Rhododendron Arboreum Research Articles

Water Stress Adaptations by Rhododendron arboreum Smith in The Himalayan Treeline Environment

Drought is amongst the most important climatic events which can severely impact natural ecosystems. The under-canopy Indian Himalayan tree species are less studied on water stress in harsh climatic conditions. Rhododendron arboreum is an ecologically and economically important tree species and distributed between 1500–3500 m asl in the Himalayan ecosystems. In this study, we have tried to assess the water stress adaptations by R. arboreum near the treeline ecotone located at 30°11´02˝N and 79°39´36˝E between 3100 and 3500 m asl elevation. Water potential (Ψ) was measured using a Pressure chamber and leaf conductance with the help of AP4 porometer. Soil moisture (Sm) across the depths was highly variable (p<0.05). The pre-dawn water potential (ΨPD) of R. arboreum tree varied between -0.12 and -0.91 MPa. ANOVA showed that the ΨPD of R. arboreum seedlings varied significantly across the years, seasons, and sites (p<0.05). The decline in osmotic potential at full turgor (Ψπ100) was -1.18 to -1.20 MPa in trees and -1.42 to -1.72 MPa in seedlings. The morning leaf conductance (gwAM) of R. arboreum trees ranged from 58.00 to 271.68 m mol m-2 sec-1. Correlation showed that the maximum leaf conductance in R. arboreum trees was observed when the ΨPD was -0.5 to -0.9 MPa. Water uptake function in plants is generally affected by winter frost which can change the Ψ, osmotic potential, and leaf conductance of plants. The ΨPD in the species was relatively high across all seasons in the treeline areas to disrupt physiological activities.

In silico and network pharmacology approach for mechanistic exploration of Rhododendron arboreum Sm. leaf in Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

<i>In silico</i> and network pharmacology approach for mechanistic exploration of <i>Rhododendron arboreum</i> Sm. leaf in Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Floral Fusion: Unravelling the Potent Blend of Ixora coccinea and Rhododendron arboreum for Health and Safety Benefits.

Ixora coccinea and Rhododendron arboreum are known for their traditional medicinal uses due to their diverse phytochemicals and pharmacological effects, which have attracted the interest of many researchers. This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic effects of their combined extracts. In vitro antioxidant activity against reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using the ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), nitric oxide (NO), and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assays, while anti-inflammatory effects were assessed via the membrane stabilization method. Docking studies were performed to evaluate the interaction of phytochemicals - anthocyanins, quercetin, and ursolic acid, which are present in these plants - with nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Standard protocols were used to evaluate embryotoxicity using the brine shrimp model and cytotoxicity using the zebrafish model, which is crucial for determining safe clinical dosages. The analysis revealed diverse bioactive compounds, including anthocyanins, quercetin, and ursolic acid. The formulation effectively inhibited ROS production at lower concentrations (inhibitory concentration 50%, or IC50 value ~2.8 µg/mL), indicating their potential for managing oxidative stress. Quercetin demonstrated the strongest interaction with all tested proteins, particularly NF-kB. Cytotoxicity and embryotoxicity assays revealed a dose-dependent effect (lethal concentration 50%, or LC50 value 82.4 µg/mL), with no adverse effects on developing embryos at the tested doses (5-80 µg/mL), suggesting the extracts are safe for clinical use, even during pregnancy. The combined extracts of I. coccinea and R. arboreum exhibit potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects without causing cytotoxic or embryotoxic effects, even at higher concentrations. This indicates their potential for safe clinical application in treating oxidative and inflammatory diseases.

Characterization, quantitation, and natural variability of phenolics in Rhododendron arboreum leaves of western Himalayan origin using UPLC-PDA and UHPLC-ESI-Q/TOF-MS/MS

