Convallaria Majalis Research Articles

СУКЦЕСІЙНІ ПРОЦЕСИ У ЖИВОМУ НАДҐРУНТОВОМУ ПОКРИВІ НЕЗІМКНУТИХ ЛІСОВИХ КУЛЬТУР ДУБА ЗВИЧАЙНОГО В УМОВАХ ВОЛОГИХ СУГРУДІВ ЖИТОМИРСЬКОГО ПОЛІССЯ

After continuous felling of oak stands and creation of forest crops on the cutting areas, dynamic, mosaic plant groups are formed in the humid conditions of Zhytomyr Polissya, consisting of remnants of forest species and meadow and ruderal plants that settled after deforestation. On cutting areas, the species saturation of the grass-shrub tier (83 species) is much higher than in fresh loam conditions (50 species). On biennial cutting areas, plant communities are similar in species composition to the vegetation of annual cutting areas. Some forest species disappear from the floristic composition of the groups, in particular: Convallaria majalis L., Galium intermedium Schult, Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce, Hypericum maculatum Crantz and others, resulting in reduced floristic saturation up to 64 species. The projective cover of preserved forest species is significantly reduced, and ruderal, invasive and meadow species continue to play a leading role in grass formation. Typical forest species continue to fall on the three-year-old fellings from the floristic composition of the cenosis, in particular Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn, Rubus saxatilis L., Calamagrostis arundinacea (L.) Roth., Cruciata glabra (L.) Ehrend.) and others. Some forest species are restored under the tent of undergrowth. In three-year-old plant communities, ruderal species play a significant role, in particular: Galeopsis tetrahit L., Galeopsis bifida Boenn., Persicaria minor (Huds. Opiz), Erigeron canadensis L. and others, the projective coverage of which is gradually decreasing. In seven-ten-year-old oak forest stands in the conditions of wet soil, the closure of the stands of the stand, as in fresh conditions, is 0.80-0.85, but the species composition of the first tier is much richer. The undergrowth in floristic composition and coenotic structure is also similar to the undergrowth of 120-year-old coenoses. Its closure is usually 0.50. Species saturation (up to 61 species) increases in the grass-shrub tier. Light-loving ruderal species fall out, a number of typical forest plants appear, and the restoration of the coenotic structure of the phytocenosis is completed. A characteristic feature of living aboveground cover in wet soil, compared to fresh soil, is the presence of wetland plants, which appear in the first year due to lightening of the soil surface and increase its humidity, and continue to grow in all age groups, including ten-year plantations.

Convallatoxin, the primary cardiac glycoside in lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis), induces tissue factor expression in endothelial cells.

BackgroundConvallotoxin (CNT), present in lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis), is a toxin that causes food poisoning among humans and companion animals. Although various symptoms of CNT poisoning have been well described, hypercoagulability owing to CNT is only empirically known among some veterinarians, and the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. CNT exerts cytotoxic effects on endothelial cells.ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine whether CNT induces the expression of tissue factor (TF), a potent initiator of the extrinsic coagulation cascade, in endothelial cells and leads to a hypercoagulable state.MethodsHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used for in vitro experiments. HUVECs were treated with or without CNT (50 and 100 nM) for 4 h. Phosphate‐buffered saline was used as a control. Cell viability was determined using the WST‐8 assay. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine TF mRNA expression. TF protein expression was observed using a laser scanning confocal microscope.ResultsThe viability of HUVECs significantly reduced after CNT treatment compared with that of non‐treated cells (p < 0.05). Moreover, a significant increase in TF mRNA and protein expression was observed after 4 h of CNT treatment. CNT elicited these effects in a dose‐dependent manner.ConclusionsTF expression induced by CNT in endothelial cells can contribute to the development of a hypercoagulable state. The present study partially revealed the mechanisms underlying the CNT‐induced hypercoagulable state. The findings can contribute to the development of a novel therapy for lily of the valley poisoning.

