Garlic Research Articles

Investigating the Efficacy of Various Natural Products in Raw Form against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria.

The alarming increase in antibiotic resistance urges alternative and efficacious antimicrobial solutions. Historically, medicinal plants have been used for therapeutic purposes, such as relieving pain and healing wounds. However, the evaluation of the natural therapeutic effects of medicinal plants in a manner that resembles how humans typically consume them is lacking. Therefore, in this study, many medicinal plants known to have some antimicrobial effects, including Frankincense, Garlic, Myrrh, and Ginger, were evaluated for their direct antibacterial activity in raw form. The direct antimicrobial activity of medicinal plants was evaluated against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. Aureus), Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae using agar well diffusion method and turbidity measurements in suspension culture. Out of all the tested medicinal plants, only raw garlic (Allium sativum) powder, when dissolved in water or vinegar, offered a straightforward antibacterial activity. A combination of garlic extract and vinegar increased antibacterial activity. Aqueous garlic extracts displayed robust antimicrobial activity against many resistant bacteria. Other medicinal plants used in this study had absent or minimal antibacterial effects. Only garlic in its raw form was effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The increase in the antibacterial activity of garlic when combined with vinegar suggests the synergistic activity of garlic. The straightforward antibacterial action of raw garlic may be strategically harnessed to combat the continuous challenge of increasing antibiotic resistance. This work promotes additional testing of more natural products (in raw form) and assesses their therapeutic effects clinically.

Anti-Coronavirus Activity of Chitosan-Stabilized Liposomal Nanocarriers Loaded with Natural Extracts from Bulgarian Flora.

Disease's severity, mortality rates, and common failures to achieve clinical improvement during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic exposed the emergency need for new antiviral therapeutics with higher efficacy and fewer adverse effects. This study explores the potential to encapsulate multi-component plant extracts in liposomes as optimized delivery systems and to verify if they exert inhibitory effects against human seasonal betacoronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) in vitro. The selection of Sambucus nigra, Potentilla reptans, Allium sativum, Aesculus hippocastanum, and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. plant extracts was based on their established pharmacological and antiviral properties. The physicochemical characterization of extract-loaded liposomes was conducted by DLS and electrokinetics. Encapsulated amounts of the extract were evaluated based on the total flavonoid content (TFC) and total polyphenol content (TPC) by colorimetric methods. The BALB 3T3 neutral red uptake (NRU) phototoxicity/cytotoxicity assay was used to estimate compounds' safety. Photo irritation factors (PIFs) of the liposomes containing extracts were <2 which assigned them as non-phototoxic substances. The antiviral capacities of liposomes containing medicinal plant extracts against HCoV-OC43 were measured by the cytopathic effect inhibition test in susceptible HCT-8 cells. The antiviral activity increased by several times compared to "naked" extracts' activity reported previously. A. hippocastanum extract showed 16 times higher inhibitory properties reaching a selectivity index (SI) of 58.96. Virucidal and virus-adsorption effects were investigated using the endpoint dilution method and ∆lgs comparison with infected and untreated controls. The results confirmed that nanoparticles do not directly affect the viral surface or cell membrane, but only serve as carriers of the active substances and the observed protection is due solely to the intracellular action of the extracts.

Biological activity and chemical characteristics studies of new oligomannose produced by Erwinia gerundensis

