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Latvijas Universitātes 81. starptautiskās zinātniskās konferences Botāniskā dārza sekcijas “Augu selekcija un introdukcija” sanāksme notika 2023. gada 8. februārī pulksten 13.00 LU Botāniskā dārza Lektorijā Kandavas ielā 2, Rīgā. Tēžu krājumā ir 12 referātu kopsavilkumi, kuros ir ziņots par augu kolekcijām, augu introdukciju, selekciju, augu patogēnu pētījumiem, mikropavairošanas izmēģinājumiem, kā arī purvu biotopu saglabāšanu.

Equisetum L. is the only genus of the Equisetaceae family, which commonly known as horsetails, in English and atkuyruğu or kırkkilit in Turkish. In traditional medicine, Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. is used in diseases of the urinary system, such as pyelonephritis, prostatic hypertrophy, and cystitis. Besides, this species is known to be used by humans to treat kidney stones or kidney sand. The extracts were obtained from the aerial parts of the E. telmateia using three different extraction methods (maceration, Soxhlet, ultrasonic bath) and their antioxidant (ABTS, CUPRAC), anti-urease and anticholinesterase activities were examined. Also, calcium oxalate anti-crystallization activity of Soxhlet methanol extract showing strong antioxidant activity was determined. Soxhlet methanol extract exhibited stronger ABTS radical scavenging (0.0676 mM Trolox/mg extract) and cupric ion reducing/antioxidant (4.351 mM Trolox/mg extract) activity than other extracts. Soxhlet methanol (65.528%) and maceration methanol (61.965%) extracts showed the strongest anticholinesterase activity. In the anti-urease assay, it was found that Soxhlet petroleum ether extract (15.302%) had the highest anti-urease activity. Furthermore, the data obtained showed that the Soxhlet methanol extract had high efficacy in the nucleation and aggregation phase of calcium oxalate crystals. These results prove that Soxhlet methanol extract has antioxidant, anticholinesterase and anti-crystallization capabilities. Therefore, this extract can be used in the future as an antioxidant and anticholinesterase agent as well as the treatment and / or prevention of stone formation.

The ethanolic extracts of three Equisetum species (E. pratense Ehrh., E. sylvaticum L. and E. telmateia Ehrh.) were used to reduce silver ions to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurements. FTIR data revealed the functional groups of biomolecules involved in AgNPs synthesis, such as O-H, C-H, C=O, C-O, and C-C. EDX spectroscopy was used to highlight the presence of silver, while DLS spectroscopy provided information on the mean diameter of AgNPs, that ranged from 74.4 to 314 nm. The negative Zeta potential values (−23.76 for Ep–AgNPs, −29.54 for Es–AgNPs and −20.72 for Et–AgNPs) indicate the stability of the obtained colloidal solution. The study also focused on establishing the photocatalytic activity of AgNPs, which is an important aspect in terms of removing organic dyes from the environment. The best photocatalytic activity was observed for AgNPs obtained from E. telmateia, which degraded malachite green in a proportion of 97.9%. The antioxidant action of the three AgNPs samples was highlighted comparatively through four tests, with the best overall antioxidant capacity being observed for AgNPs obtained using E. sylvaticum. Moreover, the biosynthesized AgNPs showed promising cytotoxic efficacy against cancerous cell line MG63, the AgNPs obtained from E. sylvaticum L. providing the best result, with a LD50 value around 1.5 mg/mL.

The sterile stems belonging to the Equisetum species are often used in traditional medicine of various nations, including Romanians. They are highly efficient in treating urinary tract infections, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory tract infections, and medical skin conditions due to their content of polyphenolic derivatives that have been isolated. In this regard, this study aimed to provide the chemical composition of the extracts obtained from the Equisetum species (E. pratense, E. sylvaticum, E. telmateia) and to investigate the biological action in vitro and in vivo. For the chemical characterization of the analyzed Equisetum species extracts, studies were performed by using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC-DAD). In vitro evaluation of the antioxidant activity of the plant extracts obtained from these species of Equisetum genus was determined. The neuroprotective activity of these three ethanolic extracts from the Equisetum species using zebrafish tests was determined in vivo. All obtained results were statistically significant. The results indicate that E. sylvaticum extract has a significant antioxidant activity, whereas, E. pratense extract had anxiolytic and antidepressant effects significantly higher than the other two extracts used. All these determinations indicate promising results for the antioxidant in vitro tests and neuroprotective activity of in vivo tests, particularly mediated by their active principles.

