Biological Characterization of Polystichum lonchitis L. for Phytochemical and Pharmacological Activities in Swiss Albino Mice Model.

Polystichum lonchitis L. is a fern belonging to the family Dryopteridaceae. The present study was conducted to evaluate its pharmacological, antioxidant, and phytochemical properties, and to conduct GC-MS screening of P. lonchitis. The acetic acid-induced writhing test, yeast-induced hyperpyrexia method, carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model, and charcoal meal test model were carried out to assess analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic activity, respectively. DPPH was used as an antioxidant, while the phytochemical screening was conducted using standard scientific methods. Among the pharmacological activities, the most significant effects were observed in the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, followed by the antipyretic and antispasmodic activities, at a dose of 450 mg/kg after the 4th hour, compared with 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg. For the evaluation of antioxidant activities, the most significant results were detected in the methanolic and aqueous extracts. The detection of flavonoids and phenol occurred most significantly in the methanolic extract, and then in the ethanolic and aqueous extracts. The main compounds detected using GC-MS analysis with a high metabolic rate was 𝛼-D-Galactopyranoside, which had a metabolic rate of 0.851, and methyl and n-hexadecanoic, which had a metabolic rate of 0.972. Overall, the results suggested that P. lonchitis had a strong potential for pharmacological activities. The suggested assessment provided a way to isolate the bioactive constituents and will help to provide new medicines with fewer side effects. Due to the fern's effectiveness against various diseases, the results provide clear evidence that they also have the potential to cure various diseases.

Kin and Non-Kin Connected Plants Benefit More Than Disconnected Kin and Non-Kin Plants under Nutrient-Competitive Environments.

In the natural environment, plants grow and interact with both conspecific and heterospecific neighbours under different environmental conditions. In this study, we tested whether Chenopodium quinoa Willd genotypes differ in growth performance when grown with kin and non-kin under nutrient limitation in pot partitioning treatments. Biomass accumulation, allocation, organ efficiency, and specific leaf area were measured at the end of the experiment. Response variables were differentially impacted by kinship, fertility, and barrier. Total dry mass, shoot dry mass, and root and stem allocation were greater for plants grown with kin in connected pots than with non-kin in connected pots across the nutrient treatments. Kin connected and disconnected plants had a greater specific root length, specific stem length, and average leaf mass than non-kin connected and disconnected plants. Non-kin connected and disconnected plants had greater LAR and SLA than kin connected and disconnected plants under low- and high-nutrient treatments. Plants always grew better in the presence of their kin than non-kin. These results conclude that quinoa plant production benefits from planting closely related individuals under both high- and low-nutrient conditions.

Phytochemical Analysis and hypoglycemic potential of Filago hurdwarica (Wall. ex DC.) Wagenitz in alloxan induced diabetic mice.

Plants have profound therapeutic benefits, more economical treatments, fewer side effects, and a relatively cheap cost, making them a source of drugs for protective, preventative, curative, or conducive purposes and creating novel phytomedicines. Plant derived medicines are relatively safe compared to synthetic medicines. Many plants have proved to successfully aid in the treatment of diabetes including Filago hurdwarica (Wall. ex DC.) Wagenitz. The current investigations were therefore designed to assess the phytochemical, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antihyperlipidemic activities of F. hurdwarica. The phytochemical investigations and antioxidant activities of different extracts were carried out using standard chemical tests, DPPH, and H2O2 scavenging assays. F. hurdwarica plant extract in Hydromethanolic solution were prepared by Soxhletation method and stored in refrigerator at 4°C for two days before use. Swiss Albino mice were made diabetic by a single dose of alloxan (150 mg/kg). Hydromethanolic plant extract and fractions of F. hurdwarica were screened for antidiabetic activity and given to the alloxan-induced diabetic mice at a concentration of 150-250 mg/kg of body weight in different groups of 6 diabetic mice each orally once a day for 15 days. Glibenclamide is also given to another group to as a standard drug to support the result at a dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight orally once a day for 15 days. Blood glucose levels and body weights of mice were measured on 0, 4, 7, 11 and 15th days. The study found that the extract was safe up to the dose level of 2000 mg/kg and the dose response effect of chloroform extract (150-250 mg/kg) of F. hurdwarica showed expressive antihyperglycemic effects and also improved other altered biochemical parameters associated with diabetes. The FTIR and XRD spectra demonstrated the occurrence of phenols, alcohols, alkenes, alkyl halides, ketones, and aromatic compounds and confirmed the amorphous nature of the extract. GC-MS spectral analysis showed the tentative presence of 31 phytochemical constituents in the chloroform extract of F. hurdwarica with different retention time. To conclude, the chloroform extract (250 mg/kg) of F. hurdwarica revealed considerable antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, and antihyperlipidemic potential and is safe for treating diabetes and related complications.