Natural polymers have attracted considerable attention in recent decades among scientists due to their potential therapeutic uses, particularly as antimicrobial and antitumor agents. In this research, novel EPSs were extracted from garlic rhizosphere bacteria. The antibacterial and antitumor activities of the polymer were evaluated through biological assays. The antibacterial activity was tested against gram-positive microorganisms (such as Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative organisms (such as Shigella sonnei and Escherichia coli). The most significant inhibition zone was observed with Listeria monocytogenes and S. typhi, measuring 35 mm, while the most miniature antibacterial effect was seen with Staphylococcus aureus at 23.67 mm.Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of the crude polymer was assessed using a broth medium with two strains of E. coli and Bacillus cereus. Electron microscope images displayed varying degrees of damage to bacterial cells in the treated broth. The antitumor activity was determined using the MTT test on colon carcinoma cells (HCT-116), hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG-2), and CaCO2 (intestinal carcinoma cells), with IC50 values of 188.86±6.17 µg/mL, 221.66±8.02 µg/mL, and 203.65±7.43 µg/mL, respectively, after 48 h. The bacteria responsible for polymer production were isolated from garlic plant rhizospheres and identified as Erwinia gerundensis CCASU-2024–69 through 16S rRNA sequencing. FTIR and NMR techniques determined the crude EPS's main components and functional groups, including carbonyl, carboxylic, methylene, and silanol. GC–MS analysis revealed 34 bioactive compounds, while HPLC analysis indicated that the EPS was a hetero-monosaccharide consisting of d-xylose, d-glucose, l-arabinose, ribose, and d-mannose. This research study represents the initial exploration into the exopolysaccharide derived from Erwinia gerundensis. To assess the interaction between the exopolysaccharide and the active sites of Bacillus cereus and E. coli, molecular docking experiments were conducted using five monosaccharides: d-xylose, d-glucose, l-arabinose, ribose, and d-mannose. The data obtained from the molecular docking analysis strongly correlates with the findings from biological studies.Furthermore, these highly active compounds exhibit a favorable proposed ADMET profile. This particular exopolysaccharide shows potential as a natural antibiotic and holds promise in treating gastrointestinal cancer. A comprehensive assessment of laboratory animals is essential before its potential use as a prebiotic in nutrition.

Biophysical evidence that frostbite is triggered on nanocrystals of biogenic magnetite in garlic cloves (Allium sativum)

Trace levels of biologically precipitated magnetite (Fe3O4) nanocrystals are present in the tissues of many living organisms, including those of plants. Recent work has also shown that magnetite nanoparticles are powerful ice nucleation particles (INPs) that can initiate heterogeneous freezing in supercooled water just below the normal melting temperature. Hence there is a strong possibility that magnetite in plant tissues might be an agent responsible for triggering frost damage, even though the biological role of magnetite in plants is not understood. To test this hypothesis, we investigated supercooling and freezing mortality in cloves of garlic (Allium sativum), a species which is known to have moderate frost resistance. Using superconducting magnetometry, we detected large numbers of magnetite INPs within individual cloves. Oscillating magnetic fields designed to torque magnetite crystals in situ and disturb the ice nucleating process produced significant effects on the temperature distribution of supercooling, thereby confirming magnetite’s role as an INP in vivo. However, weak oscillating fields increased the probability of freezing, whereas stronger fields decreased it, a result that predicts the presence of magnetite binding agents that are loosely attached to the ice nucleating sites on the magnetite crystals.

Evaluation of Larvicidal Properties of Zingiber officinale Rhizome and Allium Sativum Bulbs against Aedes aegypti

This study evaluates the larvicidal potential of methanolic extracts derived from Zingiber officinale (ginger) rhizome and Allium sativum (garlic) bulbs against the 4th instar larvae of Aedes aegypti, a key vector responsible for transmitting diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika. Due to the increasing resistance of mosquitoes to conventional insecticides, there is a pressing need for alternative, eco-friendly vector control methods. Botanical extracts, known for their pesticidal properties, offer a promising solution. Methanolic extracts were collected from the selected test plant parts and different test solutions were prepared to test their larvicidal efficacy against the fourth instar larvae of Ae. aegypti. The results indicated a significant dose-dependent increase in larval mortality for both extracts. The extracts of Z. officinale consistently showed better larvicidal effects than outperformed the extracts of A. sativum at all tested concentrations, with mortality rates ranging from 14.29% at 62.5 ppm to 79.22% at 500 ppm. In contrast, A. sativum exhibited mortality rates from 11.69% at 62.5 ppm to 76.62% at 500 ppm. The LC50 values further highlighted the greater efficacy of ginger extract, with an LC50 of 219.10 ppm compared to 237.39 ppm for garlic. These results suggest the usage of extracts of ginger rhizomes and garlic bulbs as eco-friendly larvicides against Ae. aegypti mosquitoes.

