interest in alternative medicine and herbal medicine encourages further research. Not only single preparations but also their mixtures should be taken into account because the research conducted so far often suggests a synergistic effect of the ingredients.

[Objectives] This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different heavy metal stresses on seed germination, in order to provide a theoretical basis for phytoremediation of soil heavy metal pollution. [Methods] With the seeds of A. julibrissin as an experimental material, the germination test of A. julibrissin seeds under different concentrations of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ was carried out. The germination potential, germination rate, germination index, radicle length, embryo length and other indexes were measured. [Results] 1 Different heavy metals had different effects on the germination of A. julibrissin seeds. Low concentrations of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ stresses had certain promotion effects on the germination of A. julibrissin seeds, but high concentrations of Cu2+, Zn2+, Pb2+ stresses had obvious inhibitory effects on the germination of A. julibrissin seeds. 2 There were obvious differences in the tolerance of A. julibrissin seeds to different metal ion stresses. According to the comparison of the average values of membership functions, the order of their tolerance to different heavy metal ions was: Zn2+ > Cu2+ > Pb2+. [Conclusions] In the case of light pollution, the germination of A. julibrissin seeds was not inhibited, and the use of this plant for the remediation of lightly contaminated soil with heavy metals can also be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persian Silk tree (Albizia julibrissin Durazz.) is one of the native leguminous species in plain and lowland hyrcanian forests, which has been severely damaged by fungal disease. In this research, feasibility of preservation of A. julibrissin seeds in cryo condition was studied. Seeds of A. julibrissin were collected from 10 trees in lowland forests of western part of Haraz watershed, Mazandaran province, Iran. Seed germination characteristic of this species were analyzed in cryopreservation with four pretreatments including: vitrification solutions, 30% glycerol, desiccation and without cryoprotectants as well as control treatment, storage in dry condition at 15°C temperature. Seeds after one week and one month storage in liquid nitrogen condition were removed from the liquid nitrogen and the seeds were soaked into water at +42°C (heat shock). Then, seed were placed in petri dishes and so on were transferred into germinator at +22 °C. Seed germination was daily checked as long as no seed has been germinated. Results of two way ANOVA followed by Duncan as a post hoc multiple comparisons showed that there were no significant differences between germination traits of A. julibrissin seeds in four pretreatments of cryopreservation with control treatment. So we concluded that cryopreservation of A. julibrissin seeds is feasible. Our result indicated that having hard seed coat and as well as very low moisture content enable A. julibrissin seeds to be preserved in cryo condition without any cryoprotectants. Therefore, cryopreservation of A. julibrissin seeds could be done without any pre-treatment and it could be proposed as an effective strategy to protect the genetic recourse of this valuable species of the Hyrcanian forests in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new triterpenoid saponins, julibrosides A5–A7 (1–3), together with five known saponins (4–8), were isolated from the stem bark of Albizia julibrissin. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis of MS, 1D and 2D NMR, and chemical methods. Compounds 7 and 8 were isolated from the genus Albizia for the first time. The new compounds showed no cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective – to analyse of resistance to cold and frost-resistance of Albizia julibrissin Durazz in the conditions of Kherson. Material and methods. For the estimation of bioecologycal properties of A. julibrissin was used scale of resistance to cold of Je. Volf, in interpretation of B. Kozlovskiy with coauthors. The final point of frost-resistance settled accounts as the average of this property, shown in points. Results. It is set that brief declines of temperature of air in Kherson in a range –15,0 … –22,1 °С result in the partial damage of plants of albizia, but next vegetation season there is renewal anymore 70 copies. In the investigational terms of A. julibrissin proves as a poorly carrying a winter plant (2 points). However, the results of supervisions specify on the positive dynamics of adaptation of plants to the terms to Kherson, the percent of plants that experience a critical period without substantial damages and able to flower and bear fruit increases, id est prove as middling carrying a winter (3 points) and winter-proof (4 points) plants. It is educed that damage and death of plants during a winter period also related to the unsteady snow-cover, high winds that strengthen the action of subzero temperatures, and ice up branches, that on territory of research can appear several times during a winter. Conclusion. The results got during research ground for more wide distribution of A. julibrissin in Kherson.

