Argemone Mexicana Research Articles

Distribution of powdery mildew in field and waste land weeds in urban and sub-urban areas of Central Punjab

Weeds act as alternative host of many plant pathogens as they serve source of over-wintering for a wide range of pathogens and effects on all aboveground parts of the plant. Perennials weeds play important role in the spreading of obligate pathogens. Among the prevalent diseases caused by obligate fungal pathogens, powdery mildew is counted in most common diseases especially for vegetables and ornamental plants in Pakistan. The pathogens Erysiphe cichoracearum, Sphaerotheca fuliginia, and Leveillulata urica have been reported on Convolvulus arvensis, Argemone mexicana, Rumex obtusifolious and Rumex dantatus, Euphorbia hirta, Conyza ambigua, Cucumis melo var. Agrestis and Chenopodium murale in Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Sheikhupura districts of Central Punjab. Distribution assessment on a visual 0–5 visual rating scale was recorded at 4 severity rating on C. arvensis, while other weeds showed intermediate reaction except C. melo proved highly resistant against powdery mildew.

In vitro antitoxoplasmal activity of some medicinal plants

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a serious zoonotic protozoal disease that is distributed worldwide and can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans. In most cases, it is asymptomatic, but in immunocompromised individuals, it is associated with severe neurological and gastrointestinal disorders. A previous serological prevalence investigation in Saudi Arabia indicated that the disease prevalence ranged between 25% and 51% in various areas. Recommended commercial drugs cannot achieve 100% clearance due to side effects. Hence, the development of new safe and affordable drugs is an important goal. Aim: In the present study, extracts from the leaves and fruit of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. collected from different areas, along with two other medicinal plants (Argemone mexicana L. and Xanthium brasilicum Vell.) with established antiprotozoal activity, will be evaluated for antitoxoplasmal activity using an in vitro technique. Materials and Methods: All plants were extracted with 100% methanol and examined for activity against the Toxoplasma gondii RH strain via an intracellularly invaded Vero cell line with calculated inhibition percentages. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide colorimetric assay against the Vero cell line was used for cytotoxic evaluation, followed by selectivity index (SI) calculation. Results: X. brasilicum exhibited the best antitoxoplasmal activity with an IC50of 7.19 μg/ml, followed by the A. indica fruits collected from Qassim, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and leaves collected from Central Sudan with an IC50of 17.26 and 18.43 μg/ml, respectively. The best SI was obtained from the leaves of A. indica (6.28) collected from Sudan. Conclusion: Although X. brasilicum proved to have very potent antitoxoplasmal activity, the cytotoxicity was also very high, so the isolation of active compounds is highly recommended.

Experimental Investigation of Performance and Emission characteristics of DI CI Engine with Dual Biodiesel Blends of Mexicana Argemone and Mahua

Abstract In recent years, biodiesel utilization in diesel engines has got attention d ue to popu lation growth and in du strialization. Biodiesel has been proven to be a goo d alternative because of its performance comparable to diesel and capability of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, the effects of engine load and amount o f biodiesel percentage on the performance and emission characteristics of single cylinder, 4 stroke diesel engine has been investigated and presented. The dual biodiesel blends of Argemone Mexicana and Mahu a (Madhuca indica) were used in the present study. The results for biodiesel blend D60A20M20 (i.e 60% diesel, 20% Argemone and 20% Mahua) with diesel showed slight in crease in brake power. There was average 0.06kg/kW h increase in specific fuel consumption for the biodiesel blends at full load. The carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) emissions reduced for the biodiesel blend, while Nox emission was higher as compared to diesel.

