Major Chemical Groups Research Articles

Alkaloids - An Important Aspect of Medicinal Plants in Pharmaceutical World: An Overview

Alkaloids are major important constituent among different chemical constituents. Alkaloids have obtained in lots of plants in different location of world. These constituents have been used for different types of medicinal purposes as well as for the treatment of different diseases. These materials have potent role in also maintaining the plant profile. Lots of major chemical groups fall under this category. Many plants like Ephedra, Pilocarpus, Belladonna, Vasaka, Datura, Vinca, Cinchona, Kurchi, Ashwagandha, etc are belonging to this constituent. Among those Cinchona, Vasaka, Vinca, Belladonna and so many plants are showing significant role for treating different health issues from ancient days to till now. The article objects that the important, classification, constituents as well as the distribution of alkaloids into large amount of plant profiles.

Lower micromolar activity of the antifungal imidazoles on the bacterial-type bifunctional aldehyde/alcohol dehydrogenase (AdhE) in Cryptosporidium parvum and in vitro efficacy against the zoonotic parasite

Cryptosporidium parvum is a waterborne and foodborne zoonotic protozoan parasite, a causative agent of moderate to severe diarrheal diseases in humans and animals. However, fully effective treatments are unavailable for medical and veterinary uses. There is a need to explore new drug targets for potential development of new therapeutics. Because C. parvum relies on anaerobic metabolism to produce ATP, fermentative enzymes in this parasite are attractive targets for exploration. In this study, we investigated the ethanol-fermentation in the parasite and characterized the basic biochemical features of a bacterial-type bifunctional aldehyde/alcohol dehydrogenase, namely CpAdhE. We also screened 3892 chemical entries from three libraries and identified 14 compounds showing >50% inhibition on the enzyme activity of CpAdhE. Intriguingly, antifungal imidazoles and unsaturated fatty acids are the two major chemical groups among the top hits. We further characterized the inhibitory kinetics of selected imidazoles and unsaturated fatty acids on CpAdhE. These compounds displayed lower micromolar activities on CpAdhE (i.e., IC50 values ranging from 0.88 to 11.02 μM for imidazoles and 8.93 to 35.33 μM for unsaturated fatty acids). Finally, we evaluated the in vitro anti-cryptosporidial efficacies and cytotoxicity of three imidazoles (i.e., tioconazole, miconazole and isoconazole). The three antifungal imidazoles exhibited lower micromolar efficacies against the growth of C. parvum in vitro (EC50 values ranging from 4.85 to 10.41 μM and selectivity indices ranging from 5.19 to 10.95). The results provide a proof-of-concept data to support that imidazoles are worth being further investigated for potential development of anti-cryptosporidial therapeutics.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of <i>Cassia alata</i> (L.) Roxb. Leaves

Cassia alata is a plant of Caesalpiniaceae family used for the treatment of management infectious diseases. This work aimed at evaluating antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of hydroethanolic extract of Cassia alata leaves. The extract was obtained by the maceration of crude leaf powder (hydroethanolic 30:70). The phytochemical screening was focused on the detection of major chemical groups. The total flavonoids contents were studied using the aluminum chloride colorimetry method. The antioxidant capacity was carried out by the phosphomolybdate reduction method and by FRAP method. The antimicrobial activity of the extract was carried out by the diffusion method and the micro dilution. The extract showed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids and reducing compounds. The concentration of total flavonoids of Cassia alata leaves was 70.91± 5.66 mg RE/g. The antioxidant activity by the phosphomolybdate reduction method and by the FRAP method were respectively 69.57 ± 4.83 mg AAE/g and 225.5 ± 17.32 mg FSE/g. The extract of Cassia alata has bactericidal action on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Staphylococcus aureus SARM, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Cutibacterium acnes ATCC 6919 and fungicidal action on Candida albicans ATCC 10231. This study shows that Cassia alata could be a source of a new antioxidant and antimicrobial agent.

Steam Explosion-Assisted Extraction of Polysaccharides from Pleurotus eryngii and Its Influence on Structural Characteristics and Antioxidant Activity.

