Urginea Maritima Research Articles

The most useful herbs of Iranian traditional medicine prescribed in xerosis

Xerosis (dry skin) is an irritating skin condition affects almost everyone during lifespan. An abnormality of the moisture and oil balance of the dermis layers that caused by general dehydration, atopic dermatitis, Vitamin A deficiency, or diabetes is what happens in this condition. Xerosis is a well known disorder in Iranian traditional medicine (ITM). Avicenna and some other famous Iranian traditional physicians described this condition in their manuscripts precisely. Treatmens which were used by Iranian scholars included pharmacotherapy (herbal or animal), diet therapy, and changing lifestyle. Five Iranian ancient medical texts i.e. Canon of Medicine (Avicena 980–1037), alhavi (Razes 865–925AD)Tohfat ul- Mo'menin (Mo men tonekaboni), Makhzan ul- Advia (Aghili), and Ekhtiarat Badi'i (Ansari 1329–1404 AD) were studied for anti- xerosis herbal medicines (1–4). The main anti-xerosis herbal medicines used in ITM were scored based on the frequency of their prescriptibility. Sesamum indicum, Vicia ervilia, Urginea maritima, Ficus carica, and Olea europea were the most frequent herbs mentioned in ITM prescriptions. Due to the prevalence of xerosis, finding new and safe remedies for dry skin is favorable. Among the herbs ment ioned above, olive oil (olea europea) is now used in some moisturizing products (5) to cure xerosis. Based on our findings we intend to introduce new natural products of anti-xerosis by caring out evidence based researches on other herbs mentioned in ITM text book in close future.

Cytotoxic effect of some Moroccan medicinal plant extracts on human cervical cell lines

Organic extracts of 7 selected plant species, used by Moroccan traditional healers to treat cancer or non-cancer diseases, were tested for their anti-cancerous activities. The plant selection was based on ethnobotanic information and interviews with local healers. Extracts from Inula viscosa (L.) Ait., Retama monosperma (L.) Bois., Ormenis mixta (L.) Dumont., Ormenis eriolepis Coss.,Rhamnus lycioides (L.), Berberis hispanica Bois and Reut. and Urginea maritima (L.) Baker. were tested for their potential cytotoxic effects on the human cervical cancer cell lines SiHa and HeLa, harbouring HPV16 and HPV 18 respectively. MTT (Tetrazolium blue) colorimetric assay was used to evaluate the viability of cell cultures in the presence of the extracts. The extract from Inula viscosa (L.) Ait., Retama monosperma (L.) Bois., Ormenis eriolepis Coss. exhibited marked cytotoxic effect on the two cell lines. These species could be considered as potential sources of anticancer compounds. Further studies are necessary for chemical characterization of the active principles and more extensive biological evaluations. Key words: Moroccan medicinal plants, cervical cancer cells, cytotoxic activity.

Effects of Two Plant Extracts on the Damage of Meloidogyne incognita in Tomato Plants

The effects of the aqueous extracts of Euphorbia myrsinites (Euphorbiaceae) and Urginea maritima (Liliaceae) on the damage of Meloidogyne incognita (Nematoda: Heteroderidae) to tomato plants was evaluated. The trials were conducted in two series in climatized rooms and in greenhouse conditions. The results of both the climatized rooms and greenhouse trials are parallel each other. All dilutions (1:100, 2:100 and 4:100 v v -1 ) of the extracts applied to the soil reduced the root galling caused by M. incognita and enhanced tomato yield compared to an untreated control. Efficacy of the highest concentration (4:100 v v-1) of both extracts on the control of M. incognita was similar to the positive chemical control (Oxamyl). The highest concentration of U. maritima was superior to the extracts of E. myrsinites. Aqueous extracts from these two plants reduced the damage of root-knot nematodes.