Rhododendron arboreum Sm. is very popular in the Indian Himalayan region due to its significant ethnomedicinal importance and potential commercial applications. Apart from the ornamental value derived from its vibrant red flowers, fresh flowers are used to prepare medicinal juices, and dried are utilized as spices. Despite being a rich source of phenolics, these lack identified marker chemicals and validated methods. The present work encompasses the chemical investigation of R. arboreum leaves using UHPLC-ESI-Q/TOF-MS/MS. The chemotypic variability was assessed through a reverse phase ultra-performance liquid chromatography method coupled with a photodiode array detector (RP-UPLC-PDA) chemical signatures of R. arboreum leaves from different altitudes combined with chemometric analysis. The chromatographic method was developed and validated for the quantitative analysis of three vital secondary metabolites, i.e., Isoquercetin or Quercetin-3-O-glucoside (Qg), Reynoutrin or Quercetin-3-O-xyloside (Qx), and Quercitrin or Quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (Qr)The hyphenation of the method with ESI-Q/TOF-MS/MS has confirmed the distribution of 11 chemicals (nine known and two unknown) in R. arboreum leaves belonging to the phenolic and hydrolyzable tannins class. Samples from higher altitudes >3000 m (above mean sea level) were exceptionally rich in Quercitrin. The chemometric investigation, comprising hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and partial least square method-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), successfully categorized thirty-three samples from diverse geographic regions into two distinct categories. This current study provides a validated method for the chemotypic discrimination and quality assessment of the R. arboreum leaves from Uttarakhand, Western Himalayan region of India, and laid the foundation for the comprehensive utilization of these renewable and sustainable resources.

Laetiporus sulphureus in the mid-hills of Central Nepal: ecology, ethnomycology and present status

Laetiporus sulphureus is a well-known edible mushroom with a high medicinal value. It is reported from different places in Nepal, particularly from mid-hill areas. However, the ecology and ethnomycology of L. sulphureus were poorly known in Nepal. We aimed to study the ecology, ethnomycology, and present status of L. sulphureus from the mid-hills of Dolakha district, central Nepal. The habitat of L. sulphureus in the six different sites of the study area was surveyed to find out the dominant tree species and microclimatic conditions. Additionally, a questionnaire survey was conducted to document ethnic knowledge and the status of L. sulphureus. We found dominance of tree species such as Tsuga dumosa, Quercus semicarpifolia, and Rhododendron arboreum in the habitat of L. sulphureus. Dead and decayed logs/trunk of these tree species were found to support L. sulphureus growth. Regarding microclimatic conditions, an average temperature of 20 °C, a light intensity of 1000–2000 lux, and relative humidity of 65–80% were recorded under the canopy where L. sulphureus was growing. Fruitbodies of L. sulphureus were found to be collected by local people for food and medicinal purposes. Local people were found to use dried L. sulphureus powder for the treatment of aliments such as diarrhea and hematochezia. The availability of L. sulphureus was found to be declining due to overharvesting, logging of the host tree, and the removal of coarse wood debris. Collection of L. sulphureus fruitbodies and logging of host tree should be regulated for its conservation in wild habitat. This study provides valuable information about the possible substrate types and environmental conditions that could be used for the successful domestication of L. sulphureus at the study sites and similar locations.

Phytochemical Profiling and Antioxidant Evaluation of Rhododendron arboreum Sm leaf and flower: Integrative Analysis using Advanced Analytical Techniques

ABSTRACT Objective This study investigates the biological activities of Rhododendron arboreum Sm from the eastern Himalayas, addressing a literature gap on its properties. It explores the plant's phytochemical, antioxidant, and medicinal characteristics. Significance: Evaluating methanolic extracts of R. arboreum offers valuable insights into its bioactive potential. Comprehensive GC-MS analysis identified a diverse array of compounds, highlighting the plant's chemical composition. Methods: Methanolic leaf and flower extracts underwent sequential extraction and phytochemical profiling using column chromatography, TLC, and GC-MS analysis. Spectral studies aided compound identification, and antioxidant activity was assessed via spectrophotometric assays. Results: Column chromatography separated methanol leaf and flower extracts into 17 and 24 distinct fractions, respectively. TLC analysis showed specific Rf values for leaf (0.58, 0.65, 0.75, 0.8, 0.86, 0.9) and flower samples (0.91, 0.38, 0.48, 0.51, 0.56, 0.6, 0.65, 0.75, 0.85, 0.96). GC-MS analysis revealed a variety of organic functional groups, including aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic compounds, heterocyclic molecules, phenolic compounds, steroids, terpenoids, alcohols, esters, and other bioactive compounds. FTIR spectra identified functional groups such as hydroxyls, primary amines, alkanes, and alkynes. NMR data indicated a complex molecular composition with diverse proton environments. Leaf extracts demonstrated superior antioxidant activity compared to flower extracts in DPPH, ABTS, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, lipid peroxidation inhibition, and FRAP assays. Conclusion: The study identifies diverse phytochemicals in R.arboreum extracts and highlights their potential applications in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and functional foods, owing to the superior antioxidant activity of leaf extracts compared to flowers.

