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A major environmental concern due to dispersal of industrial and urban wastes generated by human activities is the contamination of soil. The release of heavy metals into the terrestrial ecosystem is a major problem. Accumulation of heavy metals in environment and particularly in soil is a serious environmental concern, as the accumulated heavy metal ions can find their way into living organisms via contamination of ground water or food chain. This praxis urgently requires and demands governmental regulations in India. Two samples of sludge were collected from Banthar Industrial Pollution Control Company (BIPCC), UP State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC), Leather Technology Park, Banthar, Unnao, India. In the present study, the phytoremediation potential of Catharanthus roseus, a valued medicinal plant, with respect to chromium has been analyzed. C. roseus was shown to absorb up to about 38% of the amount of Cr present in primary and secondary sludge amended soil through roots and accumulate it to about 22% in leaves. Effect of chromium concentration on the status of antioxidant enzyme peroxidase (POD) and detoxification enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST) from C. roseus leaves was also observed and determined. Increased expressions of POD and GST were observed on native PAGE under stress conditions as compared to control. C. roseus can well tolerate low amounts of chromium (and accumulate it to about 22% in leaves) and can, thus, prove useful in the reclamation and remediation of chromium contaminated soil and land.

The objective of the present work was to determine the effect of salicylic acid (SA, 0.5 mM) on plant growth parameters, free osmolytes (proline and glycinebetaine) and enzyme activities involved in proline metabolism, namely, pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (P-5-CR), proline oxidase and γ-glutamyl kinase enzyme activities in shoot and root tissues of lentil plants grown in saline and non-saline control. SA markedly improved germination under salt stress. Exogenously applied SA resulted increased plant growth significantly both in saline and non-saline conditions. The magnitude of increase in free proline accumulation was significantly higher in 100 mM NaCl but highly significant with the addition of 0.5 mM SA to 100 mM NaCl in shoots. Proline was found by 5.0 folds increased in shoots and 1.1 folds only in root with 100 mM NaCl + 0.5 mM SA treatment on day 10 of plant growth over that of non-saline control. Shoot always maintained higher level of free proline contents than the root. Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (EC: 1.5.1.2) and γ-glutamyl kinase (EC: 2.7.2.11) activities increased in all three treatments than the non-saline control and the magnitude of increase was found more in 100 mM NaCl + 0.5 mM SA than the others treatments. In addition, the proline oxidase (EC: 1.5.99.8) activity was inhibited in all treatments. Nevertheless, the reduction in the activity was more in 100 mM NaCl + 0.5 mM SA than the others. The results suggested that during the exogenously applied SA to salt stress, proline metabolism was significantly altered and the extent of alteration varied between the SA and salt stress, leading to the maintenance of the turgor by accumulating higher levels of free proline in lentil, supporting its protection from salt stress. Further, 100 mM NaCl + 0.5 mM SA treatments to lentil was evident from the higher level of glycinebetaine (GB) compared with non-saline control or/others treatments. Therefore, the enhanced activities of P-5-CR and γ-glutamyl kinase, and proline content in response to NaCl and/or SA treatment, whereas their interaction had an additive effect. Moreover, the toxic effects generated from 100 mM NaCl was completely overcome by the application of SA. SA treatments can ameliorate the negative effect of salinity on the growth of lentil and SA could be used as a potential growth regulator to improve plant salinity tolerance. It was, therefore, concluded that SA ameliorated the stress generated by NaCl through the alleviated proline metabolizing system. Overall, the adverse effects of salt stress could be alleviated by exogenous application of SA.

Hepatoprotective activity of aqueous ethanolic extract of Chamomile recutita capitula against paracetamol induced hepatic damage in albino rats was observed. In the present study the effect of aqueous ethanolic extract of Chamomile recutita capitula on blood and liver glutathione, Na+ K+- ATPase activity, serum marker enzymes, serum bilirubin, glycogen and thiobarbutiric acid reactive substances against paracetamol induced damage in rats have been studied to find out the possible mechanism of hepatoprotection. It was observed that extract of chamomile has reversal effects on the levels of above-mentioned parameters in paracetamol hepatotoxicity. The extract of capitula of chamomile functions as a hepatoprotective agent and this hepatoprotective activity of chamomile may be due normalization of impaired membrane function activity.

