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The comparative chromosomal features of four species belonging to family Apocynaceae from Northeastern Thailand were studied from the root tips. The somatic chromosome numbers of all specimens were found to be 2n = 36 for Allamanda blanchetii, 2n = 18 for A. cathartica, 2n = 20 in A. schottii and 2n = 52 in Cryptostegia grandiflora. The chromosome numbers of A. blanchetii, A. cathartica have the same chromosome number from previous studied except chromosome number of C. grandiflora differs from previously reported. Moreover, the chromosome number of C. grandiflora has never been studied previously. The karyotype formulas are presented as 12 m + 4sm + 2st in A. cathartica and 10 m + 8sm + 2st in A. schottii. The karyotype formulas of both strains differ from those previously reported. Therefore, the karyotypes of two species, A. cathartica and A. schottii, have been found different and it can be used for classification. This study including chromosome number and karyotype of four species (Apocynaceae) is the first reported in Thailand.

Nowadays synthetic indicators are the choice of acid -base titrations. But due to environmental pollution, cost and availability, the search for natural compounds as an acid -base indicator was started. The present study was designed to evaluate the juice extracted from flower petals of Allamanda blanchetii (Family: Apocyanaceae) as a titration indicator. A comparative study of Allamanda blanchetii flower juice, a natural indicator, with synthetic indicators like phenolphthalein, methyl orange and neutral red - methylene blue mixed indicators were carried out to evaluate the accuracy of the water extract of the flower as an acid base indicator. Promising results were obtained for Allamanda blanchetii flower extract when compared against standard synthetic indicators. Titration shows sharp colour change at the equivalence point. The equivalence points obtained by the flower extract coincide with the equivalence point obtained by standard indicators. This natural indicator is found to be very useful, economical, simple and accurate for acid base titrations. According to all the evidence obtained after titrimetric analysis, the water extract of the flower shows effective and accurate results as that of synthetic indicators in acid base titrations. The advantage of using natural indicators in titrations is that, they can be prepared freshly and they are economical and ecofriendly.

A producao de energia eletrica e uma atividade que gera impactos ambientais em larga escala. Nesse cenario, cresce o desenvolvimento e aprimoramento de tecnologias para geracao de energia por fontes renovaveis, como por exemplo, energia solar. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi a avaliacao quantiqualitativa do extrato fitoquimico da especie Allamanda blanchetii A.DC., como sensibilizante de celulas fotovoltaicas orgânicas. Os dados obtidos indicaram que o teor de antocianinas totais maximo e de 558,80 mg/100g e minimo de 383,14 mg/100g em 10 amostras; as antocianinas foram quantificadas atraves do metodo de pH unico, em espectrofotometro UV-Vis apos 48 horas em meio extrator etanol a 95% - HCl 1,5N (85/15). Foram montadas quatro celulas fotoquimicas, a partir da juncao da camada de TiO 2 sensibilizada com o extrato da A. blanchetii ecamada de grafite. Para a caracterizacao eletrica utilizou-se um multimetro, e a partir das voltagens de circuito aberto (Vca) e corrente de curto-circuito (Icc), foram obtidos os seguintes parâmetros: potencia maxima da celula (Pmax); Fator de Forma (FF); eficiencia da celula solar (η); densidade de corrente de curto-circuito (Jsc) e eficiencia quântica da celula (EQC). Os dados obtidos da caracterizacao eletrica foram: Jsc = 0,24 a 0,36 mA/cm²; Icc = 2,38 a 3,50 mA; Vca 0,96 a 1 V; Pmax = 1,16 a 1,86 mW/cm²; FF = 0,49 a 0,54; η = 11,42 a 18,70%. O extrato da especie A. blanchetii e capaz de sensibilizar substâncias contidas em celulas fotovoltaicas orgânicas, gerar energia nao residual e contribuir para o equilibrio ambiental.

Activated carbons were prepared from the stem parts of Achyranthes aspera and Allamanda blanchetii plants and were investigated as adsorbents for the removal of malachite green dye from contaminated water. Various extraction conditions such as pH, initial concentration of dye, adsorbent dosage, temperature, agitation time and presence of co-ions were optimized for the maximum possible extraction of the dye. For analyzing the combined effect of these parameters on the removal efficiency of the adsorbents, statistical optimization modelling was adopted. The adsorbents developed were characterized and the adsorption abilities were observed to be 40.0 mg/g and 53.0 mg/g for the active carbons of Achyranthes aspera and Allamanda blanchetii plants respectively. The mechanism of adsorption was studied using various isotherm models and it was found that the Freundlich model describes well the adsorption process. Thermodynamic studies revealed the endothermic and spontaneous nature of physisorption. The kinetics of adsorption were well defined by the pseudo-second-order model. Desorption and regeneration studies of the spent adsorbents indicated that the percentage of extraction has not come down below 80.0% even after five regenerations for both the adsorbents. The validity of the methods developed are tested with real dye-polluted industrial effluent samples.