The aerial parts of Equisetum telmateia have been used as a source of biologically active compounds to treat inflammatory, diarrhea, stomach-ache, eczema and mouth infections in traditional medicine. The aim of this work is to evaluate the extraction yield, chemical compositions, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity of E. telmateia extracts on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Candida albicans. Chemical compositions E. telmateia was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a C18 column. Analysis of E. telmateia extract by HPLC allowed the identification of Kaempferol 3-O-(6″-O-acetylglucoside) as major compound. The antioxidant activity of extracts was examined by measuring their ability to sequestrate 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. The results showed that the DPPH (IC50 = 70.83 ± 0.2 μg/ml) were obtained in the case of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) extract. MIC microdilution assay were used to determine the antimicrobial activities. Contrary to lower extraction yield (9.6 ± 0.5), the SFE extract exhibited the highest antimicrobial potency with MIC and MBC values of 32 mg/ml against S. aureus compared to the other extracts. The results suggest that SFE method is more appropriate for extraction of E. telmateia biologically active substances with antimicrobial and antioxidant activity than conventional solvent extraction methods.

Conservation of endangered plant species requires a thorough knowledge about the present state of their populations and habitats as well as identification of current and potential threats. The aim of this research was to evaluate current distribution, state of habitats and the size of populations of Equisetum telmateia (Equisetaceae) in Lithuania as well as to reveal the main threats and requirement for the conservation of this species. Analysis of all available information revealed that E. telmateia currently occurs in seven localities in Lithuania, mainly in the southern part of the country. One formerly recorded population in the south-western part of Lithuania has become extinct. Two reported localities in the environs of Druskininkai (southern Lithuania) are doubtful, because the reports have been based on misidentified specimens. Locality of E. telmateia in the western part of the country probably has been provided erroneously and one locality in the south-eastern region of Lithuania should be verified and the identity of the species requires confirmation. Total area occupied by the stands of E. telmateia in Lithuania is 2.41 ha. Most frequently this species grows in river valleys or close to rivers and occupies alluvial forest habitats, which frequently creates complexes with habitats of mineral-rich springs or springs with tufa formations. Occasionally it grows in the habitats of forests of slopes, tall herb fringe communities and hay meadows. Sporulation of E. telmateia in Lithuania is poor: no fertile shoots were registered in two studied populations, whereas in other localities few fertile shoots were recorded. Evaluation of the status of E. telmateia in Lithuania applying the IUCN criteria resulted in its categorization as a vulnerable species. The main threats for E. telmateia are forest logging and changes in habitat hydrological regime, though wild animals, human activities and invasive plant species also have certain negative impact on the populations of this species, Išsamūs saugomų augalų rūšių paplitimo, populiacijų ir buveinių dydžio bei būklės tyrimai ypač svarbūs siekiant nustatyti tinkamą rūšies apsaugos režimą ir būtinas apsaugos priemones. Didysis asiūklis (Equisetum telmateia Ehrh.) Lietuvoje yra retas saugomas augalas, tačiau iki šiol nebuvo išsamiai įvertintas jo populiacijų dydis, kylančios grėsmės ir apsaugos poreikis. Atliktų tyrimų tikslas buvo įvertinti dabartinį didžiojo asiūklio paplitimą Lietuvoje, nustatyti populiacijų užimamą plotą, įvertinti populiacijų ir buveinių būklę. Išnagrinėjus literatūroje skelbtą, herbariumuose ir duomenų bazėse sukauptą informaciją nustatyta, kad dabar didysis asiūklis Lietuvoje aptinkamas septyniose vietovėse, kurių dauguma telkiasi pietinėje šalies dalyje. Viena populiacija, buvusi Gražiškių apylinkėse (Vilkaviškio r.) yra išnykusi. Manome, kad didžiojo asiūklio radavietė dabartiniame Rambyno regioniniame parke (Pagėgių sav.) nurodyta klaidingai. Kalesninkų apylinkėse (Šalčininkų r.) nurodyta šios rūšies radavietė nepatikrinta ir rūšies tapatybė kol kas nepatvirtinta. Įvertinus didžiojo asiūklio populiacijas nustatyta, kad šalyje visos jos užima 2,41 ha plotą. Didžiausios rūšies populiacijos yra Lapainios upelio slėnyje (Kaišiadorių r.), Šaltupio k. apylinkėse (Utenos r.) ir Kasčiūnų k. apylinkėse (Varėnos r.). Blogiausia yra Nemuno kilpų regioniniame parke, netoli Panemuninkų k. esančios populiacijos būklė. Ji užima labai mažą plotą (apie 240 m2), o visoje populiacijoje 2016 m. buvo tik 104 ūgliai. Dviejose iš septynių tirtų populiacijų 2015–2016 m. generatyvinių ūglių neaptikta, dar vienoje populiacijoje rastas tik vienas generatyvinis ūglis. Kitose populiacijose jų buvo aptikta po nedaug. Dauguma didžiojo asiūklio populiacijų telkiasi upių slėniuose ir šlaituose. Augalas dažniausiai auga aliuviniuose miškuose, kurie sudaro buveinių kompleksus su nekalkingais šaltiniais arba šaltiniais su besiformuojančiais tufais. Daug rečiau didysis asiūklis įsikuria šlaitų miškų, aukštųjų eutrofinių žolynų ir mezofitų pievų buveinėse. Įvertinus didžiojo asiūklio populiacijų dydį, būklę ir kylančias grėsmes nustatyta, kad ši rūšis turi būti priskirta prie pažeidžiamų rūšių (VU) kategorijos. Svarbiausios grėsmės, keliančios pavojų rūšies populiacijoms, yra buveinių pažaidos dėl miškų kirtimo ir drėkinimo režimo pokyčiai, kurie gali kilti tiek dėl natūralių priežasčių, tiek ir dėl žmonių poveikio. Tam tikrą neigiamą įtaką didžiojo asiūklio populiacijoms daro šernai, žmonių veikla buveinėse ir svetimžemių rūšių augalų invazijos į buveines.

Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. rather often occurs in agricultural lands communities. According to the literature and one's own original research, one constructs his list which contains 16 communities, associations and subassociations (Vicietum tetraspermae, Aphano-Matricarietum, Lathvro-Melandrietum noctiflori, Echinochloo-Setarietum, Galinsogo-Setarietum, Cirsietum rivularis, Cirsetum rivularis caricetosum hartmanii, Scirpetum sylvatici, community with Mentha longifolia, community ,with Equisetum telmateia, Arrhenatheretum medioeuroaeum, Arrhenatheretum mnedioeuropaeum brizetosum mediae, community with Cirsium oleraceuum, Lolio-Cynosuretum, Valeriano-Caricetum flavae, Carlino Dianthetum deltoidis). The occurrence of Giant horsetail in such differentiated communities points to its wide ecological scale and the ability to survive in different forms of anthropogenic pressure. The appearance of this species in agricultural land communities may be result of its previous existence on the land that started to be cultivated land or of the vegetative spreading of its rhizomes.

This paper deals with the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, total phenolic content and concentrations of flavonoids of Equisetum telmateia extracts. Total phenolic content was determined with Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and it ranged between 129.0 to 262.7 mg GA/g. The concentration of flavonoids in various extracts of E. telmateia was determined using spectrophotometric method with aluminum chloride and obtained results varied from 112.6 to 199.8 mg RU/g. Antioxidant activity was monitored spectrophotometrically and expressed in terms of IC50 (µg/ml), and its values ranged from 33.4 to 982.2 µg/ml. The highest phenolic content, concentrations of flavonoids and capacity to neutralize DPPH radicals were found in the acetone extract. In vitro antimicrobial activity was determined using microdilution method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum microbicidal concentration (MMC) were also determined. Testing was performed on 22 microorganisms, including 15 strains of bacteria (standard and clinical strains) and 7 species of fungi. There were statistically significant differences in activity between the extracts of E. telmateia. Different effects were noticed against the bacteria and the methanol extract appeared to be most efficient. All the extracts showed significant antibacterial activity against G+ bacteria and weak to moderate activity against other microorganisms.

In vitro antifungal activity of methanol, acetone and ethyl-acetate extracts from Equisetum telmateia Ehrh., Allium flavum L., Sedum acre L., Sideritis montana L., Marubium peregrinum L. and Xeranthemum anuum L. grown in Serbia, were investigated by microdilution method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) have been determined. Testing was conducted against four Aspergillus species - A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger and A. restrictus . All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS package. The tested extracts showed significant antifungal activity against A. restrictus and moderate activity against other Aspergillus spp. The best results showed ethyl acetate extract of S. montana , X. anuum and S. acre .

