Tegumental surface change in Paramphistomum epiclitum caused by Bombax ceiba flowers and black pepper seed extract.

Rumen flukes, parasites of the superfamily Paramphistomoidea, are found in cattle rumen. Heavy infections can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, weight loss, and poor body condition, resulting in a decrease in milk and meat production. This study compares the tegumental surface change of Paramphistomum epiclitum as a response to ethanolic extracts of Bombax ceiba flowers and black pepper seeds. Adult flukes were subjected to various concentrations of crude extracts, including 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 µg/mL for 12, 18, and 24 h incubation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) exhibited that the ethanolic extracts of both Bombax ceiba flowers and black pepper seeds caused tegumental surface changes in adult P. epiclitum. Based on the results, Bombax ceiba flower extract has anthelmintic activity, compared with black pepper seed extract, towards adult P. epiclitum due to the deformation of the tegument at lower concentrations than black pepper extract.

Hyphenated Fenton-column packed nMnO-modified wood biochar for tannery effluent treatment: Adsorption mechanism and reusability study.

Industrial wastewater contains a wide range of pollutants that, if released directly into natural ecosystems, have the potential to pose serious risks to the environment.This study aims to investigate sustainable and efficient approaches for treating tannery wastewater, employing a combination of hyphenated Fenton oxidation and adsorption processes. Rigorous analyses were conducted on wastewater samples, evaluating parameters like COD, sulphide, NH3-N, PO43-, NO3-, and Cr(VI). The performance of this adsorbent material was gauged through column adsorption experiments. A comprehensive characterization of the adsorbent was undertaken using techniques such as SEM, EDX, BET, FTIR, XRD, and LIBS. The study delved into varying operational parameters like bed depth (ranging from 3.5 to 9.5 cm) diameter (2.5 cm) and influent flow rate (ranging from 5 to 15mLmin-1). The experimental outcomes revealed that increasing the bed depth and decreasing the influent flow rate significantly bolstered the adsorption column's effectiveness. Breakthrough curves obtained were fitted with different models, including the Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models. The most optimal column performance was achieved with a bed height of 10.5 cm and a flow rate of 5mLmin-1. The combined process achieved removal efficiencies of 94.5% for COD, 97.4% for sulphide, 96.2% for NH3-N, 83.1% for NO3-, 79.3% for PO43-, and 96.9% for Cr(VI) in tannery effluent. This research presents a notable stride toward the development of sustainable and efficient strategies for tannery wastewater treatment.

Anti-arthritic efficacy of Bombax ceiba ethanolic extract in a murine model for rheumatoid arthritis using in vivo, in vitro and radiological analysis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multisystem autoimmune disease that causes discomfort, synovial membrane inflammation, peripheral joint inflammation, morning stiffness, articular tissue loss, and restricted joint movement. In the present study, we aim to explore the anti-arthritic efficacy of Bombax ceiba ethanolic extract in a Freund's Complete Adjuvant-induced arthritis, in murine model. The hot soxhlet method was used to extract dried aerial components of Bombax ceiba using an ethyl alcohol: water (70:30) ratio. Bombax ceiba ethanolic extract at two doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg was investigated in Wistar rats against Freund's full adjuvant-induced chronic immunological arthritis. Anti-arthritis efficacy was studied utilising morphological research (paw volume, paw diameter, and body weight). On the 28th day, the animals were sacrificed, and haematological parameters, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6), cell culture, histological and radiological analysis were performed. BCEE inhibited paw oedema significantly (P 0.05) at a dose of 40mg/Kg, which was corroborated by paw volume and diameter, as well as haematological parameters, in Freund's complete adjuvant-induced arthritis model. The BCEE also significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and the histopathological changes caused by Freund's full adjuvant model. BCEE preserves synovial membranes by enhancing health and has shown a significant anti-arthritic activity. Thus, data confirms the traditional usage of Bombax ceiba for arthritis.

