Medicinal Plants Research Articles

Effect of cinnamon aqueous extracts on hyperglycemia in diabetes-induced wistar rat model

Diabetes mellitus is considered the epidemic of the century. Although various treatments for diabetes are available, the development of effective novel treatments based on medicinal plants is not yet recognized. Therefore, this study focused on the ability of Cinnamomum verum to lower blood glucose levels in Wistar rats suffering from diabetes. The cinnamon bark extract was prepared by sonication in water for one hour. Wistar rats (weight 180-220 g) were kept alternately in the dark and the light for 12 hours, with a standard diet and constant water supply. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (STZ), and the diabetic rats were divided into groups (6 rats/group), which were treated with cinnamon and metformin for 42 days. Fasting blood glucose levels were measured at regular intervals. After 42 days, the rats were sacrificed, and blood was collected by cardiac puncture to measure fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, lipid profile, renal function, and liver function tests. In the cinnamon-treated group, the mean FBG (IQR) at baseline and four weeks after treatment were 310 (256 -352) mg/dL and 119 (105-147) mg/dL, respectively (p = 0.02). However, no significant difference in insulin resistance and lipid profile was observed. The biochemical tests, hematological analysis, and histopathological examinations showed that the 42-day treatment with cinnamon had no significant adverse effects on kidney, liver, and bone marrow function. It can be concluded that the aqueous cinnamon bark extracts effectively improve hyperglycemia without adversely affecting the liver, kidneys, or bone marrow.

Molecular Insights into Breast Cancer Treatment: An Integrated Approach of Network Pharmacology and Component Analysis for Lansium parasiticum Bark Extract

Medicinal plants containing multi-components have the potential for multi-target genes, multi-pathways, and various effects on diverse diseases. With the increasing technological advancements, understanding the complex interactions between multi-component substances and biological systems is becoming more crucial. In this context, conventional experimental research might have limitations as it typically focuses on the impact of one component on one gene. The objective of this research is to identify compounds in the bark extract of Lansium parasiticum and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of these compounds in inhibiting the progression of breast cancer cells using a network pharmacology approach. Compound identification in Lansium parasiticum bark extract (LPBE) has been conducted using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrophotometry (LC-MS/MS) technique. ADMET predictions were utilized to determine the absorption and bioavailability profiles. A network pharmacology approach employing Cytoscape 3.9.1, GeneCards, Disgenet, STRING 2.0.0, SRplot, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) was used to predict the anti-cancer molecular mechanisms of these compounds. Seventeen active compounds have been successfully identified via LC-MS/MS. Among these, the compounds Moronic Acid, 4-Morpholineacetic Acid, and Ursolic Aldehyde were found in the highest concentrations. The results of the network pharmacology analysis indicate that the compounds in LPBE are involved in three potential pathways for breast cancer treatment: the NF-κß signaling pathway (hsa 04064), microRNA in cancer (hsa05206), and apoptosis (hsa04210). Target genes implicated in these pathways include BAX, BCL2, TNF-α, PARP1, STAT3, NOTCH1, and NF-κß1. It can be concluded that LPBE contains compounds with potential for treating breast cancer, as they are predicted to interact with relevant target pathways and genes. Therefore, further research is highly recommended, particularly in the development of drugs for breast cancer.Keywords: apoptosis, microRNA, NF-κß, TNF-α, STAT3.

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY, TOTAL PHENOLIC AND TOTAL FLAVONOID CONTENTS OF WHOLE PLANT EXTRACTS TORILIS LEPTOPHYLLA L

The study investigates the antioxidant activity, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) of whole plant extracts of Torilis leptophylla L., a medicinal plant with potential therapeutic benefits. Extracts were prepared using various solvents to maximize the extraction of bioactive compounds. The antioxidant activity was assessed using standard assays such as DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP. The TPC and TFC were quantified using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. Results demonstrated significant antioxidant activity across all extracts, with ethanol extracts exhibiting the highest potency. The TPC and TFC analyses revealed a strong correlation between phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant capacity. These findings highlight Torilis leptophylla L. as a promising source of natural antioxidants, supporting its potential use in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Further studies are recommended to isolate and characterize individual phenolic and flavonoid compounds responsible for the observed activities. This research explores the antioxidant activity, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) of whole plant extracts from Torilis leptophylla L., an underutilized medicinal plant known for its health benefits. The study involved the extraction of bioactive compounds using solvents such as ethanol, methanol, and aqueous solutions to determine the most effective extraction method. Antioxidant activities were evaluated through multiple assays, including DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), and FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power). The TPC and TFC were measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and aluminum chloride colorimetric method, respectively. The results revealed that ethanol extracts displayed the highest antioxidant activity, with significant free radical scavenging abilities and reducing power. The TPC and TFC analyses indicated a robust correlation between phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant capacity, suggesting that these compounds are major contributors to the plant's antioxidant properties. Specifically, the ethanol extract showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid concentrations, correlating with its superior antioxidant performance. These findings position Torilis leptophylla L. as a potent source of natural antioxidants, underscoring its potential for development into pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products.

