Trema Orientalis Research Articles

Evaluation of effect of <em>Trema guineensis</em> extracts on serum concentrations of vitamins A, D and E during CCl<sub>4</sub> induced hepatotoxicity in rat

The present study investigated the preventive effect of Trema guineensis on serum concentrations of vitamins A, D and E during hepatotoxicity in rat. The leaves of Trema guineensis collected from Abobo in the district of Abidjan were used for the preparation of the aqueous extract by decoction and ethanolic extract by maceration. Then, healthy adult Wistar albino rats were used for the experimentation. The animals were pretreated with the extracts at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg of body weight by oral route one hour before CCl4 intraperitoneal injection for seven days. The administration of CCl4 resulted in a significant decrease of vitamins A, D and E rates in the serum while the pretreatment by the extracts increased the concentrations of these vitamins. The extracts of Trema guineensis would prevent vitamins A, D and E deficiency in serum due to hepatic injury.

Concentrations of Fat-soluble Vitamins of Trema guineensis Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts and Rats Supplemented

This study was undertaken to determine vitamins A, D and E composition of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Trema guineensis and effect of supplementation of these extracts on serum concentrations of these vitamins. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Trema guineensis were obtained by decoction and maceration of leaves powder, respectively. Then, they were administered to animals at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight against a control group treated with distilled water for two weeks. Composition of vitamins in extracts and serum concentrations of vitamins A, D and E were performed by HPLC. Results showed that Trema guineensis extracts contained high concentrations of vitamins A, D and E. Thus, vitamins A and D serum concentrations were weakly influenced while that of vitamin E increased strongly during administration of Trema guineensis extracts. This study therefore showed that extracts of Trema guineensis had vitamins A, D and E and a beneficial effect on serum concentrations of these vitamins.

Characterization of Wood-Plastic Composites Made with Different Lignocellulosic Materials that Vary in Their Morphology, Chemical Composition and Thermal Stability.

In this study, four kinds of lignocellulosic fibers (LFs), namely, those from Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata), Taiwan red pine (Pinus taiwanensis), India-charcoal trema (Trema orientalis) and makino bamboo (Phyllostachys makinoi), were selected as reinforcements and incorporated into high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to manufacture wood-plastic composites (WPCs) by a flat platen pressing process. In addition to comparing the differences in the physico-mechanical properties of these composites, their chemical compositions were evaluated and their thermal decomposition kinetics were analyzed to investigate the effects of the lignocellulosic species on the properties of the WPCs. The results showed that the WPC made with Chinese fir displayed a typical M-shaped vertical density profile due to the high aspect ratio of its LFs, while a flat vertical density profile was observed for the WPCs made with other LFs. Thus, the WPC made with Chinese fir exhibited higher flexural properties and lower internal bond strength (IB) than other WPCs. In addition, the Taiwan red pine contained the lowest holocellulose content and the highest extractives and α-cellulose contents, which gave the resulting WPC lower water absorption and flexural properties. On the other hand, consistent with the flexural properties, the results of thermal decomposition kinetic analysis showed that the activation energy of the LFs at 10% of the conversion rate increased in the order of Taiwan red pine (146–161 kJ/mol), makino bamboo (158–175 kJ/mol), India-charcoal trema (185–194 kJ/mol) and Chinese fir (194–202 kJ/mol). These results indicate that the morphology, chemical composition and thermal stability of the LFs can have a substantial impact on the physico-mechanical properties of the resulting WPCs.

