Henna Plant Research Articles

Insoluble/immobilized redox mediators for catalyzing anaerobic bio-reduction of contaminants

The soluble redox mediator had been employed for catalyzing anaerobic bio-reduction of recalcitrant contaminants such as azo compounds (mainly azo dyes), nitroaromatics, halogenated pollutants and high valence heavy metal, etc. However, the continuous dosing of soluble redox mediators would not only be economically unreasonable, but also have a risk of causing secondary pollution. Therefore the insoluble/immobilized redox mediators were widely studied in last decades trying to overcome above drawbacks. This paper reviewed insoluble redox mediators including carbonaceous (activated carbon, emerging activated carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide and biochar) and natural materials (humin and henna plant), as well as immobilized redox mediators such as immobilizing model quinones or humic acid on calcium alginate, polyurethane foam, Poly(ethylene terephthalate) fiber, anion exchange resin, etc. The catalyzing performance, characteristics, disadvantages (if any) and lab-scale applications of those insoluble/immobilized RMs were critically discussed, in order to provide reference for the evolvement and promoting further utilizations of novel insoluble/immobilized redox mediators. In addition, future research needed was suggested towards the engineering application of insoluble/immobilized redox mediators.

Growth characteristics and lipid content of indigenous freshwater algae grown in dairy cattle waste-water effluent

Effects of henna plant biomass (stem) packed in an up-flow anaerobic bio-filter (UAF) on an azo dye (AO7) removal were investigated. AO7 removal, sulfanilic acid (SA) formation, and pseudo first-order kinetic constants for these reactions (kAO7 and kSA) were higher in the henna-added UAF (R2) than in the control UAF without henna (R1). The maximum kAO7 in R1 and R2 were 0.0345 and 0.2024 cm−1, respectively, on day 18; the corresponding molar ratios of SA formation to AO7 removal were 0.582 and 0.990. Adsorption and endogenous bio-reduction were the main AO7 removal pathways in R1, while in R2 bio-reduction was the dominant. Organics in henna could be released and fermented to volatile fatty acids, acting as effective electron donors for AO7 reduction, which was accelerated by soluble and/or fixed lawsone. Afterwards, the removal process weakened over time, indicating the demand of electron donation and lawsone-releasing during the long-term operation of UAF.

New ferrocene modified lawsone Mannich bases with anti-proliferative activity against tumor cells

Lawsone (1a) is a known naphthoquinone dye from the Henna plant Lawsonia inermis. Out of a series of four new ferrocene modified Mannich bases of 1a, the 2-pyridyl derivative 2a was distinctly more active than its analogs 2b–d in breast, prostate and pancreatic cancer cells. 2a also exhibited greater antiproliferative effects when compared with the known anticancer active Mannich bases 1b and 1c in the androgen-receptor negative PC-3 prostate and Pgp-expressing KB-V1/Vbl cervix carcinoma cell lines. Compound 2a reached sub-micromolar activities in these aggressive cancer cells and, thus, features a promising drug candidate for the efficient treatment of hormone- or multidrug-resistant cancer types.

Volatile fatty acids produced by co-fermentation of waste activated sludge and henna plant biomass

Anaerobic co-fermentation of waste activated sludge (WAS) and henna plant biomass (HPB) for the enhanced production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) was investigated. The results indicated that VFAs was the main constituents of the released organics; the accumulation of VFAs was much higher than that of soluble carbohydrates and proteins. HPB was an advantageous substrate compared to WAS for VFAs production; and the maximum VFAs concentration in an HPB mono-fermentation system was about 2.6-fold that in a WAS mono-fermentation system. In co-fermentation systems, VFAs accumulation was positively related to the proportion of HPB in the mixed substrate, and the accumulated VFAs concentrations doubled when HPB was increased from 25% to 75%. HPB not only adjust the C/N ratio; the associated and/or released lawsone might also have a positive electron-shuttling effect on VFAs production.

