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Aim: The aim of the study was Identification and quantification of phenolic compounds, total flavonoides content and antioxidant potential of flower buds, foliages, bark and root of a perennial herb, Calligonum polygonoides (Phog) of Thar Desert. Methodology: The methanolic extracts of different plant parts of C. polygonoides were subjected to LC-MS/MS (Waters Acquity UPLC-PDA, TQD) analysis for phenolic identification and spectrophotometric assay of total phenolic and flavonoids content and total antioxidant activity was estimated. Results: A total of 15 phenolic compounds were identified and quantified, among which gallic acid content was abundant, followed by catechin. Besides these, the other major phenolic compounds detected in different plant parts were vanillic, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, coumeric acid, catechol, vanillic acid, epicatechin and syringic acid. Extremely higher values were recorded for total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant capacity. The values for phenol, flavonoids and total antioxidant activity in bark extracts were higher than that of clove extract. Interpretation: The identified phenolic compounds possess high antioxidant potential. These results provide scientific evidence for use of C. polygonoides as safe natural antioxidant compounds in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industry.

Calligonum polygonoides L. subsp. comosum (Polygonaceae) is a wild shrub that grows on the sandy deserts of various regions in North Africa, Western Asia and Southern Europe. In some of Asian countries, the flower buds and young branches of the plant are used to prepare traditional food dishes. Also, different organs of C. polygonoides L. are used traditionally in treatment of stomach diseases. The isolation of anti-inflammatory lead compounds was performed by using different normal silica gel, reversed phase C-18, and sephadex LH-20 open columns. The identification of the isolated compounds was done using NMR spectral techniques. The isolated compounds are of different flavonoid classes; two flavonol glycosides; kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucuronide and mequilianin, one flavan-3-ol; catechin, and one dihydro-flavonol; taxifolin. The methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction of Calligonum polygonoides L. subsp. comosum exhibited anti-inflammatory activity against NF-κB translocation pathway on HEK293 cells. All of them were active against NF-κB translocation, and previously isolated from the plant under study. Kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucuronide, a flavonoid glycoside demonstrated the most potent NF-κB inhibition in comparing with other flavonoids; taxifolin, catechin, and mequilianin. Therefore, the food plant aerial parts of C. polygonoides are rich in nutraceuticals (flavonoids and flavonoid glycosides) that can be utilized in the treatment of vascular inflammation.

Reichardia tingitana is an annual plant growing in different habitats of the Egyptian deserts. Little is known about variation among the habitats occupied by this species, its distribution, chemical composition, and allelopathic activity. The present study aimed to (a) assess the vegetation composition of three different habitats (Western Coast, Delta Coast, and Wadi Hagoul) of R. tingitana in Egypt, (b) determine their correlation to soil factors, (c) identify the changes in the bioactive constituents of R. tingitana in the three regions, and (d) evaluate the allelopathic activity regarding the variation in the habitat. Density and cover of all plant species associated with R. tingitana were estimated within 52 plots, representing three regions. Physical and chemical parameters of soil were analyzed in each plot. R. tingitana aboveground biomass was collected from each habitat, and the bioactive composition was analyzed using HPLC. The allelopathic effect against two weeds (Amaranthus lividius and Chenopodium murale) was assessed. The floristic composition showed the presence of 133 species belonging to 27 families. In the Delta Coast habitat of R. tingitana, Zygophyllum aegyptium and Calligonum polygonoides co-dominate, while Lycium shawii dominate the Western Coast habitat and finally the habitat of Wadi Hagoul was dominated by Haloxylon salicornicum. Soil analysis revealed little variations among habitats, especially salinity and organic matter. Fifteen compounds, mainly phenolics (60% of the total identified compounds) were identified from all R. tingitana samples. The major compounds were quercetin, naringenin, ellagic, gallic, chlorogenic, and caffeic acids. These compounds varied in diversity or quantity among different habitats. The Western Coast sample was the richest in species, followed by Delta Coast sample. Our study showed that salinity is the crucial factor that induces the production of bioactive constituents in R. tingitana, especially phenolics and flavonoids. The R. tingitana extracts significantly reduced the germination and growth of Chenopodium and Amaranthus. However, the Western Coast sample showed potent allelopathic activity, where the germination was wholly inhibited at 75 mg L−1 and 50 mg L−1, respectively. Thereby, this extract could be used as eco-friendly bioherbicide and may be integrated into weed control strategies. Keywords: Reichardia tingitana, Edaphic factors, Phytotoxicity, Seconday compounds, Chemical ecology

