Euphorbia Milii Research Articles

First Report of Bacterial Leaf Spot of Crown-of-Thorns (Euphorbia milii) Caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. poinsettiicola in Taiwan

Crown-of-thorns (Euphorbia milii; Euphorbiaceae) is a popular plant widely grown as a potted flower or hedge in many countries (Marys and Romano 2011). In 2017, leaf spot symptoms were observed on potted E. milii in a plant market located in Nantun District, Taichung, Taiwan. Over 90% of the plants onsite were infected. Leaf lesions were round, had necrotic centers, and had margins that appeared yellow when viewed from the upper leaf surface and water-soaked when observed from underneath. Symptomatic tissues were cut and examined under a light microscope. Samples with bacterial streaming were streaked onto nutrient agar, and yellow, round colonies were recovered. Strains Eu1, Eu2, and Eu3 were obtained from three different plants. They produced yellow mucoid colonies on yeast dextrose carbonate (YDC) agar, grew at 35°C or on SX medium (a semiselective medium), and could degrade starch, esculin, casein, and lipid, similar to many known xanthomonads (Schaad et al. 2001). The isolates also induced hypersensitive reaction on tobacco (cv. Taiyen 5) 48 h postinfiltration. Identification of Eu1 to Eu3 using the Biolog microbial identification system (Biolog, Hayward, CA) showed that they are Xanthomonas campestris pv. poinsettiicola (X. axonopodis pv. poinsettiicola) with probabilities of 84 to 98%. Multilocus sequence analysis targeting partial sequences of the lacF, lepA, fusA, gapA, gltA, and gyrB genes (Almeida et al. 2010) were conducted, and Eu1 to Eu3 had identical sequences for every fragment (accession nos. MH068853 to MH068858). Comparing their concatenated sequences (2,744 bp) with those from reference/type strains of other xanthomonads able to produce symptoms on spurges (Rockey et al. 2015) revealed that Eu1 to Eu3 share 98.65% sequence identity with X. axonopodis pv. poinsettiicola LMG849ᴾᵀ and have lower sequence similarity with X. hortorum pv. pelargonii LMG7314ᴾᵀ (94.06%), X. codiaei LMG8678ᵀ (93.55%), and X. campestris pv. campestris LMG568ᴾᵀ (93.51%). Koch’s postulates were fulfilled by spraying bacterial suspensions (OD₆₀₀ = 0.3; on average 7 × 10⁸ CFU/ml; in 0.02% Silwet L-77) onto all aboveground parts of cutting-propagated E. milii (approximately 10 cm tall; var. Olympus). The test was conducted with every isolate, each inoculated onto three plants. As controls, three plants were sprayed with bacteria-free solutions (0.02% Silwet L-77). Inoculated E. milii were placed separately in plastic bags for 48 h to maintain humidity. Within 1 month, all inoculated plants developed leaf spots similar to those found in the plant market, and the controls did not. Bacteria reisolated from inoculation-infected plants had the same colony morphologies as Eu1 to Eu3 on YDC agar. Colony polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of gapA of the reisolates showed that their sequences were identical to those of Eu1 to Eu3. A representative strain, Eu1, was spray-inoculated onto four poinsettia plants (approximately 8 cm in height) using the same inoculum density as mentioned above. Leaf spots appeared on all of the treated plants but not on four plants sprayed with bacteria-free solution as mentioned above. Natural infection of poinsettia and E. milii by X. axonopodis pv. poinsettiicola has been reported in the United States (Rockey et al. 2015). In Taiwan, however, only bacterial leaf spot of poinsettia has been recorded (Lee et al. 2006). This study is the first report of X. axonopodis pv. poinsettiicola naturally infecting E. milii in Taiwan. Because many nurseries and plant markets in Taiwan often grow E. milii and other spurges in close proximity and at high density, care should be taken to prevent the spread of the disease within and across host species.

