Selected Plant Species Research Articles

Safety and Efficacy of Medicinal Plants Used to Manufacture Herbal Products with Regulatory Approval in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction The Uganda National Drug Authority requires phytochemical screening, freedom from microbial contamination, and evidence of safety and efficacy of the constituent plants to register herbal products. Since Uganda has no pharmacopeia, safety, efficacy, and plant processing information are not readily available. We documented the plant materials used to manufacture products in Uganda and established evidence of their safety and efficacy and availability of monographs. Methods The NDA register of herbal products was reviewed, and a product list was extracted. The herbal products were purchased from local pharmacies, and their labels were studied to identify plant ingredients and drug use. Literature was reviewed to document evidence of the safety and efficacy of the plant materials concerning manufacturer's claims. Also, the WHO and available African Pharmacopeia were searched to establish the availability of the plant monographs. Results Of the 84 NDA-registered local products, only 18 were obtained from the market; 82% were indicated for respiratory tract disorders. Thirty-three plant materials were listed with Eucalyptus globulus Labill, being the commonest. Several in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate efficacy, thus supporting the use of the selected plant species for empirical treatment as stated on the product label. While most plants were safe, some species such as Albizia coriaria Oliv. had dose-dependent toxicities that cannot be predicted in combinations. The WHO, African Pharmacopoeia, and West African Herbal Pharmacopoeia had only 16 plant monographs of the 33 plants of interest. Nevertheless, Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f., Azadirachta indica A.Juss., Zingiber officinale Roscoe, and Allium sativum L. monographs were published by all three pharmacopoeias. Conclusions Preclinical evidence of safety and efficacy exists in the literature for most of the plants used to manufacture registered herbal products in Uganda. More specific bioassays and clinical trials are required for the products to provide conclusive evidence of safety and toxicity. Monographs are urgently needed for the Ugandan plants.

PRIORITAS TANAMAN REVEGETASI PASCATAMBANG BATUBARA BERDASARKAN NILAI KELAYAKAN EKOLOGI

Post-mining reclamation includes various activities of structuring, restoring, and improving environmental quality. Revegetation contains replanting activities that are part of post-mining reclamation. Several considerations are needed in determining the choice of plant species for revegetation activities. This study aims to determine the order of priority for the selection of revegetation plant species based on criteria and indicators of ecological value. The research location was in the revegetation area of PT. Adaro Site Tanjung, South Kalimantan. A total of 6 measurement plots (40mx25m) were made using purposive sampling method in determining the selected measurement plots. Each measurement plot was divided into 4 measurement sub plots to measure the number of species, number of individuals, diameter and height of revegetation plants. The indicator criteria used as an analytical tool contain 6 criteria and 8 indicators. The eight indicators are the contribution of the species diversity index, growth percent, number of individuals/ha, dominance, species authenticity, canopy cover, natural introduction of new plants, and the rate of weathering of litter. The revegetation plant species assessed were Akasia (Acacia mangium), Johar (Cassia siamea), and Sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria). Data were analyzed quantitatively through scoring against the total value of the indicators or categories made. The order of priority for revegetation plants is P.falcataria (score 24 = high score), Johar (score: 23 = high score), and Akacia (score: 19 = low score). Ecological feasibility indicator criteria developed in this study can be used as a model for the selection of species to be developed in post-coal mining revegetation area

Re-vegetation Improves Soil Quality by Decreasing Soil Conductivity and Altering Soil Microbial Communities: A Case Study of an Opencast Coal Mine in the Helan Mountains.

