Tecoma stans Floral Extract-Based Biosynthesis for Enhanced Surface Plasmon-Coupled Emission and a Preliminary Study on Fluoroimmunoassay.

We demonstrate the synthesis of biogenic supported silver spiked star architectures and their application to increase the electromagnetic field intensity at its tips that enhance plasmon-coupled emission. Tecoma stans floral extract has been used to synthesize silver nanocubes and spiked stars. We observe ∼445-fold and ∼680-fold enhancements in spacer and cavity configurations, respectively, in the SPCE platform. The hotspot intensity and Purcell factor are evaluated by carrying out finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations. Time-based studies are presented to modulate the sharpness of the edges wherein an increase in the tip sharpness with the increase in reaction time up to 5 h is observed. The unique morphology of the silver architectures allowed us to utilize them in biosensing application. A SPCE-based fluoroimmunoassay was performed, achieving a 1.9 pg/mL limit of detection of TNF-α cytokine. This combination of anisotropic architectures, SPCE and immunoassay prove to be a powerful platform for the ultrasensitive detection of biomarkers in surface-bound assays.

Lianas in tropical dry seasonal forests have a high hydraulic efficiency but not always a higher embolism resistance than lianas in rainforests.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Lianas have higher relative abundance and biomass in drier seasonal forests than in rainforests, but whether this difference is associated with their hydraulic strategies is unclear. Here, we investigate whether lianas of seasonally dry forests are safer and more efficient in water transport than rainforest lianas, explaining patterns of liana abundance. METHODS: We measured hydraulic traits on five pairs of congeneric lianas of the tribe Bignonieae in two contrasting forest sites: the wet 'Dense Ombrophilous Forest' in Central Amazonia (~2 dry months) and the drier 'Semideciduous Seasonal Forest' in the inland Atlantic Forest (~6 dry months). We also gathered a broader database, including 197 trees and 58 liana species from different tropical forests, to compare hydraulic safety between habits and forest types. KEY RESULTS: Bignonieae lianas from both forests had high and similar hydraulic efficiency but exhibited variability in resistance to embolism across forest types when phylogenetic relationships were taken into account. Three genera had higher hydraulic safety in the seasonal forest than in the rainforest, but species across both forests had similar positive hydraulic safety margins despite lower predawn water potential values of seasonal forest lianas. We did not find the safety-efficiency trade-off. Merging our results with previously published data revealed a high variability of resistance to embolism in both trees and lianas, independent of forest types. CONCLUSIONS: The high hydraulic efficiency of lianas detected here probably favours their rapid growth across tropical forests, but differences in hydraulic safety highlight that some species are highly vulnerable and may rely on other mechanisms to cope with drought. Future research on the lethal dehydration threshold and the connection between hydraulic resistance strategies and liana abundance could offer further insights into tropical forest dynamics under climatic threats.

Tropane Alkaloid Isolated from Erythroxylum bezerrae Exhibits Neuropharmacological Potential in an Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Model.

This study carried out to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effect of tropane alkaloid (EB7) isolated from E. bezerrae. It evaluated the toxicity and possible involvement of ion channels in the antinociceptive effect of EB7, as well as its anti-inflammatory effect in adult zebrafish (Zfa). Docking studies with EB7 and COX-1 and 2 were also performed. The tested doses of EB7 (4, 20 and 40 mg/kg) did not show any toxic effect on Zfa during the 96h of analysis (LD50>40 mg/kg). They did not produce any alteration in the locomotor behavior of the animals. Furthermore, EB7 showed promising pharmacological effects as it prevented the nociceptive behavior induced by hypertonic saline, capsaicin, formalin and acid saline. EB7 had its analgesic effect blocked by amiloride involving the neuromodulation of ASICs in Zfa. In evaluating the anti-inflammatory activity, the edema induced by κ-carrageenan 3.5 % was reduced by the dose of 40 mg/kg of EB7 observed after the fourth hour of analysis, indicating an effect similar to that of ibuprofen. Molecular docking results indicated that EB7 exhibited better affinity energy when compared to ibuprofen control against the two evaluated targets binding at different sites in the cocrystallized COX-1 and 2 inhibitors.

Osmophores and petal surface traits in Bignonieae species.