Design of Biomass Plant for Domestic use at Charia Community in Ghana

This research work seeks to mitigate the act of deforestation and save the natural vegetation by designing a biomass plant whose feedstock is cow dung for use by the Charia community of the Upper West Region of Ghana. Firewood has been the primary fuel for domestic purposes at Charia over the years. There has been a shift from the practice where dead (naturally dried) firewood was harvested as fuel. Increase demand for firewood has led to cutting down live trees, drying them and using them as firewood. Others burn these trees for charcoal. In this research, cow dung was collected from four kraals and its mass measured to establish the amount of cow dung expected daily. An average of 1428 kg of cow dung was realized per day. This amounts to a total volume of 57.12 m3 of biogas. This volume of biogas can serve a total of 952 families which is assumed to be made up of four individuals. It was further realized that, 100% of the community’s population can rely on the 57.12 m3 of biogas as per the daily mass of 1428 kg of cow dung with a reserve of 14.73%. A total of 319.59 kg of firewood is also going to be saved.

Effects of Dietary Fiber on Gut Retention Time in Captive Macaca cyclopis, Macaca fascicularis, Hylobates lar, and Pongo pygmaeus and the Germination of Ingested Seeds

Gut retention time (GRT), defined as the time needed for seeds to pass the digestive tracts of consumers, can affect the germination rates of ingested seeds. GRT can vary with the amount of dietary fiber consumed by primates. We investigated how dietary fiber affects GRT in captive individuals of four hindgut-fermenting primate species: macaques (Macaca cyclopis and Macaca fascicularis), gibbons (Hylobates lar), and orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus). We used Hylocereus undatus seeds as markers to measure GRT in each species when fed high- (18–22%) and low- (14–16%) fiber diets. We also examined the effect of GRT on seed germination in Ficus septica and Trema orientalis (germination time: mean ± SE = 10.4 ± 0.3, 86.9 ± 2.5 days, respectively) by comparing these seeds with the pulp removed, as a control. We found that GRT was longer when gibbons and orangutans fed on a high-fiber diet than on a low-fiber diet, but this was not the case for macaques. The percentage germination of ingested F. septica seeds was lower and germination time was longer than the control. T. orientalis seeds were less likely to germinate than control seeds were but did so more quickly if they did germinate after passing through M. cyclopis and P. pygmaeus. GRT decreased the germination rate of seeds of F. septica, but not seeds of T. orientalis. Together our results suggest that the effect of dietary fiber on GRT differs among primate species, and that the effect of such differences in GRT varies with the seed species they swallow.

Evaluation of Antalgic Activity and Trace Elements Analysis of Trema guineensis Extracts in Acetic Acid Induced in Rats

We evaluated centrally acting analgesic potential using tail immersion test and peripheral pharmacological actions using acetic acid induced writhing test in rats. The crude extracts of Trema guineensis leave plant were found to have significant analgesic activity at the intraperitoneal dose of 200 mg/kg body weight in two models. In the tail immersion test Trema guineensis increased significantly (P and 45 min. The aim of this study is also to determine the trace elements content in suffering rats of pain induced by acetic acid, using Atomic Spectrophotometer Absorption. Our results showed that trace element concentrations in Trema guineensis ethanolic extract in rats were as follows: Zn (6.92 ± 0.39 mg/L), Fe (37.95 ± 0.04 μmol/L), Cu (8.16 ± 0.12 mg/L) and Mn (0.56 ± 0.12 mg/L). We found following values with aqueous extract compared to NaCl as control: Zn (5.03 ± 0.47 mg/L), Fe (31.08 ± 0.07 μmol/L), Cu (6.69 ± 0.53 mg/L) and Mn (0.51 ± 0.07 mg/L). The intake of trace elements by TGE would lessen the pain generated in acetic acid in rats; this action is much more remarkable with the ethanol extract.