Ethnopharmacological Studies of Argemone Mexicana for the Management of Psoriasis Followed by Molecular Techniques: Focus on Plant Metabolomics &Amp; Mechanism of Action

Ethnopharmacological Studies of Argemone Mexicana for the Management of Psoriasis Followed by Molecular Techniques: Focus on Plant Metabolomics &Amp; Mechanism of Action

Conversion of non-edible Argemone Mexicana seed oil into biodiesel through the transesterification process

ABSTRACTIn the present research work, a promising and underutilized feedstock, Argemone Mexicana (AM) seed oil is converted into biodiesel through the two-step transesterification process using hot plate magnetic stirrer. The physicochemical properties of AM biodiesel (Argemone Mexicana oil methyl ester; AMOME), established through standard procedures and found well within the EN14214 standard limits. In this experimental study different variables such as methanol to oil molar ratio, reaction time, and amount of catalyst used are taken into consideration. The experimental outcomes show that the best yield for the conversion of AM seed oil into biodiesel is achieved up to 94% for methanol to oil molar ratio of 6:1 with 60 min heating time for two different catalyst concentrations. Thus the biodiesel production with 0.4% catalyst concentration is found more eco-friendly due to lesser use of catalyst. Finally, it is resolved from the results obtained by the experiment that biodiesel produced from AM seed oil may be used as a potential substitute for natural diesel fuel.

Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and wound healing activity of polyherbal formulation

According to Ayurveda, individual herbs are insufficient to achieve a desired therapeutic effect. When it is optimized as multiple herbs composition in a particular ratio it will give a therapeutic effect in a better way with reduced toxicity. In order to develop such an intervention, the present study was intended to develop a polyherbal drug from methanolic extracts of Plumbago zeylanica Linn, Datura stramonium Linn and Argemone mexicana Linn. The study also aimed to evaluate the impact of polyherbalism on antimicrobial and antioxidant effect, thereafter the ratio of individual plant extracts was optimized accordingly to treat the wound. The poyherbal drug was put on preclinical trial to access the anti-inflammatory and wound healing activity as 2% and 5% polyherbal carbopol-940 gels. The antimicrobial activity was assessed by agar well diffusion and broth dilution method while wound healing activity was evaluated by excision and incision wound models. Topical anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by carrageenan induced paw oedema. The findings of the study revealed the synergistic antimicrobial potential of Polyherbal drug against gram-positive and negative strains. Polyherbal carbopol- 940 gels (2% and 5%w/w) promoted the wound healing and anti-inflammatory effect. The high rate of wound contraction (<0.0001), early epithelialization period (<0.0001) and increased wound breaking strength (<0.0001) were observed in 2% and 5% polyherbal gel treated group when compared to the normal control and negative control group. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect of Polyherbal drug provoked and promoted the wound healing process through accelerated remodelling of damaged tissue.

Modeling and optimization of process parameters for supercritical CO2 extraction of Argemone mexicana (L.) seed oil

This research article deals with the determination of optimal conditions of extraction parameters (e.g. temperature (60–100 °C), pressure (200–350 bar), particle size (0.5–1.0 mm), flow rate-CO2 (5–15 g/min), and the % of co-solvent (0.0–10% of flow rate-CO2) resulting to the optimal cumulative extraction yield during the supercritical fluid extraction of Argemone mexicana (L.) seed oil with and without a modifier (ethanol) using a supercritical carbon dioxide as solvent. A “five-factors-three-levels” Box-Behnken design under the response surface methodology was used to show independent and interactive effects of extraction parameters. A mathematical regression model was expressed properly by a quadratic second-order polynomial equation. The maximum oil yield (42.86%) from A. mexicana seeds was obtained with the optimal conditions (85 °C, 305 bar, 0.75 mm, 11 g/min, and 9% of flow rate-CO2) of extraction parameters. The fatty acids analysis of the seed oil was done using gas chromatography and found its suitability as bio-fuel.