Isolation and purification of anticoagulant enzymes from plant latex

The plant latex is a complex mixture of organic, inorganic and hydrolytic enzymes such as proteases which acts as anticoagulant and finds its uses in surgeries, heart diseases and blood clot treatment. In the present study, latex was collected from Euphorbia milii, Jatropha malacophylla, Thevetia peruviana, Euphorbia pulcherimma and Artocarpus altilis to evaluate the best source of anticoagulant enzyme though four other plants were originally screened as well but failed to show the enzyme. Among the five, A. altilis and J. malacophylla showed the highest anticoagulant activity by milk clotting, blood clotting and APTT assay. The samples were subjected to three-step purification, i.e., salt precipitation, dialysis, ion exchange and gel filtration. The fold purification of A. altilis was found to be 5.37 and 2.31 for J. malacophylla respectively after the gel filtration. The percentage of yield of A. altilis was found to be 63.23% and 26.4% for J. malacophylla. Molecular weight of J. malacophylla sample and A. altilis was found to be ~80kDa and ~105kDa respectively, determined by SDS PAGE. Both enzymes showed optimum activity at pH 7. A. altilis showed optimum activity at 35°C, incubation time of 40 minutes, substrate concentration of 60mM, with MgCl2 as activator the activity increased at 600?L and with EDTA as inhibitor the activity increased at 400?L. J. malacophylla showed optimum activity at 45°C, incubation time of 10 minutes, substrate concentration of 80mM and stable at 35 °C which is the human body temperature. A. altilis showed optimum conditions for human administration making it therapeutically viable.

Anthelmintic activity of plant aqueous extracts against Panagrellus redivivus in vitro

ABSTRACT Control of phytonematodes is very hard and requires a combination of techniques to succeed. Alternative control through plant extracts may result in the discovery of nematicide substances. Research aimed at evaluating the effect of 33 plants submitted to aqueous extraction against Panagrellus redivivus in vitro. Concentrations were prepared at 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20%. Monitoring happened at 0, 6, 12, 24 and 30 hours after preparation. Counting considered dead nematodes subtracted from alive ones. Juveniles were also counted, and extract efficiency was expressed in percentage of control or stimuli. Data were submitted to variance analysis. Significant results got with the Scott-Knott test (5%), and multiple linear regression analysis. Extracts were observed acting as controllers, but also as stimulators to nematode reproduction. The best controlling performance was set by Carica papaya (-66% at 20%; -33.7% at 10%), Euphorbia milii (-37% at 20%), Psychotria carthagenensis (-25.5% at 2.5%), Clusia variegate (-22% at 20%), and Zamioculcas zamiifolia (-21.5% at 20%). Stimulator extracts were Mentha villosa at 10% (+148%) and 2.5% (+131.5%), followed by Aloe vera (+123% at 5%), Schinus molle (+112.5% at 10%), Schefflera arboricola (+93.5% at 5%), C. variegate (+89% at 5%), and S. molle (+88% at 5%). Some extracts kept population stable throughout the experiment, presenting lower control indexes. Besides an additive effect, there was an individual influence of concentration or time on control.

Is leaf size a factor in determination of the rate of transpiration in Canna indica and Euphorbia milii?

Two ornamental plants, namely Canna indicia and Euphorbia milii were subjected to four watering frequencies viz. daily, weekly, biweekly and monthly, each with five watering regimes (1.25%, 2.5%, 5%, 10% and 20%). After six weeks of watering, leaf area and transpiration rate of the seedlings were determined. The leaves were larger in C. indica ranging from (105 mm2-436 mm2) than in E. milii (36 mm2-142 mm2) while transpiration rates were higher in E. milii (1.78x104 mol/m−2/sec−1-2.56x10−3 mol/m−2/sec−1) than in C. indica (2.48x10−4 mol/m−2/sec−1-3.70x10−5 mol/m−2/sec−1). Leaf area has no effect on the rate of transpiration in these two plants, but absence of evidence of transpiration on the adaxial surface of leaves of E. milii suggests that other anatomical features such as stomata rather than the leaf area might determine the rate of transpiration in plants.

Development of a natural molluscicide prototype kit (MoluSchall) for the control of schistosomiasis mansoni transmission.

