Toxic plants and Crime

Algal biomass, extracts, or derivatives have long been considered a valuable material to bring benefits to humans and cultivated plants. In the last decades, it became evident that algal formulations can induce multiple effects on crops (including an increase in biomass, yield, and quality), and that algal extracts contain a series of bioactive compounds and signaling molecules, in addition to mineral and organic nutrients. The need to reduce the non-renewable chemical input in agriculture has recently prompted an increase in the use of algal extracts as a plant biostimulant, also because of their ability to promote plant growth in suboptimal conditions such as saline environments is beneficial. In this article, we discuss some research areas that are critical for the implementation in agriculture of macro- and microalgae extracts as plant biostimulants. Specifically, we provide an overview of current knowledge and achievements about extraction methods, compositions, and action mechanisms of algal extracts, focusing on salt-stress tolerance. We also outline current limitations and possible research avenues. We conclude that the comparison and the integration of knowledge on the molecular and physiological response of plants to salt and to algal extracts should also guide the extraction procedures and application methods. The effects of algal biostimulants have been mainly investigated from an applied perspective, and the exploitation of different scientific disciplines is still much needed for the development of new sustainable strategies to increase crop tolerance to salt stress.

Mahkota dewa (Phaleria macrocarpa [Scheff.] Boerl.) is a poisonous plant, but almost all parts of the plants can be used as a traditional medicine. Consuming the plant directly can cause swollen, sprue, numb at tongue, fever, even unconscious. Although the plant can conquere various diseases, from diabetes mellitus, hemorrhoid, impotency to cancer, but research on the plant is still limited. A researchwas conducted to find out antioxidant activities at a parts of mahkota dewa plant by free radical scavenging method (DPPH). The highest activities of the parts of plant are young fruits and old fruits in the ethanol and methanol solvents. Then after partitioned based on the polarity (ethylacetate, n-buthanol and water) showed that n-buthanol extract of young fruits gave inhibition value IC50 = 41,07 ppm.© 2007 Jurusan Biologi FMIPA UNS SurakartaKey words: Mahkota dewa, P. macrocarpa, plant extracts, antioxidant, DPPH

Aim: The aim of the manuscript is to summarize various biomedical applications of metallic nanoparticles that are synthesized using herbal components. Methodology: Various search engines such as google, sciencedirect, scopusetc were utilized for the literature survey. The literature survey was focused on the different parts of plants like leaves, stem, root, fruit and flowers as a source of therapeutic active component and their utilization in the preparation of metallic nanoparticles. Manuscript also described in depth information about the different activities of synthesized nanoparticles. It was concluded from the literature surveys that, a plant extract used in the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles was cheaper than the synthetic chemicals and less toxic to the environment. Results and Conclusion: The plant extract used in the synthesis is herbal in nature. It does not cause any environmental hazards. Instead of synthetic chemicals, the plant extracts which are used in the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles, acts as capping, reducing and stabilizing agent during the synthesis. It was also observed that plant-based metallic nanoparticles were more stable, the synthesis rate was faster as compared to chemical processes and can be easily obtained in different shapes and sizes.

Background : The central Middle Atlas is a region renowned for its wealth of medicinal plants and ancestral knowledge of its local population in traditional pharmacopoeia. Thus, the main aim of this study is the valorization of poisonous medicinal plants and to provide an overview on the state of plant biodiversity of toxic medicinal plants, recommended by the actors of traditional medicine in this region Methods : The survey carried out involving actors of traditional medicine in the central Middle Atlas made it possible to establish a list of toxic medicinal plants recommended by these actors. A field survey was then conducted in order to identify the plants inventoried in the different sites of the study area, for taxonomic confirmation and /or determination. Results : Ethnobotanical survey allowed us to identify 123 medicinal plants used. Of these, 83 are declared toxic. The floristic prospection of these 83 toxic medicinal plants revealed that the majority of these plants are spontaneous herbaceous, with a rate of endemism of 8.34%. In addition, these plants are grouped into 74 genera and distributed over 36 families, of which the most represented are Lamiaceae (15.66%) and Asteraceae (14.46%). Also, the study revealed that Anacyclus pyrethrum L., Aristolochia paucinervis Pomel and Urtica urens L. are the most toxic plants used therapeutically. Moreover, the results show that for some plants, the most toxic parts are the most recommended by practitioners of traditional medicine in the study area, generally with internal use. Thus, the risks of poisoning are indisputable and accentuated by the recorded cases of confusion. Conclusion : The Middle Atlas is a region known for its flora biodiversity and especially for poisonous medicinal plants. The uncontrolled use of these plants can lead to sequelae and possibly serious intoxications. Keywords : Floristic prospecting, toxic medicinal plants, Central Middle Atlas, phytotherapy.

