Comarum Palustre Research Articles

Forest typological and botanical features of «Mozh river valley» as the object of Emerald Network

Ecological and coenotic properties are given and the environmental importance of natural complexes of the Emerald Network of Ukraine «Mozh river valley» (UA0000299 Mozh river valley) in Kharkiv region is highlighted. The object is located in the valley of the Mozh River — a right-bank tributary of the Siverskyi Donets River (Don River Basin) and covers 12658.48 hectares; moreover this area has hardly undergone changes due to land reclamation measures. In addition, the emerald object includes the reserves of local significance «Mirgorodsky» and «Merefyansky», as well as the wetland «Zaplava r. Mzha». The investigated object currently represents a complex of various identified settlements from Resolution 4 of the Berne Convention (C1.222, C1.224, C1.225, C1.32, C1.33, C2.33, C2.34, D5.2, D6.1, E2.2, E3.4, E5.4, F9.1, F3.247, F3.4, G1.11, G1.36, G1.414, G1.51, G3.4232, G1.A1), which have natural-historical and geomorphological dependance. The main ecological and biotic features, areas and list of main plant species are given for them. In the studied area there are populations of rare species of vascular plants that have different sozological status. Annex I to Resolution 6 of the Bern Convention includes Jurinea cyanoides and Pulsatilla patens, and a number of species have state preservation status in Ukraine (Salvinia natans, Dactylorhisa incarnatа, D. fuchsia, D. majalis, Orchis palustris, Gladiolus tenius, Fritillaria ruthenica, Tulipa quercetorum, Stipa borysthenica, Pulsatilla pratensis) and at the regional level (Polygonum bistorta, Valeriana officinalis, Parnassia palustris, Veratrum lobelianum, Thelypteris palustris, Dryopteris cristata, D. carthusiana, Athyrium filix-femina, Chrysosplenium alternifolium, Comarum palustre, Carex pseudocyperus, Lycopodium clavatum, Orthila secunda, Rubus saxatilis, Dianthus stenocalyx). In case of increasing economic impact, the main conditions for the existence of natural complexes in this area is the necessity to streamline forest use, reduce the impact of a number of invasive tree and shrub species, and minimize the impact of drainage and plowing of floodplains. It is also necessary to regulate the stream of vacationers and reduce the degree of anthropogenic pressure on natural complexes.

Study of anti-free radical action of phytopreparations and their effectiveness on animals

With industrial technologies of animal husbandry, the state of the animal’s body is characterized by the presence of metabolic disorders considered as oxidative stress. Currently, in animal husbandry, characterized by stressful content in industrial complexes, the use of adaptogenic drugs is required; however, among their abundance, phytobiotics are the most effective in terms of optimizing metabolic processes. Phytobiotics are herbal preparations that are sources of biologically active substances. The work shows the results of studying anti-free radicals of phytobiotics (nettle, germinated wheat sprouts, clover, licorice, marsh cinquefoil and cranberry) in the POL-AOS model system and the results of the application of the developed method of antioxidant protection for high-yielding cows kept under stressful conditions under industrial dairy management. cattle breeding. The basic mechanism of action of phytopreparations based on nettle, germinated sprouts of wheat, clover, licorice, marsh cinquefoil and cranberry in the correction and prevention of biochemical disorders caused by stress is inhibition of free radical oxidation and activation of endogenous antioxidants.

Синтаксономия и экология черноольшаников Московской области

Синтаксономия и экология черноольшаников Московской области

Сообщества с Myrica gale L. на болотах побережья Финского залива (Санкт-Петербург и Ленинградская область)

