Chronic inflammation is a major contributor to cancer progression, driven by persistent pro-inflammatory signalling and oxidative stress. Plant-derived bioactive compounds offer therapeutic potential by modulating these pathways. This study evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of leaf extracts from Cannabis sativa L., Plantago major L., and Ranunculus multifidus Forssk. in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Extracts were tested for cytotoxicity (MTT assay), nitric oxide (NO) inhibition (Griess assay), cytokine modulation (ELISA), antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS assays), and 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) inhibition. UPLC-MS analysis was used to identify potential phytochemical constituents. All extracts were non-cytotoxic at 5 - 15 µg/mL concentrations. The extract from R. multifidus had the highest NO inhibition (20%), followed by P. major (17%), while C. sativa exhibited no significant effect. The ELISA assay revealed extract-specific cytokine modulation. P. major strongly suppressed IL-6 and IL-1β and enhanced IL-10 secretion, while C. sativa inhibited IL-6, PTGS2 and moderately reduced iNOS. In contrast, R. multifidus showed variable effects and did not inhibit iNOS and IL-1β. However, it induced variable effects on IL-6 inhibition and IL-10 secretion. The antioxidant assays revealed potent radical scavenging: C. sativa achieved 92.5% DPPH scavenging comparable to ascorbic acid, while ABTS scavenging exceeded 90% for P. major and R. multifidus, closely matching Trolox. All extracts inhibited 15-LOX, with C. sativa showing the highest inhibition (96.2%). UPLC-MS identified the presence of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and Δ⁹-THC in C. sativa and verbascoside in P. major, while no major compounds were conclusively identified in R. multifidus. These findings provide the first evidence of cytokine modulation and anti-inflammatory activity by R. multifidus. Moreover, they highlight the complementary antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of C. sativa and P. major, supported by phytochemical evidence. These extracts represent promising natural immunomodulatory agents.
Brassica is the third most important oilseed crop in the world. A study was done to investigate the effects of seed priming with moringa leaf and stem extracts on Brassica juncea L. For the experiment, moringa leaf and stem extracts were used at concentrations ranging from 0% to 6%, separately and in combinations of both, along with a control (no seed priming). The seeds of Pusa Mustard – 21, Pusa Jai Kisan and Pusa Bold were used as experimental materials. The germination percentage, germination rate (days) and coefficient of germination velocity (%) were compared by sowing seeds in a petri plate on a moistened filter paper. The seeds were also sown in peat moss: vermiculite (1:1) v/v to compare the parameters like germination percentage, germination rate (days), germination index (%), fresh weight of seedlings (grams), dry weight of seedlings (grams), seedling length (cm), seedling vigor index I and seedling vigor index II. The treatment with different concentrations of moringa plant extract on mustard was done for two priming durations i.e., 4 hours and 8 hours. The results showed that priming Pusa Mustard – 21 seeds with 2% of moringa leaf and stem extracts in combinations for a duration of 8 hours gave better results. The germination and seedling characteristics of Pusa Jai Kisan and Pusa Bold increased when 2% stem extracts and 4% stem extracts of moringa for 8 hours was used respectively. Thus seed priming in moringa plant extract may be a convenient and a reliable approach to enhance the germination and seedling characteristics of Indian mustard cultivars.
The history and circumscription of Doria Thunb. is reviewed. Established in 1800 by Thunberg for a heterogeneous assemblage of southern African Senecioneae united largely by discoid or disciform capitula, the genus was progressively narrowed by subsequent authors but remained untypified. We designate Doria perfoliata (L.f.) Thunb. as lectotype, thereby fixing Doria as a synonym of Othonna L. and resolving the nomenclatural application of the name.
Alkali stress is a significant abiotic stress factor that negatively affects plant growth by combining high pH, ion toxicity, and osmotic stress components. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi establish a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, helping the plant take up water and nutrients and improve stress tolerance. This study investigated the effects of AMF application on morphological characteristics and the expression of genes associated with plant-pathogen interactions in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) grown under alkali stress. As a result of this application, the root and shoot lengths of the plant samples and the soil pH values were recorded. A decrease in soil pH values was observed with AMF application. The highest average root length, at 20.28 cm, is observed under the AMF/alkali stress treatment. The results indicate that both AMF application and alkali stress may be associated with increased root length. The highest average shoot length of 29.11 cm was observed in the control application. No significant effect of AMF application on shoot length was observed. The expression levels of the WRKY, NHO1, PR1, M(A)PK4, NOS, CML, Rboh, CNGC, and CPDK genes, which play important roles in the chickpea plant-pathogenicity pathway, were determined in root and leaf tissues using the quantitative real-time PCR method in the KEGG online database. In root tissue, the PR1, Rboh, and MAPK4 genes were suppressed in all treatments, while in leaf tissue, they remained stable only under AMF treatment. Almost all the other genes were upregulated in root tissue under AMF/alkali stress. Gene expression profiles vary in different tissues and under different treatments. As a result of the PPI analysis, it was determined that the CNGC gene does not directly interact with other genes. This study demonstrates that AMF modulates the expression of genes involved in plant defense and signal transduction in a tissue-specific manner under alkali stress conditions. The findings contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which AMF enhances alkali stress tolerance.