Pharmacological activities and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis for the identification of bioactive compounds from Justicia adhatoda L.

The current study aimed to assess the pharmacological potential of Justicia adhatoda by evaluating the presence of biologically active compounds using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry approach and to undertake biological activities for the effectiveness of the present compounds using standard tests. A total of 21 compounds were identified in the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction in which 14 of the identified compounds are recognized for their pharmacological potential in the literature. In total, four fractions (ethyl acetate, chloroform, n-hexane, and aqueous) were evaluated for pharmacological activities. In carrageenan-induced inflammation, the chloroform fraction exhibited high anti-inflammatory activity (46.51%). Similarly, the analgesic potential of ethyl acetate fraction was the most effective (300 mg/kg) in the acetic acid-induced test. Similarly, in the formalin test, ethyl acetate fraction exhibited maximum inhibition in both early (74.35%) and late phases (88.38). Maximum inhibition of pyrexia (77.98%) was recorded for the ethyl acetate fraction (300 mg/kg). In DPPH assay, the ethyl acetate fraction revealed the highest scavenging potential among other fractions (50 µg/ml resulted in 50.40% and 100 µg/ml resulted in 66.74% scavenging).

Salt Stress Alleviation in Triticum aestivum Through Primary and Secondary Metabolites Modulation by Aspergillus terreus BTK-1.

We report the growth promoting potential in wheat under saline conditions by an endophytic fungus Aspergillus terreus BTK-1. The isolated BTK-1 from the root of Chenopodium album was identified as Aspergillus terreus through 18S rDNA sequence analysis. BTK-1 secreted indole acetic acid (IAA), exhibited 1- aminocyclopropane-1- carboxylate deaminase (ACC) and siderophores activity, and solubilized phosphate. Wheat seedlings were exposed to a saline environment (0, 60, 120, and 180 mM) with or without BKT-1 inoculation. Seedlings inoculated with BTK-1 showed higher concentrations of IAA and gibberellins, whereas they showed low concentrations of abscisic acid compared to the BTK-1 non-inoculated plants. Also, BTK-1 inoculated wheat plants revealed significantly (P = 0.05) longer shoots and roots, biomass, and chlorophyll contents. On the contrary, plants without BTK-1 inoculation indicated significantly (P = 0.05) low amounts of carbohydrates, phenolics, prolines, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, with high amounts of Na and malonaldehyde under salt stress. Likewise, BTK-1 inoculated wheat plants showed high activity of reduced glutathione, and low activity of ascorbate, catalase, and peroxidase under salt stress. The mitigation of salinity stress by BTK-1 inoculated wheat plants suggested its use as a bio-stimulator in salt affected soils.

Taxonomic importance of spore morphology of selected taxa of Asplenium (Aspleniaceae) from Pakistan.

Taxonomic importance of spore morphology of seven taxa of genus Asplenium (Aspleniaceae) from Pakistan is illustrated with SEM. Spore morphology of the taxa were monolete with bilateral symmetry, distal and proximal view were ellipsoidal, spheroidal, equatorial view were hemicircular; perispore surface were alate, costate, costate-alate, with reticulate and tuberculate ornamentation. Taxonomic importance of spore morphology of seven taxa of Asplenium (Aspleniaceae, polypodiales) from Pakistan. Basionym, Synonyms with updated nomenclature. Spores are monolete, distal and proximal view ellipsoidal, spheroidal, equatorial view hemicircular, perispore with alate, costate, reticulate, and tuberculate surface. Habitat ecology with specimens examined from different areas of Pakistan and their worldwide general distribution.

Phytochemical Investigation and Therapeutical Potential of Cotinus coggygria Scop. in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice.

