Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease for which effective therapies are lacking. While cellular senescence and autophagy have been implicated in IPF pathogenesis, the intersecting mechanisms that drive fibrosis progression remain unclear. Our patient-derived transcriptomic analysis revealed a strong association between enhanced extracellular matrix remodeling, cellular senescence, and autophagic dysfunction in IPF. Among the potential driver genes associated with cellular senescence, the elevated expression of p16INK4A (p16) is correlated with impaired autophagic flux in naturally aging mice, bleomycin (BLM)- and radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF) mouse models, and lung tissues from IPF patients. Genetic depletion of p16 reduced PF and preserved autophagic flux in response to fibrotic challenge, independent of p21Cip1. Applying this knowledge, we screened antifibrotic compounds from extracts of the medicinal fruit of Melia azedarach and identified toosendanin. This compound suppressed p16 promoter activity, effectively restored autophagic flux, and attenuated BLM-induced PF in vivo. We further showed that the p16 promoter inhibitor abyssinone II alleviated both autophagy dysfunction and fibrosis progression, whereas the promoter activator neorautenol exacerbated both phenotypes, demonstrating that p16 acts as a key regulatory node in the regulation of the crosstalk between senescence and autophagy dysfunction. Collectively, our results identify p16 as a mechanistically defined regulator of fibrosis progression and suggest that modulating this axis may offer new opportunities for therapeutic intervention in IPF.

Fungal contamination of chili crops by aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus species poses serious health and trade challenges worldwide. We investigated the antifungal efficacy of aqueous, ethanolic, and n-hexane extracts from 10 medicinal plants ( Caesalpinia bonduc , Melia azedarach , Portulaca oleracea , Sonchus oleraceus , Cressa cretica , Cymbopogon citratus , Acacia nilotica , Cassia fistula , Rhazya stricta , and Bambusa vulgaris ) against Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus infecting chili varieties Sanam and Longi. Plant extracts were tested at concentrations ranging from 10% to 50% using the poisoned food technique on potato dextrose agar, and their protective effects were evaluated further through spore suspension assays and pathogenicity tests on chili fruit. Our results showed dose-dependent inhibition of mycelial growth, with aqueous extracts of P. oleracea and B. vulgaris achieving more than 50% inhibition at 10%. At higher concentrations (40%–50%), extracts of C. fistula , C. bonduc , and S. oleraceus displayed the strongest antifungal activity, reaching up to 74% inhibition. Ethanolic and n-hexane extracts of M. azedarach, R. stricta, and C. citratus also demonstrated significant activity, with inhibition exceeding 70% in some cases. Pathogenicity assays revealed that untreated chili fruit developed large lesions (up to ∼21 mm in Sanam and ∼9 mm in Longi), whereas treatment with 20% to 30% extracts reduced lesion diameters markedly to <2 mm, with C. fistula , C. citratus , and B. vulgaris providing near-complete suppression of infection. These findings highlight the potential of selected plant extracts, particularly aqueous and ethanolic formulations, as natural antifungal agents for managing aflatoxin-producing fungi in chili crops.

