Mimosaceae Research Articles

Potensi Antioksidan Dari Ekstrak Etanol Kulit Buah Asam Jawa (Tamarandus Indica L.) sebagai Anti Aging Dalam Sediaan Kosmetik Gel

Skin aging can be caused by intrinsic factors which are aging processes that take place naturally and extrinsic factors caused by environmental influences such as sunlight, air, chemicals and the surrounding environment. Prevention of premature aging can be done by giving anti-oxidants, especially herbal skin care products and anti-oxidant cosmetic preparations. plants and spices. One plant that functions as an anti-oxidant is tamarind fruit (Tamarindus indica L.) is a plant with the family Mimosaceae. The method used in this study is a preparation made based on the standard formula of Na-CMC gel base according to Muttiin (2021), a gel standard formula based on Sodium Carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC) based on % w/w. The results of research on the physical characteristics of gel preparations concluded that the gel preparation of Java Tamarind Fruit Skin Ethanol Extract (Tamarindus Indica L.) has met the physical quality standards of facial gel preparations. Gel preparation of Java Tamarind Fruit Skin Ethanol Extract (Tamarindus Indica L.) can provide anti-aging effects which can improve skin condition in the first week.

EVALUATION OF ANTI-EPILEPTIC ACTIVITY OF SEED EXTRACT OF ENTADA PURSAETHA DC IN WISTAR RATS.

There are substances or ingredients or drugs that are not specifically mentioned or categorized in classical Ayur-vedic texts. These are called Extra pharmacopoeial drugs. Entada pursaetha DC is a large woody vine belong-ing to the family Mimosaceae. In some regions of India, it has been associated with folklore and traditional be-liefs. In this study, the anti-epileptic activity of ethanolic seed extract of Entada pursaetha DC in the doses of 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg respectively using Maximal Electroshock induced convulsions (MES models) were investigated in Wistar rats. The ethanolic extract of Seed does not have any anti-epileptic property and did not show any significant results in either the doses 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg.

Advances in Legume Systematics 14. Classification of Caesalpinioideae. Part 2: Higher-level classification.

Caesalpinioideae is the second largest subfamily of legumes (Leguminosae) with ca. 4680 species and 163 genera. It is an ecologically and economically important group formed of mostly woody perennials that range from large canopy emergent trees to functionally herbaceous geoxyles, lianas and shrubs, and which has a global distribution, occurring on every continent except Antarctica. Following the recent re-circumscription of 15 Caesalpinioideae genera as presented in Advances in Legume Systematics 14, Part 1, and using as a basis a phylogenomic analysis of 997 nuclear gene sequences for 420 species and all but five of the genera currently recognised in the subfamily, we present a new higher-level classification for the subfamily. The new classification of Caesalpinioideae comprises eleven tribes, all of which are either new, reinstated or re-circumscribed at this rank: Caesalpinieae Rchb. (27 genera / ca. 223 species), Campsiandreae LPWG (2 / 5-22), Cassieae Bronn (7 / 695), Ceratonieae Rchb. (4 / 6), Dimorphandreae Benth. (4 / 35), Erythrophleeae LPWG (2 /13), Gleditsieae Nakai (3 / 20), Mimoseae Bronn (100 / ca. 3510), Pterogyneae LPWG (1 / 1), Schizolobieae Nakai (8 / 42-43), Sclerolobieae Benth. & Hook. f. (5 / ca. 113). Although many of these lineages have been recognised and named in the past, either as tribes or informal generic groups, their circumscriptions have varied widely and changed over the past decades, such that all the tribes described here differ in generic membership from those previously recognised. Importantly, the approximately 3500 species and 100 genera of the former subfamily Mimosoideae are now placed in the reinstated, but newly circumscribed, tribe Mimoseae. Because of the large size and ecological importance of the tribe, we also provide a clade-based classification system for Mimoseae that includes 17 named lower-level clades. Fourteen of the 100 Mimoseae genera remain unplaced in these lower-level clades: eight are resolved in two grades and six are phylogenetically isolated monogeneric lineages. In addition to the new classification, we provide a key to genera, morphological descriptions and notes for all 163 genera, all tribes, and all named clades. The diversity of growth forms, foliage, flowers and fruits are illustrated for all genera, and for each genus we also provide a distribution map, based on quality-controlled herbarium specimen localities. A glossary for specialised terms used in legume morphology is provided. This new phylogenetically based classification of Caesalpinioideae provides a solid system for communication and a framework for downstream analyses of biogeography, trait evolution and diversification, as well as for taxonomic revision of still understudied genera.

Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of Inga cylindrica trypsin inhibitor.

Inga cylindrica, a tropical fruit tree of the Fabaceae family (subfamily Mimosoideae), is native to South America. The seeds from this family are an essential source of trypsin inhibitors, which display promising bioactivity for increasing host defense against pathogens. The aim of the present study was to characterize the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of the trypsin inhibitor extracted from I. cylindrica seeds, ICTI. ICTI demonstrated antifungal activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 32.11 μmol.L-1, and a minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 32.1 μmol.L-1, against Cryptococcus gattii, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata and Candida guilliermondii. Combining ICTI with Amphotericin B had a significant synergistic effect, reducing the concentration of the antibiotic by 75% for C. albicans and 94% for C. gatti. The significant increase (16 x) in activity observed with ergosterol (1.01 mol.L-1) for C. albicans and C. gatti, and the lack of activity against bacterial strains, suggests that ICTI interferes with the integrity of the fungal cell membrane. Treatment with ICTI at 10 x MIC resulted in a 51% reduction in biofilm formation and a 56% decrease in mature biofilm colonies for C. albicans. Finally, ICTI displayed no toxicity in the in vivo Galleria mellonella model. Given its antifungal and antibiofilm properties, ICTI could be a promising candidate for the development of new antimicrobial drug prototypes.

GC‐MS Profiling and Therapeutic Potentials of Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC: Cytotoxic and Antimicrobial Insights

Plants belonging to the genus Prosopis L. (family Fabaceae, subfamily Mimosoideae) have gained significant popularity in traditional medicine due to their potential as anticancer, antidiabetic, anti‐inflammatory, and antibacterial compounds. The primary objective of this work was to determine the phytochemical composition of the ethanolic extract derived from Prosopis juliflora leaves, as well as to assess its antibacterial and cytotoxic properties. The phytochemical screening using GC‐MS revealed the presence of phytosteroids, ketone, esters, diisooctyl phthalate, and triterpenes. Besides, varying amounts of some silicon derivatives, which were reported to have antimicrobial activity, were detected with octasiloxane, which showed the highest amount (18.47%). 6‐Ethoxy‐6‐methyl‐2‐cyclohexenone (antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiobesity, and antimicrobial) was detected in considerable quantity. Cytotoxic activity was seen in human breast cancer (MCF‐7), human ovary adenocarcinoma (A2780), and human colon adenocarcinoma (HT‐29) cell lines, as well as in normal human fetal lung fibroblasts (MRC‐5), when subjected to the MTT assay. The plant extract exhibited the highest level of activity (5.75 μg/mL) against the A2780 cell line, with the MCF‐7 cell line showing a somewhat lower level of activity (18.49 μg/mL). The antibacterial effect of the plant extracts was evaluated against four standard Gram‐positive and four standard Gram‐negative. The antimicrobial potential was observed only against Staphylococcus aureus which recorded a 14.5 ± 0.05 mm inhibition zone. The present study has demonstrated the identification of bioactive constituents in P. juliflora plant extracts, which exhibit significant cytotoxic activity against breast and colon malignancies. The study also highlighted P. juliflora extract as an antibacterial against S. aureus.

Studies on the Influence Age of Rootstocks and Season on Grafting Success in Manila Tamarind (Pithecellobium dulce Roxb.)