English

Malaria remains a major public health concern which affects millions of people, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The need for the development of alternate treatment means has become critical because of the emergence of resistance to nearly all antimalarial drugs (Kim and Schneider, 2013). Trema orientalis (L.) Blume (Ulmaceae) is used locally for the treatment of malaria. This study was designed to determine the anti-plasmodial activity of the acetone extract of T. orientalis and carry out a bio-guided separation of the extract. Acetone extract of T. orientalis leaves was investigated for its antimalarial activity in a mouse model of Plasmodium berghei using the 4 day suppressive test. Bioguided investigation was carried out by using column chromatographic fractions for in-vivo antiplasmodial screening. Preliminary spectroscopic profile of the most active fraction was obtained. Treatment with graded doses (100 to 800 mg/Kg) of acetone extract of T. orientalis resulted in significant chemosuppression of parasite growth that ranged from 44.0 to 83.8%. The most active fraction which was identified as M6 showed significant schizontocidal activity (P < 0.001). 1H NMR and Infrared spectra data indicated that the most active fraction contained flavonoids. This study justified the folkloric use of T. orientalis. Compounds from this plant could be a potential source of antimalarial agents. Key words: Antimalarial, PCV, Plasmodium berghei, anaemia, Trema orientalis.

Sun-Shade Plasticity in Leaf Traits of Early and Late-Successional Tree Species in a Low Land Rain Forest South West Sri Lanka

Light is one of the most limiting resources for plant growth and survival in lowland rainforests. Leaf morphology and leaf chemical characteristics have proven to be importantfeatures that adjust continuously to the changing light environment. The objective of thestudy was to investigate the plasticity of leaf traits of early and late-successional species, andto compare the plasticity differences in leaf traits of sun and shade leaves of these twogroups. Ten species were selected for the study: five early-successional species; Alastoniamacrophylla, Trema orientalis, Macaranga peltata, Wendlandia bicuspidate andSchumacheria castaneifolia and five late-successional species; Shorea congestiflora, Mesuanagassarium, Dipterocarpus zeylanicus, Shorea disticha and Shorea cordifolia.Sun and shade leaves of fully matured trees were collected from three sample locations.Measured chemical attributes are leaf nutrients (leaf Nitrogen and Phosphorus) and leafchlorophyll content. Chlorophyll: Nitrogen ratio was calculated using these values. Measuredmorphological attributes are leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, and leaf dry /fresh weight andderived parameters are leaf dry matter content and specific leaf area. Leaf trait plasticity wascalculated for each species based on the mean leaf trait values in the sun and shade.Most of the leaf chemical and morphological characteristics varied between sun and shadeleaves of early and late successional groups. Specific leaf area was higher in shade leavesthan sun leaves (p &gt; 0.05). In early- successional species, leaf trait plasticity was higher inspecific leaf area (19%), Nitrogen content (23%), Phosphorus content (31%) and it wasrelatively low in leaf area (5.7%), leaf length (4.2%) and leaf width (4.6%). In latesuccessionalspecies, leaf trait plasticity was higher in specific leaf area (10.3%), Nitrogencontent (16.4%) and Phosphorus content (21%) and plasticity was relatively low in leaf area(3.5%) and leaf length (4%).Early -successional species have shown a higher plasticity thanlate-successional species.

Differences in Survival and Growth Among Tropical Rain Forest Pioneer Tree Seedlings in Relation to Canopy Openness and Herbivory

AbstractAlthough differences in canopy openness, herbivory and their interaction may promote species coexistence, how these factors affect pioneer tree species and potentially limit growth, and survival has been poorly studied, particularly in tropical South Asia. We monitored the effect of canopy openness and herbivore damage on seedling survival and growth of 960 individuals of six pioneer tree species: Dillenia triquetra, Macaranga indica, Macaranga peltata, Schumacheria castaneifolia, Trema orientalis, and Wendlandia bicuspidata. Seedlings were placed in four gap‐understory positions—center, outer gap edge, inner forest edge, and understory—in four large, natural gaps within the Sinharaja World Heritage Reserve, Sri Lanka. Canopy openness positively affected survival probability beyond the 550‐d experiment, while herbivory decreased survival and was highest in understory conditions. The relative order of species survival stayed fairly consistent between gap‐understory positions and followed their known shade tolerance rankings. When averaged across all experimental conditions, T. orientalis had the lowest survival probability estimate beyond the 550‐d experiment (0.05), but the greatest capacity for growth where it successfully established, while the species with highest averaged survival probability (0.79), D. triquetra, showed the lowest growth. One species, W. bicuspidata, responded positively to herbivory by re‐sprouting. Coexistence of D. triquetra, T. orientalis, and W. bicuspidata can be explained by a trade‐off among species in survival, growth, and response to herbivory. In addition to variation in canopy light environment, herbivory may be important in determining pioneer species distribution through fine‐scale niche partitioning and should be carefully considered in reforestation efforts.