The Giant Horsetail (Equisetum telmateia) is the only representative of Equisetum genus included in the list of strictly protected species. In Central and Western Europe the species is found in communities belonging to alliances: Alno-Padion and Calthion. With progressing destruction of these biotopes, one can observe the phenomenon of this species moving to the habitats extremely anthropogenic in character.Frequent and intensive observations of this phenomenon were conducted in the Jasło - Krosno Dale area in southern Poland in three anthropogenic localities. In these localities three interesting, irregular Equisetum telmateia morphotypes were found: fo. serotinum subfo. proliferum, fo. spiralis and a morphotype with branched shoot.The phenomenon of morphological plasticity of sporophytes is thought to be connected with the action of genes, which regulate the identity of developing plant organs and their distribution. These genes perform a superior part in relation to the system of growth regulators.

Through application of chemical, biochemical and histochemical analyses, we provide new data on the absence/presence of syringyl lignins in the algal species Mastocarpus stellatus, Cystoseira baccata and Ulva rigida, the bryophytes Physcomitrella patens and Marchantia polymorpha, the lycophytes Selaginella martensii, Isoetes fluitans and Isoetes histrix, the sphenophyte Equisetum telmateia, the ferns Ceratopteris thalictroides, Ceratopteris cornuta, Pteridium aquilinum, Phyllitis scolopendrium and Dryopteris affinis, and the angiosperm Posidonia oceanica. Lignins, and especially syringyl lignins, are distributed from non-vascular basal land plants, such as liverworts, to lycopods and ferns. This distribution, along with the already reported presence of syringyl lignins in ginkgoopsids, suggests that syringyl lignin is a primitive character in land plant evolution. Here, we discuss whether the pathway for sinapyl alcohol recruitment was iterative during the evolution of land plants or, alternatively, was incorporated into the earliest land plants and subsequently repressed in several basal liverworts, lycopods, equisetopsids and ferns. This last hypothesis, which is supported by recent studies of transcriptional regulation of the biosynthesis of lignins, implies that lignification originated as a developmental enabler in the peripheral tissues of protracheophytes and would only later have been co-opted for the strengthening of tracheids in eutracheophytes.

• The very high rates of convective ventilation reported recently in Equisetum telmateia (up to 120 cm(3) min(-1); internal wind speed, 10 cm s(-1)) prompted this study of a further eight species for the presence or absence of convection and the possible reasons for this. • Convection rates were examined in relation to anatomical pathways, internal resistance to applied pressurized gas flow and stomata. • Only species with interconnecting cortical aerenchyma in branches (when present), shoots and rhizomes induced convection. Rapid humidity-induced convection (HIC) occurred in E. palustre (up to 13 cm(3) min(-1)), with slower rates in E. × schaffneri and E. ramosissimum (≤ 6 and 3 cm(3) min(-1), respectively). Excised shoots of E. hyemale and E. fluviatile showed the potential for HIC (≤ 0.5 and 0.15 cm(3) min(-1), respectively), but not into the rhizomes. High rates were linked to low internal gas flow resistance. No convection was detected in E. scirpoides, E. sylvaticum or E. arvense due to the extremely high resistance to pressure flow, for example, from intercalary meristems and, in the last two, to nonaerenchymatous branches. • Of the nine Equisetum species studied so far, four showed through-flow convection; the other species must rely solely on diffusion for underground aeration in wet soils.

The family of horsetails (Equisetaceae) is characterized through their high content of silica (SiO2), which is the highest in known vascular plants. This work has focussed on two species of this family, Equisetum hyemale and Equisetum telmateia, where the biomorphous silica is deposited basically as amorphous SiO2 in the outer epidermis of the plants. As source of SiO2, the original plant material was air-dried and carved or powdered. For the isolation process the biomaterial was pre-treated with aceotropic HCl. This pre-treatment has the advantage of the extraction of high amounts of the natural inorganic matrix. In a second step the organic matrix was removed by a thermal oxidative process in the temperature range of 275 - 1200 ◦C to isolate the biogenic silicon dioxide from the perennial plant. Parameters of time, temperature and the thermal gradient were varied to optimize the process and to get products with the highest possible surface area. Furthermore, the particle morphology of the biogenic SiO2 from leaves and stems was examined separately. The silica deposits were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, gravimetry, nitrogen sorption analysis, and sedimentation analysis.