Colloidal gas aphron drilling fluid properties generated by natural surfactants: Experimental investigation

Colloidal gas aphron (CGA) fluids are special types of fluids containing micro-bubbles with sizes between 10 and 100 microns which are created by mixing an aphronizer surfactant in a polymeric solution at high speed. Recently, CGA fluids have been successfully employed as drilling fluid in petroleum upstream. CGA based drilling fluid properties like stability and aphron size distribution highly depends on the characteristics of an aphronizer surfactant. As a result, selection of an appropriate surface active agent plays a vital role for generating micro-bubbles with the favorable properties. The main objective of the present paper is to evaluate the potential of new natural surfactants as aphronizer in CGA-based drilling fluids. In this regard, two new natural surfactants which derived from roots of Seidlitzia Rosmarinus and leaves of Henna plant are employed for preparing aphron-based fluids. Physico-chemical properties of the aphronized fluids prepared from these surfactants were investigated by various standard experiments including bubble size measurements, rheological characterizations and stability tests. Moreover, the effects of polymer and surfactant concentrations were studied systematically. Based on the experimental results obtained from this work, the two aforementioned natural surfactants are appropriate for generating CGA based drilling fluid while they have no environmental impacts, and have very low cost in comparison with commercial and industrial surfactants.

Effects of different henna plant parts on enhanced removal of an azo dye Orange II: Biotic and abiotic contributions

The effects of different parts of henna (Lawsonia) plant biomass on the removal of an azo dye Orange II (AO7) were investigated. The batched system of sludge control (R1), and those with the addition of henna flower (R2), stem (R3), and seed (R4) were set up. The results indicated that henna powder all benefit the AO7 removal. At the end of batch test (76 h), the AO7 removal in R1, R2, R3, and R4 were 18.3%, 82.7%, 83.7%, and 65.6%, respectively; and the molar ratios of the reductive byproduct of sulfanic acid to the removed AO7 were 22.1%, 81.7%, 30.4% and 53.9%, respectively. AO7 removal in R2 was mainly attributed to the bio‐reducing pathway, while that in R3 was due to the abiotic adsorption pathway. These two pathways were in comparable role on AO7 removal in R4. In anaerobic conditions, henna plant biomass, especially the flower, played a multiple role in simultaneously providing electron donor and redox mediator (lawsone), thus enhancing the AO7 bio‐reduction. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 404–410, 2016

Enhanced bio-reduction of hexavalent chromium by an anaerobic consortium using henna plant biomass as electron donor and redox mediator

The effects of henna (Lawsonia inermis) flower biomass on the enhanced bio-reduction of Cr(VI) were investigated in this study. The average Cr(VI) removal rate in the anaerobic system with the addition of henna flower powder achieved 2.04 mg L−1 h−1, which was much higher than the rates in the activated sludge control, autoclaved sludge control, and adsorption control. Under anaerobic conditions, the organic compounds in henna flower powder could be leached out from the solid phase to the mixed solution, and then fermented to volatile fatty acids and H2, acting as effective electron donors for the rapid bio-reduction of Cr(VI). The released and/or fixed lawsone not only shuttles electrons from the donor to the final acceptor of Cr(VI), but might also inversely improves the fermentation process of henna flower biomass.

Enhanced azo dye removal in a continuously operated up-flow anaerobic filter packed with henna plant biomass

Effects of henna plant biomass (stem) packed in an up-flow anaerobic bio-filter (UAF) on an azo dye (AO7) removal were investigated. AO7 removal, sulfanilic acid (SA) formation, and pseudo first-order kinetic constants for these reactions (kAO7 and kSA) were higher in the henna-added UAF (R2) than in the control UAF without henna (R1). The maximum kAO7 in R1 and R2 were 0.0345 and 0.2024cm−1, respectively, on day 18; the corresponding molar ratios of SA formation to AO7 removal were 0.582 and 0.990. Adsorption and endogenous bio-reduction were the main AO7 removal pathways in R1, while in R2 bio-reduction was the dominant. Organics in henna could be released and fermented to volatile fatty acids, acting as effective electron donors for AO7 reduction, which was accelerated by soluble and/or fixed lawsone. Afterwards, the removal process weakened over time, indicating the demand of electron donation and lawsone-releasing during the long-term operation of UAF.