Биоэкологические особенности редких и исчезающих растений при интродукции в условиях Мангышлакского экспериментального ботанического сада

The paper presents the results of research on the bioecological features of 8 species of herbaceous plants (Ixiliorion tataricum, Convallaria majalis, Ornithogalum fischeranum, Convolvulus persicus, Iris aphylla, Tulipa sogdiana, Tulipa schrenkii, Tulipa biflora), included in the Red Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan (6 species), the Russian Federation (1 species) and the Mangistau region (1 species) when introduced under the conditions of the Mangyshlak Experimental Botanical Garden. Bioecological features of plants, life forms, their biometric indicators, results of phenological observations in conditions ex situ of Mangyshlak experimental botanical garden are given. Of the 8 studied species, 6 are ephemeroids, 2 species are long-growing. All plants go through all phases of vegetation, successfully reproduce by seed and vegetation ways. Morphometric indices of research objects exceed similar data in places of natural growth, which indicates stability in culture conditions. Following the results of the introduction into the culture, a seed fund of rare and endangered plants was laid; the use of species in ornamental gardening of the Mangistau region was proposed.

Spirostanol Sapogenins and Saponins from Convallaria majalis L. Structural Characterization by 2D NMR, Theoretical GIAO DFT Calculations and Molecular Modeling.

Two new spirostanol sapogenins (5β-spirost-25(27)-en-1β,2β,3β,5β-tetrol 3 and its 25,27-dihydro derivative, (25S)-spirostan-1β,2β,3β,5β-tetrol 4) and four new saponins were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Convallaria majalis L. together with known sapogenins (isolated from Liliaceae): 5β-spirost-25(27)-en-1β,3β-diol 1, (25S)-spirostan-1β,3β-diol 2, 5β-spirost-25(27)-en-1β,3β,4β,5β-tetrol 5, (25S)-spirostan-1β,3β,4β,5β-tetrol 6, 5β-spirost-25(27)-en-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β-pentol 7 and (25S)-spirostan-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β-pentol 8. New steroidal saponins were found to be pentahydroxy 5-O-glycosides; 5β-spirost-25(27)-en-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β-pentol 5-O-β-galactopyranoside 9, 5β-spirost-25(27)-en-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β-pentol 5-O-β-arabinonoside 11, 5β-(25S)-spirostan-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β-pentol 5-O-galactoside 10 and 5β-(25S)-spirostan-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β-pentol 5-O-arabinoside 12 were isolated for the first time. The structures of those compounds were determined by NMR spectroscopy, including 2D COSY, HMBC, HSQC, NOESY, ROESY experiments, theoretical calculations of shielding constants by GIAO DFT, and mass spectrometry (FAB/LSI HR MS). An attempt was made to test biological activity, particularly as potential chemotherapeutic agents, using in silico methods. A set of 12 compounds was docked to the PDB structures of HER2 receptor and tubulin. The results indicated that diols have a higher affinity to the analyzed targets than tetrols and pentols. Two compounds (25S)-spirosten-1β,3β-diol 1 and 5β-spirost-25(27)-en-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β-pentol 5-O-galactoside 9 were selected for further evaluation of biological activity.

Spring poisoning hazards

Poisoning can be seasonal. Potential toxic hazards in the spring include adders, which emerge from hibernation as the weather warms. Adders may not be seen to bite a horse, but envenomation should be considered in a horse with localised limb swelling that spreads up the leg. There are several spring-flowering plants which contain toxic compounds such as cardiogenic glycosides (foxglove, lily of the valley, oleander), protoanemonin (Hellebore) and grayanotoxins (Pieris and Rhododendron). Saplings of sycamore are a spring source of hypoglycin A which causes atypical myopathy in horses. Treating plant poisoning in horses generally involves removing the plant, providing good quality food and giving supportive care. Managing the effects of adder bite is supportive, centring around administration of specific antivenom.

Still-lifes of the "Small Dutch" as Primary Sources of Motives of the "German Flowers" in Porcelain

The aim of the research is to analyse the sources of inspiration of motives of the "German flowers" ("the Saxon pattern", "the Saxon attire") in the European porcelain and the faience, connected with creative works of thw well-known masters of the "small Dutch". The research methodology includes ontological, historical and chronological methods as well as the method of the art criticism analysis. The ontological method is connected with the presence of a genre of a flower still-life in the paintings of old masters. The second method correlates with the list of names of artists who used to turn to the image of field and garden flowers in the Flemish and Holland fine arts in the ХVІІ–ХVІІІ centures. The method of the art criticism analysis will be used for the analysis of works of leading European manufactories of thin ceramics where the assortment patterns of "the Saxon attire" were largely popular. Scientific novelty is connected with the defining of interrelations of the decor of the "German flowers" in the Ukrainian porcelain and faience of the end of the ХVІІІ – the beginnings of the ХХ centures with the samples of flower still-lifes of the "small Dutch" in the ХVІ–ХVІІІ ct. Conclusions. Thus, having considered the still lives of the first elements of the "little Dutch" of the XVIII-XVIII centuries and European porcelain and faience products of the XVIII-XX centuries the genetic affinity of their floral motives was established. In particular, the works of leading European centers of “white gold”, beginning with Meissen and Berlin, and ending with Ukrainian Korts and Baranivka, evidence this. At the same time, artists of fine ceramic enterprises relied on a bank of drawings and iconography of flowers of “fantasy bouquet” (from different seasons), which included, first of all, motives of “king-flower” (tulip, carnation, daffodil, rose) surrounded by flowers of “royal suite”, namely, daisies, cornflowers, poppies, blushes, marigolds, violets, lilies of the valley, peonies, forget-me-nots, wild hips, and more.