In Brazil, Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika virus, posing a major public health concern, particularly in underdeveloped regions where insecticide resistance and the circulation of highly virulent strains are increasing. In search of alternative and sustainable control strategies, this study evaluated the biolarvicidal potential of compounds from the fruits of Melia azedarach against third-instar Ae. aegypti larvae, focusing on larvicidal efficacy and associated physiological alterations. In this study, the crude methanolic extract caused 100% larval mortality at 100 ppm. After liquid-liquid partitioning, the dichloromethane fraction exhibited the highest larvicidal activity (86.0% mortality). Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of the new compound 17-epi-melianodiol (1), a protolimonoid, which showed relevant larvicidal activity (LC₅₀ = 41.5 ppm; LC₉₀ = 64.7 ppm). Larvae exposed to 1 displayed pronounced morphological alterations, including cuticular damage and extensive vacuolization, as revealed by optical and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, 1 significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the larval midgut, indicating the occurrence of oxidative imbalance associated with tissue damage. In summary, these combined results suggest that 17-epi-melianodiol is a novel plant-derived larvicide with promising potential, contributing to our understanding of its physiological effects on Ae. aegypti larvae. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Melia azedarach L. is a plant known for its traditional medicinal uses. Limonoids (triterpenes), which have a wide range of pharmacological effects, are the most critical active ingredients; however, their potential effects on liver cancer remain to be further explored. In this study, seven limonoids were isolated from the bark of Melia azedarach, including two new compounds, 11α-hydroxy-12-Oxo-Meliarachin I (1) and 29-Oxo-12-dehydroneoazedarachin D (3), along with five known compounds (2, 4–7), to evaluate their effect on liver cancer in vitro. The results showed that compounds 1–7 exhibited varying degrees of inhibitory effects on Hep3B cells. Among these, compound 6, Isotoosendanin (ITSN), displayed the most potent activity, with an IC50 value of 15.06 μg/mL. Mechanism studies have shown that ITSN inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis in Hep3B cells. It induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation to trigger oxidative stress injury, suppresses the activation of the MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, further activates the p53 pathway to induce cell cycle arrest, and ultimately initiates the apoptotic cascade. ITSN can also inhibit tumor growth in immunodeficient mice receiving allogeneic transplantation. In summary, we systematically studied the limonoids in the bark of Melia azedarach and elucidated the anti-hepatocarcinoma activity of ITSN in vitro and in vivo, providing promising evidence for its potential use as a natural active ingredient in the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Free radicals are reactive molecules that can trigger oxidative stress and contribute to the development of various degenerative diseases. One approach to overcoming the harmful effects of free radicals is the utilization of natural antioxidants derived from medicinal plants. Mindi leaves (Melia azedarach L.) are known to contain various secondary metabolites that have potential antioxidant activity. This study aimed to determine the total phenolic content and evaluate the antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract of mindi leaves using the DPPH method. This research was conducted as an experimental laboratory study involving several stages, including simplisia characterization, phytochemical screening, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis, determination of total phenolic content using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, and antioxidant activity testing using the DPPH method with a UV–Vis spectrophotometer. The results of simplisia characterization showed that all parameters met the requirements of the Indonesian Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenols, and steroids/terpenoids.

Abstract Urbanization alters ecological resources used by cavity-nesting communities, often reducing excavation substrates, such as standing deadwood for safety or aesthetic purposes. We examined tree selection for cavity excavation by Melanerpes cactorum (White-fronted Woodpecker) in urban parks of Córdoba, Argentina, a temperate Neotropical city. Across 279 ha in 89 parks, we located 49 excavated trees and compared their attributes with paired control trees. Using generalized linear mixed models, we assessed the effects of wood density, decay class, diameter at breast height, tree height, canopy cover, and local tree density on tree selection. Substrate hardness, determined by wood density and decay, strongly shaped excavation patterns. Woodpeckers predominantly excavated live trees with low wood density, especially the exotic Chinaberry (Melia azedarach), which represented nearly 80% of excavated trees despite comprising only 4% of available trees. Melanerpes cactorum selected live trees only in the case of species with low wood density, whereas higher wood-density species were increasingly chosen as decay advanced. Current urban management may filter out deadwood-dependent bird species, but exotic trees with soft wood even when alive may help satisfy the ecological requirements of woodpeckers. In the short term, management strategies should selectively retain deadwood in low recreational-use spaces and include tree species within a suitable hardness range when living, enhancing diversity and resilience in urban cavity-nesting communities.

Meliazedins A-H, limonoids with cytotoxicity and inhibitory activity on lysosomal acidification from Melia azedarach L.

