Endotoxin Contamination and Reaction Interfering Substances in the Plant Extract Library.

Endotoxin is an unintentional contaminant that has numerous activities and can affect various biological experiments using cells. In this study, we measured the endotoxin activity of samples from a plant extract library (PEL) and determined their degrees of contamination. Endotoxin was detected in approx. 48% (n = 139) and approx. 4% (n = 5) of field-collected and crude drug samples, respectively, and in concentrations >5.0 EU/mL in some samples. The concentrations of endotoxin that affect cells in vitro vary depending on the target cell type. Although the degree of contamination varied in the present study, it was considered to have little effect on the cell experiments. More than 150 PEL samples had problems with reaction courses or recovery rates of Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) tests. In the LAL tests, using three plant extracts [Sanguisorba officinalis L. (Rosaceae), Oenothera biennis L. (Onagraceae), and Lythrum salicaria L. (Lythraceae)], the polyphenolic compounds in the plant extracts affected LAL test and their effects differed depending on the plant species. When the 16 single polyphenol compounds were added to the LAL tests, the compounds with caffeoyl and pyrogallol moieties were found to affect the LAL reaction course and recovery rate. Furthermore, none of the compounds had any effects at concentrations of 1 µM. Because the plant extracts contained analogs of various polyphenolic compounds, they were presumed to actually act synergistically. Our findings demonstrated that attention must be paid to the recovery rate and reaction process of LAL tests with samples containing polyphenolic compounds.

Lythrum salicaria L. herb and gut microbiota of healthy post-weaning piglets. Focus on prebiotic properties and formation of postbiotic metabolites in ex vivo cultures.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Herb of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L. from Lythraceae family) (LSH) was used in Europe since ancient times till early-20th century in the therapy of diarrhea and dysentery in human and veterinary medicine. Post-weaning diarrhea is a main problem affecting global piglet production, which leads to significant economic losses because of increased morbidity and mortality, reduced average daily gain, and high antibiotic consumption. Post-weaning diarrhea has various causes, all of which have been linked to imbalances of intestinal microbiota. The aim of the present study was to determine the interaction of LSH with the gut microbiota of healthy post-weaning piglets in order to evaluate its influence on microbiota composition and metabolism as well as production of potentially bioactive postbiotic metabolites from the extract constituents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ex vivo anaerobic cultures of piglets intestinal microbiota obtained from jejunum, ileum, caecum and distal colon were conducted in various culture media supplemented with LSH. The production of postbiotic metabolites was determined using UPLC-DAD-MSn method. Bacterial genomic DNA was extracted and examined by sequencing by amplification of the 16S rDNA V3-V4 hypervariable regions followed by bioinformatic analysis. The production of SCFA in cultures was determined by GC analysis. RESULTS: Only the caecal and distal colon microbiota was able to hydrolyze and metabolize ellagitannins present in LSH to urolithins. Urolithin M6, M7, urolithin C, A and iso-urolithin A were detected together with a previously not described metabolite originating from the flavogalloyl moiety of C-glucosylic ellagitannins. LSH had no significant influence on microbiota diversity and metabolic activity, but was able to modulate its composition by significant decrease in Collinsella, Senegalimassilia, uncultured bacteria belonging to Porphyromonadaceae, Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group, Mogibacterium, Dorea, Lachnoclostridium, Lachnospiraceae UCG-004 group, Moryella, [Eubacterium] coprostanoligenes, Intestinimonas, Ruminococcaceae UCG-005, uncultured bacteria belonging to Ruminococcaceae, Acidaminococcus and Allisonella, while the relative abundance of Prevotella, Agathobacter, [Eubacterium] hallii group, Lachnospiraceae NK3A20 group, [Ruminococcus] torques group, Catenibacterium, Catenisphaera and Megasphaera increased. Significant correlations between taxa abundance and production of urolithins were determined. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study we have shown, that Lythrum salicaria herb fulfills the criteria of a potential candidate for antidiarrheal agent, which could be applied as therapy or prevention of post-weaning diarrhea in piglets. It not only modulates the gut microbiota composition without causing the dysbiosis and impairing metabolic activity, but is also a source of postbiotic metabolites, namely urolithins, which anti-inflammatory properties can be beneficial for gut health of piglets during the weaning period.