Радіоактивне забруднення конвалії звичайної (Convallaria Majalis L.) у лісах Житомирського Полісся

Наведено результати досліджень з вивчення динаміки радіоактивного забруднення надземної фітомаси конвалії звичайної (Convallaria majalis L.) у вологих сугрудах Житомирського Полісся (1991–2018 рр.). Відзначено зменшення щільності радіоактивного забруднення ґрунту за період спостережень. На всіх постійних пробних площах встановлено вищі значення питомої активності 137Cs у суцвіттях конвалії звичайної відносно величини цього показника у її траві – в 1,3–2,5 раза. Встановлено зменшення вмісту 137Cs у траві конвалії звичайної за 27 років (1991–2018 рр.) в 11,1–17,3 раза. Виявлено підвищення цього показника в окремі роки та періоди, що пов'язано з погодними умовами конкретного року та, можливо, циклічністю міграції 137Cs у лісовому біогеоценозі. Інтенсивність надходження радіонуклідів до досліджуваних частин конвалії звичайної дещо вища у 1998 р. порівняно з отриманими результатами у 2018 р., проте зберігається співвідношення між обома роками спостережень. Величини коефіцієнта переходу радіонукліду як до суцвіть (3,8–8,2 м2×кг-1×10-3), так і до трави (1,9–5,1 м2×кг-1×10-3) конвалії звичайної невеликі, що дає підстави віднести цю рослину до помірних накопичувачів 137Cs. З'ясовано, що на сьогодні у лісовій підстилці вологих сугрудів міститься лише 1,3 % від сумарної активності 137Cs у ґрунті, а основна його частина перемістилася у верхній 10-сантиметровий мінеральний шар ґрунту, і становить – 90,06 %. Внаслідок встановлено сучасну залежність між щільністю радіоактивного забруднення ґрунту 137Cs та питомою активністю радіонукліду у траві та суцвіттях конвалії звичайної.

Раритетна компонента лісових фітоценозів Лісостепу України

Наводиться аналіз проблеми щодо актуальності питань інвентаризації раритетної компоненти лісової флори України, її природно-зональних та адміністративно-обласних спектрів. Визначено причини раритетності видів лісової флори та запропоновано заходи щодо їхньої охорони. Для організації моніторингу чисельності та поширення судинних рослин міжнародного, національного та регіонального статусів охорони як складової системного моніторингу лісів досліджено стан популяцій раритетних видів рослин та їхнього розповсюдження в лісових фітоценозах Лісостепу (рясність-покриття та участь у складі рослинного покриву, розповсюдження в межах адмінистративних областей, Лісостепової лісогосподарської області та чотирьох її округів). Об’єкти досліджень – ділянки моніторингу 1-го рівня (642 ділянки) у межах Лісостепу України.

Lily-of-the-valley fragrances

Obtaining an essential oil from the lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis L.) that embodies the characteristic smell of the living flowers is not possible even today. Challenged by this pitfall, organic chemists and perfumers have generated a wealth of artificial compounds over the last 120 years, which confer fresh, green, flowery, crisp, aldehydic muguet notes to soaps, detergents, body care and cosmetic products as well as to prestigious perfumes. Nowadays, lily-of-the-valley odorants account for over 20% of the total perfumery raw materials market, which makes them the most important odor family, not only in terms of value but also in volume.

Fabrication and characterization of large numerical aperture, high-resolution optical fiber bundles based on high-contrast pairs of soft glasses for fluorescence imaging.