Microbial communities constitute a diverse genetic resource pool in the soil and are key indicators of soil health and quality. How re-vegetation affects soil microbial diversity and community composition at the dump of an opencast coal mine is largely unknown. Using high-throughput sequencing, we performed a comparative study of the bacterial and fungal communities from non-vegetated (bare land) soil and from areas re-vegetated by Astragalus laxmannii, Halogeton arachnoideus, and Artemisia desertorum at an opencast coal mine in the Helan Mountains in western China. These results indicated that re-vegetation significantly reduced soil conductivity. The soils re-vegetated by all three plant species showed greater richness of bacterial species than the bare land, and soils re-vegetated with A. desertorum and A. laxmannii showed significantly greater richness of fungal species than bare land. The bacterial and fungal β-diversity values differed significantly between vegetated and non-vegetated soil, and these differences were more pronounced for bacterial communities than for fungal communities. Re-vegetation significantly increased the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota and decreased the relative abundance of Chloroflexi. The decreasing soil conductivity that occurred with re-vegetation was found to be an important environmental determinant of the soil microbial community. This study provides evidence that re-vegetation may enhance soil quality via decreasing soil conductivity and altering the soil microbial community, and A. laxmannii was found to be a more effective species than H. arachnoideus or A. desertorum with respect to decreasing soil conductivity and altering the soil microbial communities in the Opencast Coal Mine arid region. This work may provide a helpful guideline for selection of plant species for re-vegetation projects.

The Phytoremediation Potential and Physiological Adaptive Response of Tamarix tetrandra Pall. Ex M. Bieb. during the Restoration of Chronosequence Fly Ash Deposits

The challenging process of identifying and selecting plant species suited to the phytoremediation of fly ash (FA) dumps involves studying their functional properties and physiological response to a deficit of essential elements and toxicity from heavy metal(loid)-induced oxidative stress. We hypothesised that Tamarix tetrandra has high potential to be used for the phytoremediation of FA deposit sites thanks to its secretion strategy and antioxidative system. In this study, this hypothesis was examined by determining the bioconcentration and translocation factors for As, B, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Se and Zn at the FA disposal lagoons at the ‘Nikola Tesla A’ thermal power plant in Obrenovac, Serbia, three (lagoon L1) and eleven (lagoon L2) years after the phytoremediation process had begun, and by measuring parameters of photosynthetic efficiency and chlorophyll concentration, non-enzymatic antioxidant defence (carotenoids, anthocyanins and phenolics), oxidative stress (concentration of malondialdehyde—MDA) and total antioxidant capacity to neutralise DPPH free radical activity. Tamarisk not only showed the ability to phytostabilise As, Cr and Ni and to accumulate low-availability Mn, Zn and Cu, but also the potential to maintain the structural and functional integrity of cell membranes and stable vitality at L1 under multiple stress conditions due to the high synthesis of phenols and tolerance to increased salinity. However, toxic concentrations of B and Se in leaves induced oxidative stress in tamarisk at L2 (reflected in higher MDA content and lower vitality) and also decreased the synthesis of chlorophyll, carotenoids, anthocyanins and total antioxidant activity. In addition, the prooxidative behaviour of phenols in the presence of spin-stabilising metals from FA could also have resulted in their weaker antioxidant protection at L2. These findings indicate that the choice of tamarisk was justified, but only at the beginning of the phytoremediation process because its presence contributed to an improvement in the harsh conditions at FA deposit sites and the creation of more favourable conditions for new plant species. This knowledge can be of great importance when planning sustainable ash deposit site management worldwide.

A Comparative Physicochemical Analysis of Seed of Cassia Auriculata and Cassia Tora

The present study is about to the scientific evaluation of Cassia auriculata and Cassia tora collected from the Western Ghats of Maharashtra state. The selected plant species has some applications in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. The present study was focused to screen the physicochemical analysis of C. auriculata and C. tora seeds and seed oil and to confirm - provide a scientific basis for its use in traditional medicine. The physical parameters of the seed of C.tora and C.auriculata are studied respectively, Density, hydration capacity, hydration index, swelling capacity, swelling index, etc.