Bombax ceiba Linn. leaf extract rich in phenolic compounds to mitigate non-alcoholic fatty liver-related complications in experimental model.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance (IR), and hypertriglyceridemia are common features observed in non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD). There is a critical medical necessity to find novel therapeutics that can halt the development of NAFLD. METHODS: Bombax ceiba Linn. leaf extract was prepared and its phytochemical profile was determined. Standard and high carbohydrate high-fat diets (HCHF) were prepared. Rats were fed HCHF for 18 weeks to induce a non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) model. Forty male rats were divided into control, B. ceiba Linn. leaf extract, NAFL, prophylactic, and treated groups. Serum fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), intelectin-1 (ITLN1), p38 MAP kinase (MAPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were evaluated. RESULTS: Data obtained showed that HCHF-induced NAFL resulting in a significant increase in FBS, serum insulin, HOMA-IR, cholesterol, LDL, TG, ALT, AST, and IL-6 and a significant decrease in serum levels of HDL, ITLN1, p38 MAP kinase, and PPAR-α compared to the control group. The analysis of B. ceiba Linn. leaf extract showed high content of phenol compounds which may cause a significant decrease in the levels of FBS, insulin, HOMA-IR values, lipid profile, and levels of IL-6 while a significant increase in serum levels of LDL, ITLN1, p38 MAP kinase, and PPAR-α compared to the NAFL group. CONCLUSIONS: B. ceiba Linn. Leaf extract is a highly protective and promising therapeutic agent against inflammation and oxidative stress in the NAFLD model induced by HCHF.

Single-cell RNA landscape of the special fiber initiation process in Bombax ceiba.

As a new source of natural fibers, the Bombax ceiba tree can provide thin, light, extremely soft and warm fiber material for the textile industry. Natural fibers are an ideal model system for studying cell growth and differentiation, but the molecular mechanisms that regulate fiber initiation are not fully understood. In B. ceiba, we found that fiber cells differentiate from the epidermis of the inner ovary wall. Each initiated cell then divides into a cluster of fiber cells that eventually develop into mature fibers, a process very different from the classical fiber initiation process of cotton. We used high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to examine the special characteristics of fiber initiation in B. ceiba. A total of 15 567 high-quality cells were identified from the inner wall of the B. ceiba ovary, and 347 potential marker genes for fiber initiation cell types were identified. Two major cell types, initiated fiber cells and epidermal cells, were identified and verified by RNA in situ hybridization. A developmental trajectory analysis was used to reconstruct the process of fiber cell differentiation in B. ceiba. Comparative analysis of scRNA-seq data from B. ceiba and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) confirmed that the additional cell division process in B. ceiba is a novel species-specific mechanism for fiber cell development. Candidate genes and key regulators that may contribute to fiber cell differentiation and division in B. ceiba were identified. This work reveals gene expression signatures during B. ceiba fiber initiation at a single-cell resolution, providing a new strategy and viewpoint for investigation of natural fiber cell differentiation and development.

Bombax ceiba flower extract mediated synthesis of Se nanoparticles for antibacterial activity and urea detection.

Plant mediated synthesis of metallic nanomaterials has emerged as a non-toxic and economical approach to their applications in diverse fields especially in biomedical sciences. Herein, this study first time reporting the use of Bombax ceiba flower extract for synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). Initially, SeNPs were confirmed by turning the color of reaction mixtures from light yellow to brick-red. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed spherical shaped nanoparticles with smooth surface, size ranges between 30 and 150 nm. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed 100-150 nm for the distribution of particle size. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed SeNPs crystallinity and confirmed by matching with selenium JCPD card No. 06-362. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra showed presence of pure Se peaks that corroborate the conversion of selenium ions into its elemental form by bio-reduction. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra demonstrated that involvement of -OH, C-H, C=C, and C=O functional groups for SeNPs formation. Raman Spectra peaks at 250 cm-1 represent asymmetric trigonal selenium (t-Se). Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (UV-Vis) peaks at 296 and 306 nm which is an indication of surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Moreover, maximum antibacterial activity of SeNPs were observed against Staphylococcus aureus- a gram positive bacteria that possess zone of inhibition (ZOI) 20 mm and Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa-gram negative bacteria with ZOI 28 mm, respectively, at concentration 100 µg/ml. In addition, the surface functionalities induced through extract components adhere over Se binds with urea and give its detection up to 1mM in milk sample. Conclusively, synthesized SeNPs may function as a potential antibacterial pharmaceutical candidate.

