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As part of the Fabaceae project of northeastern Mexico and based on field work, collection of botanical samples over the past 37 years, and reviewing botanical materials in national and international herbaria, the diversity of legumes of the subfamilies Caesalpinioideae (excluding tribe Mimoseae), Cercidoideae, and Detarioideae in northeastern Mexico has been recorded. New nomenclatural changes in tribes and genera of the subfamily Caesalpinioideae found in the new scientific bibliography are included. The subfamily Caesalpinioideae (excluding the tribe Mimoseae) includes five tribes: tribe Caesalpinieae, with eight genera (Caesalpinia, Coulteria, Denisophytum, Erythrostemon, Guilandina, Hoffmannseggia, Haematoxylum, and Pomaria) and 21 species; tribe Cassieae with three genera (Cassia, Chamaecrita, and Senna) and 28 species; tribe Ceratonieae with one genus (Ceratonia) and 1 species; tribe Gleditsieae with one genus (Gleditsia) and 1 species. The subfamily Cercidoideae includes two genera (Bauhinia and Cercis) and eight species, and the subfamily Detarioideae includes only one genus and one species (Tamarindus indicus). The total flora of these three subfamilies comprises 18 genera and 63 species, including 56 native species and 7 exotic ones: Bauhinia variegata, Cassia fistula, Ceratonia siliqua, Delonix regia, Erythrostemon gilliesii, Senna alata, and Tamarindus indicus. Endemism includes a total of 22 species and nine infraspecific categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study incorporated an environment‐friendly and cost‐efficient green synthesis method for fabricating zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) using various parts (leaves, buds, and flowers) of Bauhinia Variegate Linn. UV‐Spectrophotometric analysis was used to confirm the synthesis of ZnO‐NPs, which showed an absorption band within 360–380 nm range. Further techniques like FT‐IR spectroscopy and (SEM) scanning electron microscopy equipped with a novel EDX were also included to confirm the synthesis, size, and shape of ZnO‐NPs. Results obtained by FT‐IR showed that the phytochemicals present in the ethanolic extract successfully acted as a capping agent. SEM micrographs confirmed irregularly shaped nanoparticles with an average size of 70–80 nm. The presence of Zinc and Oxygen peaks in EDX also confirmed the successful synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. The radical scavenging (antioxidant) potential of prepared nanoparticles was also evaluated by DPPH radical assay. The ZnO‐NPs obtained from the ethanolic extract of buds showed the highest %RSA (86%) as compared to the flowers (79%) and leaves (76%). The current study findings showed the versatile morphology of all parts of the plant with significant antioxidant potential, establishing the use of Bauhinia Variegate in biological systems for various biomedical applications. Research Highlights: A thorough comparative analysis of the radical scavenging power of major parts of the Bauhinia Variegate, which is 1st of its kind.Extensive characterization using UV–Vis spectrophotometry, FT‐IR, SEM, and EDX to observe the conformational and morphological changes.Analysis of the reduction potential of leaves, buds, and flowers of a single plant for future directions in green synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to investigate techniques for lowering diesel engine emissions by using waste seed as an alternative energy source in place of conventional fossil fuels. This study thoroughly investigated the process of transesterifying waste seed oil obtained from Bauhinia purpurea linn for use as fuel in a common rail direct injection (CRDI) diesel engine. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) nanoparticles serve as a combustion enhancer. The engine outcome metrics were analyzed using diesel, Bauhinia purpurea linn biodiesel (BPLB) and BPLB-BHT blends (BPLB + 10μm BHT 10 ppm and BPLB + 20μm BHT 10 ppm) without changing the operating circumstances. At full brake power, the BPLB + 10μm BHT 10 ppm mix outperformed the BPLB and BPLB + 20μm BHT 10 ppm blends, but fell short of diesel. The BPLB + 10μm BHT 10 ppm blend reduced smoke opacity by 39.14%, hydrocarbon (HC) emissions by 42.71%, carbon monoxide (CO) emissions by 59.03% and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions by 12.29% compared to neat diesel fuel at maximum brake power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, diabetes is a common morbidity, and the occurrence of the disease is attributed to various pathophysiological states of the human body, including inflammation and free radical oxidants. Previous types of research also reported the involvement of free radical oxidants in the development of secondary complications of diabetes. The scavenging of free radicals by antioxidants turns out to be a defense mechanism and can also alter disease states. Therefore, the study was designed to evaluate the properties of Bauhinia variegata L. leaves in controlling diabetes, inflammation, and free radicals. The ethanolic leaf extract was prepared and the extract was then fractionated with solvents, which were further used to perform pharmacological screening by in vitro methods. The IC50 values of the chloroform fraction (BVC) of leaf extract were recorded as the lowest among the test materials for all in vitro studies. The IC50 values of BVC in the study of inhibition of a-amylase and a-glucosidase enzymes were 31.08±1.53 and 25.33±1.52 μg/mL, respectively. In the study of inhibition of bovine serum albumin and egg albumin denaturation, BVC showed efficacy with IC50 values of 23.75±1.35 and 28.15±1.32 μg/mL, respectively. The fraction showed free radical scavenging activity in DPPH and nitric oxide assay, with IC50 values of 27.78±1.61 and 34.93±1.49 μg/mL, respectively. In addition, two pure compounds, namely chrysoeriol and β-amyrin palmitate, were isolated from this bioactive fraction. Thus, the results proved all the claimed pharmacological effects of the leaves of Bauhinia variegata L. and also justified the hypothesis of the current study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a metabolic disorder majorly caused by the hormonal fluctuations in female and the current scenario explains that adolescents remain predominantly affected with this disorder. Bauhinia variegata assist in the treatment of various ailments and are used as an ingredient in targeting uterine disorders, yet the exact constituent that contributes on activity remains unknown. Aim: The main aim of our study is to determine the potent phytoconstituent of Bauhinia variegata to fight against the symptoms of PCOS through computational techniques. Materials and Methods: Five in silico techniques like Molecular docking analysis, Pharmacokinetics, toxicity prediction of the compounds, Biological activity and Molecular dynamics simulation studies were performed to identify the potent phytoconstituent. Results and Discussion: Molecular docking studies show that the major constituent lupeol had a good binding interaction and high docking score of -10.31 Kcal/mol and -11.52 Kcal/mol with both the proteins 3RUK and 1E3K. Pharmacokinetics, toxicity and biological activity studies reveal that it had ideal drug likeliness properties with proper biological activity values and were found to non-toxic in the analysed parameters. Lupeol complex was found to be potentially stable throughout the molecular dynamic’s simulation for 100 ns. Conclusion: Thus, through in silico analysis it is evident that from the list of phytoconstituents of Bauhinia variegata, lupeol possess potent activities in mitigating the symptoms of PCOS. Further in vitro and in vivo analysis on PCOS model is expected to yield favourable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lectins are proteins of a non-immune nature with activity against microorganisms, insects, and tumor cells. The aim of this work was to predict the physicochemical characteristics, structure, and functional properties of a Bauhinia holophylla lectin (BhL), sequenced from genomic material obtained from calli cultures, through bioinformatics tools. The results showed a high similarity between the Bhl gene and nucleotide sequences that encode lectins expressed by Bauhinia species and a high identity between the protein sequence of BhL and lectins from B. forficata (90%), B. variegata (79.04%), B. purpurea (78.01%), and B. ungulata (85.27%). BhL has 289 