Multiple response optimizations to improve performance and reduce emissions of Argemone Mexicana biodiesel-diesel blends in a VCR engine

The characteristics of multi-fuel VCR engine fuelled with Argemone Mexicana methyl ester, prepared by two step trans-esterification process and its diesel blends (20%, 40%, 60% and 100%) were evaluated with variation of load (3–12 kg) and compression ratio (16–18). In the current analysis engine load, compression ratio and biodiesel blends were taken as input parameters. Response Surface Methodology of Full Factorial Design was used for modelling and analyzing the response parameters with Minitab-14.0 software. Data regression, significance analysis and individual model coefficients were studied for the developed models and presented for validation of the model. Multi objective optimization was carried out for the responses by using the desirability function. Confirmation experiments were executed for validation of optimization results by setting input parameters (Load = 9.8 kg, CR = 18.0, Blend = 20%). Output responses from the mathematical modeling such as BTE 26.77%, BSFC 0.284 kg/kW h, CO 0.0059%, HC 114.84 ppm, NOx 905.6 ppm respectively were obtained using D-optimal test with composites desirability of 0.97009. The predictions of RSM results were obtained in concurrence with the experimental ones, with errors less than 5% excepting for CO model.

Mexican poppy (Argemone mexicana) control in cornfield using deep learning neural networks: a perspective

ABSTRACTMexican poppy (Argemone mexicana) is a widespread noxious annual weed associated with crops such as corn (Zea mays L.), and this weed is persistent because it produces a seed bank. This invasive weed species must be controlled even in the dry season because Mexican poppy has a deep-reaching root system, which taps water from deep soil layers. Cases of a human death caused by Mexican poppy seeds in South Africa, India, and other Eastern countries were reported from the early years of the twentieth century. However, when weeds are controlled uniformly instead of site-specific or precision farming method across the spatially variable fields, there are environmental pollution challenges. Site-specific weed control techniques have gained interest in the precision farming community over the last years mainly because of Global Positioning System (GPS) applications, and a controlled measure of herbicides are applied where there are weeds in the field, and areas with more clusters of weeds receive the correct amount of herbicide application. Mexican poppy has prickles and is a nuisance to farmers, and herbicides represent a severe health hazard to humans due to chemical concentrations in water. For that reason, we propose the design of a site-specific weed control plan to use a row-guided robot to detect and identify weeds with accuracy, control speed timeously, and spray herbicides with a high level of precision and automation. These robotics methods are reported to be environmentally conscious, and economically efficient with less labour and management. The proposed method of deep learning neural networks, which use row-guided robots, a machine is trained on multiple images to identify weeds automatically from the main crop, and release a controlled measure of herbicides based on weed location and density, and spray weeds on-the-go upon emergence.

RSM Analysis of In-cylinder Pressure in a DICI Engine Fueled with Argemone Mexicana Biodiesel-diesel Blends

In the current analysis engine load, compression ratio and bio-diesel blends are taken as input parameters to evaluate the combustion parameter i.e maximum in cylinder pressure with methyl esters of Argemone Mexicana and its diesel blends in a VCR multi-fuel engine. Response surface method of Full Factorial Design (FFD) is used in the present study for modelling and analyzing the combustion parameter with Minitab-14.0 software. The response surface and contour plots of different models are plotted by holding mean value of other input parameter. The developed model, data regression, significance analysis and individual model coefficients were studied and presented for model validation.

In Vitro Study of Antiamoebic Activity of Methanol Extracts of Argemone mexicana on Trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica HM1-IMSS.

Infections caused by parasites in humans represent one of the main public health concerns. Amoebiasis, a parasitic infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica), is considered endemic in Mexico, where Argemone mexicana (A. mexicana) has been used in traditional medicine to treat intestinal parasitic diseases. The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential biological activity of A. mexicana on E. histolytica. For this purpose, a methanolic extract was prepared from A. mexicana leaves, and a differential fractionation was carried out with solvents of different polarities. The inhibitory capacities of the extract and its fractions were evaluated in vitro using HM1-IMSS, a strain of Entamoeba histolytica. A. mexicana extract was found to have a growth-inhibiting activity for E. histolytica, showing IC50 = 78.39 μg/mL. The extract was characterized phytochemically, and the methanolic extract fractions were analyzed by liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS). Berberine and jatrorrhizine were present in the active fractions, and these compounds may be responsible for the antiparasitic activity. The identification of amoebicidal activity of A. mexicana on E. histolytica gives support to the traditional use. Further studies with berberine and jatrorrhizine will be carried out to understand the mechanism involved.

PHYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIOXIDANT ASSESSMENT OF HERBAL EXTRACTS

Aim: The present study was aimed to evaluate and compare the antioxidant potential of the methanolic extracts Plumbago zeylanica Linn (PZME), Datura stramonium (DSME) and Argemone mexicana Linn (AMME) with its polyherbal methanol extract (PHME) composition. Material and method: All the extracts were screened for the presence of various phytochemical by known and standard methods. Qualitative estimation of some potential phytoconstituents like flavonoids and polyphynolics was characterized by TLC (thin layer chromatography) and FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy). The quantification of the Rutin (flavonoid) and Gallic acid (polyphenol) were carried out using UV-visible spectrophotometry. The antioxidant activity of methanolic plant extracts and their combinations were assessed by DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil) method. Ascorbic acid was used as a standard and the antioxidant potential were evaluated at 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg/ml concentration. Results: The phytochemical characterization of PZME, DSME and AMME revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, phenols and flavonoids.The polyherbal methanol extract (PHME) was found to exhibit potent antioxidant activity with maximum free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) of 82.79% as compared to standard ascorbic acid (92.92%) at a concentration of 8 mg/ml and was found to be significantly greater than individual methanol plant extracts. Conclusion: The study revealed a potent synergistic antioxidant effect of methanol extracts of Plumbago zeylanica Linn, Datura stramonium Linn and Argemone mexicana Linn which can be successfully used to mitigate oxidative stress associated complications and other regenerative therapies. Keywords: Plumbago zeylanica Linn, Datura stramonium Linn, Argemone mexicana Linn, Antioxidant, DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil), FTIR, Rutin, Gallic acid.

Potentiating Effect of Ethnomedicinal Plants Against Proliferation on Different Cancer Cell Lines.

There is a long history of traditional medicine for serving the world population. For the prevention and treatment of cancer, herbal remedies have played a significant role. In this review, we have summarized medicinal herbs from the entire world, including India, that are used traditionally for various cancer treatment. Whenever we talk about cancer treatment, medicinal plants always have been on the priority. In this article, we have summarized the flora used in earlier times and recently identified for pre-clinical anticancer treatment. The present paper is a comprehensive review of different literature sources with discussion being made on the therapeutic value of diverse medicinal herbs in the treatment of various kinds of cancer by using different in vitro cancer cell lines. Countless anticancer plants have been recognized with the help of innovative techniques including isolation and structure elucidation that implement their beneficial effect by increasing the immunity of the body, inducing antioxidant action, endorsing making of shielding enzymes, hindering cancer triggering enzymes and hormones, and exciting DNA restoration mechanism. Finally, we have concluded that Argemone mexicana shows maximum anti-cancer activity on various cancer cell lines in comparison to other medicinal plants.

Application of an artificial neural network model for the supercritical fluid extraction of seed oil from Argemone mexicana (L.) seeds