In Brazil, Biomphalaria glabrata, B. tenagophila, and B. straminea are intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mansoni, the etiological agent of schistosomiasis mansoni. Molluscicide use is recommended by the WHO for controlling the transmission of this parasite. Euphorbia milii latex has shown promising results as an alternative molluscicide. Thus, a natural molluscicide prototype kit based on freeze-dried E. milii latex was developed and evaluated against Biomphalaria spp. E. milii latex was collected, processed, and lyophilized. Two diluents were defined for freeze-dried latex rehydration, and a prototype kit, called MoluSchall, was produced. A stability test was conducted using prototype kits stored at different temperatures, and a toxicity assay was performed using Danio rerio. Additionally, MoluSchall was tested against B. glabrata under semi-natural conditions according to defined conditions in the laboratory. MoluSchall was lethal to three Brazilian snail species while exhibiting low toxicity to D. rerio. Regardless of storage temperature, MoluSchall was stable for 24 months and was effective against B. glabrata under semi-natural conditions, with the same LD100 as observed under laboratory conditions. MoluSchall is a natural, effective, and inexpensive molluscicide with lower environmental toxicity than existing molluscicides. Its production offers a possible alternative strategy for controlling S. mansoni transmission.

In vitro biological propensities and chemical profiling of Euphorbia milii Des Moul (Euphorbiaceae): A novel source for bioactive agents

The plants of Euphorbia genus have been extensively studied for their nutritive and therapeutic purposes. The present research is the foremost effort to investigate and compare the biological activities and chemical composition of dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (MeOH) solvent extracts of Euphorbia milli Des Moul aerial and root parts. Antioxidant potential was determined using six different (FRAP, CUPRAC, Phosphomolybdenum, DPPH, ABTS and ferrous chelation) methods. The enzyme inhibition effects of the tested extracts were evaluated against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), α-glucosidase, α-amylase and tyrosinase. Similarly, the amount of total phenolic and flavonoid contents were assessed via spectrophotometric methods and individual secondary metabolites were also determined using UHPLC-MS analysis. Methanolic extracts from both aerial and root parts contained the highest contents for phenolic and flavonoids which tends to correlate with their significant DPPH, ABTS (radical scavenging), FRAP, CUPRAC (reducing power) and α-glucosidase inhibition potentials. While, both the DCM extracts containing the lowest bioactive contents were most active in the phosphomolybdenum assay, cholinesterases and tyrosinase inhibition. The root extracts proved to be a better source of bioactive antioxidant molecules. Additionally, UHPLC-MS profiling of both the methanolic extracts revealed the presence of total 16 secondary metabolites belonging to five major groups (phenolic, flavonoid, coumarin, glycoside and alkaloid). To conclude, our results suggest that E. milii can be considered as a promising lead origin for natural bioactive enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant compounds which could pave the way for industrial applications.

THE EFFECT OF WATERING REGIMES AND BIO AND CHEMICAL TREATMENTS ON FLOWERING OF EUPHORBIA MILII VAR. LONGIFOLIA PLANTS

This study was carried out in the nursery of Ornamental Plants and Landscape Gardening Research Department, Horticulture Research Institute, Agriculture Research Centre, Giza, Egypt in two successive seasons (2015/2016 and 2016/2017) to study the effect of soil drench with some bio- and chemical materials (moringa extract, potassium silicate, salicylic acid and ascorbic acid) combined with different water intervals (1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks) on vegetative growth, flowering and chemical composition of Euphorbia milii var. longifolia transplants grown in 25 cm plastic pots. Results could be briefed in the following: watering at 2 weeks seems to be more effective in increasing the values of most studied characters. On the other hand, both moringa extract and ascorbic acid resulted in the highest values of studied characters. Regarding combination between irrigation intervals and different bio- and chemical materials, all untreated control plants irrespective of their watering regime, in addition to plants watered at 4 weeks interval and treated with either moringa extract or potassium silicate, did not flower at all over the period of this study. Meantime, the same plants recorded the lowest values of many characters irrespective of the watering regime. Plants treated with moringa extract and watered at 1 week interval had the highest values of flower diameter, number of branches, root length and root fresh weight. Those watered at 2 weeks interval achieved the highest rank of number of leaves and flowers, flower diameter, fresh and dry weight of flowers, P%, K% and total chlorophyll content. Plants treated with ascorbic acid combined with irrigation at 2 weeks interval got the highest records of plant height, stem length, leaf length, fresh weight ofleaves, stem fresh and dry weights, total chlorophyll and carotenoids content. In conclusion it is recommended to irrigate Euphorbia milii var. longifolia grown in 25 cm plastic pots at 2 weeks interval, combined with treating plants with either moringa extract or ascorbic acid in order to get the best results.