A review on essential oil analyses and biological activities of the traditionally used medicinal plant Thymus vulgaris L

Since the old times, seeds producing plants have played a vital role in the progress of human culture to treat diseases. Medicinal plants are used traditionally by the local communities to treat diseases. Recently, a report has shown that more than 250,000 flowering plant species are available globally. Scientists are continuously working on higher plants to help and understand plant poisonousness and to defend humans and animals from natural toxins. A plant`s toxicity and its medical use are dependent on the plant’s volatile phytochemicals. Thymus vulgaris L is a common aromatic plant used widely as a folk medicine to treat various diseases by different ethnic communities around the globe including the Sultanate of Oman. Previous studies in Oman showed that the selected plant species contains several groups of phytochemicals such as essential oils and secondary metabolic compounds they can enhance their biological and toxicological activities. Therefore, the aim of the present review is to explore the volatile phytochemicals, biological and toxicological features of Thymus vulgaris grown in Oman. The results can be helpful for discovering new drugs to treat asthma, cough, chronic bronchitis and other infectious diseases. In conclusion, this review provides information on the volatile phytochemicals, pharmacological and toxicological aspects of the selected plant species.

Evaluation of the Air Pollution Tolerance Index of 12 Plant Species Growing in Environments with Different Air Pollution Levels

Background and objective Particulate matter (PM) is the most dangerous form of air pollution, and causes many diseases. Plants act as bio-filters to help reduce PM in the atmosphere. PM also influences the growth of plants, so selecting suitable plant species for specific environmental conditions is very important. The air pollution tolerance index (APTI) was used to determine the tolerance level of each plant species to air pollution. The purpose of this study was to determine the tolerance to air pollution of various plant species in order to identify plant species that can be grown in polluted environments; this was achieved by evaluating the APTI of plants. This study analyzed the biochemical parameters of 12 plant species at two sites with different air pollution levels (urban forest and roadside) to assess and compare the APTI of plant species. Methods The healthy leaves of 12 plant species (6 broad leaves and 6 needle leaves) that are commonly used in landscapes in Korea were chosen for this study. The same plant species were collected from two sites with different pollution levels and were analyzed immediately; one site was an urban forest (Chungcheongbuk-do Forest Environment Research Institute) with an area of 25 ha and featuring high vegetation coverage, while the other was at a high-traffic roadside next to a crossroads near the Cheongju Express Bus Terminal. We used the leaf samples to analyze four biochemical parameters of each plant: leaf extract pH (pH), relative leaf water content (RWC), total chlorophyll (TChl), and ascorbic acid. Finally, based on these values, APTI values were calculated. Results The APTI values were different between all 12 plant species at both sites with different levels of pollution. APTI had a significant correlation with the biochemical parameters of plants. Plants in the urban forest and at the roadside showed APTI values ranging from 6.89–9.37 and 7.57–9.94, respectively. The APTI of the roadside plant species tended to be higher than that of the plants from the urban forest. Among 12 plant species, Acer palmatum, Acer buergerianum, and Pinus densiflora had high APTI values. These plant species can serve as biofilters in environments with high air pollution. Conclusion The APTI of the 12 plant species in this study can aid in the selection of suitable plant species from environments with different levels of air pollution. The high APTI of some roadside plant species may show their tolerance under environmental pollution-related stress, or demonstrate their adaptability to the polluted environment. In the future, we need to examine more plant species under various environmental conditions to understand their tolerance levels to air pollution and to correlate plants with air pollution. Further, more studies on other air pollutants that can influence plant growth, such as SO2 and NOx, should be conducted.

A Review on the application of Macrophytes in Phytoremediation of Heavy metal Polluted water

Heavy metal pollution is a major source of pollution in the environment. Heavy metal pollution in ground and surface water threatens human health and the aquatic ecology. Traditional treatment approaches for removing pollutants from wastewater are typically expensive, time-consuming, harmful to the environment and inefficient. Phytoremediation is a low-cost, environmentally sustainable, emerging technology with a long-term application. The most important part of successful phytoremediation is plant species selection. Organic and inorganic contaminants are removed with great efficiency by aquatic macrophytes. Metal accumulator plants such as water hyacinth, water lettuce and duck weed as well as a few other aquatic plants, are commonly used to treat heavy-metal polluted water. In order to show the extensive applicability of phytoremediation, a comprehensive review about the aquatic macrophytes in phytoremediation has been compiled.