A Comprehensive Review on Therapeutic Potential of Herbal Plants in Diabetes and Diabetes Associated Problems

Diabetes prevalence has increased dramatically in almost every part of the world in recent decades. The increased number of persons with diabetes or those who have had diabetes for a longer period is anticipated to change the disease profile in many communities throughout the world, owing to a higher frequency of diabetes-specific comorbidities such as kidney failure and peripheral artery disease. The epidemiology of other illnesses commonly linked with diabetes, such as infections and cardiovascular disease, may also shift, with significant consequences for the quality of life, healthcare needs, and economic expenditures. Diabetes (DM) is becoming more common at an alarming pace throughout the world. According to the International Diabetes Federation, an estimated 415 million individuals worldwide suffered from this illness in 2015. Diabetes complications include increased morbidity, disability, and death, posing a danger to the economies of all countries, particularly emerging ones. The current understanding of the global burden and variance in diabetes-related complications is inadequate. According to the available statistics, rates of myocardial infarction, stroke, and amputation are falling among diabetics, coinciding with lower mortality. However, the majority of these statistics originate from research conducted in only a few high-income nations. Other diabetic consequences, such as end-stage renal disease, retinopathy, and cancer, have received less attention. Obesity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia are all variables that influence the development and progression of diabetes problems. In this review, we have included all the major complications and their pathophysiology along with their possible mechanism of action and the possible treatment with herbal or medicinal plants. This review will explore new ways of the diabetic complications around the globe.

Mentha pulegium L. and Salvia officinalis L. Bioactive Compounds: Focus on Their Application in Agriculture and Food Packaging.

Plants are a valuable source of diverse natural active compounds with distinct biological characteristics and mechanisms. Considering plant extracts and phytochemicals have biological action both in vitro and in vivo, plants are being used as alternative sources in agriculture and food industry. Mentha pulegium L. and Salvia officinalis L. from the Lamiaceae family are some of the most popular and widely utilized medicinal plants due to their bioactive compounds such as essential oils (EOs) and phenolics, which have powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial characteristics. It is evident that these plants have also a variety of applications due to their various components and concentrations. This study aimed to provide an overview on the two species' composition and biological activities to review the applications of their crude extracts and EOs in agriculture as natural pesticides to protect different cultures and in food industry to produce biobased food packaging.

Rosmarinic Acid from Orthosiphon aristatus Potentially Targets Estrogen Receptor-Alpha in Breast Cancer: In-silico Study

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Tamoxifen, a widely used estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-α) inhibitor, is effective but often causes side effects, necessitating the search for alternative inhibitors from natural sources. Ortosiphon aristatus, also known as cat's whiskers, is a medicinal plant traditionally valued for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Recent studies suggest its bioactive compounds may exhibit anticancer activity by inducing apoptosis in cancer cell lines. This study explores the potential of O. aristatus metabolites as ER-α inhibitors using computational approaches. Nine metabolites were assessed for their physicochemical properties based on Lipinski’s rule of five and ADMET predictions, followed by pharmacophore-based virtual screening with LigandScout and molecular docking with AutoDock. The results showed that all tested compounds complied with Lipinski’s rule, and most met ADMET criteria. Among these, rosmarinic acid was identified as one of the hit compounds based on pharmacophore screening, exhibiting binding interactions comparable to 4-hydroxytamoxifen with the ER-α amino acid residues HIS524 and GLY521. It also demonstrated a binding energy of -8.02 kcal/mol and a low inhibition constant (Ki) of 1.31 μM. These findings highlight the potential of O. aristatus and rosmarinic acid for further evaluation as candidates against ER-α in breast cancer cells.Keywords: breast cancer, estrogen receptor-alpha, Orthosiphon aristatus, in silico.