Background: Manila tamarind (Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth) belongs to the family Fabaceae and sub-family Mimosoideae. This tree have multiple uses; fruit, firewood, honey, fodder, soap oil, tannin, hedges and shade. Naturally this plant species can be multiplied by seeds. Apart from genetic variability, the seedling progenies may take long time to first bearing and sometimes irregular bearing also noticed due to its genetic makeup. In order to overcome these drawbacks, vegetative propagation is the only alternate way to get genetically uniform, early bearing and high yielding characters. The age of rootstocks and season of grafting influences the success of the grafts and performance of the grafted plants. With this background, studies on age of rootstocks and season on grafting success in Manila Tamarind was carried out. Methods: An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of season and age of the rootstocks in Manila Tamarind (Pithecellobium dulce). The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with 15 treatment combinations and four replications. In this study, three rootstocks of different age viz., 6, 9 and 12 months old were grafted during June, July, August, September and October. Result: The main and interaction effects on age of rootstocks and season of grafting had a significant influence on survival percentage, number of days taken to first sprouting, number of leaves per plant and chlorophyll content of manila tamarind under controlled conditions. The softwood grafting performed on nine month old rootstocks during September recorded the highest survival percentage and it was significantly different from all other treatments. The same treatment i.e., nine months old rootstock grafted in September was also recorded the less number of days taken to first sprouting with highest number of leaves per plant and chlorophyll content.

Dendrological key and species characterization of the subfamilies Mimosoideae and Caesalpinioideae, Tocantins, Brazil

Much of the vegetation in the State of Tocantins belongs to the Cerrado domain, widely known for hosting several species and forest families, among which the Fabaceae family stands out. However, misguided practices, incipient public policies, and few studies on the subject culminate in the loss of species found in the Cerrado of Tocantins. The present work aimed to elaborate a dichotomous key through dendrological characters. This study was carried out at the Federal University of Tocantins, Gurupi campus, which consisted of expeditions, and a collection of branches of tree species of the Fabaceae family in order to describe the vegetative characters. Seven species belonging to the Fabaceae family were analyzed, four from the Mimosoideae subfamily and three from the Caesalpinioideae subfamily. Characteristics such as bark color, extrafloral nectary, hairiness, and leaf classification allowed us to notice the differences between each sampled species. It can be inferred that the dendrological key of forest species of the Fabaceae family is fundamental for forest inventories and management plans of botanical species of the Cerrado Domain.

Palynological Study of Mimosoideae (Fabaceae) from Baghdad (Iraq)

The study included the determination of pollen grains features for 8 genera and 13 taxa of Mimosoideae subfamily grown in Baghdad/ Iraq by using each of light and scanning electron microscope. The samples of taxa were collected from various sites in Baghdad province in central Iraq located on 32 45° 0-33 45 0 N and 44 0 0- 44° 45 0 E. the results from this study revealed different pollen types as monad in each of Leucaena, Prosopis, and Neltuma, tetrad in Mimosa and polyads in Acacia, Albizia, Calliandra, Pithecellobium and Vachellia. Each taxa of these genera characterized by special palynological features as shape, size, number of polyads grain and conplateuration as well as other parameters included other dimensions, and these results revealed the importance of palynological study in Fabaceae family generally and specifically in Mimosoideae subfamily. Thus, the pollen grain features are an effective tool for classifying plant taxa especially when using LM and SEM microscopes.

Feasibility Study of Neptunia javanica Miq. Extract as an Alternative Medicine for Wound Healing

Neptunia javanica Miq. (NJ) locally known as Kra-Chood, is an unwanted weed that belongs to the family Mimosaceae. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of NJ extract being used as an alternative medicine for wound healing. Preliminary phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard phytochemical screening methods and the NJ ethanolic extract demonstrated alkaloid, flavonoid, tannin, and phenolic compounds. The total phenolic content of the NJ extract was 117.05 ± 0.03 mg GAE/g crude extract, and the total flavonoid contents were 0.63 ± 0.0231 mg RE/g crude extract. The antioxidant activities (IC50) of NJ were 9.29 ± 0.04 µg/mL which is lower than the IC50 of quercetin (38.49 ± 5.38 µg/mL) which represented the potent antioxidation activity of the NJ extract. The metal chelating activity (IC50) of NJ was 1.8584 ± 0.2708 mg/mL. The extract was also found to have α-glucosidase inhibitory and the IC50 was 1.89± 0.19 mg/mL which has a potency equal to 0.13 of the standard acarbose (0.25± 0.09 mg/mL). Moreover, the extract disturbed the human dermal fibroblast viability in a dose-dependent manner. Low concentration of the NJ extract (0.001-0.01 mg/mL) showed no cytotoxicity compared to the negative control (p < 0.05) while high concentration of the extract (0.5 and 1 mg/mL) significantly reduced the cell viability compared to the control (p < 0.05) and the low concentration (p < 0.05). Moreover, the fibroblast exposed to the NJ extract concentration of 0.001-0.01 mg/mL was found to significantly enhance cellular movement and wound gap closure compared to the negative control and gallic acid (p < 0.05). Thus, all these results could develop complementary and integrative benefits, and more investigation in wound healing assay and a subject for should be conducted further studies in clinical trials.