Quarantine host range and natural history of Gadirtha fusca, a potential biological control agent of Chinese tallowtree (Triadica sebifera) in North America

AbstractClassical biological control can provide an ecologically sound, cost‐effective, and sustainable management solution to protect diverse habitats. These natural and managed ecosystems are being invaded and transformed by invasive species. Chinese tallowtree, Triadica sebifera (L.) Small (Euphorbiaceae), is one of the most damaging invasive weeds in the southeastern USA, impacting wetlands, forests, and natural areas. A defoliating moth, Gadirtha fusca Pogue (Lepidoptera: Nolidae), was discovered feeding on Chinese tallowtree leaves in the weed's native range and has been tested for its suitability as a biological control agent. Natural history studies of G. fusca indicated that the neonates have five instars and require 15.4 days to reach pupation. Complete development from egg hatch to adult emergence required 25.8 days. No differences were found between males and females in terms of life history and nutritional indices measured. Testing of the host range of G. fusca larvae was conducted with no‐choice, dual‐choice, and multigeneration tests and the results indicated that this species has a very narrow host range. No‐choice experiments indicated that most larvae died in <3 days when fed each of the 78 non‐target taxa; a similar duration as larvae fed only water. Although 81.6% of the neonates fed Chinese tallowtree survived to adult, the only survivors in no‐choice tests were those fed the four non‐target taxa, Euphorbia hypericifolia L., Euphorbia hyssopifolia L., Euphorbia milii Des Moul., or Gymnanthes lucida Sw. where 14.3% or less of the larvae fed and completed development. The results of dual‐choice tests indicated that very little of each of these non‐target taxa was eaten when given a choice with Chinese tallowtree. Furthermore, when neonates were reared for multiple generations on each non‐target taxon, no more than two generations were completed when fed the non‐target G. lucida, whereas the larvae were unable to complete more than one generation when fed the remaining non‐targets. These tests indicate that although a small amount of feeding may occur in no‐choice conditions on four species of non‐targets, the larvae will not be able to maintain a population for more than two generations on any species except the target weed Chinese tallowtree. This species may play an important role and contribute to the integrated control of this invasive weed.

Biosynthesized of reduced graphene oxide nanosheets and its loading with paclitaxel for their anti cancer effect for treatment of lung cancer

Multifunctional nanocarriers are in immediate need to develop anticancer activity for the treatment of cancers. In the present research, the graphene oxide was reduced via an efficient method which reduced to RGO by using Euphorbia milii leaves extract. Thus obtained RGO nanocomposites were subsequently characterized by means UV–Vis absorption technique. AFM imaging was further performed in order to analyze the surface morphology of GO nanosheet as well as to estimate the average thickness of the GO nanosheets before and after the addition of Euphorbia milii leaves extract. Furthermore, the anticancer effect of RGO-loaded PTX (RGO/PTX) on A549 (Human lung cancer cell lines) was evaluated by MTT assay. The results displayed that with the increase in the concentration of RGO/PTX to200 ??g/mL, the cell viability reduced to 29%. Even more increase in the concentration to 500 ??g/mL of RGO/PTX, the cell viability also showed rapid reduction to 10%. Based on this, we can conclude that the increased concentration of RGO/PTX decreased the cell viability of A549 cell lines tremendously and has the potential to serve in the lung carcinoma targeted chemotherapy.

Isolation, Screening and Optimization of Laccase-Producing Endophytic Fungi from Euphorbia milii

The diverse group of endophytic fungi was isolated from Euphorbia milii, an ornamental plant, plated on lignin-based potato dextrose agar. The laccase-producing fungi were screened with alpha-naphthol. Initially, one variable at a time method was used for optimization of the low-cost media for laccase production, and the following parameters were used: carbon source (glucose), nitrogen source (sodium nitrate), pH (7), agitation (120 rpm), amount of mineral solution (2 mL), incubation period ( $$28\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$ ) and duration (5 days). The efficiency of media for laccase production was statistically analysed. The optimized laccase production in response surface model was predicted using an artificial neural network with net regression value of 0.98. The final optimum media conditions for laccase production were as follows: carbon source (sodium potassium tartrate (1.4 g/L)), nitrogen source (sodium nitrate (1 g/L)), mineral solution (1 mL), inducer (copper sulphate 0.1 g/L and potassium chloride 0.5/L), pH (5), incubation (120 rpm), temperature ( $$28\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$ ) and duration (7 days). The lowest laccase production in response surface model was 38.25 U/L and the highest laccase production was 122 U/L on the 7th day.