From petals to healing: consolidated network pharmacology and molecular docking investigations of the mechanisms underpinning Rhododendron arboreum flower's anti-NAFLD effects.

Rhododendron arboreum: Sm., also known as Burans is traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, adaptogenic, and anti-oxidative agent. It has been used since ancient times in Indian traditional medicine for various liver disorders. However, the exact mechanism behind its activity against NAFLD is not known. The aim of the present study is to investigate the molecular mechanism of Rhododendron arboreum flower (RAF) in the treatment of NAFLD using network pharmacology and molecular docking methods. Bioactives were also predicted for their drug-likeness score, probable side effects and ADMET profile. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) data was obtained using the STRING platform. For the visualisation of GO analysis, a bioinformatics server was employed. Through molecular docking, the binding affinity between potential targets and active compounds were assessed. A total of five active compounds of RAF and 30 target proteins were selected. The targets with higher degrees were identified through the PPI network. GO analysis indicated that the NAFLD treatment with RAF primarily entails a response to the fatty acid biosynthetic process, lipid metabolic process, regulation of cell death, regulation of stress response, and cellular response to a chemical stimulus. Molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation exhibited that rutin has best binding affinity among active compounds and selected targets as indicated by the binding energy, RMSD, and RMSF data. The findings comprehensively elucidated toxicity data, potential targets of bioactives and molecular mechanisms of RAF against NAFLD, providing a promising novel strategy for future research on NAFLD treatment.

Plant trait approach to assess the vulnerability of Rhododendron arboreum in western Himalayas

Climate change is profoundly impacting Himalayan ecosystems, with substantial challenges to keystone species like Rhododendron arboreum. Present study attempted to investigate R. arboreum response to varying environmental conditions at altitudes between 1500 and 3000 m in three western Himalayan temperate forests, through evaluating plant functional traits. IPCC's internal vulnerability framework, characterised by two dimensions: sensitivity and adaptive capacity was applied. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was applied to elucidate the relationship between traits and the dimensions. Sensitivity was analysed using sub components like Light Harvesting, Nutrient and Gas Fluxes, while adaptive capacity by Resource Efficiency, Architecture and Defence, Resource Limitation and Resource Facilitation. The results revealed high sensitivity (0.64) in moru oak forests, high adaptive capacity in moist temperate deciduous forests (0.59), and high vulnerability in ban oak forests (0.54). SEM Models for sensitivity and adaptive capacity were significant. Sensitivity exhibited positively significant influence of Nutrient and Gas Fluxes with path coefficient of 1.07 and 0.80, respectively. Adaptive capacity showed a positive relationship with the Resource Limitation and Architecture and Defence, while a negative relationship with Resource Facilitation, with a path coefficient of 0.94, 0.42 and −0.11, respectively. Overall, the vulnerability of R. arboreum to environmental changes is shaped by a complex interplay of physical characteristics (morphological), biological functions (physiological), and interactions with surroundings (ecological). These insights underscore the importance of understanding trait vulnerability dynamics for effective forest management strategies amidst changing environmental conditions.

NADES-based extraction optimization and enrichment of Cyanidin-3-O-galactoside from Rhododendron arboreum Sm.: Kinetics and thermodynamics insights

Cyanidin-3-O-galactoside (Cy3-gal) is the most widespread anthocyanin that has been found to be applicable to nutraceutical and pharmaceutical ingredients. Nevertheless, the process of separation and purification, susceptibilities to heat, and pH inactivation present some limitations. In the present study, natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) with an ultrasonic-assisted extraction method were briefly studied, and the recovery of Cy3-gal from Rhododendron arboreum was highlighted. The NADES, consisting of choline chloride and oxalic acid (1:1), was screened out as an extractant, and single-factor experiments combined with a two-site kinetic model were employed to describe the extraction process. Further, the work investigated ultrasound-assisted adsorption/desorption to efficiently purify Cy3-gal using macroporous resins. The optimal extraction conditions to attain maximum Cy3-gal yield was 30% water in a 50:1 (mL/g) solvent-to-sample ratio, 11.25 W/cm3 acoustic density, and 50% duty cycle for 16 min of extraction time. Under these conditions, the results revealed 23.07 ± 0.14 mg/g of Cy3-gal, two-fold higher than the traditional solvents. Furthermore, of the different resins used, Amberlite XAD-7HP showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher adsorption/desorption capacities (12.82 ± 0.18 mg/g and 10.97 ± 0.173 mg/g) and recovery (48.41 ± 0.76%) percent over other adsorbents. Experiments on the degrading behavior (40–80 °C) of the recovered Cy3-gal were performed over time, and the first-order kinetic model better explained the obtained data. In conclusion, the study asserts the use of ultrasonication with NADES and XAD-7HP resin for the improved purification of Cy3-gal from the crude extract.