This contribution provides the first detailed chemical evidence for the association of 'Si' with soluble carbohydrate and proteinaceous components of Equisetum arvense cell walls. For Equisetum telmateia and E. arvense, the presence of intrasilica organics trapped within phytolithic silica deposits and organics packaged within silica coated particles on the outside of spores have previously been identified. The current paper shows that 'Si' is also found intimately associated with cell wall polymers that can be released using mild extraction procedures (CDTA and Na(2)CO(3)/NaBH(4)) that do not solubilise the mineral phase. The isolates comprise both protein and carbohydrate components with increases in 'Si' (up to slightly more than 1% by weight) being particularly linked to increased levels of protein within the extracts. The general composition of the cell wall isolates associated with 'Si' was very different to that previously found for intrasilica and spore related material with much lower levels of charged amino acids, particularly basic amino acids being detected. The range of monosaccharides detected was much wider than for the other silicified materials investigated. It is possible that 'Si' in some form could act to crosslink the cell wall polymers thereby providing a modest improvement in rigidity/stability of the cell wall against biotic and abiotic stresses. This study demonstrates that distinct differences are to be found between extra- and intrasilica organics in the cell wall of E. arvense.

Summary • Significant pressurized (convective) ventilation has been demonstrated in some flowering wetland plants, for example water-lilies and reeds, but not previously in nonflowering plants. Here we investigated convective flows in the great horsetail, Equisetum telmateia, and the possibility that convections aerated the massive rhizomes of the Calamites, extinct giant horsetails of the Carboniferous. • Convection in E. telmateia was examined in relation to induction sites, anatomical pathways, relative humidity (RH), external wind-speed, diurnal effects, rhizome resistance and pressure-gradients. A mathematical model, incorporating Calamite aeration anatomy, was applied in assessing potentials for convective aeration. • Individual shoots of E. telmateia generated extremely high rates of humidity-induced convection: ≤ 120 cm3 min−1 (internal wind-velocity: 10 cm s−1) with rates proportional to branch numbers and 1/RH. Flows passed through branches, stem and rhizome via low-resistance lacunae (vallecular canals) and vented via stubble. Stomata supported internal pressures up to 800 Pa. Anatomically, E. telmateia resembles the Calamites and modelling predicted possible flows of 70 l min−1 per Calamite tree. • This is the first demonstration of significant convective flow in a nonflowering species, indicating that plant ventilation by a type of ‘molecular gas-pump’ may date back 350 million yr or more. Stomatal form and low-resistance pathways may facilitate high flow rates.

The antioxidant and scavenging activities of above ground parts of Equisetum arvense L., Equisetum ramosissimum L. and Equisetum telmateia L. phosphate buffer (pH 7) extracts were investigated. Activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, guaiacol peroxidase and glutathione peroxidase), quantities of reduced glutathione, malonyldialdehyde, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals and flavonoid, soluble protein, chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid contents were determined. The total antioxidant capacity was determined by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The Equisetum telmateia extract demonstrated scavenging and antioxidant properties better than Equisetum ramosissimum and Equisetum arvense. The ESR signal of DMPO-OH radical adducts in the presence of Equisetum telmateia phosphate buffer (pH 7) extract was reduced by 98.9% indicating that Equisetum telmateia could be a useful source of antioxidants with huge scavenging ability.

The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of dry sterile stems of Equisetum palustre L. and Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. from Serbia were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. In total, one hundred ninety-five compounds were identified in the both oils, 103 in E. palustre and 171 in E. telmateia oil, accounting for more than 95.3% and 98.0% of the total oils, respectively. The major constituents of both E. palustre and E. telmateia oils were hexadecanoic acid (15.7%, 33.8%), (E)-phytol (16.7%, 4.6%) and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (10.6%, 13.1%), respectively. The oils were additionally marked by the presence of (E)-β-ionone (4.1%, 3.2%), (E)-α-ionone (3.1%, 2.5%), heneicosane (3.5%, 2.1%) and tricosane (6.6%, 3.4%).

The scavenger activities of Equisetum arvense, Equisetum ramosissimum and Equisetum telmateia aboveground parts phosphate buffer (pH 7) extracts were evaluated using three different methods: DPPH assay, ESR and NO radical inhibition assay. Total reducing power was determined by FRAP assay. The E. telmateia extract demonstrated the most relevant scavenger and antioxidant properties. ESR signal of DMPO-OH radical adducts in the presence of E. telmateia phosphate buffer (pH 7) extract was reduced to 98.9% which indicated that E. telmateia could be a useful source of antioxidants with huge scavenger ability.

