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The objective of this study was to examine the effects of dietary Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf. rhizome extract on the growth performance, intestinal histology, digestive enzymes, hematological, and biochemical indices of hybrid catfish (Clarias macrocephalus × C. gariepinus). The phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of a methanolic extract from the rhizome of B. rotunda were also evaluated. Hybrid catfish, with an average weight of 5.24 ± 0.26 g, were given diets containing B. rotunda extract at concentrations of 0 (control), 250, and 500 mg/kg for a duration of 8 weeks. Upon completion of the trial, various factors were assessed including growth performance, intestinal histology, digestive enzymes, hematology, and biochemical indices. The presence of phenolics, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, and tannins was identified in the extract of B. rotunda. The inclusion of B. rotunda in the diet resulted in a substantial improvement in final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and average daily gain (p < 0.05). The fish that were given diets containing B. rotunda showed a significant increase in the activity of digestive enzymes in their intestines (p < 0.05). Fish that were fed B. rotunda diets exhibited improved histoarchitecture of intestines (p < 0.05). The experimental fish exhibited a considerable increase in white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Fish that were fed B. rotunda diets showed a significant increase in serum glucose levels, whereas serum cholesterol levels decreased (p < 0.05). The study found that a diet containing 250 mg of B. rotunda/kg had the potential to improve the growth performance and physiological features of hybrid catfish.

A new subspecies, Ardisia crenata Sims subsp. mukdahanensis Chatan & Promprom (Primulaceae), is described from Mukdahan Province, Thailand. This discovery was made during field studies conducted from 2021 to 2023, during which the authors collected and analysed specimens, comparing them with relevant taxonomic literature and herbarium collections. A. crenata subsp. mukdahanensis is distinct from its closest relative, A. crenata subsp. crassinervosa by a combination of morphological traits, such as moderately dense minute hairs on young shoots, abaxial side of young lamina and calyx, peduncles and pedicels; larger flowers (7.0–7.5 mm) that are pure white or pinkish; larger fruits (7–8 mm) and absence of glandular punctation in organs such as lamina, calyx, corolla, anther and fruit. This new subspecies grows in slightly dense dry evergreen forests or open areas near streams and is preliminarily assigned to the Data Deficient (DD) category according to IUCN guidelines.

The effects of dietary supplementation of spray-dried hog plum (Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz) fruit powder (SPP) on growth, digestive enzyme activity, and skin mucus immune parameters of climbing perch (Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1972)) were examined. The fish (N = 330; 2.00±0.1 g) were assigned to five groups in triplicates. They were fed different SPP levels at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g/kg diet for eight weeks. Flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, steroids, glycosides, and glycosides were detected in SPP. The SPP containing diet significantly improved growth parameters (P < 0.05) without a negative effect on the survival rate (P > 0.05). Intestinosomatic and hepatosomatic indices significantly declined in the fish fed SPP added diets (P < 0.05). There were significant elevations in digestive enzyme activities, amylase, protease, lipase, trypsin, pepsin, and esterase, in the tested fish compared to the control fish (P < 0.05). Additionally, fish fed SPP containing diets showed a significant enhancement of total protein, immunoglobulin M, lysozyme, antiprotease, alkaline phosphatase, and esterase in the skin mucus compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Significantly higher levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and total antioxidant capacity were detected in fish fed SPP containing diets compared to the control (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that dietary SPP supplementation can effectively enhance fish growth, digestive enzyme activities, and mucosal immune parameters in the climbing perch. The suitable level of SPP observed in this present study was 13.00 – 15.88 g/kg diet.

ABSTRACT Zingiber baumii Chatan & Promprom, a new species from the Zingiberaceae family, is described from Sakon Nakhon Province in northeastern Thailand. This species was identified during field expeditions conducted between 2018 and 2024 in Phu Pha Yol National Park. The morphological characteristics of Z. baumii, such as red or pinkish‐red leaf sheaths, leaf blades (1.5−) 2.0–3.0 cm wide, pink petioles, and bright yellow corolla with a red patch, distinguish it from closely related species such as Z. isanense Triboun & K. Larsen. Zingiber baumii grows in slightly shaded dry dipterocarp forests at elevations of 300–380 m. The preliminary conservation assessment indicates that this species should be classified as Endangered (EN) according to IUCN criteria due to its limited distribution and small population size. Detailed morphological comparisons with related species are provided, along with illustrations and habitat descriptions.

Abstract Alocasia sakonakhonensis Chatan & Promprom (Araceae), a new species from northeastern Thailand, is described and illustrated. It is clearly different from other previously known species by leaves, spathe, ovary, sterile interstice, synandria, and appendix. Color illustrations, and a distribution map are provided, as well as comparative morphological characters about its similar species. The preliminary conservation status assessment of the new species was presented.