Phytochemical screening, antimycobacterial activity and acute toxicity of crude extracts of selected medicinal plant species used locally in the treatment of tuberculosis in Uganda

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of death globally, and the rise in drug-resistant forms of TB has become a significant threat. Subsequently, it is crucial to explore new, effective and safe anti-TB agents. This study aimed at conducting phytochemical screening, antimycobacterial activity, and acute toxicity of the selected plant species’ crude extracts to assess their toxicological potentials and efficacies against TB.MethodsThe aqueous and methanol/dichloromethane (DCM) (1:1) extracts of each selected plant species were subjected to phytochemical screening and antimycobacterial activity using microplate alamar blue assay. For acute toxicity, a single dose (2000 mg/kg) of the aqueous extracts was orally administered to each animal following the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines No. 425 and then observed for 14 days. The animals were closely observed on the general behavior and clinical signs of toxicity, and body weights were recorded. After the termination of the experiment, hematological, biochemical, and histopathological analyses were performed.ResultsThe extracts contained alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, resins, cardiac glycosides, phenolic compounds, and coumarins. Aqueous extracts showed moderate to weak activity against the susceptible (H37Rv) M. tuberculosis strain and weak activity against the MDR-TB strain with Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC μg/mL) ranging from 293.0–2344.0 and 1172.0–4688.0, respectively. Methanol/DCM extracts showed significant to moderate activity against the susceptible TB strain and moderate to weak activity against the MDR-TB strain with MIC (μg/mL) ranging from 98.0–586.0 and 293.0–781.0, respectively. One mortality was recorded from the A. coriaria treated group following the acute toxicity tests, but the LD50 of all the extracts was estimated to be above 2000 mg/kg. Histopathological analyses did not show any significant lesions in the examined organs except those from the A. coriaria treated group.ConclusionPhytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, resins, cardiac glycosides, phenolic compounds, and coumarins. All the methanol/DCM extracts of the plant species studied have promising antimycobacterial activity. The selected plant extracts studied exhibited low acute toxicity levels except for A. coriaria and could be safe for formulations into herbal products.

Effect of symbiotic associations with Frankia and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on antioxidant activity and cell ultrastructure in C. equisetifolia and C. obesa under salt stress

ABSTRACT Plants of the Casuarinaceae family are widely known for their ability to tolerate salt stress. Casuarinaceae are able to develop symbiotic association with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and with the soil bacteria Frankia. The aim of this study was to evaluate adaptation mechanisms of Casuarina to tolerate salt stress when interacting Rhizophagus fasciculatus and Frankia. Two species showing different salt tolerance levels, i.e. C. equisetifolia and C. obesa, were grown in sandy sterile soil, inoculated with R. fasciculatus and/or Frankia and then watered gradually with increased concentrations of saline solutions. Total antioxidant activity, antioxidant enzyme concentration, and salt effects on cellular ultrastructure of shoots were evaluated. C. obesa has a better salt stress tolerance compared to C. equisetifolia. Co-inoculation (R. fasciculatus and Frankia) improved the performance of both plant species in saline. Higher antioxidant activity was observed in C. obesa. At 400 mM of NaCl C. obesa revealed a maintenance of cellular integrity whereas cell membrane rupture and disintegration of cellular contents were observed in C. equisetifolia tissues. Our results suggest that a selection of appropriate plant species is important to improve plant performance in saline soils.