Calligonum polygonoides (Phog) belongs to family Polygonaceae. It is a geographically widely distributed shrub seen from the arctic to the tropics. This endangered plant (included in Red data book of IUCN) is morphologically having stem with nodes and internodes, white flowers in spike inflorescence and needle like leaves. It is traditionally used to stabilize sand dunes, as fuel, and in treatment of heat-stroke by mixing with curd or “Rayata”. It is also reported as antidote for opium poisoning. Various phyto-chemicals present include butanolides- calligonolides A and B, various flavanoids like kaempferol, quercetin and their derivatives. Various steroidal compounds are reported in roots. Pharmacologicallly, its cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal and biosorbent potentials are reported by various researchers. Therefore, an attempt has been made to accumulate properties of this potential herb. Keywords: Calligonum, Phog, biosorbent, heat-stroke, calligonolides, kaempferol

A total of 15 phenolic compoundswere identified and quantified, amongwhich gallic acid content was abundant,followed by catechin. Besides these, theother major phenolic compounds detectedin different plant parts were vanillic,chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, coumericacid, catechol, vanillic acid, epicatechinand syringic acid. Extremely higher valueswere recorded for total phenolics,flavonoids and antioxidant capacity. Thevalues for phenol, flavonoids and totalantioxidant activity in bark extracts werehigher than that of clove extract.

Calligonum polygonoides L. (Phog) is an endemic perennial shrub of Thar Desert of Rajasthan (India) with dominant biomass and phenolic compounds (13-35% DWB) production capacity in its natural habitat. In the present study, water and different concentrations of ethanol, methanol and acetone (50%, 75% and 100%, respecting) were used for the extraction of phytochemicals from flower bud and foliages. Total phenolics, total flavonoids and total antioxidants of different extracts were investigated using various in-vitro assays. The extract obtained with 50% aqueous methanol exhibited highest phenolic content in flower bud. The 50% aqueous acetone extract exhibited highest phenolic, flavonoids and total antioxidant in foliages. From the results, it can be concluded that 50% aqueous mixture of acetone/methanol/ethanol might be the best suited extraction solvent for efficient extraction of phenolic compounds from C. polygonoides. These results on phenolic, flavonoids and antioxidant activity indicated that C. polygonoides can be used in dietary application through nutraceuticals or functional food with a potential to reduce the oxidative stress.

Plant facilitation has a pivotal role in regulating species coexistence, particularly under arid environments. The present study aimed to evaluate the facilitative effect of Calligonum polygonoides L. on its understory plants in coastal habitat. Forty Calligonum shrubs were investigated and the environmental data (soil temperature, moisture, pH, salinity, carbon and nitrogen content, and light intensity), vegetation composition, and diversity of associated species were recorded under- and outside canopies. Eight of the most frequent understory species were selected for evaluating their response to the facilitative effect of C. polygonoides. Bioactive ingredients of Calligonum roots were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and mycorrhizal biodiversity in their rhizosphere soil was also assessed. The effect of Calligonum on understory plants ranged between facilitation and inhibition in an age-dependent manner. Old shrubs facilitated 18 and inhibited 18 associated species, while young shrubs facilitated 13 and inhibited 9 species. Calligonum ameliorated solar radiation and high-temperature stresses for the under canopy plants. Moreover, soil moisture was increased by 509.52% and 85.71%, while salinity was reduced by 47.62% and 23.81% under old and young shrubs, respectively. Soil contents of C and N were increased under canopy. This change in the microenvironment led to photosynthetic pigments induction in the majority of understory species. However, anthocyanin, proline contents, and antioxidant enzyme activities were reduced in plants under canopy. Thirteen mycorrhizal fungal species were identified in the rhizospheric soil of Calligonum with the predominance of Funneliformis mosseae. Thirty-one compounds were identified in Calligonum root extract in which pyrogallol and palmitic acid, which have antimicrobial and allelopathic activities, were the major components. The obtained results demonstrated that facilitation provided by Calligonum is mediated with multiple mechanisms and included a set of interrelated scenarios that took place in a species-specific manner.

