Chemical composition and seasonal variation of the volatile oils from Siparuna guianensis Aubl. leaves collected from Monte do Carmo, Tocantins

Siparuna guianensis Aubl., known as “negramina”, “capitu”, is a small tree used for headaches, colds, fevers, as a healing agent, insect, and tick repellents. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and seasonal variability of essential oils from the leaves of S. guianensis. Botanical material was collected in Monte do Carmo, Tocantins, Brazil. The powder from the leaves was submitted to hydrodistillation in a Clevenger apparatus, and the identification of the compounds was performed by GC-MS. In volatile oils, 21.32% to 55.44% of sesquiterpenes, 19.95 to 49.73% of oxygenated sesquiterpenes, 0.48 to 1.55% of oxygenated monoterpenes, 0 to 5.67% of monoterpene hydrocarbons were identified, 0 to 48.2% of other compounds. The major compounds were γ-muurolene (13.99 to 35.97%), Curzerene (7.22-19.15%), Curzerenone (7.3-18.13%), 2-undecanone (3.99- 10.63%). The presence of two clusters was verified: cluster I, discriminated by the compounds Curzerenone, β-selinene, δ-elemene, corresponding to the months with the lowest index, and cluster II, discriminated by the β-burbonene, corresponding to the months with the highest index rainfall index. Comparing the present study with data from the literature, it is concluded that S. guianensis presents great chemical variability, which can be explained by genetic factors, seasonality, light, temperature, which can alter the production of metabolites. As S. guianensis has broad therapeutic potential as an antimicrobial and promising larvicidal activity, there is a need for agronomic studies to obtain specimens that require more interesting chemical components for the pharmaceutical industry. This study is the first carried out with oils from leaves collected in Monte do Carmo, Tocantins, Brazil.

Urban forest carbon stock and biodiversity assesment at Nagan Raya Regency

Urban forest at Nagan Raya Regency is located in the central government and becomes a green open space that provides many benefits both directly and indirectly for the entire community in the region. Nagan Raya urban forest has various types of trees that usually found in low land mineral soil, such as Vitex pubescens locally known as Mane and Artocarpus blumei locally known as Tarap. Besides, the urban forest of nagan raya has become the habitat of several species of primates, reptiles and birds. In order to calculate the carbon stock of Nagan Raya urban forest, we use the “carbon calculator” tool developed by Michigan State University. By using nested plot of 5 m x 5 m for pile (small tree) category; 10 m x 10 m plot for pole (medium tree) category and 20 m x 20 m plot for tree category. With 12 total plots that are systematically spread throughout Nagan Raya urban forest. Averagely, carbon stock at Nagan Raya urban forest is 353,72 tCha-1. Naturally, trees in the climax condition tend to have less increment and will rotten. We suggest that maintenance and replanting of Nagan Raya urban forest is necessary to replace plants that have entered the category of “old” or low increment with made regeneration types to optimize the function of Nagan Raya urban forest as one of the buffer systems for the urban community.

Hybrids of Solanum corymbiflorum and S. diploconos (Solanaceae) – a hope for new commercial varieties of edible fruits

Solanum diploconos (Mart.) Bohs („guava tamarillo”) and Solanum corymbiflorum (Sendtn.) Bohs („hardy tamarillo”) are wild relatives to subtropical, orchard, small tree – Solanum betaceum Cav. (called simply „tamarillo”). Both these species create edible fruits, but they have not been cultivated widely so far as fruit trees. However, each one of these species has valuable features. Solanum corymbiflorum is quite hardy to frost, deciduous and early blooming both in fenological year time as well as in its lifespan but has untasty fruits. Solanum diploconos has quite good tasting fruits and it is pest and disease resistant. This work has been an attempt to connect their best features in hybrids to create new, potentially commercial cultivars to grow as fruit plants. Three types of hybrids were created: F1 hybrid type – Solanum corymbiflorum × Solanum diploconos, BC1 backrossing type - (Solanum corymbiflorum × Solanum diploconos) × Solanum corymbiflorum and the second BC1 backcrossing type – (Solanum corymbiflorum × Solanum diploconos) × Solanum diploconos. Out of the numerous variable individuals within each type, we selected three very valuable from an agronomic point of view cultivars (Solanum 'Lynn', 'Pinczow Springs' and 'Iwona'). The work with crossing and selecting the next cultivars will be continued.

Health Benefits, Utilization and Characterization of Rhododendron arboreum (Ericaceae)

Rhododendron arboreum is a small tree, mostly found in the mountain areas with pale pink or deep pink flowers, widely spread throughout the world. It is a member of the Ericaceae family, and it is well-known for its lovely flowers. R. arboreum species is distributed widely among the 80°N and 20°S latitudes and is designated as ‘State flower’ of Himachal Pradesh (India) and ‘National flower’ of Nepal. Due to its many inherent phytochemical properties, it is used as a treatment for various diseases such as bacterial infection, diarrhoea, and headache, infamy, and fungal infections. The people living in the mountainous area historically use the flowers of this plant to make variety of products viz. juice, squash, jelly, syrup, pickle, honey. R. arboreum have several important polyphenolic and bioactive compounds such as saponins, flavonoids and steroids. This review highlights Rhododendron's nutritional properties, potential properties and medicinal properties and various products developed, which boost livelihoods of the rural tribal community for sustainable growth and treatment of various diseases.