Using RAD-seq to identify and differentiate the medicinal herb Scrophularia ningpoensis and its adulterants

BackgroundScrophulariae Radix, the dried root of Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl., belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family and is known for its diverse pharmacological effects, such as antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. It is common that the Scrophulariae Radix is often contaminated by various adulterants like S. buergeriana, S. kakudensis, and S. yoshimurae in its medicinal usage. However, traditional methods for identifying Chinese medicinal materials have been found to be insufficient in accurately distinguishing S. ningpoensis from the three adulterant species.ResultsIn this study, RAD-seq technology was employed to sequence 27 individuals from the four species, yielding 55,250 high-quality SNP sites. Genetic differentiation analysis using these sites revealed significant genetic divergence between S. ningpoensis and the three adulterants. Through assessment genetic structure, principal component, and phylogenetic analysis, these four species were effectively distinguished with a high degree of confidence. The phylogenetic results indicated that S. ningpoensis is more closely related to S. yoshimurae, while S. buergeriana shows a closer relationship with S. kakudensis, providing new reference information for understanding interspecific relationships among the four Scrophularia species.ConclusionsThis study successfully identified S. ningpoensis and the three adulterants, enriched the genomic information of Scrophularia species, and contributed to a more profound understanding of the evolutionary dynamics within this genus. Furthermore, it offers novel insights and methodologies for the identification of medicinal plants.

Root rot in medicinal plants: a review of extensive research progress

Root rot is a general term for soil-borne diseases that cause the necrosis and decay of underground plant parts. It has a wide host range and occurs in various types of plants, including crops, horticultural crops and medicinal plants. Due to the fact that medicinal plants generally have a long growth cycle and are primarily the root and rhizome herbs. This results in root rot causing more serious damage in medicinal plant cultivation than in other plants. Infected medicinal plants have shrivel or yellowed leaves, rotting rhizomes, and even death of the entire plant, resulting in a sharp decline in yield or even total crop failure, but also seriously reduce the commercial specifications and effective ingredient content of medicinal plants. The pathogens of root rot are complex and diverse, and Fusarium fungi have been reported as the most widespread pathogen. With the expansion of medicinal plant cultivation, root rot has occurred frequently in many medicinal plants such as Araliaceae, Fabaceae, Ranunculaceae, and Solanaceae and other medicinal plants. This article reviews recent research progress on root rot in medicinal plants, covering various aspects such as disease characteristics, occurrence, pathogen species, damage to medicinal plants, disease mechanisms, control measures, and genetic factors. The aim is to provide reference for better control of root rot of medicinal plants.

Climate change and the sustainable use of medicinal plants: a call for “new” research strategies

Climate change and human activities severely impact the viability of plants and ecosystems, threatening the environment, biodiversity, and the sustainable development of plant-based products. Biotic and abiotic (ecosystem) determinants affect species distribution and long-term survival, which in turn influence the quality of plants used as herbal medicines and other high-value products. In recent decades, diverse anthropogenic impacts have significantly affected these quality aspects. Climate change, excessive plant exploitation, habitat loss, species vulnerability, and other factors have adversely affected the growth, reproduction, and adaptation of species populations, as well as the quality and volume of primary plant materials supplied to pharmaceutical markets. Despite these growing challenges, there is limited knowledge of potential strategies to prevent or mitigate these impacts, particularly for vulnerable species collected from the wild or harvested from traditional production systems. Hence, effective strategies for preserving and increasing plant populations are urgently needed. In this study, we propose a new framework including the main sustainability factors to better understand and address the vulnerability of a species, hence mitigate the impact of climate change. We assess the applicability of our proposed framework via seven case studies of vulnerable species (i.e., Aquilaria malaccensis Lam., Boswellia sacra Flück., Crocus sativus L., Panax quinquefolius L., Pilocarpus microphyllus Stapf ex Wardlew., Rhodiola rosea L., and Warburgia salutaris (G.Bertol.) Chiov.) from main biogeographic realms, all widely used as medicinal plants. These species present various challenges related to the sustainability of their use, impacting their current and future status locally and globally. Their economic importance, combined with rising demands and specific risks of overexploitation, are also key factors considered here. The suggested framework for the sustainability of medicinal and other high-value plant-based products in the phytopharmaceutical industry emphasises strategies that promote conservation and sustainable resource use. It can also be adapted for other vulnerable species requiring urgent attention.