In vitro Evaluation on Efficacy of Bioagents and Plant Extracts against Early Blight of Tomato (Alternaria alternata)

AIMS: In vitro evaluation on efficacy of Bioagents and plant extracts against Early blight of tomato (Alternaria alternata) Study Design: CRD (Completely Randomized Design). Place and Duration of Study: A trial was conducted in plant pathology laboratory at HRS Venkataramannagudem, Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, during 2022. Methodology: The efficacy of bioagents were tested against isolates for radial growth inhibition on suitable media (Potato dextrose media and Nutrient agar media) using dual culture technique under in vitro conditions. The poisoned food technique was followed to evaluate theefficacy of botanicals in inhibiting the mycelial growth of test pathogen. Results: In the present investigation total nine bioagents and four plants extracts were tested against Alternariaalternata under in vitro. Results revealed that among the nine antagonists., Trichoderma harzianum, Tichoderma viride, Tichoderma longibraciatum (TCT4), Trichoderma reesi (TCT10), A10 (Tichoderma asperellum), A28 (Trichoderma harzianum), Trichoderma virens and two bacterial bioagents Pesudomonas fluorescens and Baciilus subtillis tested against A. alternata, maximum reduction in colony growth of A. alternata was observed in A10 (T. asperellum) (69.50%) and significantly superior over all other bioagents tested which was followed by A28 (T. harzianum) (62.96%) and the next best was T. virens (60.28%). Least inhibition was noticed in Bacillus subtillis (46.69%). Total four plant extracts neem leaves (Azadirachta indica), onion bulb (Allium cepa), garlic bulb (Allium sativum), and turmeric rhizome (Curcuma longa) tested at three concentrations (5, 7.5, 10 %) with suitable control by poisoned food technique against A. alternata, onion bulb extract (44.07%) which was found superior to all other tested botanicals. Least mean per cent inhibition was recorded with turmeric (21.34%).

Comparative Study on Cytotoxic Potency, Chemical Composition, and Antioxidant Characteristics of Clove Buds Essential Oil (Syzygium aromaticum) Originating from Indonesia, Comoros, and India

Comparative Study on Cytotoxic Potency, Chemical Composition, and Antioxidant Characteristics of Clove Buds Essential Oil (Syzygium aromaticum) Originating from Indonesia, Comoros, and India

Synergistic Effects of Ethanol Extract of Allium sativum (Garlic) with DAPT and ATRA on Notch Signaling Targeted Molecular Action on Lung Cancer Cell line (A549)

Background: The activated oncogenic Notch signalling is an emerging target to treat cancer progression and recurrence. Synthetic inhibitors of Notch receptors are in pre-clinical studies. However, the overexpression of Notch signalling molecules at the gene level needs to be regulated to control cancer progression. Objective: We propose that this can be achieved by gene-regulatory drugs in combination with natural phytochemical compounds. Methods: The ethanol extract of Allium sativum alone and in combination with DAPT and ATRA were evaluated for cytotoxicity on A549 cells by MTT and Trypan blue assays. Their effects on Notch 1, Hes 1 and p53 gene expressions were studied by RT-PCR and qPCR. Their inhibition on metastatic invasion of A549 cells was analyzed by in vitro wound scratch assay. The phytochemicals of the extract were identified by GC-MS analysis. Results: Many organosulfur compounds having anti-cancer potency were identified in GC-MS. The combination treatment with 50μg (IC50) of garlic extract exhibited a highly significant (P≤0.01) synergistic inhibitory effect on A549 cell growth and migration. It has also significantly reduced the expression of Notch 1 and Hes 1 oncogenes and enhanced p53 gene expression, compared with the individual treatments. This indicates the synergistic action of the extract on the downregulation of Notch signalling at the mRNA level. Conclusion: Our study results imply that the combination therapies have potent molecular treatment action via down-regulating Notch signaling target genes and upregulating p53 gene expression as an underlying mechanism of inhibitory action on A549 lung cancer cells.

How can biochar and polyamine treatments mitigate salt toxicity by changing the physiological traits in garlic plants?

How can biochar and polyamine treatments mitigate salt toxicity by changing the physiological traits in garlic plants?