Non-target effect of organic insecticides: effect of two plant extracts on soil microbial biomass and enzymatic activities in soil

Efficacious botanical derivatives can provide an alternative to synthetic pesticides for organic farming systems. However, there is lack of information regarding the side effects of organic pesticides on key soil ecological processes. In this study, we investigated the effects of aqueous extracts from Urginea maritima and Euphorbia myrsinites exhibiting translaminar and systemic activity against pests on microbial biomass and enzymatic activities in soil. Two grams of plant material was extracted with 100 ml of water and then diluted 1:100, 2:100, and 4:100 with distilled water. Diluted plant extracts were applied around hypocotyl of tomato by soil drench. The effect of both plant extracts on microbial biomass C, amount of total N and organic C, and enzymatic activity in soil was significant. After the last application, the highest microbial biomass C was determined in the lowest U. maritima concentration (U 1:100). Soils treated with the highest concentration of U. maritima (U 4:100) had always lower SMBC content than control soil. All concentrations of E. myrsinites decreased microbial biomass C by 18% to 27% compared to the control. Total nitrogen and organic carbon decreased in soils without (control) and with treated U. maritima extract from first application to last application. Phosphatase, urease, and beta-glucosidase activities were monitored in plant extract-treated soils. Except U. maritima 1:100 treatments of second and fourth applications, the other treatments of plant extracts negatively affected enzymatic activity in soil. U. maritima and E. myrsinites plant extracts exhibited different effects on soil microbial biomass and activity, probably because of their different chemical contents.

Ethnopharmacological survey of wild medicinal plants in Showbak, Jordan

Two main research questions are framing this investigation: (1) the main taxa of the medicinal importance value altered the Showbak forest stand and species composition? (2) The most safe species and what are the toxic ones (unsafe). These two research questions are the vital ones to draw a clear image about the wild medicinal plants of this investigated area of Showbak region in Jordan. 79 wild medicinal plant species were investigated in this study which are used in traditional medication for the treatment of various diseases. Most of the locals interviewed dealt with well-known safe medicinal plants such as Aaronsohnia factorovskyi Warb. et Eig., Achillea santolina L., Adiantum capillus-veneris L., Artemisia herba-alba L., Ceratonia siliqua L., Clematis recta L., Herniaria hirsuta L., Malva neglecta Wallr., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Ruta chalepensis L., Salvia triloba L., Sarcopoterium spinosa (L.) Spach., Thymbra capitata (L.) Hof, and Urginea maritima Barker. Many of the wild medicinal plants investigated were toxic and needed to be practiced by practitioners and herbalists rather than the local healers. These plants include Calotropis procera Willd R.Br., Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Sch., Datura stramonium L., Digitalis purpurea L., Ecballium elaterium (L.) A.Rich., Euphorbia helioscopia L., Euphorbia tinctoria Boiss., Glaucium corniculatum (L.) Curt., Hyoscyamus aureus L., Mandragora officinarum L., Nerium oleander L., Ricinus communis L., Solanum nigrum L., Withania somnifera (L.) Dunel. The conservation of medicinal plants and natural resources is becoming increasingly important, so this research is trying to collect information from local population concerning the use of medicinal plants in Showbak; identify the most important specie; determine the relative importance value of the species and calculate the informant consensus factor (ICF) for the medicinal plants. Obtaining results is relied on the interviewee's personal information and the medicinal use of specific plants.

Nectary structure and nectar presentation in the Mediterranean geophyte,Urginea maritima(Hyacinthaceae)

The morphology, anatomy, and ultrastructure of the floral nectary of Urginea maritima (L.) Baker were investigated at three stages of nectary development. The plant possesses a typical gynopleural (septal) nectary with secondary presentation. The nectary consists of one layer of epithelium secretory cells and one to four layers of subsidiary cells subtended by two to six layers of parenchyma (subnectary) cells. The nectary releases the nectar at a point two-thirds towards the summit of the ovary by means of carpellary sutures. Nectar secretion appears to depend largely on the hydrolysis of starch grains stored in amyloplasts at the intermediate stage. The hydrolysis process most likely commences in the epithelium layer followed by the subsidiary tissue and then the parenchyma cells of the ovary wall. A symplastic transfer of the secreted nectar occurs by plasmodesmata connecting the subsidiary cells to the parenchyma and the epithelial secretory cells. However, microchannels in the cell wall of the epithelial cells may facilitate the apoplastic transfer of the nectar into the nectary cavity. The old stage of nectary development is characterized by a crystallized form of nectar, collapse of the parenchyma cells, complete starch hydrolysis, and disappearance of the amyloplasts and endoplasmic reticulum.

