Authentication of the therapeutic Lamiaceae taxa by using pollen traits observed under scanning electron microscopy.

Herbal medicines are gaining popularity worldwide for human healthcare because of their therapeutic potential. However, adulteration and use of unauthentic raw herbals as substitutes have become a major issue for the local communities and industry for reasons of safety and efficacy. Therefore, the authentication of medicinal plants before their use in herbal medicines is a need of time. Hence, the present study was designed with an aim, to authenticate the therapeutic Lamiaceous taxa by using pollen traits observed under scanning electron microscopy. Pollen micro-morphological studies solve the problem through discrimination and correct identification of the Lamiaceae species from the adulterants. Based on pollen features, Lamiaceae were further divided into two sub-families Lamioideae (tricolpate) and Nepetoideae (hexa-colpate). The pollen grains of Lamioideae were found as small to medium-sized, tricolpate, radially/bilateral symmetrical, sub-spheroidal and oblate shape. Besides, exine patterns bireticulate, reticulate and micro-reticulate, colpus surface sculpturing as psilate, gemmate, scabrate, and verrucate have also been reported. A significant variation was found in the pattern of the reticulum, thickness, and the number of secondary lumina per primary lumen. Similarly, Nepetoideae has a hexa zono-colpate pollen but tri and tetra zono-colpate pollen have also been observed. Hence, this study contributes to the authentication and correct identification of medicinally important Lamiaceae taxa by using scanning electron microscopic techniques and can help to solve the adulteration problem. Highlights Authentication of medicinally important Lamiceous taxa was carried out through scanning electron microscopic techniques. Chemotaxonomic characterization was used for the accurate identification of the therapeutic taxa. The medicinal, palynological and phytochemical significance of Lamiaceae taxa were evaluated. A significant variation was seen in the palynological traits that help in the determination and authentication of the therapeutic Lamiaceous species. Based on the chemotaxonomic characterization, our study can help to solve the adulteration problem for the reason of safety and efficacy.

Effect of dietary supplementation of wildCumin (Bunium persicum) seeds on performance, nutrient digestibility and circulating metabolites in broiler chicks during the finisher phase.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of inclusion of wild cumin seeds (WCS) on performance, nutrient digestibility and blood profile in broilers during the finisher phase. For this purpose, 360, 14 days old chicks were randomly divided into four groups designated as CONT (control), 0.5WCS, 1.0WCS and 1.5WCS with 5 replicates, which were supplemented with WCS at the rate of 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5% respectively. On the overall, feed intake was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the CONT compared to the 1.0WCS. At the end of the finisher phase, and overall basis, body weight and feed conversion ratio were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in 0.5WCS. Crude protein apparent digestibility in the ileum was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in 0.5WCS compared to the CONT, while crude fat digestibility was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in 0.5WCS and 1.5WCS compared to the control. Similarly, serum triglyceride was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in 0.5WC but high density lipoprotein was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the same group. It was concluded that wild Cumin at the rate of 0.5% was superior compared to the other treatments in the diet to improve the performance, nutrient digestibility and blood metabolites in broiler during the finisher phase.

Toxicological effects of the chemical and green ZnO NPs on Cyprinus carpio L. observed under light and scanning electron microscopy.

Nanoparticles in aquatic bodies cause serious harm to the aquatic organisms when accumulated in high amounts. However, green nanoparticles synthesized using plants can be less toxic as compared to chemical nanoparticles. Hence, we designed our study to investigate the toxicological effects of chemical and green zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the biological activity of juvenile Cyprinus carpio. The green ZnO NPs were synthesized from Solieria robusta, and chemical ZnO NPs were synthesized using zinc chloride solution and ammonium hydroxide. Characterization was done by using light microscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transmission infrared radiation, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The highest absorbance of nanoparticles was observed at 360 which confirmed the synthesis of ZnO. The SEM analysis showed that green nanoparticles were hexagonal while the chemical nanoparticles were spherical to cubic in shape. Definite peaks were observed in XRD of green and chemical NPs at 2θ angles 45.84° and 32.18°, respectively. Oxidative stress was determined by chemical analysis of catalase, glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) activities. The toxicological effects of chemical ZnO NPs on the catalase, LPO, GST, and GSH activities were more than green ZnO NPs. The histopathological investigation proved that the effect of chemical nanoparticles was worse than green ZnO NPs. More tissue damage was found in chemical nanoparticles than green synthesized nanoparticles. It was concluded that chemical nanoparticles can be replaced by green nanoparticles, as green nanoparticles are eco-friendly with less toxicological effects. This replacement can limit the toxic effect of nanoparticles when they get accumulated in high amounts in water bodies.

