Search Results (11)

Polygonum aviculare L. (PAL), commonly known as knotgrass, has been utilized as a traditional folk medicine across Asian, African, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries to treat various inflammatory diseases, including arthritis and airway inflammation. Numerous medicinal herbs exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects that are mediated through the activation of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms linking the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects remain poorly understood. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an antioxidant enzyme that catalyzes heme degradation, ultimately leading to the production of carbon monoxide (CO). Elevated levels of CO have been correlated with the decreased level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In this study, we examined whether HO-1 plays a key role in the relationship between the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of PAL. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities of PAL in an in vitro system were evaluated by determining NF-κB activity, antioxidant response element (ARE) activity, pro-inflammatory cytokine and protein levels, as well as antioxidant protein levels. To examine whether HO-1 inhibition interfered with the anti-inflammatory effect of PAL, we measured nitrite, reactive oxygen species, iNOS, and HO-1 levels in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages pre-treated with Tin protoporphyrin (SnPP, an HO-1 inhibitor). Our results demonstrated that PAL increased ARE activity and the Nrf2-regulated HO-1 level, exerting antioxidative activities in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Additionally, PAL reduced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and iNOS protein levels by inactivating NF-κB in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Further investigation using the HO-1 inhibitor revealed that HO-1 inhibition promoted iNOS expression, subsequently elevating nitric oxide (NO) generation in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages treated with PAL compared to those in the macrophages without the HO-1 inhibitor. Overall, our findings suggest that HO-1 induction by PAL may exert anti-inflammatory effects through the reduction of the iNOS protein level. Hence, this study paves the way for further investigation to understand molecular mechanisms underlying the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of medicinal herbs. Full article

Angelica archangelica L. (Garden angelica) is a medicinal and aromatic plant from the Apiaceae family, originating from North Europe (Iceland, Greenland, and Scandinavian countries). A. archangelica is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat anxiety, insomnia, stomach and intestinal disorders, skin conditions, respiratory problems, and arthritis. This plant is generally cultivated for its root and seed where the essential oil (EO) is concentrated the most. Angelica archangelica cultivation has a lot of challenges but the main one is weed control; so, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of four different mulch types as non-chemical weed control measures on weediness, fresh root yield, and EO chemical composition and yield from A. archangelica roots. A field trial was conducted with the following six treatments: two organic mulches, two synthetic mulches, and two controls (regular hand-weeded and weeded). The results show that the most present weeds were Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Chenopodium album, Polygonum aviculare, and Polygonum lapathyfolium, but synthetic mulch foils achieved the best weed suppression (100%). These fields also achieved the highest fresh root yield in both of the experimental seasons. The highest EO yield was detected with agrotextile mulch foil at season I (0.41%, v/w) and with the weeded control (0.51%, v/w) at season II, but dominant components at both seasons were α-pinene and β-phellandrene. The results suggest that the agrotextile black and silver–brown mulch foils achieved complete weed suppression, but the agrotextile black mulch foil had a better effect on fresh root yield, EO yield, and its chemical composition. Full article

Juglanin (kaempferol 3-O-α-L-arabinofuranoside) is a flavonol glycoside occurring in many plants, including its commercial sources Juglans regia, Polygonum aviculare and Selliguea hastata. Recent extensive studies have explored the potential of using juglanin in various pathological conditions, including cardiovascular disorders, central nervous and skeletal system disorders, metabolic syndrome, hepatic injury, and cancers. The results indicated a wide range of effects, like anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-fibrotic, anti-thrombotic, anti-angiogenic, hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, anti-apoptotic (normal cells), and pro-apoptotic (cancer cells). The health-promoting properties of juglanin can be attributed to its influence on many signaling pathways, associated with SIRT1, AMPK, Nrf2, STING, TLR4, MAPKs, NF-κB, AKT, JAK, and their downstream genes. This review primarily summarizes the current knowledge of molecular mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, biocompatibility, and human use safety of juglanin. In addition, the most promising new plant sources and other existing challenges and prospects have also been reviewed and discussed, aiming to provide direction and rationale for the further development and broader pharmaceutical application of juglanin. Full article

Seeking an easy-to-deploy, energy-efficient, non-herbicide weed control method, we tested a flat-plate electrode to apply pulsed electric microshocks (PMS) to a grass and four broadleaf weed species. The method can be deployed via a hand-held unit or as part of a fully automated system to control escape weeds in field crops. The effectiveness of the treatments and the relative energy discharges when applying similar electric doses to the plant leaves or to the plant when pressed to the soil with a flat-plate electrode were compared. The method killed only half of the treated Lolium multiflorum “Winter Star” plants, well below our target rate, but significantly reduced growth rates and indicated that effective treatment of <1.0 MJ ha⁻¹ for treating five plants m⁻² is possible. Polygonum aviculare L., Amaranthus powellii S. Wats., Amaranthus deflexus, and Solanum nitidibaccatum Bitter plants were successfully controlled, with the energy required to kill 100% of seedlings varying from 0.1 to 0.9 MJ ha⁻¹, indicating that broadleaf weeds are more susceptible. This easily met our target effectiveness and efficiency goals. The discharged energy increased when the electrode pressed the plant to a dry soil surface rather than to the leaves only and increased further when the electrode pressed the plant to a wet soil surface. Full article