Mass spectrometry and Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy profiles of red and pink Rhododendron flower petals establish them as rich sources of bioactive secondary metabolites

AbstractRhododendron petals are considered high‐value owing to their commercial utility, national/state flower status in certain countries, and bioactive potential from recent studies. Profiling and quantitative analysis of the bioactive metabolites would evaluate if they can be natural sources. This study is focused on the comprehensive profiling of secondary metabolites in the hot aqueous petal extracts of Red and Pink Rhododendron flowers (Rhododendron arboreum and Rhododendron campanulatum) using separation and fragmentation patterns from mass spectrometry (MS) (gas chromatography‐MS and liquid chromatography‐tandem MS) and chemical shifts from proton‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The complementary analytical platforms highlighted the petals to be rich in promising bioactive molecules such as quinic acid, chlorogenic acid (caffeoyl quinic acid), protocatechuic acid, coumaroyl quinic acids, catechin, epigallocatechin, and shikimic acid. The analysis also reflected the activity of shikimic acid, phenolic acid, and flavonoid biosynthetic pathways in Rhododendron flowers. These metabolites are well reported for their bioactive potential as anti‐oxidative, anti‐viral, anti‐cancerous, anti‐diabetic, anti‐inflammatory, etc. While the quantitative and multivariate analysis showed variations in the levels of phenolic acids and flavonoids, it is established that red and pink Rhododendron flower petals are a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals of interest to the phytochemical Industry.

Total importance value of medicinal plants in Jaunpur Range, Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand

The present study was intended to assess the total important value of medicinal plants in 5 villages of Jaunpur Range, Mussoorie Forest Division. Extensive field surveys were conducted at the study site throughout the different seasons of the year from November 2021- December 2022 to collect data. Data were collected using standard questionnaires. A total of 70 plant species were identified from 64 genera and 43 families. Among the 43 families, the maximum number of species were recorded in Rosaceae (8 spp.). The majority of identified species was herbs (36%), followed by trees (31%), shrubs (20%), climbers (7%), grass (4%) and ferns (2%). The ethnobotanical classification showed that most species are used for medicinal purposes (70 spp., 56%), followed by edible purposes (33 spp., 25%), uses such as fuel wood (8 spp., 7%), fodder (8 spp., 6%), timber (3 spp., 2%) and other uses (5 spp., 4%). Field observation revealed that most of the species were common (63 spp., 90%) in the study area, followed by uncommon (7 spp., 10%). In this study, the maximum number of species was found in the TIV 1-10% and the highest recorded TIV was 70%. The analysis of the total importance value (TIV) revealed that Grewia optiva, Diplazium esculentum, Berberis asiatica, Cedrus deodara, Lyonia ovalifolia Myrica esculenta, and Rhododendron arboreum were the plant species higher socioeconomic values, therefore it needs special attention and priority in conservation and management related activities.

First report of Botrytis cinerea on leaves of some old rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum) plants grown in Northern Italy

First report of Botrytis cinerea on leaves of some old rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum) plants grown in Northern Italy

Exploring the impact of polyphenolic compounds on the chromatic characteristics in flowers of Rhododendron arboreum Sm. collected from different altitudinal locations.

Rhododendron arboreum Sm. flowers grow in the Himalayan region and have traditionally been used in beverages and food. These wild edible Himalayan flowers are known for their sweet-sour flavor and beautiful scarlet red color. The primary pigments responsible for the scarlet red color of these flowers are anthocyanins. In the present study, we conducted chemo-profiling and elucidated the chromatic characteristics of R. arboreum flower petals growing in the wild in different altitudinal areas. The content of anthocyanins, phenolics, and other flavonoids was determined in R.arboreum flower petals collected from 38 different locations in two provinces in India (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand) to obtain a distinguishable chemical index. A UHPLC method has also been developed and validated for the quantitative analysis. Besides, the color characteristics of each collected floral sample were also analyzed. Chemometric analysis (principal component analysis [PCA] and heatmap analysis) revealed that floral samples collected from different altitudes exhibited similar chemical diversity, whereas statistical analysis (bivariate linear correlation) revealed a positive correlation between the color parameter a*/b* and cyanidin glycosides. Besides, non-targeted metabolomics analysis was carried out, which resulted in the tentative identification of 150 metabolites. The results revealed that there is a direct influence of accumulated anthocyanins to color parameter a*/b* values in the floral samples irrespective of altitude.