Biochemical and structural properties of a lectin purified from seeds of the legume Parkia nitida Miq.

As the main carbohydrate-binding proteins, lectins are responsible for several biological functions, although their specific roles are still being unveiled. In the current work, a jacalin-related lectin from the seeds of Parkia nitida (Fabaceae family, Mimosoideae subfamily) was isolated by a combination of saline precipitation, mannose affinity chromatography, and gel filtration chromatography. The lectin, henceforth designated as PNL, demonstrated remarkable similarity to other Parkia lectins at the biochemical and structural levels. Overall, PNL is a stable lectin with a molecular mass of 48,760.3 Da, composed of 451 amino acid residues that fold into 3 side-by-side β-prism domains, each with its own carbohydrate-recognition domain specific to mannosides. Additionally, PNL displays a degree of toxicity against Artemia sp., albeit weaker than similar lectins. In conclusion, a representative of the Mimosoideae subfamily of legumes could be purified and characterized. This represents an advance in the understanding of Mimosoideae lectins, a group of unique proteins that receive significantly less focus in the plant lectin field.

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY AND MEDICINAL VALUE OF SHAMI (PROSOPIS CINERERIA)- A REVIEW

Prosopis cineraria Druce of family Mimosaceae is an indigenous plant which has mentioned in Ayurveda with several clinical properties. Prosopis cineraria is also the national tree of Telangana, Rajasthan, and Western Uttar Pradesh in India. In Rajasthan, it is known as Khejri, and in Western Uttar Pradesh as Chhonkara. A violent environmental conflict occurred in the Rajasthani village of Khejarli near Jodhpur in 1730 AD. In an effort to save some Khejri trees that Maharaja Abhay Singh had ordered cut down to make room for his new palace, Amrita Devi and her three young daughters sacrificed their lives. Widespread defiance resulted from this, and 363 people were killed while attempting to save the trees. The Chipko movement was born in the 1970s as a result of this sacrifice memory. This tree is referred to as ‘Kalpataru' and "the king of the desert. This plant has valuable properties for nutrition, INTERNATIONAL AYURVEDIC MEDICAL JOURNAL Nikita Sharma et al: Pharmacological Activity and Medicinal Value with Clinical Reference to Shami- A Review doi:10.46607/iamj1811072023 | IAMJ July 2023 | www.iamj.in 1601 animal feed, and "medicine." Prosopis cineraria (L) Druce, also known asshami, is a member of the Fabaceae family and is used for spiritual purposes in India. It is referenced in practically all of the Nighantu's of Ayurveda. It only occurs in hot, dry, and arid areas of India. Even while practically all of the components of Shami, especially the Bark and Fruit, have pharmacological effects.

Phytochemical Characterisation, Antioxidant and Antidiabetic activity of extracts of Neptunia prostrata Linn.