Fabrication and characterization of flexible optical fiber bundles (FBs) with in-house synthesized high-index and low-index thermally matched glasses are presented. The FBs composed of around 15000 single-core fibers with pixel sizes between 1.1 and 10 μm are fabricated using the stack-and-draw technique from sets of thermally matched zirconium-silicate ZR3, borosilicate SK222, sodium-silicate K209, and F2 glasses. With high refractive index contrast pair of glasses ZR3/SK222 and K209/F2, FBs with numerical apertures (NAs) of 0.53 and 0.59 are obtained, respectively. Among the studied glass materials, ZR3, SK222, and K209 are in-house synthesized, while F2 is commercially acquired. Seven different FBs with varying pixel sizes and bundle diameters are characterized. Brightfield imaging of a micro-ruler and a Convallaria majalis sample and fluorescence imaging of a dye-stained paper tissue and a cirrhotic mice liver tissue are demonstrated using these FBs, demonstrating their good potential for microendoscopic imaging. Brightfield and fluorescence imaging performance of the studied FBs are compared. For both sets of glass compositions, good imaging performance is observed for FBs, with core diameter and core-to-core distance values larger than 1.6 μm and 2.3 μm, respectively. FBs fabricated with K209/F2 glass pairs revealed better performance in fluorescence imaging due to their higher NA of 0.59.

Еловые леса Ижорской возвышенности (Ленинградская область): типология и современное состояние

Еловые леса Ижорской возвышенности (Ленинградская область): типология и современное состояние

Cypripedium calceolus (Orchidaceae) in Central Russia: a case study for its populations in two protected areas in the Republic of Mordovia (Russia)

Cypripedium calceolus is considered as one of the flagship plant species of nature conservation. It is legally protected throughout Eurasia. Due to its wide distribution range, this Eurasian species could be considered as Least Concern, Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered taxon. We performed an analysis of the status for some C. calceolus populations in Central Russia located in the Republic of Mordovia, with emphasis on populations situated in the federal protected areas. The aim of our study was to asses the modern state and the endangerment of C. calceolus populations. The environment conditions and species composition in five habitats with rare species in Mordovia were compared using phytoindication methods. Changes in stage spectrum and total abundance dynamics in C. calceolus populations over 2011–2016 were estimated and compared with available data from other locations within species’ range. Reproductive ability of populations from the federal protected area, Mordovia State Nature Reserve, were studied. The results showed that C. calceolus grows in three habitat types that differed in environment conditions and floristic composition. Convallaria majalis was the only species registered in all studied locations, together with C. calceolus. In Central Russia this species occurs in broad-leaved, coniferous and mixed forests. The three populations of C. calceolus within the Mordovia State Nature Reserve and National Park “Smolny” were characterized by the dominance of vegetative individuals in stage spectrum, while generative plants predominated in two other populations located in mixed forests. No correlation between total abundance of individuals and stage spectrum in populations of threatened species has been found over the study period. The population in Mordovia Reserve showed a higher fruit set (36.7% as a mean) than others reported within its range. Continued population monitoring of C. calceolus in Central Russia from different habitat types is suggested. Generalization of jointly obtained demographic, ecological, phytocoenological data will be appropriate in order to develop measures for conservation and management of C. calceolus habitats.

Фітотоксикологічна оцінка вмісту металів у рослинах природних екосистем (на прикладі зелених паркових зон)

Фітотоксикологічна оцінка вмісту металів у рослинах природних екосистем (на прикладі зелених паркових зон)

Возможности и перспективы использования лекарственных растений Российского Дальнего Востока

The review provides intelligence about the usage of medicinal plants that are grown in the Russian Far East region (99 species), that are included in XI (1990) and XIII (2015) editions of State Pharmacopoeia as well as in the list of official types. Analysis was performed on dissemination of Eurasian, extraneous, cultivated, Siberia-Far Eastern, and Far Eastern species. Described is the history of research and possibilities of applications of plants that are distributed only in the Russian Far-Eastern region: araliaceae family (ginseng, oplopanax, spikenard, eleutherococcus) and actinide family (actinidia kolomikta, actinidia arguta), beach rose, five-flavor berry, phellodendron amurense, dioscorea nipponica, lily of the valley, amur maackia; including 5 kinds of plants that are in the Red Book. Perspectives are considered in usage of Far-Eastern pharmacopoeial medicinal plants.