A Network Pharmacology Study on the Mechanisms of the Herbal Extract, Christina Loosestrife, for the Treatment of Nephrolithiasis.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to undertake a network pharmacology analysis to identify the active compounds of the herbal extract Christina Loosestrife, or Lysimachia Christinae (Jin Qian Cao), in the treatment of nephrolithiasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS The active components of Christina Loosestrife were identified from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database and analysis platform and the online Taiwan TCM database. The potentially active compounds were screened based on their parenteral bioavailability identified from the TCMSP database. The PharmMapper integrated pharmacophore matching platform was used for target identification of active compounds in nephrolithiasis. The identified active compounds were validated by molecular docking using the systemsDock network pharmacology website. Biological functions and pathway outcomes of effective targets were analyzed using the Metascape gene annotation resource. The results were used to construct the pharmacological networks, which were visualized and integrated using Cytoscape software. RESULTS There were 16 active compounds of Christina Loosestrife and 11 nephrolithiasis-associated targets that were obtained. Functional enrichment analysis showed that Christina Loosestrife might exert its therapeutic effects by regulating pathways that included purine salvage, interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 signaling, and neutrophil degranulation. CONCLUSIONS Network pharmacology analysis of the herbal extract, Christina Loosestrife, identified multiple active compounds, targets, and pathways involved in the effects on nephrolithiasis.

Simultaneous green synthesis and in-situ impregnation of silver nanoparticles into organic nanofibers by Lythrum salicaria extract: Morphological, thermal, antimicrobial and release properties.

This research has revealed the promising, green and one-pot approach for fabrication of antimicrobial nanohybrids based on organic nanofibers including cellulose (CNF), chitosan (CHNF), and lignocellulose (LCNF) nanofibers impregnated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Lythrum salicaria extract was used as a reducing agent as well as a capping agent. Formation of the spherical AgNPs ranging between 45 and 65 nm was proved by UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Biomaterials supported AgNPs were characterized and compared for their morphological, thermal, release, and antimicrobial properties. The considerable influence of the phenolic compounds of L.salicaria extract on the synthesis and uniform distribution of AgNPs on nanofibers was confirmed by field emission electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and ICP-OES analysis of nanohybrids, reflected a high loading capacity for LCNF and also CHNF in contrast to CNF. The release of AgNPs from LCNF substrate was lower than other nanofibers but the order of antimicrobial activity of nanohybrids against E.coli and S.aureus was as this: CHNF ˃ LCNF ˃ CNF. Generally, this research suggested that the efficiency of CHNF and LCNF as immobilizing support of AgNPs is higher than CNF and L.salicaria extract was proposed as a high potential reducing and capping agent.

Influence of vegetation type and temperature on the performance of constructed wetlands for nutrient removal.

In this study, the influence of vegetation type and environmental temperature on performance of constructed wetlands (CWs) was investigated. Results of vegetation types indicated that the removal of most nutrients in polyculture was greater than those in monoculture and unplanted control. The greatest removal percentages of NH4+-N, total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in polyculture were 98.7%, 98.5%, and 92.6%, respectively. In experiments of different temperatures, the removal percentages of NH4+-N, NO3--N, TN and TP in all CWs tended to decrease with the decline of temperature. Especially, a sharp decline in the removal percentages of NO3--N (decreased by above 13.8%) and TN (decreased by above 7.9%) of all CWs was observed at low temperature (average temperature of 8.9 °C). Overall, the performance of CWs was obviously influenced by temperature, and the polyculture still showed best performance in the removal of nitrogen when the average temperature dropped to 19.8 °C. Additionally, the variations of urease activities in rhizosphere soil tended to decrease with the decreasing temperature. Overall, a substantial enhancement for nitrogen and TP removal in polyculture (Canna indica + Lythrum salicaria) was observed. In conclusion, CW cultivated with polyculture was a good strategy for enhancing nutrient removal when temperature was above 19.8 °C.

Effect of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) diet supplementation in rabbit nutrition on performance, digestibility, health and meat quality.