The activities of antioxidant enzymes viz. glutathione reductase, GR; superoxide dismutase, SOD; peroxidase, POD; catalase, CAT and glutathione-S-transferase, GST and alkaloid accumulation were investigated in leaf pairs (apical, middle, basal) and in roots of Catharanthus roseus seedlings under the conditions of different nitrogen sources (20 mM KNO(3) and 2 mM NH(4)Cl) and salinity, in the absence (non-saline control) and in the presence of 100 mM NaCl in the nutrient solution. Salinity caused a reduction in plant biomass. The biomass production of ammonium-fed plants was lower than that of nitrate-fed plants. The antioxidant enzymes exhibited higher activity in saline-treated plants. Changes in antioxidant enzyme activity caused by different nitrogen sources differed in all leaf pairs, as well as in roots of C. roseus. Ammonium-fed plants showed higher CAT, GR and GST activity in leaf pairs as well as in roots, while POD and SOD activity were higher in nitrate-fed plants. Higher peroxidase activity concomitant with the increased accumulation of alkaloid was found in all leaf pairs, as well as in roots of C. roseus of NO(3)(-) fed plants as compared to NH(4)(+) fed plants.

The effect of salt stress was studied on free proline accumulation, activities of pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (P-5-CR), proline oxidase and γ-glutamyl kinase, glycinebetaine levels and chlorophyll contents in two cultivars of green gram (T-44 and SML-32, salt tolerant and salt sensitive, respectively) under the conditions of absence as well as in the presence of various levels of salinity. Salt stress resulted in a significant accumulation of free proline in shoots of both the cultivars of green gram. The magnitude of increase in free proline accumulation was higher in the tolerant cultivar than in the sensitive cultivar. Salt stress in an accumulation of proline by 5.0 folds in T-44 at 200 mM NaCl (maximum salt stress) and 1.1-fold only in SML-32 at 50 mM NaCl (maximum salt stress). Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase and γ-glutamyl kinase activities increased in both the cultivars and the magnitude of increase was more in T-44 than in SML-32. In addition, the proline oxidase activity was inhibited under salt stress in both cultivars. Nevertheless, the reduction in the activity was more in T-44 than in SML-32. The results suggested that during salt stress, proline metabolism was significantly altered and the extent of alteration varied between the cultivars T-44 and SML-32, leading to the maintenance of the turgor by accumulating higher levels of free proline in T-44, supporting its salt tolerance. Further, salt tolerance of T-44 was evident from the higher level of glycinebetaine (GB) compared with SML-32 during salt stress. Furthermore, the salt tolerance of T-44 was indicated by lower amounts of chlorophyll degradation. The physiological significance of recorded changes are analyzed in relation to the function of these enzymes in plant metabolism under salt stress.

In this retrospective, consecutive case series, we report the nonsurgical and rehabilitation outcomes of consecutive patients who presented with pronounced painless weakness arising from disk extrusion. Seven consecutive patients who chose physiatric care were followed clinically, and strength return was monitored. Each presented with predominantly painless radiculopathy, functionally significant strength loss, and radiographic evidence of disk extrusion or sequestration. Each patient participated in a targeted strengthening program, and in some cases, transforaminal injection therapy was employed. Each patient demonstrated an eventual full functional recovery. In most cases, electrodiagnostic studies were performed and included a needle examination of the affected limb and compound muscle action potentials from the most clinically relevant and weakened limb muscle. The electrodiagnostic findings and, in particular, the quantitative compound muscle action potential data seemed to correlate with the timing of motor recovery. Patients with predominantly painless and significant weakness arising from disk extrusion can demonstrate successful rehabilitation outcomes. Despite a relative absence of pain, such patients can present with a more rapidly reversible neurapraxic type of weakness. The more quantitative compound muscle action potential data obtained through electrodiagnostic studies may offer the treating physician an additional means of characterizing the type of neuronal injury at play and the likelihood and timing of strength return.