This study characterizes the osmophores and corolla traits in 18 species of Bignonieae Dumort., a Bignoniaceae tribe occurring in the Cerrado, a neotropical savanna in Brazil. To detect osmophore distribution, whole, newly opened flowers were immersed in Neutral Red Solution. Samples from the corolla tube and lobes were also fixed and analyzed micromorphologically, anatomically, and histochemically. The osmophores showed six markedly different distribution patterns that were not clearly associated with histological features. In most species, osmophores comprised papillose secretory epidermises and a few layers of subepidermal parenchyma. Starch grains, lipid droplets, and terpenes were detected in osmophores. An ornamented cuticle, cuticular folds, glandular and non-glandular trichomes, raised stomata and epicuticular wax granules are common traits in the species studied and may be useful in determining the taxonomy of the group. We found that 94% of the species visited by bees had papillose epidermises while the single hummingbird-pollinated species presented a flattened epidermis. Variations in osmophore pattern among species visited by bees, including variations within the same plant genus, are novel finding. Additionally, the Bignonieae species visited by bees presented a textured corolla surface, which has been reported as facilitating bee attachment and movement towards the floral resource. Future studies with a greater number of Bignonieae species and more detailed pollinator behavioral assays may help in the interpretation of the variations in corolla traits and functional relationships between flowers and pollinators.

Antioxidant and anticancer potential of ethyl acetate extract of bark and flower of Tecoma stans (Linn) and In Silico studies on phytoligands against Bcl 2 and VEGFR2 factors.

This study was designed to appraise the antioxidant and anticancer competence of solvent extracts of Tecoma stans (Linn) and analyze the phytoligands interaction against Bcl 2 VEGFR2 through in silico studies. The phytochemical analysis revealed that the ethyl acetate extract contains more number of pharmaceutically valuable phytochemicals than other solvent extracts. Among the various phytochemicals, flavonoid was found as a predominant component, and UV-Vis- spectrophotometer analysis initially confirmed it. Hence, the column chromatogram was performed to purify the flavonoid, and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed. It revealed that the flavonoid enriched fraction by compared with standard flavonoid molecules. About 84.69% and 80.43% of antioxidant activity were found from ethyl acetate extract of bark and flower at the dosage of 80 µg mL-1 with the IC50 value of 47.24 and 43.40 µg mL-1, respectively. In a dose-dependent mode, the ethyl acetate extract of bark and flower showed cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell line MCF 7 (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7) as up to 81.38% and 80.94% of cytotoxicity respectively. Furthermore, the IC50 was found as 208.507 µg mL-1 and 207.38 µg mL-1 for bark and flower extract correspondingly. About 10 medicinal valued flavonoid components were identified from bark (6) and flower (4) ethyl acetate extract through LC-MS analysis. Out of 10 components, the 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (ΔG -8.8) and Isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (ΔG -8.3) had the competence to interact with Bcl 2 (B-Cell Lymphoma 2) and VEGFR2 (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2) respectively with more energy. Hence, these results confirm that the ethyl acetate extract of bark and flower of T. stans has significant medicinal potential and could be used as antioxidant and anticancer agent after some animal performance study.

A New Monoterpene Alkaloid from Incarvillea sinensis with Migration Inhibitory Activity on Cancer Cell.

A novel monoterpene alkaloid, named incarvine G, was isolated from the Incarvillea sinensis Lam. Its chemical structure was elucidated using comprehensive spectroscopic methods. Incarvine G is an ester compound comprised of a monoterpene alkaloid and glucose. This compound showed evident inhibition on cell migration, invasion, and cytoskeleton formation of human MDA-MB-231 with low cytotoxicity.

Methanolic extract of Kigelia africana and wound healing: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth. (Bignoniaceae) syn. Kigelia pinnata (Jacq. DC) is a tropical plant that is native to tropical Africa. The aim of this study was to determine if a methanolic extract prepared from Kigelia africana (KAE) can promote wound healing in treated human normal epidermal keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells and human normal foreskin fibroblast cell line (BJ) cells compared with untreated cells. METHOD: Experimental steps included: the methanolic extraction of the leaf and fruit of the Kigelia africana plant; the preparation of HaCaT and BJ cell lines; cell culture with a stable tetrazolium salt-based proliferation assay; and the evaluation of the wound healing effect of KAE (2µg/ml) in BJ and HaCaT cells. The phytochemical contents of KAE were determined using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The following molecules were identified as being present in the KAE, among others: cholesterol sulfate; lignoceric acid; embelin; isostearic acid; linoleic acid; dioctyl phthalate; arg-pro-thr; 15-methyl-15(S)-PGE1; sucrose; benzododecinium (Ajatin); and 9-Octadecenamide (oleamide). KAE effected faster wound healing in treated cells compared with untreated cells for both cell lines. HaCaT cells that had been mechanically injured and treated with KAE healed completely in 48 hours compared with 72 hours for untreated HaCaT cells. Treated BJ cells healed completely in 72 hours compared with 96 hours for untreated BJ cells. Concentrations of KAE up to 300µg/ml had a very low cytotoxic effect on treated BJ and HaCaT cells. CONCLUSION: The experimental data in this study support the potential of KAE-based wound healing treatment to accelerate wound healing.