Trema orientalis Linn. Blume: A potential for prospecting for drugs for various uses.

Medicinal plants are used by traditional practitioners to treat several ailments. Ethnomedicinal studies on Trema orientalis Linn. Blume (Ulmaceae) have shown that it is used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, respiratory diseases, oliguria, and malaria. This article is aimed at providing comprehensive information on the medicinal uses, biology, phytochemical constituents, and pharmacological data available on T. orientalis. This has been done to explore its therapeutic potential for future research opportunities. This review was compiled with information obtained from databases such as Medline, Elsevier, Springer, Science Direct, Pubmed, Google Scholar, and a library search for articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Compounds present in the plant include tannins, saponins, flavanoids, triterpenes, phytosterols, and several constituents of xanthones. Some pharmacological research done on the plant has focused on, hypoglycemic activity, analgesic, anti-inflammatory activities, anti-plasmodial activity, diuretic activity, laxativity effect, anti-convulsant activity, anti-helmintic activity, anti-sickling effect, anti-oxidant, and anti-bacterial activity. This compilation strongly supports the view that T. orientalis has beneficial therapeutic properties, and indicates its potential as an effective herbal remedy for several diseases. The promising results from several research works could be further substantiated by clinical trials.

Breeding Ecology of the Malagasy Endemic Nelicourvi WeaverPloceus nelicourvi

Abstract The Nelicourvi Weaver Ploceus nelicourvi is endemic to Madagascar and information on its breeding biology is scarce and fragmentary. The behavior and parental care of the Nelicourvi Weaver were investigated in Maromizaha Park, eastern Madagascar, from November 2009 to January 2010. We found three nests located 250–700 m apart, suspended 3–10 m above the ground from branches of Nastus spp. (Poaceae) and Trema orientalis (Ulmaceae) above open areas such as streams or trails. The nests were bulky woven structures each with an extended entrance tunnel (ca. 14 cm long). Over a period of about 12 days, the males built the nest structures and the females contributed the nest lining material. The female alone incubated the eggs for about 15 days, and undertook most of the brooding of the young, with only some assistance from the male. During the nestling period, which lasted 13–25 days, both sexes delivered food (mainly beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars and occasionally small chameleons) to the nestlin...

English

This study explored the implications of both ecological and social economic characteristics on community livelihoods and environment in distinct villages namely Mwanambaya and Kwala in Mkuranga and Kibaha districts respectively. Both districts located in coastal areas of Tanzania experienced pressure on natural resources appearing in different ecological settings. Data were collected using different tools and the analysis employed SPSS package. Results showed that agriculture production is the main source of livelihoods by 78 and 74% of respondents in Mwanambaya and Kwala respectively. Fertile soils, available water, more and suitable pasture, more vegetation with large trees attracted pastoralist in particular Wasukuma and Maasai tribes to Kwala area. Exploitation of different natural resources including cutting trees for charcoal and building, overgrazing contributed to land degradation mostly in Kwala by 40 and 20% of respondents in Mwanambaya. This study has established that community livelihoods in both urban and rural areas of Tanzania depend on natural resources organized in a form of an ecological gradient. This organization allows for different livelihood systems to interact and thus creating impacts on ecosystems and social economic undertakings. In order to sustain ecosystems productivity, establishment and implementation of village land use plans is a necessity. This will further address conflicts over resource uses that may arise due to livelihood systems interactions. Key words: Agriculture, coastal region, ecological gradient, livelihoods, Ruvu river, Tanzania.