Принципи фітотоксикологічної класифікації металів та рослин в умовах природних екосистем

Actuality. Metals excessive concentrations reduce biomass of plants in ecosystem. Trace elements effect on biotic systems as biochemical agents, breaking the ultrastructure of cells, physiological processes and metabolism of plants, affect the species composition, reproduction and recovery processes, productivity and resistance to pathogens. As the plants mainly define the environment of ecosystem, the determination of phytotoxicological risk plays an important role in ecosystem assessment. In large cities, natural ecosystems are confined to park areas. Goloseyevsko-Feofanivska and Koncha-Zaspivska green parks are very popular in Kyiv. Phytotoxicological assessment of the metals behavior risk in natural ecosystems is based primarily on classification principles. The phytotoxicological classification should be considered in two aspects. The first aspect concerns the metals toxicity for plants. The second aspect concerns the plants reaction to metals concentration in phytomass. Analysis of recent research and publications. According to the opinion of many scientists, species and families of plants differ in chemistry, and only due to the lack of research in this direction have to be limited in the classification of their morphological features. There are no classifications of metals and plants according to concentration in phytomass. Studies concerning the phytotoxicity of metals or the sensitivity (or the opposite of resistance) of certain types of plants to metallic pollution are non-systemic and relate solely to physiological aspects. The purpose of the study was to rank metals and plants by metals concentration in the phytomass in natural ecosystems of Goloseevo-Feofanivska and Koncha-Zaspivska green zones of Kyiv. Materials and methods of research . Goloseyevsky-Feofanivska and Koncha-Zaspivska green areas of Kyiv are part of the landscape of elevated hilly-sloping plains on the Paleogene-neogene basis, composed of forest sanded loams. Thanks to convex relief and loamy soils, studied areas have intensive removing of elements, in particular, anthropogenic pollutants. Both studied parks are located at the junction of the Right-bank Polissya and the Forest-Steppe zones of Ukraine in warm medium-tempered agro-climatic zone. The content of Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Ni, Pb in the phytomass was analyzed in: Gagea lutea L., Tussilago farfara L., Anemone ranunculoides L., Ficaria verna Huds., Pulmonaria obscura Dum., Stellaria holostea L., Convallaria majalis L., Hypericum perforatum L.. The photosynthetic fraction of the phytomasses of the first and second tier of the trees was analyzed in: Quercus robur L., Carpinus betulus L., Salix caprea L., Tilia cordata Mill., Acer platanoids L.; Trees of the third tier: Sambucus nigra L., Prunus padus L.. Results and discution . The phytotoxicological classification of metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Co, Zn, Cu) was developed for their concentration in phytomass. According to the Stargess equation, the metals were ranged in four dangerous classes. The middle arithmetic mean of each metal concentration in plants was used for calculation the scope of the metal’s dangerous class. The highest level of phytomass concentration in plants had copper, the lowest concentration in plants had cadmium and cobalt. Zinc as a physiologically important trace elements, and lead, whose physiological role is not thoroughly investigated, are both were in the middle phytotoxicological class. The middle arithmetic mean of metals concentration in each plant was used for calculation the scope plant class. Plants with low and moderate metals concentration in phytomass were: Carpinus betulus L. , Acer platanoides L. , Quercus robur L ., Prunus padus L. , Salix caprea L ., Tilia cordata Mill. , Sambucus nigra L. . Plants with high metals concentration in phytomass were: Tussilago farfara L ., Anemone ranunculoides L. . Highest metal concentration among the trees was in Goloseevka green park area near Goloseevsky Avenue. In our researches we tried to zoning the studied area according to metals concentration in trees. With helps of Fisher’s criteria the difference between trees concentration in different zones of studied areas was highlighted. The Ghoryhuvatska locality was characterized as most polluted zone than others in studied area. More pollution obviously could be explained by proximity to highway Goloseevsky Avenue. Conclusions and perspectives . The phytotoxicological classification of metals and phytotoxicological classification of plants were proposed for metals risk assessment in nature ecosystems. For the first time the algorithm of the metals ranking for the four danger classes according to metals concentration in phytomass was proposed. There were ranged all studied plants due to metals concentration in their phytomass. Assignment the metals and plants to phytotoxicological classes will allow not just only to characterize the hazard of metals for plants, but to detect the reaction of plants to metals influence in nature ecosystems.