Ethyl Acetate Fraction from a Catalpa ovata G. Don Extract Inhibits ɑ-MSH-Induced Melanogenesis through the cAMP/CREB Pathway.

The whitening effect of reducing skin pigmentation is one of the most important goals of cosmetics. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Catalpa ovata extract and its fractions have potential as natural skin-lightening agents. Initially, we screened various fractions of Catalpa ovata extract using an in vitro antioxidant assay. Then, the inhibitory effects of C. ovata extract and its fraction on melanogenesis and the related mechanisms were investigated in B16F1 melanoma cells. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction (EF) from C. ovata extract markedly inhibited melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner at non-toxic concentrations. Furthermore, EF downregulated both the protein and mRNA levels of tyrosinase, which is a specific enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of tyrosine into melanin. We also found that EF decreased the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) at the protein and mRNA levels. EF increased the phosphorylation of ERK and suppressed the phosphorylation of JNK and p38 in ɑ-MSH-induced B16F1 cells. These results indicate that EF can regulate the MAPK pathway. In addition, EF has an anti-melanogenic effect via the downregulation of intracellular cyclic-AMP (cAMP). Nineteen major compounds of EF were identified using LC-MS/MS. Taken together, these results suggest that EF may be a potential anti-melanogenic agent for use in skin-whitening cosmetics and in topical treatments for hyperpigmentation disorders.

Determination of Phytochemical Contents in Extracts from Different Growth Stages of Oroxylum indicum Fruits Using HPLC-DAD and QAMS Methods.

Flavones are major compounds found in several parts of Oroxylum indicum (O. indicum). The quantification of multiple components by one marker (QAMS) method and the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method were developed for the quantitative analysis of extracts from the young fruits, green mature fruits, dry pod coats and seeds of O. indicum. Oroxin A, oroxin B and chrysin-7-O-glucuronide were identified in the O. indicum extracts. Oroxylin A and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural were isolated and structurally identified from the pod coat and young fruit extracts, respectively. From the HPLC analysis of the seven major flavones in the extracts, baicalin was the major compound in all extracts investigated (0.4-11% w/w of the extract). All flavone contents were low in the young fruit extract (<1% w/w of the extract). The green mature fruit and dry pod coat extracts showed similar constituent compositions. They contained small amounts of baicalin and oroxylin A, which were found only in these two extracts. Oroxylin A could be used as a marker to indicate the maturity of O. indicum fruits, while 5-hydroxymethylfurfural could be used as a marker for the young fruits. Baicalin was found to be a suitable single marker to calculate the contents of all flavones in the O. indicum extracts.

Phylogenomics and biogeography of Catalpa (Bignoniaceae) reveal incomplete lineage sorting and three dispersal events.

Catalpa Scop. (Bignoniaceae) is a small genus (8 spp.) of trees that is disjunctly distributed among eastern Asia, eastern United States, and the West Indies. Catalpa bears beautiful inflorescences and have been cultivated as important ornamental trees for landscaping, gardening, and timber. However, the phylogenetic relationships and biogeographic history of the genus have remained unresolved. In this study, we used a large genomic dataset that includes data from the chloroplast (plastomes), and nuclear genomes (ITS and 5,759 single-copy nuclear genes) to reconstruct phylogenetic relationship within Catalpa, test interspecific gene flow events within the genus, and infer its biogeographic history. Our phylogenetic results indicate that Catalpa is monophyletic containing two main clades, section Catalpa and section Macrocatalpa. Section Catalpa is further divided into three subclades. While most relationships are congruent between the chloroplast and nuclear datasets, the position of C. ovata differs, likely due to incomplete lineage sorting. Interspecific gene flow events include C. bungei s.s. with vectors of inheritance from C. duclouxii and C. fargesii, supporting a combination of these three species and recognizing a broadly circumscribed C. bungei s.l. Our biogeographic study suggests three main dispersal events, two of which occurred during the Oligocene. The first dispersal event occurred from southwestern North America and Mexico into the Greater Antilles giving rise to the ancestor of the section of Macrocatalpa. The second dispersal event also occurred from southwestern North America and Mexico, but led to central and northern North America, subsequently reaching China through the Bering land bridge, and also reaching Europe through the North Atlantic land bridge. The third dispersal event took place in the Miocene from China to North America and gave rise to a clade composed of C. bignonioides and C. speciosa. This study uses a phylogenomic approach and biogeographical methods to infer the evolutionary history of Catalpa, highlighting issues associated with gene tree discordance, and suggesting that incomplete lineage sorting likely played an important role in the evolutionary history of Catalpa.