Synergistic effects of intercropping Melia azedarach, Pennisetum purpureum, and Pteris vittata on phytoremediation of arsenic, cadmium, and lead co-contaminated soils: Insights from rhizosphere processes

Abstract. Dash A, Mishra RK, Patra BK, Dash A, Sahu A, Biswal AK, Upadhyay VP. 2026. Vegetation dynamics of canopy tree species of Lendrikia Reserve Forest, Kandhamal, Odisha, India. Biodiversitas 27 (2): d270217. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d270217. Sustainable management of forests, especially tropical forests, is essential to comprehend how the phytosociological attributes and diversity indices of canopy tree species affect forest structure and to propose forest management options. The moist deciduous forest covers of Lendrikia Reserve Forest (LRF), an ecologically sensitive and biodiverse area in Phulbani Forest Division, Kandhamal, Odisha, India, have not yet been assessed, though numerous studies have been conducted in various tropical forest covers of India and Odisha. To address this knowledge gap, we examined phytosociological attributes of canopy tree species in the tropical moist deciduous forests of LRF in Phulbani Forest Division. Forty quadrats (20 m × 20 m) were randomly laid within the reserve forest for the study. A total of 70 canopy tree species from 55 genera and 23 families was recorded. Across species, the basal area of the species ranged from 0.233 to 2.66 m² ha-¹, totalling to 27.6 m² ha-¹, and the density from 0.625 to 43.75 individuals ha⁻¹, totalling to 575 individuals ha-¹. The Shannon wiener diversity, evenness, richness, concentration of dominance, and beta diversity of species were 3.92, 0.92, 10.11, 0.26, and 6.65, respectively, indicating the heterogeneous nature of the reserve forest. In terms of Importance Value Index (IVI), Shorea robusta (17.74) was the most dominant tree species, followed by Ficus religiosa (10.51), Terminalia anogeissiana (9.24), Schleichera oleosa (8.67), Melia azedarach (8.41), and Lannea coromandelica (8.31) as co-dominants. The conservation status of tree species of the reserve, as per the IUCN Red list category, includes vulnerable (04), critically endangered (01), endangered (01), and near-threatened species (02). The present study emphasizes that the combined knowledge of phytosociological characters, along with documentation of the conservation status of canopy tree species, is essential for prioritizing conservation efforts for managing resources and ensuring the long-term sustainability of both the plant species and the forest ecosystem.

The aesthetic and functional quality of urban landscapes is strongly influenced by the seasonal color dynamics of vegetation. This research was conducted between September 2013 and December 2014 to investigate the autumn color changes of three tree species (Robinia pseudoacacia, Sophora japonica ‘Pendula’, and Melia azedarach), widely used in urban landscaping in Hatay (Antakya-Türkiye). Three specimens of each species, with similar age and maintenance conditions, were selected. Twenty-four leaf samples were collected weekly from four cardinal directions of each tree, and leaf color parameters were measured using a CR-300 (Minolta) colorimeter according to Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE) standards. The colorimetric parameters measured included brightness (L*), green-red axis (a*), yellow-blue axis (b*), chroma (C*), and hue angle (h°). Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Pearson correlation tests. Results showed significant seasonal variations in color parameters, with clear species-specific patterns. Leaf color changes were strongly correlated with climatic variables, particularly temperature. These findings highlight the importance of integrating phenological and colorimetric data into planting design to enhance urban aesthetics and psychological well-being. The study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on plant color dynamics in Mediterranean urban landscapes and their implications for landscape design.