The East Asian psyllid, Acizzia jamatonica (Kuwayama, 1908) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is newly reported from Iran. This is also considered as the first record of the genus Acizzia Heslop-Harrison and the subfamily Acizziinae for the country. The psyllid was collected from Persian silk tree, Albizia julibrissin Durazzini (Fabaceae), in Rasht, Guilan province, in July 2013. A brief taxonomic diagnosis is provided to facilitate its recognition.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Albizia julibrissin led to the isolation of ten new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins, julibrosides J 37 –J 46 ( 1 – 10 ), along with six known analogues ( 11 – 16 ). In addition, 11 prosapogenins ( 17 – 27 ) were prepared by mild or strong alkaline hydrolysis of the total saponin. The structures of 1 − 27 were determined by spectroscopic and chemical means, and their cytotoxicities against four human cancer cell lines, BGC-823, A549, HCT-116, and HepG2 were evaluated. Compounds 5 – 16 exhibited significant inhibitory activity with IC 50 values ranging from 2.59 to 9.30 μM, and 8 turned out to be the most active compound with all IC 50 values < 5 μM. A preliminary structure-activity relationship of these saponins clearly indicated that the outer monoterpenoid moiety (MT′) is a crucial substituent for cytotoxicity, and the linkage sites of the MT′ unit greatly influenced the activity. It could also be inferred that the existence of 16-OH of the aglycone almost has no effect on cytotoxicity and the N -acetyl-glucosamine moiety at C-3 seems to enhance activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have shown that conversion to conservation tillage from conventional tillage does not increase total soil organic carbon (SOC) significantly in the short term (<5 yrs). While no-till increases total SOC in the medium to long term, it was hypothesized that the inclusion of high biomass cover crops and organic mulches may increase total SOC in the short term. The use of invasive, perennial leguminous species as mulch may sustainably increase SOC during limited-input fall vegetable production. The objective of this study, conducted in Alabama (USA), was to quantify total SOC changes due to organic mulches and forage soybean (Glycine max(L.) Merr. cv. Derry) as a summer cover crop after conversion to no-till during limited-input fall collard (Brassica oleraceaL.) production. Forage soybean as a summer cover crop did not increase SOC. No-till without mulch (control treatment) significantly increased SOC at 0–5 cm from 6.3 to 14.0 g kg−1soil in 3 yrs, whereas inclusion of cut-and-carry mulches increased SOC to ≥22.6 g kg−1soil. Treatments did not affect collard yield, which averaged 17,863 kg ha−1yr−1. This represents a novel, limited-input system that may help control on-farm invasive species while sustainably increasing SOC in the short term. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The psyllid Acizzia jamatonica (Kuwayama, 1908), an introduced pest of the ornamental tree Albizia julibrissin Durazz., was found for the first time in Slovakia and Greece. In both countries it occurs in large numbers and reduces the aesthetic qualities as well as the health of the host plant.