Pleurotus eryngii (PE) has been sought after for its various health benefits and high content of phenolic compounds. This study explored the feasibility of steam explosion (SE)-assisted extraction of polysaccharides with high antioxidant capacities from PE. An orthogonal experimental design (OED) was used to optimize the SE-assisted extraction of PE. The influence of the optimized SE-assisted extraction on the physicochemical properties of PE polysaccharides was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), monosaccharide compositional analysis and antioxidant capacity assays. Under optimal SE conditions, SE-assisted extraction increased the polysaccharide yield by 138% compared to extraction without SE-assistance. In addition, SEM demonstrated that SE-assisted extraction markedly altered the spatial structure of Pleurotus eryngii polysaccharides (PEP), and monosaccharide compositional analysis revealed that this pretreatment significantly increased the proportions of some monosaccharides, such as glucose, rhamnose and arabinose, in the isolated PEP. FTIR spectra indicated no change in the major chemical functional groups of PEP. PEP extracted by SE-assisted extraction had significantly increased free radical scavenging and antioxidant capacities. In conclusion, SE-assisted extraction appears to be a novel polysaccharide extraction technology, which markedly increases extraction yields and efficiency and can increase the biological activity of polysaccharide extracts.

Functional divergence of CYP76AKs shapes the chemodiversity of abietane-type diterpenoids in genus Salvia

The genus Salvia L. (Lamiaceae) comprises myriad distinct medicinal herbs, with terpenoids as one of their major active chemical groups. Abietane-type diterpenoids (ATDs), such as tanshinones and carnosic acids, are specific to Salvia and exhibit taxonomic chemical diversity among lineages. To elucidate how ATD chemical diversity evolved, we carried out large-scale metabolic and phylogenetic analyses of 71 Salvia species, combined with enzyme function, ancestral sequence and chemical trait reconstruction, and comparative genomics experiments. This integrated approach showed that the lineage-wide ATD diversities in Salvia were induced by differences in the oxidation of the terpenoid skeleton at C-20, which was caused by the functional divergence of the cytochrome P450 subfamily CYP76AK. These findings present a unique pattern of chemical diversity in plants that was shaped by the loss of enzyme activity and associated catalytic pathways.

Gallic acid affects chamomile flower’s essential oil

Chamomile essential oil is used in the food and medicinal industries. Gallic acid has been identified as one of the most significant biological elicitors. At dosages of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/L, Gallic acid was sprayed on chamomile plants. The yield of flowers and essential oils in dry flowers were assessed. The averages of data were examined statistically using one-way analysis of variance. Oxygenated sesquiterpenes were a major chemical group, while α-bisabolol oxide A, α-bisabolol and chamazulene were the three main components of essential oil. When administered 15 mg/L Gallic acid, plants produced their most flowers and had the highest quantities of the essential oil, α-bisabolol oxide A, α-bisabolol and chamazulene. Essential oil extracted from untreated control plants had the highest concentration of oxygenated sesquiterpenes. It can be infer that Gallic acid increases the production of essential oil and alters its chemical constituents which alter its biological activity.

Characterization of a new cellulose fiber extracted from Syagrus Romanzoffiana rachis as a potential reinforcement in biocomposites materials

New cellulosic fibers collected from the rachis of Syagrus Romanzoffiana (SR) have been identified as potential reinforcement materials for biocomposites. The morphological, physical, thermal, and mechanical characteristics of these fibers were studied for the first time using several techniques, as well as applying a water absorption test to evaluate their absorption behavior. SEM images of the fibers revealed a dense population of fiber cells. TGA analyses proved that the fiber was resistant to temperatures of up to 352 °C. XRD revealed the presence of cellulose with a crystallinity index of 40.81% and a crystal size of 11.4 nm. Fourier-transform - IR measurement successfully identified the major chemical groups and molecular structures. While the average tensile strength of the fibers was 671 MPa, the strain at the failure rate was 1.84%, and the Young's modulus was 415 GPa, their distribution necessitated analysis via a statistical Weibull distribution with two parameters (ML method). Considering the outcomes of the tests mentioned above, it is possible to consider Syagrus Romanzoffiana fibers (SRFs) as a possible reinforcement in biocomposites materials for lightweight applications in various industries.

Characterization of volatiles in flowers from four Rosa chinensis cultivars by HS-SPME-GC × GC-QTOFMS.