In this study, 160 Hycole weaned rabbits (35 days old) were randomly divided into four groups of 40. The rabbits were studied throughout a 54-day experimentation period in order to determine the impact of dietary supplementation from herbs composed of 0.2%, 0.4% dry ground Lythrum salicaria leaves (LS) and 0.3% Cunirel(®) (CR; a commercial herb mixture containing LS as the main ingredient) on performance, digestibility, health and meat quality. The basal diet was given to the control group. No significant differences were found in performance, 10 rabbits from each group were selected for evaluation regarding apparent digestibility. The rabbits fed the control diet and the diet with the low level of LS had a higher level of CP digestibility than did the animals that were supplemented with the high LS levels and CR (85.7% and 84.9% v. 84.0% and 84.0%, respectively; P<0.05). The ether extract digestibility was lower in the treatment group with 0.4%LS addition and CR as compared with the control group (52.2% and 54.5% v. 62.6%, respectively; P<0.05). The slaughter process was performed on 89-day-old rabbits to study the carcass characteristics, meat quality, blood parameters, caecal contents and gut histology. The total leukocyte counts in the control animals were lower than they were in the rabbits fed 0.2%, 0.4%LS and CR (4.06 v. 8.25, 8.63 and 8.21×10(9)/l, respectively; P<0.05). For caecal fermentation, the caecal contents of the rabbits fed 0.4% of LS, showed higher concentrations of total volatile fatty acid (VFA; 24.1 v. 18.9 mg/kg dry matter (DM); P<0.05) and acetic acid (18.3 v. 14.4 mg/kg DM; P<0.05), but lower ammonia levels (594 v. 892 mg/kg DM; P<0.05) as compared with the control group. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analyses were performed to evaluate the microbial community in hard faeces, collected at days 35, 42, 49, 56, 70 and 89, whereas the caecal contents were taken after slaughtering. The results demonstrated that between the treatment groups, the similarity of the microbial communities was higher as compared with the control group. Moreover, only age was shown to influence microbiota diversity. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that supplementation of LS in rabbit diets leads to an increase in the total white blood cells, total VFA and acetic acid concentration, and a decrease in the ammonia levels, as well as the digestibility when CR and high level of LS were supplemented, without causing any adverse effects on other parameters.

Genotoxic effect of Lythrum salicaria extract determined by the mussel micronucleus test.

A wide range of aquatic plants have been proven to release allelochemicals, of them phenolics and tannin are considered rather widely distributed. Tannins, however, have been demonstrated to have genotoxic capacity. In our study genotoxic potential of Lythrum salicaria L. (Purple Loosestrife, family Lythraceae) was assessed by the mussel micronucleus test, using Unio pictorum. In parallel, total and hydrolysable tannin contents were determined. Results clearly show that the extract had a high hydrolysable tannin content and significant mutagenic effect. As L. salicaria has been long used in traditional medicine for chronic diarrhoea, dysentery, leucorrhoea and blood-spitting, genotoxic potential of the plant should be evaluated not only with regard to potential effects in the aquatic ecosystem, but also assessing its safe use as a medicinal herb.

Lythrum salicaria L.-Underestimated medicinal plant from European traditional medicine. A review.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Purple loosestrife-Lythrum salicaria L. is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Lythraceae family. It has been used for centuries in European traditional medicine. Despite Lythri herba being a pharmacopoeial plant material (Ph. Eur.), L. salicaria popularity as a medicinal plant has recently declined. The aim of the paper is to recall a traditional and historical use of L. salicaria and juxtapose it with comprehensive view on the current knowledge about its chemical composition and documented biological activities in order to bring back the interest into this valuable plant and indicate reasonable directions of future research and possible applications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Systematic survey of historical and ethnopharmacological literature was carried out using sources of European and American libraries. Pharmacological and phytochemical literature research was performed using Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science and Reaxys databases. RESULTS: The review of historical sources from ancient times till 20th century revealed an outstanding position of L. salicaria in traditional medicine. The main applications indicated were gastrointestinal tract ailments (mainly dysentery and diarrhea) as well as different skin and mucosa affections. The current phytochemical studies have shown that polyphenols (C-glucosidic ellagitannins and C-glucosidic flavonoids) as well as heteropolysaccharides are dominating constituents, which probably determine the observed pharmacological effects. The extracts and some isolated compounds were shown to possess antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic activities. CONCLUSIONS: The intrinsic literature overview conclusively demonstrates that L. salicaria L. used to be considered as an exceptionally effective remedy in European traditional medicine. Despite its unquestionable important position from unknown reasons its popularity has been weakened during the past few decades. Unfortunately the contemporary pharmacological research is still insufficient to support its thoroughly described traditional uses. The necessity of complex studies regarding modes of action, which would directly refer to L. salicaria main traditional applications-gastrointestinal tract ailments, is strongly underlined.