In this work, a three-layer artificial neural network (ANN) was investigated to predict the cumulative extraction yield (CEY) of seed oil during the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of Argemone mexicana (L.) (A. Mexicana) seeds. The effect of five extraction parameters (i.e. temperature (°C), pressure (bar), particle size (mm), flow rate- CO2 (g/min) and co-solvent % (% of flow rate-CO2)) on the CEY of A. Mexicana seed oil was investigated and found that all five extraction parameters have significant effect in the order (co-solvent % > pressure > particle size > flow rate-CO2 > temperature) on it. The ANN model was generated, using experimental data and for this, a trainable, feed-forward-back-propagation (FFBP) network was used to predict the CEY of A. Mexicana seed oil with an acceptable level of accuracy. From the best performing ANN models, a single mathematical equation was developed that can be used in predicting the CEY. In this regard, by changing, the number of neurons in the hidden layer and the algorithms, different networks were formed and compared with the evaluation of networks accuracy in CEY. Finally, the six neurons in the hidden layer, using the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm, found to be the most suitable network. The value of average-absolute-relative-deviation-percentage (AARD%) (3.33%), mean-square-error (MSE) (0.0038) and the coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.9838) showed that the ANN-FFBP [5-6-1] model is a better option for predicting the CEY. Furthermore, the fatty acids analysis was done by using gas chromatography (GC) which confirmed presence of leading fatty acids (C16:0, C16:1, C17:1, C18:0, C18:1n9c, C18:2n6c, and C20:5n3) in the extracted oil of A. Mexicana seeds.

Study the Effect of Water Extracts of Some Plants Against Fungus Macrophomina Phaseolina That Causes Charcoal Rot on Common Beans

The objective of this study was to study the effect of water extracts of plants from the local environment on the growth of fungus Macrophomina Phaseolina. Laboratory results showed a positive effect of water extracts in inhibiting the growth of pathogenic fungus where the percentage of inhibition of extracts (Alknah) Kanahia laniflora, Oleander Nerium, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, (Alsniffh) Argemone mexicana, (Alabb) Withania somnifera, (Alothurb) Rumex nervosus, respectively, 64.07%, 42.96%, 42.58%, 41.86%, 33.48%, and 22.96%. As for the greenhouse experiments results showed an increase in germination percentage and a reduction in the incidence of charcoal rot after 15 days from sowing to treatments of Eucalyptus, Withania somnifera, Argemone mexicana, Kanahia laniflora, and Oleander Nerium, Where the percentage of germination of these treatments were 100%, 96.66%, 96.66%, 96.66%, 93.33%, respectively, and the percentage reduction in the incidence of the same treatments were 0.00%, 3.33%, 3.33%, 3.33%, 6.66%, respectively, compared to the extract of Rumex nervosus and control (untreated seeds) where the infection rates were 43.333% and 25%,respectively. After 45 days from sowing, each plant extract showed positive effects in reducing the incidence of cause charcoal root on the beans. The rate of the reduction in the incidence were 7.67%, 11.67%, 33.33%, 40.00%, 43.33% and 46.67% for the extracts of Kanahia laniflora, Eucalyptus, Oleander Nerium, Argemone mexicana, Rumex nervosus and Withania somnifera, respectively, Compared to the control (non-treated seeds) 76.67%. The results also, showed that the plant extracts had no effect on fresh weight and dry weight of shoot. On the other hand, the results showed that the extract of Rumex nervosus and eucalyptus had positive results in fresh weight gain of the root system by 1.58, 1.36 g., respectively, comparing with 0.71 g. for the control. Rumex nervosus extract showed positive results as an increase in the dry weight of the roots, followed eucalyptus camaldulensis and Nerium oleander 0.21, 0.15, 0.14 g., respectively, comparing with the control 0.11 g. Accordingly, the plant extracts of some plants from the Yemeni environment have the ability to inhibit the growth of pathogens and can be used to control plant diseases to reduce the use of chemical fungicides and reduce the extensive damage to humans and the environment.

Analysis of medicinally important phytocompounds from Argemone mexicana

The present study was aimed to evaluate the total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC) and GC-MS analysis for the presence of some medicinally important compound from Argemone mexicana leaf, stem and flower extracts. Plant extracts of Argemone mexicana leaf, stem and flowers were prepared using Soxhlet extraction. Preliminary detection of phytocompounds was carried out. Total phenolic content of plant extracts was analysed using Folin-ciocalteu reagent and total flavonoid content using aluminium chloride. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy was (GC-MS) was performed to identify phytocompounds present in plant extracts using National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library. The highest total phenolic content was reported in Argemone mexicana stem extract and highest flavonoid content was reported in flower extract. A wide range of fatty acids and phytocompounds were identified which are utilized in antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antimycotic activities. The study concludes that Argemone mexicana have many biologically important compounds, so it can be recommended as a plant of pharmaceutical importance.