Chemo-taxonomic and biological potential of highly therapeutic plant Pedicularis groenlandica Retz. using multiple microscopic techniques.

Pedicularis groenlandica is one of the most important medicinal plant of Deosai Plateau (Gilgit-Baltistan) Pakistan. The present study was aim to evaluate the micromorphological features, phytochemical screening and pharmacological potential of P. groenlandica by using multiple microscopic techniques. Six different solvents were used to prepare P. groenlandica extracts. Phytochemical and antioxidant activities were determined calorimetrically. To investigate antidiabetic, α-amylase inhibition assay was performed. Cytotoxicity was tested using brine shrimp assay. Anti-leishmanial via MTT assay. Disc-diffusion assay was used for protein kinase inhibitory, antibacterial and antifungal activities. Palyno-anatomical study showed significant variation for the authentication and correct identification of this highly therapeutic plant by using light and scanning electron microscopic techniques. All extracts were found rich in phytochemicals, significant amount of phenolic and flavonoid contents were found in methanol extract (PGM) 95.78 mg GAE/g and 66.90 mg QE/g. Highest DPPH scavenging potential with IC50 88.65 µg/mL, total antioxidant capacity (60.33 mg AAE/g sample) and total reducing power (83.97 mg AAE/g) were found for PGM. Disc-diffusion method showed significant antibacterial and antifungal activities. Noticeable growth inhibition in L. tropica was displayed by n-hexane extract (IC50 112 µg/mL). Brine shrimp with highest LD50 (67.65 µg/mL) in ethyl-acetate extract. Ethanol extract gives persuasive protein kinase inhibition (26 mm) against Streptomyces 85-E hyphae. Highest alpha-amylase inhibition (74.10%) was found in n-hexane extract. In conclusion, our findings scientifically support the ethno-medicinal and biological potential of P. groenlandica. In future, the plant needs to be explored for further identification and isolation of bioactive compounds to develop new drugs to treat several aliments.

Pollen micromorphology of eastern Chinese Polygonatum and its role in taxonomy by using scanning electron microscopy.

Although considerable progress has recently been made in the taxonomic study of Asparagaceae, but the Polygonatum remains one of the most poorly investigated genus. Therefore, the present study was designed with the aim, to document the pollen micromorphology of closely related Polygonatum taxa and its taxonomic significance. Pollen micro-morphological features were observed using scanning electron microscopy-SEM). The pollen grains are monad, navicular, monocolpate, and radially symmetrical. A significant variation was observed in the exine sculpturing. Moreover, most of the Polygonatum taxa have perforate pollen while some of them were mixed with psilate to perforate, perforate to microreticulate, sometimes scabrate, gemmate with baculate. Hence, this study documented the pollen morphology of Polygonatum taxa and strengthens the taxonomic identification of the genus Polygonatum based on pollen characters, which helps and can be used as an additional tool for the correct identification and discrimination of the species of Polygonatum at generic and species level.

Palynological characteristics of selected Lamioideae taxa and its taxonomic significance.

Lamioideae comprised the second-largest subfamily in Lamiaceae. Although considerable progress has recently been made in the taxonomic study of Lamioideae, the subfamily remains one of the most poorly investigated subfamily in Lamiaceae. Therefore, the present study was designed with the aim to document the pollen micromorphology of some selected Lamioideae taxa and its taxonomic significance from Pakistan. Pollen micromorphological features were observed using scanning electron microscopy. The pollen grains are monad, tricolpate, radially/bilateral symmetrical. The pollen grains were small to medium-sized having oblate, oblate/subspheroidal, and subspheroidal shape. Exine sculpturing was observed as reticulate, microreticulate, and bireticulate. The colpus surface ornamentation was found as verrucate, gemmate, scabrate, and psilate. There was a considerable variation between the species in the micromorphology, that is, the coarseness of the reticulum, thickness of the muri comprising the reticulum and the number of secondary lumina per primary lumen. Hence, this study documented the pollen morphology of some selected taxa of the subfamily Lamioideae from Pakistan and strengthens the taxonomic identification of subfamily based on pollen characters, which helps in the correct identification, discrimination of the species of Lamioideae at generic and species level.

