Evaluation of Haemostatic Effects of Petroselinum crispum(Parsley) in Wistar Rats

Petroselinum crispum(parsley or garden parsley), besides its use as an edible vegetable, is used in the treatment of various ailments with documented evidence validating some of these medicinal uses. The present study evaluates the impact of oral administration of P. crispumon blood coagulation parameters. Fresh leaves of P. crispum were locally sourced, authenticated and extracted using ethanol to obtain an ethanolic extract of P. crispum (PCE). Twenty-five (25) male Wistar rats were used for the study and were randomly assigned to five (5) animals of five (5) rats each. Group I served as the control group and was given distilled water, whereas groups II, III, and IV were treated as experimental groups and administered PCE at 200, 400, and 800mg/kg via oral gavage, respectively. Group V also received 800mg/kg of PCE with the administration terminated on the 28thday to allow for a 14-day recovery period. Platelet count (PLT) and other platelet indices were determined using an automated Haematology analyzer. Bleeding time (BT), clotting time (CT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and plasma fibrinogen (FIB) were assayed following standard laboratory protocols. The results of the study show that the mean PLT were significantly reduced in the experimental animals compared to the control (p<0.05) while BT, CT, PT, aPTT and FIB significantly increased compared to the control (p<0.05). Also, BT, CT, PT, and aPTT recovered towards the control values after the 14-day withdrawal period. The present study shows ethanolic leaf extract of P. crispumprolonged blood coagulation. The current evidence suggests that P. crispumcould be a candidate for further exploration as a natural plant-based antithrombotic agent.

Thermoinhibition in parsley seeds / Termoinibição em sementes de salsa

Temperature can exert great influence on germination, being considered optimal the temperature in which seed expresses its maximum germination potential in the shortest period of time. The germination of parsley seeds is slow, irregular and uneven. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is occurrence of thermodormancy or thermoinhibition of parsley seeds as a function of temperature variations. The experimental design of the first stage was completely randomized (CRD) consisting of 7 temperatures and 4 replicates and the second stage in a 3x3 factorial scheme consisting of 3 parsley cultivars and 3 germination temperatures with 4 replicates. Seeds of the different cultivars did not germinate at temperature of 35°C. Parsley seeds showed thermoinhibition at high temperatures, being necessary to elucidate the mechanisms involved in this process.

A temperatura pode exercer grande influência na germinação, sendo considerada ótima aquela em que a semente expressa seu potencial máximo de germinação no menor período de tempo. A germinação das sementes de salsa é lenta, irregular e desuniforme. O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar se há ocorrência de termodormência ou de termoinibição em sementes de salsa em função da variação da temperatura. O delineamento experimental da primeira etapa foi inteiramente casualizado (DIC), constituído por 7 temperaturas, com 4 repetições e a segunda etapa em esquema fatorial 3x3, constituído por 3 cultivares de salsa e 3 temperaturas para germinação com 4 repetições. As sementes das cultivares estudadas não germinaram em temperaturas de 35°C. Sementes de salsa apresentam termoinibição em temperaturas elevadas, sendo necessário elucidar os mecanismos que estão envolvidos nesse processo.

Floral induction, production and seed quality of parsley cultivars as influenced by plants vernalization periods / Indução floral, produção e qualidade de sementes de cultivares de salsa em função de períodos de vernalização das plantas

In the production of parsley (Petroselinum crispum) seeds is recommended the cultivation in locations of low temperatures to permit the emission of floral stalk. The study aimed to verify the effect of vernalization on floral induction, production and quality of parsley seeds. Ten plants of three cultivars (Caipira, Chacareira and Lisa Grande Portuguesa (O. Enke)) grown in pots for six months were submitted to vernalization at 5 °C for 0, 15, 30 and 45 days. After treatment, the plants were transferred to greenhouse and evaluated for period and flowering percentage, seed yield per plant and seed quality. The seed quality was evaluated by weight of a thousand seeds, germination (percentages of normal and abnormal seedlings, dormant and dead seeds), first count of germination, accelerated aging, dormancy after accelerated aging, seedling emergence in the field and seed water content before and after accelerated aging. It was concluded that the vernalization does not promotes floral induction and production of parsley seeds. For Lisa Grande Portuguesa (O. Enke) cultivar, the vernalization of the plant for 30 days enables the production of seed with high germination and vigor. Parsley seeds dormancy can be caused by plants vernalization periods between 30 and 45 days depending on the cultivar, followed by the exposure of the seeds to the conditions of high temperature and relative humidity of the air (41 °C/100%, UR/72 h).

Na produção de sementes de salsa (Petroselinum crispum) recomenda-se o cultivo em locais de baixas temperaturas para possibilitar a emissão do pendão floral. O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar o efeito da vernalização (0, 15, 30 e 45 dias) na indução floral, produção e qualidade de sementes de salsa. Dez plantas de três cultivares (Caipira, Chacareira e Lisa Grande Portuguesa (O. Enke)) cultivadas em vasos por seis meses, foram submetidas à vernalização a 5 °C por 0, 15, 30 e 45 dias. Após o tratamento, foram transferidas para casa-de-vegetação e avaliadas quanto à época e porcentagem de florescimento, produção de sementes por planta e qualidade das sementes. A qualidade foi avaliada por meio da determinação da massa de mil sementes, teste de germinação (porcentagens de plântulas normais, anormais, sementes dormentes e mortas), primeira contagem de germinação, teste do envelhecimento acelerado, dormência após o envelhecimento acelerado, emergência de plântulas em campo, teor de água das sementes antes e após o envelhecimento acelerado. Concluiu-se que a vernalização não promoveu a indução floral e a produção de sementes. Para a cultivar Lisa Grande Portuguesa (O. Enke), a vernalização da planta por 30 dias possibilitou a produção de sementes com maior germinação e vigor. A dormência das sementes pode ser causada pela vernalização das plantas por períodos entre 30 e 45 dias, dependendo da cultivar, seguida de exposição das sementes produzidas a condições de altas temperaturas e umidade relativa (41 °C/100%UR/72h).