Responses of two green gram ( Phaseolus aureus ) cultivars differing in salt tolerance ability were compared for seed germination efficiency, seedling vigor (root and shoot length), plant growth (dry weight (DW) and fresh weight (FW)), water uptake and intracellular Na + /K + contents during germination under the conditions of absence as well as presence of various levels of salinity. In cultivar SML-32 increasing levels of salinity remarkably decreased seed germination and caused pronounced decrease in seedling vigor, plant growth and water uptake in shoot and root compared to cultivar T-44. Intracellular sodium content of the root and shoot tissues of the cultivar SML-32 was found to be increased several folds in presence of salinity while that of the cultivar T-44 exhibited only moderate increase even at high salinity level (200 mM NaCl). However intracellular K + content of the root and shoot tissues of both the cultivars did not much increased in presence of salinity. Results suggest possible different behaviors of cultivars differing in salt tolerance with respect to germination, seedling vigor, plant growth, water content (WC) and Na + /K + contents. Based on these criteria, cultivar T-44 was considered as salt tolerant while that of SML-32 salt sensitive.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is a well-known medicinal plant species from the Asteraceae family often referred to as the "star among medicinal species." Nowadays it is a highly favored and much used medicinal plant in folk and traditional medicine. Its multitherapeutic, cosmetic, and nutritional values have been established through years of traditional and scientific use and research. Chamomile has an established domestic (Indian) and international market, which is increasing day by day. The plant available in the market many a times is adulterated and substituted by close relatives of chamomile. This article briefly reviews the medicinal uses along with botany and cultivation techniques. Since chamomile is a rich source of natural products, details on chemical constituents of essential oil and plant parts as well as their pharmacological properties are included. Furthermore, particular emphasis is given to the biochemistry, biotechnology, market demand, and trade of the plant. This is an attempt to compile and document information on different aspects of chamomile and highlight the need for research and development.

Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities have resulted into the eventual release of huge amounts of chemicals (organic/inorganic) into the tropical environment, either deliberately for agricultural and industrial purposes, or accidentally through the mishandling of chemicals. The release of heavy metals into the terrestrial ecosystem is a major problem. The tropical ecosystem is the largest in the world, and has a high population density. Soil acidity is a major problem in this ecosystem, and this soil acidity means that metals can be easily mobilized, causing a serious risk to the terrestrial environment. Heavy metals in soil pose a serious ecological risk as these metals cannot be degraded or permanently removed from the land. The development of methods for the in situ remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils is needed to make such soils acceptable for agriculture.

Summary The developmental patterns of nitrate reductase, glutamate dehydrogenase, glutamate synthase, glutamine synthetase and soluble protein were investigated and compared in root and shoot portions of germinating green gram seeds both in the absence and presence of different concentrations of sodium chloride. The activity of all these enzymes initially increased gradually until day 4 of germination and thereafter declined under all conditions in both root and shoot tissues. In the presence of NaCl the activity levels each of nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase were found to increase over that of the control (in absence of NaCl). Increasing the concentration of NaCl caused a further increase in the levels of these enzymes throughout the germination period in a concentration-dependent manner. On the other hand, glutamate dehydrogenase activity decreased in the presence of NaCl, and increasing concentrations of NaCl caused a further decline in the level of enzyme throughout. Saline treatment inhibited the rate of protein depletion in both shoot and root tissues throughout germination. The results indicate that the glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase pathway of ammonia assimilation becomes operative under conditions of saline stress.