The prevailing and strong north-westerly wind in Kuwait during summer is consistently causing a significant movement of aeolian sediment that poses serious environmental and economic threats. The average removal costs per cubic metre for aeolian encroachments around desert infrastructures in Kuwait increased from USD 1.2 to USD 1.32, respectively, representing one of the highest expenses in the region in 1993 and 2013. Correspondingly, morphological properties of aeolian deposits around 15 dominant species of native plants were determined, after which, the cost saving per plant was calculated equivalent to the cubic metre removal cost. Nitraria retusa, Lycium shawii, Haloxylon salicornicum, and Calligonum polygonoides trapped the maximum mobile aeolian sediments up to 21.9, 15.5, 14.5, and 13.3 m3, respectively, which make them the most efficient solutions for present and future applications in controlling aeolian processes. Aeolian activities were monitored during the establishment stage of 110,000 of these effective native plants in the Liyah protected area and green belts of Moringa pterygosperma in the Kabd area. It was noted that native plants had a positive effect as they captured about 115 t of aeolian sediments, thus saving USD 151800 as estimated removal cost of these accumulations all around human settlements. Native plants and green belts have also contributed to the reduction in the annual rates of mobile sand by 94 and 95.3%, and dust by 64.5 and 68.4%, respectively.

Calligonum polygonoidesis the most common perennial shrub, widely present in some localities of Thar Desert. Flowers are believed to be very nutritious and contain high amount of protein. Nutritional evaluation of flower buds from different regions of Rajasthan was taken up so as to determine the superior chemotype in terms of its food value. There are few reports on nutrional value of Calligonum polygonoides but its variation from different areas has not been studied. Moisture, fat, sugar , protein, vitamin C content alongwith mineral analysis was done. The average nutritional content in case of Calligonum polygonoides was as follows: ash11.14 %, DF 44.98 %, fat 1.27 %, sugar 9.75%, protein 8.02 % and vitamin C 66.88 mg/100g. Samples from Nachna, Jaisalmer were found superior because of high nutritional value.

Food production and waste recycling are the two major issues faced globally with rapidly increasing population. Recycling organic wastes to crop amendments could be a possible solution to these issues. Earthworms transfer organic waste to compost, which is used to grow crops and increase crop productivity. This study assessed the impact of vermicompost produced from the residues of six desert plant species, i.e., (Ziziphus mauritiana, Aerva javanica, Calligonum comosum, Sacchrum benghalens, Calligonum polygonoides and Prosopis cineraria) combined with farmyard manure (5 t ha-1) on growth, yield and photosynthetic activity of maize crop. Earthworm species Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826) was used to prepare vermicomposting of all tested plant species. The desert species were collected from natural habitats, chopped, dried, mixed with FYM and then earthworms were released to prepare the vermicompost. The earthworms were excluded twenty days after release and resultant was considered as compost and used in the experiment. Results revealed that application of P. cineraria vermicompost resulted in the highest plant height (75.33 cm), stem diameter (22.66 mm), cob length (17.66 cm), number of grains/cob (374.67), 1000-grain weight (260.41 g) and grains yield (3.20 t/ha). Application of P. cineraria vermicompost resulted in the highest uptake of macronutrients, i.e., N (91.01%), P (22.07%), K (80.41%), micronutrients, i.e., Fe (19.07 ppm), Zn (40.05 ppm), and phenolic contents (150). Application of P. cineraria vermicompost also resulted in the highest quantum photosynthetic yield (0.42 mole C/mole of photon), chlorophyll florescence (355.18 moles of photon m-2s-1) and electron transport rate (310.18 micro mole m-2s-1). It is concluded that vermicomposting has the potential to improve growth and yield of maize crop. Particularly, application of vermicompost obtained from P. cineraria can be used to improve the growth and yield of maize crop. Nonetheless, field trials are necessary for a wide scale recommendation.