Сommunities of Myrica gale L. (sweet gale), their ecology and geography in coastal mires of the Gulf of Finland within St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region on the Southeastern border of their range are described based on 70 relevés, made in 1981–2018. This species is included in the Red Data Books of Russia (2008), Leningrad Region (2018), St. Petersburg (2018), and Republic of Karelia (2007). The distribution of the communities in the studied area is as follows (Fig. 1) — the Yuntolovskiy reserve (the largest population), vicinity of the Lisiy Nos ­settlement, forest-park “Gagarka”, Tarkhovskiy Mys, Yuntolovskiy fo­rest-park (within St. Petersburg); vicinity of the Pesochnoe ­settlement, the Bolshoy Berye­zovyy Isl., near the port “Primorsk” (the Nor­thern coast of the Gulf of Finland) and the vicinity of Bolshaya Izhora ­settlement (Southern coast of the latter) in the Leningrad Region area. Communities are found mainly in coastal mires of various types (raised bogs, transitional mires, fens) in the place of former lagoons and in inter-dune depressions in different trophic conditions; most diverse in the last two. Communities are assigned into 12 associations, two of which with the shrub layer formed by Myrica gale. Sphagnetum myricosum galis is the most common association in transitional mires (Table 3). The communities are two-layers: Myrica gale shrub one and closed moss layer of Sphagnum species of diffe­rent ecological groups. The association is subdivided into 3 subassociations by dominanting Sphagnum species and groups of determinant species: sphagnosum angustifolii, sphagnosum flexuosi, and sphagnosum teretis. The communities of this association are located­ in newly formed mires, and their species composition is in the process of formation. These are succession stages between the fens and transitional mires. The ass. Myricetum caricosum lasiocarpae (table 4) includes communities of fens with close (50 to 80 %) Myrica gale shrub layer. Carex lasiocarpa is the dominant of the herb layer, in some communities there is the lower herb sublayer of Comarum palustre. There is no moss layer. Association Myricetum comaroso–betulosum with sparse Betula pubescens 5–12 m high tree layer is also recorded in fens (Table 4). Communities of the ass. Salicetum myricoso–paludiherbosum with the dominance of shrub willows and Myrica gale are rather widespread in coastal fens. They have closed (up to 100 %) shrub layer formed by various willows and M. gale. The composition and cover of paludal herbaceous species is variable, the only constant, sometimes abundant, species is Comarum palustre. The association is subdivided into 3 subassociations (salicosum phylicifoliae, salicosum phylicifoliae-myrsinifoliae and salicosum rosmarinifoliae-myrsinifoliae) according to the dominating willows and mire grasses. Besides the above associations with high abundance of Myrica gale, this species occurs with low abundance in the communities of other, often widespread mire associations, as their coastal variants (Tables 2–4). The discussed community types in the Leningrad Region and St. Petersburg have regional features and differ in species composition from the sweet gale communities of Western and Northern Europe. Due to the rarity in the European part of Russia communities with both low abundance and dominance of Myrica gale need protection as well as their habitats.

Сообщества с кустарниковыми ивами в подзоне типичных тундр восточноевропейского сектора Арктики

Сообщества с кустарниковыми ивами в подзоне типичных тундр восточноевропейского сектора Арктики

Efficiency of natural adaptogens for organic products

In the conditions of modern anthropogenic pollution of the environment, the creation of organic agricultural products becomes ever more relevant. The production of organic products requires special technologies, namely, production without the use of agrochemicals, antibiotics, hormones, preparations that stimulate the animal growth and fattening, as well as pesticides. Pesticide use causes both acute and chronic poisoning of humans and animals. The paper presents the study of feed, meat and dairy products for the presence of pesticides. Our studies on pesticide content in food products from Oryol Oblast showed a small number of pesticides: hexachloride, dichlordiphenyl trichlormethyl methane and glyphosate. However, according to the Federal Law No. 280 of 03.08.2018 “On Organic Products and on Amending Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation”, even such an amount of pesticides does not allow attributing products to organic. The purpose of the study was to normalize the biochemical status of highproducing cows in the conditions of the industrial complex, which would allow obtaining organic products. As such, we proposed and tested the action of nettle, lecithin, sprout wheat grain, common thyme, Khotynets natural zeolites and marsh cinquefoil. Their positive effect is confirmed by the improvement of the studied biochemical blood values.