Background : Salicylic acid (SA) acts as a potential non-enzymatic antioxidant and a plant growth regulator, which plays a major role in regulating various plant physiological mechanisms. The effects of salicylic acid (SA; 0.05 mM) on physiological parameters, antioxidative capacity and phenolic metabolism, lignin, alkaloid accumulation in salt stressed Catharanthus roseus were investigated. Materials and Methods : Catharanthus roseus seeds were grown for two months in a glass house at 27–300C in sunlight, and then divided into four different groups and transplanted with each group with the following solutions for one month: group I (non-saline control), group II, 100 mM NaCl, group III, 0.05 mM SA, group IV, 100 mM NaCl+0.05 mM SA and to determine the physiological parameters (DW, FW, WC), chlorophyll contents, carotenoid contents, lipid peroxidation, phenolics, lignin, alkaloid and enzymatic assays in each leaf pairs and roots. Results : SA exhibited growth-promoting property, which correlated with the increase of dry weight, water content, photosynthetic pigments and soluble proteins. SA has additive effect on the significant increase in phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, which is followed by an increase in total soluble phenolics and lignin contents in all leaf pairs and root of C. roseus . SA enhances malondialdehyde content in all leaf pairs and root. The antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-tranferase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase) as well as alkaloid accumulation increased in all treatments over that of non-saline control but the magnitude of increase was found more in root. Further, the magnitude of increase of alkaloid accumulation was significantly higher in 100 mM NaCl, but highly significant was found in presence of 0.05 mM SA and intermediate in presence of both 0.05 mM SA+100 mM NaCl. Conclusion : We concluded that applied SA to salt stress, antioxidant and phenolic metabolism, and alkaloid accumulation were significantly altered and the extent of alteration varied between the SA and salt stress. Key words : Antioxidant enzymes; Catharanthus roseus; indole alkaloids; phenolic metabolism; salicylic acid; salinity stress. Abbreviations : CAT - catalase; Chl - chlorophyll; Car - carotenoids; DTNB - 5,5-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid; GR - glutathione reductase; GST - Glutathione-S-transferase; H2O2 - hydrogen peroxide; MDA- malondialdehyde; PAL -phenylalanine ammonia lyase; POD - peroxidase; ROS –reactive oxygen species; SA - salicylic acid; SOD - superoxide dismutase; TBA - thiobarbituric acid.

The effect of exogenously applied salicylic acid (SA, 0.1 mM) on plant growth parameters, compatible solutes (proline, glycinebetaine) accumulation and on proline metabolism, in leaves and roots of Chamomile recutita plants grown in saline and non-saline control was investigated. Exogenously applied SA resulted increased plant growth significantly both in saline and non-saline conditions. The magnitude of increase in free proline accumulation was significantly increased in presence of NaCl but highly significant was found with the addition of SA to NaCl in leaves. Proline was found .5.3 folds increased in leaves and .1.3 folds only in root in presence of both treatments NaCl+SA with age of plant growth over that of non-saline control. Leaves tissue always maintained higher level of free proline contents than the roots. Anabolic enzymes such as pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase and .-glutamyl kinase activities increased in all three treatments than the non-saline control and the magnitude of increase was found more pronounced in presence of both treatments than the others. In other way catabolic enzyme, proline oxidase activity was inhibited in all treatments. Nevertheless, the reduction in the activity was more in presence of both treatments than the others. Therefore, during the exogenously applied SA to salt stress, proline metabolism was significantly altered and the extent of alteration varied between the SA and salt stress, leading to the maintenance of the turgor by accumulating higher levels of free proline accumulation in C. recutita, supporting its protection from salt stress. Further, with addition of SA to salt of C. recutita was evident from the higher level of glycinebetaine (GB) compared with non-saline control or/others treatments. The enhanced activities of P-5-CR & .-glutamyl kinase, and proline content in response to NaCl and/or SA treatment, whereas their interaction had an additive/cumulative effect. Hence, SA could be used as a potential growth regulator to improve plant salt stress tolerance. It was, therefore, concluded that SA ameliorated the stress generated by salt through the alleviated proline metabolic pathway/system. Keywords - Chamomile recutita; Compatible osmolytes; glycinebetaine; osmotic pressure; proline; salicylic acid; salinity.