This study aimed to investigate the role of various plant extracts: Neem leaf extract (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) and cold and hot aqueous fruit extracts of the Chinaberry tree (Melia azedarach L.), referred to as A1, A2, A3 respectively, besides the control treatment A0 at concentrations of 0, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 mg L-1, for controlling the fungus F. semitectum. Based on preliminary screening, effective concentrations were identified, namely 1000, 2000 and 1500 mg L-1 for A1, A2 and A3 respectively, which resulted in 100 % inhibition of fungal growth. These were then used for conducting a field test experiment and laboratory test to study the effect of soaking seeds using various combinations of A0, A1, A2, A3. Four experiments were conducted on the germination and emergence of maize seeds in a media with fungus culture. Results showed that neem leaf extract at a concentration of 1000 mg L-1 and the aqueous extracts of Chinaberry fruits at a concentration of 1500–2500 mg L-1 completely inhibited the growth of the fungus. Moreover, Neem treatment alone A1 showed better results over the control treatment in both in vitro germination (87.50 %) and emergence (80.25 %). Interaction A1×A2 showed maximum strength of germination (1135), emergence length (6.72 cm), maximum dry weight of sprouting (0.0517g), suggestive of a synergistic effect of the compounds in A1 and A2. These observations reiterate that Neem and Safflower leaf extracts could be utilized effectively in promoting healthy seed life with reduced possibilities of seed diseases, besides being eco-friendly substitutes for poisonous pesticides.

Indigenous knowledge has long been crucial for health and healing, significantly impacting healthcare in areas with limited access to conventional treatments. The COVID-19 pandemic emphasised the importance of this knowledge, particularly regarding medicinal plants. Given the ongoing challenge of communicable respiratory diseases, there is a pressing need to document this indigenous knowledge. This study aimed to explore and document indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants used to treat respiratory problems within the KwaDlangezwa region. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 100 participants selected based on their willingness to contribute, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics and quantitative analysis. The study revealed that 99% of participants had knowledge of medicinal plants for treating respiratory diseases. A total of 34 plant species from 23 families were identified for the treatment of 16 respiratory problems. The Asteraceae family was the most noted family. The five most frequently cited species were Tetradenia riparia , Lippia javanica , Eucalyptus spp ., Melia azedarach , and Aloe marlothii . Berkheya speciosa , Carpobrotus dimidiatus , Diospyrus galpinii, Eucomis bicolor , Hypoxis argentea , Phoenix reclinata , Searsia pentheri , Solanum campylacanthum , and Vernicia fordii were recorded for the first time to treat respiratory problems. Additionally, three Zulu vernacular names (ucukudwane, umgwaqeni, and umanqandisi) were found to be undocumented in existing literature. This research highlights the wealth of indigenous knowledge present in KwaDlangezwa regarding medicinal plants for respiratory treatment, emphasising the need for ongoing preservation and documentation of this indigenous knowledge.

BackgroundMedicinal plants (MPs) remain to play a vital role in primary healthcare among rural communities. In Somaliland, knowledge of MPs remains under-documented, mainly in Sheikh District, Sahil Region. This study aims to document the diversity, uses, cultural importance, and conservation status of MPs in Sheikh District, while examining patterns of knowledge transmission, utilization, and threats, including cross-cultural comparisons with other Somali and East African regions.MethodsEthnobotanical information was collected using semi-structured interviews, guided field walks, and focus group discussions with 106 informants, including traditional healers, elders, and other community members. Quantitative indices Jaccard Similarity Index (JI), Rahman’s Similarity Index (RSI), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Fidelity Level (FL), preference ranking, and direct matrix ranking were employed to assess species importance, agreement, and multifunctionality. Statistical analyses conducted in R evaluated variation in knowledge across socio-demographic groups.ResultsA total of 54 medicinal plant species, representing 33 families, were recorded for treating ailments including gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory infections, malaria, diabetes, and dermatological and ocular conditions. Vachellia bussei (Harms ex Y.Sjöstedt) Kyal. & Boatwr., Balanites aegyptiaca var. aegyptiaca, and Melia azedarach L. exhibited the highest FL values (94%), while gastrointestinal and parasitic disorders showed the highest ICF (0.77), indicating strong consensus. Oral administration was the predominant route of use. Multipurpose species such as Vachellia spp. and Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. faced high anthropogenic pressure due to fuelwood and construction demands. Knowledge was mainly transmitted orally, with older, male, and less formally educated informants demonstrating significantly greater expertise (P < 0.05). Cross-cultural comparison highlighted both locally unique uses and overlaps with ethnomedicinal practices in neighboring regions.ConclusionMPs in Sheikh District are critical not only for healthcare but also for food security, cultural continuity, and environmental sustainability. Urgent actions are recommended for conservation, sustainable harvesting, and systematic documentation of indigenous knowledge. Prioritizing pharmacological validation of culturally significant species can further support community health, biodiversity conservation, and policy development for sustainable management.