Antioxidant potential and chemical characterization of bioactive compounds from a medicinal plant Colebrokea oppositifolia Sm.

Colebrookea oppositifolia is a highly used medicinal plant and an enriched source of essential oils. Therefore, the present study was designed with the aim to extract the chemical constituents and to evaluate its antioxidant potential. Fresh plant parts were subjected to the extraction of volatile chemical constituents by maceration using n-hexane as the menstruum. The resulting n-hexane fractions were purified and then subjected to GC-MS and FTIR analysis. In-vitro antioxidant abilities were evaluated by, DPPH, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) method against the standard solutions of (Gallic acid, Quercetin) as a positive control. The GC-MS analysis of leaves, stem and inflorescence showed a total of 100, 98 and 48 components out of which 47, 16 and 17 peaks were identified representing the 67.64 %, 73.16 % and 61.93 % of the total oily fractions, respectively. The FTIR spectrum indicated the presence of various functional groups. In-vitro antioxidant results exhibited that leaves showed the highest antioxidant potential by DPPH (3.365 ± 0.002), and the highest total phenolic content by FC method (203.00 ± 0.091). Foliar micromorphological features were found significant in the authentication of C. oppositifolia. Further pharmacognostic studies of this plant are recommended to evaluate its therapeutic potential.

Taxonomic study of one generic and two new species record to the flora of Pakistan using multiple microscopic techniques.

Recent field exploration and collections has led to the findings of several new species in Pakistan. Here we reported two new species Ajuga reptance L and Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Prusk for the first time in Pakistan flora as these species were neither listed in any other literature nor identified before in Pakistan. These species were found as a result of taxonomic studies performed in the year 2019 in District Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. Microscopic techniques were used for the confirmation of foliar epidermal and pollen micromorphological features. Detailed study (morphological, palynological, and foliar epidermal) was provided for the correct identification and delimitation of the species using both light and scanning electron microscopy. Morphological results were compared with the flora of Taiwan and China.

Pharmacological profile of the aerial parts of Rubus ulmifolius Schott.

BACKGROUND: As aerial parts of Rubus ulmifolius contains phytochemicals like flavonoids and tannins. And whereas flavonoids and tannins have antioxidant and antipyretic activity, hence, current work is carried out to screen crude methanolic extract of aerial parts of Rubus ulmifolius (Ru.Cr) and crude flavonoids rich extract of Rubus ulmifolius (Ru.F) for possible antioxidant and antipyretic activity. Ru.Cr and Ru.F are also tested for brine shrimps lethality bioassay. Ru.F is tested for the first time for possible antioxidant and antipyretic activity. METHODS: Preliminary phytochemical screening of Ru.Cr and Ru.F was performed as it provides rapid finger printing for targeting a pharmacological activity. Acute toxicity and Brine shrimps' cytotoxicity studies of Ru.Cr and Ru.F were performed to determine its safe dose range. Antioxidant and antipyretic studies were also performed as per reported procedures. RESULTS: Ru.Cr tested positive for presence of tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and steroids. Ru.Cr is safe up to 6 g/kg following oral doses for acute toxicity study. Ru.Cr is safe up to 75 µg/kg (p.o), LC50 for Ru.Cr and Ru.F are 16.7 ± 1.4 µg/ml 10.6 ± 1.8 µg/ml, respectively (n = 3). Both Ru.Cr and Ru.F demonstrated comparable antioxidant activity using vitamin C as standard (p ≤ 0.05). In test dose of 300 mg of Ru.Cr, rectal temperature was reduced by 74% (p ≤ 0.05) on 4th hour of the administration. More, Ru.F produced 72% reduction in pyrexia (p ≤ 0.05) on 4th hour of administration of paracetamol in Westar rats. CONCLUSIONS: The current work confirms that aerial parts of Rubus ulmifolius contain flavonoids that are safe up to 6 g/kg (p.o). Crude methanolic extract and flavonoids rich fraction of Rubus ulmifolius have significant antioxidant and antipyretic activity. Further work is required to isolate the pharmacologically active substances for relatively safe and effective antipyretics and antioxidants.