Changes in henna (Lawsonia inermis L.) morphological traits under different deficit irrigations in the southern Tunisia

Henna plant belongs to continental oases where water shortage constitutes the essential limiting factors of its agricultural production. Lawsonia inermis L. (Lytraceae) is often exposed to severe drought stress in Gabes; a Tunisian arid region. The present study was carried out to evaluate the impact of water stress on the morphology of Tunisian henna plants. Thus, an experiment of four months was carried out under greenhouse at the Institute of Arid Region in Medenine, Tunisia. Henna was exposed to three different irrigation regimes, whereby the plants where irrigated to field capacity (control, T0), 50% of the control (moderate stress, T1) and 25% of the control (severe deficit irrigation, T2). Results showed that, leaf area (LA), leaf number and stem length of henna, decreased in response to the studied stress. The effect of water stress was clearly observed on those parameters. Moderate drought (T1) did not damage henna morphology, and the plants grew better than without water limitation (T0). Furthermore, the water stress-typical responses were shown as time and severity dependent in all the measured parameters. Indeed, lowest water availability treatment (T2) induced significant decrease in total number of leaves, as well as reductions in LA. Under this severe water stress (T2); LA was reduced by 65.79%, compared to control, at 60 days after the initiation of the bioassay. Stem length decreased significantly in the most severe water stress, this reduction was about 44%. Globally, we conclude that henna plant growth decreased progressively to long-term water limitation.

Cultivation of Henna Plant Under Conditions of Indoor Greenhouse and Its Economic Profit

Cultivation of Henna Plant Under Conditions of Indoor Greenhouse and Its Economic Profit

In VitroActivity ofLawsonia inermis(Henna) on Some Pathogenic Fungi

The present study was conducted to investigate antifungal activity ofLawsonia inermis(Henna plant). Leaf samples of the plant were collected from Eastern Nile of Khartoum State, Sudan. Ethanol and petroleum ether extracts were obtained by maceration (cold method). The extracts were bioassayedin vitroto know their bioactivity to inhibit the growth of tested fungi. The cup-plate agar diffusion method was adopted to assess the antifungal activity of the extracts against tested yeasts, while agar incorporated method was used for other molds. Both extracts revealed antifungal activity against all yeast strains exceptPichia fabianiiwhich was found resistant to both ethanol and ether extracts. The results displayed antifungal activity against tested fungi. Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of 5, 7.5, and 10 mg/mL was found to inhibit the growth of tested dermatophytes. The obtained results revealed antifungal activity of Henna leaves extracts which support the traditional use of Henna in therapy of fungal infections. The possibility of therapeutic use of Sudanese Henna as antifungal agent is recommended.

Effects of IBA and growning mediums on rooting of Hena cuttings Lawsonia inermis L

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of four concentration of auxin (IBA) ( 0 , 3000 , 5000 , 8000 p.p.m ) and kinds of different mediums ( sand + peatmoss ) ( sand + poultry manure ) (2:1) , sand + poultry manure + peatmoss (1:1:1). An improvement of rooting percentage and all rooting and vegetative growth of Henna plant Lawsonia inermis L., The experiments was designed in two stages , The first stage designed in C.R.D with three replicates and 15 cutting of each treatment , The second stage of experiment was arranged in factorial (2-factors) experiment in complete randomized design (C.R.D) were used with 3-replicates and 5 cuttings of each treatment . Treatment were compared using least significant test (L.S.D 0.05) at 0.05 , The most important results showed that using of IBA in all concentrations of auxin was significant increase gave in all rooting traits for the treatment cuttings comparing with untreatment cuttings (control) All auxins concentrations significantly in creased all cuttings parameters in comparisons with untreated cuttings . except treatment T2 in Rooting length . Also T4 (4000 p.p.m IBA) the highest rooting percentage (86.71%) and number and length of Roots which that (23.83 and 8.07 cm) respectively . Results for the two stage of the experiment are summarized follows : The results showed that the effects of medium culture M3 (sand + peatmoss + poultry manure ) (1:1:1) was significantly increased in most parameters (content chlorophyll relative , number of leaves , number of shoots plant , leaf area ) which that ( 41.78 spad unit , 98.8 , 7.25 and 10.52 cm2 ) respectively . All IBA treatment caused a significant increase for all vegetative growth compared with control specially treatment T4 comparison of means also showed that interaction of medium culture and concentration of IBA had significant effect on highest content chlorophyll relative , number of leaves , number of shoots , leaf area and high of plant were observed on T4M3 (sand + peatmoss + poultry manure ) × 8000 p.p.m IBA .