Evaluation of Phyto Extracts for the Management of Alternaria Leaf Spot of Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.) Caused by Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of selected phyto-extracts for the management of alternaria leaf spot on black gram caused by Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler, under field conditions. Three replications of black gram were planted in a randomized block design. At the research plot of the Central Research Field, Department of Plant Pathology, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj during Zaid season of 2023. Neem leaf extract, onion bulb extract, ginger rhizome extract, garlic clove extract, ashoka leaf extract and Mancozeb were applied as foliar spray. All the treatments were found significantly reduced the disease severity and increased the yield. Among all the treatments garlic clove extract @ 10% was recorded minimum disease intensity (25.62) and maximum yield (7.45 q/ha) and cost benefit ratio (1: 2.54), as compared to treated check mancozeb @ 0.2% and untreated check control.

PSLBI-27 Rumen microbiome dynamics in feedlot steers receiving free-choice garlic-infused mineral supplements

Abstract Garlic (Allium sativum) in its dehydrated or distillate (garlic oil) form has been used as a feed additive owing to its insecticidal, antimicrobial, and organoleptic properties. Commercial mineral mixtures have been formulated to contain a low proportion of dehydrated garlic powder as a strategy to deter pest flies and increase mineral intake in cattle. As an antimicrobial, garlic powder has the potential to alter the rumen microbiome, with possible implications for feed digestibility and the growth performance of beef cattle. This study evaluated the effect of short-term feeding of a garlic-mineral mixture in feedlot steers receiving high-grain diets. Four groups of twenty steers [total = 80, ~14 mo old, body weight (BW) = 599 ± 32 kg] were randomly assigned to either a 5% garlic-mineral (5DGP) or plain mineral supplement (MS). The individual feed and mineral intakes of the steers were measured with an automatic feeding system. Feed and mineral supplements were tracked in different bunks for each group. Baseline rumen fluid samples were collected from all steers at the end of an acclimatization period before administering the trial supplements. Rumen samples were later collected from 10 steers in each group with the greatest mineral supplement intake over the trial period. Total DNA and RNA were extracted from all rumen samples and subjected to metagenomic and metatranscriptomic sequencing, respectively. None of the bacterial species with an overall relative abundance of greater than 0.1% were differentially abundant between the two supplement treatments, nor did the rumen microbial community structures differ between the two groups (PERMANOVA: R2 = 0.02, P = 0.43). Regardless of the dietary supplement, the rumen microbiome of the steers was dominated by uncultured Prevotella spp. (in addition to Prevotella lacticifex) as well as the uncharacterized UBA2810 sp900317945 and UBA2810 sp002351705. Overall, these results show that a 5DGP can be effectively administered to cattle without significantly disrupting the rumen microbiome.

Potential Use and Chemical Analysis of Some Natural Plant Extracts for Controlling Listeria spp. Growth In Vitro and in Food.

Listeria are Gram-negative intracellular foodborne pathogens that can cause invasive infections with high mortality rates. In this work, the antibacterial activity of ten essential oils, infusion extracts, and decoction extracts of some medicinal plants was tested against Listeria monocytogenes and listeria ivanovii strains. The effects of different physical conditions including temperature, pH, sodium chloride, and some organic acids were studied. The results showed that the water extracts gave the maximum bacterial inhibition, while ethanolic extract was inactive against the tested Listeria spp. The antibiotic sensitivity of L. monocytogenes LMG10470 and L. ivanovii LMZ11352 was tested against five antibiotics including imipenem, levofloxacin, amikacin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin. Imipenem was the most effective antibiotic, resulting in inhibition zones of 40 mm and 31 mm for L. monocytogenes and L. ivanovii, respectively. When imipenem mixed with Syzygium aromaticum oil, Salvia officinalis oil, Pimpinella anisum infusion, and Mentha piperita infusion each, the water extract of Moringa oleifera leaves and seeds against LMG10470 and LMZ11352 resulted in broader antibacterial activity. The antimicrobial activity of both Pimpinella anisum and Mentha piperita plant extracts is related to a variety of bioactive compounds indicated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of these two plant extracts. These two plant extracts seemed to contain many chemical compounds elucidated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and infrared radiation spectra. These compounds could be classified into different chemical groups such as ethers, heterocyclic compounds, aromatic aldehydes, condensed heterocyclic compounds, ketones, alicyclic compounds, aromatics, esters, herbicides, saturated fatty acids, and unsaturated fatty acids. The use of these natural compounds seems to be a useful technological adjuvant for the control of Listeria spp. in foods.