Medicinal plants and herbal preparations are gaining attention in the scientific community today, as they are often used intermittently in the treatment of various diseases. The genus of Polygonum (Polygonaceae), known locally as “madimak”, is an aromatic plant widely used in world flavors. The chemical composition of the essential oils of dried aerial parts of seven of Polygonum was analyzed by GC-MS. These species are Polygonum lapathifolium L., Polygonum persicaria L., Polygonum arenastrum Bor., Polygonum bellardii All., Polygonum arenarium Waldst. Et Kit., Polygonum aviculare L., and Polygonum cognatum Meissn. Qualitative and quantitative differences were found in the essential oil analysis of the seven Polygonum species. The major compounds were determined as (E)-β-farnesene (19. 46%), dodecanal (15.92%), β-caryophyllene (12.95%), in P. aviculare; (E)-β-farnesene (25.00%), dodecanal (20.45%), β-caryophyllene (9.38%), and caryophyllene oxide (8. 26%) in P. persicaria; dodecanal (25.65%), caryophyllene oxide (13.35%), β-caryophyllene (7.95%), and (E)-β-farnesene (6.20%) in P. lapathifolium, and dodecanal (19.65%), (E)-β-farnesene (13.86%), β-caryophyllene (8.06%), and α-terpineol (7.2%) in P. arenarium, dodecanal (16.23%), β-caryophyllene (16.09%), (E)-β-farnesene (12.26%), caryophyllene oxide (7.94%) in P. bellardii, (E)-β-farnesene (20.75%), dodecanal (17.96%), β-caryophyllene (13.01%), α-terpineol (4.97%) in P. arenastrum, (E)-β-farnesene (9.49%), dodecanal (14.01%), β-caryophyllene (11.92%), geranyl acetate (9.49%), and undecanal (7.35%) in P. cognatum. This study is the most comprehensive study conducted to determine the essential oil components of Polygonum species. In addition, a literature review on the composition of the essential oils of these Polygonum taxa was performed. The essential oil components of the species in our study were revealed for the first time with this study. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the comparative biological effects of Polygonum aviculare L. herba (PAH) extract and quercetin-entrapped liposomes on doxorubicin (Doxo)-induced toxicity in HUVECs. HUVECs were treated with two formulations of liposomes loaded with PAH extract (L5 and L6) and two formulations of liposomes loaded with quercetin (L3 prepared with phosphatidylcholine and L4 prepared with phosphatidylserine). The results obtained with atomic force microscopy, zeta potential and entrapment liposome efficiency confirmed the interactions of the liposomes with PAH or free quercetin and a controlled release of flavonoids entrapped in all the liposomes. Doxo decreased the cell viability and induced oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA lesions and apoptosis in parallel with the activation of Nrf2 and NF-kB. Free quercetin, L3 and L4 inhibited the oxidative stress and inflammation and reduced apoptosis, particularly L3. Additionally, these compounds diminished the Nrf2 and NF-kB expressions and DNA lesions, principally L4. PAH extract, L5 and L6 exerted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, reduced γH2AX formation and inhibited extrinsic apoptosis and transcription factors activation but to a lesser extent. The loading of quercetin in liposomes increased the cell viability and exerted better endothelial protection compared to free quercetin, especially L3. The liposomes with PAH extract had moderate efficiency, mainly due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and the inhibition of extrinsic apoptosis. Full article

Plants growing on heavy metal (HM)-polluted soils show toxicity symptoms, such as chlorosis and growth reduction, and undergo oxidative stress due to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Plants overcome oxidative stress by producing a wide range of antioxidant molecules, such as polyphenols and flavonoids. The aim of the present work was to study the accumulation of these molecules in response to increasing concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn and to assess whether they can be used as a tool in assessing metal-related stress in Polygonum aviculare and Senecio vulgaris. On average, P. aviculare shoots accumulated lower amounts of metals than S. vulgaris shoots. The uptake of all six elements was correlated and proportional to their concentration in the nutrient solution (ρ > 0.9), with the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) being >1 for most of them. The present research demonstrated that 82% of the samples showed a good correlation (|ρ| > 0.5) between the level of polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity and the metal concentration in plant shoots, confirming that the metal stress level and production of phenolic compounds having antioxidant activity were strictly connected. Nonetheless, the mere quantification of these molecules cannot identify the type of metal that caused the oxidative stress, neither determine the concentration of the stressors. The five tested populations of each species did not show any specific adaptation to the environment of origin. Full article