Rosa chinensis cultivars with volatile aromas are important resources in the perfume industry. The four rose cultivars introduced to Guizhou province are rich in volatile substances. In this study, volatiles from four Rosa chinensis cultivars were extracted using headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME), and analyzed with two-dimensional gas chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-QTOFMS). A total of 122 volatiles were identified; the main compounds in these samples were benzyl alcohol, phenylethyl alcohol, citronellol, beta-myrcene and limonene. A total of 68, 78, 71, and 56 volatile compounds were identified in Rosa 'Blue River' (RBR), Rosa 'Crimson Glory' (RCG), Rosa 'Pink Panther' (RPP), and Rosa 'Funkuhr' (RF) samples, respectively. The total volatile contents were in the following order: RBR > RCG > RPP > RF. Four cultivars exhibited similar volatility profiles, with alcohols, alkanes, and esters as the major chemical groups, followed by aldehydes, aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, benzene, and other compounds. Alcohols and aldehydes were quantitatively the two most abundant chemical groups that included the highest number and highest content of compounds. Different cultivars have different aromas, and RCG had high contents of phenyl acetate, rose oxide, trans-rose oxide, phenylethyl alcohol and 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene, characterized by floral and rose descriptors. RBR contained a high content of phenylethyl alcohol, and RF contained a high content of 3,5-dimethoxytoluene. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) of all volatiles showed that the three cultivars (RCG, RPP, and RF) had similar volatile characteristics and were significantly different from RBR. Differential metabolites among cultivars were screened based on the OPLS-DA model, and there were six main enriched pathways of differential metabolites: biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, monoterpenoid biosynthesis, metabolic pathways, limonene and pinene degradation, sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis, and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism. The biosynthesis of secondary metabolites is the most differential metabolic pathway.

Comparative Metabolomics Profiling Reveals Key Metabolites and Associated Pathways Regulating Tuber Dormancy in White Yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.).

Yams are economic and medicinal crops with a long growth cycle, spanning between 9-11 months due to their prolonged tuber dormancy. Tuber dormancy has constituted a major constraint in yam production and genetic improvement. In this study, we performed non-targeted comparative metabolomic profiling of tubers of two white yam genotypes, (Obiaoturugo and TDr1100873), to identify metabolites and associated pathways that regulate yam tuber dormancy using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Yam tubers were sampled between 42 days after physiological maturity (DAPM) till tuber sprouting. The sampling points include 42-DAPM, 56-DAPM, 87DAPM, 101-DAPM, 115-DAPM, and 143-DAPM. A total of 949 metabolites were annotated, 559 in TDr1100873 and 390 in Obiaoturugo. A total of 39 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were identified across the studied tuber dormancy stages in the two genotypes. A total of 27 DAMs were conserved between the two genotypes, whereas 5 DAMs were unique in the tubers of TDr1100873 and 7 DAMs were in the tubers of Obiaoturugo. The differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) spread across 14 major functional chemical groups. Amines and biogenic polyamines, amino acids and derivatives, alcohols, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, esters, coumarins, and phytohormone positively regulated yam tuber dormancy induction and maintenance, whereas fatty acids, lipids, nucleotides, carboxylic acids, sugars, terpenoids, benzoquinones, and benzene derivatives positively regulated dormancy breaking and sprouting in tubers of both yam genotypes. Metabolite set enrichment analysis (MSEA) revealed that 12 metabolisms were significantly enriched during yam tuber dormancy stages. Metabolic pathway topology analysis further revealed that six metabolic pathways (linoleic acid metabolic pathway, phenylalanine metabolic pathway, galactose metabolic pathway, starch and sucrose metabolic pathway, alanine-aspartate-glutamine metabolic pathways, and purine metabolic pathway) exerted significant impact on yam tuber dormancy regulation. This result provides vital insights into molecular mechanisms regulating yam tuber dormancy.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Momordica charantia L. leaves