Clove essential oil and its major component, eugenol: a comparative study of their in vitro antioxidant and anticancer properties

Syzygium aromaticum L. (clove) is a species native to subtropical countries. Its dried flower buds are rich in essential oils, which have shown insecticidal, anti-inflammatory and anaesthetic effects. This work was aimed to study the differences in antioxidant and anticancer activities between clove essential oil (CEO) and its major component, eugenol. The chemical composition of the CEO was determined by GC-MS. The physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity were determined in CEO and eugenol. Finally, anticancer activities were assayed against seven cell lines. Chemical analysis revealed that 80% of the CEO was eugenol. The density and IR were similar, and the colour was ΔE*>3. CEO had a lower phenolic content, but similar antioxidant activity to eugenol. The anticancer activity of the CEO was greater than that of eugenol in all the cell lines except for HeLa cells. These results suggest that secondary compounds in CEO enhance its antioxidant and ­anticancer activities.

Molecular Identification of Three Potyviruses Infecting Allium cepa var. aggregatum and Allium sativum in Central Cultivation Areas of Indonesia

One hundred and twenty shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) and 22 garlic (Allium sativum) samples were collected from major growing regions and markets to determine the distribution and molecular diversity of 3 potyviruses: leek yellow stripe virus (LYSV), onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV), and shallot yellow stripe virus (SYSV) in Indonesia. The results of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that 83% of shallot and all garlic samples were infected by at least 1 virus species. Coat protein (CP) region of 8 Indonesian LYSV, 19 OYDV, and 10 SYSV isolates were sequenced and given accession nos. OR772038-OR772082 in NCBI GenBank. Five isolates were recombinants according to analysis using the Recombination Detection Program (RDP v5.30). The phylogenetic tree deduced that 6 LYSV Indonesian and 2 China imported isolates belong to S-type. All tested OYDV isolates, including the 19 isolates, were clustered separately according to their respective hosts: onion and garlic. The 10 Indonesian SYSV isolates were clustered together in the same group and thus shown to be closely related. All isolates tested in this study were estimated to be still within their respective species demarcation according to percentage identity analysis. This was the most comprehensive molecular study on LYSV, OYDV, and SYSV that may help to find sustainable management strategies according to conditions in Indonesia and contribute to the global knowledge on the genetic diversity of the 3 viruses.

Combating paediatric pneumonia: the dynamic duo of cinnamon-clove steam and physiotherapy

IntroductionPaediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a prevailing respiratory infection that impacts children in non-medical settings, giving rise to substantial morbidity and mortality, especially in less developed areas. The current study was aimed at finding a holistic approach for improving the management and treatment of paediatric CAP. For that purpose, a comparative interventional study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of chest physiotherapy (CPT) combining with Cinnamon varum and Syzygium aromaticum steam therapy in paediatric CAP. MethodsA total of 60 paediatric patient hospitalised with CAP were assessed. The study included both male and female participants aged between three and 14 years. The study was conducted at Children Hospital and Institute of Child Health in Faisalabad, Pakistan. The subjects were divided into three equal groups: group 1 received CPT, group 2 underwent CPT accompanied with nebulization, and group 3 received CPT along with steam therapy using C. varum and S. aromaticum. Each participant received the assigned therapy twice a day for seven consecutive days. The study was approved and registered by Ethics Review Committee, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan (Reference number GCUF/ERC/214). ResultsAmong the three groups studied, those who received the combined therapy exhibited improved outcome by improving the complete blood count (CBC), spirometer index, arterial blood gases (ABGs) and Systolic blood pressure, Multilobar infiltrates, Albumin, Respiratory rate, Tachycardia, Confusion, Oxygen and pH severity score for pneumonia. ConclusionsThe antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and mucolytic properties of cinnamon and clove, along with the positive effects of CPT, resulted in reduced lung inflammation, enhanced respiratory performance, and improved vital signs.