Plants are a significant source for the development of new phytomedicines due to their great clinical benefits, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, fewer side effects, and more affordable therapies. Numerous plants used in traditional treatments, such as Cotinus coggygria Scop., have been effective in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). Therefore, the study is aimed at assessing the phytochemical, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties of C. coggygria. The hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity was evaluated in Swiss male Albino mice by administering an oral dose of 150-250 mg/kg of C. coggygria extracts in alloxan-induced diabetic mice for 15 days. The antioxidant activity and phytochemical composition of the extracts were assessed by using α, α diphenyl-ß-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays and through standard chemical procedures. The effects of extracts on blood glucose, body weight, lipid profile, and biochemical parameters like total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipids (LDL), high-density lipids (HDL), plasma insulin, liver glycogen, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, and creatinine were determined according to standard procedures. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide-dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) were also analyzed spectrophotometrically. The hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects with chloroform extracts of 250 mg/kg were found significant in the treatment of diabetes in alloxanised mice compared to the diabetic group. The haematological parameters such as TC, TG, HDL, LDL, creatinine, urea, AST, ALT, and ALP were significantly improved (p < 0.01) by the chloroform extract of 250 mg/kg compared to the diabetic group. Treatment for 15 days showed significant elevation (p < 0.01) of antioxidant enzymes. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), column chromatography (CC), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses tentatively identified different phytoconstitutents and metabolites in C. coggygria leaves, which have been reported to possess antihyperglycemic properties. In conclusion, the chloroform extract of 250 mg/kg of C. coggygria possesses significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic potential which may prove the claimed use of the plant in amelioration of diabetes and associated complications in folkloric medicine. Additional studies are required for the purification, characterization, and structural elucidation of bioactive compounds.

Taxonomy and spore morphology of selected taxa of Cheilanthoideae and Pteridoideae (Pteridaceae) from Pakistan.

Taxonomy and spore morphology of 12 taxa of Cheilanthoideae and Pteridoideae (Pteridaceae, Polypodiales) from Pakistan is illustrated with scanning electron microscopy images based upon the specimens collected from various localities. A total of six genera belong to 12 taxa viz. Actiniopteris radiata, Aleuritopteris albomarginata, A. ancepes, Notholaena himalaica, Oeosporangium nitidulum, O. pteridioides subsp. acrosticum, Onychium cryptogrammoides subsp. cryptogrammoides, O. vermae, Pteris cretica subsp. cretica, P. cretica subsp. laeta, P. vittata subsp. emodi, and P. vittata subsp. vittata were reported. Spore morphology of the taxa was trilete, triangular in proximal and distal view, ellipsoidal and hemicircular in equatorial view, polar proximal and distal surface with cristate, granulose, reticulate, perforate and tuberculate ornamentation.

Taxonomy and spore morphology of genus Adiantum (Vittarioideae; Pteridaceae) from Pakistan.

Taxonomy and spore morphology of genus Adiantum (Vittarioideae; Pteridaceae) from Pakistan is illustrated with scanning electron microscopy images based upon the specimens examined in herbaria of Pakistan, United Kingdom, and United States. A total of five species viz. Adiantum capillus-veneris, A. incisum subsp. incisum, A. pedatum subsp. pedatum, A. tibeticum, and A. venustum were reported with the habitat ecology of the species from Pakistan. Spore morphology of the taxa was trilete, triangular in proximal and distal view, ellipsoidal and hemicircular in equatorial view, polar proximal and distal surface was with tuberculate and granulose ornamentation.

Phytochemical Screening and Antidiabetic, Antihyperlipidemic, and Antioxidant Effects of Leptopus Cordifolius Decne. In Diabetic Mice.

Plants are well known in traditional herbal medicines for their hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities and are often used due to their accessibility, affordability, and corollary effects. Leptopus cordifolius has been reported to control diabetes in folkloric medicine, but no known scientific research has been conducted to assess the plausibility of this assertion. Therefore, the current study is aimed to investigate the antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effects of Leptopus cordifolius leaves in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic evaluation was conducted in Swiss albino mice at doses of 150-250°mg/kg for 15°days. The blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, HDL, creatinine, ALP, SGPT, and SGOT levels were estimated according to standard procedures. Phytochemicals of leaves were analyzed using GC-MS analysis. Enzymatic antioxidant activity of the plant was investigated spectrophotometrically by carrying out superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase assays. The membrane stabilization potential of L. cordifolius leaf extracts was carried out using an in vitro haemolytic assay. The results revealed a dose response effect with the methanolic extract of L. cordifolius which had significant antihyperglycemic effects at 150-250°mg/kg in alloxan treated mice, although less than the positive control (glibenclamide). Hyperlipidemic activity was significant at 250 mg/kg. The biochemical parameters, such as total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, HDL, creatinine, ALP, SGPT, and SGOT, were significantly improved (p < 0.01) by the methanolic extract of 250 mg/kg compared to the diabetic group. Treatment for 15 days showed significant elevation (p < 0.01) of antioxidant enzymes. GC-MS analysis provided tentative identifications of 52 compounds in the methanolic extract of L. cordifolius, of which 12 compounds have reported antidiabetic activity. In conclusion, methanolic extract of L. cordifolius of 150 and 250°mg/kg body weight showed significant antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities in alloxan-induced diabetic mice and, with further work, has the potential to be used to manage blood glucose and cholesterol levels.