Biogeochemistry of macrophytes, sediments and porewaters in thermokarst lakes of permafrost peatlands, western Siberia

The chemical composition of thermokarst lake ecosystem components is a crucial indicator of current climate change and permafrost thaw. Despite high importance of macrophytes in shallow permafrost thaw lakes for control of major and trace nutrients in lake water, the trace element (TE) partitioning between macrophytes and lake water and sediments in the permafrost regions remains virtually unknown. Here we sampled dominant macrophytes in thermokarst lakes of discontinuous and continuous permafrost zones in the Western Siberia Lowland (WSL) and measured major and trace elements in plant biomass, lake water, lake sediments and sediment porewater. All six plant species (Hippuris vulgaris L., Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holmb., Comarum palustre L., Ranunculus spitzbergensis Hadac, Carex aquatilis Wahlenb s. str., Menyanthes trifoliata L.) sizably accumulated macronutrients (Na, Mg, Ca), micronutrients (B, Mo, Nu, Cu, Zn, Co) and toxicants (As, Cd). Accumulation of other trace elements, including rare earth elements (REE), in macrophytes relative to pore waters and sediments was highly variable among species. Using miltiparametric statistics, we described the behavior of ТЕ across two permafrost zones and identified several group of elements depending on their sources in the lake ecosystems and their affinity to sediments and macrophytes. Under future climate warming and shifting the permafrost border to the north, we anticipate an increasing uptake of heavy metals and lithogenic low mobile elements such as Ti, Al, Cr, As, Cu, Fe, Ni, Ga, Zr, and REEs by macrophytes in the discontinuous permafrost zone and Ba, Zn, Pb and Cd in the continuous permafrost zone. This may eventually diminish transport of metal micronutrients and geochemical tracers from soils to lakes and rivers and further to the Arctic Ocean.

CHEMICAL COMPONENTS OF COMARUM PALUSTRE L. AND THEIR BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY

Marsh cinquefoil (Comarum palustre L.) is a perennial herb from the Rosaceae family. It has been used for long in folk medicine in form of infusions, tinctures and decoctions of the underground and aboveground parts of this plant. Nonetheless it is not a pharmacopoeial plant and requires additional research. The goal of this study was to review the existing literature data on the chemical composition of the aerial and underground organs of the marsh cinquefoil (Comarum palustre L.) and their pharmacological activity. Over the period from 1963 to the present, more than 130 components have been identified in the aboveground and underground parts of the marsh cinquefoil, mainly belonging to the group of phenolic compounds, tannins, fatty acids, polysaccharides and amino acids. Several aspects of pharmacological activity of the total extracts and individual secondary metabolites of the marsh cinquefoil have been studied; anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, nephroprotective, antiviral, antioxidant and other types of biological activity have been experimentally confirmed. Literature data analysis showed that the marsh cinquefoil represents a rich source of biologically active substances and is promising for the creation of new drugs, therefore, further study of its metabolites and their biological activity is of great interest.

Cenopopulation dynamics of Cisbaikalia medicinal plants

The article provides information on the study of the dynamic processes occurring in cenopopulations of 16 species of medicinal plants used both in scientific and folk medicine (Achillea asiatica Serg., Artemisia frigida Willd., Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Holub, Comarum palustre L., Geranium pratense L., Dasiphora fruticosa (L.) Rydb., Fragaria orientalis Losinsk., Mentha arvensis L., Pulmonaria mollis Wulfen ex Hornem., Potentilla anserina L., Potentilla bifurca L., Ribes spicatum E. Robson, Rosa majalis Herrm., Rubus matsumuranus Levl. Et Vaniot, Spiraea salicifolia L., Vaccinium uliginosum L.): age coefficient, recovery index, development rate. Identification of the population confinement of species to existing ecological and coenotic conditions, determination of demographic parameters, study of the development dynamics, methods of self-maintenance and survival strategies serve as the basis for the rational use of plant resources. The stable and dynamically developing medicinal plant cenopopulations, with a high recovery index, with a tendency to develop towards rejuvenation, include the cenopopulations of Geranium pratense of the Ziminsky region, Pulmonaria mollis of the Alar and Irkutsk regions, Rubus matsumuranus of the Irkutsk region. The results of the analysis of the cenopopulation dynamics of the studied species made it possible to identify stable, dynamically developing cenopopulations and recommend them for use.