Evaluation of Corrosion Mitigation Behaviour of Bombax ceiba Leaves Extract.

In this research investigation, conventional weight loss method, electrochemical measurements of potentiodynamic polarization and AC impedance spectroscopy were applied to inspect the Bombax ceiba leaves extract mitigation efficiency in 1.0 M H2SO4 medium at different temperatures. Behaviour of adsorption, parameters of thermodynamical and kinetic were intended in this study. Adsorption behaviour revealed that the phyto-organic constituents existing in the mitigator adsorbed on the metal exterior. The spectral studies then topographical experiments confirm the creation of insoluble film on mild steel in destructive medium. The contact angle method predicts the wettability character of the mild steel in the occurrence of mitigator. This research work exhibited that Bombax ceiba leaves extract act as a best low-cost, bio-friendly mitigator on mild steel in destructive medium.

An integrative GC-MS and LC-MS metabolomics platform determination of the metabolite profile of Bombax ceiba L. root, and in silico & in vitro evaluation of its antibacterial & antidiabetic activities.

The Bombax ceiba L. tree is a member of the family Bombacaceae and the genus Bombax. Both Chinese and Indian traditional medicine have made extensive use of it in the treatment of sickness. Its chemical composition is still a mystery. B. ceiba roots methanol extract (BCRME) was analyzed by different chromatographic analytical techniques in order to identify its major chemical constituents. Twelve compounds and six compounds were identified from GC-MS and LC-MS analysis, respectively. This is the first report on the presence of lathodoratin, cedrene, 4H-1-benzopyran-4-one,8-[{dimethylamino} methyl]-7-methoxy-3-methyl-2-phenyl, asiatic acid, and (E)-2,4,4'-trihydroxylchalcone in B. ceiba roots. Methanol extract demonstrated noteworthy antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC96) (MIC: 100 µg/mL) compare to antibiotic ampicillin (MIC: 250 µg/mL) as well as the highest α-amylase inhibition (IC50=26.91 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase inhibition (IC50=21.21 µg/mL) effects, molecular docking study confirmed these findings, with some compounds having a very high docking score.

Comparative Evaluation of Various Extraction Techniques for Secondary Metabolites from Bombax ceiba L. Flowering Plants along with In Vitro Anti-Diabetic Performance.

Bombax ceiba L. (Family: Malvaceae) was rightly called the "silent doctor" in the past as every part of it had medicinal value. For centuries, humans have used this plant according to the traditional medicinal systems of China, Ayurveda, and tribal communities. Recently, with an emerging interest in herbals, attention has been paid to scientifically validating medicinal claims for the treatment of diabetes using secondary metabolites of B. ceiba L. flowers. In the present study, specific secondary metabolites from the flowers of B. ceiba L. were isolated in good yield using the solvent extraction methodology, and their in vitro anti-diabetic efficacy was examined. Extraction efficiency of each solvent for secondary metabolites was found in following order: water > ethanol> methanol > chloroform > petroleum ether. Quantitative analysis of secondary metabolites showed 120.33 ± 2.33 mg/gm polyphenols, 60.77 ± 1.02 mg/g flavonoids, 60.26 ± 1.20 mg/g glycosaponins, 0.167 ± 0.02 mg/g polysaccharides for water extract; 91.00 ± 1.00 mg/g polyphenols, 9.22 ± 1.02 mg/g flavonoids, 43.90 ± 0.30 mg/g glycosaponins, 0.090 ± 0.03 mg/g poly saccharides for ethanol extract; 52.00 ± 2.64 mg/g polyphenols, 35.22 ± 0.38 mg/g flavonoids, 72.26 ± 1.05 mg/g glycosaponins, 0.147 ± 0.01 mg/g polysaccharides for methanol extract; 11.33 ± 0.58 mg/g polyphenols, 23.66 ± 1.76 mg/g flavonoids, 32.8 ± 0.75 mg/g glycosaponins, 0.013 ± 0.02 mg/g polysaccharides for chloroform extract; and 3.33 ± 1.53 mg/g polyphenols, 1.89 ± 1.39 mg/g flavonoids, 21.67 ± 1.24 mg/g glycosaponins, 0.005 ± 0.01 mg/g polysaccharides for petroleum ether extract. Glucose uptake by yeast cells increased 70.38 ± 2.17% by water extract.