Ethnopharmacological relevance This paper provides significant ethnopharmacological information on plants used to treat cardiovascular diseases in Navarra, Spain. Material and methods Information was collected using semi-structured ethnobotanical interviews with 667 informants (mean age 72; 55.47% women, 44.53% men) in 265 locations. Official sources such as the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP), German Commission E, World Health Organization (WHO), European Medicines Agency (EMA), European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) and Real Farmacopea Espanola (RFE) monographs were consulted in order to establish the therapeutic efficacy of the reported uses and to obtain further details about quality and safety aspects. A literature review was carried out on the plants that were most frequently cited and were not the subject of a monograph, using a new tool developed by the University of Navarra, UNIKA. Results A total of 460 pharmaceutical uses were reported by the informants, belonging to 90 plant species and 39 families, mainly represented by Urticaceae , Rosaceae , Asteraceae , and Equisetaceae . The most frequently used parts of the plants were the aerial parts followed by leaves and flowers. Seventeen out of 90 plants (19%) and 208 out of 460 popular uses (45%) had already been pharmacologically validated in relation to their therapeutic efficacy and safety aspects. Conclusions The authors propose to validate five species for their use in cardiovascular diseases: Rhamnus alaternus L., Potentilla reptans L., Equisetum telmateia Ehrh., Centaurium erythraea Rafn and Parietaria judaica L.

Bacidina ramea is reported here for the first time growing on Equisetum telmateia.

Macromolecular assemblages intimately associated with biogenic silica in plants are released on solubilization of the siliceous phase by treatment with buffered aqueous solutions of HF following treatment of plant material with concentrated oxidizing acids (perchloric, nitric and sulphuric) to remove cytoplasmic contents and the largely polysaccharidic cell wall. The non-dialysable material, which may form 0.015-0.030% dry weight of the silica, has an amino acid composition rich in Pro-Glu, Pro-Lys, or Ser-Asp-Gly depending on the extent of treatment with oxidizing acids. The materials are suggested to have an intrasilica location with materials of similar composition being extracted from the branches of Equisetum telmateia (a primitive plant) and from hairs from the lemma of the grass Phalaris canariensis. The role of such material in regulating nucleation, particle growth and aggregate structure development in silicas is discussed.

This paper deals with the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, total phenolic content and concentrations of flavonoids of Equisetum telmateia extracts. Total phenolic content was determined with Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and it ranged between 129.0 to 262.7 mg GA/g. The concentration of flavonoids in various extracts of E. telmateia was determined using spectrophotometric method with aluminum chloride and obtained results varied from 112.6 to 199.8 mg RU/g. Antioxidant activity was monitored spectrophotometrically and expressed in terms of IC50 (μg/ml), and its values ranged from 33.4 to 982.2 μg/ml. The highest phenolic content, concentrations of flavonoids and capacity to neutralize DPPH radicals were found in the acetone extract. In vitro antimicrobial activity was determined using microdilution method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum microbicidal concentration (MMC) were also determined. Testing was performed on 22 microorganisms, including 15 strains of bacteria (standard and clinical strains) and 7 species of fungi. There were statistically significant differences in activity between the extracts of E. telmateia. Different effects were noticed against the bacteria and the methanol extract appeared to be most efficient. All the extracts showed significant antibacterial activity against G+ bacteria and weak to moderate activity against other microorganisms., EXCLI Journal ; Vol. 11, 2012