The present study is the first quantitative ethnobotanical report on the traditional and new uses of medicinal plants by the inhabitants of a remote and unexplored area in Tehsil Abbaspur, District Poonch, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. The area is disputed territory on the edge of the Line of Control between India and Pakistan and is rich in plant diversity and socio-economic culture. During the field studies, data was collected from 62 informants using structured and semi-structured questionnaires. It was found that women knew more about the therapeutic uses of plants and herbal recipes (average 5.20 known species; 8.39 mentioned uses) than men (average 3.95 known species; 7.31 mentioned uses). A total of 125 medicinal plants from 70 genera and 61 families were documented, with Asteraceae being the most commonly used family in the area. The leaves were the most commonly used plant parts, and the extract was the most common method of preparing herbal recipes. The highest informant consensus factor (0.83) was found for indigestion and liver disorders. Mentha longifolia had the highest use value (0.96) and the highest relative frequency of citations (0.88). High relative importance values (100) were found for Berberis lycium and Mentha longifolia. Four species, namely Fragaria vesca, Berberis lycium, Mentha arvensis and Malus domestica had a fidelity value of 100. The highest similarity in the use of plants was found in studies conducted in related areas of Kotli and Toli Peer districts, indicating similar flora and strong cross-cultural exchange of ethnomedicinal knowledge between the communities. Seven plant species, namely Asplenium dalhousiae (snake bite), Cynoglossum lanceolatum (kidney disease), Sunhangia elegans(hypertension), Glycine max (liver inflammation), Impatiens edgeworthii (urinary tract infection). Plumbago zeylanica (appetite) and Swertia cordata (diabetes) were reported for the first time with new uses. The new claims about the therapeutic use of these species show that medicinal flora research still has much to offer. Mentha longifolia, Mentha. arvensis, Berberis lycium, Fragaria vesca, and Malus domestica received the most citations for their use. These highly cited plant species indicate the presence of valuable phytochemical compounds and are suggested for further pharmacological investigations to introduce new drugs. In the younger generations, botanical customs and resources are rapidly declining due to the pursuit of modernization, cultural homogeneity and overexploitation. Strict conservation measures must be taken immediately to protect traditional knowledge and ensure sustainable utilisation of plant resources. The highly important medicnal plants species including Ajuga bracteosa, Achillea millefolium, Angelica glauca, Myrsine Africana, Elsholtzia ciliate, Melia azedarach and Rhododendron arboretum, Viola odorata and Zanthoxylum armatum become endangered in the area due to overexplotition by local people, therefore need immediate conservation strategies to optimize their sustainable utilization and long term survival.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-026-39964-9.