Nutritional Composition of Ten Ethnobotanicals Used for the Treatment of Anaemia in Southwest Nigeria

Aim: Ethnobotanical investigation revealed that Parquetina nigrescens, Sorghum bicolor, Terminalia catappa, Trema orientalis, Mangifera indica, Waltheria indica, Theobroma cacao, Harungana madagascariensis, Tetracera alnifolia and Detarium microcarpum are used traditionally for the treatment of anaemia in southwestern Nigeria. This study screened the plants for their proximate constituents and phytochemical compounds to provide scientific details for their therapeutic use for the treatment of anaemia. Study design: Proximate and phytochemical analyses of ten ethnobotanicals. Place and Duration of Study: Departments of Botany, Pharmacognosy and Animal Nutrition, University of Ibadan, between January and September, 2010. Methodology: Proximate and phytochemical analyses of plant parts of ten ethnobotanicals were carried out using standard laboratory methods. Data were analysed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Differences between means were assessed for significance at p<0.05 by Duncan’s Multiple range test (DMRT). Results: The habits of the tested plants were 60% trees, 30% shrubs and 10% herbs. The use-value of plant parts were 60% barks and 40% leaves. The highest value (19.95%) of crude protein was recorded for P. nigrescens . S. bicolor showed significantly (P < 0.05) high content of crude fibre (30.00%) and highest dry matter was obtained from T. cacao and T. catappa . Anthraquinones were present in Harungana madagascariensis , Theobroma cacao , Mangifera indica and Waltheria indica , 70% of the test plants contained tannins, and cardiac glycosides were present in all plant samples. This study, thus confirms the nutritional potential of the test plants in addition to their active phytochemical constituents. Their nutrients might complement the active phytocompounds in therapeutic activities. Research Article

Fruit nutritional composition and non-nutritive traits of indigenous South African tree species

Frugivorous animals play a major role in dispersing tropical, and to a lesser extent, temperate tree species. In order to attract potential seed dispersers, plants generally offer a reward of fleshy fruit pulp. Criteria for fruit choice by avian frugivores are influenced by a number of non-nutritive (e.g. fruit size and colour) factors; and nutritional composition of the fruit. There is a paucity of nutritional composition and other fruit trait data of indigenous South African fruit. This information is necessary in order to determine which frugivores are likely to ingest which fruits and consequently act as potential seed dispersal agents. This information would provide us with an understanding of the inter-relationships between indigenous fruit and frugivores in South Africa. Consequently nutritional composition was investigated in various indigenous fruit species that avian frugivores feed on. Fruits were collected from 38 indigenous tree species found in KwaZulu-Natal Afromontane and coastal forests. Pulp was freeze-dried to constant mass and then analysed for sugar, lipid and protein content; and for water content determination. Fruit width in this study ranged from 4 mm ( Searsia rehmanniana and Trema orientalis) to 40 mm ( Annona senegalensis, Ficus sur and Xylotheca kraussiana). Of the fruits examined in this study 29% were black and 43% were red when ripe. Most (84%) fruit species analysed for sugar content were hexose dominant with 50% being fructose and 34% being glucose dominant. Only 16% of the fruit species analysed were sucrose dominant. Fruits in this study were generally observed to be high (mean: 68.1 ± 3.3%; n = 30) in water content; and low in protein and lipid content respectively (mean: 8.2 ± 0.5%; 9.3 ± 2.2%; n = 30) indicating that these fruit species could be considered as nutrient-dilute. Future studies need to determine the nutritional composition of the remaining indigenous South African fruit in order to develop a comprehensive database as well as examining non-nutritive factors.