This research presents the possibility of using innovative botanical extracts as biostimulants of plant growth to improve plant nutritional value, growth, and development. It is important to increase agricultural production but this process should be carried out in a sustainable way, without causing risks for both the environment and consumers. For this reason, we have focused on the use of 14 natural raw materials and ultrasound assisted extraction for the production of biostimulants. Results proved that higher plants can be used to obtain valuable products for the application in modern horticulture and agriculture. For instance, extract based on Urtica dioica L. showed the highest biostimulatory properties: in the group sprayed with 0.1% extract cabbage seedlings were longer by 31%, while with 1.0% extract of Polygonum aviculare L. roots were longer by 72% than in the control group treated with water. Extracts based on Equisetum arvense L. (0.5%) and Urtica dioica L. (leaf) (0.1%) increased the fresh weight of sprouts by 113% and 112%, respectively. The highest root weight was observed in groups treated with Equisetum arvense L. (0.5%), Polygonum aviculare L. (0.5%), and Urtica dioica L. (leaf) (2.5%)—heavier by 207%, 206%, and 205%, respectively. Most of biostimulants increased the content of pigments involved in photosynthesis (e.g. 156% more chlorophyll for 0.1% Hypericum perforatum L. extract), decreased the content of polyphenols (e.g. 47% less for 2.5% Trifolium pretense extract), and showed a varied impact on antioxidant activity. There is an increasing interest in botanical extracts due to their high content of biologically active compounds and wide variety of application possibilities. Full article

Weeds can cooperate with the agroecosystem’s functioning by providing ecosystem services. Effective weed management should mitigate negative weed–crop interference, while maintaining a functional and balanced weed community. In a two-year trial, the in-line/roller crimper (RC) was used to terminate an agroecological service crop (ASC; here barley, Hordeum vulgare L.) before organic zucchini (Cucurbita pepo, L.) and compared with green manure (GM) ASC and tilled no-ASC with Mater-Bi mulch on the rows (No_ASC). Zucchini yield, soil N availability, weed density/cover, biomass, and community composition were assessed. Analysis of variance, exploratory statistical analysis, and non-parametric inferential approaches were run, respectively, on agronomic data, species-specific weed frequencies, and Shannon diversity. Zucchini yield was the highest in No_ASC, due to soil N immobilization under high C:N barley residues in GM and RC. Multivariate analysis discriminated RC from tilled systems, outlining a specific ensemble of weed species correlated to Shannon diversity. From zucchini fruit set, RC selectively favored Polygonum aviculare L. and Helminthotheca echioides (L.), reasonably because of their oligotrophy and creeping habit. Their dominance finally caused low RC weed control. Results highlight strong weed selective pressure by the mulch-based no-tillage. Understanding the mechanisms underpinning the impact of soil management practices on weed community can drive towards a tailor-made and more effective weed management. Full article

In recent years, heavy metals (HMs) levels in soil and vegetation have increased considerably due to traffic pollution. These pollutants can be taken up from the soil through the root system. The ability of plants to accumulate HMs into their tissues can therefore be used to monitor soil pollution. The aim of this study was to test the ruderal species Senecio vulgaris L., Polygonum aviculare L., and Poa annua L., as possible candidates for biomonitoring Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb in multiple environments. The soils analyzed in this work came from three different environments (urban, woodland, and ultramafic), and therefore deeply differed for their metal content, texture, pH, and organic matter (OM) content. All urban soils were characterized by high OM content and presence of anthropogenic metals like Pb, Zn, Cd, and Cu. Woodland soils were sandy and characterized by low metal content and low OM content, and ultramafic soils had high Ni and Cr content. This soil variability affected the bioindication properties of the three studied species, leading to the exclusion of most metals (Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd, and Pb) and one species (P. aviculare) due to the lack of linear relations between metal in soil and metal in plants. Senecio vulgaris and Poa annua, conversely, appeared to be good indicators of Ni in all the soils tested. A high linear correlation between total Ni in soil and Ni concentration in P. annua shoots (R² = 0.78) was found and similar results were achieved for S. vulgaris (R² = 0.88). Full article

Onobrychis viciifolia (Scop.) (sainfoin) is promoted in the Spanish Aragón region through the Agro-Environmental Schemes (AES) since 2007 with the aim of enhancing biodiversity. Also, in other countries, the interest in this legume crop is growing due to its rusticity and beneficial effects on the soil and livestock. However, the effect of the crop on weed flora in the subsequent cereal crops has hardly been investigated yet. With this aim, weed flora has been characterised in 2011–2014 in sainfoin fields in the second and third year of establishment (S2 and S3), in cereal monocrop (CM), in cereal after sainfoin (CS) and in organic cereal fields (OC). Additionally, the soil seedbank was determined in two years in CM and S3 fields. Weed species richness of emerged flora and of the soil seedbank was highest for sainfoin and lowest for CM, being intermediate for OC and CS regardless of the sampling year. The most feared weed species in winter cereal did not increase by growing sainfoin or in CS compared to CM. Curiously, summer annuals dominated in the soil seedbank. Sainfoin fields cause thus a shift in the weed flora, which does not seem to damage subsequent cereal crops provided fields are mouldboard ploughed after sainfoin. Full article