Urban forestry enhances urban environments by offering ecological, economic, and social benefits. However, managing urban populations and their environments has become a pressing issue. The current study assesses the current status, challenges, and future prospects of urban forestry in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Nepal. A mixed-method approach, including a field survey and interviews with 155 local residents, was employed to collect data. The study recorded 54 tree species, with a Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index of 3.26 and an Equitability Index of 0.81. The most frequently planted species were Saraca indica (129/869), Melia azedarach (87/869), and Ficus religiosa (49/869), while Ficus religiosa (18%), Ficus benghalensis (11.5%), and Mangifera indica (8%) were identified as the most hazardous. Urban residents perceived urban forest management as poor and emphasized the need for efficient programs involving thinning, pruning, space management, and hazardous tree removal. Dissatisfaction arose due to inappropriate species selection that did not align with community preferences. Key challenges include inadequate awareness, poor planning, and ineffective implementation. Nonetheless, opportunities such as community engagement, policy reform, and technological advancements offer pathways to improve urban forestry. Strengthening policy frameworks and ensuring their consistent enforcement are vital to addressing rapid urbanization challenges. Future research should focus on long-term monitoring and assessing the impact of urban forestry on residents’ well-being. Cite this article as: Ghimire, P., &amp; Lamichhane, U. (2026). Participatory urban forestry in Bharatpur metropolitan city, Nepal: an analysis of species composition and management practices. Forestist, 76, 0013, doi:10.5152/forestist.2025.25013.

Flowering street trees provide ecological services and health benefits to humans. In this study, three commonly used flowering street trees, Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud., Melia azedarach L., and Magnolia grandiflora L., were selected for analysis of floral volatiles during different flowering stages along roadsides in Shanghai, China. Headspace sampling solid-phase microextraction (HS–SPME) coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to identify volatiles from different floral samples. Simultaneously, selected-ion flow-tube mass spectrometry (SIFT–MS) was employed to detect biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) in roadside air samples. The results indicated that (1) P. tomentosa volatiles consisted predominantly of alcohols and phenolic ethers, M. azedarach volatiles consisted primarily of alcohols and aldehydes, and M. grandiflora volatiles consisted mainly of terpenes. (2) Air samples from P. tomentosa and M. azedarach were dominated by alcohols, whereas air samples from M. grandiflora were dominated by terpenes and aldehydes. The ozone formation potential (OFP) of some VOCs fluctuated throughout the flowering period. (3) Antibacterial and antioxidant volatiles released from the flowers of all species, such as eugenol, have demonstrated health-promoting effects in essential oils. The results of this study provide a foundation for optimizing the selection and planting of flowering street trees in urban roadside areas that will enhance ecological services and public health benefits.

• Plant phenological functional types shape soil nematode community. • Evergreen tree species facilitate nematode abundance and energy fluxes. • Herbivores abundance is a key driver of energy fluxes. Plant-soil interactions in terrestrial ecosystems profoundly shape the structure and function of belowground communities. Soil nematodes play a vital role in facilitating key belowground ecological processes, however, it remains poorly understood how different plant phenological functional types regulate their community composition and function in tropical forest soils. To address this, we selected three tropical deciduous species— Terminalia bellirica , Melia azedarach , and Albizia lucidior —and three tropical evergreen species— Castanopsis indica , Trema orientalis , and Syzygium jambos —for a two-year common garden pot experiment in Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden. We evaluated soil physicochemical properties, leaf functional traits, the nematode abundance and biomass, and their function (energy flux). Our results showed that evergreen species had higher aboveground biomass, leaf thickness, soil dissolved organic carbon, and soil total phosphorus compared to deciduous species. Furthermore, evergreen species exhibited greater abundance, biomass, and energy flux than deciduous species, with increases of 69.12 %, 93.47 %, and 107.55 % for herbivores, and increases of 46.51 %, 27.72 %, and 68.46 % for the total nematodes. Although herbivores abundance positively contributed to total energy flux, this effect was indirectly modulated by plant aboveground biomass and soil dissolved organic carbon. Our findings demonstrate that phenological functional types regulate herbivores by altering the resource quantity available to the soil food web, consequently shaping the community structure of soil nematodes and influencing the energy flow patterns. Based on this common garden pot experiment, we conclude that evergreen species enhance the abundance of herbivores and total soil nematodes, while simultaneously increasing soil carbon storage potential, relative to deciduous species.