Momordica charantia L. is used as a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent to fight infections. This work aimed at evaluating antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of hydroethanolic extract of Momordica charantia leaves. The extract was obtained by maceration of crude leaf powder (hydroethanolic 30:70). The phytochemical screening was focused on the detection of major chemical groups. The total flavonoid contents were studied using the aluminum chloride colorimetric method. The antioxidant capacity was carried out by the phosphomolybdate reduction method and by FRAP method. The antimicrobial activity of the extract was carried out by the diffusion method and micro dilution. Our extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenol compounds, saponins, triterpenes, flavonoids. The total flavonoids contents of our extract is 143.65 ± 2.51 mg RE/g. The antioxidant activity by the phosphomolybdate reduction method and by the FRAP method are respectively 65.42 ± 6.24 mg AAE/g and 165.5 ± 17.55mg FSE/g. The extract of Momordica charantia has bactericidal action on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Staphylococcus aureus SARM, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Cutibacterium acnes ATCC 6919 and fungistatic action on Candida albicans ATCC 10231. Momordica charantia could be a new source of antioxidant and antimicrobial agent. A fractionation and identification of biomolecules will be investigated.

Integrating Metabolomics and Gene Expression Underlying Potential Biomarkers Compounds Associated with Antioxidant Activity in Southern Grape Seeds.

Different southern grape (Muscadine) genotypes (Muscadinia rotundifolia Michx.) were evaluated for their contents of metabolites in ripe berries. The metabolome study identified 331 metabolites in ripening skin and seed tissues. The major chemical groups were organic acids, fatty acyls, polyketides, and organic heterocycle compounds. The metabolic pathways of the identified metabolite were mainly arginine biosynthesis, D-glutamine, D-glutamate metabolism, alanine, aspartate metabolism, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, and citrate cycle. Principal component analysis indicated that catechin, gallic acid, and epicatechin-3-gallate were the main metabolites existing in muscadine seed extracts. However, citramalic and malic acids were the main metabolites contributing to muscadine skin extracts. Partial least-squares discriminant analysis (VIP > 1) described 25 key compounds indicating the metabolome in muscadine tissues (skin and seed). Correlation analysis among the 25 compounds and oxidation inhibition activities identified five biomarker compounds that were associated with antioxidant activity. Catechin, gallic acid, epicatechin-3-gallate, fertaric acid, and procyanidin B1 were highly associated with DPPH, FRAP, CUPRAC, and ABTS. The five biomarker compounds were significantly accumulated in the seed relative to the skin tissues. An evaluation of 15 antioxidant-related genes represented by the 3-dehydroquinate dehydratase (DHD), shikimate kinase (SK), chalcone synthase (CHS), anthocyanidin reductase (ANR), laccase (LAC), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), 3-dehydroquinate synthase (DHQS), chorismate mutase (CM), flavanone-3-hydroxylase (F3H), cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (CCR), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR), gallate 1-β-glucosyltransferase (UGT), and anthocyanidin 3-O-glucosyltransferase (UFGT) encode critical enzymes related to polyphenolics pathway throughout four developmental stages (fruit-set FS, véraison V, ripe-skin R, and ripe-seed; S) in the C5 genotype demonstrated the dramatic accumulation of all transcripts in seed tissue or a developmental stage-dependent manner. Our findings suggested that muscadine grape seeds contain essential metabolites that could attract the attention of those interested in the pharmaceutical sector and the plant breeders to develop new varieties with high nutraceutical value.

Research Trends, Biases, and Gaps in Phytochemicals as Insecticides: Literature Survey and Meta-Analysis.

A 76-year literature survey and meta-analyses were carried out to recognize the trends, biases, and knowledge gaps of studies focusing on major groups of compounds of botanical origin, or phytochemicals, as insecticides. The survey found that the main phytochemicals prospected as insecticides belong to the following major chemical groups: terpenoids, terpenes, and carbonyl, all of which were tested, mainly against beetles (Coleoptera), caterpillars (i.e., larvae of Lepidoptera), and mosquitoes and other flies (i.e., Diptera). These studies are burgeoning at an exponential rate, with an evident focus on mortality endpoint estimates, but they are also neglecting sublethal assessments. China and India in Asia, as well as Brazil in the Americas, were responsible for most studies. The majority of the papers used stored grain insects as experimental models, which limits the applicability and representativeness of the findings. As a result, the main modes of exposure tested were fumigation and contact, which leads to the prevalence of estimates of lethal concentration in these studies. Therefore, a broader range of insect species deserves testing, with suitable modes of exposure identifying and characterizing the main molecules responsible for the insecticidal activity, which is seldom performed. Attention to these needs will circumvent current biases and allow the recognition of the main patterns of association between the origin and structure of phytochemicals and their insecticidal effects.