Background As frequent viral outbreaks continue to pose threat to public health, the unavailability of antiviral drugs and challenges associated with vaccine development underscore the need for antiviral drugs discovery in emergent moments (endemic or pandemic). Plants in response to microbial and pest attacks are able to produce defence molecules such as antimicrobial peptides as components of their innate immunity, which can be explored for viral therapeutics. Methods In this study, partially purified peptide-rich fraction (P-PPf) were obtained from aqueous extracts of seven plants by reverse-phase solid-phase extraction and cysteine-rich peptides detected by a modified TLC method. The peptide-enriched fractions and the aqueous (crude polar) were screened for antiviral effect against three non-polio enterovirus species C members using cytopathic effect reduction assay. Results In this study, peptide fraction obtained from Euphorbia hirta leaf showed most potent antiviral effect against Coxsackievirus A13, Coxsackievirus A20, and Enterovirus C99 (EV-C99) with IC50 Allamanda blanchetii leaf. Conclusion These findings establish the antiviral potentials of plants antimicrobial peptides and provides evidence for the anti-infective use of E. hirta in ethnomedicine. This study provides basis for further scientific investigation geared towards the isolation, characterization and mechanistic pharmacological study of the detected cysteine-rich peptides.

AIM: To evaluate the cytotoxic potential of endophytic fungi isolated from A. blanchetii. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endophytic fungi were isolated from A. blanchetii using surface sterilization methods, grown in different types of media to ascertain their suitability for growth. Mass culture was prepared using suitable media and extracts using several solvents were prepared and dried. These extracts were later evaluated using MTT assay for their cytotoxic potential. RESULTS: Hydroalcoholic extract of Phomopsis species exhibited better cytotoxicity (80 μg/ml) when compared ethyl acetate extract of the same 160 μg/ml. Similarly, ethyl acetate extract of Phomopsis species, ethyl acetate extract of Alternaria aff. raphani J. W. Groves and Skolko also demonstrated cytotoxicity of 160 μg/ml in MTT assay against MCF 7 cell line. CONCLUSION: Both the species of Phomopsis and Alternaria have shown significant cytotoxicity in MTT assay.

This study report the first record of Allamanda blanchetii Kunth in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil. This species was collected from an upland forest in Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forest. This occurrence adds new information about the distribution of this species and expands its range to Brazil, which is important for its conservation. We provide taxonomic information, distribution maps, conservation status assessment, photograps, and an identification key for the Allamanda L. species in the Atlantic Forest. Este estudo documenta o primeiro registro de Allamanda blanchetii Kunth para a Mata Atlântica, Brasil. Esta espécie foi coletada em Floresta Semidecídua Sazonal em brejos de altitudes. Esta ocorrência adiciona novas informações sobre a distribuição desta espécie e expande sua área de extensão que é importante para a sua conservação. Nós fornecemos informações taxonômicas, mapa de distribuição, avaliação do estatus de conservação, fotografias, e uma chave de identificação para as espécies de Allamanda L. para a Mata Atlântica.

The Allamanda blanchetii belongs to the Apocynaceae family, being an ornamental species popularly known as allamanda-roxa and is endemic to the Caatinga. The aim of this research was to evaluate the growth, gas exchange, relative water content, and stomatal density of A. blanchetii under water stress conditions. The experimental design was completely randomized with six levels of the maximum water holding capacity (MWHC) (100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, and 20%) with eight replications. Weekly, it was performed the evaluations of plant height and number of leaves. The results for water stress treatment in the A. blanchetii plants show that they develop better in the water levels of 100% and 80% of the MWHC, without presenting significant morphological and physiological changes. In turn, 20% of the MWHC does not allow the survival of the A. blanchetii plants. The water restriction negatively interfered in the gas exchange in the treatment of 60% and 40% of the MWHC. Therefore, it can be concluded that the A. blanchetii plants grow satisfactorily in 100% and 80% of the MWHC, ensuring the growth and survival during the drought period. The water availability to which the plants were submitted does not influence the total chlorophyll and relative water content of leaves. Gas exchanges are adversely affected at levels of water availability below 80% of the MWHC. Allamanda blanchetii pertence à família Apocynaceae, é uma espécie ornamental, conhecida popularmente como allamanda-roxa, endêmica da Caatinga. O objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar o crescimento, trocas gasosas, conteúdo relativo de água e densidade estomática de A. blanchetii sob condições de estresse hídrico. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com seis capacidade máxima de retenção de água tratamentos hídricos (100%, 80%, 60%, 40% e 20%) com oito repetições. Os resultados obtidos sobre o déficit hídrico aplicado, as plantas de A. blanchetii se desenvolvem com níveis de água de 100% e 80% da CMRA, sem apresentar modificações morfológicas e fisiológicas significativas enquanto que com de 20% da CMRA não houve a sobrevivência de plantas. A restrição hídrica interferiu negativamente nas trocas gasosas, nos tratamentos de 60% e 40% CMRA. Portanto pode-se concluir que as plantas de A. blanchetii crescem satisfatória sob 100% e 80% CMRA garantindo a sua sobrevivência e crescimento durante a seca. A clorofila total e o teor relativo de água na folha das plantas não foram influenciados pelos regimes hídricos a que foram submetidas. As trocas gasosas são negativamente afetadas em níveis de isponibilidadehídrica abaixo de 80% da CMRA.