Antibacterial Potential of Endemic Medicinal Plants of the Maluku Islands, Indonesia, against Urinary Tract Infection Pathogens

Highlights:1. Clove, cinnamon, and eucalyptus have found to be able to providing antibacterial agents for urinary tract infection (UTI).2. Ethanol extracts derived from clove leaves, cinnamon bark, and eucalyptus leaves can inhibit pathogenic bacteria responsible for UTI, indicating their potential as sources of bioactive compounds for UTI medication development. Abstract Medicinal plants possess antimicrobial properties that have been believed to be efficacious for treating various diseases. However, antimicrobial-based medicinal plants remain an untapped source of potential pharmaceuticals. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial properties of ethanolic extracts derived from several medicinal plants endemic to Maluku, Indonesia, specifically regarding their antibacterial activity against isolates of pathogenic bacteria found in the urine samples of urinary tract infection (UTI) patients. This was a true experimental research with a posttest-only control group design. The medicinal plant extraction was conducted using the maceration method. The pathogens were isolated using the dilution method. Following the pathogen isolation, the isolates were identified according to the colony morphology, Gram staining, and biochemical test results. The antibacterial activity was determined through the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test. The results indicated that five selected isolates (i.e., 0A1, 0A2, 0A3, 0A4, and 0A5) had a round shape with flat edges. Isolates 0A2 and 0A4 exhibited a solid white color, whereas isolates 0A1 and 0A3 displayed an off-white color, and isolate 0A5 showed a yellow color. Isolates 0A1, 0A2, and 0A4 were Gram-positive bacteria, while isolates 0A3 and 0A5 demonstrated Gram-negative characteristics. The biochemical testing revealed that the five selected isolates were identified as Staphylococcus warneri, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterococcus faecium, and Escherichia coli. The ethanol extracts of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) leaves, cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii) bark, and eucalyptus (Melaleuca leucadendra) leaves demonstrated the ability to inhibit pathogenic bacteria responsible for UTI. Clove leaf ethanol extract exhibited the highest average clear zone compared to the other two ethanol extracts. This study concluded that medicinal plants from Maluku, Indonesia, the clove, cinnamon, and eucalyptus, have antibacterial potential that may be effective in treating UTI. Further investigation is necessary to fully comprehend the mechanisms of action, detection, and description of bioactive compounds, particularly against human pathogens.

Ethnobotanical survey and scientific validation of liver-healing plants in northeastern Morocco.

Liver diseases represent a significant global health challenge, with primary causes including excessive alcohol consumption, infections, chemotherapy, and autoimmune disorders. Medicinal plants, due to their natural bioactive compounds, hold promise for developing effective treatments and preventive measures against liver ailments. This study aimed to document the use of herbal remedies in northeastern Morocco for liver diseases and correlate these uses with scientific evidence through a bibliometric analysis. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in remote communities of northeastern Morocco from October 2020 to January 2022. A total of 189 informants were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires to gather information on local medicinal plants used for liver ailments. The data were analyzed using four ethnobotanical quantitative indices: use value (UV), familial use value (FUV), informant consensus factor (ICF), and fidelity level (FL). Additionally, a bibliometric analysis was performed to evaluate the scientific support for the ethnopharmacological uses documented. The survey identified 45 plant species from 26 different families used in the treatment of liver diseases. The most frequently utilized species were Cuminum cyminum L. (UV = 0.1065), Allium sativum L. (UV = 0.1015), Salvia officinalis L. (UV = 0.0761), Asparagus officinalis L. (UV = 0.0558), and Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam. (UV = 0.0457). The Apiaceae family showed the highest familial use value (FUV = 0.1066), followed by Alliaceae (FUV = 0.1015). Liver congestion had the highest informant consensus factor (ICF = 0.83), followed by hepatic colic (ICF = 0.80). Bibliometric analysis revealed that 61% of the plants identified had documented pharmacological effects related to liver health. The study demonstrates that traditional knowledge in northeastern Morocco encompasses a rich diversity of medicinal plants used to treat liver diseases. The high ICF values indicate a strong consensus among informants on the efficacy of these remedies. The correlation between ethnopharmacological use and scientific validation for a significant portion of these plants suggests their potential as reliable therapeutic agents for liver conditions. However, further scientific investigations are necessary to confirm their efficacy and safety in clinical settings. This research contributes valuable information for future studies on the therapeutic potential of these plants. This ethnobotanical survey provides a comprehensive database of medicinal plants used in northeastern Morocco for liver diseases. The findings highlight the potential of these plants in developing novel treatments for hepatic conditions, although further research is essential to substantiate their therapeutic claims.