Equisetum telmateia bitkisinin topraküstü kısımları Türkiye’de halk arasında mide ağrısı ve peptik ülser dahil olmak üzere çeşitli hastalıkların tedavisinde halk ilacı olarak kullanılmaktadır. E. telmateia’nın iddia edilen antiülserojenik etkisini incelemek için toprak üstü kısımlarının sulu ve metanollü ekstreleri hazırlanmış ve sıçanlarda etanolle oluşturulan gastrik ülser modelinde incelenmiştir. Farmakolojik deneyler materyalin metanollü ve sulu ekstrelerinin her ikisinin de oral yolla uygulandığında bu ülser modeli üzerinde midede anlamlı bir koruma sağladığını (ülser önleme oranı sırasıyla %77,9 ve %100) göstermiştir (P 0,001). Her iki ekstrenin de aktif olması nedeniyle, materyalin %80 etanol ile ekstre edilmesi tercih edilmiş; ardından %80 etanol ekstresi kloroform ve suyla doyurulmuş n-bütanol ile daha ileri bir ayırıma tabi tutularak, kloroform, n-bütanol ve kalan su ekstreleri elde edilmiştir. %80 etanol ekstresi ve sıvı-sıvı ekstraksiyonla elde edilen ekstreler aynı in vivo deneysel ülser modeline uygulanmıştır. Tüm ekstreler bu model üzerinde istatistiksel olarak kuvvetli antiülserojenik etki göstermiş (P 0.001), ancak en belirgin etki kalan sulu ekstrede görülmüştür (ülser önleme oranı %98,2). Sonuç olarak bu çalışmayla E. telmateia’nın halk arasında peptik ülser üzerindeki kullanımı, sıçanlarda etanolle oluşturulan deneysel gastrik ülser modeli kullanılarak doğrulanmıştır. The aerial part of Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. is used against various conditions including stomachache and peptic ulcer in Turkish folk medicine. In order to prove the claimed anti-ulcerogenic potential of the plant, aqueous and methanol extracts were prepared from aerial parts of E. telmateia and investigated for their anti-ulcerogenic effect on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in rats. Pharmacological experiments clearly demonstrated that the oral administration of both methanol and aqueous extracts of Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. plant showed significant stomach protection (77.9% and 100% ulcer inhibition, respectively) against the applied model of ulcerogenesis (P < 0.001). Since both extracts were found significantly active, 80% ethanol was preferred for the extraction of the plant material and this crude methanolic extract was further fractionated by successive solvent extractions with chloroform and H2O saturated n-BuOH to obtain the chloroform and n-BuOH extracts as well as the remaining aqueous extract. The 80% ethanol extract and the solvent extracts were then submitted to pharmacological assay using the same in vivo experimental ulcer model. All the extracts statistically showed potent anti-ulcerogenic effect on this model (P < 0.001). However, the remaining aqueous extract was found prominent (98.2% ulcer inhibition). Consequently, folkloric utilization of E. telmateia on peptic ulcer has been confirmed in the present study by using ethanol-induced experimental ulcer model in rats.

Surveys conducted on horsetails, Equisetum spp. (Equisetaceae), in Serbia led to the discovery of a new eriophyoid mite genus while searching for a classical biological control agent against these weeds in New Zealand. Eriocaenus gen. n. is described based on the type species Aceria equiseti Farkas, 1960 (transferred to Eriophyes by Farkas 1965; herein reassigned to the new genus) and Eriocaenus ramosissimi n. sp., a new species discovered on Equisetum ramosissimum Desf. in Serbia. Eriocaenus equiseti (Farkas, 1960), previously only known from Hungary, was found in Serbia for the first time on Equisetum arvense L. and Equisetum telmateia Ehrh., and is redescribed. Species descriptions include line drawings as well as phase contrast (PCLM), differential interference contrast (DIC) and scanning electron (SEM) micrographs. The differential diagnosis between the two Eriocaenus species is supplemented by molecular differentiation of 28S rDNA sequences including D2 fragments for both mites.

The antioxidant activity of an aqueous extract (infusion) and respective ethyl acetate fraction of Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. (Equisetaceae), a plant used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, has been evaluated by DPPH, TEAC and TBARS assays. A high and significant antioxidant activity was detected in the ethyl acetate fraction. Analysis of the aqueous extract and the ethyl acetate fraction by HPLC-PAD-ESI/MS allowed the identification of the major phenolic compounds as flavan-3-ol, kaempferol and phenolic acid derivatives. Among the flavan-3-ols, A-type proanthocyanidins and afzelechin derivatives were detected as well as the more common B-type procyanidins, B2 and C1, whose identification was further confirmed by HPLC using detection involving chemical reaction with p-dimethylamino-cinnamaldehyde. The results suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity of E. telmateia could be due, at least in part, to the presence of compounds with antioxidant activity. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Traditional medicine in North-West of Turkey (Sakarya province) were studied during a 2 months field study by interviewing local informants from several villages. Plant species used to treat infections were tested for antimicrobial activity. Information was collected for 46 plant species from 30 families and for 5 animal species. Twenty four of the plant species were cultivated. Most used families were Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Lamiaceae and Rosaceae and the most used plants were Artemisia absinthium, Equisetum telmateia, Lavandula stoechas, Melissa officinalis, Tussilago farfara and Urtica dioica. A total of 139 medicinal uses were obtained. Plants are used mainly for infectious diseases (18%), for neurological and psychological disorders (13.7%), cardiovascular disorders (13%), skin disorders (12.2%) and respiratory disorders (10.1%). Extracts were tested in vitro for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 65538, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC 4352, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 1539, Salmonella typhi, Shigella flexneri, Proteus mirabilis and Candida albicans ATCC 10231, using microbroth dilution technique according to National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). This research showed that Arum maculatum, Datura stramonium, Geranium asphodeloides and Equisetum telmateia petroleum ether extracts had MIC values of 39.1 microg/ml, 78.1 microg/ml, 78.1 microg/ml and 39.1 microg/ml, respectively against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Datura stramonium petroleum ether extract had a MIC value of 39.1 microg/ml against Escherichia coli and Trachystemon orientalis ethanol extract had a MIC value of 39.1 microg/ml against Escherichia coli. The antimicrobial activity of Arum maculatum, Equisetum telmateia, Geranium asphodeloides, Plantago intermedia, Senecio vulgaris and Trachystemon orientalis has been reported here for the first time.