Objectives The objective of the study was to evaluate Allamanda blanchetii extractives for antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing and antimicrobial activities. Methods The plant extractives were evaluated for their phenolic content and their ability to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay was conducted to identify cytotoxic potential of the extractives. The test samples were also involved in thrombolytic and membrane stabilizing activity assays to evaluate their abilities to promote clot lysis and to stabilize erythrocyte membrane under hypotonic and heat induced conditions. The extractives were involved in disc diffusion assay to measure their ability to give zones of inhibition in cultured bacterial medium. Results In DPPH free radical scavenging assay, the carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction demonstrated the highest free radical scavenging activity (IC 50 = 40.50 ± 0.32 μg/ml) where as, in brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the hexane soluble fraction revealed the highest cytotoxic activity with LC 50 value of 0.78 ± 0.74 μg/ml. While evaluating the thrombolytic activity of the extractives, the chloroform soluble fraction showed 32.50 ± 0.63% of clot lysis. This fraction at 1.0 mg/ml concentration also inhibited 46.74 ± 0.73% and 41.33 ± 0.59% of haemolysis of RBCs induced by hypotonic solution and heat as compared to 71.90% and 42.12% by acetyl salicylic acid (0.10 mg/ml), respectively. In disc diffusion assay, the extractives of A. blanchetii revealed zone of inhibition ranging from 7.0 to 13.0 mm. Conclusion Further chemical and bioassay guided investigation on violet Allamanda must be conducted for isolation, identification and characterization of the bioactive constituents.

Recent studies have shown the laticifers of Apocynaceae, previously classified as nonarticulated, indeed are articulated, anastomosing laticifers whose transverse walls dissolve rapidly and entirely, although doubts about their growth mode still persist. To better understand the mode of laticifer growth and differentiation in this family, we studied its development in Allamanda blanchetii using anatomical and ultrastructural analyses. Our results showed that laticifers are formed by a row of cells that join each other through dissolution of the transverse walls from the center to the periphery. The laticifers originate from ground meristem and procambium; the laticifers in the different tissues connect through lateral fusion, generating a laticifer network. The laticifers occur in the cortex, pith, and vascular system of the shoot, mesophyll, and vascular bundles of the leaves. There is no apical growth, and all the organelles observed in the apices of the laticifers play a role in the production of latex or in the dissolution of the terminal walls between the cells that compose the laticifer. The latex is composed of many metabolites produced mainly in the endoplasmic reticulum and plastids. Mitochondria are abundant, and dictyosomes are scarce. The vacuome is prominent from the start of laticifer differentiation, and many small vacuoles and vesicles transport the secretion from cytosol into the central vacuole, where an emulsion of substances is stored. The articulated, anastomosing laticifers of A. blanchetii have no subcellular mechanism for production of a cell wall in a polarized manner or dissolution of middle lamella of the cells which surround the laticifer tip, proving that there is no intrusive growth in this secretory structure.

Objective : The present study undertakes a comparative analysis of the level of secondary metabolites present in the leaf, flower and stem of the two ornamental plants, Allamanda blanchetii and Allamanda cathartica . Methods: The two plant species, Allamanda blanchetii and Allamanda cathartica were collected, washed, shade dried in room temperature and powered in mechanical grinder. Phytochemicals were extracted from the power with methanol and double distilled water. The estimation of flavonoids, polyphenols, polysaccharide were done by standard methods and the anti-oxidant activity was measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) discoloration assay. Results: Our study reveals that the flower of both species contain highest amount of secondary metabolites in crude methanolic and aqueous extracts. In case of leaf, the methanolic extracts contain higher amount of polyphenol, flavonoid and anti-oxidant property in comparison to aqueous extracts, where as the aqueous extract contain higher amount of polysaccharide content than its counterpart. In stem, crude organic extract has higher amount of polyphenol and flavonoid and the aqueous extract has higher amount of polysaccharide and anti-oxidant property. Conclusion: The flower of Allamanda cathartica and Allamanda blanchetii has higher amount of flavonoids, polyphenols, polysaccharide and the floral extracts display comparatively higher anti-oxidant property.

The inhibition efficiency (IE) of an aqueous extract ofAllamanda blanchetii(Purple) in controlling corrosion of mild steel which has been evaluated by weight loss method in the absence and presence of corrosion inhibitor at different time intervals at room temperature. The result showed that the corrosion inhibition efficiency ofAllamanda blanchetiiwas found to vary with different time interval and different acid concentrations. Also, it was found that the corrosion inhibition behavior ofAllamanda blanchetiiis greater in sulphuric acid than citric acid medium. SoAllamanda blanchettican be used as a good inhibitor for preventing mild steel material. The surface analysis study confirms the corrosion of the mild steel and its inhibition by the inhibitorAllamanda blanchetii.