Phytochemical profiling of methanolic extract and petroleum ether soluble fraction of Nami (Dioscorea hispida Dennst.) leaves

Medicinal plants are essential in drug development since they serve as raw materials in the pharmaceutical industry. One such plant, Nami (Dioscorea hispida Dennst.), which belongs to the family Dioscoreaceae, is well known for its medicinal properties. This study aimed to identify the bioactive metabolites present in the leaves of D. hispida Dennst. The phytochemical screening of methanolic extract and petroleum ether soluble fraction extract of D. hispida Dennst. leaves revealed the presence of tannin, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids, and steroids, all of which possess medicinal properties. Hence, these bioactive metabolites may be employed to develop innovative drugs for several diseases.

Potent SARS-CoV-2 3C-like protease inhibitor ( +)-eupenoxide-3,6-diketone (IC50: 0.048μM) was synthesized based on ( +)-eupenoxide; lead from ( +)-eupenoxide analogs study by endophytic fermentation.

Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, research has been conducted on treatment and countermeasures against the causative severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, the development of new seeds is urgently needed because viruses have the characteristic of becoming resistant through mutation. We hypothesize that endophytes produce antiviral substances to combat foreign viruses in host plants. According to this hypothesis, the seeds of therapeutic agents for infectious diseases could be obtained from endophytes by culture experiments. This report found that Aspergillus sp. endophyte isolated from Catharanthus roseus produced ( +)-eupenoxide and its 3-ketone form with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. In addition, ( +)-eupenoxide-3,6-diketon was discovered as a new compound with potent 3C-like protease inhibitory activity (IC50: 0.048μM) by synthesis based on ( +)-eupenoxide. This finding could be an important evidence that endophytic fungi symbiosis with medicinal plants is useful as antiviral producers.

Role of metabolism, resistance, and/or antagonism as drivers of endomicrobiomes assemblage in Origanum heracleoticum L

The understanding of selective forces driving the compartmentalization of microbiota in plants remains limited. In this study, we performed a phenotypic characterization of bacterial endophytes isolated from the medicinal plant Origanum heracleoticum, together with the determination of the antibiotic resistance profiles and the antagonistic interactions of communities within and across different plant organs. Results revealed organ-related differences in the metabolic capabilities of bacteria, with those associated with stems displaying the highest metabolic activity for carbon sources. Contrarily, the patterns of antibiotic resistance appeared closely aligned with the taxonomical classification of the endophytes. The presence of antagonistic interactions, likely spurred by resource limitations, favor bacteria exhibiting greater metabolic plasticity. In conclusion, this research advances our comprehension of the intricate dynamics between plants and their associated microbiota, indicating that its composition is mainly influenced by forces contributing to the selection of distinct functions and phenotypic traits.

Synthesis of a Novel Supermagnetic Fe3O4 Nanoparticles and their Congo Red Dye Removal, Cytotoxic, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities

Abstract Plantago lanceolata is a traditional medicinal plant that has attracted significant interest from researchers due to the use of its physiologically active components, particularly polyphenolics (flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids), in various fields. The aim of this study is to synthesize iron oxide (PLE@FeNPs) nanoparticles using a green synthesis approach with Plantago lanceolata (P. lanceolata) leaf extracts, characterize them, evaluate their in vitro effects, and assess their use in the removal of Congo red (CR) from wastewater. We carried out the physicochemical characterization of the nanoparticles using UV–Vis, FT-IR, and XRD spectroscopies; TEM and SEM microscopy; and Zetasizer particle size analysis. While the distinct peaks in XRD confirm the crystalline structure, TEM has determined an average particle size (8 nm) for PLE@NPs with deformed spherical nanoparticles. The FT-IR spectra showed that bioactive compounds from P. lanceolata were involved in the participation of PLE@FeNPs. EDX confirmed the presence of iron in the designed PLE@FeNPs. The antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer analyses of the studied PLE@FeNPs revealed significant activities. We investigated the adsorption kinetics of CR on PLE@FeNPs, taking into account initial dye concentration, different pH levels, adsorbent dosages, and temperature. At optimal conditions (concentration, 50 ppm; dosage, 15 mg; pH, 8), the degradation of CR dye in sunlight was found to be 99%. The small size of PLE@NPs (8 nm) and the more negative zeta potential (− 12.2 mV) support this situation. The equilibrium data demonstrated a good fit to the Langmuir isotherm model, outperforming the Freundlich isotherm model. The results showed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model accurately described the kinetic data. PLE@NPs exhibited significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. This situation suggests that the nanocomposition of PLE@NPs obtained through the green route may have improved efficiency due to various synergistic effects. Overall, these results pave the way for further applications in dye removal and biological applications of environmentally friendly PLE@FeNPs. Graphical Abstract