Utilizing Mediterranean Plants to Remove Contaminants from the Soil Environment: A Short Review

The use of contaminated soils in food production imposes the need for the reduction in heavy metals concentrations, using various techniques, in order to eliminate the toxic effects of pollution and ensure safety in the consumption of agricultural products. Phytoremediation is a promising, effective, and publicly acceptable method to remove soils’ toxicity. This study aims to investigate the current knowledge on plants’ metal tolerance mechanisms, the use of Mediterranean plants in phytoremediation, and the economic perspective for its application on large scales. A total of 166 research studies were systematically reviewed, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The findings indicate that phytoremediation has more advantages compared to other techniques. It can be a sustainable and affordable option, especially for developing countries, due to the relatively low application and maintenance costs. Many hyperaccumulating plants have been identified that can be used in soil cleansing, enhancing the applicability and replicability of the method. The selection of the appropriate plant species is based on their specific physiological characteristics to remove undesirable elements from the soils and, in certain cases, there is a preference for use of non-native species. However, such species may exhibit invasive behaviors, introducing high uncertainties and risks in the preservation of local ecosystems, especially in the Mediterranean zone, since they can have a serious impact on the environmental and ecological dynamics of the local plant communities. The use of native plants is generally more advantageous since they are better acclimated, have no effects on the local ecological balance, and can eliminate the legal restrictions for their use (seed availability, planting, etc.).

Geraniol and Carvacrol in Essential Oil Bearing Thymus pulegioides: Distribution in Natural Habitats and Phytotoxic Effect.

Phenolic and non-phenolic chemotypes of Thymus pulegioides L. are common in Europe. Essential oils of these chemotypes, as various compositions of allelochemicals, can have different phytotoxic effects on neighboring plants in natural habitats. The aim of this study was to establish the distribution of carvacrol and geraniol in T. pulegioides, growing wild in Lithuania, and compare phytotoxity of essential oils of carvacrol and geraniol chemotypes on selected plant species. In investigating 131 T. pulegioides habitats, essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Phytotoxity of essential oils extracted from carvacrol and geraniol chemotypes transmitted through water and air to selected plants was determined under laboratory conditions. Pharmacologically valuable Hypericum perforatum L. and the important forage grass Phleum pratense L. were respectively selected for experimentation from among 35 medicinal plants and 10 feed Poaceae species, growing in T. pulegioides habitats. Field results showed that carvacrol is common throughout Lithuania’s territory, whereas the geraniol is predominantly located under the continental climatic conditions of the eastern region of the country. In the laboratory experiment, it was established that there was stronger inhibition of P. pratense seed germination by the essential oil of the geraniol chemotype than the carvacrol chemotype. None of the H. perforatum seeds germinated after exposure to the essential oil of the geraniol chemotype. In general, this study builds on previous studies by providing further evidence that different T. pulegioides chemotypes have contrasting phytotoxic effects on neighboring plants within their natural habitats.

Carbon stock potential of Indonesian local fruit trees, some collections of Purwodadi Botanic Garden

Restoration programs improve the quality of degraded ecosystem and play a role in mitigating climate change. Selection of plant species based on carbon sinks has been widely used in such programs, including using fruit trees. The purpose of this study was to estimate the carbon stock of several local fruit species collections at Purwodadi Botanic Garden in order to determine their potential as carbon storage. Above ground C stock estimation was conducted using a non-destructive method by measuring stem diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height. The age of sampled fruit trees ranged between 20–60 years. Biomass was obtained by calculating using allometric equation. The results showed that sixty years old Diospyros malabarica (Desr.) Kostel. stored the highest carbon (163 Mg C.ha−1). Whereas, the lowest carbon stock was stored by forty years old Stelechocarpus burahol (Blume) Hook.f. & Thomson (1.4 C tonnes.ha−1). Findings of this study suggested that most observed local fruit trees are potential carbon sinks and must be promoted in restoration programs to help mitigate climate change. Diospyros malabarica (Desr.) Kostel, Flacourtia rukam Zoll. & Moritzi, Garcinia dulcis (Roxb.) Kurz,, Protium javanicum Burm.f, Sandoricum koetjape (Burm.f.) Merr., and Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels were recommended as priority species for restoration.