Around the world in 40 million years: Phylogeny and biogeography of Tecomeae (Bignoniaceae).

Intercontinental disjunct distributions can arise from vicariance, long distance dispersal, or both. Tecomeae (Bignoniaceae) are a nearly cosmopolitan clade of flowering plants providing us with an excellent opportunity to investigate global distribution patterns. While the tribe contains only about 57 species, it has achieved a distribution that is not only pantropical, but also extends into the temperate zones in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. This distribution is similar to the distribution of its sister group, a clade of about 750 spp. that includes most remaining taxa in Bignoniaceae. To infer temporal and spatial patterns of dispersal, we generated a phylogeny of Tecomeae by gathering sequence data from chloroplast and nuclear markers for 41 taxa. Fossil calibrations were used to determine divergence times, and ancestral states were reconstructed to infer its biogeographic history. We found support for a South American origin and a crown age of the tribe estimated at ca. 40 Ma. Two dispersal events seem to have happened during the Eocene-Oligocene, one from South America to the Old World, and another from South America to North America. Furthermore, two other dispersal events seem to have taken place during the Miocene, one from North America to Asia, and another from Australia to South America. We suggest that intercontinental dispersal via land bridges and island hopping, as well as sweepstakes of long distance dispersal from the Eocene to the present explain the global distribution of Tecomeae.

Comparative population genomics in Tabebuia alliance shows evidence of adaptation in Neotropical tree species.

The role of natural selection in shaping spatial patterns of genetic diversity in the Neotropics is still poorly understood. Here, we perform a genome scan with 24,751 probes targeting 11,026 loci in two Neotropical Bignoniaceae tree species: Handroanthus serratifolius from the seasonally dry tropical forest (SDTF) and Tabebuia aurea from savannas, and compared with the population genomics of H. impetiginosus from SDTF. OutFLANK detected 29 loci in 20 genes with selection signal in H. serratifolius and no loci in T. aurea. Using BayPass, we found evidence of selection in 335 loci in 312 genes in H. serratifolius, 101 loci in 92 genes in T. aurea, and 448 loci in 416 genes in H. impetiginosus. All approaches evidenced several genes affecting plant response to environmental stress and primary metabolic processes. The three species shared no SNPs with selection signal, but we found SNPs affecting the same gene in pair of species. Handroanthus serratifolius showed differences in allele frequencies at SNPs with selection signal among ecosystems, mainly between Caatinga/Cerrado and Atlantic Forest, while H. impetiginosus had one allele fixed across all populations, and T. aurea had similar allele frequency distribution among ecosystems and polymorphism across populations. Taken together, our results indicate that natural selection related to environmental stress shaped the spatial pattern of genetic diversity in the three species. However, the three species have different geographical distribution and niches, which may affect tolerances and adaption, and natural selection may lead to different signatures due to the differences in adaptive landscapes in different niches.

Effects of heterospecific pollen on stigma behavior in Campsis radicans: Causes and consequences.

PREMISE: Pollinator sharing of co-flowering plants may result in interspecific pollen receipt with a fitness cost. However, the underlying factors that determine the effects of heterospecific pollen (HP) are not fully understood. Moreover, the cost of stigma closure induced by HP may be more severe for plants with special touch-sensitive stigmas than for plants with non-touch-sensitive stigmas. Very few studies have assessed HP effects on stigma behavior. METHODS: We conducted hand-pollination experiments with 10 HP donors to estimate HP effects on stigma behavior and stigmatic pollen germination in Campsis radicans (Bignoniaceae) at low and high pollen loads. We assessed the role of phylogenetic distance between donor and recipient, pollen size, and pollen aperture number in mediating HP effects. Additionally, we observed pollen tube growth to determine the conspecific pollen-tube-growth advantage. RESULTS: Stigma behavior differed significantly with HP of different species. Pollen load increased, while pollen size decreased, the percentage of permanent closure and stigmatic germination of HP. Stigmatic HP germination increased with increasing aperture number. However, HP effects did not depend on phylogenetic distance. In addition, conspecific pollen had a pollen-tube-growth advantage over HP. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide a good basis for understanding the stigma-pollen recognition process of plant taxa with touch-sensitive stigmas. We concluded that certain flowering traits drive the HP effects on the post-pollination period. To better understand the impact of pollinator sharing and interspecific pollen transfer on plant evolution, we highlight the importance of evaluating more factors that determine HP effects at the community level.

