Neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries, represent substantial global health challenges due to their chronic and often progressive nature. While allopathic medicine offers a range of pharmacological interventions aimed at managing symptoms and mitigating disease progression, it is accompanied by limitations, including adverse side effects, the development of drug resistance, and incomplete efficacy. In parallel, phytochemicals-bioactive compounds derived from plants-are receiving increased attention for their potential neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This review will explore the therapeutic landscape of neurological diseases by providing a comprehensive overview of prevalent conditions and the current allopathic treatments available. Furthermore, this review will investigate specific phytochemicals, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids, that exhibit promise in modulating various disease pathways. Emphasis will be placed on the interactions between plant-derived compounds and prescription medications, highlighting both potential synergistic effects and possible adverse interactions. A thorough understanding of these interactions is essential for the development of integrative treatment approaches that enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing harm. By bridging traditional herbal medicine with contemporary pharmacotherapy, this review aims to promote a more holistic perspective on the management of neurological diseases, while also encouraging further research into safe and effective combinatory therapies.
Leaflet anatomy of fifteen Cassia L. sensu lato species from Sudan was studied including epidermal peels and sections through midrib regions in order to elucidate its importance in solving the problem of either amalgamate or segregate the genus into the three allied genera, namely: Senna Miller, Chamaecrista Moench, and Cassia L. sensu stricto. One type of cell shape (polygonal) as well as one type of stomata (paracytic) were shown from the epidermii of the leaflets of all species. Trichomes, when present, were always simple, unicellular, mostly thick-walled, with acute or rounded apices, sometimes with bulbous bases, straight or curved. The stomatal index and sections through midrib regions for the studied species did not support the segregation or amalgamation of the related genera, however, it proved to be useful in species identification.
The green tops of pineapple fruits create a concerning amount of waste. To reduce this waste, the green tops can be recycled by growing indoor pineapple plants and donating fresh fruits to underserved communities. However, growing pineapple plants indoors is not trivial due to the plant’s sensitivity to the amount of water in the soil. To overcome this barrier, this study developed a new device – Ananas Moisture Assessment Tool or AMAT for short – calibrated under pristine conditions (absorbent paper containing a known volume of water) and controlled conditions (soil samples with known moisture levels). Five LED lights representing different moisture levels communicated these conditions to the user. Furthermore, blind testing of this device demonstrated reproducible performance. Finally, a 3D printer was used to create a protective case for indoor use for the finished device. The AMAT is expected to solve three problems: 1) pineapple waste reduction, 2) freshwater conservation, and 3) maintaining optimal soil moisture for pineapple plants grown indoors. In the long run, this device can be adapted for other plants and larger-scale use, such as that used by farmers.
In Burkina Faso, widely used woody species are declining due to uncontrolled exploitation. Populations of Crateva adansonii D.C. (Capparaceae) and Sarcocephalus latifolius (Smith) Bruce (Rubiaceae), two valued trees for local communities, deserve to be studied in this context of overexploitation of natural resources. The aim of the study was to characterize the stands of the two species. More specifically, the work compares the structures of the stands in anthropized areas with those two protected areas (Classified Forest of Koulbi and Reserves of Bontioli). The research was carried in the South-western region of Burkina Faso (West Africa). Oriented inventories following stratified sampling were carried out in stands of the species in and around the protected areas. A total of 159 relevés were carried out. No adult stands of C. adansonii were found in the protected areas, whereas the density of the species ranged from 16 ± 14 to 38 ± 35 trees per ha outside the protected areas. The densities of S. latifolius are statistically the same inside and outside protected areas (from 34 ± 19 to 74 ± 39 trees per ha). Regeneration densities of the two species are higher in Koulbi than in Bontioli. Conservation measures must be reinforced by national environmental protection services, with the involvement of local communities in protecting these valued trees.
Drought and low soil fertility remain significant constraints to agricultural production in Burkina Faso. Agro-ecological practices like stone rows (SR), zaï (Z), and ridge tillage (RT) have been developed to cope with these challenges. This study aimed to determine the influence of SR, Z, zaï combined with stone rows (Z_SR), and RT on soil health and sorghum productivity. The experiment was set up in a randomized Fisher bloc design, with four treatments and five replications. Measurements were carried out on soil parameters and sorghum yield components. The results showed that SR, Z, and Z_SR increased soil moisture content by 5.73%, 23.16%, and 23.55%, respectively, compared to RT. They increased soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content and pH values. Additionally, they increased grains yield by 130%, 271.36%, and 268.57%, respectively, compared to RT, while straw yields increased by 6.78%, 93.29%, and 66.30%, respectively. The 1000-grain weight increased by 7.08%, 16.23%, and 16.01% for SR, Z, and Z_SR compared to RT. SR improved soil respiration. RT and SR influenced termite development. SR positively influenced the development of earthworms. These results affirm zaï and zaï combined with stone rows as climate-smart entry point to restoring degraded soil and boosting sustainable production.
The traditional Stokes' theorem connects the macroscopic circulation along a closed boundary to the microscopic circulation across the surface it encloses. However, it proves inadequate for addressing complex geometries such as helicoidal paths, non-planar flow patterns and dynamic systems with open boundaries. We introduce an extension of Stokes' theorem (EST) that provides a robust tool for interdisciplinary research in spiral/helicoidal dynamics, facilitating the evaluation of rotational forces and circulation in both natural and engineered systems with open boundaries. We apply EST to model the rotational dynamics of flower petals and the helical forces within the stems of Trachelospermum jasminoides, known as star jasmine. For the flower, we demonstrate the equivalence between the line integral along the petal boundary and the surface integral over the enclosed disk, effectively capturing the uniform rotational stress generated by tangential forces. EST enables the analysis of external factors such as wind or pollinator interactions, while providing valuable insights to deepen our understanding of floral mechanics and petal growth patterns. For the stem, linking microscopic circulatory forces to macroscopic flow patterns, we demonstrate the interaction of torsional and bending stresses caused by the helical geometry. This finding has significant implications for understanding plant growth biomechanics and structural stability as well as for quantifying nutrient and water transport within stems, where spiral dynamics play a pivotal role. In summary, EST streamlines the analysis of rotational and translational forces in systems governed by spiral and helicoidal dynamics, including physical and biological phenomena such as phyllotaxis and plant growth. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.