Dry land plants owing to their capability to grow under stressful environment have shown higher allelopathic potential as compared to cultivated plants. An experiment was conducted to investigate the herbicidal potential of aqueous extracts of four dry land plants viz. fruit and vine of Citrullus colocynthis, and above ground parts of Rhazya stricta; Crotalaria burhia and Calligonum polygonoides, with four concentrations (25, 50, 75 and 100%) of initially prepared extracts against Lathyrus aphaca, a common weed of wheat in the studied region. These plants were collected from dry land area (30.03° N and 70.38° E, 129 m above sea level, almost desert conditions) of Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan. All the four plants exhibited pronounced herbicidal potential with 9 to 91% suppression of different parameters in L. aphaca). Maximum inhibition was recorded in germination (36-91%). Significant suppression in leaf count (9-65%), shoot length (12-59%), root length (4-62%), shoot fresh weight (17-71%), root fresh weight (10-60%), shoot dry weight (15-72%), root dry weight (13-64%), and nodule numbers (34-89%) was also observed. The highest inhibition was exhibited by R. stricta followed by C. colocynthis: fruit. However, in case of nodulation maximum suppression was produced by C. burhia extract. Least suppressant activity was observed for the C. polygonides extract. These results encourage the potential use of locally available dry land plants possessing strong allelochemical properties for nonchemical control of weeds ultimately reducing reliance on chemical control.

Phog (Calligonum polygonoides L.) is widely grown in arid Igdir-Aralik wind erosion site and is an alternative feed source for grazing small ruminant (sheep and goat) in terms of its yield and quality. However, there are no studies on the mineral content during the plant’s active growth period. Our aim is to determine the macro and micro mineral contents during plant’s development and to check whether it meets with the daily mineral requirements of small ruminant. The research was carried out in a protected-area in 2016 and 2017. Samples were taken from 20 selected shrub clusters for 7 months (April-October) at the 15th of each month. Results showed that mineral contents (except copper, zinc and manganese) differs as to months and phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, copper, zinc and manganese contents ranged between 0.33- 0.63%, 1.45-2.03%, 1.32-1.81%, 0.65-0.99%, 0.20-0.30%, 99.73-190.43 ppm, 2.00-2.67 ppm, 24.77-31.83 ppm and 34.16-45.56 ppm, respectively. According to these findings, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sodium, iron, zinc and manganese contents of plant can sufficiently meet the daily requirements of small ruminant while copper content is not enough for the daily requirement. On the other hand, magnesium content was detected to be higher than the recommended level.

Calligonum polygonoides L. also known as famine food plant, is normally consumed in times of food scarcity in India and Pakistan and also used traditionally in the management of common diseases. The present design aims to provide an insight into the medicinal potential of four solvent extracts of C. polygonoides via an assessment of its phytochemical profile, antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory potential. Phytochemical composition was estimated by deducing total bioactive constituents, UHPLC-MS secondary metabolites profile, and HPLC phenolic quantification. Antioxidant potential was determined via six methods (radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS), reducing power (FRAP and CUPRAC), phosphomolybdenum total antioxidant capacity and metal chelation activity). Enzyme inhibitory potential was assessed against clinical enzymes (acetylcholinesterase -AChE, butyrylcholinesterase -BChE, tyrosinase, and α-amylase). The highest amounts of phenolic contents were found in chloroform extract (76.59 mg GAE/g extract) which may be attributed to its higher radical scavenging, reducing power and tyrosinase inhibition potential. The n-butanol extract containing the maximum amount of flavonoids (55.84 mg RE/g extract) exhibited highest metal chelating capacity. Similarly, the n-hexane extract was found to be most active against AChE (4.65 mg GALAE/g extract), BChE (6.59 mg GALAE/g extract), and α-amylase (0.70 mmol ACAE/g extract) enzymes. Secondary metabolite assessment of the crude methanol extract as determined by UHPLC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 24 (negative ionization mode) and 15 (positive ionization mode) secondary metabolites, with most of them belonging to phenolic, flavonoids, terpene, and alkaloid groups. Moreover, gallic acid and naringenin were the main phenolics quantified by HPLC-PDA analysis in all the tested extracts (except n-butanol extract). PCA statistical analysis was also conducted to establish any possible relationship amongst bioactive contents and biological activities. Overall, the C. polygonoides extracts could be further considered to isolate bioactive enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant natural phytocompounds.

The aeolian sediments (mobile sand and dust) trapped along native plants create a geomorphological landform, known as nabkhas. About 600 core samples from aeolian accumulations settled around 15 species of main native plants in Kuwait. Cyperus conglomeratus, Haloxylon salicornicum and Rhanterium epapposum nabkha sediment is characterized by more alkaline (pH) values, low moisture content and electrical conductivity (EC). The later plants contain short branches spacing and are at close distances from the nearby nabkhas. The Astragalus sp. nabkhas mean grain sizes are considered the finest and contain considerable carbonate percentages as it grows in playa and alluvial fan deposits. Citrulus sp. nabkhas are characterized by the lowest pH, EC, and moisture content but the highest content of carbonate in comparison to other native plants. Lycium sp. has the longest distance between branches and to the equivalent nearby species. The maximum aeolian accumulation volume was noted around Nitraria retusa, Lycium shawii, Haloxylon salicornicum and Calligonum polygonoides up to 21.9, 15.5, 14.5, and 13.3 m3, respectively, which spot them as the most effective solutions for future applications in controlling aeolian activities in the region. This study aimed to assess the sediment properties around native plants and detect the most efficient plants in controlling aeolian activities in Kuwait.

