Deciphering morpho-physiological and phytochemical attributes of Tanacetum parthenium L. plants exposed to C60 fullerene and salicylic acid.

This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of C60 fullerene concentrations (0, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/L) and salicylic acid (0 and 0.2 mM) on growth and phytochemical accumulation of two feverfew genotypes (Pharmasaat and Jelitto) in a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications. According to the ANOVA, triple interaction of treatments were significant on morphological and phytochmical traits, however, the main effect of treatments only affected physiological attributes. Application of salicylic acid differentially influenced the effects of various concentrations of C60 fullerene on growth traits of both genotypes. In Pharmasaat, foliar application of salicylic acid increased growth traits of plants exposed to C60 fullerene at all concentrations, however, it improved the growth of Jelitto at higher levels of fullerene. The maximum increase of flower + leaf dry weight was recorded at 1000 mg/L C60 fullerene in combination with salicylic acid compared to control for Jelitto. In Pharmasaat, the parthenolide content significantly increased following increase of C60 fullerene up to 250 mg/L with salicylic acid, but a rapid decrease followed at 500-1000 mg/L. SEM images showed a wider deposition (many spheres with different sizes) of C60 fullerene on leaf tissue of Pharmasaat exposed to high concentration, involving changes in trichome density and tissue rupture. The essential oil content was not significantly increased upon experimental treatments compared to control. Based on hierarchical cluster analysis, C60 fullerene and salicylic acid treatments caused to a co-induction of ion leakage, chlorophyll a, essential oil and parthenoloide in Pharmasaat.

Herbal treatments for migraine: A systematic review of randomised-controlled studies.

Herbal treatments are often used as a treatment for migraine. Therefore, an evaluation of their safety and efficacy is important. Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, and Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias, a systematic literature review of randomised, controlled human trials assessing the effects of herbal treatments delivered as a single ingredient for the acute or prophylactic treatment of migraine were conducted. Studies were identified through electronic database searches on Medline (Pubmed), Cochrane Library, Scopus, and CINAHL. Nineteen studies were identified examining the effects on migraine of feverfew, butterbur, curcumin, menthol/peppermint oil, coriander, citron, Damask rose, chamomile, and lavender. Overall, findings on the efficacy of feverfew were mixed and there was positive, albeit limited evidence for butterbur. There were positive, preliminary findings on curcumin, citron, and coriander as a prophylactic treatment for migraine, and the use of menthol and chamomile as an acute treatment. However, the risk of bias was high for many studies. The results of this systematic review suggest that several herbal medicines, via their multifactorial physiological influences, present as potential options to enhance the treatment of migraine. However, further high-quality research is essential to examine their efficacy and safety as a treatment for migraine.

Magnesium and manganese affect photosynthesis, essential oil composition and phenolic compounds of Tanacetum parthenium.

The accumulation of plant defense metabolites is closely associated with the concentration of nutrient elements, yet data related to the interactive effects of two nutrients on the deployment of phenolics and terpenoids are scare. In the present study, the interaction between magnesium (Mg) and manganese (Mn) on nutrient uptake, photosynthesis, oxidative status and the accumulation of phenolics and terpenoids in the leaves of feverfew plants grown at different concentrations of Mg and Mn was investigated. Nutrient uptake and photosynthesis were associated with the amount of applied Mg but could be modified by the concentration of Mn. Phenolic biosynthetic enzymes and individual phenolics were not only induced by Mg, but their levels were also dependent on the Mn supply. Additionally, the proportion of monoterpenes was enhanced by a deficiency of Mg rather than an excess of Mn. Deprivation of Mg also decreased the proportion of sesquiterpenes in the essential oil. Therefore, it appears that a high Mg and a low Mn supply lead to a marked shift from monoterpene to sesquiterpene production. Phenolic compounds also differentially accumulated under varying Mg and Mn concentrations. These results suggest a profound effect of the combined supply of Mg and Mn on the biosynthesis of terpenes and phenolics.

Medicinal herbs: answers and advice, part 1.

Many herbal medicines have been used for centuries but have only recently been subjected to rigorous scientific scrutiny. Fever-few, milk thistle, tea tree oil, and valerian are considered safe for use by most patients. All four appear to provide some benefits in treating or preventing illness, but the supporting evidence is inconclusive in some cases.