Anticariogenic potential of selected medicinal plants from Dayak Benuaq tribe, Indonesia

Several selected medicinal plants from the indigenous Dayak Benuaq tribe of Indonesia were analyzed for their potential as anticariogenic. The plant parts of leaves, stems, roots, and tubers were extracted using methanol. Streptococcus sobrinus and Streptococcus mutans are used to determine antibacterial and anticariogenic activities. Toxicity activity was evaluated using Artemia salina with the brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLT) method. This study also calculated the content of total tannins, total flavonoids and total phenols. The results of this study indicate that four selected medicinal plants, namely Cratoxylum sumatranum (Jack) Blume., Areca catechu L., Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M. Perry., and Lepisanthes amoena (Hassk.) Leenh., have the potential to inhibit the growth of S. sobrinus bacteria with inhibition values of 89.75%, 80.17%, 71.37%, and 74.69% in concentrations of 100 ppm. The highest content of total tannins, total phenols and total flavonoids was in Uncaria gambir (W. Hunter) Roxb, with respective values of 205.94 g/g, 478.52 mg GAE/g, and 0.725 g CE/g. Anticariogenic activity showed that U. gambir, Helminthostachys. zeylanica, S. aromaticum, L. amoena, and Eurycoma longifolia (Jack) had the potential to inhibit acid production in bacteria with a pH of 6.380, 6.563, 6.140, 5.987 and 5.933, respectively. Besides that, it can also inhibit the attachment of bacterial cells with values of 31%, 50%, 43%, 53%, and 40%. The results of this study indicate the potential of several selected medicinal plants from the Dayak Benuaq tribe in Temula village as natural antibacterial, anticancer, and anticariogenic agents.

Integrative analysis of metabolite and transcriptome reveals the biosynthetic pathway and candidate genes for iridoid glycoside biosynthesis in Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) D.Y.Hong

Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) D.Y.Hong (N. scrophulariiflora) is an important wild medicinal plant that belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. Its main active ingredients, picroside I (P-I) and picroside II (P-II), possess anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antibacterial properties. Due to overharvesting, N. scrophulariiflora resources are facing the risk of depletion, urgently requiring resource protection and rational utilization. However, the biosynthetic pathways and related genes of active compounds in N. scrophulariiflora have not been fully investigated. In this study, widely targeted metabolomics and RNA-seq technology were employed to perform a joint analysis of the metabolome and transcriptome in different tissues of N. scrophulariiflora, including the roots, stems, and leaves. A total of 196 flavonoids and 63 terpenoids were identified. Among the 158,254 annotated genes, 74 were annotated as related to iridoid synthesis. Using bioinformatics methods such as clustering analysis, phylogenetic tree construction, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), 43 candidate genes were identified that may be involved in the biosynthesis of picroside-I and picroside-II, of which 26 genes were significantly correlated with the synthesis of picrosides and their intermediates. Transcriptome analysis revealed the expression patterns of differentially expressed genes, and metabolomic analysis revealed the distribution characteristics of metabolites in different tissues of N. scrophulariiflora. Through qRT-PCR validation, we found that three NsF3H/NsF3D genes, four NsUGD/NsUPD genes, one Ns2HFD gene, and three NsSQM genes may participate in the iridoid biosynthesis pathway. These findings provide important genetic and metabolomic information for an in-depth understanding of the biosynthetic mechanisms of iridoids and lay the foundation for the protection and sustainable utilization of N. scrophulariiflora.

Diversity and ecological role of mycorrhizal fungi in selected medicinal plants from Bhopal district: implications for sustainable Agriculture

Diversity and ecological role of mycorrhizal fungi in selected medicinal plants from Bhopal district: implications for sustainable Agriculture

Developmental Stage Significantly Affects In Vitro Propagation Practices: A Case Study in Paris polyphylla Smith, an Important Endangered Medicinal Plant of Himalayas

Developmental Stage Significantly Affects In Vitro Propagation Practices: A Case Study in Paris polyphylla Smith, an Important Endangered Medicinal Plant of Himalayas

In-Depth Investigation on Potential Mechanism of Forest-Grown Ginseng Alleviating Alzheimer’s Disease via UHPLC-MS-Based Metabolomics