The early stages and life histories of three <i>Eumerus</i> and two <i>Merodon</i> species (Diptera: Syrphidae) from the Mediterranean region

This paper describes the early stages and life histories of the syrphids Eumerus obliquus (Fabricius, 1805), E. pulchellus Loew, 1848, E. pusillus Loew, 1848, Merodon constans (Rossi, 1794) and M. luteihumerus Marcos-Garcia, Vujic & Mengual, 2007 (Diptera, Syrphidae) from Spain and Morocco. E. pulchellus, E. pusillus and M. luteihumerus were found inside bulbs of Urginea maritima (L.) Baker and E. pulchellus additionally in tubers of Asphodelus aestivus Brot. These data are some ofthe few obtained of natural plant relationships in these speciesrich genera. E. obliquus was found in fruits and platyclades of Opuntia maxima Mill., both insect and host plant are introductions. M. constans was found in commercially grown bulbs of Muscari comosum (L.) Mill. The Eumerus larvae studied here appear to more saprophagous than phytophagous but M. luteihumerus at least, seems to be a strict phytophage.

Water content and reserve allocation patterns within the bulb of the perennial geophyte red squill (Liliaceae) in relation to the Mediterranean climate

The patterns of water content and reserve allocation in the bulb parts of red squill ( Urginea maritima (L.) Baker) and the plant’s adaptive strategy to Mediterranean climate (Crete, Greece) were investigated. The different bulb parts serve varying ecological functions in terms of their resources and their importance for these functions. The basal plate is the active centre, developing one or two apical meristems and roots in autumn, as well as the flowering bud in late summer. The middle of the bulb (approximately the third bulb scale) stores the resources and the tunics (the outer covering structures) that provide mechanical defense. The water content and reserve allocation patterns synchronize the plant’s phenological development with the seasonality of the Mediterranean climate. The adaptive strategies are based on the development of a deciduous semisubterranean life form primarily for the avoidance of drought, herbivores, and other environmental hazards, as well as nutrient shortage. The presence of cells containing lipids, polysaccharides, raphides, water, mucilage, bufadienolides, the presence of sclerenchyma, the tightly packed epidermis, and the presence of the tunics facilitate this.

In Vitro Regeneration of Red Squill Urginea Maritima (L.) Baker. Using Thidiazuron

ABSTRACTThe study reports an efficient in vitro micropropagation of Red squill (Urginea maritima (L.) Baker), an important medicinal plant of Mediterranean region, from single and double scale explants. The explants were cultured on MS medium containing different concentrations of Thidiazuron with initial culturing in darkfor eight weeks followed by transfer to 16 h light photoperiod or culturing them in 16 h light photoperiod only. The results showed that initial growth of explants in dark for eight weeks was inhibitory and produced negligibly low number of bulbs on both explants. Contrarily, 16 h light photoperiod resulted in varying frequency of bulblet regeneration on single and double scale explants. Double scale explants were more potent for bulblet regeneration compared to single scale explants. Single scales produced only axillary bulblets with a frequency of 0.90–1.33 bulblets per expalnt. Contrarily, both adventitious and axillary bulblets were recorded on double scales. These explants produced maximum number of 1.17 adventitious bulblets and 3.58 axillary bulblets per explant on MS medium containing 0.55 mg/l TDZ. The frequency of axillary bulblets regeneration remained higher compared to the frequency of adventitious bulblet regeneration on all concentrations of TDZ. All axillary bulblets rooted on the mother regeneration media. However, the adventitious bulblets could only be rooted on MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l IBA. All bulblets established in the growth chamber were transferred to the field for further observations and flowering.

Cytogenetic Effects of Urginea maritima L. Aqueous Extracts on the Choromosomes by Using Allium Test Method

The genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of extracts of Urginea maritima L., belonging to the family Liliaceae, were investigated with Allium test which is a plant test method. The bulbs of Allium cepa ...

Contact dermatitis as a result of Urginea maritima

Contact dermatitis as a result of <i>Urginea maritima</i>

Contribution to the knowledge of the veterinary science and of the ethnobotany in Calabria region (Southern Italy)