Morpho-palynological assessment of some species of family Asteraceae and Lamiaceae of District Bannu, Pakistan on the bases of light microscope & scanning electron microscopy.

Pollen micro-morphological features have proven to be helpful for the plant taxonomists in the identification and classification of plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the palynological features of family Asteraceae and Lamiaceae from flora of District Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan using both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscope (LM) for their taxonomic importance. Pollen of seven Asteraceous species belonging to four genera and four Lamiaceae species categorized into four genera were collected from different localities of research area. The present research work provides detailed information of diverse morpho-palynological characters both qualitatively and quantitatively including pollen shape, type, diameter, P/E ratio, exine sculpturing and thickness. Type of pollen in Asteraceae and Lamiaceae was ranged from tricolporate, tricolpate, trizonocolpate and hexazonocolpate. The maximum polar diameter (40.05 µm) and equatorial diameter (37.66 µm) was observed in the Ajuga bracteoosa while minimum polar and equatorial diameter was noted in Isodon rugosus (11.10 µm) and Erigeron canadensis (13.20 µm) respectively. Sculpturing of exine include; echinate, reticulate scabrate, aerolate, reticulate-verrucate, reticulate-scabrate, perforate and reticulate to perforate. Exine thickness was examined maximum 1.50 µm in Helianthus tuberosus, whereas minimum in Conyza Canadensis (0.16 µm). The pollen fertility was found highest in C Canadensis (83.33%) and lowest in Ajuga bracteosa (58.06%). The observed pollen morphology has many valuable qualitative and quantitative attributes for the better understanding of their taxonomy and play significant role in correct identification.

Endophytic Fungal Diversity and their Interaction with Plants for Agriculture Sustainability Under Stressful Condition.

Endophytic fungi are an interesting group of organisms that colonize the healthy internal tissues of living plants, and do not cause any symptoms of disease in the host plants. Several decades of study and research have rustled the co-existing endophytes with their host plants, which can significantly influence the formation of metabolic products in plants, as they have the ability to produce a new interesting bioactive compound, which is of pharmaceutical, industrial and agricultural importance. Empirical evidences have indicated that endophytic fungi can confer profound impacts on plant communities by enhancing their growth, increasing their fitness, strengthening their tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses, enhancing the defense mechanism and promoting the accumulation of secondary metabolites that provide immunity against pathogens. Many of these compounds are novel products and could be granted patents. Further, there are growing interests of multinational companies using these patents prepared in special formula to sell in international markets. This review addresses biodiversity and biological roles of endophytic fungi in association with their host plants through reviewing published research data obtained from the last 30 years and highlights their importance for plants, industry as well as ecosystem.

A promising growth promoting Meyerozyma caribbica from Solanum xanthocarpum alleviated stress in maize plants.

Fungal endophytes are known to secrete a large array of secondary metabolites (phenols, flavonoids, indole acetic acid (IAA) etc.) that facilitate crops under stress conditions. Considering this, a potent plant growth promoting endophyte (SXSp1) from the spines and leaves of Solanum xanthocarpum L. has been isolated. The isolated strain ably secreted high quantities of indole-3-acetic acid, phenols and flavonoids. Also, it exhibited phosphate solubilization, siderophore and had 2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity. The SXSp1 also resisted the salinity stress up to 150 mM. LC/MS analysis of SXSp1 culture filtrate (CF) revealed the presence of p-hydroxyl benzoic acid, diadzein, genistien, myricetin and caffeoyl-d-glucose. Moreover, the inoculation of maize plants with SXSp1 significantly (P=0.05) promoted the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, root and shoot lengths, plant fresh and dry weights, catalase and peroxidase activities, proline, phenolics, flavonoids and relative water contents (RWCs) under salinity. More interestingly, SXSp1-associated plants showed lower endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) and higher endogenous IAA contents that helped the plants to resist salinity stress up to 100 mM. After sequencing, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions (ITS1 and ITS4) and phylogenetic analysis, the SXSp1 was identified as Meyerozyma caribbica.

Salt stress alleviation in Pennisetum glaucum through secondary metabolites modulation by Aspergillus terreus.