Genetic diversity and verbascoside content in natural populations of Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers.

BACKGROUND: Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers occurs in threatened biodiversity hotspots of Cerrado and Atlantic forest biomes in Brazil and is used in traditional medicine to treat various respiratory and skin diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study (i) examined the genetic diversity and structure of six natural populations of P. venusta from different Brazilian regions using sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers; and (ii) compared the intra- and inter-populational levels of the bioactive component verbascoside using high-performance liquid chromatography. The population from Nova Mutum, Mato Grosso, presented the highest genetic variability (Nei index H = 0.2759; Shannon index I = 0.4170; 85.14% polymorphic loci), whereas the population from Araxá, Minas Gerais, presented the lowest genetic variability (H = 0.1811; I = 0.2820; 70.27% polymorphic loci). The intra-populational variability (79%) was significantly higher (p = 0.001) than the inter-populational variability (21%). The populations were clustered into two groups but their genetic differentiation was not associated with geographical origin (Mantel test, r = 0.328; p > 0.05). The verbascoside content significantly differed (p > 0.05) among the six populations and between the individuals from each population. The highest verbascoside levels (> 200 µg/mg extract) were detected in populations from Araxá and Serrana, while the lowest verbacoside levels were detected in populations from Paranaíta and Sinop. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on the use of SRAP markers to analyze genetic variability in the family Bignoniaceae. Our findings shall help to better understand the genetic and chemical diversity of P. venusta populations, as well as provide useful information to select the most appropriate individuals to prepare phytomedicines.

Complete chloroplast genome of Campsis grandiflora (Thunb.) schum and systematic and comparative analysis within the family Bignoniaceae.

BACKGROUND: Plants belonging to the Bignoniaceae family have a wide distribution in the tropics and large populations around the world. However, limited information is available about Bignoniaceae. This study aimed to obtain more research information about Bignoniaceae plants and provide data support for the study of plant plastid genomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the present study, we focused on the chloroplast genome bio-information of Campsis grandiflora. The chloroplast DNA of C. grandiflora was extracted, sequenced, assembled, and annotated with corresponding software. Results show that the complete chloroplast genome of C. grandiflora is 154,303 bp in length and has a quadripartite structure with large single copy of 85,064 bp and a small single copy of 18,009 bp separated by inverted repeats of 25,615 bp. A total of 110 genes in C. grandiflora comprised 79 protein-coding genes, 27 transfer RNA genes, and 4 ribosomal RNA genes. The distribution of simple sequence repeats and long repeat sequences was determined. We carried out phylogenetic analysis based on homologous amino acid sequence among 45 species derived from Bignoniaceae. Compared with the chloroplast genome of A. thaliana, an inversion was identified in that of C. grandiflora, which result in the incomplete clpP gene. CONCLUSIONS: The chloroplast genomes were used for molecular marker, species identification, and phylogenetic studies. The outcome strongly supported that C. grandiflora and genus Incarvillea formed a cluster within Bignoniaceae. This study identified the unique characteristics of the C. grandiflora cp. genome, thus providing theoretical basis for species identification and biological research.

Screening and detection of antimicrobials from Dai pharmaceuticals against clinical diseases by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Oroxylum indicum is one of the valuable Dai pharmaceuticals; the dry seeds and bark of O. indicum were used to treat acute cough, sore throat and so on. Of the seven compounds from O. indicum were determined and obtained using the bioassay-guided method. Among them, compound 7 was obtained from the plant for the first time. Eight bacterial strains and one yeast fungi were exposed to the compounds. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) or minimum fungicidal concentrations were determined according to the standard broth microdilution method. Baicalein (2) exhibited relative strong antibacterial activities with MIC of 8 µg ml-1 and MBC of 16 µg ml-1 against three MRSA strains of Staphylococcus aureus of SCCmec III type, whereas flavonoids 3, 5 and 7 showed some degree of activities against methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA, ATCC 25923). The findings may offer new evidence that why O. indicum was used widely in Dai peoples' life.