A preliminary study of the chemical composition and bioactivity of Bombax ceiba L. flower and its potential mechanism in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus using ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-flight mass spectrometry and network pharmacology analysis.

This study aimed to preliminary investigate the phytochemistry, bioactivity, hypoglycemic potential, and mechanism of action of Bombax ceiba L. flower (BCF), a wild edible and food plant in China. By using methanol extraction and liquid-liquid extraction, the crude extract (CE) of BCF and its petroleum ether (PE), dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (n-BuOH), and aqueous (AQ) fractions were obtained, and their chemical components and biological activities were evaluated. Further high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was carried out to identify and quantify the active constituents of BFC and its five fractions, and the phytochemical composition of the best-performing fraction was then analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS). Finally, a network pharmacology strategy based on the chemical profile of this fraction was applied to speculate its main hypoglycemic mechanism. Results revealed the excellent biological activities of BCF, especially the EtOAc fraction. In addition to the highest total flavonoid content (TFC) (367.72 µg RE/mg E) and total phenolics content (TPC) (47.97 µg GAE/mg E), EtOAc showed the strongest DPPH⋅ scavenging ability (IC50 value = 29.56 µg/mL), ABTS⋅+ scavenging ability (IC50 value = 84.60 µg/mL), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (889.62 µg FeSO4/mg E), which were stronger than the positive control BHT. EtOAc also exhibited the second-best α-glucosidase inhibitory capacity and second-best acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory capacity with the IC50 values of 2.85 and 3.27 mg/mL, respectively. Also, EtOAc inhibited HepG2, MCF-7, Raw264.7, and A549 cell with IC50 values of 1.08, 1.62, 0.77, and 0.87 mg/mL, which were the second or third strongest in all fractions. Additionally, HPLC analysis revealed significant differences in the compounds' abundance between different fractions. Among them, EtOAc had the most detected compounds and the highest content. According to the results of UPLC/Q-TOF-MS, 38 compounds were identified in EtOAc, including 24 phenolic acids and 6 flavonoids. Network pharmacological analysis further confirmed 41 potential targets of EtOAc in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and intracellular receptor signaling pathways, unsaturated fatty acid, and DNA transcription pathways were the most possible mechanisms. These findings suggested that BCF was worthwhile to be developed as an antioxidant and anti-diabetic food/drug.

Bombax ceiba calyx displays antihyperglycemic activity via improving insulin secretion and sensitivity: Identification of bioactive phytometabolomes by UPLC-QTof-MS/MS.