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Activity of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and Petroselinum crispum (Mill) Fuss.

Aims: To determinate the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity of several extracts from the species Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and Petroselinum crispum (Mill) Fuss. Study Design: Collection of plant material, extraction, preliminary phytochemical screening and evaluation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity of the plant extracts. Place and Duration of Study: Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Quindío, Colombia, between November 2009 and August 2010. Methodology: The fruit juice and the leaves ethanolic extract of Passiflora edulis (passion fruit) and the leaves ethanolic extract of Petroselinum crispum (Mill) Fuss (parsley) were assessed in vitro regarding their capacity to inhibit ACE. This enzyme’s activity was determined in serum by the method based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of the Furilacriloil - L - phenylalanyl - glycyl - glycine (FAPGG), by the serum ACE, to Furilacriloil - L - phenyl (FAP) and glycyl – glycine (Gly – Gly). Secondary metabolites families were identified using chemical qualitative assays. Results: Significant lowering of ACE activity was obtained with Passiflora edulis extracts but not with Petroselinum crispum (P = .05). The fruit juice and the leaves ethanolic extract from passion fruit, as well as the parsley leaves ethanolic extract showed inhibition percentages of 40.0 ± 11.5, 27.4 ± 8.6, and 1.1 ± 11.2%, respectively, by working with 0.1 mg/ml extract concentration in the reaction mixture. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids in the juice and in the Passiflora edulis leaves. Conclusion: Considerable angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity was found for Passiflora edulis extracts but not for Petroselinum crispum. The results suggest that there are potential ACE inhibiting secondary metabolites in the Passiflora edulis fruit juice and in the ethanolic extract of its leaves, possibly flavonoids, but not in Petroselinum crispum leaves.

Evaluation of the antibacterial potential of Petroselinum crispum and Rosmarinus officinalis against bacteria that cause urinary tract infections

In this study we evaluated the antibacterial activity of the crude hydroalcoholic extracts, fractions, and compounds of two plant species, namely Rosmarinus officinalis and Petroselinum crispum, against the bacteria that cause urinary tract infection. The microdilution method was used for determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The crude hydroalcoholic extract of R. officinalis displayed in vitro activity against Gram-positive bacteria, with satisfactory MBC for the clinical isolate S. saprophyticus. The fractions and the pure compound rosmarinic acid did not furnish promising results for Gram-negative bacteria, whereas fractions 2, 3, and 4 gave encouraging results for Gram-positive bacteria and acted as bactericide against S. epidermidis as well as E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) and its clinical isolate. R. officinalis led to promising results in the case of Gram-positive bacteria, resulting in a considerable interest in the development of reliable alternatives for the treatment of urinary infections.

Produção hidropônica de coentro e salsa crespa sob concentrações de solução nutritiva e posições das plantas nos perfis hidropônicos / Hydroponic production of coriander and curly parsley under concentrations of nutrient solution and plant positions in hydroponic profiles

O crescimento das plantas e a qualidade do produto final estão diretamente relacionados à solução nutritiva. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho do coentro e da salsa, sob concentrações de solução nutritiva e posições das plantas nos canais de cultivo, em sistema de cultivo hidropônico NFT. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo dispostas nas parcelas as concentrações da solução nutritiva (50; 75; 100 e 125%) e nas subparcelas as posições das plantas nos perfis hidropônicos (Inicial, Intermediária e Final), totalizando 12 tratamentos e três repetições. Plantas de salsa crespa e coentro apresentaram melhores rendimentos (produção de massa fresca, número de folhas e altura) sob cultivo com 100% da concentração da solução utilizada. Em análise, as posições inicial e intermediária dos perfis hidropônicos refletiram maiores rendimentos nas duas espécies estudadas. Em ambas culturas, o aumento da concentração para 125% é mais prejudicial ao desenvolvimento que a redução para 75%.

Plant growth and final fruit quality, in hydroponics, are directly related to the nutrient solution. This study evaluated the performance of cilantro and parsley, under different nutrient solution concentrations and plant position in the growth profiles, in NFT hydroponics growth system. The experimental design was completely randomized, in split plots, with plots in the nutrient solution concentration (50, 75, 100 or 125%) and the sub plots the plant position in the hydroponics profiles (Initial, Intermediate or Final), in a total of 12treatments and three repetitions. Curly parsley and cilantro presented best yields (production of fresh matter, number of leaves and height) under growth in 100% concentration of the utilized solution. The analysis showed that the initial and intermediate positions in the hydroponics profiles resulted in greater yield for both species studied. Increasing nutrient concentration to 125%, for both cultures, was more harmful for plant development than reducing it to 75%.