Separation of MSW pyrolysis fuel using 20 kg scale vacuum distillation system and its potential application as petro-chemical substitute

Pyrolysis is a very promising thermochemical conversion technology because it can convert the plastic waste into energy, thus providing a strategy to solve the worldwide problem of plastic waste pollution. In this work, a 20 kg scale vacuum distillation tower was used to separate the plastic pyrolysis fuel into 74 fractions at different AET (atmospheric equivalent temperature). As AET increased, the viscosity and TAN of the separated samples increased. The samples from No.1 to No.25 showed similar properties to gasoline, including carbon range: C6 - C11, viscosity range: 0.55–0.72 cSt@ 40 ℃ and HHV: 42–45 MJ/kg. The samples from No.33 to No.48 exhibited kerosene-like properties such as carbon range: C10 - C20, viscosity range: 1.07–2.53 cSt@ 40 ℃ and HHV: 44–45 MJ/kg. The samples over No.60 contained heavy waxy content (> C20) with a high viscosity of 3.12–7.55 cSt@ 40 ℃. After separation, the O/C ratio decreased from 0.033 in plastic pyrolysis oil to 0.001 when the H/C ratio increased from 1.90 to 1.96. GC-MS analysis showed two major chemical groups of paraffins (20–40%) and olefins (16–41%) in all fractions. The evenly blended transparent fuel mixture and its FTIR analysis showed a good miscibility of separated samples and diesel. In addition, the light fractions (Nos.1 ~ 25) can be further upgraded to naphtha because of their similar chemical compositions. Finally, both characteristics of distillates and the AET conditions can be further used for the design of scale-up vacuum distillation setup for targeting desired products.

Ramie degum liquor: Wastage bio-macromolecule for making thermally stable functionalize polyester fabric

Decorticated ramie fibre has been degummed with alkali based formulation and the wastage degummed liquor has been applied on the polyester fabric at different concentrations by following padding technique. Degummed liquor has been characterized by using Liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LCMS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermo-gravimetry (TG) analysis to understand the major chemical groups present in it and its thermal behavior. Chromatography results revealed the presence of different polyphenols, pectin, tannin based compound in the degum liquor. TG curve of degum liquor reveals almost 50% mass retention at 500°C. Treated polyester fabric showed almost 40% more limiting oxygen index (LOI) as compared to the control fabric. In addition of it, melt dripping property of the treated polyester fabric also has been stopped with lower shrinkage during combustion. TG analysis of the said fabric showed 20–25% more char mass retention and lower rate of weight loss as compared to the control one. Char morphology of the control and the treated fabric was also examined and analyzed in detail. Besides, a mechanism lies behind the flame retardancy of the polyester fabric also has been postulated with the composition of the chemical compound present in the wastage liquor. It was found that high molecular weight phenolic components, pectin, natural coloring matter, tannin based polyphenols etc. present in the degum liquor playing a major role behind thermal stability. Lastly, tensile and physical properties of the treated fabric also have been measured and analytically compared with the untreated polyester.

Comparative Physicochemical Screening and Toxicology of Hydroethanol Extracts of the Parts of Pterocarpus santalinoides l'Hér. ex DC. (Fabaceae) in Wistar Rats.