BackgroundA series of preliminary research projects on plants used in Calabria (Southern Italy) in veterinary science and in other ethno-botanical fields (minor nourishment, domestic and handicraft sector) was carried out in the last twenty years. From the ethno-botanical point of view, Calabria is one of the most interesting region, since in the ancient times it was subject to the dominant cultures of several people (Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans etc.). Until some decades ago the road network was poorly developed and villages were isolated, so that the culture of the "subsistence" and some archaic customs were kept.MethodsData were collected by means of "open" interviews to farmers, shepherds and housewives in the last twenty years. More than 100 informants were interviewed, mostly over 50 years old. Plants were identified by local informants through gathering in the area or through examination of the fresh plants collected by the researchers. The collected data were compared with pharmacobotanical papers mainly of southern Italy and with other studies, in order to highlight novelties or concordances of uses.ResultsThe use of 62 taxa distributed into 34 families are described. Among these, 8 are or were employed in veterinary science, 8 as anti-parasitic agents, 19 in minor nourishment, 5 as seasoning, 38 for other uses. Some toxic species for cattle are also mentioned.ConclusionAmong the major findings: the use of Helleborus bocconei for bronchitis of bovines and of Scrophularia canina for lameness in veterinary science; Nerium oleander and Urginea maritima as anti-parasitic agents; Epilobium angustifolium, Centaurea napifolia L. and C. sphaerocephala L. in minor nourishment.

Ritual plants of Muslim graveyards in northern Israel

This article surveys the botanical composition of 40 Muslim graveyards in northern Israel, accompanied by an ethnobotanical study of the folkloristic traditions of the use of these plants in cemeteries.Three groups of plants were found to be repeated systematically and were also recognized for their ritual importance: aromatics herbs (especially Salvia fruticosa and Rosmarinus officinalis), white flowered plants (mainly Narcissus tazetta, Urginea maritima, Iris spp. and Pancratium spp.) and Cupressus sempervirens as the leading cemetery tree.As endemic use we can indicate the essential role of S. fruticosa as the main plant used in all human rites of passage symbolizing the human life cycle. The rosemary is of European origin while the use of basil is of Indian influence.The use of white flowers as cemeteries plants reflects an old European influence and almost the same species are used or their congeners. Most of the trees and shrubs that are planted in Muslim cemeteries in Israel have the same use in ancient as well in modern European cultures.In conclusion, our findings on the occurrence of plants in graveyards reflect the geographic situation of Israel as a crossroads in the cultural arena between Asia and Europe. Most of the traditions are common to the whole Middle East showing high relatedness to the classical world as well as to the present-day Europe.

Effects of Two Plant Extracts on Larval Leafminer &lt;I&gt;Liriomyza trifolii&lt;/I&gt; (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in Tomatoes

Aqueous extracts from two plants, Urginea maritima L. (Liliaceae) and Euphorbia myrsinites L. (Euphorbiaceae), were tested for their insecticidal activity against the leafminer Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) on infested tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., plants in the laboratory and field. Two grams of plant material was extracted with 100 ml of water and then diluted 1:100, 1:50, and 1:25 with distilled water. Diluted plant extract was either applied to the infested tomato leaves or by soil drench and was compared with foliar application of cyromazine. All dilutions of both plant extracts caused significant control of the leafminer larvae and maintained populations below those of the nontreated control plants in all trials. Only at the most concentrated dilutions (1:25) were the plant extracts statistically similar to the cyromazine treatment. Furthermore, greenhouse yields from all of the foliar treatments were statistically similar to the cyromazine treatment and significantly better than the nontreated control. Four species of leafminer parasitoids were found in the greenhouse; however, the percentage of parasitism was significantly less in all treated replicates than in the nontreated control replicates. Aqueous extracts from these two plant extracts exhibited both translaminar and systemic activity and are potential candidates as new organic insecticides.

From Scilla to Charybdis ? is our voyage safer now?

The genus Charybdis Speta (previously Urginea maritima agg.) was investigated karyologically and genetically throughout its geographic range in the Mediterranean. The different ploidy levels show a strong geographic pattern. Diploid populations are mainly found along the northern coast of Africa with C. pancration extending northwards from Tunisia to southern Italy. Tetraploid populations are most densely distributed in the eastern Mediterranean but are also found in North Africa, on the Balearic and Canary Islands. Hexaploid populations are restricted to the Iberian Peninsula and adjacent Morocco and Algeria. Chloroplast microsatellite data suggest that determination of ploidy levels alone is insufficient to adequately describe the existing populations. Especially the tetraploid and hexaploid populations exhibit additional genetic differentiation and geographic structuring. AFLP data indicate that tetraploid populations from southern Italy are of hybrid origin. Phylogenetic analysis further revealed that the genera Urginea Steinh. and Charybdis are not directly related to each other but have strong ties to genera from southern Africa. A possible colonization scenario of the Mediterranean via NW Africa and Iberia is discussed.