Contribution of C-glucosidic ellagitannins to Lythrum salicaria L. influence on pro-inflammatory functions of human neutrophils.

The herb Lythrum salicaria L. (Lythraceae) is used in traditional medicine to treat diseases with an inflammatory background, such as haemorrhoidal disease, dysentery, chronic intestinal catarrh, eczema, varicose veins, periodontosis and gingivitis. Because these diseases are closely associated with an excessive inflammatory response of stimulated neutrophils, the influence of aqueous extract and isolated C-glucosidic ellagitannins (dimeric salicarinins A, B and C, vescalagin, castalagin) on their pro-inflammatory functions was examined. Lythrum salicaria aqueous extract was shown to modulate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-triggered production of IL-8 (at 20 µg/mL, 16.6 ± 4.2 % inhibition) but had no influence on MMP-9 production. It was active towards cytochalasin A/f-MLP- stimulated elastase release (at 20 µg/mL, 21.5 ± 3.9 % inhibition), myeloperoxidase release (at 1 µg/mL, 26.5 ± 5.4 % inhibition) and f-MLP- and PMA-induced reactive oxygen species production (at 20 µg/mL, 67.0 ± 3.9 and 66.5 ± 1.9 % inhibition, respectively). The extract was also shown to inhibit expression of integrin CD11b on the neutrophil surface without influencing selectin CD62L shedding. Dose-dependent inhibition of hyaluronidase activity was observed with IC50 = 10.1 ± 1.2 µg/mL. The main C-glucosidic ellagitannins were shown to be responsible for all these activities with more significant participation attributable to dimeric salicarinins A, B, C. This study has demonstrated potent activity of aqueous extract on stimulated neutrophils; this enhanced response is known to cause pathological changes in skin and mucosa tissues. These observations support and explain the traditional use of the herb Lythrum salicaria to treat certain diseases with an inflammatory background. C-glucosidic ellagitannins, especially dimeric salicarinins, are the factors responsible for these effects.

Phytochemical evaluation of Lythrum salicaria extracts and their effects on guinea-pig ileum.

n-Hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and 50% ethanol in water extracts prepared from the air-dried flowering parts of Lythrum salicaria L. were tested for in vitro pharmacological properties on Guinea-pig ileum, which is suitable for detecting a whole range of neuronal and smooth muscle effects. UHPLC-MS was used to evaluate polyphenol components of the extracts. In the ileum, the most prominent response (46.4% related to 0.5 microM histamine) of the extracts causing smooth muscle contractions were triggered by the 50% ethanol in water extract in a concentration-dependent manner. Atropine, indomethacin and PPADS plus suramin significantly reduced the contractile response caused by this extract. The strongest inhibition was due to atropine. The results suggest that L. salicaria extracts have a moderate muscarinic receptor agonist effect in Guinea-pig ileum and that prostanoids and purinoceptor mechanisms are involved to some extent. Therefore diluted extracts of L. salicaria p.o. could be used as a mild stimulant of gastrointestinal motility. The 50% ethanol in water extract was rich in polyphenols. n-Hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts failed to contain catechin, caffeic acid, quercetin-3-D-galactoside and rutin, but they all showed spasmogenic effects, and, therefore we do not think that these compounds could be involved in the spasmogenic activity.

Biological activity and microscopic characterization of Lythrum salicaria L.