Vegetables are considered good food for the management of hyperglycemia. Bombax ceiba L. (family: Bombacaceae) calyces are part of traditional vegetables. This study evaluated its usefulness on various parameters responsible for the development of hyperglycemia and conducted phytometabolomic analysis to identify phytochemicals responsible for the observed activities. It was found that the aqueous methanol extract of its calyces (B. ceiba calyx extract, BCE) reduced (12.4%) significantly (p < 0.05) the development of sucrose-induced postprandial hyperglycemic load in rats. In-vitro studies revealed that BCE improved glucose-stimulated insulin secretory activity in MIN6 cells plausibly by decreasing ADP/ATP ratio. BCE also augmented concentration-dependent (5 µg, 10 µg, and 20 µg) increase in glucose uptake in hyperglycemic L6 myotubes both by non-insulin-dependent manner (35%, 68%, and 132%, respectively) and insulin-dependent manner (42%, 59%, and 172%, respectively). The insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation was compromised (34%) significantly (p < 0.05) under hyperglycemic condition; however, it was improved by 23% and 72% (p < 0.001) when L6 myotubes were primed with 10 and 20 µg of BCE, respectively. Hyperglycemia aggravated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in L6 myotubes. The ROS generation was significantly (p < 0.001) reduced by priming myotubes with BCE before challenging myotubes to hyperglycemic environment, possibly by preserving cellular antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and reduced glutathione levels. Phytometabolomic analysis disclosed a number of phytochemicals present in B. ceiba calyces known to display these activities. This is the first study reporting antihyperglycemic activity in B. ceiba calyces, its mechanisms of action, and phytometabolomic profile applying UPLC-QTof-MS/MS technique. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: B. ceiba calyces are part of traditional vegetables. Our study finds that B. ceiba calyces contain phytochemicals possessing antihyperglycemic, insulin secretory, insulin sensitization properties, and potentials for preserving hyperglycemia-induced vitiations in cellular antioxidant defense. These observations provide foundation for exploring further possibilities of B. ceiba calyces to become valuable dietary inclusion in the diet of people suffering from metabolic disorders.

Evaluation of efficacy of Bombax ceiba extract and its major constituent, mangiferin in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVES: Based on the ethno-medicinal use of Bombax ceiba leaf, in the treatment of diabetes, the present study is aimed at evaluation of antidiabetic potential of leaf extract and its major constituent mangiferin. METHODS: Efficacy of hydroalcoholic extract of Bombax ceiba leaf (BCL, 200 and 400 mg/kg body wt.) and mangiferin (MF, 20 mg/kg body wt) was studied in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and associated complications visually, retinopathy, cardiopathy and nephropathy. After 20 days, serum glucose, lipid profiles, glycol-hemoglobin % (HbA1c%), liver enzymes activity and glycogen content, and histopathology of the pancreas were corroborated. The study was coxswained for development of validated RP-HPLC method for the estimation of MF in BCL. RESULTS: The results demonstrated significant reductions in the levels of glucose (p<0.001), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c%, p<0.001), cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins, and concurrent elevation of high density lipoproteins level in the groups administered BCL and MF relative to the controls. It significantly reversed most of the altered metabolic and oxidative stress parameters and histopathological changes. Mangiferin content in BCL was found to be 0.04%w/w. CONCLUSIONS: The anti-diabetic effects of BCL may be attributed to its ability to enhance insulin release, antioxidant and hypolipidemic potential.

Immunomodulatory and anticancer activity of Bombax ceiba Linn leaf extract

Objective: To evaluate the immunomodulatory and anticancer activity of the methanolic extract of Bombax ceiba leaves in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The antioxidant property of methanolic extract of Bombax ceiba leaves was determined by measuring hydrogen peroxide scavenging and DPPH scavenging activity. The effect on cellular immunity in vivo was determined by measuring neutrophil adhesion, carbon clearance, sheep red blood cell induced DTH response and cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. In vitro anticancer activity was evaluated on human leukaemia cell line (HL-60) by MTT assay, caspase-3 activity, and cell cycle study. Results: The methanolic extract of Bombax ceiba leaves showed antioxidant activity and significantly increased neutrophil adhesion, carbon clearance from blood, DTH response and cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. The MTT assay showed a significant increase in the death of HL-60 cell line. A rise in caspase-3 activity and sub-G