EXCEPTING works on poisonous plants from the agricultural and medical points of view, there is very little printed information available to the lay reader. Fortunately, most British poisonous plants are rare; but the most dangerous are those with an attractive and luscious appearance. Perhaps that is why, despite their scarcity, such plants are the cause of illness and even death to unwary ramblers, campers, and school children every year. The pamphlet recently published as a reprint from School Nature Study therefore comes as a timely warning, not only to the country child and the town child in the country, for whom it is written, but also to adults who take an active part in country life. The pamphlet, “British Poisonous and Edible Plants” written by Miss Hilda F. Rendle, after a few introductory remarks, gives a list of edible plants found growing wild. These are divided into black fruits, scarlet fruits, seeds and nuts flowers leaves, roots, and fungi. The second part deals with the poisonous plants, giving not only the well-known plants such as laurel, bryony, deadly nightshade, etc., but also some of the less familiar types such as the spindle with its attractive pink fruit and orange seeds, potato ‘apples’ and acorns. A few of these are illustrated. It is a pity that the fungi were not given more space. Only the common mushroom (Psallista) is described, with the concluding remark that all other fungi should be avoided". In the present day of extended country activities, this pamphlet should be welcomed by all school teachers, boy scouts troops, country rambling organisations, etc. Copies at 2d. each or two shillings per dozen can be obtained from Mr. E. G. Clarke, 7 Stanley Avenue, Wembley, Middlesex.

The search for natural immunotherapeutic agents has become increasingly important for fish disease treatment and prophylaxis. The present research explored the effects of macro- and microalgal extracts on zebrafish juvenile growth and immune status. A plant-based diet was used as a control (diet C), and seven other diets were prepared similar to diet C, supplemented with 10 g Kg−1 of each algal extract (Fucus vesiculosus, F; Nannochloropsis gaditana, N; and Ulva rigida, U), or a combination of extracts (diets FN, FU, NU and FNU). A fishmeal-based diet was included as a positive control (diet C+). Diet C+ outperformed the remaining dietary treatments, growth-wise. None of the extracts improved diet C negative effects. However, the inclusion of U. rigida and N. gaditana extracts promoted an immunomodulatory action after 1 week of trial, by upregulating cytokine expression. This effect subsided after 30 days, suggesting tolerance may be developed over time. In contrast, effects on growth-related genes were still observed after 5 weeks of feeding F, N, U and FN diets. Algal extract dietary inclusion did not compromise intestinal integrity. These findings support the potential of algal extracts as functional feed additives during short periods (<30 days) to enhance immunomodulation.

Poisonous Plants: When They Are a Threat to Children

Antibacterial activity and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS)-based metabolite profiles of Celtis africana and its endophytic extracts

Background: Several plants considered toxic are sometimes identified in traditional medicinal recipes. This study identified and inventoried the plants and plant parts identified as toxic in targeted local government areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: By administering tested questionnaires, information on the poisonous or toxic plants, poisonous parts, poisonous effects, modes of poisoning, and antidotes was obtained. Results and Conclusion: Ninety-two species belonging to 43 families were identified as toxic plants and these were mainly members of the Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae families. The botanical names, poisonous parts, common names, vernacular names, modes of poisoning, antidotes, and poisonous effects are presented in a table. Key words: Inventory, poisonous plants, toxic

Present study conducted on poisonous or toxic plants abundance in south-eastern Rajasthan which are not identified by the local people, particularly preschool children are prone to be victimized by eating poisonous plants accidentally. Sometimes due to confusion or ignorance human beings use poisonous plants for daily needs like wild edible plants, infectivity of food with noxious plants, or by the use of plants use as remedies for some ailments. All these plants can affect either whole body spectrum or slightest quantity. The poisonous plants recorded from the study area are arranged alphabetically, each by its botanical name, followed by family and local names with their toxic principles and toxicity. Total 45 poisonous plant species were recorded belonging to 30 different families from the study area. Maximum poisonous plants species were recorded from Euphorbiaceae family and followed by Poaceae family. The traditional uses are described with details of toxic plant parts used, toxic principles and notes on toxic effects on humans and livestock. This paper provides valuable information for local people to be aware of poisonous or harmful plants available to their surroundings.

Termites play a great role in recycling and decaying of materials but are serious threat to agricultural crops and buildings. There are various practices to control the termites like plant resistance, cultural, biological, physical barriers and synthetic chemicals. Most commonly, synthetic chemicals are used for their control. But the injudicious use of chemicals leads to serious environmental and health problems. Although insecticides of plant origin are safe alternatives to synthetic insecticides but due to their low potential they are not widely used and synthetic chemicals are still playing a great role in insect control. Many plant extracts have been found having anti-termitic properties. The present project was carried out in order to determine the comparative effect of termiticides and plant extracts on mortality and tunnel formation of Odontotermesobesus at Department of plant protection faculty of Agriculture, Ghazi University Dera Ghazi Khan. There were five treatments; two termiticides viz. Bifenthrin and Chlorfenapyr and three plant extracts (Dodonaea viscosa, Rhazya stricta and Citrullus colocynthis). Each treatment consisting of four concentrations i.e., 0% as a control, 1%, 5 % and 10% was tested. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design and treatments were replicated three times. The data on mortality and tunnel formation was recorded at specific intervals and statistically analyzed by using Kaplan Meier test to determine LT50 values of termiticides and plant extracts. The results showed that Bifenthrin as most effective treatment among chemicals while among plant extracts Dodonaea viscosa was found most effective having lower LT50 values. Keywords: Insecticides; Mortality; Plant extracts; Termites and Tunnel formation http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2020.90203