Screening the efficacy of platinum-based nanomaterial synthesized from Allium sativum to control plant pathogens

Emerging challenge posed by multidrug-resistant Bacillus spp. phytopathogens on agriculture and their commodities exerts pressure on global food security. This mandates the search for other alternatives to existing antibiotics. This study reports a novel method of green synthesis of platinum nanoparticles (PtHGNM) using aqueous extract of Himalayan garlic (Allium sativum). Physicochemical characterization techniques including UV-visible spectrometry, FT-IR, XRD, DLS, zeta potential, and FESEM-EDAX disclosed the biogenic fabrication of a stable and amorphic nano platinum material. This nanoparticle exhibited high bactericidal efficacy and effectively inhibited biofilm formation by the model plant-borne pathogens used in this study. We estimated the membrane integrity, oxidative enzymes and stress parameters of bacteria to elucidate the underlying mechanism of action of PtHGNM. This research uncovered the potential of biogenic nanoparticles for sustainable plant disease management and paved the way for further analysis of its properties and mechanism of its action.

Transgenic cotton expressing Allium sativum leaf agglutinin exhibits resistance to whiteflies and aphids without negative effects on ladybugs

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is of great economic importance as a cultivated crop in many parts of the world. In addition to being a pillar of the textile industry, cotton and its byproducts are used for livestock feed, seed oil, and other products. Bacillus thuringiensis crystal toxin (Bt) expression in cotton provides effective protection against chewing insects but does not defend plants from piercing/sucking insect pests. With the aim to create transgenic plants with resistance against piercing/sucking pests, we used Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of cotton cultivar Coker 312 to express the Allium sativum leaf agglutinin (ASLA) gene from the phloem-specific rolC promoter. The ASLA transgene was stably inherited and showed Mendelian segregation in the T1 generation. Transgenic lines, expressing the ASLA gene, showed explicit resistance against major sap-sucking pests. Green peach aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer) choice assays showed that 75% of aphids preferred untransformed cotton plants relative to those expressing the ASLA gene. In detached leaf bioassays, plants expressing ASLA caused 82% aphid mortality and 44–53% reduction in fecundity. Clip cage bioassays with whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius) showed 74–82% mortality and 44–60% decrease in fecundity due to ASLA gene expression. In whole plant bioassays, whiteflies showed 77% mortality and a 54% decrease in fecundity on ASLA transgenics. Importantly, we did not observe a negative effect of the ASLA gene on ladybugs (Coccinella septempunctata) that consumed these whiteflies. Together, our findings demonstrate the potential of ASLA-transgenic cotton for providing protection against two devastating insect pests, whiteflies and aphids. The ASLA-transgenic cotton appears promising for direct commercial cultivation besides serving as a potential genetic resource in recombination breeding.

Clove mediated synthesis of Ag-ZnO doped fucoidan nanocomposites and their evaluation of antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxicity efficacy study

The Ag-ZnO/Fu nanocomposites were successfully synthesized in an environmentally friendly manner using an aqueous Clove buds extract from the Syzygium aromaticum plant. They were then examined for antibacterial activity against bacterium strains of Escherichia coli, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecalis. The UV–Visible spectrophotometry analysis confirmed the presence of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles at 334 nm, silver oxide (Ag) nanoparticles at 416 nm, and fucoidan at 589 nm in the synthesized nanocomposites. The FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of five different functional linkages in the synthesized nanocomposites. The positions of diffraction peaks in pure Ag-ZnO/Fu nanocomposite patterns were identified using XRD analysis. The Ag-ZnO/Fu nanocomposites synthesized are more crystalline (77 %), and less amorphous (22.2 %). Silver, O, and Zn signals were detected in the SEM and EDX spectra of the Ag-ZnO/Fu nanocomposite. Different strains of Ag-ZnO/Fu nanocomposites showed stronger antibacterial properties. The DPPH technique was used to perform the antioxidant assay. Cytotoxicity testing was carried out on zebrafish embryos treated with several groups of Clove Ag ZnO/Fucoidan. The combination Ag-ZnO/Fucoidan (300 mg/mL) showed a marginally significant difference in survival (94 %).