Impact assessment of leaf pigments in selected landscape plants exposed to roadside dust.

Continuous addition of undesired effluents to the environment affects foliar surface of leaf, changes their morphology, stomata, photosynthetic pigments, and biochemical constituents which result in massive damage due to persistent nature of the pollutant. In persistent hostile environment, plants fail to grow and develop, and the effects are often extensive. In current study, landscape plants were exposed to different levels of road dust to analyze the effect on various photosynthetic pigments. Dry roadside sediments were collected through a vacuum pump and passed through filters to get fine particles less than 100μm and sprinkled on Euphorbia milii (EM), Gardenia jasminoides (GJ), and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (HRs) by using a hand pump, twice daily at T1 (control), T2, T3, and T4 (0, 2, 4, and 6g/plant, respectively) for a period of 3months in green house. Road sediment significantly reduces leaf pigments in landscape plants population and the effects were more severe in high level of dust deposition. Individual response of EM, GJ, and HRs to different levels of road dust was variable; however, road sediment significantly reduces leaf pigments at high dose of roadside dust deposition. EM plants exposed to 2g/plant roadside dust showed higher chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll, chlorophyllide-b, and polar carotenoid contents as compared to GJ and HRs. Leaf chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, and polar carotenoid contents of EM were higher than GJ and HRs in T3 and T4 treatments. However HRs showed significantly higher protochlorophyllide, chlorophyllide-a, and pheophytin-b contents of leaf in T4 group. EM was found as tolerant landscape plant followed by HRs. GJ was most vulnerable to road dust stress. Present study concludes that the entire biosynthesis of leaf pigments is in chain and interlinked together where effect of road dust on one pigment influences other pigments and their derivatives. Salient features of the present study provide useful evidence to estimate roadside dust as a major risk factor for plant pigments, and plants in green belt along roadside suffer retarded growth and fail to establish and develop.

Botanical biofilter for indoor toluene removal and reduction of carbon dioxide emission under low light intensity by using mixed C3 and CAM plants

Abstract Botanical biofilters are an interesting technology for indoor air pollution control. However, when growing plants under indoor air conditions with low light intensity (10–50 μmole PAR m−2 s−1), they seem to emit CO2 to the environment. In order to solve this problem, a combination of C3 and CAM plants might be able to decrease the level of CO2 emission and increase pollutant-removal efficiency. Therefore, an effective botanical biofilter with mixed plants was studied. The CO2 emissions from high benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) removal plants including Zamioculcas zamiifolia (facultative CAM), Dracaena sanderiana (C3), Chlorophytum comosum (C3), Euphorbia milii (CAM cycling), Sansevieria kirkii (CAM), and Sansevieria trifasciata (CAM) were investigated. C. comosum and S. trifasciata emitted very low CO2 under both light (50 μmole PAR m−2 s−1) and dark conditions. These two plant species (total leaf area of 500 cm2) were used in the botanical biofilter. The results showed that the botanical biofilter with a mixture of C. comosum and S. trifasciata plants could rapidly remove 1 m3 of 1 ± 0.2 ppm (3.9–4.7 mg m−3) toluene-contaminated air within only 2–3 h. In addition, the mixed plant system also showed low CO2 emission under both light and dark conditions. The combination of C3 and CAM plants offers an alternative method to limit CO2 emissions from a botanical biofilter under low light-intensity conditions.