Reactualiting Phanera semibifida (Roxb.) Benth. from Sumatra, Indonesia as an Anticancer Agent and Phylogenetic Position

The increasing prevalence of cancer worldwide demands the intensification of efforts to develop natural solutions for its treatment. Herbal plants have provided a strong evident base in treating of this disease in many indigenous tribes in the world. Phanera semibifida has been widely used as a viable anti-degenerative drug for cancer treatment. This study reviews selected plant species with taxonomy status, phylogeny position, phytochemistry and pharmacology study based on a author’s research and literature review conducted through relevant keyword searches in databases, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Detailed analysis of research studies proves that P. semibfida can be used as an anticancer agent with strong basic evidence based on indigenous knowledge from traditional communities.

UPTAKE OF HEAVY METALS BY VEGETABLES GROWING ON SEWAGE SLUDGE

Concentrations of the investigated heavy metals in the representative samples of vegetable growing media differed significantly – the highest concentrations were in the root zone of pumpkin, and the lowest – in the root zone of tomato. Only cadmium exhibited higher concentrations in the root zone of pumpkin and zucchini exceeding maximum permissible limits according to LAND 20-2001. Concentrations of all other metals in the root zone of the investigated vegetables were below limit values valid for the 1st category sewage sludge. Mean concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the root zone was quite different for the three selected plant species, but comparably high bioavailable concentrations of the primary plant nutrients showed potential for this sludge to be used in agriculture or forestry. Concentrations of Cr, Ni and Pb in the sewage sludge were far below the critical range, while Cd, Zn and Cu concentrations were within the range or even above critical soil concentration values suggested in the reviewed literature. While average heavy metal concentrations in different parts of the investigated vegetables (pumpkin, zucchini and tomato) were much lower than the suggested critical ones, and was within the range (Cu, Zn, Cr and Ni) or even lower (Cd and Pb) than normal HM level in plants. Concentration of all of the investigated heavy metals was significantly lower in vegetable fruits than in the roots and no metal accumulation in the vegetable biomass (roots as well as aboveground parts) was observed – all accumulation coefficients were below unity.

Comparative phytochemical, thin layer chromatographic profiling and antioxidant activity of extracts from some Indian herbal drugs

Natural antioxidants play a significant role to prevent cell breaking and regenerate cells. Three plants native to India named dwarf morning-glory (Evolvulus alsinoides), Indian banyan (Ficus bengalensis) and chicory (Chicorium intybus) are used as medicine in India traditionally to treat diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the antioxidant activity as well as to compare phytochemical profiles of the aqueous extracts of the selected three plants. The dried plant powder was extracted with ethanol individually by using the Soxhlet method for eight hours and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. Similarly, the air-dried powder was extracted with water, and the water was evaporated. The thin layer chromatography (TLC) profile of the extracts was determined by using TLC densitometer and the antioxidant activity was determined by the conventional 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The TLC profile shows that there are no similarities of retention factor (Rf) values among the plant extracts which means all three plants contain different chemical compounds. The antioxidant activities of the aqueous extracts at different concentrations show different antioxidant activities. Percentage inhibition is dose dependent, as doses are increasing then percentage inhibition is also increasing for all three plant extracts. Among the selected plants, the highest activity was found in C. intybus and the lowest was in E. alsinoides. The order of the antioxidant activity among the selected plants was C. intybus < F. bengalensis < E. alsinoides. Based on the TLC profile and antioxidant activities, the highest activity of the selected plant species was evaluated.