New data on the distribution of Menyanthes trifoliata, Carex limosa and Comarum palustre in "Torfeno Branishte" Reserve, "Vitosha" Natural Park, Bulgaria

"Torfeno Branishte" is a Reserve located in "Vitosha" Natural Park, Bulgaria. It was established in 1935 to preserve the peat communities in the high parts of Vitosha Mountain in their natural state. The reserve comprises Bulgaria’s most significant complex of high mountain peatlands. Their age is estimated to be over 1500 years old, and the thickness of the peat cover accumulated during that time can reach up to 2 meters in depth. Their current area is 785.3 hectares. Plant communities dominated or participated by Sphagnum L. and/or other peat-forming mosses are very sensitive to climate change and anthropogenic impact. They often house a large number of plant species with conservation significance. The purpose of this study is to provide new data on the distribution of three extremely rare and endangered plant species. During a field study in "Vitosha" Natural Park related to the selection of sites for monitoring and installation of permanent monitoring sites for climate change monitoring in nature reserve "Torfeno Branishte", two species were found that were considered extinct from the territory of the mountain – Menyanthes trifoliata L. and Carex limosa L. Both species are protected by the Biological Diversity Act and are included in the Red Data Book of Republic of Bulgaria (Peev 2015). Prior to this study, for decades they have been purposefully searched for with no positive result. As a result of this study, the number and population sizes of M. trifoliata and C. limosa were determined. In addition, the populations of Comarum palustre L. and Carex limosa L. that occur at the same location were found to be much larger than previously known. Population sizes of the three species are low, but still viable. The major threat to the well-being of these species is the drought.

Influence of Flavonoids on the Cytotoxic Activity of Mononuclear Blood Cells in Model Tests.

BACKGROUND:The spread of phytocomplex application and justification of its selective effects on tumour cells (mainly due to the presence of flavonoids) require research of its cytotoxic and immunomodulatory activity.AIM:The goal wa`s to study the direct cytotoxic effect of the phytocomplex and its modulating effect on the cytotoxic activity of the donor’s mononuclear blood cells in in vitro experiments.METHODS:The phytocomplex was a dry extract from marsh cinquefoil, creeping alfalfa and common hop; its main active ingredients were flavonoids. Transplantable monolayer cultures of lung adenocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, erythroblastic leukaemia, and fibroblasts were used as target cells. The cytotoxic activity was assessed using a cytotoxic test based on the selective ability to live cells to reduce MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethyltriazol-2-yl]-2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide) to formazan in mitochondria. Quantitative determination of formazan was performed using spectrophotometry.RESULTS:A direct cytotoxic effect of the phytocomplex in concentrations of at least 2.5 mg/ml on tumour cells has been established. Its modulating effect on the cytotoxic activity of mononuclear blood cells at a concentration of 0.05 mg/ml was shown. The phytocomplex in doses of 0.25 and 0.5 mg/ml increased the killer activity of the mononuclear cells in a diseased person’s blood, but did not affect these blood cells in a healthy donor. Incubation of lymphocytes with a phytocomplex for 24 hours increased the cytotoxic activity of mononuclear cells by 20-25%.CONCLUSION:The direct cytotoxic effect of the phytocomplex and its modulating effect on the cytotoxic activity of mononuclear blood cells in model experiments in vitro have been established.

Association Carici juncellae-Salicetum rosmarinifoliae (Alnetea glutinosae) on the south taiga section of the Ob River floodplain