Intrinsic water use efficiency controls the adaptation to high salinity in a semi-arid adapted plant, henna (Lawsonia inermis L.)

Adaptation to salinity of a semi-arid inhabitant plant, henna, is studied. The salt tolerance mechanisms are evaluated in the belief that gas exchange (water vapor and CO2) should play a key role on its adaptation to salt stress because of the strong evaporation conditions and soil water deficit in its natural area of distribution. We grow henna plants hydroponically under controlled climate conditions and expose them to control (0mM NaCl), and two levels of salinity; medium (75mM NaCl) and high (150mM NaCl). Relative growth rate (RGR), biomass production, whole plant and leaf structure and ultrastructure adaptation, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, nutrients location in leaf tissue and its balance in the plant are studied. RGR and total biomass decreased as NaCl concentration increased in the nutrient solution. At 75mM NaCl root biomass was not affected by salinity and RGR reached similar values to control plants at the end of the experiment. At this salinity level henna plant responded to salinity decreasing shoot to root ratio, increasing leaf specific mass (LSM) and intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE), and accumulating high concentrations of Na+ and Cl− in leaves and root. At 150mM NaCl growth was severely reduced but plants reached the reproductive phase. At this salinity level, no further decrease in shoot to root ratio or increase in LSM was observed, but plants increased iWUE, maintaining water status and leaf and root Na+ and Cl− concentrations were lower than expected. Moreover, plants at 150mM NaCl reallocated carbon to the root at the expense of the shoot. The effective PSII quantum yield [Y(II)] and the quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation [Y(NO)] were recovered over time of exposure to salinity. Overall, iWUE seems to be determinant in the adaptation of henna plant to high salinity level, when morphological adaptation fails.

The potentials of henna (<i>Lawsonia inamis L</i>.) leaves extracts as counter stain in gram staining reaction

The potentials of aqueous and ethanol extract solutions of the henna plant (Lawsonia inamis L.) leaves adopted as alternative counter stain in Gram staining reactions were studied. Different extracts were formulated into various staining solutions of different concentrations. The solutionswere modified with hydrogen peroxide, ferric chloride, potassium alum and potassium permanganate. These staining solutions were used to stain bacterial isolates of Lactobacillus spp and Escherichia coli strains. The experimental henna plant extracts solutions were used with usualcounter stains (neutral red, safranin and dilute carbol fuchsin) as positive controls. The result obtained showed that aqueous extracts (cold and hot) oxidized with potassium permanganate with neutral pH gives a better staining reaction. While the ethanol extract after oxidized with potassiumpermanganate had no staining reaction. The result obtained therefore implied that the aqueous henna leaves extracts (cold or hot) when oxidized with potassium permanganate can be a substitute to the usual counter stains used in Gram staining reactions.Keywords: Aqueous Extract, Dyes, Henna, Counter-Staining

Acute renal failure and intravascular hemolysis following henna ingestion

The powder of henna plant (Lawsonia inermis Linn.) is extensively used as a decorative skin paint for nail coloring and as a hair dye. Most reports of henna toxicity have been attributed to adding a synthetic dye para-phenylenediamine (PPD). PPD is marketed as black henna added to natural henna to accentuate the dark color and shorten the application time. PPD toxicity is well known and extensively reported in medical literature. We report a case of a young Saudi male who presented with characteristic features of acute renal failure and intravascular hemolysis following ingestion of henna mixture. Management of PPD poisoning is only supportive and helpful only if instituted early. Diagnosis requires a high degree of clinical suspicion, as the clinical features are quite distinctive.

From Body Art to Anticancer Activities: Perspectives on Medicinal Properties of Henna

Nature has been a rich source of therapeutic agents for thousands of years and an impressive number of modern drugs have been isolated from natural sources based on the uses of these plants in traditional medicine. Henna is one such plant commonly known as Persian Henna or Lawsonia inermis, a bushy, flowering tree, commonly found in Australia, Asia and along the Mediterranean coasts of Africa. Paste made from the leaves of Henna plant has been used since the Bronze Age to dye skin, hairs and fingernails especially at the times of festivals. In recent times henna paste has been used for body art paintings and designs in western countries. Despite such widespread use in dyeing and body art painting, Henna extracts and constituents possess numerous biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anticancer activities. The active coloring and biologically active principle of Henna is found to be Lawsone (2- hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone) which can serve as a starting building block for synthesizing large number of therapeutically useful compounds including Atovaquone, Lapachol and Dichloroallyl lawsone which have been shown to possess potent anticancer activities. Some other analogs of Lawsone have been found to exhibit other beneficial biological properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitubercular and antimalarial. The ability of Lawsone to undergo the redox cycling and chelation of trace metal ions has been thought to be partially responsible for some of its biological activities. Despite such diverse biological properties and potent anticancer activities the compound has remained largely unexplored and hence in the present review we have summarized the chemistry and biological activities of Lawsone along with its analogs and metal complexes.