Immunomodulatory and anticancer activity of Bombax ceiba Linn leaf extract

Objective: To evaluate the immunomodulatory and anticancer activity of the methanolic extract of Bombax ceiba leaves in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The antioxidant property of methanolic extract of Bombax ceiba leaves was determined by measuring hydrogen peroxide scavenging and DPPH scavenging activity. The effect on cellular immunity in vivo was determined by measuring neutrophil adhesion, carbon clearance, sheep red blood cell induced DTH response and cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. In vitro anticancer activity was evaluated on human leukaemia cell line (HL-60) by MTT assay, caspase-3 activity, and cell cycle study. Results: The methanolic extract of Bombax ceiba leaves showed antioxidant activity and significantly increased neutrophil adhesion, carbon clearance from blood, DTH response and cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. The MTT assay showed a significant increase in the death of HL-60 cell line. A rise in caspase-3 activity and sub-G1 population in the presence of methanolic extract of Bombax ceiba leaves was observed. Conclusions: The methanolic extract of leaves of Bombax ceiba L possesses anticancer activity, immunomodulatory activity, and antioxidant properties, proving its therapeutic usefulness in the treatment of immuno-compromised diseases and cancers.

In-vitro osteoblast proliferation and in-vivo anti-osteoporotic activity of Bombax ceiba with quantification of Lupeol, gallic acid and ß-sitosterol by HPTLC and HPLC.

BACKGROUND: Bombax ceiba is used traditionally to treat bone disorders, rheumatism, and joint pain. The aim of the study is to carry out osteogenic activity in-vitro and anti-osteoporotic activity in-vivo of stem bark of B. ceiba in surgical ovariectomy model in female rats. METHODS: Plant drug: B. ceiba stem bark was extracted with solvents petroleum ether and methanol using Soxhlet extraction. In-vitro osteoblastic proliferation study was performed using UMR-106 cell lines. Both the extracts were undergone to acute toxicity study as per OECD423 guidelines. Female Wistar albino rats 180-240 g were used (n = 6). Surgical ovariectomy was performed under anesthesia to induce bone porosity and loss in all animals except normal control and sham control. Each extract was administered at two dose level: 100 and 200 mg/kg and the standard Raloxifene was given at 1 mg/kg orally for 28 days. The phytochemical study of both the extracts was performed using HPLC and HPTLC. RESULTS: A significant osteoblast cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity were observed with B. ceiba extracts in UMR-106 cell lines. Surgical removal of ovaries produced significant (p < 0.05) decline in bone mineral density, bone breaking strength, serum ALP, calcium, phosphorus, and estradiol level and marked bone tissue destruction in histology. Administration of petroleum ether and methanolic extract for 28 days significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated the consequences of ovariectomy induced bone porosity and restored the normal architecture of bone, as compared to OVX control. The phytochemical screening of both the extracts were also carried out. The quantification of phytoconstituents showed the presence of ß-sitosterol and lupeol in petroleum ether extract, whereas the lupeol is also quantified in the methanolic extract. The presence of gallic acid was quantified in methanolic extract using HPLC. CONCLUSION: B. ceiba: stem bark ameliorated the state of bone fragility and fracture possibly due to estrogenic modulation, as also confirmed by in-vitro osteogenic activity which may be due to the presence of lupeol, gallic acid and ß-sitosterol constituents of the plant.

Effects of the Tanaka Line on the genetic structure of Bombax ceiba (Malvaceae) in dry-hot valley areas of southwest China.

Southwest China is an important biodiversity hotspot. The interactions among the complex topography, climate change, and ecological factors in the dry-hot valley areas in southwest China may have profoundly affected the genetic structure of plant species in this region. In this study, we determined the effects of the Tanaka Line on genetic variation in the wild Bombax ceiba tree in southwest China. We sampled 224 individuals from 17 populations throughout the dry-hot valley regions. Six polymorphic expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat primers were employed to sequence the PCR products using the first-generation Sanger technique. The analysis based on population genetics suggested that B. ceiba exhibited a high level of gene diversity (HE: 0.2377-0.4775; I: 0.3997-0.7848). The 17 populations were divided into two groups by cluster analysis, which corresponded to geographic characters on each side of the Tanaka Line. In addition, a Mantel test indicated that the phylogeographic structure among the populations could be fitted to the isolation-by-distance model (r2 = .2553, p < .001). A barrier test indicated that there were obstacles among populations and between the two groups due to complex terrain isolation and geographic heterogeneity. We inferred that the Tanaka Line might have promoted the intraspecific phylogeographic subdivision and divergence of B. ceiba. These results provide new insights into the effects of the Tanaka Line on genetic isolation and population differentiation of plant species in southwest China.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Bombax ceiba.