The Carici juncellae–Salicetum rosmarinifoliae Korolyuk et Taran in Taran 1993 association (Salicion cinereae, Salicetalia auritae, Alnetea glutinosae) includes the communities of the shrub (Salix rosmarinifolia, S. cinerea)-birch (Betula pubescens) tussock (Carex juncella, C. cespitosa) mires spread on the big West Siberian river floodplains within the taiga zone. On the Ob River, the association is represented by the C.j.–S.r. spiraeetosum salicifoliae Taran 1993 subassociation. Its range covers the Ob floodplain 830-kilometer distance crossing the subtaiga, south taiga and middle taiga subzones of Western Siberia. In the south taiga subzone (surroundings of the former village Kaibasovo, Krivosheinskiy district of Tomsk Region, 57º14'44"N, 84º11'05"E), the C.j.–S.r. spiraeetosum salicifoliae subassociation is studied for the first time. Near the Kaibasovo, the subassociation is represented by two facies: shrubby (Spiraea salicifolia, Salix rosmarinifolia, Salix cinerea) and birch (betulosum pubescentis). The communities of these facies found some floristic differences, which made it possible to attribute them to different variants: var. Cicuta virosa and var. Kadenia dubia. Carex juncella, C. cespitosa and Comarum palustre dominate in the field layer of the tussock mires. In the C.j.–S.r. spiraeetosum salicifoliae subassociation communities near the Kaibasovo, the average total projective cover (TPC) of the tree layer is 7%, shrubs – 34%, grasses – 48%, tussocks – 20%, ground mosses – 14%. Average tussock height is 59 cm. Average species saturation of the communities is 27 species of vascular plants and 18 species of mosses per 100 m2, the volume of the local coenoflora is 39 species of vascular plants and 28 species of mosses. Six moss species (Brachytheciastrum velutinum, Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum, Bryum moravicum, Fissidens bryoides, Plagiomnium cuspidatum, Pylaisia selwynii) were found in the Ob communities of the C.j.–S.r. spiraeetosum salicifoliae for the first time. Due to this, the total volume of the moss flora of the subassociation Ob stands increased to 74 species. The analysis of the variability of the main coenotic and floristic parameters of the C.j.–S.r. spiraeetosum salicifoliae subassociation in the geographical space of the Ob floodplain (from the subtaiga subzone to the middle taiga one) is carried out. The main regularities of these shifts are revealed. The volume of the subassociation local vascular coenoflora (52-53 species) and average species saturation of the communities by vascular plants (20-21 species per 100 m2) are stable on the most of the Ob floodplain sections. At the same time, changes are observed downstream of the Ob River, which can be interpreted as an intracoenotic response of the subassociation communities to smooth changes in the ecological regime of the floodplain when moving in geographical space from south to north. Thus, from the south to the north, many average parameters increase in the subassociation communities, namely: the height of trees, TPCs of tree layer, tussocks and ground mosses, the species saturation with mosses (from 4 to 18 species per 100 m2). The species richness of local moss floras also increases from 11 to 54 species. On the contrary, the average TPCs of shrub and field layers from south to north decrease. A number of deviations from general trends were found in the Kaibasovo birch-shrub tussock mires, namely: high species saturation with vascular plants (27 species per 100 m2), low reach of vascular coenoflora (39 species). The first can be explained by the proximity of the studied mires to the Ob riverbed, the second – by the crowding of the relevés in a relatively small area of the floodplain.

Plant functional diversity and nutrient availability can improve restoration of floating fens via facilitation, complementarity and selection effects

Abstract Peat‐forming wetlands, particularly floating fens that form the initial stages of these ecosystems, are declining globally due to excavation, dehydration and eutrophication. Restoration typically involves reestablishment of early‐successional open‐water stages, with oligotrophic conditions that are characteristic for these systems. However, restoration success is notoriously limited. A potential improvement may be to initiate succession by reintroducing of target plant species. Knowledge is therefore needed on (a) which plant functional groups should be re‐introduced to stimulate fen formation; and (b) how to manage nutrient levels during restoration, considering that plant growth may be slow in oligotrophic conditions. We hypothesized that increasing functional diversity of introduced species would stimulate the formation of peat‐forming target communities, their biomass accumulation and expansion onto open water. We also hypothesized that nutrient availability would mediate the relative contribution of specific functional groups to these effects. We investigated this in 36 artificial outdoor ponds by manipulating plant functional diversity (clonal dominants, clonal stress‐tolerators and interstitials) on constructed rafts with fen‐forming communities, and subjected these to a range of nutrient loadings over 2 years. Increasing functional diversity as well as increasing nutrient loadings had stimulating effects on plant biomass accumulation, cover formation and rhizome growth onto open water. Both complementarity (due to niche partitioning or facilitation) and selection effects were mechanisms underlying the diversity effect, with a constant relative importance over the entire range of nutrient availabilities. Different functional groups were important for biomass production at different nutrient availabilities. Rhizome formation by clonal stress‐tolerators contributed disproportionately to open water colonization, identifying this functional group as key across all nutrient levels. Synthesis and applications. Restoration of floating fen communities can be stimulated during the first 2 years by introducing a high functional diversity of plant species. These include fast‐growing clonal species, clonal stress‐tolerators and interstitials, which facilitate each other. Restoration is dependent on the presence of clonal stress‐tolerators such as Calla palustris, Comarum palustre and Menyanthes trifoliata for expansion onto the open water. Furthermore, restoration can start under a wide range of water nutrient levels, including eutrophic conditions.