Нові знахідки у флорі міст Північного Приазов’я

&lt;p&gt;Northern Azov is unique region in origin and conditions, which modern flora developed in conditions of active human economic activities. Anthropogenic transformations have resulted to changes in vegetation cover and wild plant communities are transformed into synanthropic floral complexes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The results achieved through our expeditionary studies conducted in 2013-2016 in the Northern Azov (in the administrative boundaries of the cities Berdyansk, Primorsk (Zaporizhia region), and Genichesk (Kherson region). In total, we founded new locations for 25 vascular plants: &lt;em&gt;Armoracia rusticana&lt;/em&gt; P.G. Gaertn., B. Mey. &amp;amp; Scherb., &lt;em&gt;Apium graveolens&lt;/em&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;L., &lt;em&gt;Arabis&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;recta&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;Vill., &lt;em&gt;Aster amellus&lt;/em&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;L., &lt;em&gt;Acalypha australis L.&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Mahonia aquifolium&lt;/em&gt; (Pursh) Nutt., &lt;em&gt;Oxybaphus&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;nyctagineus&lt;/em&gt; (Michx.) Sweet, &lt;em&gt;Bidens&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;frondosa&lt;/em&gt;. L., &lt;em&gt;Ipomoea purpurea&lt;/em&gt;&lt;strong&gt; (&lt;/strong&gt;L.), &lt;em&gt;Sedum acre&lt;/em&gt; L., &lt;em&gt;Clematis vitalba&lt;/em&gt; L., &lt;em&gt;Scilla&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;siberica&lt;/em&gt; Haw., &lt;em&gt;Zea majus&lt;/em&gt; L., &lt;em&gt;Philadelphus&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;coronarius&lt;/em&gt; L., &lt;em&gt;Robinia&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;viscosa&lt;/em&gt; Vent., &lt;em&gt;Fagopyrum esculentum&lt;/em&gt; Moench, &lt;em&gt;Nigella damascena&lt;/em&gt; L., &lt;em&gt;Convallaria&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;majalis&lt;/em&gt; L., &lt;em&gt;Rubus anatolicus&lt;/em&gt; (Focke) Focke ex Hausskn., &lt;em&gt;Ricinus&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;communis&lt;/em&gt; L., &lt;em&gt;Lablab&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;purpureus&lt;/em&gt; L., &lt;em&gt;Chrysanthemum segetum&lt;/em&gt; L., &lt;em&gt;Gaillardia pulchella&lt;/em&gt; Foug., &lt;em&gt;Antirrhinum majus&lt;/em&gt; L., Tagetes patula L. In addition, we provided a brief description of their habitats and described new locations for new and previously marked aboriginal, alien, and cultivated plants that are capable of savagery for Northern Azov flora. Among all annotated species the significant proportion are the alien species that fall out of cultivation.&lt;/p&gt;

Adonis sp., Convallaria sp., Strophanthus sp., Thevetia sp., and Leonurus sp. - Cardiotonic Plants with Known Traditional Use and a Few Preclinical and Clinical Studies.

Plants have been always a fruitful source of active metabolites against many human disorders, where cardiovascular (CV) diseases have been one of the major health problems all over the world. There are some clinically proved medicinal plants with cardioprotective effects such as Crataegus monogyna and C. oxyacantha (hawthorn) from Rosaceae. On the other hand, cardiac glycosides, present in a number of plant species, are wellknown for their cardiotonic activity. However, we encountered such a fact that very less number of studies are available on the source plants; e.g. Adonis vernalis, Convallaria majalis, Strophanthus kombe, Thevetia peruviana, Leonurus cardiaca, etc. Consequently, we herein aimed to cover all available data consisting of in vitro, in vivo, and human studies (if any) on cardiotonic effects of the aforementioned species through a wide literature search using Scopus, Web of Science as well as Pubmed.

The flower morphology in three Convallariaceae species with various attractive traits