Documentation on traditional medicine used for Menstrual Disorders among The Poumai-Naga Women in Senapati District, Manipur

Menstruation is a natural and biological phenomenon in women of reproductive age. It is often associated with certain disorders. Millions of women across the globe are challenged with social stigmas and taboos related to menstruation. This paper aims to assess and compare the menstrual health information between rural and urban areas and explore the herbal medicine used by the Poumai-Naga community to combat menstrual disorders. Respondents included 5 traditional medicine practitioners and 230 women. An interview and survey questionnaire were employed to meet the objectives. After cross checking from literature published in menstrual disorders from different states of India and abroad, nine medicinal plants were noted to be extensively used by the people. Rhododendron arboreum Sm. was not found to be reported in any of the literature to treat menstrual disorders. Results also showed that women heavily rely on and prefer traditional medicine and home remedies over modern medicine. Though Traditional Herbal Medicine is used globally, it may come with undocumented risks. And therefore, it is recommended to test and validate every potential herb passing through the proper channel for proper and safe use.

Contradistinctive floral attributes, pollination guilds and their consequence on the outcrossing rate in two elevational morphs of Rhododendron arboreum Sm.

Infraspecific floral trait variations may appear in response to elevational differences in alpine plant species. There is enormous information on the selection of such morphs mediated by biotic and/or abiotic variables. Whether such differences contribute to differences in reproductive strategy and mating outcomes is rarely investigated. We investigated these aspects in two distinct elevational floral morphs (Red and Pink) of Rhododendron arboreum Sm. in Western Himalaya. The red morphs occupy the lower elevations while pink morphs the higher elevations. The two morphs differ in floral traits like phenology, dimension, display, quality of floral rewards, and pollinators that happen to influence interaction with available pollinator pool at each elevation. The pink morph exhibits entomophily, while the red ones show ornithophily. Although experimental pollinations established that both the morphs are self-compatible, selfing results in significantly lower fruit-set than either cross- or open-pollinations. The outcrossing rate in the red morph, as determined by using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, was higher (tm=0.82) than that in the pink morph (tm=0.76), with a tendency of the latter to be shifting towards mixed-mating strategy. However, the extent of biparental inbreeding was comparable among the two morphs. It is inferred that the differences in the mating outcomes among the morphs in the tree species are linked to those emerging from floral traits and the pollination by different functional groups of floral visitors.

Refining shape and size of silver nanoparticles using ion irradiation for enhanced and homogeneous SERS activity

We present green synthesis of silver nanoparticles in water using unirradiated and Ag15+\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^{15+}$$\\end{document} ion irradiated phytoextracts of Bergenia Ciliata leaf, Eupatorium adenophorum leaf, Rhododendron arboreum leaf and flower. The use of different plant extracts and their subsequent ion irradiation allow for successful refinement of nanoparticle size and morphology. Due to changes in reducing and capping agents the nanoparticle surface functionalization also varies which not only controls the morphology but also allows for surface oxidation and aggregation processes. In this work, we have synthesized silver nanoparticles which exhibit sizes in the range from 13 to 24 nm and having shapes like spherical, quasispherical, trigonal, hexagonal, cylindrical, dendritic assemblies, and porous nanoparticles. Owing to changes in the size and shape of the nanoparticles, their direct bandgap (2.05 eV - 2.48 eV) and local surface plasmon resonance (420 nm - 490 nm) could also be tuned. These nanoparticles are examined as SERS substrates, where their enhancement factors, limit of detection for methylene blue, and SERS substrate homogeneity have been tested. It has been observed the nanoparticles synthesized using unirradiated plant extracts present an enhancement factor of 106\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^6$$\\end{document} with a limit of detection 10-8\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^{-8}$$\\end{document} M. Whereas nanoparticles with refined morphology and shapes upon irradiation present high enhancement factors of >107\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^7$$\\end{document} and detection limit down to 10-9\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^{-9}$$\\end{document} M. In addition, uniformity in Raman spectra over the SERS substrates has been obtained for selected Ag NPs substrates synthesized using irradiated extracts with minimum relative standard deviation in enhancement factor < 12%.