amino acids, of which 30, 85, and 174 residues are related to α-helix, β-sheet, and disordered regions, respectively. Their estimated molecular weight is 31.9 kDa and the theoretical isoelectric point is 5.79. Bauhinia holophylla lectin possibly undergoes phosphorylation and glycosylation at specific sites. Conserved protein domains, catalytic sites, and conserved amino acids were observed in BhL, bringing it closer to lectin families from other legume species. The prediction signaled the presence of a sequence of 28 amino acids at the N-terminal end of BhL, with a high hydropathicity index and conceptualized as a signal peptide. The molecular function predicted for BhL was associated with carbohydrate recognition activity. BhL could be an extracellular protein, and its three-dimensional structure showed 78.82% identity with the B. purpurea lectin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zika virus (ZIKV) is involved in the etiology of serious nervous system pathologies. Currently, there are no specific and effective vaccines or antiviral drugs to prevent the diseases caused by ZIKV. This study aimed to assess the activity of flavonoids present in crude hydroethanolic extract (CHE) and fractions obtained from B. holophylla leaves against ZIKV. O-glycosylated flavonoids were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS). The cytotoxic concentration and the effective concentration for 50% of the cells (CC50 and EC50, respectively) were determined, and the selectivity index (SI) was calculated. Molecular networks were constructed based on the chemical composition of the samples and global antiviral activity data using the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) platform. Protein–ligand docking was performed in the NS2B-NS3 protease, NS3 helicase, and NS5 methyltransferase of the ZIKV. CHE showed greater antiviral activity at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1.0, with an EC50 of 11.93 µg/mL, SI = 13.38, and reduced cytopathic effects. Molecular networks indicated that O-glycosylated flavonoids are responsible for the activity against ZIKV, being quercetin-O-deoxyhexoside more selective and effective. Molecular docking confirmed the inhibitory activity of quercetin-O-deoxyhexoside, which showed an affinity for the tested targets, especially for NS2B-NS3 protease. The results showed that B. holophylla has flavonoids with potential for future therapeutic applications against ZIKV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variations in plant genotypes and phenotypes are expressed in ways that lead to the development of defensive abilities against herbivory. Induced defenses are mechanisms that affect herbivore insect preferences and performance. We evaluated the performance of resistant and susceptible phenotypes of Bauhinia brevipes (Fabaceae) against attacks by the gall-inducing insect Schizomyia macrocapillata (Diptera). We hypothesized that there is a positive relationship between resistance to S. macrocapillata and host plant performance because resistance can have a high adaptive value. We evaluated plant architecture, nutritional leaf quality, leaf fluctuating asymmetry, and reproductive capacity between phenotypes. Plant performance was evaluated at three ontogenetic stages: seed, seedling, and juvenile. Overall, there were no differences in vegetative and reproductive performance or asymmetry between the resistant and susceptible mature plants. We found no relationship between leaf nutritional quality and resistance to S. macrocapillata. Plant performance was consistent across ontogeny for both phenotypes, except for five variables. Contrary to our expectations, the susceptible plants performed equally well or better than the resistant plants, suggesting that tolerance and overcompensation to herbivory in B. brevipes may be mediated by induced defense. Our study highlights the importance of multiple layers of plant defense against herbivory, where plant tolerance acts as a secondary barrier in plants susceptible to gall-inducing insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBauhinia glauca subsp. hupehana (Craib) T. C. Chen 1988, a member of the Leguminosae family, Cercidoideae subfamily, and Bauhinia genus, has a rich history of traditional usage in Chinese medicine. Renowned for its analgesic properties, it is commonly employed for managing inflammation and pain. This study aimed to sequence the complete chloroplast genome of B. glauca subsp. hupehana using Illumina paired-end sequencing data. The chloroplast genome spans 156,967 bp and consists of four main regions: the large single-copy (LSC) region (89,185 bp), the small single-copy (SSC) region (19,146 bp), and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) (24,318 bp). The overall GC content of the chloroplast genome is 36.19%, with specific values of 33.99%, 29.79%, and 42.76% for the LSC, SSC, and IR regions, respectively. A total of 128 genes were annotated in the chloroplast genome, including 83 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that B. glauca subsp. hupehana is closely related to Bauhinia racemose, indicating a sister taxon relationship between the two species. This study significantly contributes to the chloroplast genomic resource for Bauhinia, laying the groundwork for future phylogenetic investigations within the genus.

The present paper deals with a comprehensive enumeration of leguminous taxa found in Birbhum District of West Bengal, India. We recorded 140 species, one subspecies, and two varieties, representing 82 genera from 24 tribes under four subfamilies, viz., Cercidoideae (6 species in 2 genera belonging to 1 tribe), Detarioideae (3 species in 3 genera belonging to 3 tribes), Caesalpinioideae (43 species in 24 genera belonging to 5 tribes), and Papilionoideae (91 taxa including 88 species, 1 subspecies and 2 varieties in 53 genera belonging to 15 tribes). Herbs (59 taxa) were the largest group, followed by trees (39), climbers (23), and shrubs (22). Crotalaria and Indigofera (7 species each) emerged as the dominant genera, followed by Senna (6) and Bauhinia and Senegalia with five species each. In this district, the legumes are represented under 24 tribes, of which the Phaseoleae is the largest comprising 24 taxa, followed by Desmodieae (16) and Cassieae (12). Regarding endemics, Indigofera prostrata exclusive to West Bengal is recorded from Birbhum District, while Grona brachystachya, Hardwickia binata, Pterocarpus marsupium, and P. santalinus are endemic to India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In seeds with impermeable coats, i.e., physical dormancy (PY), dormancy break may occur at room temperature during ex-situ storage or when seeds experiencing similar conditions when buried in the soil. Here, we tested the influence of initial seed moisture content and storage on dormancy break in the seeds of Adenanthera pavonina, Bauhinia racemosa, Cassia fistula, Dodonaea viscosa, and Delonix regia. Drying results in most seeds of these species becoming water-impermeable. We arbitrarily chose two moisture ranges, shallow (impermeable, high moisture content) and absolute (impermeable, low moisture content) PY, and stored the seeds at room temperature for 8.5 years. The moisture content at which the permeable to impermeable transition occurred and the range constituting shallow and absolute PY varied between species. Across species, the shallow PY group had a significantly higher number of nondormant seeds at the end of storage, whereas the absolute PY group did not show any germination, except c. 20% germination in A. pavonina and C. fistula. Thus, PY break in seeds stored at room temperature may occur after several years, but this largely depends on the initial seed moisture content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bauhinia purpurea L. is a medium-sized tree from the family Fabaceae. The plant is traditionally used as medicine by different tribes in Sikkim. The present study aimed to evaluate the modulation in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the bark methanol extract of Bauhinia purpurea L. against the clinical isolates of multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The synergistic activity of the test plant extract with different classes of antibiotics was also evaluated. The methanol extract of Bauhinia purpurea exhibited modulation by a 16-fold reduction in the MIC of clindamycin against both resistant and susceptible isolates, followed by penicillin and gentamicin, whereas a maximum of only a 4-fold MIC reduction was observed with ciprofloxacin. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration showed by the plant extract was 0.48 and 0.97 mg/mL, respectively. The methanol extract of Bauhinia purpurea exhibited synergistic activity with penicillin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and clindamycin against most of the tested isolates of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MDR-SA). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of Bauhinia purpurea L. bark methanol extract revealed 16 phytocompounds. The results provide an insight into the potential antibacterial property of the plant extract in terms of its antibiotic MIC modulation and synergistic properties with the selected antibiotics. This is the first report of the antibiotic potentiation property of Bauhinia purpurea L., collected from Sikkim, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species belonging to the Bauhinia genus, usually known as "pata-de-vaca", are popularly used to treat diabetes. Bauhinia ungulata var. obtusifolia (Ducke) Vaz is among them, of which the leaves are used as a tea for medicinal purposes in the Amazon region. A microencapsulation study of lyophilized aqueous extract from Bauhinia ungulata leaves, which contain phenolic compounds, using five different wall materials (maltodextrin DE 4-7, maltodextrin DE 11-14; β-cyclodextrin; pectin and sodium carboxymethylcellulose) is described in this paper. The microstructure, particle size distribution, thermal behavior, yield, and encapsulation efficiency were investigated and compared using different techniques. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, phenolics, and flavonoids were detected and quantified in the microparticles. The microparticles obtained with a yield and phenolics encapsulation efficiency ranging within 60–83% and 35–57%, respectively, showed a particle size distribution between 1.15 and 5.54 µm, spherical morphology, and a wrinkled surface. Among them, those prepared with sodium carboxymethylcellulose or pectin proved to be the most thermally stable. They had the highest flavonoid content (23.07 and 21.73 mg RUTE/g Extract) and total antioxidant activity by both the DPPH (376.55 and 367.86 µM TEq/g Extract) and ABTS (1085.72 and 1062.32 µM TEq/g Extract) assays. The chromatographic analyses allowed for quantification of the following substances retained by the microparticles, chlorogenic acid (1.74–1.98 mg/g Extract), p-coumaric acid (0.06–0.08 mg/g Extract), rutin (11.2–12.9 mg/g Extract), and isoquercitrin (0.49–0.53 mg/g Extract), compounds which considered to responsible for the antidiabetic property attributed to the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subfamily Cercidoideae is an early‐diverging lineage of Leguminosae, within which the number and classification of genera have been controversial. Cheniella is a recently described genus in the Cercidoideae which requires revision and testing of its monophyly and circumscription. Here we infer the phylogenetic position and infrageneric relationships of Cheniella as well as the intergeneric relationships of Cercidoideae using 48 newly sequenced plastid genomes, including 34 individuals representing all species of Cheniella. Our phylogenetic analyses yield a well‐resolved tree of Cercidoideae with robust support at most nodes. We also present morphological studies through field work and herbarium studies to re‐assess the classification and circumscription of the genus. Based on the results of molecular analyses and morphological studies combined with distribution data, we broaden the circumscription of Cheniella to comprise a total of 15 species and 3 subspecies, including three new species (C. hechiensis, C. longistaminea, C. pubicarpa), one new combination (C. tianlinensis) and one new status and combination (C. longipes). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited information is available on the variation of plant leaf hydraulic traits in relation to soil rock fragment content (RFC), particularly for xerophytes native to rocky mountain areas. In this study, we conducted a field experiment with four gradients of RFC (0, 25, 50 and 75% ν ν−1) on three different xerophytic species (Sophora davidii , Cotinus szechuanensis and Bauhinia brachycarpa). We measured predawn and midday leaf water potential (Ψleaf), leaf hydraulic conductance (K leaf), Ψleaf induced 50% loss of K leaf (P 50), pressure–volume curve traits and leaf structure. A consistent response of hydraulic traits to increased RFC was observed in three species. K leaf showed a decrease, whereas P 50 and turgor loss point (Ψtlp) became increasingly negative with increasing RFC. Thus, a clear trade-off between hydraulic efficiency and safety was observed in the xerophytic species. In all three species, the reduction in K leaf was associated with an increase in leaf mass per area. In S. davidii , alterations in K leaf and P 50 were driven by leaf vein density (VLA) and Ψtlp. In C. szechuanensis , Ψtlp and VLA drove the changes in K leaf and P 50, respectively. In B. brachycarpa , changes in P 50 were driven by VLA, whereas changes in both K leaf and P 50 were simultaneously influenced by Ψtlp. Our findings suggest that adaptation to increased rockiness necessarily implies a trade-off between leaf hydraulic efficiency and safety in xerophytic species. Additionally, the trade-off between leaf hydraulic efficiency and safety among xerophytic species is likely to result from processes occurring in the xylem and the outside-xylem hydraulic pathways. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the survival strategies and mechanisms of xerophytes in rocky soils, and provide a theoretical basis for the persistence of xerophytic species in areas with stony substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and dementia constitutes the fifth leading cause of mortality across the globe. Available treatment modalities and drugs have abysmally failed to curtail AD. This study evaluated the mitigation of Aβ aggregation and anti-cholinesterase activities with the crude extracts of Ptaeroxylon obliquum and Bauhinia bowkeri. Computational studies of the most abundant phytochemicals from the crude extracts of both plants with proteins were investigated. The phytochemical composition of the different crude extracts (hexane, DCM, and ethanol) of the plants were analyzed with FTIR and GC-MS. The inhibitory potential of the extracts on BACE-1 and cholinesterase activities was determined with both computational molecular docking studies and in vitro enzyme assays. Their anti-aggregation properties were confirmed with Thioflavin-T assay and TEM. Results: The in silico studies revealed that though thunbergol and cyclotetradecatriene (the major constituents of the extracts) inhibited all the proteins, the latter exhibited the best inhibitory potential. The in vitro results showed that while the dichloromethane (DCM) extract of P. obliquum had the highest butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitory activity (1.77 µg/ml), the hexane and ethanol extract of B. bowkeri exhibited the highest β-site amyloid precursor cleaving enzymes-1 (BACE-1) (30.4 µg/ml) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (58.11 µg/ml) inhibitory efficacy, respectively. The ethanol extract (160 µg/ml) of B. bowkeri had the most efficacious anti-aggregation activity. Conclusions: This study suggests that the plants could possess neuroprotective effects and could also be sources of anti-AD novel drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a butterfly survey in the remote village of Gailung in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, one Common Tinsel was recorded on 27th March 2023. The butterfly was photographed and identified with the help of field guides as Catapaecilma major Druce, 1895 (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae). The habitat was adjacent to local terrace farmland and was dominated by plants such as Ageratum conyzoides, Oxalis sp., Urtica sp., Fluggea virosa, and Bauhinia variegata. The butterfly was observed resting on the leaves of Ageratina adenophora. and was noted for its swift flight. The current communication highlights the first observation of Common Tinsel from the Garhwal Himalaya after 1930s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bauhinia glauca subsp. hupehana (Craib) T. C. Chen 1988, a member of the Leguminosae