Background: Alzheimer’s disease is a central nervous system degenerative disease closely related to age with a complex pathogenesis. As a natural medicinal plant, forest-grown ginseng (GSF) contains abundant ginsenosides and offers significant neuroprotective effects. Methods: In this study, we comprehensively investigated the effect of GSF on the cell viability of PC12 cells in an AD model alongside metabolic changes in the serum and brains of mice, combined with an efficacy evaluation of PC12 cells in vitro and UHPLC-MS-based metabolomics in vivo. The goal of this study is to clarify the potential mechanism of GSF in treating AD. Results: The PC12 cell results showed that GSF can promote the proliferation of PC12 cells, reduce the content of IL-8, increase the activity of SOD, and alleviate the inflammation and oxidative stress induced by Aβ25~35. The immunohistochemical results for the mouse brain tissue also showed that GSF could reduce the inflammatory response of mouse brain tissue by reducing the overexpression of IBa1. AD was alleviated by reducing Aβ protein deposition in the mouse brain tissue. An untargeted metabolomics analysis was performed using UHPLC-Q-Exactive MS and principal component analysis (PCA) to identify the differentially expressed metabolites in the serum and brain tissue of AD mice after treatment. Twenty and seventeen different metabolites were identified in the serum and brain tissue, respectively. The pathway enrichment analysis of differential metabolites showed that GSF could treat AD by up-regulating succinic acid semialdehyde, carbamoyl phosphate, Sphingosine 1-phosphate, L-cystathionine, 2-ketobutyric acid, Vanillylmandelic acid, and D-Ribose to regulate sphingomyelin metabolism, the synthesis and metabolism of neurotransmitters and precursors, and energy metabolism. Conclusions: GSF can reduce neuroinflammation and alleviate Alzheimer’s disease by regulating the metabolic disorders of amino acids, sphingolipids, unsaturated fatty acids, and arachidonic acid in mice serum and brain tissue metabolites. These results suggest a link between metabolite imbalance and AD, and reveal the basis for the mechanism of ginsenosides in AD treatment.

Composition and Biodiversity of Culturable Endophytic Fungi in the Roots of Alpine Medicinal Plants in Xinjiang, China

(1) Background: Endophytic fungi play an important role in plant growth and stress resistance. The presence of a special fungal taxon such as the dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi in alpine environments is particularly important for plant resistance to environmental stresses. However, the composition of root endophytic fungi in different environments and between different host plants has not been well studied. (2) Results: A total of 408 culturable endophytic fungi were isolated from the roots of Saussurea involucrata and Rhodiola crenulata which were collected in 5 plots from the Tianshan and Karakoram Mountains of the Xinjiang region, belonging to 91 species, 54 genera, 31 families, and 3 phyla based on the morphological characteristics and molecular sequence. Among them, DSE fungi were the dominant group, accounting for 52.94%, and Leptodontidium orchidicola was the dominant species. In addition, we also compared the composition and diversity of root endophytic fungi from different plants and different sites, with emphasis on special fungal taxa such as DSE. (3) Conclusions: The composition and diversity of cultural endophytic fungi are significantly different in the two alpine medicinal plant species and across various locations. Some fungi showed the preferences of the host or environment. The endophytic fungal resources, especially DSE, were very rich in the two alpine medicinal plants, indicating that these fungi may play a crucial role in the ecological adaptation of host plants in harsh environments.

Non-Timber Forest Products and Their Income Contributions to Rural Households in Kalu District, Northeast Ethiopia

Abstract Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are crucial for rural livelihoods either for subsistence or income generation. However, the natural vegetation and forests in the study area have been degraded by human impacts leading to habitat loss. Therefore it is essential to study and document evidence about NTFPs and their value in the study area. The main aim of this study is to assess non-timber forest products and their income contributions in Kalu District, Northeast Ethiopia. Three Kebeles were purposively selected based on NTFP availability, household reliance on NTFP collection and time. A total of 149 sample household respondents were selected using simple random sampling methods from the three Kebeles (Ancharo, Keteteya, and Gedero) in proportionate allocations. Data were collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, direct observations and structured and semi-structured household interviews. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study identified six major types of NTFPs used by households, namely: energy sources (fuel-wood and charcoal), medicinal plants, household utensils, wild edibles, wild spices, and fodders. The most important NTFPs included honey, fuel wood, charcoal and others (household utensils, edible fruits), contributing 39 %, 31 %, 25 %, and 5 % of forest income, respectively. NTFPs contributed 13.3 % of the total annual household income in the study area. The findings of this study revealed that incomes derived from NTFPs in the study area were relatively low compared to other sources of income. Therefore, polices and strategies aimed at improving the well-being of the local people should pay attention to the contribution of NTFPs to their livelihoods.