This paper presents observations of the in vitro gametophyte development pattern of Macrothelypteris torresiana using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, including spore germination, gametophyte development, and reproductive behaviour. Spores show germination within a week in Parker’s and Thompson's medium, and the percentage of spore germination is 26.30%. Spore germination is of the Vittaria type, forming a uniseriate germ filament 10 days after sowing. Prothallial development is of the Drynaria type. Spathulate stages appear in 20 days. Some unicellular glandular hairs develop on the margins of the spathulate thallus. Gametophytes show dimorphism. The male gametophytes are small, elongated spathulate, and the bisexual prothalli are cordate. A mature cordate prothallus develops in 50 days. The bisexual prothallus is protandrous; antheridia develop in 42 days and are restricted to the lower portion of the prothallus. The bisexual prothallus appears in 63 days. The first sporophyte appears in 65 days. The first leaf is simple and spatulate with a dichotomous vascular system, which later becomes much dissected. In the isolated population, 84% of the gametophytes produce sporophytes, and 96% produce sporophytes in the composite population. A mixed mating system is favoured in this species. Thus, prolonged spore viability, mixed mating system and low genetic load make the plant a good colonizer.
Sclerocarya birrea and Terminalia sericea are ecologically and socioeconomically important species across southern Africa, providing food and habitat for wildlife while supplying fruits, fuelwood, and other products harvested by local communities. They have been subjected to multiple human pressures, including exploitation for fuelwood, medicine, poles, and household utensils, as well as loss of habitat due to agricultural and urban expansion. This study aimed to analyze the abundance and population structure of S. birrea and T. sericea in Maputo National Park and its buffer zone. Both species showed significantly higher average density of stems outside the park. Cut stems were recorded only outside the park. The size class distribution of T. sericea, both inside and outside the park, followed an inverse J-shaped curve. For S. birrea, the size class distribution inside the park was bell-shaped and inside was bimodal. The indices used to analyze population stability suggest that the populations of T. sericea and S. birrea were unstable in both sampling sites. Woodcutters had no preference for any specific size when harvesting T. sericea while there was no woodcutting for S. birrea. These results suggest that the population structure of S. birrea could be influenced by fire and elephant, while the structure of T. sericea population could be influenced by coppicing ability. These findings highlight the vulnerability of S. birrea populations to disturbance-driven recruitment bottlenecks, particularly in protected areas where fire and herbivory interact to create demographic discontinuities.
Lantana camara L. is a widespread invasive shrub that suppresses native woody vegetation and alters soil properties in southern African savannas. Passive restoration following invasive species removal is widely promoted as a cost-effective strategy, yet evidence from Transfrontier Conservation Areas is limited. This study assessed vegetation and soil responses eight years after mechanical clearing of L. camara at two sites in the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, Zimbabwe: the Victoria Falls Rainforest protected area and adjacent Ndlovu Communal Land. Using a space-for-time design, 42 plots (25 × 25 m) were surveyed across cleared, invaded, and uninvaded patches. Native woody species composition and structure were assessed, and soil samples (0–15 cm depth) analysed for selected chemical properties. Cleared plots showed numerically higher native woody species richness (10.3–11.9 vs. 4.3–4.9) and stem density (468–493 vs. 180–208 stems ha⁻¹) than invaded plots, approaching uninvaded controls (16.1–18.3 species; 644–752 stems ha⁻¹). Significant treatment effects occurred for Shannon–Wiener diversity (2.0–2.1 vs. 0.9–1.3; p = 0.024), stem height (p < 0.001), mean stem diameter (p = 0.012), and canopy cover (p = 0.042), but not for species richness (p = 0.089) or stem density (p = 0.075). Mean stem diameter was lower in cleared plots (≈30 ± 10 cm) than controls (60–70 ± 10 cm). Canopy cover remained substantially below control levels. Soil properties showed weak responses with no significant overall treatment effects, although pH differed in the communal area (one-way ANOVA, p = 0.006). Re-invasion by L. camara occurred in 43% of cleared communal plots. These findings indicate that passive restoration can promote meaningful recovery of native woody vegetation within eight years, particularly diversity and structure, but soil recovery is slower and trajectories remain vulnerable to re-invasion.
