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The high dependence on chemical fertilizers in the farming systems especially in the arid regions has become a serious challenge that threatens the stability and sustainability of crop production. Therefore, determining alternative nutrition systems based on the organic and biological sources is a critical issue of crops management. The objective of this study is to assess the response of the roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) to chemical, organic and biological nutrient systems. A two-year field experiment was conducted with a split-plot based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications. The main plots consisted of control (CL), vermicompost (VP), poultry manure (PM), and chemical fertilizer (NPK) (CF), while the sub-plots involved control (AM0), application of Glomus mosseae (AM1), and Rhizophagus intraradices arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM2). The results showed that PM and CF treatments led to the highest increase in fresh calyx yield (58.6%) compared to the control. While PM treatment showed the highest increase in dry calyx yield (23.9%) and seed yield (32.0%). AM inoculation resulted in a 27.3, 26.8, and 22.3% increase in mentioned traits, respectively compared to the control. PM treatment showed the highest values of dry calyx and seed water productivity (13.5 and 15.5 kg m−3, respectively). Also, AM2 treatment showed the highest values for these indices (13.5 and 14.5 kg m−3, respectively). The highest increase in calyx ascorbic acid (20.1%) was obtained from PM treatment, while the highest value of calyx anthocyanin content (0.307 and 0.292 µmol g−1) in the first and the second year was found in PM and CF treatment, respectively. VC treatment resulted in the highest increase in seed oil content (12.8%), while the highest increase in seed protein content (22.8%) belonged to the CF treatment. The average improvements in the calyx ascorbic acid, calyx anthocyanin content, seed oil content, and seed protein content due to AM inoculation were 11.2, 5.0, 9.2, and 7.8%, respectively. According to our findings, the use of mycorrhiza (especially Rhizophagus intraradices) in combination with poultry manure is recommended to achieve proper economic yields and improve water productivity and quality indices of the roselle in order to replace the chemical fertilizers in the cultivation of this plant in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the bioactivity of both aerial (GNAR) and underground (GNUG) parts of Gymnadenia nigra Rchb.f. (syn. Nigritella nigra (L.) Rchb. f.) (Orchidaceae). The obtained data proved interesting when the samples were tested in two adrenocortical cancer cell lines (SW13 and H295R). In particular, the GNAR 80% methanol extract distinctly inhibited their viability after 24 h at a concentration of 1 µg/µL by MTT assay and trypan blue dye exclusion method. Cell morphology evaluation by means Wright's staining also showed significant results, particularly in SW13 cells under the effect of both extracts. GNAR extract was able to scavenge the DPPH radical better than GNUG extract. It also was more active in albumin denaturation (a maximum % denaturation equal to 463.0 ± 8.3 vs 77.3 ± 13.3) and protease inhibition (a maximum % inhibition equal to 138.5 ± 7.0 vs 2.1 ± 2.0) tests. The results highlighted an important antitumor activity of G. nigra in vitro that deserves to be further studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pinus mugo Turra is a coniferous species of shrub or small tree typical of central and south-eastern Europe. It is commonly called mugo pine, mountain pine, or dwarf mountain pine referring to its habit and small size. Indeed, this plant lives at higher altitude above 1400 m above the see level where it deals with harsh conditions typical of high mountain. From an ethnotraditional point of view, P. mugo is mainly used for respiratory disorders and wound healing. In particular, its essential oils have been shown to possess interesting antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, which can substantiate its potential therapeutic effect in pulmonary and urinary tract diseases, as well as antinflammatory and antitumor effects. This review also offers a summary on the chemical constituents of P. mugo that contribute to its therapeutic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cocoa is rich in polyphenols, mainly flavonoids, which correlate with several health benefits mediated by their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Cocoa and chocolate consumption have been reported to impact the regulation of the immune system, both in preclinical studies and in human trials. The mechanisms for immunomodulation can involve different effects of cocoa polyphenols on the immune system, acting as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-allergic agents, as well as the direct influence of cocoa on innate and acquired immunity, with cytokines production and activation of both lymphocyte-dependent and -independent pathways. Cocoa intake has been also correlated to changes in gut microbiota ecology and composition, also affecting the intestinal immune system. This review summarises the updates of the last two decades on cocoa as immunomodulatory agent and explores the health-related benefits of cocoa and chocolate intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Anabasis aphylla L. aerial parts was harvested from five different populations located in Golestan National Park, Iran. The phenolic content and antioxidant potencies of the ethanolic extracts were measured using the Folin–Ciocalteu and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) methods, respectively. Moreover, the effects of two factors soil electrical conductivity and soil acidity on phenolic content and antioxidant properties of the extracts were evaluated. Consequently, no significant difference between different populations of Anabasis aphylla L. in terms of total phenol content was detected; however, a significant difference was observed between the electrical conductivity of the soil samples. The studied factors showed no significant correlation between the electrical conductivity and soil acidity with the total phenol and antioxidant effect, although a negative correlation between total phenol and IC50 (–0.81) was identified. In conclusion, the present study the effect of two factors of soil acidity and electrical conductivity on the amount of total phenol is not confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major issue in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research is to find some new therapeutic drug which decrease Amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregation. From a therapeutic point of view the major question is whether pharmacological inhibition of inflammation pathways will be able to safely reverse or slow the course of disease. Natural compounds are capable of binding to different targets implicated in AD and exert neuroprotective effects. Aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro inhibition of Aβ1-42 fibrillogenesis in presence of Gallic acid, Rutin, Melatonin and ProvinolsTM. We performed the analysis with Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopy, and with X-ray microanalysis. Samples treated with Rutin, that arises from phenylalanine via the phenylpropanoid pathway, show the best effective result obtained because a significantly fibril inhibition activity is detectable compared to the other compounds. Melatonin shows a better inhibitory activity than ProvinolsTM and Gallic acid at the considered concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]