Structure of fructans from excised leaves of New Zealand flax

The accumulation of total water-soluble carbohydrate, and specifically sucrose and fructan, by excised leaves of Phormium tenax and P. cookianum (family Phormiaceae J. G. Agardh, order Asparagales) was investigated. Total water-soluble carbohydrate content of excised leaves of P. tenax and P. cookianum increased during 48 h of continuous illumination at an average rate of 1.3 and 0.9 mg g −1 fresh weight leaf per hour, respectively. The sucrose content of excised leaves increased throughout the experimental period. The fructan content of excised leaves of P. tenax increased slightly throughout the experimental period, whilst that of P. cookianum was variable and showed no overall change. Chemical and spectroscopic analysis of the fructans obtained from the two Phormium species showed that they were similar to each other and contained mostly 1-linked and terminal fructofuranosyl (Fru f) residues, together with smaller amounts of 6-linked Fru f, 1,6-branched Fru f, terminal and 6-linked glucopyranosyl residues. Separation of the fructans by thin-layer and high-performance anion-exchange chromatography revealed the presence of a complex mixture of fructo-oligosaccharides and higher molecular weight fructan. The branched structure of the fructans isolated from excised leaves of Phormium resembles that of fructans and fructo-oligosaccharides isolated from some related species within the order Asparagales ( Agave vera cruz, Cordyline australis and Urginea maritima), but is distinct from the linear structure of fructans from others ( Allium cepa and Asparagus officinalis). The structural heterogeniety of fructans within both the order Asparagales and superorder Liliiflorae may be a useful chemotaxonomic aid.

Bufadienolides and a new lignan from the bulbs of Urginea maritima.

Thirty three compounds were obtained from the bulbs of Urginea maritima (Liliaceae). The compounds were identified by means of fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), (13C-NMR), nuclear overhauser effects (NOE) and two dimensional (2D) NMR. Ten of them were new natural compounds. Nine were bufadienolides and only one was lignan in these compounds.

Scilla maderensis, TLC screening and positive inotropic effect of bulb extracts

Scilla maderensis Menezes (Hyacinthaceae) is endemic to the Portuguese Archipelago of Madeira. The taxonomic proximity between Scilla L. and Urginea Steinh. genus, and also the knowledge that bulbs of Urginea maritima (L.) Baker ( Scilla maritima L.) contain cardiac glycosides of the bufadienolide type, led us to a phytochemical and pharmacological study of S. maderensis. Extracts obtained from the bulbs were screened by TLC and tested in the isolated frog heart preparation. The TLC screening revealed spots with colours and R f values similar to those obtained for proscillaridin and scillaren A. In the frog heart preparation the extracts showed a positive inotropic effect and toxic doses induced the arrest of the heartbeat in systole. We can conclude that the bulbs of S. maderensis contain substances exerting pharmacological effects on the heart.

New bufadienolides from Urginea maritimasensu strictu

Two new bufadienolides, 11α-acetylgamabufotalin 3- O-(4- O-β- d-glucosyl)-α- l-rhamnoside ( 1) and 11α-hydroxyscilliglaucoside ( 2), were isolated from bulbs of hexaploid Urginea maritima and identified by means of FAB-MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR studies.

Do Spalax ehrenbergi blind mole rats use food odours in searching for and selecting food?

This laboratory study examined responses of Israeli blind subterranean mole rats (of the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies) to food odours (Narcissus tazetta and Urginea maritima bulbs) and assessed to what extent mole rats’ odour preferences are indicative of their food preferences and whether these preferences influence their foraging behaviour. Prior to odour testing, mole rats ate Narcissus bulbs preferentially and avoided Urginea bulbs when both types of bulbs were available, as is the case in nature. In phase 1, mole rats (n = 20) spent significantly more time sniffing the odour of Narcissus bulbs than the odour of Urginea bulbs, indicating a preference for the odour of the preferred bulb. In phase 2 in a six-tunnel radial arm maze, the presence of preferred or non-preferred food odours at the ends of the 20 em tunnels did not affect mole rats’ (n = 12) movement into the tunnels. The results suggest that mole rats can identify food items by their odours and thus can discriminate between edible (e.g., Narcissus) and poisonous (e.g., Urginea) bulbs without the necessity of biting into them. Because there is limited air movement in mole rats’ sealed tunnel systems, the food odours do not travel far underground, and thus mole rats probably do not use detection of airborne food odours to facilitate their foraging underground. Our results suggest that mole rats could use food odour discrimination to select edible food items for collection and to sort food items in their nest stores.