Evaluation of some plant extracts for nemato-toxic potential against juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita in vitro

Aqueous leaf extracts were utilized to assess the nematicidal or nematostatic property on second stage juvenile of Meloidogyne incognita. The juvenile were incubate at various concentration of leaf extract viz., 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm. Corrected mortality using Abbot’s formula was recorded after 12, 24 and 48 hours respectively. Correlation coefficient (Pearson) was checked to explain the association between percentages mortality of juvenile with extract concentrations. Linear regression was used to denote concentration and rank dependent outcome of four aqueous plant leaves extracts on the second stage juvenile (J2) mortality. All leaf extracts were found to be nematicidal or nematostatic in property. Maximum juvenile mortality rate was recorded in Xanthium strumarium throughout the incubation period as followed by Acalypha indica, Argemone mexicana and Colocasia gigantean. Concentration depended effect of X. strumarium and C. gigantean proved maximum and minimum level when analyzed by values of regression and correlation. Aqueous leaves extracts of these aforementioned weeds give us an idea about nematicidal properties and therefore may be used as biopesticide in future.

Assessing the risk of epidemic dropsy from black salve use.

Epidemic dropsy is a potentially life-threatening condition resulting from the ingestion of argemone oil derived from the seeds of Argemone mexicana Linn. Exposure to argemone oil is usually inadvertent, arising from mustard cooking oil adulteration. Sanguinarine, an alkaloid present in argemone oil, has been postulated as a causative agent with the severity of epidemic dropsy correlating with plasma sanguinarine levels. Cases of epidemic dropsy have also been reported following the topical application of argemone containing massage oil. Black salve, a topical skin cancer therapy also contains sanguinarine, but at significantly higher concentrations than that reported for contaminated massage oil. Although not reported to date, a theoretical risk therefore exists of black salve inducing epidemic dropsy. This literature review explores the presentation and pathophysiology of epidemic dropsy and assesses the risk of it being induced by black salve.

Scanning electron microscopy as a tool for authentication of oil yielding seed.

Now-a-days, plant species are consumed globally for various purposes and this increasing demand leads to adulteration due to gradually exploitation in natural resources. The major causes of adulteration may be confusion in nomenclature, unawareness of authentic sources, unavailability of authentic sources, color resemblances, deficiencies in collection procedures, and misidentification. This study aims to use the microscopic techniques such as scanning electron microscopy for the authentication of the oil yielding seeds of four important and traditionally used species Prunus persica, Prunus domestica, and Eruca sativa and Argemone Mexicana from their adulterants. All of these are versatile in usage. Locally, these four plants are adulterated badly and there is need to provide a criteria and a complete monograph for correct identification. This research may prove to be helpful for quality control and as well for future studies to explore other novel aspects of these plants.

TISSUE DISTRIBUTION OF TRANSCRIPTS INVOLVED IN BIOSYNTHESIS OF BENZYLISOQUINOLINE ALKALOID IN MATURE PLANTS OF Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae)

The distribution of berberine and sanguinarine was analyzed in roots, stems and leaves of mature Argemone mexicana plants, along with that of transcripts corresponding to selected genes involved in both early biosynthetic reactions, which are common to both alkaloids, and in the late specific reactions conducting to the formation of each of them. Roots were the main sites of alkaloid accumulation, though they showed the lowest accumulation of the analyzed transcripts. Results are discussed in terms of the operation of a possible transport mechanism of alkaloids between the aerial tissues and the roots, or the occurrence of different biosynthetic alternative reactions in both parts, aerial and underground tissues, involving different gene products, yet with similar catalytic capacities.