Morphometric analyses performed on vegetative shoots of Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. in southern France indicate that the leading axis of the vegetative shoots consists of two growth units. The long nonchlorophyllous portion bears branches and is entirely preformed; the second is represented by a slender chlorophyllous part (with six to eight internodes) that terminates the axis and comprises both preformed and neoformed elements. Lateral branches are slender and chlorophyllous and comprise several neoformed elements. The length of each growth unit is significantly correlated with the capacity for elongation of its internodes (estimated from the length of the longest). The determinate pattern of growth in vegetative shoots is marked by a synchronous decrease of the outer diameter of the main axis, the number of branches, and the number and size of leaves. The initiation of morphogenetic components is presumably adjusted in relation to functional constraints, notably structural support and photosynthesis. Two...

summary Continuity between the endoplasmic reticulum and the plastid envelope has often been reported, but has seldom been demonstrated convincingly. Using rapid-freezing and freeze-fracturing techniques, we have shown that in the green alga, Chara globularis var. capillacea, and the lower vascular plant, Equisetum telmateia, such continuity is of frequent occurrence. Comparable chemically fixed, resin-embedded tissues hardly ever reveal connections between the two organelles.

Rhizomes of Equisetum arvense and E. telmateia were excavated to determine the time course of strobiliferous bud development. Cone initiation occurs during July, August, and September. The vegetative apex has a single, pyramidal apical initial cell which produces derivatives (merophytes) that by further division form the nodes and internodes. At transition of the apex to the reproductive state, the apical initial and its most recent derivatives cease division activity. Cells lower on the flanks of the apical dome appear to increase mitotic activity, resulting in an increase in the size of the apical dome and in the number of flank cells and a change in form. The vegetative nodal sheath plastochron becomes interrupted at the initiation of a whorl of leaves that does not grow upward but forms the annulus. After the dome enlarges, rapid initiation of successive whorls of sporophylls occurs. These differ from leaves in being mound shaped, rather than upwardly pointed. Thus Equisetum is like the seed plants in that the transition of its shoot apex from vegetative to reproductive growth is accompanied by increased division activity, increased size, change in zonation, and change in plastochron.

Two ferredoxins were isolated from horsetail (Equisetum telmateia) and their amino acid sequences were determined by use of a sequence analyzer in combination with carboxypeptidase digestion and manual Edman degradation of tryptic peptides of carboxymethyl-ferredoxins. Ferredoxins I and II each had only four cysteine residues in a total of 95 and 93 residues, respectively. The amino-terminal residues of both ferredoxins were heterogeneous, but alanine was concluded to be their genuine terminal residue. The comparison of these isozymelike molecules showed 29 differences in amino acid residues with three inverted replacements. One gap was inserted in ferredoxin II at position 32 to align the ferredoxins with greatest homology. Despite the many differences in amino acid residues there was no difference in net charges of the two ferredoxins.

Ether extraction of spores of Equisetum telmateia and E. arvense gives up to 1% triacontanedioic acid (equisetolic acid) contaminated with a small proportion of octacosanedioic acid. The dimethyl ester of the C30-diacid has been isolated in a pure state by GLC and its identity confirmed by comparison with a sample prepared by anodic synthesis.