Contents of macro-, microelements and long-lived radionuclides in the medicinal plants belonging to the wetland community of Siberian region, Russia

Studied contents of macro-, microelements and long-lived radionuclides in the following medicinal plants belonging to the wetland community of Siberian region, Russia: Sphagnum fuscum (Schimp.) Klinggr., Sphagnum balticum (Russ.) Russ. ex С. Jens., Polytrichum strictum Brid., Pinus sylvestris L., Pinus sibirica Du Tour, Betula pubescens Ehrh., Andromeda polifolia L., Ledum palustre L., Oxycoccus palustris Pers., Rubus chamaemorus L., Vaccinium uliginosum L., Comarum palustre L., Chamaedaphne calyculata (L.) Moench. Samples were collected in the sphagnum wetlands of Tomsk region and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug. For the purpose of research, we used roots, shoots and bark of the plants in the Pinophyta and Magnoliophyta species and turf of the Bryophyta species. The content of macro-, microelements in the plants was determined by an atomic emission spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma “iCAP 6300 Duo” of the “Thermo Scientific” company. The specific activities of the long-lived radionuclides Th-232, K-40, Ra-226, Cs-137 were measured by a gamma-ray spectrometric complex with a high purity germanium semiconductor detector by “ORTEC” (AMETEK) and a digital analyser “ORTEC DSPEC LF”. The obtained results of the element content are useful when selecting a medicinal plant species (or part thereof) which may be used in preparation of new medicinal drugs.

Regional and Vegetation-Ecological Patterns in Northern Boreal Flark Fens of Finnish Lapland: Analysis from a Classic Material

We analysed and interpreted ecologically a part of classic peatland vegetation material of prof. Rauno Ruuhijarvi dating from 1960. Sample plots formed a compositional gradient along NMDS 1 across three traditionally recognized peatland subzones of Finnish Lapland, and Cajanderian site types showed a poor—rich gradient along NMDS 2. Analysis-based major vegetation groups were related to the regional and the mire-expanse-to-margin gradient. Southerly-focused Eriophorum gracile—Potentilla palustris—Straminergon stramineum major group was interpreted as an indication of a more voluminous spring flood in a more oceanic climate, while northerly-focused Carex rotundata—Trichophorum cespitosum m. g. was interpreted as a reflection of a minor spring flood in a more continental climate. Regional communities were compatible with Cajanderian site types and showed new regional and vegetation-ecological features for site types. They were related to three European fen alliances, which represented boreal (Stygio-Caricio...

Natal origin affects host preference and larval performance relationships in a tritrophic system.

Many insects face the challenge to select oviposition sites in heterogeneous environments where biotic and abiotic factors can change over time. One way to deal with this complexity is to use sensory experiences made during developmental stages to locate similar habitats or hosts in which larval development can be maximized. While various studies have investigated oviposition preference and larval performance relationships in insects, they have largely overlooked that sensory experiences made during the larval stage can affect such relationships. We addressed this issue by determining the role of natal experience on oviposition preference and larval performance relationships in a tritrophic system consisting of Galerucella sagittariae, feeding on the two host plants Potentilla palustris and Lysimachia thyrsiflora, and its larval parasitoid Asecodes lucens. We firstly determined whether differences in host‐derived olfactory information could lead to divergent host selection, and secondly, whether host preference could result in higher larval performance based on the natal origin of the insects. Our results showed that the natal origin and the quality of the current host are both important aspects in oviposition preference and larval performance relationships. While we found a positive relationship between preference and performance for natal Lysimachia beetles, natal Potentilla larvae showed no such relationship and developed better on L. thyrsiflora. Additionally, the host selection by the parasitoid was mainly affected by the natal origin, while its performance was higher on Lysimachia larvae. With this study, we showed that the relationship between oviposition preference and larval performance depends on the interplay between the natal origin of the female and the quality of the current host. However, without incorporating the full tritrophic context of these interactions, their implication in insect fitness and potential adaptation cannot be fully understood.