&lt;p&gt;The general morphology and micromorphology of the flower in &lt;em&gt;Polygonatum multiflorum&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Maianthemum bifolium&lt;/em&gt;, and &lt;em&gt;Convallaria majalis&lt;/em&gt; were studied using light microscopy methods. Among the studied species, &lt;em&gt;P. multiflorum&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;C. majalis&lt;/em&gt; have syntepalous and trimerous flowers, and in &lt;em&gt;M. bifolium&lt;/em&gt; flowers are the most reduced: they are dimerous, pentacyclic, and with free tepals. Only in &lt;em&gt;P. multiflorum&lt;/em&gt; stamens are considerably adnate to the floral tube. The gynoecium of &lt;em&gt;P. multiflorum&lt;/em&gt; consists of synascidiate, hemisymplicate, and asymplicate zones. In the gynoecium of &lt;em&gt;M. bifolium&lt;/em&gt; and&lt;em&gt; C. majalis&lt;/em&gt;, synascidiate, symplicate, and asymplicate vertical zones were revealed. In &lt;em&gt;P. multiflorum&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;M. bifolium&lt;/em&gt;, the style is composed of postgenitally connated carpels, while in &lt;em&gt;C. majalis&lt;/em&gt; the style is formed by congenitally fused carpels (symplicate gynoecium zone). A common pattern of the venation of the floral parts was revealed in all the species.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The external flower morphology and the gynoecium inner structure are different in all three species, providing adaptations for the pollination mode. Attractive elements observed in the flower of &lt;em&gt;P. multiflorum&lt;/em&gt; are the long septal nectary in the ovary and epidermal trichomes on the inner perigonium surface and on the filaments. In &lt;em&gt;M. bifolium&lt;/em&gt;, a rudimentary external septal nectary was observed for the first time. No nectaries or other morphologically distinct secretory structures were found in the &lt;em&gt;C. majalis&lt;/em&gt; flower, allowing considering the &lt;em&gt;C. majalis&lt;/em&gt; flowers as pollen flowers.&lt;/p&gt;

Phenological patterns of flowering across biogeographical regions of Europe.

Long-term changes of plant phenological phases determined by complex interactions of environmental factors are in the focus of recent climate impact research. There is a lack of studies on the comparison of biogeographical regions in Europe in terms of plant responses to climate. We examined the flowering phenology of plant species to identify the spatio-temporal patterns in their responses to environmental variables over the period 1970-2010. Data were collected from 12 countries along a 3000-km-long, North-South transect from northern to eastern Central Europe.Biogeographical regions of Europe were covered from Finland to Macedonia. Robust statistical methods were used to determine the most influential factors driving the changes of the beginning of flowering dates. Significant species-specific advancements in plant flowering onsets within the Continental (3 to 8.3 days), Alpine (2 to 3.8 days) and by highest magnitude in the Boreal biogeographical regions (2.2 to 9.6 days per decades) were found, while less pronounced responses were detected in the Pannonian and Mediterranean regions. While most of the other studies only use mean temperature in the models, we show that also the distribution of minimum and maximum temperatures are reasonable to consider as explanatory variable. Not just local (e.g. temperature) but large scale (e.g. North Atlantic Oscillation) climate factors, as well as altitude and latitude play significant role in the timing of flowering across biogeographical regions of Europe. Our analysis gave evidences that species show a delay in the timing of flowering with an increase in latitude (between the geographical coordinates of 40.9 and 67.9), and an advance with changing climate. The woody species (black locust and small-leaved lime) showed stronger advancements in their timing of flowering than the herbaceous species (dandelion, lily of the valley). In later decades (1991-2010), more pronounced phenological change was detected than during the earlier years (1970-1990), which indicates the increased influence of human induced higher spring temperatures in the late twentieth century.

Analysis of antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of some homoeopathic mother tinctures

Background: Antioxidant compounds are widely used in health protection. Homoeopathic mother tinctures are commonly prescribed for prevention and cure of many illnesses. Objective: The present study focused to determine the antioxidant potential of six commonly prescribed mother tinctures. i.e. Syzygium jambolanum, Damiana, Cinchona officinalis, Chelidonium majus, Convallaria majalis, Coca. Materials and Methods: Antioxidant activity was estimated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) inhibition assay. A volume of 0.1 mM solution of DPPH was used while mother tinctures (5, 2.5, and 1.25 μl volumes) were used for estimating antioxidant activity. Quercetin was taken as a standard control in antioxidant activity. Total phenolic content was measured by Folin–Ciocalteu reagent assay. Total phenolic content of mother tinctures was measured in comparison to gallic acid. Results: Results of the study showed the significant antioxidant activity and high total phenolic content of all tested mother tinctures in the following order: Syzygium jambolanum, Damiana, Cinchona officinalis, Chelidonium majus, Convallaria majalis, Coca. Conclusion: Antioxidant potential of mother tinctures is related to total phenolic content present in them, and their role in prevention and cure of diseases may link through their antioxidant activity. Among six selected mother tinctures, S. jambolanum has highest antioxidant potential.