family, Cercidoideae subfamily, and Bauhinia genus, has a rich history of traditional usage in Chinese medicine. Renowned for its analgesic properties, it is commonly employed for managing inflammation and pain. This study aimed to sequence the complete chloroplast genome of B. glauca subsp. hupehana using Illumina paired-end sequencing data. The chloroplast genome spans 156,967 bp and consists of four main regions: the large single-copy (LSC) region (89,185 bp), the small single-copy (SSC) region (19,146 bp), and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) (24,318 bp). The overall GC content of the chloroplast genome is 36.19%, with specific values of 33.99%, 29.79%, and 42.76% for the LSC, SSC, and IR regions, respectively. A total of 128 genes were annotated in the chloroplast genome, including 83 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that B. glauca subsp. hupehana is closely related to Bauhinia racemose, indicating a sister taxon relationship between the two species. This study significantly contributes to the chloroplast genomic resource for Bauhinia, laying the groundwork for future phylogenetic investigations within the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe mitogenome of Bauhinia variegate was assembled and characterized in this study. The mitogenome size was 437,271 bp, and its GC content was 45.5%. 36 protein-coding genes, 17 tRNAs and 3 rRNAs were annotated in the mitogenome. A total of 12 MTPTs, ranging from 71 bp to 3562 bp, were identified in the mitogenome and covered 1.46% (6373 bp) of the mitogenome. Phylogenetic analysis of 15 species of Leguminosae based on 23 core protein-coding genes showed that B. variegata was sister to Tylosema esculentum, another member from the subfamily Cercidoideae. The mitogenome of B. variegata provides a valuable genetic resource for further phylogenetic studies of this family.

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Objectives: To investigate the role of combination of Madhuca longifolia (ML) and Bauhinia variegata (BV) ethanolic leaf extracts against oxidative damage in Swiss Albino mice and colchicine induced cognitive dysfunction; to estimate the neuroprotective impact using Madhuca longifolia and Bauhinia variegata combination by behavioral testing and to analyze the biochemical parameters. Materials and Methods: The experimental analysis was done for 28 days on a colchicine-induced model. Acute oral toxicity study was performed according to OECD 425 guidelines. Passive avoidance paradigm and Morris water maze were used for behavioral experiments and biochemical parameters like glutathione and nitric oxide were analyzed. 36 Swiss albino mice were grouped into six groups, each consisting of six mice. 1% w/v Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (CMC) was administered to the Group (G) I. The G II received ED(BV)+ED(ML) (400 mg/kg+200 mg/kg oral). G III was administered ED(BV)+ED(ML)+Col(400 mg/kg+200 mg/ kg+1 mg/kg, intracerebrovascular (i.c.v.)). The fourth group got ED(BV)+ED(ML)+Pir(400 mg/ kg+200mg/kg oral+200 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)). Group V has been given LDBV+LDML (200 mg/kg +100 mg/kg oral) for 28 days and Colchicine 1 mg/kg, i.p., at 60 min after 28th day piracetam injection. Group VI received HDBV+HDML (400 mg/kg+200 mg/kg oral). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) (one-way) was followed by Tukey's test and then the results were analyzed. Results: Madhuca longifolia and Bauhinia variegata ethanolic leaf extracts indicated a decrease (p<0.001) in transfer latency of mice in Morris water maze. The transfer latency in passive avoidance model showed a significant increment (p<0.001). The Madhuca longifolia and Bauhinia variegata leaf extract combination showed an increment (p<0.001) in GSH levels and a decrease (p<0.001) in NO and total protein. Conclusion: The combination of Madhuca longifolia and Bauhinia variegata has neuroprotective effect against memory damage caused by colchicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several barriers contribute to reproductive isolation between plant species, which can be classified as pre- or post-pollination. Understanding the strength of these barriers could clarify the factors that maintain reproductive isolation and thus species integrity. In this study, we quantified reproductive isolation between two bat-pollinated co-occurring Bauhinia species (B. acuruana and B. pentandra) with similar flower morphology. Over the course of 18 months, we assessed reproductive isolation between these two Bauhinia species by quantifying the individual strengths and absolute contributions of five pre- and post- pollination barriers. Our data showed that both species are completely isolated in their reproduction by a combination of several barriers. Although they co-occur in a few populations, we found a high degree of geographic isolation between them. And although their flowering periods overlap, there is a significant difference in flowering peaks. Both species have the same pollinating bats, but the interspecific transfer of pollen between the plant species may be reduced due to the different length of the flower stamens, resulting in different pollen deposition on the bats' bodies. We have documented complete incompatibility between taxa and conclude that pre- and post-pollination barriers are important factors in preventing gene flow, even in contact zones between these two species of Bauhinia. We highlight that our work is the first study to use methods to estimate the strength of reproductive isolation barriers between bat-pollinated species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study underlines the in vitro leishmanicidal activity of the methanol extracts (MeOH), fractions of n-hexane (n-Hex), chloroform (TCM) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and compounds isolated from plant species used in the Mayan traditional medicine. Materials and Methods: Extracts of medicinal species collected in the Mayan Peninsula such as Hylocerus undatus, Bauhinia divaricate, Euphorbia hirta, Ruellia nudiflora and Cedrela odorata, were tasted in a bio guided assays against amastigotes of Leishmania mexicana. Different chromatographic techniques were applied in order to isolated the most active compounds. Additionally, spectroscopic experiments 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, LC-MS and FT-IR were stablished to determine the chemical structure of the chemical compounds. Results: Euphorbia hirta and Cedrella odorata, showed good bioactivity with 14.81 ± 2.63 g/mL and IC50 = 18.39 ± 0.88 µg/mL respectively, meanwhile Bauhinia divaricata not show activity and Ruellia nudiflora showed poor activity with IC50 = 92.18 ± 3.64 µg/mL, followed by Hylocerus undatus with IC50 = 122.5 ± 20.99 µg/mL, when tasted against amastigotes of Leishmania mexicana. Spectroscopic data confirmed the presence of quercetin, myricetin, kempherol and scopoletin, with IC50 = 2.92 ± 0.42 µM, 12.30 ± 0.57 µM, 20.22 ± 4.66 µM and 4.05 ± 0.68 µM respectively. Conclusion: The bioguided assays guided us, to the purification and isolation of four different metabolites, mainly flavonoids and structurally related compounds, some of them show good activity, however, their low bioavailability indicates the need for detailed structural relation activity studies, together with the development of formulations and delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mitogenome of Bauhinia variegate was assembled and characterized in this study. The mitogenome size was 437,271 bp, and its GC content was 45.5%. 