Advancement in Medicinal Plant Research

Number 3, 2018

26-32
Role of biotechnology in the conservation of rare, threatened and endangered medicinal plant species in the Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland)

Authors: E. N. Kunene and M. T. Masarirambi

Abstract

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Number of views: 664

The use of indigenous medicinal plants by people is widespread in the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Southern Africa region as a whole. However, due to over exploitation, and for some other reasons like climate change, some indigenous medicinal plants have become endangered and are threatened with extinction. Subsequent loss of biodiversity is at stake. Urgent intervention is therefore, required to conserve them. The purpose of this study was to document plant biotechnology techniques which can be used in conservation of rare, endangered and potentially threatened medicinal plants of crucial importance in the country and region. Various ways of conservation through plant biotechnology are discussed.

33-39
Phytochemical study, antiplasmodial activity and acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of the stem bark of Alstonia boonei De Wild

Authors: Hermeline Ntalani, Mon-Sang César Akouala Bouanga, Gelase Fredy Nsonde Ntandou, Dieudonné Mumba Ngoyi, Papy Mandoko Nkoli, Ange Landela, Pascal Robin Ongoka and Jean-Maurille Ouamba

Abstract

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Number of views: 482

Alstonia boonei De Wild is very cited in ethnobotanical surveys and in literature as an antimalarial plant. In the Republic of Congo, traditional therapists use the decoction of A. boonei stem bark to treat Malaria. To verify this information obtained from the traditional therapists, we conducted a phytochemical study, evaluated the antiplasmodial activity and the acute toxicity of the decoction of its stem bark. The phytochemical study revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids and saponins. It also allowed the extraction of total alkaloids with a yield of 6.33 ± 0.02%. The antiplasmodial activity evaluated on the strain isolated from patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum was comparable between the decoction (IC50 = 111.2 μg.ml-1) and the total alkaloids (IC50 = 116.4 μg.ml-1). This activity is therefore due to alkaloids. The lethal dose 50% (LD50) is greater than 5000 mg.kg-1, the plant is not toxic.

40-45
Effect of drought stress on some morphological characteristics, quantity and quality of essential oil in Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.)

Authors: Reza Dehghani Bidgoli

Abstract

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Number of views: 415

In order to investigate the effect of different levels of drought stress on plant growth and essential oil composition of Rosemary aerial parts, a completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments and three replications was conducted in the University of Kashan in 2017. The water stress treatments contained: 100, 85, 70, 55 and 40% of field capacity (FC). The results of statistical analysis showed that the water stress had significant effects on morphological characteristics and percentage and essential oil composition. By decreasing the amount of soil water, length, fresh weight of stem and fresh and dry weight of root reduced. Also, the percentage of essential oils first increased and then decreased. Decreasing of growth parameters was observed in the fifth level of stress (40% of FC) and plants produced very little flowers. In order to investigate the essential oil factors, the aerial parts were separated and their essential oils were extracted, more essential oil was obtained in 85% FC condition. The important compound in the essential oils was Camphor which increased its value with increased level of drought stress. Also, Camphene, that has reduced the quality of the essential oil, first decreased by increasing the drought stress level and then increased. Therefore it can be concluded that in the initial levels of drought stress (85% FC) the percentage of essential oil increased but with increasing drought stress (55% FC), despite the decrease in the percentage of essential oil produced, its quality increased. So, the best stress level for increasing the essential oil production was 85% FC, and for the essential oil quality was 55% FC.

46-53
Effect of organic manures on nutritional quality of chicory under water deficit

Authors: A. Rahimian Boogar, F. Saedi and S. M. Mosavi Nik

Abstract

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Number of views: 438

Drought stress and organic manure have vigorous role in plant growth. In order to alleviate effects of drought on chicory (Chicorium intybus L.), poultry and livestock manures were used at different levels of drought which induced according to evaporate level from evaporation pan. Aim of this research was to improve the chicory nutritional and pharmaceutical suitability under drought. Results suggested significant effects of both manures on chicory mineral accumulation and phytochemicals. The highest concentration of potassium (K), phosphorus (P) and manganese (Mn) were obtained with poultry application at moderate drought, but no significant difference with livestock manure on potassium in severe drought. Livestock manure usage increased zinc (Zn) concentration in severe drought significantly. Both manures increased total phenolic compounds in severe drought significantly, but total carbohydrate significantly affected by poultry manure. Therefore, chicory inulin and chicoric acid under drought conditions were significantly affected by both poultry and livestock manures.