Genotoxicity detection of five medicinal plants in Nigeria

This study was performed to investigate the safety of Alchornea cordifolia, Cnestis ferruginea, Lonchocarpus sericeus, Trema orientalis, and Senna alata in respect to genotoxicity. These five medicinal plants are widely distributed in Africa. They are used as a traditional medicine in many African counties for the treatment of microbial, inflammatory, and stress-related diseases. To evaluate the bacterial reverse mutation of these five medicinal plants, the in vitro Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537, and Escherichia coli WP2uvrA, with or without the addition of S9 mixture was performed. Concentrations used for this test were 625, 2,500, and 5,000 µg per plate. A. cordifolia, C. ferruginea, L. sericeus, and T. orientalis showed negative results in the bacterial reverse mutation test, suggesting that it is potentially safe for these plants to be used in medicinal plants supplements at high doses. However, our experiments suggest that S. alata is a potent mutagen. Therefore, further studies are needed to evaluate the carcinogenicity of S. alata in order to adequately assess the risks for human health.

フィリピン・ピナツボ火山オドーネル川上流域における植生遷移と土壌性状にもとづく地力回復過程

This study examines vegetation succession and soil physico-chemical properties in the upper reaches of the O'Donell River, which have been affected by the seasonal lahar since the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, central Luzon, the Philippines. Field surveys and physico-chemical analyses of lahar deposits and soil were carried out in areas including the living zone of the Aeta to understand the land recovery process along with land management practiced by the Aeta. Seedlings of Ararong (Trema orientalis) associated with root nodule bacteria are widely distributed on the lower lahar terraces and it was pointed out that Ararong is a pioneer plant. It is also the dominant species of tree and shrub layers on higher lahar terraces, and has a tendency to reduce its height in response to increases in coverage of herbs such as Talahib, Magkakamote, and Bureok. Vegetation succession was divided into the following stages (I–IV) based on an interpretation of the development of the geomorphological surface and a vegetation survey. The former surface soil of the 1991 pre-eruption was tentatively defined as the goal of land recovery and was classified as Stage V. A grain-size analysis of lahar deposits and soils in φ scale was carried out by the dry sieving method. Chemical properties of lahar deposits and soils were examined by analyzing total carbon (T-C), total nitrogen (T-N), total phosphorus content (T-P), C/N ratio, pH (H2O), cation exchange capacity (CEC), base saturation (BS), and total elemental composition. Lower terrace of post-eruption lahar deposits with no vegetation (Stage I) and lower terrace of lahar with Ararong seedlings or herbs (Talahib, Bureok) had low T-C contents 0.2–0.58 g kg-1, and no significant differences were recognized between the two stages. The higher terrace of lahars with Ararong of 2–5 m height and herb coverage (Stage III) and ridge area affected by the 1991 pyroclastic flow and/or fall deposits, currently used as fields with shifting cultivation (Stage IV), had an increased T-C content of from 0.37 to 8.9 g kg-1 in response to the increased density of the vegetation canopy and number of vegetation species, which showed an exponential increase towards Stage V (21 g kg-1). The T-N content showed a slight tendency of nitrogen accumulation occupied by Ararong and rhizobial nitrogen fixation. As far as we examined soil pH (H2O), T-N, CEC, and BS, the soil fertility of the shifting cultivated field and the secondary forest (stage III, IV) in the upper reaches of the O'Donell River is equivalent to that of the fields on plains of the Bambang and Pasig-Potrero rivers. Nitrogen fixation by root nodule bacteria of Ararong, and available phosphorus supply originating from apatite in the lahar deposits are both accelerated by the elution of organic acids from herbs such as Talahib. Potassium supply from the weathering of plagioclase and biotite, the major minerals of lahar deposits, is also the basic process responsible for land recovery on the upper slope of Mt. Pinatubo. Based on analytical data from this study, it is found that the activity of the Aeta people of burning down secondary forests of Ararong to open small areas of arable land is not a regulating factor against land restoration. The soil-forming process, which is closely related to vegetation management from the activities of local people, may help us to understand the ongoing sustainable development in the upper reaches of the O'Donell River.