Development of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles based formulation for treating wounds during nursing care in hospitals

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been emerged as significant wound healing agents because of their improved mechanical properties. However, the green synthesized silver nanoparticleshave reported significant wound healing action in Albino rats which was validated by the measurement of wound closure rate. Silver nanoparticles were efficiently synthesized using Euphorbia milii leaf extract. The UV–visible spectra recorded the effect of the reaction time on AgNPs synthesis and was indentified that the peak became shaper with an increase in time, which corresponds to increase in the number of nanoparticles formed from the reduction of silver ions present in the aqueous solution. X-ray diffraction technique and corresponding XRD patterns confirmed the biphasic nature of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles. However, low magnification TEM images presented monodispersed AgNPs with their size ranging from 20 to 30 nm while SAED diffraction pattern disclosed their crystalline nature. Furthermore, the wound healing activity of AgNPs was examined through the excision wound model by measuring the rate of wound closure and Group II (treated with 10% Ointment base with biosynthesized AgNPs) revealed significant wound healing activity over Control group and Group I (treated with Standard Nitrofurazone ointment) in Albino rats.

Double impact: natural molluscicide for schistosomiasis vector control also impedes development of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae into adult parasites.

BackgroundSchistosomiasis has been reported in 78 endemic countries and affects 240 million people worldwide. The digenetic parasite Schistosoma mansoni needs fresh water to compete its life cycle. There, it is susceptible to soluble compounds that can affect directly and/or indirectly the parasite’s biology. The cercariae stage is one of the key points in which the parasite is vulnerable to different soluble compounds that can significantly alter the parasite’s life cycle. Molluscicides are recommended by the World Health Organization for the control of schistosomiasis transmission and Euphorbia milii latex is effective against snails intermediate hosts.Methodology/Principal findingsWe used parasitological tools and electron microscopy to verify the effects of cercariae exposure to natural molluscicide (Euphorbia milii latex) on morphology, physiology and fitness of adult parasite worms. In order to generate insights into key metabolic pathways that lead to the observed phenotypes we used comparative transcriptomics and proteomics.Conclusions/SignificanceWe describe here that the effect of latex on the adult is not due to direct toxicity but it triggers an early change in developmental trajectory and perturbs cell memory, mobility, energy metabolism and other key pathways. We conclude that latex has not only an effect on the vector but applies also long lasting schistosomastatic action. We believe that these results are of interest not only to parasitologists since it shows that natural compounds, presumably without side effects, can have an impact that occurred unexpectedly on developmental processes. Such collateral damage is in this case positive, since it impacts the true target of the treatment campaign. This type of treatment could also provide a rational for the control of other pests. Our results will contribute to enforce the use of E. milii latex in Brazil and other endemic countries as cheap alternative or complement to mass drug treatment with Praziquantel, the only available drug to cure the patients (without preventing re-infection).

COMPREHENSIVE INVITRO EVALUATION OF PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF SELECTED PLANT EXTRACTS AND GC-MS PROFILING OF FLACOURTIA JANGOMAS FLOWER EXTRACT

Objective: Continued exploration and bio-evaluation of plants hold good as there are an increasing demand and recognition of natural products in disease management. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antiproliferative activity of methanolic extracts of different parts of six plants. Six plants - Couroupita guianensis, Flacourtia jangomas, Lucuma nervosa, Euphorbia milii, Acalypha hispida, and Hydnocarpus pentandra - were chosen for this study.Methods: The plant parts were extracted with methanol and screened for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis-(3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging abilities. The cytotoxic activity of the extracts was investigated on SCC9 and Calu6 through MTT assay, and cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry to determine the antiproliferative activity of the extracts. The flower extract of F. jangomas was further subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis for purification of the compounds of interest. A twoway ANOVA was done to estimate the effect of the extract between samples remembered at p<0.05 level.Results: Among all the plant extracts, the extract of F. jangomas (flower) showed significant antioxidant potential with IC50 values of 11.16±0.54 μg/mland 12.34±0.37 μg/ml for DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. GC-MS analysis of the extract revealed the presence of 21 phytocompounds. MTT assay revealed that this extract had promising cytotoxic activity against the two cancer cell lines, Calu6 and SCC9 with IC50 values of 43.57±0.04 μg/ml and 53.42±0.15 μg/ml, respectively. The extract treatment caused significant arrest in G2M phase of cell cycle.Conclusion: F. jangomas flower extract displayed significant antioxidant and antiproliferative activity and can be considered as a potential source ofanticancer compounds.Keywords: Antioxidants, MTT assay, Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, Calu6, SCC9, Flacourtia jangomas.