Aims The aim of this study was to compare the phytochemical profile and acute and chronic toxicity of hydroethanolic extracts of three parts of P. santalinoides. Methods Seven major chemical groups (alkaloids, flavonoids, saponosides, coumarins, tannins, triterpenes, and steroids) were studied. The single dose limit test of 5000 mg/kg body weight was used to evaluate the acute toxicity of each organic extract. Subacute toxicity was evaluated after daily oral doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight were administered to rats for 28 days. Results At a single dose of 5000 mg/kg, none of the extracts (leaf, trunk bark, and root) caused death in experimental rats. However, the trunk bark extract of P. santalinoides induced coat change and lethargy in treated rats. Macroscopic observation of the internal organs (liver and kidneys) of the rats showed no abnormalities. In the subacute test, only the trunk extracts induced signs of toxicity such as mobility disorders, diarrhea, and loss of body weight at a dose of 1000 mg/kg. Conclusion This study showed that the hydroethanol extracts of the leaves, trunk bark, and root bark of P. santalinoides divergently concentrated the main chemical groups of interest. Administration of a single dose of extracts from all three P. santalinoides is not toxic to the consumer. However, when used over a long period of time, they can have a harmful effect on the consumer. In view of the different results of the trunk bark extract and in a context of conservation of the species, we recommend the use of the hydroethanolic extract of the leaves in the different treatments in which the three organs are involved.

Characterization of volatile compounds nongrafted and pumpkin-grafted bitter gourd(Momordica charantia L.)

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) is a unique vegetable-fruit possessing several multifarious health benefits. In this study, the plant extraction obtained from grafted bitter gourd onto pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) and nongrafted bitter gourd cultivated under greenhouse conditions were evaluated for their constituents of volatile compounds. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPMEGC-MS) techniques were employed to determine these compounds in the leaves (young, middle, and old-age) and fruits (unripe and ripe) of bitter gourd. The volatile compounds in the leaves of pumpkin during the three stages mentioned above were also investigated. Overall, 72 in leaves and 56 in fruits of bitter gourd compounds belonging to eight major chemical groups were identified: acid, alcohol, aldehyde, alkane, ester, ketone, lactone, and terpene. A total of 52 compounds belonging to the eight major groups mentioned above were also identified from pumpkin leaves. Aldehyde, terpene, and ester were reactively the most prevalent groups found in bitter gourd and pumpkin. The grafted bitter gourds developed up to 23 new compounds in leaves and 15 in their fruits. The grafting of bitter gourd onto pumpkin also halted the production of up to 15 different compounds in fruits and seven in their leaves. Based on principal component analysis and cluster analysis results, the dissimilarity between grafted and nongrafted bitter gourd decreased over time from young to old leaves or unripped to ripe fruit. In conclusion, the grafting of bitter gourd onto pumpkin drastically reshaped the composition of volatile compounds in both leaves and fruits of bitter gourd.

Anti-Anaemic Activity and Potential Toxicity of Extracts of Four Tinctorial Plants Used in the Treatment of Anemia in Benin: <i>Gossypium barbadense, Sorghum bicolor, Hibiscus sabdariffa</i> and <i>Justicia secunda</i>

Justicia secunda, Sorghum bicolor, Gossypiun barbadense and Hibiscus sabdariffa are dye plants traditionally used in Benin for the treatment of anemia. This work is part of the therapeutic valorization of dyes from these plants. Its objective is to characterize their composition in chemical groups and evaluate their harmlessness and their anti-anaemic property in laboratory rats. Anemia was induced in Wistar rats by phenylhydrazine hydrochloride followed by treatment by gavage with hydroethanolic extracts of the plants studied. Phytochemical screening of these extracts made it possible to characterize the major chemical groups, in particular alkaloids, polyphenols including tannins, flavonoids and leucoanthocyanins, as well as reducing compounds and saponosides in the plants studied. Cytotoxic analysis of these extracts on Artemia salina shrimp larvae revealed globally high LC50 values of between 3.14 and 4.64 mg/mL, which testify a priori to the harmlessness of these extracts. The administration of the hydroethanolic extract of each plant to anaemic rats at doses of 2000 mg/kg/d promoted, after 15 days, an increase in hemoglobin levels, the number of red blood cells and hematocrit, going to more than 90% recovery of the hematological parameters involved. The highest rate, 99.06% being that of the species Justicia secunda followed closely by Sorghum bicolor (96.80%) compared to 93.93% obtained by treatment with the Ranferon-12 positive control used. Indeed, these results confirm the therapeutic indication of these plants in the resorption of anemia in traditional medicine.