Application of extracts of Henna (Lawsonia inamis) leaves as a counter stain

Aqueous (cold and hot) and ethanol extracts solutions of the Henna plant (Lawsonia inamis) leaves was adapted for the first time as a counter stain in Gram staining reaction. Different extracts of L. inamis leaves were formulated into various staining solutions of different concentrations and modified with hydrogen peroxide, ferric chloride, potassium alum and potassium permanganate. These staining solutions were used to stain both known Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial isolates using Gram staining technique. The experimental Henna plant extracts solutions were used with usual counter stains (neutral red, safranine and dilute carbol fuchsin) as positive controls. Phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of tannin (hennatonic acid or Lawsone) and saponin. The aqueous extracts of the Henna plant (cold and hot) oxidized with potassium permanganate (pH 7.00 to 7.16) gave a better staining reaction with Gram negative bacteria, while the ethanol extract oxidized with potassium permanganate (pH 6.55) had no staining reaction with Gram negative bacteria. Hence the aqueous Henna leaves extracts (cold or hot) when oxidized with potassium permanganate can be a substitute to the usual counter stains used in Gram staining procedure. The results of staining ability of the various henna leaves extracts solutions are discussed. Key words: Lawsonia inamis, extracts, bacteria, Gram staining, counter stain.

The use of Lawsonia inermis linn. (henna) in the management of burn wound infections

The effects of water and chloroform extracts of the leaves of Lawsonia inermis (henna plant) against the primary invaders of burnt wounds was investigated. Clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sp, Pseudemonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Fusarium oxysporum, and Aspergillus niger were treated with extracts of the leaves of L. inermis for antimicrobial activity using in vitro agar incorporation method and well diffusion methods respectively. The henna leaves extracts were able to inhibit the growth pattern of A. niger and F. oxysporum. Streptococcus sp. and S. aureus were also inhibited by the extracts. Inhibition of the microorganisms’ growth suggests that henna may be valuable in the management of burnt wound infections.

The use of Lawsonia inermis linn. (henna) in the management of burn wound infections

The effects of water and chloroform extracts of the leaves of Lawsonia inermis (henna plant) against the primary invaders of burnt wounds was investigated. Clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sp, Pseudemonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Fusarium oxysporum, and Aspergillus niger were treated with extracts of the leaves of L. inermis for antimicrobial activity using in vitro agar incorporation method and well diffusion methods respectively. The henna leaves extracts were able to inhibit the growth pattern of A. niger and F. oxysporum. Streptococcus sp. and S. aureus were also inhibited by the extracts. Inhibition of the microorganisms’ growth suggests that henna may be valuable in the management of burnt wound infections.

Effects of different quinoid redox mediators on the anaerobic reduction of azo dyes by bacteria.

The addition of quinoid redox mediators to anaerobically incubated cultures of various taxonomically different bacterial species resulted in significantly increased reduction rates for the azo dye amaranth. From different quinones tested, generally anthraquinone-2-sulfonate (AQS) and lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) caused the highest increase in the azoreductase activities. The effects of AQS and lawsone were studied in greater detail with Sphingomonas xenophaga BN6 and Escherichia coli K12. Both strains reduced the quinones under anaerobic conditions with significantly different relative activities. The chemically reduced forms of AQS, lawsone, and different other quinones were assayed for their ability to decolorize amaranth, and a good correlation between the redox potentials of the quinones and the reduction rates of the azo dyes was observed. The addition of AQS or lawsone also increased the ability of unacclimated sewage sludge to reduce azo dyes. Chemically pure lawsone could be replaced by the powdered leaves of the henna plant which contain significant amounts of lawsone.