Nematicidal activity of proteases from Euphorbia milii

The present work aimed to characterize the proteases present in Euphorbia milii latex and to evaluate the nematicidal potential of these enzymes. Results suggest that proteases present in E. milii latex concentrate samples are milin and miliin. Difference (p<0.01) between larvae number in the different groups was found, with 65.59% and 96.46% Panagrellus redivivus larvae reduction after 24 and 48 h, respectively.

Ent-Rosane diterpenoids from Euphorbia milii showing an Epstein–Barr virus lytic replication assay

Thirteen new ent-rosane diterpenoids were bioassay-guided isolated from the aerial parts of Euphorbia milii evaluating by Epstein–Barr virus lytic replication assay.

Euphorbia milii-native bacteria interactions under airborne formaldehyde stress: Effect of epiphyte and endophyte inoculation in relation to IAA, ethylene and ROS levels

Better understanding of plant-bacteria interactions under stress is of the prime importance for enhancing airborne pollutant phytoremediation. No studies have investigated plant-epiphyte interactions compared to plant-endophyte interactions under airborne formaldehyde stress in terms of plant Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), ethylene, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and pollutant removal efficiency. Euphorbia milii was inoculated with native plant growth-promoting (PGP) endophytic and epiphytic isolates individually to investigate plant-endophyte compared to plant-epiphyte interactions under continuous formaldehyde fumigation. Under airborne formaldehyde stress, endophyte interacts with its host plant closely and provides higher levels of IAA which protected the plant against formaldehyde phytotoxicity by lowering intracellular ROS, ethylene levels and maintaining shoot epiphytic community; hence, higher pollutant removal. However, plant-epiphyte interactions could not provide enough IAA to confer protection against formaldehyde stress; thus, increased ROS and ethylene levels, large decrease in shoot epiphytic population and lower pollutant removal although epiphyte contacts with airborne pollutant directly (has greater access to gaseous formaldehyde). Endophyte-inoculated plant synthesized more tryptophan as a signaling molecule for its associated bacteria to produce IAA compared to the epiphyte-inoculated one. Under stress, PGP endophyte interacts with its host closely; thus, better protection against stress and higher pollutant removal compared to epiphyte which has limited interactions with the host plant; hence, lower pollutant removal.

Evaluation of Proteolytic Activity of Some Euphorbian Garden Plants

Evaluation of Proteolytic Activity of Some Euphorbian Garden Plants

Effect of endophytic Bacillus cereus ERBP inoculation into non-native host: Potentials and challenges for airborne formaldehyde removal

Phytoremediation could be a cost-effective, environmentally friendly approach for the treatment of indoor air. However, some drawbacks still dispute the expediency of phytotechnology. Our objectives were to investigate the competency of plant growth-promoting (PGP) endophytic Bacillus cereus ERBP (endophyte root blue pea), isolated from the root of Clitoria ternatea, to colonize and stabilize within Zamioculcas zamiifolia and Euphorbia milii as non-native hosts without causing any disease or stress symptoms. Moreover, the impact of B. cereus ERBP on the natural shoot endophytic community and for the airborne formaldehyde removal capability of non-native hosts was assessed. Non-native Z. zamiifolia was effectively inoculated with B. cereus ERBP through soil as the most efficient method of endophyte inoculation. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiling of the shoot endophytic community verified the colonization and stability of B. cereus ERBP within its non-native host during a 20-d fumigation period without interfering with the natural shoot endophytic diversity of Z. zamiifolia. B. cereus ERBP conferred full protection to its non-native host against formaldehyde phytotoxicity and enhanced airborne formaldehyde removal of Z. zamiifolia whereas non-inoculated plants suffered from formaldehyde phytotoxicity because their natural shoot endophytic community was detrimentally affected by formaldehyde. In contrast, B. cereus ERBP inoculation into non-native E. milii deteriorated airborne formaldehyde removal of the non-native host (compared to a non-inoculated one) as B. cereus ERBP interfered with natural shoot endophytic community of E. milii, which caused stress symptoms and stimulated ethylene biosynthesis. Non-native host inoculation with PGP B. cereus ERBP could bear potentials and challenges for airborne formaldehyde removal.