BACKGROUND: There are several plants have been used worldwide in the folk medicine with high incidence for treatment of human disorders, of which Lythrum salicaria belongs to the Lythraceae family has traditionally reputation for some medicinal usage and recently many biological and pharmacological activity of the plant have been studied. METHODS: In this study, microscopic characterizations of the aerial parts of the plant were determined. Moreover, the plant extract (aqueous methanol 80%) was subjected to an anti-diabetic activity test (in a rat model of streptozocin induced diabetes), anti-Helicobacter pylori (using disc diffusion method) along with antioxidant activity against DPPH (stable free radical) tests. Besides, total flavonoids, phenols, tannins, as well as polysaccharides contents have been assessed using spectroscopic methods. RESULTS: The microscopic properties of the plant fragments revealed anomocytic stomata, conical shape trichomes, and abundant spherical pollen grains as a characteristic pattern for the aerial parts of the plant. The extract of the plant at concentration of 15 g/kg showed mild lowering activity on blood glucose level to 12.6% and 7.3% after 2 and 3 h of administration. Additionally, clinically isolated H. pylori strain was inhibited with the plant extract at concentration of 500 mg/mL (zone of inhibition: 17 ± 0.08 mm). Moreover, IC50 values for DPPH inhibition of the plant extract, vitamin E, BHA were examined as 13.5, 14.2, and 7.8 µg/mL, respectively. Total flavonoids, phenols, tannin, and polysaccharides contents of the extract were successfully evaluated as 5.8 ± 0.4 µg QE/mg EXT, 331 ± 3.7 µg GAE/mg EXT, 340 ± 2.3 µg TAE/mg EXT, 21 ± 0.2 µg GE/mg EXT, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that L. salicaria has low anti-diabetic and anti-Helicobacter pylori effects, but high antioxidant activity, just the same as positive standard (vitamin E), which might be attributed to the high content of phenolic compounds in the extract.

A comparative study of anti-Candida activity and phenolic contents of the calluses from Lythrum salicaria L. in different treatments.

In the study, anti-Candida activity and phenol contents of Lythrum salicaria L. calli and wild species have been evaluated. The seeds of L. salicaria (Lythraceae), collected from Lahidjan City in the north of Iran, were cultured in Murashige and Skoog medium (MSM) with a supplement, gibberellin, to germinate. Callus inductions were performed from segments of seedling on MSM containing different concentrations of plant growth regulators, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). The activity of calluses extracts, wild plant, gallic acid, and 3,3',4'-tri-O-methylellagic acid-4-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (TMEG) as the main phenolic compounds against Candida albicans was assessed using cup plate diffusion method. The total phenols contents of calli and wild plant extracts were analyzed using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The callus formation in MSM supplemented with various concentrations of 2,4-D and BAP were 0-100 %. Anti-Candida activity of callus extract which obtained from MSM supplemented with 2,4-D and BAP (1 mgdm(-3)) was similar to the wild plant extract. Minimum inhibitory concentration values of gallic acid and TMEG were obtained as 0.312 and 2.5 mgcm(-3), respectively. Gallic acid equivalent values in all treatments were from 0 to 288 µg GAE mg(-1). Phenolic contents of plant aerial parts (331±3.7 µg GAE mg(-1)) and the callus, which developed in MSM including 1 mgdm(-3) of both 2,4-D and BAP, showed the same phenolic value and exhibited anti-Candida extract activity.

Performance of hybrid vertical up- and downflow subsurface flow constructed wetlands in treating synthetic high-strength wastewater.

The performance and temporal variation of hybrid vertical-subsurface flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs) in response to two-stage combinations of vertical upflow (VUF) and vertical downflow (VDF) were analyzed in this research. The results of high carbon (C) treatment and high nitrogen (N) treatment were similar. The Lythrum salicaria treatment showed higher removal efficiency than CWs planted with Acorus calamus. Under high C- and N-loading treatments, the optimum two-stage combination was VDF-VUF VFCWs planted with A. calamus. Furthermore, the highest nutrient removal efficiencies were achieved in late summer (July and August) and early autumn (September). The chemical oxygen demand and total nitrogen removal efficiencies were significantly affected (P < 0.05) by season, system, and wetland plant.

C-glucosidic ellagitannins from Lythri herba (European Pharmacopoeia): chromatographic profile and structure determination.