This study indicates significant species diversity with variability in growth parameters and showed carbon stock potential of dominant trees species across the University of Karachi campus. The mean diameter at breast height (DBH) (93.48 ± 13.53 cm) of Tamarindus indica L. is over twice as Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh and the mean BA (Basal Area) (6996.80 ± 2138.66 cm2 ) incredibly larger than all others, suggesting trees with much greater DBHs and total volume of wood. The mean DBH of E. camaldulensis (35.92 ± 17.10 cm) and Ficus religiosa L. (36.795 ± 8.83 cm) have the next higher DBH, thus having relatively high mean BAs (1241.71 and 1118.97 cm2 correspondingly). E. camaldulensis, Melia azedarach L., Guaiacum officinale L. and T. indica consistently register relatively larger Total Biomass (TB), carbon stock and CO₂ equivalent values. While Conocarpus erectus L., F. religiosa and Mangifera indica L. have much lower values for these measures reflecting their less contribution to the overall biomass and carbon stock. It was observed the total amount of 1657.355 tons of CO2 is heavily dominated by sampled species. Species diversity analysis revealed low species richness and evenness, with a Shannon index of 1.602, Shannon equitability of 0.72 and a Simpson index of 0.7692, suggesting dominance by a few species.

Kalanchoe pinnata, Lantana camara L., and Melia azedarach L. are common plants in Cumana, Venezuela, and are traditionally used by locals to treat infections. This research aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profile and antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of the ethanolic leaf extracts from these plants. Specimens were collected and identified. Using qualitative colorimetric and precipitation tests, the profile of secondary metabolites in the ethanolic extract of the leaves of each plant was determined. These metabolites were confirmed by FT-IR and UV-visible spectroscopies. Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities were evaluated using the disk diffusion method and the Artemia salina model, respectively. All three extracts contain coumarins and polyphenols. K. pinnata and Lantana camara L. contain unsaturated sterols, but alkaloids and saponins were only detected in L. camara. None of the extracts exhibited antibacterial activity at the concentrations tested. However, according to the Clarkson Toxicity Index, all extracts showed medium toxic activity (LC50: 100–500 µg mL-1) against A. salina nauplii, with LC50 values of 245.20, 261.27, and 151.40 µg∙mL⁻¹ for K. pinnata, L. camara, and M. azedarach, respectively. These results demonstrate that the plants studied are a potential source of polar chemical compounds with useful biological activity.

Nitrogen-fixing plants in the legume family (Fabaceae) may show particularly large positive responses to biochar additions due to their capacity to potentially compensate for reduced N in biochar-amended soils. Prior studies also suggest that biochar may have specific developmental effects on legumes, including increased root nodulation and altered morphology. We examined the growth and morphometric responses of legume and non-legume tropical trees to biochar additions in a common garden pot trial experiment. Four legume species ( Acacia auriculiformis , A. mangium , Delonix regia , and Pterocarpus santalinus ) and four non-legumes ( Eucalyptus alba , Melia azedarach, Swietenia macrophylla , and Syzygium cumini ) were compared in terms of sapling responses to additions of a wood-feedstock biochar applied at 10 and 20 t/ha. Overall, strong positive effects of biochar additions on sapling performance were observed, with an average increase of 30% in total biomass and a notable increase in height relative to diameter growth. Species showed pronounced differences in responses, with strong interactive effects of species and biochar treatments on growth metrics. Legume species showed an average increase somewhat greater than non-legumes; however, responses were variable among species, with the two Acacia species showing the largest responses, resulting in a non-significant pattern. A literature-based meta-analysis of tropical and subtropical trees likewise suggests greater biochar responses in legumes, but the analysis also falls short of statistical significance. In addition, experimental results indicate large interactive effects of species and biochar on soil pH and other soil properties. Large growth responses of certain taxa of legumes (and other taxa) to biochar, and pronounced species-specific effects on soil properties, may reflect evolved responses to fire disturbance that can be leveraged in the context of forest restoration and enhanced carbon sequestration in degraded tropical landscapes.