Nutrient component analyses of selected wild edible plants from Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh, India: an evaluation for future food

Many wild edible plants have been traditionally used as foods and medicines among various ethnic groups. However, information about the nutrient components of these plants has yet to be scientifically tested. Therefore, this study evaluated the nutrient components of selected wild edible plants. It was found that nutrient content considerably varied among all the selected species. Digera muricata has the richest protein content among the selected plant species, and Dioscorea bulbifera has the highest fat content. Similarly, Spondias pinnata and Boerhavia diffusa were rich sources of vitamin-C and vitamin-E, respectively. D. muricata was found to be promising future food based on overall nutrient composition. These plants can offer a basis for developing dietary supplements and nutraceuticals on a commercial scale. Thus, scientific evaluation and validation of such underutilised plants and their products may prove an alternative future food.

Pollution monitoring using the leaf-deposited particulates and magnetism of the leaves of 23 plant species in a semi-arid city, Northwest China

We conducted a study of the leaf-deposited particles and magnetism of plant leaves in different functional areas (traffic areas, parks, and residential areas) in Lanzhou, China. The saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) of the washed and unwashed leaves of 23 plant species (including evergreen shrubs, deciduous shrubs, deciduous liana species, and deciduous trees) at three sampling heights (0.5 m, 1.5 m, and 2.5 m) was measured. In addition, the mass of the leaf-deposited particles was measured using the elution-filtration method and the leaf morphological characteristics were determined by scanning electronic microscope (SEM) analysis. The results revealed significant differences in particle retention capacity among the 23 plant species, with evergreen shrub species at the heights of 0.5 m and 1.5 m having higher particle concentrations. Buxus sinica, Buxus megistophylla, Prunus cerasifera, and Ligustrum×vicaryi were the most effective plant species for accumulating particles. The SEM results showed that leaves with a relatively complex adaxial surface (such as deep grooves and protrusions) were more effective at accumulating particles. The SIRM of washed leaves, unwashed leaves, and leaf-deposited particles were significantly higher in traffic areas than in parks and residential areas. In addition, significant correlations were found between SIRM of unwashed leaves and leaf-deposited particles and the mass of leaf-deposited particles, and therefore the leaf magnetic properties effectively reflect levels of PM pollution under different environmental conditions. Overall, our results provide a valuable reference for the selection of plant species with high particle retention capacity that is suitable for urban greening and pollution mitigation.

Bioactive Constituents and Toxicological Evaluation of Selected Antidiabetic Medicinal Plants of Saudi Arabia.

The purpose of this review is to summarize the available antidiabetic medicinal plants in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with its phytoconstituents and toxicological findings supporting by the latest literature. Required data about medicinal plants having antidiabetic activities and growing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were searched/collected from the online databases including Wiley, Google, PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. Keywords used in search are in vivo antidiabetic activities, flora of Saudi Arabia, active ingredients, toxicological evaluations, and medicinal plants. A total of 50 plant species belonging to 27 families were found in the flora of Saudi Arabia. Dominant family was found Lamiaceae with 5 species (highest) followed by Moraceae with 4 species. β-Amyrin, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, rutin, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol are the very common bioactive constituents of these selected plant species. This paper has presented a list of antidiabetic plants used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Bioactive antidiabetic phytoconstituents which showed that these plants have hypoglycemic effects and highly recommended for further pharmacological purposes and to isolate/identify antidiabetes mellitus (anti-DM) active agents also need to investigate the side effects of active ingredients.

SUSTAINABLE PLANTATION FOR RECLAMATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL SITE: A CASE STUDY

Performance of selected trees on municipal dumpsite at Mumbai has been studied for 30 months and results indicate that the tree survival rate was found to be 50% to 85 % respectively. Amongst the selected plant species, Rain Tree, Gulmohar, Australian Acacia and Neem were observed to be the fastest growing trees. Study shows how a dumpsite could be transformed from a highly unacceptable zone to ecological and environmentally sustainable. Study also attempts to evaluate the trees suitable for urban environment for dumpsite based on their carbon sequestration potential and conforming Sustainable Development Goals