In the present investigation, different tissues such as flower bud, foliage, barks, and roots of Calligonumpolygonoides (commonly known as phog) were analyzed for natural antioxidants such as total phenolics, flavinoid and in vitro total antioxidant activity and compared with clove (Syzygium aromaticum), a high phenolic containing plant. It wasalso investigated to determine their correlation with the antioxidant activity of the extracts. All plant tissues are highlyrich in natural antioxidant compounds and values were almost similar or higher than clove with some context i.e. barktissue. Total phenolic contents in different tissues varied from 13437 (flower bud) to 34284 mg GAE/100g DW (Bark)while clove posses 25747 mg GAE/100g. The flavonoid content ranged from 2059 to 5350 mg Ct.E/100g of all planttissues was also higher than clove (1352 mg Ct.E/100g). As all these parameters are highly correlated to each other withcorrelation coefficient value of >0.9, thus almost similar pattern for in vitro antioxidant activities was observed. Theseresults on phenolics and flavonoid contents were compared with two international phenolic databases i) Phenol-Explorerdatabase and ii) USDA Database for the flavonoid content of selected foods. Nonetheless, none of the database reportedthe 'phog' as one of the richest source of natural antioxidant compound including phenolics, flavonoids and in vitroantioxidant activity, till date. Therefore, we are proposing first report on natural antioxidant content of C. polygonoides.As per phenol-explorer database, clove ranked 1 with 11320 to 24390 mg GAE/100g total phenolic content however,phog bark possesed higher total phenolics than clove i.e. 34284 mg GAE/100g while phog root, foliage and flower budswith 25607, 15197 and 13447 mg GAE/100g posses little lesser total phenolics than clove but higher than any otherreported plants. As the phog flower bud is edible part, the natural antioxidant production potential of this plant maycreate wonder in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industry.&nbsp

Present study is aimed at the pharmacological characterization of methanol extract of Calligonum polygonoides from District Bannu. Dried plant was grounded and extracted with methanol to prepare methanol crud extract. In vitro biological assays were conducted using this methanolic extract according to standard protocol. Cytotoxic activity of plant methanolic extract against brine shrimps while antifungal activity was also measured. Eighty percent death rate of brine shrimp was observed at 1,000 ?g/mL of plant extract. 70 ± 0.0% growth inhibition of Aspergillus niger was measured during the present study. Significant scavenging results were observed during scavenging of free radicles viz; 78.1% against DPPH, 83.1% to ABTS and 36% against superoxide at 500 ?g/mL were obtained. The results obtained in this study indicate that C. polygonoides possess significant antioxidant, antifungal and cytotoxic bioactive compounds.

In this present research work, Calligonum polygonoides (CP) was used as an effective biosorbent for the methylene blue (MB) removal from aqueous solution. The biosorbent was used without any chemical treatment. The biosorbent was characterized by various techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The particle size and surface area were measured by using particle size analyzer and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) equation. The SEM and BET results expressed that the adsorbent has porous nature. Effect of various experimental conditions, such as initial concentration of MB, initial pH, contact time, dosage of biosorbent, and stirring rate, were also investigated on adsorption capacity of MB on CP. The contact time experiment indicated that the rate of adsorption of MB is a rapid process and equilibrium is reached in 1 h. The kinetics study expressed that MB adsorption on biosorbent followed the pseudo-second order kinet...