36 protein-coding genes, 17 tRNAs and 3 rRNAs were annotated in the mitogenome. A total of 12 MTPTs, ranging from 71 bp to 3562 bp, were identified in the mitogenome and covered 1.46% (6373 bp) of the mitogenome. Phylogenetic analysis of 15 species of Leguminosae based on 23 core protein-coding genes showed that B. variegata was sister to Tylosema esculentum, another member from the subfamily Cercidoideae. The mitogenome of B. variegata provides a valuable genetic resource for further phylogenetic studies of this family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bauhinia purpurea L. (Fabaceae) is used in the Ayurvedic system to treat various oxidative-related ailments (e.g., wounds, ulcers etc.). Therefore, it is believed that the plant also has the potential to alleviate oxidative-related liver damage. This study elucidates the hepatoprotective activity of chloroform extract of B. purpurea leaves (CEBP) in paracetamol (PCM)-induced liver injury (PILI) rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 6) were pre-treated once daily (p.o.) with CEBP (50–500 mg/kg) for seven consecutive days before being administered (p.o.) a hepatotoxic agent, 3 g/kg PCM. Liver enzyme levels were determined from the collected blood, while the collected liver was used to determine the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes and for histopathological examination. CEBP was also subjected to radical scavenging assays and phytochemical analysis. CEBP significantly (p < 0.05) reversed the toxic effect of PCM by increasing the serum levels of AST and ALT, and the activity of endogenous catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) while reducing the liver weight/body weight (LW/BW) ratio. Other than low TPC value and radical scavenging activity, CEBP had a high antioxidant capacity when evaluated using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. UHPLC-ESI-MS analysis of CEBP showed the presence of flavonoids. CEBP exerts its hepatoprotective activity through a non-free radical scavenging pathway that involves activation of the endogenous enzymatic antioxidant defense system. Further study is needed to identify the responsible bioactive compounds before the plant can be developed as a future alternative hepatoprotective medicament for clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antidiabetic effects of flavonoids have been reported, but it is still unclear whether 5,7,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone, isolated from Bauhinia championii Benth. (Fabaceae), also exhibits such properties. To isolate 5,7,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone from B. championii using high-speed countercurrent chromatography and examine its potential in treating diabetic nephropathy. The phytochemical constituents from the stems of B. championii were separated and purified with high-speed countercurrent chromatography; 5,7,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone (PMF) was identified by mass spectrum, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR. After exposing mesangial cells to 30 mM glucose and either 5 μM or 10 μM PMF for 6 h, the levels of fibronectin (FN) and p-Smad2/3 were analyzed using Western blotting. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally with 55 mg/kg streptozotocin to induce diabetes and then were randomized into three groups (n = 10): vehicle administration, low-dose (5 mg/kg) PMF, and high-dose (25 mg/kg) PMF by intragastric gavage for 3 months. A healthy group was included as the control. Compared to the diabetic group, low-dose and high-dose PMF treatment decreased the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 by 0.54- and 0.52-fold, and the accumulation of FN decreased by 0.82- and 0.77-fold in vitro; the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 was decreased by 0.39- and 0.37-fold, and the accumulation of FN decreased by 0.47- and 0.40-fold in vivo, respectively. Furthermore, PMF alleviated the glomerular basement membrane thickness and foot process fusion. The findings suggest for the first time that PMF may be a promising treatment option for diabetic kidney fibrosis, which warrants additional clinical investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is characterized by an excessive and abnormal accumulation of fat. According to the 2022 National Health and Nutrition Survey, in Mexico, the prevalence of overweight and obesity—diagnosed if one's body mass index (BMI) was ≥25 kg/m2—in adults was 75.2%. A strong association between the amount of visceral fat and diseases such as diabetes mellitus type II has been recognized. Species of the Bauhinia genus have lipid-lowering and antidiabetic properties. The aim of this work was to evaluate the lipolytic and antiadipogenic activity of Bauhinia divaricata L. in 3T3-L1 cells and to identify the major compounds in the bioactive treatments. The extraction of aerial parts allowed us to obtain hexanic (BdHex), ethyl acetate (BdEAc), and hydroalcoholic (BdHA) extracts. Lipid levels were measured in 3T3-L1 cells differentiated into adipocytes. Our evaluation of cell viability identified an IC50 > 1000 μg/mL in all the extracts, and our evaluation of the antiadipogenic activity indicated that there was a significant reduction (p < 0.001) in the accumulation of lipids with hydroalcoholic (60%) and ethyl acetate (75%) extracts of B. divaricate compared with metformin at 30 mM (65%). The major compounds identified in these extracts were as follows: triacetin (1), 2,3-dihydroxypropyl acetate (2), (3E)-2-methyl-4-(1,3,3-trimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-2-yl)-3-buten-2-ol (3), 2,5-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (4), (3R)-3-hydroxydodecanoic acid (5), kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside (6), and quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside (7). Some of these naturally occurring compounds have been related to the anti-obesity effects of other medicinal plants; therefore, these compounds isolated from B. divaricata could be responsible for inhibiting the differentiation process from preadipocytes to mature adipocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, superhydrophobic leaves of Cassia tora, Adiantum capillus-veneris (ACV), and Bauhinia variegata are reported for the first time, and the wettability of these leaf's surfaces was correlated with their surface morphology at micro- and nanoscale. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) images of the surfaces were used to get surface morphological information at the micro-nanoscale structures. A special drying method was implemented to ensure the minimal structural collapse of these surfaces under the high vacuum of FESEM. FESEM images of Cassia tora leaves showed widely spaced, low aspect ratio nanopetals distributed on bumpy blunt microfeatures, responsible for high contact angle hysteresis, and high roll angle measured on the Cassia tora leaves. ACV leaves showed the presence of micrometer-scale spherical morphology made of nanoscale hair-like features. These hierarchical re-entrant surface features generated a very high contact angle and low roll-off angle. Leaves of Bauhinia variegata showed similar superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties. However, surface features were different, which consisted of a higher aspect ratio and closely spaced nanopetals uniformly distributed over flat surfaces consisting of micro-scale ridges. Our comprehensive investigation covers a detailed analysis of droplet impact studies, shedding light on the intricate dynamics governing droplet behavior on these superhydrophobic surfaces. Furthermore, we extended our analysis to encompass droplet impact on macrostructures to assess their influence on droplet receding and rebound phases. Notably, it was observed that only the microstructure of Cassia tora had a discernible impact on the receding and rebound phases of droplets. Additionally, our experiments examining maximum spreading diameter demonstrated good agreement with established models, further strengthening the scientific basis of our findings. These findings not only contribute to the advancement of our understanding of surface wetting phenomena but also bear practical implications for the development of water-repellent and self-cleaning materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The objective of this study is to enhance the efficiency of biodiesel production from Bauhinia monandra seeds through the application of response surface methodology (RSM). The subsequent evaluation will focus on the fuel characterisation and properties measurement. The process was optimised by adjusting the methanol-oil molar ratio (MOR), reaction (RTe), and reaction time (RTm). The ASTM set the standards for conducting the property measurements, and the fuel characterization was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The optimisation analysis revealed that the highest yield of BMB was achieved by employing an MOR of 7.4:1, keeping a temperature of 80 °C, and allowing the reaction to occur for a duration of 64 minutes. In optimal circumstances, the yield rate of BPB is recorded at 89.3%. According to FTIR, the BMB consists of carbon-based components of superior quality, and the measured physicochemical properties of fuel meet the required standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to appraise the antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory accomplishments of green synthesized cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4 NPs) mediated by Bauhinia racemosa leaves. Bauhinia racemosa is commonly called ''Thiruvachi' leaf tree in Tamil. The green synthesized Co3O4 NPs are calcinated at 350 °C, then characterized by TG/DTA, UV, FTIR, FL, XRD, DLS, SEM with EDS analysis, TEM, and Supercapacitor performance studies with CV analysis. TGA/DTA result associated with weight loss and exothermic reaction due to desorption of chemisorbed water. FTIR was performed to identify the functional groups of carbonyl, hydroxyl, amine, and protein molecules, which form a layer covering Co3O4 NPs and stabilize the Co3O4 NPs in the medium. The XRD pattern peaks are associated with a poly cubic crystalline form of metallic cobalt oxide nanoparticles. The average grain size of Co3O4 NPs is 36.45 nm. This research focused on Biological studies like antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory, total antioxidant measured by phosphomolyptenium reagent with vitamin C as the standard, Anti-diabetics studies carried out by α-amylase inhibition method and anti-inflammatory bustle followed by BSA denaturation technique. The spectral and morphological data confirms the Co3O4 NPs formation. The anti-inflammatory activity showed good results than the antioxidant and anti-diabetic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was planned to evaluate the antiangiogenic potential of ethanolic extract of Bauhinia variegata using the sponge implantation method in mice. Swiss albino adult male mice (n=30) weighing 18-22 g were divided into three groups comprising of ten animals in each. Groups I, II, and III were used as negative control, positive (SU5416) control, and treatment (extract of Bauhinia variegata) groups, respectively. Sponges were implanted subcutaneously and the mice were sacrificed after 14th day. The implanted sponges were then segregated and processed for haemoglobin concentration, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) estimation, and histopathological evaluation. In treatment groups I to III, the mean (±SE) haemoglobin content was found to be 1.919±0.048, 0.410±0.049, and 1.604±0.101 μg/mg weight of sponge, VEGF values 2.462±0.181, 0.529±0.044, and 1.609±0.069 pg/mg weight of sponge, and the mean vessels density (±SE) per field (microscopically under 40x) was 14.9±1.25, 1.3±0.3, and 10.6±0.92, respectively. The extract of Bauhinia variegata was found to have inhibitory potential on haemoglobin concentration, VEGF concentration, and mean vascular density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trees happen to be a prominent source of nutritive fodders and provide sufficient nutrients to the cattle throughout the year. The leaves of two Bauhinia species, that is, Bauhinia retusa and Bauhinia variegata, were collected in different seasons from their natural growing habitats. The collected leaves were air-dried to make a fine powder, and the nutrient concentrations were estimated as per the standard processes. Significant variations were recorded in the nutritive values of both species in different seasons. The leaves of B. retusa revealed highest dry matter and total carbohydrate in the summer season, while the rainy season exhibited the highest value of ash per cent and crude protein.The ether extract and nitrogen-free extract per cent were higher in the winter season, and the maximum crude fibre and organic matter per cent were prominent in the spring season. In case of B. variegata leaves, the dry matter, nitrogen-free extract, ash and ether extract per cent were higher in the winter season. The highest crude fibre percent and total carbohydrate were found to be the maximum in the rainy season, and crude protein was higher in summer season. The results of the present study revealed that the both Bauhinia species are good sources of green fodder for cattle, especially in the rainy season in case of B. retusa and in the summer season for B. variegata, to correct the deficiency of protein in animals in the hill state of Uttarakhand, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The important role of birds in agriculture has long been recognized. The present study on the habitat, feeding and roosting behavior of Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) in agro ecosystem of Punjab was carried from August 2021 to July 2022 at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. It was conducted in three study areas i.e. study area A (agricultural field area), B (tree plantation area) and C (residential/ roadside area). The annual relative abundance of House Crow (Corvus splendens) was highest everywhere whereas of Asian Koel was 1%, 2.04% and 2.66% at study area A, B and C respectively. The feeding behavior of Asian Koel revealed that fruits and berries were preferred. It was found roosting mainly on Dhek, Neem, Peepal, Purple Bauhinia and Safeda trees. Asian Koel was most active during summer months and during the winters, it is not observed which might be because of its southward local migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Four compounds were isolated from the bark of B. variegata using different chromatographic procedures. • The structure elucidation of isolated compounds was carried out using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 2D NMR and mass spectrometric data. • Compound 3 displayed cytotoxic activity against DU-145, PC-3, MCF-7, and HT-29 human cancer cell lines. • The study suggests that isolated compounds from B. variegata bark have cytotoxic potential and may be further used for detailed anticancer investigations. The present study focuses on the evaluation of the cytotoxic potential of isolated compounds from the bark of Bauhinia variegata L. (Caesalpiniaceae). Different chromatographic procedures led to the isolation of four compounds (1-4), with betulin type triterpene 1 (BVBH1) being reported as new compound along with three known compounds, 3- α -hydroxy-urs-12, 15-diene 2 (BVBH2), cholesta-5-en-3,7-diol amine 3 (BVBH3), N, N', N''- (cyclopropane-1,2,3-triylidene) trihexanamide 4 (BVBH4) from n -hexane extract of B. variegata bark. The structure elucidation of isolated compounds was carried out using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 2D NMR and mass spectrometric data. Compound 3 displayed cytotoxic activity against DU-145, PC-3, MCF-7, and HT-29 human cancer cell lines, while compound 4 showed cytotoxic activity against HT-29 and MCF-7 human cancer cell lines, whereas compound 1 and compound 2 did not exhibit any cytotoxic effect against four tested cell lines. The current study suggested that isolated compounds from B. variegata bark have cytotoxic potential and may further be used for the detailed anticancer investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Second-generation biofuels produced from inedible feedstocks may be a viable alternative to diesel fuel and the transformation of the seeds into biodiesel has been the subject of some exciting studies in the Bauhinia family. However, none of the studies attempted to optimise the transesterification process parameters of Bauhinia racemose biodiesel (BRB) for a higher yield rate and analyse the BRB compatibility with water emulsion. The current research thereby optimises the process parameter variables for a higher yield rate of BRB, characterises the fuel, and explores the effect of water emulsion in BRB on combustion, performance, and environmental features. The transesterification process was started with a reusable catalyst, and its various parameters were optimised to achieve maximum efficiency. The optimal input parameters, according to the optimisation are a molar ratio of 8.11:1, a reaction temperature of 66.04 °C, and a reaction time of 115.2 min; under these conditions, the yield rate of BRB is 92.9%. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy examination suggests that the carbon-based elements of the developed BRB appear to be in excellent order, and according to data from gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, methyl esters contribute most significantly. The plain diesel (PD) was first blended with 10%, 20%, and 30% volume of BRB, and then 5% and 10% volume of water were added to the 30% BRB-blended PD. The experiments were carried out in a diesel engine under various operating conditions. Maximum in-cylinder pressure is 3.4% lower for PD that has been blended with 30% BRB, while it is 2.41% higher when 10% water is added. Both the rate of heat release and the time it takes to burn is reduced in BRB blends of PD and water-emulsified fuels. Adding 30% BRB mixed PD decreases brake thermal efficiency (BTE) by 3.2%, and 10% water-emulsified BRB improves BTE by 3.9%. When BRB is used with PD, all emissions are mitigated, except for oxides of nitrogen (NOx). NOx emissions can be reduced by 12.1% when fuel is emulsified in 10% water. In addition, the proposed fuel mixture will reduce demand for regular diesel fuel by about 40%. [Display omitted] • Bauhinia racemose seeds were proposed as a novel feedstock for biodiesel production. • Transesterification reaction parameters were optimized to intensify the yield rate. • FTIR spectra and GC-MS analysis opted to characterize the biodiesel. • Different volume concentrations of water were added to diesel+biodiesel mixture. • Combustion, performance and environmental assessments were carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In urban forestry plantations are implemented in different cities of the world for social and environmental benefits. Bauhinia retusa and Bauhinia variegata are important species and to be used as large-scale plantation programs in urban forestry which might solve or mitigate urban, social, and environmental issues such as improving the physical & mental health of residents, food and nutrition security, increasing urban biodiversity, cooling the neighboring, preventing soil erosion, flooding, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. The present study was conducted with the aim of producing quality planting material for B. retusa and B. variegata in the nursery for afforestation programs. Seeds of B. retusa and B. variegata were collected from the natural habitats to assess seed germination and seedling growth. Seeds were stored in different types of containers at room temperature and later on exposed to 15, 20, and 25 °C in seed germinator. Seeds were further sown in polythene bags according to the seed size, seed coat color, seed sowing depth, the orientation of seeds, and the result of the emergence of seedlings, their growth, and biomass were estimated. A two-way analysis of variance was calculated to estimate the variation among the studied parameters. Results revealed that a constant 25 °C temperature was considered best for seed germination of both the Bauhinia species. Polybags were found the most suitable for storing the Bauhinia seeds among the storage containers. The seedling emergence and growth were maximum in yellow color and large seeds. In B. retusa, seedling emergence, and growths were the maximum in seeds sown at a horizontal position and in B. variegata at an upright position. Seedling emergence, length, and biomass were recorded the maximum when seeds of B. retusa were sown at 4 cm depth and B. variegata seeds were sown at 2 cm depth. The study recommends that the yellow color seed that has to be sown at 2 cm to 4 cm depth with upright and horizontal positions is considered best for the production of quality planting stock of both studied Bauhinia species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bauhinia faberi via. Microphylla (BFM) is an important tree species for vegetation restoration in the dry valley of southwestern China. However, there were few studies on the application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in improving the drought adaptation of BFM. In order to investigate the response of BFM to water stress (WS), we tested four inoculation treatments ((no AMF, Control), Glomus mosseae (GM), Glomus intraradices (GI), Glomus mosseae + Glomus intraradices (GMI)) in pots, experimented under three field water holding capacity (WHC) of 70%, 50% and 30%. The changes of seedling survival rate (SR), AMF relative root length colonization rate (Col), growth, photosynthetic parameters, water status and leaf nutrients were examined. The results showed that under 30% WHC drought conditions, SR with dual inoculation of AMF was not higher than with single inoculation of GM, suggesting that increasing the diversity of AMF did not definitely improve plant SR, and that the species of inoculated AMF might have an important impact on SR. The sensitivity of dual inoculated Col to water stress was lower than that of single inoculation, which was more favorable for dual inoculated BFM seedlings adapting to drought environment. The overall drought resistance ability (D) also showed that dual inoculation of AMF improved plant drought adaptation compared with single inoculation, which was related to the higher Col of dual inoculated AMF. This study is of practical importance to promote vegetation restoration in arid areas in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigation of the leaves of Bauhinia thonningii Schum led to the isolation and identification of a new flavonol derivative, 6-C-methylquercetin-3,4'-dimethyl ether (1) together with eleven known compounds (2–13), with two of them (10 and 11) obtained as a mixture. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses. Antibacterial activity of compound 1 as well as the reference antibiotic, ciprofloxacin was tested on Gram-negative multidrug-resistant bacteria overexpressing active efflux pumps, and against methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Samples were tested alone and in combination with an efflux pump inhibitor (EPI), phenylalanine-arginine-β-naphthylamide (PAßN). Results show that when compound 1 was tested alone, its inhibitory effects were obtained on 7/10 tested bacteria with the highest MIC value of 128 µg/mL whilst in the presence of EPI, this activity significantly increase in all the 10 bacteria. An interesting antibacterial activity was obtained with compound 1 against Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC11296 (MIC of 4 µg/mL), KP55 and Staphylococcus aureus MRSA6 in the presence of the PaßN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) There are several patients with asthma–COPD overlap (ACO). A peptide derived from the primary sequence of a kallikrein inhibitor isolated from Bauhinia bauhinioides (pep-BbKI) has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Purpose: To investigate the effects of pep-BbKI treatment in an ACO model and compare them with those of corticosteroids. (2) BALB/c mice were divided into groups: SAL (saline), OVA (ovalbumin), ELA (elastase), ACO (ovalbumin + elastase), ACO-pep-BbKI (treated with inhibitor), ACO-DX (dexamethasone treatment), ACO-DX-pep-BbKI (both treatments), and SAL-pep-BbKI (saline group treated with inhibitor). We evaluated: hyperresponsiveness to methacholine, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), exhaled nitric oxide (eNO), IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, IFN-γ, TNF-α, MMP-9, MMP-12, TGF-β, collagen fibers, iNOS, eNO, linear mean intercept (Lm), and NF-κB in airways (AW) and alveolar septa (AS). (3) ACO-pep-BbKI reversed ACO alterations and was similar to SAL in all mechanical parameters, Lm, neutrophils, IL-5, IL-10, IL-17, IFN-γ, TNF-α, MMP-12 (AW), collagen fibers, iNOS (AW), and eNO (p > 0.05). ACO-DX reversed ACO alterations and was similar to SAL in all mechanical parameters, Lm, total cells and differentials, IL-1β(AS), IL-5 (AS), IL-6 (AS), IL-10 (AS), IL-13 (AS), IFN-γ, MMP-12 (AS), TGF-β (AS), collagen fibers (AW), iNOS, and eNO (p > 0.05). SAL was similar to SAL-pep-BbKI for all comparisons (p > 0.05). (4) Pep-BbKI was similar to dexamethasone in reducing the majority of alterations of this ACO model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bauhinia is a widely planted urban tree plant in tropical cities, which are frequently dwelling in a habitat exposed to inevitable streetlamp lighting. It is of practical meaning to figure out the lighting spectra that benefit nutrient utilization in corporation with a proper exponential fertilization regime. In this study, Bauhinia brachycarpa and B. variegata seedlings were cultured with exponential fertilization at the rate of 80 mg nitrogen (N) plant-1 (N-phosphorus-potassium, 10-7-9) with an unfertilized control, and both were exposed to lightemitting diode spectra of R1BG5 (13.9% red, 77.0% green, 9.2% blue), R2BG3 (26.2% red, 70.2% green, 3.5% blue), and R3BG1 (42.3% red, 57.3% green, 0.4% blue). The R3BG1 spectrum resulted in smaller growing size and dry mass but higher nutrient concentration