Bombax ceiba is a beautiful and deciduous tree with important economic and ecological values. Here, we sequenced the intact mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of B. ceiba on the PacBio sequencing platform (Pacific Biosciences, Menlo Park, CA). The mitogenome is 594,390 bp and is comprised of 35 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, and 25 tRNA genes. The phylogeny analysis suggested that B. ceiba was closely clustered with the genus Gossypium.

Complete chloroplast genome sequence of the red silk cotton tree (Bombax ceiba).

Bombax ceiba L. is a beautiful and deciduous tree with great ecological and economic importance. The third generation sequencing of chloroplast genome of B. ceiba was conducted on the PacBio sequencing platform (Pacific Biosciences). The complete chloroplast genome was 158,997 bp, which contains a large single-copy (LSC) region (89,021 bp), a small single-copy (SSC) region (21,110 bp), and two inverted repeats (IRs) (24,433 bp). In total, 116 genes were annotated, including 81 protein-coding genes, eight rRNA genes, and 27 tRNA genes. The phylogenetic tree showed that B. ceiba was closely clustered with one clade of Malvaceae.

Effects of ethanol extract of Bombax ceiba leaves and its main constituent mangiferin on diabetic nephropathy in mice.

The present study was designed to explore the mechanism by which ethanol extract of Bombax ceiba leaves (BCE) and its main constituent mangiferin (MGF) affect diabetic nephropathy by combating oxidative stress. Oral administration of BCE and MGF to normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice were carried out. Fasting blood glucose, 24-h urinary albumin, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen were tested, histopathology, and immunohistochemical analysis of kidney tissues were performed. Moreover, mesangial cells were treated with BCE and MGF for 48 h with or without 25 mmol·L-1 of glucose. Immunofluorescence, Western blot and apoptosis analyses were used to investigate their regulation of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function. BCE and MGF ameliorated biochemical parameters and restored STZ-induced renal injury in the model mice. In vitro study showed that high glucose stimulation increased oxidative stress and cell apoptosis in mesangial cells. BCE and MGF limited mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) collapse by inhibiting Nox4, mitochondrially bound hexokinase II dissociation, and subsequent ROS production, which effectively reduced oxidative stress, cleaved caspase-3 expression and cell apoptosis. Our work indicated that BCE and MGF had protective effects on diabetic caused kidney injury and prevented oxidative stress in mesangial cells by regulation of hexokinase II binding and Nox4 oxidase signaling.

ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF STEM BARK EXTRACT OF BOMBAX CEIBA COLLECTED LOCALLY FROM SOUTH PUNJAB AREA OF PAKISTAN.

BACKGROUND: Ethnic medication systems have been used extensively by humans since their origin. Now a day, in the developing countries these systems are being used due to their effectiveness and affordability. Especially inhabitants of rural areas still rely on these systems as first line of treatment against diseased conditions. Till now, majority of medicines is derived from the natural origin particularly plants owing to their little side effects and cost effectiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present work, we evaluated antibacterial and antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of Bombax ceiba stem bark. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also assessed in the extract. The antioxidant capacity was determined by DPPH, Nitric Oxide scavenging and reducing power activity. For antibacterial activity, Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi) and Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) were used. RESULTS: Phenolic content was 133.21±1.56 µg GAE/mg of extract while Flavonoid content was 997.93±2.14 µg QE/mg. Plant extract demonstrated strong antiradical activity with EC50 18.78 ± 0.69 and 23.62 ± 1.99fg/ml for Nitric Oxide and DPPH assay respectively while EC50 in case of reducing power activity was 139.4 ± 0.98µg/ml. Plant extract displayed inhibitory effect against microbial growth with S. typhi as the most resistant strain and Staphylococcus aureus the most sensitive one. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that Bombax ceiba of local origin has broad spectrum antibacterial activity and it can also provide defense against oxidative stress.