Evaporation process dominates vehicular NMVOC emissions in China with enlarged contribution from 1990 to 2016

Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) are important precursors of ozone and secondary organic aerosols in PM2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters smaller than 2.5 μm), both of which cause severe climate, ecosystem, and human health damages. As one of the major anthropogenic sources, onroad vehicles are subject to relatively large errors and uncertainties in the estimation of NMVOC emissions due to complicated methods and parameters involved and a lack of comprehensive evaluation of influencing factors. Here, based on our previous work with necessary improvement, we estimate China’s vehicular NMVOC emissions by county and by month during 1990–2016 with a consideration of meteorological influence on the spatial-temporal dynamics of emission factors. Our estimate suggests that vehicular NMVOC emissions in China have peaked around 2008 and then declined up to 2016 with an enlarged contribution of the evaporative process to vehicular NMVOC emissions. Vehicular NMVOC emissions have been dominated by the evaporative process at present. Meteorological factors alter spatial-temporal distributions of NMVOC emissions, especially evaporative emissions, which are enhanced in South China and in summer. Emissions and ozone formation potential of the major chemical groups (i.e. Alkenes, Aromatics, and Alkanes) also increase substantially due to meteorological influences. Our analysis suggests that mitigation strategies for vehicle pollutions should be designed based on a sophisticated emission inventory accounting for the meteorological impact on emission factors to correct the potential underestimation of NMVOC emissions, especially those from the evaporative process.

Earth's accretion inferred from iron isotopic anomalies of supernova nuclear statistical equilibrium origin

Nucleosynthetic Fe isotopic anomalies in meteorites may be used to learn about the early evolution of the solar system and to identify the origin and nature of the material that built the terrestrial planets. Using high-precision iron isotopic data of 23 iron meteorites from nine major chemical groups we show that all iron meteorites define the same dichotomy between non-carbonaceous (NC) and a carbonaceous (CC) meteorites previously observed for other elements. The Fe isotopic anomalies are predominantly produced by variations in 54Fe, where all CC iron meteorites are characterized by an excess in 54Fe relative to NC iron meteorites. This excess in 54Fe is accompanied by an excess in 58Ni observed in the same CC meteorite groups. Together, these overabundances of 54Fe and 58Ni are explained by nuclear statistical equilibrium either in type Ia supernovae or in the Si/S shell of core-collapse supernovae.The Fe isotopic composition of Earth's mantle plots on or close to correlations defined by Fe, Mo, and Ru isotopic anomalies in iron meteorites, indicating that throughout Earth's accretion, the isotopic composition of its building blocks did not drastically change. While Earth's mantle has a similar Fe isotopic composition to CI chondrites, the latter are clearly distinct from Earth's mantle for other elements (e.g., Cr and Ni) whose delivery to Earth coincided with Fe. The fact that CI chondrites exhibit large Cr and Ni isotopic anomalies relative to Earth's mantle, therefore, demonstrates that CI chondrites are unlikely to have contributed significant Fe to Earth and are not its main building blocks.

Chemical Composition of Essential Oils Isolated from Aerial Parts of Some Wild Herbs Growing in Arid Regions of Egypt

Essential oils are affected by botanical origins which can induce variations in their chemical components and biological activities. Therefore, discovering the same plants from many regions leads to an increase and diversification of essential oil sources as one of the natural products that are used for many purposes. Four wild Lamiaceae plants (sage, micromeria, marrubium and thyme) were collected from arid regions in Egypt and their essential oils were evaluated. Essential oil contents of sage, micromeria, marrubium and thyme recorded the values of 0.5, 0.1, 0.1 and 1.7 %, respectively. The major components of sage essential oil are germacrene-B, geranyl linalool, 2, 6, 8-eudesmatriene, β-elemene, germacrene-D, α-guaiene, graniol, aromadendrene, β-cadinene and δ-cadinene. Caryophyllene oxide, α-bisabolol, humulene epoxide III, patchulane and Z-α-trans-bergamotol were the main components of micromeria essential oil. The major constituents of marrubium essential oil are thymol, myristicin, 1-undecene, isomenthol, E-phytol, germacrene-D and bornyl acetate. Thymol was the main component of thyme essential oil. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated sesquiterpenes were the major chemical group of sage and micromeria essential oils, respectively; whereas, oxygenated monoterpenes were the main group of marrubium and thyme essential oils. This study concludes that sage, micromeria, marrubium and thyme plants growing in arid regions are new sources of essential oils.