Flora of Singapore precursors, 26: The genus Maesa (Primulaceae) in Singapore and clarification of Maesa ramentacea in Malesia

Two species of Maesa are recorded for Singapore: the scrambling species M. sumatrana Scheff. found in the Central Catchment area, and the small tree taxon M. leptobotrya Hance found primarily in the Bukit Timah area. Both species have traditionally been misidentified as the widespread species Maesa ramentacea (Roxb.) A.DC., and this taxonomic confusion is discussed; a key to the two species, descriptions and photographs are provided.

Ethnobotany of Valuable Medicinal Plants Available in Chhattisgarh Plain Region of Balaghat District, Madhya Pradesh

Background: Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh is one of the largest tribal dominated district in Central India. Baiga and Gond are the main two tribes of the Baihar, Birsa, Paraswada, Langi, Kirnapur, Katangi, Balaghat, Waraseoni and Lalbarra tehsils of Balaghat district. These tribes have enormous knowledge about medicinal properties of the plant species available in natural ecosystems (forests and grasslands). Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the plants used by these tribes for seminal debility and other diseases. Methods: Survey was carried out during 2019-20 in Biahar, Birsa, Paraswada, Langi, Kirnapur, Katangi, Lalburra and Waraseoni tehsils of the district Balaghat. Judgmental/purposive sampling method used to collect the required information from the tribes of the locality. Result: Total 35 most important plants were used for curing various diseases and injuries. Along with their botanical description, we explained the method of intake of the plant medicines to cure the diseases. Around 39% of the plants used to cure seminal debility comes under herb category whereas shrub (28%), climber (11%), grass (6%), twiner (6%), small tree (5%) and big tree (5%). Whereas, 76% herbs utilized for curing other diseases, followed by shrub (18%) and twiner (6%).

UNDERSTANDING THE THERAPEUTIC AND PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF COMMI-PHORA MUKUL (GUGGULU): A CRITICAL REVIEW

Guggulu has been a key element in the ancient Indian Ayurvedic system of medication. It has been used extensively by Ayurvedic Acharya for thousands of years to treat a large variety of disorders, besides its use in the pharmaceutical and perfume industries. Guggulu is a gum or resin extracted from the plant Commiphora mukul or Guggulu tree. Guggulu is a shrub or small tree belonging to Burseraceae family. a small perennial tree or shrub up to 1.2-1.8 m high, occurring in rocky tracts of Rajasthan, Barar, Khandesh, Maisoor, Kathiyabad, Belari. Exudate is collected during the winter season by making the incisions in the bark or summer, falling from the bark itself1. Guggulu has 5 types that are- Mahishaksha, Mahaneel, Kumuda, Padma, Hiranya. Guggulu is Vishad (non- unctuous), Tikta (bitter), Ushna Virya (hot in potency), increases Pitta, Sara (laxative), Kashaya (astringent), Katu (pungent) in taste, Katu in Vipak (pungent after digestion), Ruksha (causes dryness) and Laghu (light). Chemical compositions of Guggulu are volatile oil, resins and gum, Guggul sterole, Z-guggul sterone, E-guggul sterol-I, II and III, Sesasmine, Cholesterol, Mukolol and other steroids. It has Shothhar, Vedanasthapan, Vranshothan, Vranaropan and Jantughna effects. It uses as an external application in Aamvata, Katishul and Sandhishul. Keywords: Aamvata, Commiphora mukul, Guggulu, Kushtharoga, Sopha, Medoroga

Pharmacological properties and Medicinal applications of Halleria lucida L. (Family Stilbaceae)

Halleria lucida is a shrub or small tree widely used as traditional medicine in southern Africa. This study critically reviewed the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of H. lucida. Literature on medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of H. lucida was collected from multiple internet sources such as Elsevier, Google Scholar, SciFinder, Web of Science, Pubmed, BMC, Science Direct and Scopus. Complementary information was collected from pre-electronic sources such as books, book chapters, theses, scientific reports and journal articles obtained from the University library. This study revealed that H. lucida is used as an ornamental plant, protective charm, and traditional medicine for blood pressure, earache, evil eye, scabies and skin complaints. Ethnopharmacological research identified cyclohexadienone, cyclohexanone, cyclohexanols, flavonols, flavonoids, glycosides, polyphenols and proanthocyanidins from the leaves and stems of H. lucida. The leaf, root and stem extracts of H. lucida and the compounds luteolin-5-O-β- D-glucoside and verbascoside isolated from the species exhibited antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, phytotoxic and mutagenicity activities. Since H. lucida extracts are widely used as traditional medicines, there is need for extensive phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological evaluations of the extracts and compounds isolated from the species.

Thilachium madagascariense (Capparaceae), a new species from eastern Madagascar with a key to the species of the genus

SummaryThilachium madagascariense Fici, a small tree characterised by 1-foliolate leaves with articulate petioles, leaf blades elliptic or narrowly obovate with base attenuate and apex acuminate, flowers in groups of 2 – 3 at the top of lateral twigs and a high number of stamens, is described and illustrated from forest habitats of eastern Madagascar. The new species is similar to T. laurifolium Baker, a species endemic to central and eastern Madagascar, differing in the longer leaves with acuminate apex, flowers conferted at the top of lateral twigs, shorter pedicels, higher number of stamens and shorter gynophore. Its affinities are discussed and an updated key is provided for all the species of the genus Thilachium.