INTRODUCTION: Lythri herba, a pharmacopoeial plant material (European Pharmacopoea), is obtained from flowering parts of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.). Although extracts from this plant material have been proven to possess some interesting biological activities and its pharmacopoeial standardisation is based on total tannin content determination, the phytochemical characterisation of this main group of compounds has not yet been fully conducted. OBJECTIVE: To isolate ellagitannins from Lythri herba, determine their structures and develop chromatographic methods for their qualitative analysis. RESULTS: Five C-glucosidic ellagitannins - monomeric- vescalagin and castalagin together with new dimeric structures - salicarinins A-C, composed of vescalagin and stachyurin, vescalagin and casuarinin, castalagin and casuarinin units connected via formation of valoneoyl group, were isolated using column chromatography and preparative HPLC. Structures were determined according to (1) H and (13) C-NMR (one- and two-dimensional), electrospray ionisation-time of flight (ESI-TOF), electrospray ionisation-ion trap (ESI-MS(n) ) and circular dichroism (CD) spectra, together with acidic hydrolysis products analysis. HPTLC on RP-18 modified plates and HPLC-DAD-MS(n) on RP-18 column methods were developed for separation of the five main ellagitannins.

Evidence for pollen limitation of a native plant in invaded communities.

Animal-pollinated invasive species have frequently been demonstrated to outcompete native species for pollinator attention, which can have detrimental effects on the reproductive success and population dynamics of native species. Many animal-pollinated invasive species exhibit showy flowers and provide substantial rewards, allowing them to act as pollinator 'magnets', which, at a large scale, can attract more pollinators to an area, but, at a smaller scale, may reduce compatible pollen flow to local native species, possibly explaining why most studies detect competition. By performing pollen limitation experiments of populations in both invaded and uninvaded sites, we demonstrate that the invasive plant Lythrum salicaria appears to facilitate, rather than hinder, the reproductive success of native confamilial Decodon verticillatus, even at a small scale, in a wetland habitat in southeastern Ontario. We found no evidence for a magnet species effect on pollinator attraction to invaded sites. Germination experiments confirmed that seeds from invaded sites had similar germination rates to those from uninvaded sites, making it unlikely that a difference in inbreeding was masking competitive effects. We describe several explanations for our findings. Notably, there were no differences in seed set among populations at invaded and uninvaded sites. Our results underscore the inherent complexity of studying the ecological impacts of invasive species on natives.

Chemical constituents and cytotoxic effect of the main compounds of Lythrum salicaria L.

Lythrum salicaria L. (Lythraceae), a herbaceous plant growing widely in Iran, has been well known for many centuries for its astringent and styptic properties. A phytochemical investigation of this plant, based on spectroscopic analysis, identified fourteen compounds: 5-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one (1), umbelliferone-6-carboxylic acid (2), 3,3',4'-tri-O-methylellagic acid-4-O-beta-D-(2"-acetyl)-glucopyranoside (3), 3,3',4'-tri-O-methylellagic acid-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), daucosterol (5), phytol (6), dodecanoic acid (7), oleanolic acid (8), 3,3',4'-tri-O-methylellagic acid (9), corosolic acid (10), beta-sitosterol (11), peucedanin (12), buntansin (13), and erythrodiol (14). All compounds, except for 8 and 11, have been isolated from L. salicaria for the first time. Cytotoxic activities of the compounds were examined against three cancerous cell lines, colon carcinoma (HT-29), leukemia (K-562), and breast ductal carcinoma (T47D), and Swiss mouse embryo fibroblast (NIH-3T3) cells using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and methotrexate as positive control. Compounds 5, 10, 11, and 14 were the most active against the HT-29 cell line with IC50 values of 192.7, 36.8, 38.2, and 12.8 microg/mL, respectively. Compounds 14, 11, 5, and 10 were 6.4, 2.8, 2.6, and 1.4 times, respectively, more selective than methotrexate. Compound 5 was the most active against the K-562 cell line (IC50 = 50.2 microg/mL), with a selectivity exceeding that of methotrexate 13.3 times. The results of the cytotoxic assay confirmed that growth and proliferation of the cancer cell lines are predominantly influenced by triterpene derivatives and sterols of this plant.

Suspected Lythrum hyssopifolia (lesser loosestrife) poisoning of cattle.