SARGINCI, Murat/0000-0002-2263-9003 WOS: 000434090600025 PubMed: 29789963 The afforestation of arid lands faces many challenges, and perhaps the most important key for success is choosing one or more species that are adapted well for local environmental conditions. We explored species that would be suitable for the steppe region of Central Anatolia. Intensive site preparation included ripping the subsoil (to 80 cm) and plowing the upper soil before planting seedlings of Elaeagnus angustifolia, Robinia pseudoacacia, Fraxinus angustifolia, and Pinus nigra were used as tree species. We also tested the success of several shrub species: Amygdalus orientalis, Calligonum polygonoides, and Spartium junceum. After five growing seasons, E. angustifolia showed the highest survival, with 80% of planted seedlings remaining. For the shrubs, A. orientalis was the most successful species with a 95% survival rate. Broad-leaved trees grew a cumulative average of 34 cm in height in 5 years, whereas P. nigra seedings grew only 9 cm. The greatest height growth occurred in the shrubs, with A. orientalis gaining 40 cm in height in 5 years. Overall, E. angustifolia and A. orientalis appeared best suited for afforestation in these areas. R. pseodoacacia and F. angustifolia may also be used as alternative species. TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [112O946]; Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs; General Directorate of Combating Desertification and Erosion (CEM); General Directorate of Forestry (OGM) This study was funded by TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) through project no. 112O946 "Survival, Growth and Nutritional Status of Different Tree, Shrub and Herb Species and Their Effects on Some of the Soil Properties in the Central Arid Region of Turkey" ("Kurak Bolge Bitkilendirmesinde Farkli Agac, Cali ve Otsu Turler Kullaniminin Fidan Buyumesi ve Beslenmesi ile Bazi Toprak Degiskenlerine Etkisi"). We also thank to Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, General Directorate of Combating Desertification and Erosion (CEM) and General Directorate of Forestry (OGM) for their support.

Flavonoids in Calligonum polygonoides Linnaeus extract were separated, detected, and identified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with electrochemical detection (EC) in combined isocratic and gradient elution using a glassy carbon or a boron doped diamond electrode. Ultrasonication coupled with a microwave-assisted technique was developed to optimize the extraction of the phenolic compounds. The total antioxidant capacity was quantified using the DPPH. method and voltammetry. The RP-HPLC-EC led to the detection of nine different flavonoids: catechin, delphinidin, fisetin, myricetin, epicatechin, kuromanin, rutin, callistephin and procyanidin A2, in a single run by direct injection of the sample extract solution.

The present study, conducted in 2011 and 2012, deals with the response of Calligonum polygonoides and Artemisia judaica to the drought conditions in Wadi El-Assiuty and its tributary Wadi Habib in the middle part of the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Soil and plant samples were collected from 50 stands in the wet (winter) and dry (summer) seasons. In the selected plants chlorophyll (Chl a and b) contents as well as the Chl stability index tended to increase significantly during the summer season. Calcium and magnesium were accumulated in considerable amounts in the studied plants. Amounts of calcium accumulated were higher than those of magnesium. Phosphates appeared in the plants in low amounts and correlated positively with those found in the soil. The studied plants showed an increase in soluble sugars accumulation. Soluble protein content increased significantly during the winter season with a corresponding decrease in free amino acids. It is quite clear that Calligonum polygonoides plants were better adapted to drought conditions prevailing in the area under study than Artemisia judaica. This was judged by the average metabolic potentiality as soluble metabolites (soluble sugars and soluble proteins) are much higher in Calligonum than in Artemisia.

Wild plants play an essential role in non-traditional fodder producing plants. The aim of the study is to evaluate nutritional composition of wild plants. These plants are Calligonum polygonoides, Cakile maritima, Senecio glaucus (Psammophytes) and Zygophullum album (halophyte) naturally growing in Deltaic Mediterranean coastal desert of Egypt. These plants are rich with their nutritive values and their water requirements are low. The protein content of the investigated wild species ranges from 5.90% to 19.63% and the fat content ranges from 0.75% to 1.93%. The amount of nitrogen and phosphorus are higher in all plants followed by potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium. On the other hand, the microelements levels in the studied wild plants exist as Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni > Pb > Co > Cd. Finally, the phytochemical analysis of the studied wild plants indicates that the four wild plants are important and there is a need to develop new techniques for cultivation as well as processing of such plants for future use.