Vegetative propagation in Trema Orientalis Blume through stem cuttings, popular fodder tree foliage in Eastern Himalaya, India

Trema orientalis Blume provides nutritious and palatable fodder to the Mithun (Bos frontalis) which is an indigenous semi domesticated animal in humid tropics of Eastern Himalaya of India. This fodder tree has poor regeneration through seeds. Hence an experiment was conducted to evaluate the optimum conditions for successful vegetative propagation of this multipurpose tree species through stem cuttings. The study examined the type of cuttings (hardwood, semi hardwood and softwood), effect of Indole – 3 butyric acid (IBA) treatment (0, 200, 400, 600 mg/lt), the effect of season and wounding base of the cuttings. The rooting ability of the cutting was significantly influenced by all these factors. Semi hardwood cuttings during spring season performed better than others. On an average, IBA treatment (600 ppm), high humidity (&gt; 90%), spring season and wounding increased the rooting capacity of the cutting significantly (P=0.05). The wound at the base of soft wood cutting had resulted in enhanced sprouting and rooting capacity. Further, rooting was significantly improved in wounded hardwood cuttings compared to non wounded ones.

Study of Puffing Cell Walls

Since wood is porous it also is a good heat and sound insulating material. Puffing the cell wall may lose certain level of mechanical properties but would increase its insulation properties. In this study, Trema orientalis wood was first treated with nitric acid aqueous solution to damage the S3 layer of cell walls, followed by puffing the cell wall inward with saturated urea and ZnCl2 solutions. Results indicated that treating Trema orientalis with 10% nitric acid at 100 oC for 20 minute damaged the S3 layer of cell walls, and the subsequent treatment with urea and ZnCl2 saturated solutions caused the fiber tracheid walls to swell up to 76%. Then, the swollen material was dried with critical CO2 fluid to obtain puffed wood. SEM examinations of nitric acid-treated samples showed that lignin were removed from the S3 layer surfaces and S3 mirofibrils were ruptured causing the entire secondary walls to swell inward.

Isolation and Characterization of Lignin from Tropical and Temperate Hardwood

Dioxane and milled wood lignins (MWL) were isolated from tropical hardwood, Nalita (Trema orientalis) and temperate hardwood, aspen. These lignins were characterized by UV, FTIR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation, molecular weight determination, elemental and methoxyl analysis. The structural analysis revealed that Nalita and aspen lignin is syringyl-guaiacyl type. Aspen lignin had higher syringyl unit than Nalita lignin. The β-O-4 type linkages are the main interunit linkages and more abundant in aspen than Nalita. Dioxane lignin showed higher free phenolic hydroxyl group than MWL in both species. The weight average molecular weight of aspen lignin was lower than that of Nalita lignin. Nalita and aspen lignins contained both erythro and threo configuration, but erythro proton gave stronger peak. A UV absorption maximum of aspen lignin was at 274 nm, whereas it was shifted to 280 nm for Nalita lignin. Keywords: Trema orientalis, Aspen, Dioxane lignin, Milled wood lignin, Syringyl-guaiacyl, β-O-4 linkages DOI: 10.3329/bjsir.v44i3.4399 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 44(3), 271-280, 2009

Anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and diuretic activities of Trema orientalis Linn

The pharmacological interest coupled with traditional uses (antidiarrhoeal, antiseptic, analgesic etc) prompted us to test for anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and diuretic activitities of Trema (T.) orientalis Linn. The crude methanolic leaves extract of T. orientalis was investigated for its possible anti-inflammatory activities using carrageenin induced rat paw edema model and cotton pellet implantation method in mice. Then the extract analyzed for its antinociceptive activities by acetic acid induced writhing model in mice. The extract possessed significant anti-inflammatory activity in both models at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of mice. Moreover, the extract showed significantly reduced the number of acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction in mice of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. The extract also showed positive diuretic activity in albino mice.