and root water content compared to the other two spectra. Exponential fertilization increased fresh mass for two Bauhinia species but only increased dry mass in B. brachycarpa. Compared to B. variegata, B. brachycarpa was verified to have a higher capacity to accommodate exogeneous nutrient input through exponential fertilization. The R3BG1 spectrum was recommended for the illumination in streetlamps for Bauhinia because this spectrum can promote nutrient uptake without too fast rate of growth relative to other spectra with lower red-light proportions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioactive metabolites from Bauhinia forficata Link (Bf extract) hold therapeutic potential for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) but the mechanism remains poorly understood. This study aimed to test the extract from Bf leaves obtained by decoction on the prevention of T2DM in vivo. The Bf extract was tested on a streptozotocin-induced T2DM mouse model fed on a high-fat diet. The insulin resistance was attenuated in T2DM animals supplemented with Bf extract, which indicates glucose intolerance reduction and p-AKT/AKT ratio preservation in the gastrocnemius muscle. These observations suggested that Bf extract enhanced glucose uptake. Nevertheless, there was no preservation in β-cell insulin secretion in Bf extract-treated T2DM mice. Interestingly, the Bf extract reduced body weight gain without affecting total energy intake. Hence, Bf extract has a hypoglycemic effect which could attenuate the development of insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bauhinia purpurea (belonging to Family Fabaceae-Leguminosae) is a small to medium-sized deciduous fast-growing tree that is very important in reforestation and agroforestry, and also used as fodder for livestock. This study investigated the influence of mycorrhizal inoculant with varying nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB) amendment levels on the growth performance of B. purpurea, the buildup of microbial communities in its rhizosphere soil, and root colonization in screenhouse conditions with UV plastic roofing, following a two-factor randomized complete block design. Factor 1 was the type of mycorrhizal inoculants applied on containerized seedlings grown in garden soil: AMF1 (MYKOCAP® or MCAP) and AMF2 (MYKORICH® or MRICH). Factor 2 was the rate of NFB (BioNTM) amendment (0 g, 5 g per seedling). At 90 d, MCAP + BioN treated plants were 37% taller than the MRICH + BioN treated ones (34 ± 0.50 cm). Seedlings with MCAP + BioN or MRICH + BioN had higher diameter increment; partitioned biomass from stems, lateral roots, and primary roots; root-shoot ratio; and root colonization than those without BioN and the control. Likewise, the NFB population was 276 and 126%, respectively higher with MCAP + BioN and MRICH + BioN than their counterparts without BioN. Contrarily, partitioned biomass from leaves, roots, and shoots, and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) spore density were higher with AMF inoculants alone. Spore count was strongly positively correlated with primary root biomass (p = 0.013, r = 0.573), NFB buildup with height increment (p = 0.001, r = 0.708), and root colonization with diameter increment (p = 0.001, r = 0.805), total biomass (p = 0.023, r = 0.532), stem biomass (p = 0.001, r = 0.692), shoot biomass (p = 0.001, r = 0.698), primary root biomass (p = 0.029, r = 0.514), and root biomass (p = 0.005, r = 0.628). AMF and NFB symbiosis was inferred to have been developed, thereby promoting overall plant growth with an increased mycorrhizal root infection and NFB buildup, while the increased spore density contributed to enhanced primary root growth. Field verification trials must be conducted to determine the microbial fertilizer's efficacy under abiotic and biotic stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bauhinia forficata Link. is a native South American plant, which possesses volatile compounds with pharmaceutical and medicinal properties such as antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the conservation and propagation of this plant are complicated by its recalcitrant seeds and delayed flowering transition. Hence, tissue culture is employed for the safe and efficient propagation of B. forficata. However, the optimal conditions for the in vitro cultivation of B. forficata remain unknown. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the volatile profile of adult B. forficata field plants and evaluate the effects of different light intensities (43 and 70 μmol m−2 s−1), gas exchange rates (14 and 25 µL L−1 s−1), and exogenous sucrose concentrations (0, 20, and 30 g L−1) on their in vitro development. The results showed that β-caryophyllene is the major volatile compound produced by B. forficata. Moreover, culturing in a medium containing 30 g L−1 of sucrose and flasks with membranes that allow CO2 exchange at the rate of 25 µL L−1 s−1 produced vigorous and hardened plants with high survival rates independent of irradiance. This study is the first to report the optimal in vitro culture conditions for B. forficata as a reference for future studies on micropropagation and secondary metabolite production using this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bauhinia s.s. is a large genus in the family Fabaceae, but its evolutionary and biogeographical history is still unclear due to the scarcity of fossil records compared to the highly diverse modern species in pantropic regions. Here, we report the earliest fossil record of Bauhinia s.s., namely Bauhinia tibetensis Y. Gao et T. Su sp. nov., based on leaves from the latest Paleocene of the southern Tibetan region. Combined with palaeoecological niche simulations and ancestral state reconstruction, the new fossils suggested a Paleocene origin of Bauhinia s.s. in the Afrotropical realm that subsequently dispersed to the Neotropical and Indomalayan realms. Bauhinia tibetensis belongs to the Asian clade of Bauhinia s.s. that reached the southern Tibetan region from the Afrotropical realm via the Kohistan-Ladakh Island Arc in the early Paleocene. This clade spread to south-eastern China during the Oligocene and entered northern India during the Neogene or earlier. The discovery of the oldest Bauhinia s.s. from what is now the southern Tibetan Plateau updates our understanding of the biogeographical history of this genus and demonstrates that the Kohistan-Ladakh Island Arc is an ancient corridor for floristic interchange between Africa and India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Bauhinia tree seed wastes were proposed as a novel feedstock for biodiesel. • Transesterification process parameters were optimized for a higher yield of BPB. • Optimum condition for higher yield is OMR of 9.2:1; PT of 76 °C; and RT of 67 min. • Water and DTBP emulsion in BPB improves the BTE by 9.1% • HC, CO, NO x , and smoke are reduced by 27.2%, 34.9%, 11.2%, and 16.7% The current study aims to attain a higher yield of biodiesel from Bauhinia tree seed wastes through process optimization using response surface methodology (RSM) and assess its compatibility in the diesel engine blended with water and Di- tert -butyl peroxide (DTBP). The Bauhinia parviflora biodiesel (BPB) transesterification originated using a fixed quantity of catalyst, and the transesterification process parameters such as oil-molar ratio (OMR), process temperature (PT), and reaction time (RT) were optimized. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis were applied to characterize and quantify the BPB, and ASTM standards were followed to measure the properties. The prepared BPB (30%) was blended with 10% water and 2% BTBP to enhance the performance and emission characteristics of the BPB in the diesel engine. The optimization result implies that the higher yield of BPB (91.4%) was attained for OMR of 9.2:1, PT of 76 °C, and RT of 67 min. The FTIR report indicates that the carbon-based components are pretty good in the prepared BPB. The GC–MS report indicates that the fatty acids are converted into corresponding methyl esters, and the measured fuel properties are within the prescribed limits. The diesel engine's performance is effectively improved for the BPB blended with water and DTBP. The proposed fuel's overall improvement in hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, smoke, and oxides of nitrogen emissions is 27.2%, 34.9%, 16.7%, and 11.2%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]