The herb Neptunia prostrata Linn. Is belonging to the family Mimosaceae have been used in folkloric medicine in the North-eastern states of Indiaof Assam and Tripura by indigenous herbal healers since time immemorial but there is a scarcity of any background study documenting its use as an antimicrobial herb. For the same, plants were collected and authenticated. Following identification of these herbs methanolic, ethanolic, pet ether and chloroform extracts were prepared using soxhletion. Acute toxicity study as per OECD guidelines 420 was assessed in wistar albino rats and in swiss albino mice (n=5) of both sexes at doses of 2000mg/kg body weight and did not reveal any morbidity or mortality in the animals within the stipulated period.Phytochemical screening was performed on all four extracts of Neptunia prostrata. Phytochemical constituents depicted presence of glycoside, flavonoids in only ethanolic, methanolic and chloroform extracts. Alkaloids were present in the chloroform extract. The antimicrobial activity was performed by disc agar diffusion method with respect to amoxicillin at standard doses against ATCC strains of Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Gram negative Salmonella typhi. The herbs showed antioxidant activity comparable to standard antioxidants in-vitro such as Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) with comparable IC 50 values. Results of the antibacterial assay on the basis of zone of inhibition (mm) and MIC values of extracts of the extract (NPHE) under study to suggest these two indigenous herb have conspicuous and potent putative role in the therapeutics of a vast plethora bacterial infections that need to be corroborated for the expansion of future prospective in-vivo studies with larger sample size.

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF BABOOL (ACACIA ARABICA WILLD.): A REVIEW

The Ayurvedic drug Babool, botanically identified as Acacia arabica Willd., is a synonym of Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile and Mimosa arabica Lam. Babool (Acacia arabica Willd.) belongs to the family Mimosaceae. Its Habitat is in dry and sandy localities. In Ayurveda, it contains sthambana (refrigeration), shoshana and sangrahi properties and it is applied in sweta Pradara (leucorrhoea), Atisara (diarrhoea), Prameha (diabetes) and many other diseases. It shows astringent, cooling, styptic, ex­pectorant, demulcent, antimicrobial, antibacterial, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetics, and a wide range of useful properties for the welfare of mankind. The current study attempts to provide an up-to-date snapshot with full exploitation of all plant parts along with the literature survey of ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacological uses of Babool (Acacia arabica Willd.).

Extracts of Neptunia prostrata Linn. ameliorates progression of diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia in animal models

Background: The herb Neptunia prostrata Linn. belonging to the family Mimosaceae has been used in folkloric medicine in the North-eastern states of India of Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya by indigenous herbal healers since time immemorial but there is a scarcity of any background study documenting its use as an antimicrobial herb. For the same, plants were collected and authenticated. Methods: Following identification of these herbs methanolic, ethanolic, pet ether and chloroform extracts were prepared using soxhlation. Acute toxicity study as per OECD guidelines 420 was assessed in wistar albino rats and in swiss albino mice (n=5) of both sexes at doses of 2000 mg/kg body weight and did not reveal any morbidity or mortality in the animals within the stipulated period. Phytochemical screening was performed on all four extracts of Neptunia prostrata. Results: Phytochemical constituents depicted presence of glycoside, flavonoids in only ethanolic, methanolic and chloroform extracts. Alkaloids were present in the chloroform extract. The antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activity was performed by HFD-STZ models in rats. The herbs showed antioxidant activity comparable to standard antioxidants in-vitro such as Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) with comparable IC50 values. Conclusions: Results of the antidiabetic shows immense potential in animal models and therapeutics and the antibacterial screening suggests conspicuous and potent putative role in the therapeutics of a vast plethora bacterial infections that need to be corroborated for the expansion of future prospective in vivo studies with larger sample size.

Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd.: A Review on Bioactive Compounds and Their Health Promoting Functionalities.

With the advent of pandemics and infectious diseases, numerous research activities on natural products have been carried out to combat them. Researchers are investigating natural products for the treatment and/or management of various infectious diseases and/or disorders. Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd. belongs to the family Fabaceae (subfamily Mimosoideae) known as Khair or Cutch tree, possesses diverse pharmacological actions, and has been widely used in Asia and different parts of the world. The purpose of the present study is to highlight the phytochemical profile of different parts of A. catechu, the different biological activities of A. catechu extract, and the utilization of A. catechu as food and beverage. The present work constitutes a review of A. catechu; we performed searches (books, Google, Google Scholar, and Scopus publications) to compile the work/investigations made on A. catechu to the present. From our survey, it was concluded that the main phytochemicals compounds in A. catechu are protocatechuic acid, taxifolin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, catechin, epicatechin gallate, procyanidin, phloroglucin, aldobiuronic acid, gallic acid, D-galactose, afzelchin gum, L-arabinose, D-rhamnose, and quercetin. The whole plant of A. catechu possesses a comprehensive variety of medicinal potentials such as antimicrobial, antidiarrheal, antinociceptive, antihyperlipidemic, antiulcer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiproliferative, haemolytic, and anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of bioactive compounds like flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins. However, even though the plant's metabolites were reported to have many different pharmacological uses, there is limited information about their toxicity or clinical trials. Further research on diverse metabolites of A. catechu should be carried out to ensure the safety or utilization of this plant in the pharma or food industries and in the development of potent plant-based drugs.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES, PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY OF ACACIA MODESTA (Wall.)