Background: Calligonum polygonoides subsp. comosum is a perennial desert plant. Most of the previous chemical investigation of this plant was performed on the whole herb but there were no data about quantification of active constituent in different organs of C. polygonoides. Materials and Methods: in vitro antioxidant activity, total phenolic, and total flavonoid contents of the different organs were determined using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Folin–Ciocalteu, and aluminum chloride (AlCl3) methods, respectively. Quantitative analysis of the phenolic compounds was determined in the different organs of the plant using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: Both bark and leaves showed the highest radical scavenging activity with the values of 450.30 and 398.10 μg/g ascorbic acid equivalent, respectively. The total phenolic content of the samples was in the range of 27.9–281.5 μg/g gallic acid equivalent and total flavonoid content of the samples was in the range of 53.9–257.4 μg/g rutin equivalent where the leaves and bark showed the highest contents. HPLC analysis showed that flavonol glycosides content was higher in all organs compared to the aglycones. Flowers and fruits were the richest organs in flavonols, whereas leaves, stems, and bark were the richest in taxifolin and catechin. Conclusion: Depending on the obtained results C. polygonoides is an excellent source of natural antioxidants.

Introduction Science and technology is always progressing and old technologies replaced. Nanotechnology is one of the new growth areas that has emerged during this century. Nanotechnology deals with the synthesis of nanoparticles and nanomaterials of variable size, shape and its application in numerous fields. Biological methods also have advantages over chemical methods. The current study was designed to investigate the biological synthesis and pharmacological activities of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to demonstrate their utilization when used in combination with a natural plant medicine, Calligonum polygonoides, which has been used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases. Methods In the current study, AgNPs were synthesized from 10 mM AgNO3 using the methanolic crude extract of the Calligonum polygonoides (CP) as confirmed by UV visible and FT-IR spectroscopy. The size and shape were determined by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). In vitro antidiabetic, antifungal, antioxidants, cytotoxic and antibacterial potentials were determined by using the standard protocols. Results The AgNPs were monodispersed, spherical with an average size of 50 nm by SEM analysis. The average size 41.62 nm was calculated using three major peaks 38°, 44° and 64° of XRD analysis. FT-IR spectra show the peaks for the functional groups involved in the synthesis and stability of the AgNPs. Conclusions This study suggested that AgNPs showed enhanced properties when compared to the CP crude extract.

Shrub-induced soil property spatial heterogeneity is common in arid and semi-arid ecosystems and aids desertified land restoration. However, the effectiveness of this technique may rely on the plant species used and the habitat conditions present. To assess the degree to which planting two native species, Haloxylon salicornicum and Calligonum polygonoides, facilitates degraded land restoration, soil and herbaceous plant community properties were measured 7 years after planting. Soil samples were extracted at two depths (0-5 and 5-20 cm) from three sub-habitats, i.e., under the shrub canopy, from alleys between shrubs and from the open area. Shrub planting increased the quantity of silt + clay content (30-39 %); enhanced water holding capacities (24-30 %); increased the levels of organic carbon (48-69 %), available nitrogen (31-47 %), available phosphorus (32-41 %), and electrical conductivity (21-33 %); and decreased the pH (7-12 %) and bulk density levels (5-6 %) in the surface layer of soils beneath the canopy. Soil property changes were more significant at the surface (0-5 cm) than in the deeper layer (5-20 cm), and were more pronounced under H. salicornicum than under C. polygonoides. Furthermore, the density and biomass levels of herbaceous plants were 1.1 to 1.2 and 1.4 to 1.6 times greater, respectively, in the shrub alleys than in open area. H. salicornicum induced more robust soil amelioration and herbaceous plant facilitative properties than did C. polygonoides. Artificially planting these shrubs may thus be employed to restore degraded areas of arid regions.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of treated wastewater irrigation on five native medicinal shrubs (Artemisia monosperma, Zilla spinosa, Farsetia aegyptiaca, Deverra tortuosa and Calligonum polygonoides) in abandoned areas of a desert plantation in Egypt. Mineral content, size-structure and biochemical products of shrub shoot samples were determined for the plantation and an adjacent, non-irrigated control site outside the forest. We found that the application of wastewater significantly increased trace metal concentrations (Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni and Pb) in the plantation-soil compared to the control, showing phytotoxic concentrations of Ni. Each shrub species showed different selectivity to accumulate specific elements in their shoots, with high concentrations of N, P, K, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu, Cd and Pb in forest site plants. Cd and Ni concentrations in shoot samples from both the planation and control sites were about 13 and 500 times above permissible levels, respectively. Our results suggest that native medicinal shrubs irrigated by wastewater may not be safe for medicinal use or grazing purposes and represent potential risks. More efforts should be directed to monitor the potential hazards of using wastewater irrigation on all components of the ecosystem.