It has been centuries since neem plant is known to have medicinal importance to the humans. Whole plant parts have uncountable properties such as anti-bacterial, anti-malarial, anti- fungal, and anti-cancerous. Worldwide the extract from different parts of this plant is being used in many herbal and allopathic medicines. It enriches skin and prevent any kind of skin infection. The phytoconstituents such as azadiractin and nimbidin are found in seed oil extract that possesses anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory properties. Neem plant also shows great potential to increase the metabolic activity and improves the immunity of the human beings. This review gives a detail overview about the various phytoconstituents present in different parts of neem plant, their effectiveness to cure various diseases and the recent worldwide development in use of this plant.

This study investigates the fabrication of algogenic zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs), examining their biomimetic properties and potential antibacterial effectiveness against fish pathogens. The rising incidence of antibiotic resistance in aquaculture demands innovative strategies for disease management, highlighting the importance of developing biocompatible and effective antimicrobial agents. In this context, ZnNPs were synthesized using Pediastrum boryanum microalgal extract as the reducing and capping agent. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed spherical and tetragonal particles with sizes ranging from 32.84 to 26.87 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) demonstrated distinctive functional groups in the algal extracts and ZnNPs. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) showed pure crystallinity of the fabricated ZnNPs with an average crystalline size of 57.97 nm. The algal extract had high total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) contents (TPC: 53.83 and TFC: 12.44 mg QE/g, respectively). The obtained ZnNPs retained a considerable amount of TPC and TFC (7.92 and 5.31 mg/g, respectively). The microalgal extract and ZnNPs exhibited considerable antioxidant capacity in the 2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. In addition, they elicited antibacterial efficacy against several bacterial pathogens in fish in a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay. Brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA) revealed higher potential cytotoxicity of biosynthesized ZnNPs at 29.28 μg/mL compared to that of the algal extracts at 51.56 μg/mL. These findings highlight the potential of P. boryanum as a green factory for the nanofabrication of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) and as a promising clinical candidate for fish medicine.

Addressing lanthanum toxicity in plants: Sources, uptake, accumulation, and mitigation strategies

Medicinal plants have been used since ancient times to prepare medicines in the form of extracts. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts of various parts of medicinal plants may contain potentially useful chemical compounds with biological activity. Therefore, extracts of some plants are still used to obtain effective and even potent medicines. It is believed that some medicinal plants contain chemical compounds that can have a protective effect on the kidneys in their diseases. However, the existing information on renal-tropic drugs obtained from medicinal plant raw materials and on the biological activity of extracts of medicinal plants does not allow us to draw unambiguous conclusions. A critical analysis of the information is required to sift out the “wheat from the chaff”. In this regard, the article provides a critical review of the available information on the pharmacological activity of extracts of medicinal plants claiming to have a renal protective effect. A list of information and features of the therapy of kidney diseases using extracts of various medicinal plants is provided. It has been shown that the development of effective herbal therapy for the treatment of severe renal diseases requires a systematic study of such properties of finished drugs (extracts) as the volume of solvent (alcohol or water). Attention is drawn to the fact that the analysis of information is not possible without taking into account the single, daily and course dose of water (or alcohol), as well as the physico-chemical properties of the extract taken. Only after taking into account these factors of therapy, it will be possible to critically re-evaluate the therapeutic effect of the applied extracts of medicinal plants, taking into account the dose of water and the physico-chemical properties of the corresponding extracts for specific kidney diseases. Most likely, it is advisable to analyze the effectiveness of specific extracts in such kidney diseases as acute renal failure, nephrotic syndrome and chronic interstitial nephritis. It should be noted that in chronic renal failure, the patient may have a different glomerular filtration rate, namely, be below 30 ml/min. In this regard, different glomerular filtration in patients may have different effects on the pharmacokinetics of drugs, including water and table salt. In addition, it is reported that researchers ignoring the osmotic activity of extracts does not allow taking into account the osmotic component of their effect on diuresis. Also, the traditional approach to the treatment of critical conditions in renal failure includes dialysis and renal replacement therapy, which are difficult to access for some rural residents due to their geographical and economic location. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the effect of medicinal plant extracts not only on patients, but also on the clinical effectiveness of dialysis and renal replacement therapy. The article analyzes the available information from other sides as well. Certain herbs in herbal collections have proven nephroprotective properties nephroprotective properties. In particular, it is reported that today extracts of plants such as Kanchnar (bauhinia raznolistnaya), Kushmanda (Benincasa Hispid) and Yeshtimadu (licorice naked) can have a more reliable renal protective effect. Nevertheless, the renal-protective activity of these plant extracts has not been scientifically substantiated.