The use of medicinal plants is as ancient as human civilization. Acacia modesta is an important medicinal plant belonging to the family Fabaceae (sub family Mimosaceae). This review aims to provide adequate and latest summary of the traditional usage, phytochemistry, pharmacological and ethnobotanical profile of A. modesta. The important phyto-constituents of A. modesta comprising flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, fatty acids and polysaccharides (gums) are also highlighted. Pharmacological data on A. modesta shows significant haemagglutination, phytotoxic, insecticidal, anti-diabetic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet aggregatory, antibacterial and acetyl cholinesterase inhibitory characteristics. Furthermore, A. modesta is also widely used as fodder, fuel wood, timber, household and furniture materials. Ecological importance of the plant is also worth mentioning for its scented and colorful flowers and it serves as one of the desired plant for honey bee raring and honey production. A. modesta is an important, eco-friendly and renewable source of pharmaceuticals with a well-known therapeutic directory. Many researchers have examined its therapeutic potential and common usage through the course of this review.

Pollen Morphological Peculiarities of Selected Mimosoideae Taxa of Hainan Island and Their Taxonomic Relevance

Mimosoideae is one of the taxonomically complex subfamilies of Fabaceae. Several studies have reported the pollen morphology of Mimosoideae taxa and their taxonomic relevance, but no such study was found specifically for Hainan Island in southern China. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the selected Mimosoideae taxa and explore the new palynological traits to support and strengthen the systematics of Mimosoideae using multiple microscopic techniques. The polar axis, equatorial diameter of the pollen grains, colpus length and width were measured. The smallest pollen grain size was found in Mimosa pudica (7.8 × 7.75 µm), while the largest pollen size was found in Albizia lebback (87.54 × 77.97 µm). Similarly, significant variation was found in the exine and colpus surface patterns. The subfamily Mimosoideae is considered eurypalynous because of the variation in pollen traits. In addition, variation was also found in the quantitative traits. Comparatively, the pollen features were found to be helpful at the genus and species levels, as well as in the correct identification and discrimination of the taxa. Hence, this study gives a detailed account of the pollen morphologies of certain selected taxa of Mimosoideae collected from different geographical regions on Hainan Island. The pollen morphological traits were proven to have significant taxonomic potential and can be used as additional tools for the correct identification and discrimination of Mimosoideae taxa. These results will provide the basis for further systematic studies.

Iconography of Beans and Related Legumes Following the Columbian Exchange.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), maize, and squash were described by explorers as early as 1492. The illustration of common bean recognized as the first in Europe is in Fuchs’ Di Historias Stirpium, published in 1542 and a half-century after beans were observed in the Caribbean. Besides herbals and herbarium specimens, the sources of information on the introduction of New World crops are paintings and illustrations. Two early sources of images of maize and squash are the Grandes Heures d’Anne de Bretagne and the Loggia di Amore e Psiche in the Villa Farnesina, Rome. The former was illustrated between 1507 and 1508 and has an image identified as the common bean. The Villa Farnesina Loggia was decorated in 1515–1518, with festoons containing three instances of bean pods. Our first objective was to evaluate these images to determine whether they represented depictions of common bean earlier than the illustration by Fuchs. Neither image appears to be a common bean based on a combination of botanical characters and size. Folio 194 of the Grandes Heures d’Anne de Bretagne is most likely a Vigna species in the Ceratotropis subgenus. In the Loggia, one set of pods appears to be a species in the Mimosoideae subfamily and the second and third sets of pods most closely resemble Canavalia gladiata. Neither image likely represents common beans and are probably Old-World species. Secondly, illustrations of common beans from ten early herbals were analyzed for traits that are characteristic of the centers of domestication and races of common beans. Our objective was to characterize the diversity observed among herbals and determine whether beans from both centers of domestication were present. We potentially identified both Middle American, race Mesoamerica and Andean, race Nueva Granada types. We posit that both Middle American and Andean types were in the Caribbean at the time of the Columbian exchange and that beans from both centers were informally introduced into Europe early on. This review of 16th-century manuscripts and illustrations has provided some answers to the questions of what and when common beans reached Europe and provide new hypotheses for researchers studying the origins, diversity, and distribution of this crop.

