Abstract

5% of the human population uses levothyroxine as a treatment for hypothyroidism. This research is targeted to observe the impact of a commonly used drug on the seeds of the most frequently consumed plants. The chia seeds and wheat seeds were treated with a concentrated solution of levothyroxine over the course of 4 weeks. After the seedlings grew, the plants were preserved in ethanol. Following a month of preservation, the plants were calcinated then their ashes were examined for their mineral composition. This study has shown a big influence of levothyroxine on the growth and sprouting of the Salvia hispanica and Triticum aestivum seeds.

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the histo-anatomy of Tussilago farfara L. species from the Asteraceae family, with medicinal importance in Romania for the alternative treatment of respiratory diseases (asthma, laryngitis, cough, emphysema) and other disorders. The chemical composition of Coltsfoot includes more than 150 chemical substances (triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, alkaloids) with different medicinal proprieties (expectorant, antimicrobial, antitussive) and contraindications (pregnancy, lactation, hepatic disorders). The vegetal material used in this study was collected from the waterside of river Sirețel in the village Sirețel from Sirețel commune in Iași County. The cross-sections were performed manually through vegetative organs (rhizome, stem, and leaf) with the help of a hand microtome and a botanic razor. The structures of the sections were highlighted by double coloration (iodine green and ruthenium red), the observation was performed on a Novex microscope. The characteristics structures observed by us (epidermis, vascular bundles, trichomes, angular collenchyma, assimilating parenchyma, stomata, mesophyll) correspond with Toma and Rugină (1998) observations and descriptions. Keywords: Tussilago farfara, histo-anatomy, respiratory diseases

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to highlight certain characteristics of the fruits of Sambucus nigra L. harvested from five different locations in Iasi County (N-E Romania). The following features were considered: histological (epicarp and mesocarp analysis), morphological (number of fruits, fruits fresh weight), physicochemical (refractometric index and total soluble solid substances-TSS) and biochemical (water and dry matter content, total mineral elements). Referring to the histological characteristics, epidermal cells were found to be rectangular, being prominently elongated in sample L2; the size of the hypodermic cells varied according to the analyzed samples and the mesocarp was thick in L1 and thin in L4 and L5. The number of fruits in corymbiform cymes showed value between 126.4±10.66 and 354.4±30.42. The fruits fresh weight showed values between 0.0967 g and 0.1468 g. The fruits harvested from the location 5 are characterized by high values for the parameters number of fruit/ corymbiform cymes, TSS, organic substance, and low values for the content of water and ashes. The above specified parameters indicate specific variations related to the fruits source location, a high content in water and solid matter, a moderate content in mineral elements, and a strong negative correlation between the water content and the soluble solid matter content. © 2019, University of Zagreb. All rights reserved.

Abstract

Abstract

The aim of this study was to carry out a histo-anatomical analysis on the stem, nodal branches and leafs of two Equisetum species, Equisetum pratense and Equisetum sylvaticum, commonly known as horsetail. This study was elaborated using color photographs made by the optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Using OM, we could investigate the epidermal wall cells, the outer cortex made of different types of tissues and the center cylinder organized into two regions, an external layer that enclosed vascular bundles and an internal layer represented by a large air cavity. The images achieved by SEM showed some differential characteristics concerning the trichomes and stomata but also the manner in which granules of silicon dioxide are spread throughout the surfaces of Equisetum species. These results may serve as a criterion for differentiation and may have taxonomic value in the Equisetum family because they represent elements of novelty in our country and abroad.

Abstract

The study provides information about separation and identification of natural bioactive compounds from beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) bark with potential therapeutic applications such as antibacterial activity against human pathogens. Beech is a common material used in the wood industry, but its bark is separated from the wood and is considered a by-product. In this study, natural compounds with biological activity were obtained from beech bark by hot water extraction. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to analyze the phenolic compounds in the beech bark extracts. Spectrophotometric methods were employed for the determination of total phenolic content. Microdilution technique was used for testing the antimicrobial activity of the extract. The following strains were tested: Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The yield of extracted polyphenols was of 22.952 mg gallic acid/g dry bark. The compounds identified by HPLC were vanilic acid, catechin, taxifolin and syringin. The extracts were active against Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The effect of polyphenolic extract on Gram-negative bacteria was absent at a concentration of 30 mg/mL beach bark extract. Altogether, the use of pure water for extraction of polyphenols from beech bark proved to be an effective eco-friendly method. This method sustains the concept of green chemistry by involving the use of renewable plant resources and also by using water as solvent.

Abstract

The present study had the aim to evaluate the mining plant activities impact on forest ecosystems taking a common sense view of determination, at foliar level, of photosynthetic pigments content, of catalase's and peroxydase's activity - as enzymes involved in the defense against the reactive species of oxygen, the Krebs cycle dehydrogenases' activity - as a main metabolic path generative of energy, but also of the microbial dehydrogenases' activity from soil as a ecologic biomarker with key role in maintaining the soil's quality. In parallel with the mentioned biochemical indicators were performed a series of histo-anatomic investigations. Were taken in study samples from the foliar tissue from two angiosperms species (Populus tremula_L. and Salix caprea L.) from areas of Suceava's County namely Radauti (the reference area) and Crucea-Botusana (area of uranium mining), but also samples of soil derived from different profiles of deepness (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm). The toxicity impact resulted as a consequence of anthropic activity of uranium holding in the Crucea area it is translated through an inferior content of a and b chlorophyll, the photosynthesis process being largely inhibited, in contrast with the superior net catalase's, peroxidase's, but also of foliar dehydrogenases' activity, these enzymes laying out values even four times higher comparatively with the reference lot. The structural differences evidenced especially at the foliar limb level of the two species could be due to the anthropic pollution resulted as a consequence of the mining activity.

Abstract

The paper present histo-anatomic aspects, recorded in seedlings of maize (Zea mays L.) grown under the influence of spruce bark polyphenolic extract (SBPE). Spruce barck polyphenolic extract was characterized in terms of the total content of polyphenols, tannins, flavonols, flavonoids and anthocyanins in a previous paper. It is known that, natural polyphenols are essential compounds in stimulating plant growth and development. The aim of this study was to identify the internal structure changes in maize seedlings, under the influence of SBPE, applied in two concentrations (SB1 - 190 mg GAE / L and SB2 - 130 mg GAE / L). It was observed, compared with the control, that SBPE determines a better development of the absorbents bristle and increase leading bundles number and central vessels metaxylem. SBPE in lower concentrations has positive effects that can be attributed to antioxidant properties. The results recorded in this study open new pathways of research in the field.

Abstract

The use of extractive mining technologies in various areas of Suceava, Romania (Calimani Mountains - sulfur, Tarnita-Ostra - copper and barite, and Crucea-Botusana - uranium) has resulted in the accumulation of surplus chemicals with direct action on the ecosystem. The aim of this study was to analyze the possible damage on some woody species (Picea abies L., Populus tremula L., Salix alba L., Betula verrucosa Ehrh., and Larix decidua Mill.) and their adaptive and phytoremediation capacity through the biomarkers of oxidative stress and histoanatomical observations. Thus, we determined the total soluble protein concentration and superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase activities. Cross-sections of the leaves were also made. The results proved the influence of anthropogenic pollution in all studied areas, but the greatest antioxidant defense system reactivity (compared to the control, the unpolluted area of Putna) was detected under the action of uranium on all woody species from Crucea-Botusana. Structural changes, such as the thickening of epidermal cuticle, the thinning of hypodermic cell walls, and the reduction of the phloem, were also observed and attributed to anthropogenic pollution.

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