Monoterpene Alkaloids from Incarvillea delavayi Bureau et Franchet and Their Inhibition against LPS Induced NO Production in BV2 Cells.

Three new monoterpene alkaloids, delavatines C-E (1-3), along with five known ones (4-8), were separated from the whole plants of Incarvillea delavayi. All compounds were deduced by interpretation of comprehensive NMR spectral data and X-Ray single crystal diffraction, in combination with a quantum chemical calculation of NMR chemical shift coupled with an advanced statistical procedure DP4+. Compounds 1-8 were assessed NO suppressive effect in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia cells. Compounds 2, 3, 6, and 8 exhibited significant inhibition against NO production in LPS-induced BV2 cells with IC50 values of 25.62, 17.29, 19.94 and 23.88 µM, stronger than or comparable to the positive control (AG) with IC50 value of 26.13 µM.

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Ursolic Acid Ester Derivatives.

Infections caused by microorganisms are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and natural products continue to be important sources for the discovery of new antimicrobial agents. Ursolic acid is a triterpene with known antibacterial action, being naturally found in plants, such as Jaracanda oxyphylla and Jacaranda caroba (Bignoniaceae). Ursolic acid derivative esters have revealed potential biological activities, such as antitumor, antiviral, and antibacterial activity. In this study, sixteen esters (1-16) were synthesized from ursolic acid using DIC/DMAP and characterized by infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H- and 13 C-NMR) and mass spectrometry. All ursolic acid esters were evaluated against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and the yeast Candida albicans. Six compounds are herein described for the first time (3, 9, 11, 13, 14 and 16) with yields up to 91.6 %. Compounds 11 (3ß-(3,4-dimethoxybenzoyl)ursolic acid) and 15 (3ß-nicotinoylursolic acid) displayed promising antifungal activity, with inhibition of C. albicans growth of 93.1 and 95.9 %, respectively.

Changes in fatty acid in Tecoma stans grown in mine residues after compost amendment.

Amendment tailing heaps with compost may deplete metal(loid)s concentration and improve the conditions for plant development. This research aimed to compare the Tecoma stans ability to grow on soil from the Sonora desert and mining waste (MW) after amendment with compost. Amendment the MW, with compost, decreased soluble As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn up to 47, 33, 11, 34, 69, and 34%, respectively; increased ten times the leaves weight, and thirteen times the leaf area of the plants. Arsenic, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn in plants tissues decreased 27, 28, 27, 12, and 11%, respectively. The bioaccumulation and translocation factors were lower than one, so T. stans do not accumulate these elements. Polyunsaturated fatty acids 18:2ω6 and 18:3ω3 were increased, suggesting lower alteration of thylakoidal membrane integrity due to compost treatment. But, the amendment to the tailing was not enough to deplete the abiotic stress.

Amendment mine tailing with vermicompost depletes changes in polyunsaturated fatty acid of Tecoma stans.

Root Bark Extract of Oroxylum indicum Vent. Inhibits Solid and Ascites Tumors and Prevents the Development of DMBA-Induced Skin Papilloma Formation.

Oroxylum indicum is a traditionally used plant in Ayurvedic and folk medicines. The plant is useful for the management of gastrointestinal diseases as well as skin diseases. In the present study, we analyzed the antitumor potential of O. indicum in Dalton's lymphoma ascites tumor cells (DLA) and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC)-induced solid and ascites tumors. Further, the potential of O. indicum extract (OIM) on skin papilloma induction by dimethyl benz(a) anthracene (DMBA) and croton oil was evaluated. The chemical composition of the extract was analyzed using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The predominant compounds present in the extract were demethoxycentaureidin 7-O-rutinoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, baicalein-7-O-glucuronide, 5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone, 3-Hydroxy-3',4',5'-trimethoxyflavone, 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl) chromen-4-one, and 4'-Hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxyflavanone. Treatment with high-dose OIM enhanced the percentage of survival in ascites tumor-bearing mice by 34.97%. Likewise, high and low doses of OIM reduced the tumor volume in mice by 61.84% and 54.21%, respectively. Further, the skin papilloma formation was brought down by the administration of low- and high-dose groups of OIM (by 67.51% and 75.63%). Overall, the study concludes that the Oroxylum indicum root bark extract is a potentially active antitumor and anticancer agent.