Aboveground Biomass Stockpile of Trees in Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary, Peninsular India

A forest tree inventory study was conducted in Vallanadu Black buck sanctuary, Tuticorin. The current study was conducted to assess tree density, species richness, basal area (BA) and aboveground biomass (AGB) stockpile. The study area has been classified as Southern Thorn Forest (SFT). One hundred square plots (total area 1 ha), each 10m × 10m (100 m2 each) laid randomly across study area. All live trees with ≥5 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) measured at 137 cm above the ground. As the whole, 1335 individual trees ≥5cm DBH recorded. A total number of 18 species recorded from 14 genera and 11 families in study area. The family Mimosaceae has maximum number of species (7 species) followed by Rhamnaceae (2 species), while 9 families had just single species’ each. The total basal area recorded was 22.046 m2 ha-1, while, the mean wood density (WD) of trees estimated as 0.70±0.093 g cm-3. Total amount of 50.065 Mg ha-1 present in STF. The contribution of different species in terms of total AGB varied significantly. Commiphora berryi stocked 45.13% (22.588 Mg ha-1) of AGB followed by A. planifrons (23.31%, 11.669 Mg ha-1), A. mellifera (7.233%, 3.621 Mg ha-1), whereas remaining 15 species collectively stocked 24.327% (12.187 Mg ha-1) AGB. The STF had a large number of trees compared to some dry forests within Tamil Nadu. Southern Thorn Forest endowed with a moderate number of trees species. Aboveground biomass stockpile of trees is comparable with the range recorded from Indian dry forests. The study area experiences lesser mean annual rainfall and >6 months dry season. Further, endowed with short-bole and smaller leaved trees, hence stocked a relatively lesser AGB in trees.

Pharmacognostic and antidysentery screening of mixed ethanol leaf extract of Parkia biglobosa and Acanthus montanus (50:50)

Introduction: Parkia biglobosa belong to the family mimosaceae and Acanthus montanus belong to the family acanthaceae. The plants both have a multipurpose use as herbal medicine. Aim: This work investigate the pharmacognostic standard and anti-dysentery activity of the mixed ethanol extract of both plants on E. histolytical induced dysentery. Method: The phytochemical, chemo microscopy and proximate analysis were carried out using the standard procedures. The mixed extract of ratio 50:50 was administered to different groups of rats at different doses. Loperamide was administered as standard drug. The change in faecal consistency was observed and recorded. Result: The phytochemical analysis shows the presence of alkaloids, tannins, proteins, glycosides and carbohydrates. Chemomicroscopy of both plants showed the presence of starch, calcium oxalate, lignin, cellulose. While the extractive value analysis gave 25.0% and 32.7% for water extractive value and ethanol extractive value respectively (for Acanthus montanus) and 23.0% and 30.0% for water extractive value and ethanol extractive value respectively (for Parkiabiglobosa). The absence of death at 5000mg/kg of the extract shows that the lethal dose of the ethanol extract of the plant mixture is higher than 5000mg/kg which may be an indication of safety of the mixture. The anti-dysentery activity of the mixture of both plants with different concentration of 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract showed a significant change in the faecal consistency of the rats. The effect obtained on the administration of 500mg/kg body weight of the extract mixture is more comparable to the standard (loperamide). Conclusion: The synergistic use of the extract contains the secondary metabolites glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, which may be responsible for their anti-dysentery synergistic activity. Mixed extracts from both leaves of P. biglobosa and A. montanus can be recommended as an anti-dysentery agent.