Design of Hydrogel for the Drug Delivery of Less Permeable Ursolic Acid Isolated from Rhododendron arboreum Flower in Animal Skin Membrane

Ursolic acid (UA) is a pentacyclic triterpene that has antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. As it belongs to the biopharmaceutical classification system IV due to its poor water solubility and permeability restricts its use in clinical application. So, the research is focused on the development of hydrogel containing encapsulated liposomes of ursolic acid to increase its permeability. The ursolic acid liposomal gel was prepared with a 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% mixture of carbopol 934P and HPMC K4M as gelling agents. The pH and spreadability of liposomal gel were found to be in the range of (6.93±0.035 to 7.12±0.03) and (15.41±0.36 to 24.47±0.90) g.cm/sec respectively. The drug content was found to be in (19.77±0.02 to 20.11±0.02)%. The study of drug release kinetics showed Higuchi release followed by a non-Fickian diffusion mechanism. The result of the permeation study by Franz diffusion cell showed 1.55 times higher compared to the plain gel at the 5th hour of the study with a flux value of 0.455(mg/cm2/hr). It resolved the fast and enhanced delivery of liposomal ursolic acid through the skin membrane.

Quantitative ethnobotany of wild edible plants used by the Hattee community of District Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh, India

The present investigation was conducted to document the different wild edible plants and their ethnobotanical uses in the Rajgarh Block of District Sirmaur. Ethnobotanical information was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and interactions with the area’s indigenous community. Seventy-five species were recorded in 63 genera of 42 families as wild edibles from the study area. These wild edible plants have been assessed for cultural importance Index (CI) and factor informant consensus (Fic). Grewia optiva (1.31), Rhododendron arboreum (1.13), and Pyrus pashia (1.10) recorded the highest values of CI. Factor informant consensus (Fic) value ranged between 0.90 to 0.97. We recommend conducting further studies to explore the nutrient components and dietary importance of these conventional food resources.

Photocatalytic and antimicrobial studies of green synthesized Dy3+doped ZnO nanoparticles prepared from Rhododendron arboreum petal extract

In this study, the primary focus revolves around the synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) and dysprosium-doped zinc oxide (Dy-doped ZnO) nanoparticles utilizing a green chemistry approach, employing Rhododendron arboreum petal extract as a key component. A thorough characterization of nanoparticles has been carried out, involving a range of analytical techniques including UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. The structural examination confirmed the persistent hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO nanoparticles, which remained unaltered even with Dy doping. The XPS analysis corroborated the presence of lattice oxygen in addition to confirming the presence of Dy3+ and Zn2+. The results indicated that the incorporation of Dy3+ ions replaces Zn2+ ions in host ZnO leading to an increase in the defects inside ZnO. Based on HRTEM images, the particle size was determined to be 31 nm for ZnO nanoparticles and 39 nm for Dy-doped ZnO nanoparticles. FESEM imaging unveils a morphology reminiscent of pebbles, and EDX spectra provide additional evidence of the presence of Zn, Dy, and O elements within the nanoparticles, which aligns with the findings from XPS. Subsequently, these synthesized nanoparticles were harnessed for the remediation of novacron brown, a textile dye. Additionally, nanoparticles were explored for their antibacterial and antifungal properties which highlight the considerable potential of these nanoparticles in these specific domains.

In Vitro Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Medicinal Flower Laligurans Rhododendron arboreum Collected from Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

Rhododendron arboreum, known as Nepal's national flower and belonging to the Ericaceae family, thrives throughout the Himalayan region. This study investigates the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of Rhododendron arboreum flowers. Three different extracts were prepared at concentrations ranging from 10 to 640 μg/mL and assessed for their total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Results showed significant accumulation of antioxidant compounds (P < 0.05), with TPC levels of 37.78, 67.29, and 53.46 mg GAE/g and TFC values of 49.46, 67.46, and 65.71 mg QE/g for LGP, LGE, and LGA at 640 μg/mL, respectively. DPPH activity was highest in LGE (96.33%), followed by LGA (87.11%) and LGP (76.59%), compared to the standard (77.38%). The antibacterial properties were significant against Aeromonas hydrophila, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli at 100% concentration, with inhibition rates of 15%, 16%, and 17% for LGP, LGE, and LGA, respectively. These findings indicate that Rhododendron arboreum petals, rich in bioactive compounds, possess strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties, making them potential candidates for developing cost-effective therapeutic formulations. Further research should focus on isolating specific bioactive compounds and understanding their molecular mechanisms to enhance therapeutic efficacy.