CASE REPORT: Morbidity and mortality in two herds of cattle in southern New South Wales were associated with ingestion of lesser or hyssop loosestrife (Lythrum hyssopifolia). Clinical signs in adult cows included depression, listlessness, inappetence, anorexia and recumbency. Deaths occurred in 16/48 (33.3%) and 4/60 (6.7%) adult cows, but calves in both herds were unaffected. Elevated concentrations of urea and creatinine were present in the serum of one clinically affected cow and an elevated concentration of urea was detected in the aqueous humour of one cow that died. On histopathological examination, there was severe, acute necrosis of the proximal convoluted tubular epithelial cells in the kidneys of both affected cattle examined. CONCLUSION: There is strong evidence that lesser loosestrife is nephrotoxic for cattle.

Variability of total flavonoid, polyphenol and tannin contents in some Lythrum salicaria populations.

Lythrum salicaria L. can vary in some morphological and phytochemical features according to its habitat. The present study investigates and compares the total flavonoid, polyphenol and tannin composition of twelve populations of L. salicaria collected from different ecological habitats in south-west Hungary. We studied the plant heights and soil moistures of the habitats analyzing the potential correlation between the morphological and environmental factors and chemical compositions. Total flavonoid, polyphenol and tannin contents were determined according to the valid spectroscopic methods of the European Pharmacopoeia. Total flavonoid content was higher in the populations collected during the main blooming period in August than at the beginning of flowering in July. Higher values for total polyphenol and tannin were detected in flowering branch tips in August than in July, and higher ones in leaves and shoots in July than in August. The highest flavonoid content was measured in the leaves, followed by the flowering branches and shoots as opposed to the total polyphenol and tannin contents, which were higher in the flowering branch tips than in the other organs.

[Study on the nitrogen and phosphorus uptake ability of four plants cultivated on floating-bed].

Plant floating-bed tested engineering was constructed for eutrophication control in Dian-shan Lake, the characteristics and nutrient uptake abilities of Canna indica, Iris pseudacorus, Thalia dealbata and Lythrum salicaria were compared. It shows that using upper and lower nylon nets to fix the plants on the floating-bed is beneficial for them to grow and reproduce rapidly. Survival rates of Canna indica, lris pseudacorus, Thalia dealbata and Lythrum salicaria are 83.33%, 83.33%, 76.67% and 53.33% respectively. Ramets of Canna indica and Thalia dealbata are 64 and 78 respectively in November, and the biomass (fresh weight) of these two plants are 32.0 and 38.6 kg per individual plant. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content in stems/leaves of Canna indica and Thalia dealbata are greater than those in roots. The ratio between stems/leaves and roots of N, P content in Canna indica are 1.40 and 1.21 respectively, while 1.59 and 1.08 in Thalia dealbata. The difference of cumulative N, P content in plants is mostly on account of different plant biomass. N uptake ability of Thalia dealbata is the highest, which is 457.11 g per square; Canna indica has the highest P uptake ability, which is 41.29 g per square. N, P uptake ability of stems/leaves in Canna indica are 2.17 and 1.86 times higher than that of roots, while 1.73 and 1.17 times higher respectively in Thalia dealbata. Thus, Canna indica and Thalia dealbata are recommended as the floating-bed plants to control the eutrophication in Dian-shan Lake.

Increased relative abundance of an invasive competitor for pollination, Lythrum salicaria, reduces seed number in Mimulus ringens.

When exotic plant species share pollinators with native species, competition for pollination may lower the reproductive success of natives by reducing the frequency and/or quality of visits they receive. Exotic species often become numerically dominant in plant communities, and the relative abundance of these potential competitors for pollination may be an important determinant of their effects on the pollination and reproductive success of co-occurring native species. Our study experimentally tests whether the presence and abundance of an invasive exotic, Lythrum salicaria L. (Lythraceae), influences reproductive success of a co-flowering native species, Mimulus ringens L. (Phrymaceae). We also examine the mechanisms of competition for pollination and how they may be altered by changes in competitor abundance. We found that the presence of Lythrum salicaria lowered mean seed number in Mimulus ringens fruits. This effect was most pronounced when the invasive competitor was highly abundant, decreasing the number of seeds per fruit by 40% in 2006 and 33% in 2007. Reductions in the number of seeds per fruit were likely due to reduced visit quality resulting from Mimulus pollen loss when bees foraged on neighboring Lythrum plants. This study suggests that visit quality to natives may be influenced by the presence and abundance of invasive flowering plants.