Agrimoniin, an Active Ellagitannin from Comarum palustre Herb with Anti-α-Glucosidase and Antidiabetic Potential in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Naturally existing α-glucosidase inhibitors from traditional herbal medicines have attracted considerable interest to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-α-glucosidase activity of extracts from marsh cinquefoil (Comarum palustre L.), their hypoglycaemic action and detection of the responsible compounds. A 60% ethanol extract from C. palustre herb revealed the highest inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase (IC50 52.0 μg/mL). The HPLC analysis of the major compounds resulted in detection of 15 compounds, including ellagitannins, flavonoids, catechin and other compounds. Using HPLC activity-based profiling a good inhibitory activity of agrimoniin-containing eluates against α-glucosidase was demonstrated. The removal of ellagitannins from the C. palustre extract significantly decreased α-glucosidase inhibition (IC50 204.7 μg/mL) due to the high enzyme-inhibiting activity of the dominant agrimoniin (IC50 21.8 μg/mL). The hypoglycaemic effect of C. palustre extracts before and after ellagitannin removal, agrimoniin and insulin was evaluated on streptozotocin-induced experimental model. Diabetic rats treated with agrimoniin and C. palustre extract before ellagitannin removal showed significant increases in the levels of plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin and significant decreases in the levels of plasma insulin and hemoglobin. The data obtained confirm the leading role of agrimoniin in the antidiabetic activity of the herb C. palustre and allows us to suggest the use of this plant as a possible dietary adjunct in the treatment of DM and a source of new oral hypoglycaemic agents.

Растительность акватории и побережий озера Таловское и его окрестностей (Корякский округ, Камчатский край)

Растительность акватории и побережий озера Таловское и его окрестностей (Корякский округ, Камчатский край)

Copper and zinc concentrations of medicinal herbs and soil surrounding ponds on agricultural land

This study measured copper and zinc concentrations in medicinal herbs and soil sampled from three agricultural fields with ponds from mid-June till the end of July 2014. Six herb species were tested: Potentilla anserina L., Mentha arvensis, Achillea millefolium L., Comarum palustre L., Lysimachia vulgaris L., and Lycopus europaeus L. Two of the ponds were in the borough of Jabłonna Lacka and one in the borough of Sabnie. The fields around each pond were divided into transects with three concentric soil moisture sections, each with different soil water contents. Soil and plant samples were taken from each transect to determine the concentrations of copper and zinc by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Despite the use of fertilizers and pesticides in the fields, copper and zinc had not polluted the soil or the plants growing in the soil depressions. Out of the six plants tested, only C. palustre had an increased concentration of zinc. Different farming methods used on the fields affected the concentrations of copper and zinc in the soil of the different depressions. The highest concentrations of these metals were found in the soil of the periodically wet sections.

Flora and Vegetation of Lake Serkinskoye on the Turij Peninsula (Murmansk Region)

Lake Serkinskoye is situated on Tyrij Peninsula of the Kola Peninsula (Kandalaksha State Nature Reserve). Morphological and hydrochemical characteristics (pH, dissolved oxygen, mineral phosphorus, silicon) of the lake are presented in the paper. The checklist of macrophytes includes: Phagmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud., Equisetum fluviatile L., Potamogeton alpinus Balb., P. filiformis Pers., Sparganium angustifolium Michx., Carex lasiocarpa Ehrh., C. rostrata Stokes, Comarum palustre L., Menyanthes trifoliata L. The description of water vegetation is given. A classification scheme of vegetation was made using dominant-determinant approach. 7 vegetation formations and 9 associations were defined: Potametum filiformi, Sparganietum angustifolii, Equisetetum fluviatilis, Phragmitetum australis, Equiseto fluviatilis-Phragmitetum australis, Cariceto-Phragmitetum australis, Menyanthetum trifoliatae, Caricetum lasiocarpae, Caricetum rostratae . The mapping of water vegetation and spatial analysis of plant communities were made. Lake Serkinskoye was compared with other water bodies of the Kandalaksha Reserve. An addition to the trophic water bodies' classification of the Kandalaksha Reserve was made. A new trophic type - oligotrophic lakes - was distinguished. Lake Serkinskoe and Lake Pit'evoye, located on Lodeinij Isaland of the Severnij Archipelago (White Sea), were referred to this type.