Im September 2014 wurde ein Blattfloh an der Persischen Seidenakazie (Albizia julibrissin) im Burgenland entdeckt, der als zur Gattung Acizzia zugehörig identifiziert wurde. Vergleichende Untersuchungen und Literaturrecherchen ergaben, dass es sich um Acizzia jamatonica (Kuwayama) handelt. Dies ist der erste Nachweis von A. jamatonica an Albizia julibrissin in Österreich. DOI: 10.5073/JfK.2015.07.02, https://doi.org/10.5073/JfK.2015.07.02

Albizia julibrissinseed oil was extracted by the continuous method of soxhlet. We were interested to some physicochemical parameters of the oil. The main results showed that the saponification number was of 190; the iodine value was of 111 whereas the acid value was equal to 2.54. Concerning oil composition, the main fatty acids (FA) were linoleic (57.7 %), palmitic (12.5 %) and oleic ones (9.8 %). The major triacylglycerols (TAGs) were represented by ECN 42 accounting for 56.2 % of TAGs. Concerning ECN 44, it was represented by OLL. Furthermore, PLL accounted for 39 %. It is worth mentioning thatA. julibrissinoil was rich in β-carotene and that it was characterized by a low quantity of chlorophylls according to its UV spectrum in the region 400-800 nm. Concerning the UV spectra in the region 200-400nm, our profile revealed an important absorbency in the domain UV-C and low absorbencies in the domains UV-B and UV-A. These findings showed thatA. julibrissinseed oil could be valorised in many sectors such as cosmetic, pharmaceutical and agro industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total saponin from the stem bark of Albizia julibrissin (AJS t ) has previously showed the adjuvant potentials in mice. In this study, AJS t was subjected to resin column chromatography to afford four fractions (AJS 30 , AJS 50 , AJS 75 and AJS 95 ), and these fractions were further compared for the hemolytic activities and adjuvant potentials on the immune response to ovalbumin (OVA) and recombinant fowl pox virus vector-based avian influenza vaccine (rFPV). AJS t , AJS 50 , AJS 75 and AJS 95 showed a slight hemolytic effect. AJS t , AJS 50 and AJS 75 significantly enhanced not only the concanavalin A (Con A)-, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and antigen-stimulated splenocyte proliferation, but also serum antigen-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b antibody titers in the mice immunized with OVA and rFPV. AJS t , AJS 50 and AJS 75 also significantly promoted the NK cell activity and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in the OVA-immunized mice. Furthermore, the mechanisms of adjuvant action were explored by determining the effects of AJS 75 on cytokines and chemokines at the site of injection using antibody array. AJS75 induced or up-regulated the protein expression of 12 cytokines (IL-12p40, IL-12p40/p70, IFN-γ, IL-13, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, sTNFR I, sTNFR III, IL-3 and IL-9) and 10 chemokines (Eotaxin, I-TAC, MIG, MIP-1α, RANTES, TECK, Fracatlkine, FasL, M-CSF and GM-CSF) in the injected muscles. The results suggested that AJS 75 , the most adjuvant-active fraction of AJS t , could improve antigen-specific both cellular and humoral immune responses and simultaneously elicit a Th1/Th2 response by inducing cytokine and chemokine at the site of injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Albizia julibrissin Durazz is one of the most common herbs used for depression and anxiety treatment, but its mechanism of action as an antidepressant or anxiolytic drug have not been fully understood. We previously isolated and identified one lignan glycoside compound from Albizia Julibrissin Durazz, (-)-syringaresinol-4-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (SAG), that inhibited all three monoamine transporters with a mechanism of action different from that of the conventional antidepressants. In this study, we generated homology models for human dopamine transporter and human norepinephrine transporter, based on the X-ray structure of Drosophila dopamine transporter, and conducted the molecular docking of SAG to all three human monoamine transporters. Our computational results indicated that SAG binds to an allosteric site (S2) that has been demonstrated to be formed by an aromatic pocket positioned in the scaffold domain in the extracellular vestibule connected to the central site (S1) in these monoamine transporters. In addition, we demonstrated that SAG stabilizes a conformation of serotonin transporter with both the extracellular and cytoplasmic pathways closed. Furthermore, we performed mutagenesis of the residues in both the allosteric and orthosteric sites to biochemically validate SAG binding in all three monoamine transporters. Our results are consistent with the molecular docking calculation and support the association of SAG with the allosteric site. We expect that this herbal molecule could become a lead compound for the development of new therapeutic agents with a novel mechanism of action., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Liu, Wu, Li, Tang and Zhang.)