Amorphophallus sakonnakhonensis Chatan & Promprom, a new species from northeastern Thailand, is described and illustrated. The new species is most similar to A. harmandii Engl. & Gehrm. and A. linearis Gagnep., but it is distinguished by the combination of characters as follows: clear differences with A. harmandii are shorter style; disc-like, slightly smooth surface, concave centre, ca. 0.2 × 0.1 mm stigma; slightly cylindrical, slightly narrower upper part of staminate flower zone; slightly cylindrical to elongate-fusiform, erect or slightly erect, creamy white appendix. The clearly distinct morphology with A. linearis are disc-like, slightly smooth surface, concave centre, ca. 0.2 × 0.1 mm stigma; elliptic or obovate leaflet; 1–3 cm long, creamy white appendix. The preliminary conservation status was assessed, and the distinct characteristics of similar species were discussed.

Objective. To evaluate and compare the antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of fruit pulp extracts from Cucurbita moschata (PCMOS) and Cucurbita maxima (PCMAX). Methods. The antidiabetic activity was carried out in vivo by orally and daily giving the extracts at a dose of 500 mg/kg·b.w. to the streptozotocin-induced diabetic male albino Wistar rats for six weeks. After the period of administration, blood glucose levels, body weight, serum insulin, morphology of islets of Langerhans, biochemical parameters, and haematological values of the rats were determined. Meanwhile, the antioxidant activity was carried out in vitro by determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power. Results. PCMAX significantly (p

The aims of this work were to study bioactive compounds, antioxidant and alpha glucosidase inhibitory activites of Tot Mu Tot Ma (Paederia linearis) in crude extracts of root, stem and leaf. The maceration method was used with ethanol as solvent. Bioactive compounds in the phytochemical screening study, were flavonoid, terpenoid, saponin, steroid and cardiac glycosides. Total phenolic and flavonoid content were measured in all extracts. Investigation of antioxidant activites used 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). In vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory assays were performed in this study. The results showed that the ethanolic leaf extracts had the highest total phenolic content (174.42±2.07 mgGAE.g-¹) and flavonoid content (41.32±1.94 mgQE.g-1). Antioxidant activity in leaf extracts was high in both testing methods, i.e. DPPH method (40.73±6.68%) and FRAP method (21.35±5.80 mMFe.g-1). In addition, the leaf of P. linearis revealed highest alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity at 93.04±1.63%. The results suggest that the leaf extract of P. linearis may be used to treat type 2 diabetes.

Dischidia phuphanensis Chatan & Promprom, a new species from north-eastern Thailand, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to D. tonkinensis Costantin, but is distinguished by the shape of its leaves, the apices of the staminal corona lobes, the colour of the corolla and the absence of a corolline corona. The distinguishing characters of similar species are discussed. A key for the identification of those species in Thailand without pitcher-like leaves is provided.

Sindora stipitata, a new species in the subfamily Detarioideae (Leguminosae), collected from Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to S. leiocarpa but differs in its smaller stature (3–5 m high), 6-foliolate paripinnate leaves, falcate persistent stipules, presence of a petal auricle, absence of a petal claw, stipitate ovary and capitate stigma. A key to the Thailand and Malesia species of Sindora is provided.

The present research aimed to determine the characteristics of leaf anatomy and starch granules, total phenolic, total flavonoid and total anthocyanin contents, antioxidant activity, and α-amylase inhibition activity of D. alata tuber ethanolic extract. A microscope was used to examine the microscopic structure of tissue from D. alata fresh leaves and traditional medicine powder. The results showed that the shapes of the epidermal cells are polygonal, anomocytic stomatal type. The yam starch granules were spade-shaped with a truncated and smooth surface in the parenchyma tissue. The phytochemical analysis revealed that the total phenolic, total flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents of crude tuber extract were 310.30 ± 0.39 mgGAE.g-1, 323.05 ± 3.92 mgQE.g-1 and 10.26 ± 1.34 µg/ml of extract, respectively. The antioxidant screening activity using DPPH radical scavenging assay is represented by a half maximal effective concentration IC50 value of 4.90 ± 2.50 mg/ml. While the extract showed the strongest capability to reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+ with reduction activity at 61.27 ± 5.02 mMFeSO4/g of extract, and α-amylase inhibition activity was measured using the enzyme activity of acarbose as a standard inhibitor, IC50 of 1.25 ± 6.32 mg/ml. The results of this study are very useful in the quality control of herbs and provide important information to support the use of medicinal plants and functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]