The growth promoting activities of the isolated endophyte Aspergillus terreus from Aloe barbendsis was studied in the salt stressed Pennisetum glaucum (pearl millet). A significant (P = 0.05) increase in the root-shoot lengths, fresh and dry weights and chlorophyll content of pearl millet seedlings was noticed after colonization by A. terreus under normal conditions. At 100 mM NaCl stress and A. terreus inoculation, the growth rate of pearl millet seedlings were significantly (P = 0.05) inhibited. Furthermore, the IAA production, relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll, soluble sugar, phenol and flavonoid contents were significantly decreased, whereas proline content and lipid peroxidation were increased. On the contrary, pearl millet seedlings inoculated with A. terreus retained significantly (P = 0.05) higher amounts of RWC, chlorophyll, soluble sugar, phenol and flavonoid contents under 100 mM salt stress. The higher IAA production in A. terreus associated seedlings rescued the plant growth and development under salt stress. Moreover, the LC MS/MS analysis of A. terreus cultural filtrate revealed the presence of quinic acid, ellagic acid, calycosin, wogonin, feruloylquinic acid, caffeic acid phenylethyl ester, D-glucoside, myricetin, propoxyphene and aminoflunitrazepam. The results of the study conclude that innoculation of A. terreus improves the NaCl tolerance in pearl millet by ameliorating the physicochemical attributes of the host plants.

Cochliobolus sp. acts as a biochemical modulator to alleviate salinity stress in okra plants.

Salinity stress can severely affect the growth and production of the crop plants. Cheap and reliable actions are needed to enable the crop plants to grow normal under saline conditions. Modification at the molecular level to produce resistant cultivars is one of the promising, yet highly expensive techniques, whereas application of endophytes on the other hand are very cheap. In this regard, the role of Cochliobolus sp. in alleviating NaCl-induced stress in okra has been investigated. The growth and biomass yield, relative water content, chlorophyll content and IAA were decreased, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline content were increased in okra plants treated with 100 mM NaCl. On the contrary, okra plants inoculated with C. lunatus had higher shoot length, root length, plant dry weight, chlorophyll, carotenoids, xanthophyll, phenolicss, flavonoids, IAA, total soluble sugar and relative water content, while lower MDA. LC-MS/MS analysis of the Cochliobolus sp. extract revealed the presence of pinocembrin, chlorogenic acids, wogonin, calycosin and diadzein as a salinity stress reliever. From the results, it can be concluded that colonization of Cochliobolus sp. improves the NaCl tolerance by ameliorating the physicochemical attributes of the host plants.

An endophytic isolate of the fungus Yarrowia lipolytica produces metabolites that ameliorate the negative impact of salt stress on the physiology of maize.

BACKGROUND: To combat salinity, plants need easily accessible, safe and sustainable mechanisms for optimum growth. Recently, endophytes proved to be the promising candidates that helped the host plant to thrive under stress conditions. Therefore, the aim was to discover endophytic strain(s) and their mechanism of action to alleviate salt stress in maize. RESULTS: Keeping the diverse role of endophytes in view, 9 endophytic fungi from the spines of Euphorbia milli L. were isolated. Among the isolated fungal isolates, isolate FH1 was selected for further study on the basis of high antioxidant activity and capability to produce high indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-acetamide (IAM), phenol and flavonoid contents. The 18S rDNA sequence homology and phylogenetic analysis of the fungal isolate FH1 revealed to be Yarrowia lipolytica. Furthermore, the inoculation of Y. lipolytica FH1 had significantly promoted plant growth attributes in treated maize as compared to positive (salt stress) and negative (salt stress free) controls. Likewise, differences in chlorophyll, carotenes, electrolyte leakage, leaf relative water, peroxidase, catalase, ABA, IAA and proline contents were observed between treated maize and controls. Interestingly, Y. lipolytica FH1 inoculated plants showed lower endogenous ABA and higher endogenous IAA contents. CONCLUSION: From the results, we have concluded that Y. lipolytica inoculation has promoted the growth of maize plants through controlled metabolism and hormonal secretions (ABA and IAA) under salinity stress. Because of the fact, Y. lipolytica can be tried as an eco-friendly bio-fertilizer to achieve optimum crop productivity under saline conditions.

IAA producing fungal endophyte Penicillium roqueforti Thom., enhances stress tolerance and nutrients uptake in wheat plants grown on heavy metal contaminated soils.

Heavy metals contaminated soil is a serious environmental concern that has a negative impact on agriculture and ecosystem. Economical and efficient ways are needed to address this problem worldwide. In this regard, exploration and application of proficient microbial strains that can help the crop plants to thrive in agricultural soils that are greatly contaminated with heavy metals. The present study mainly focused on the effect of IAA producing endophytic fungi Penicillium ruqueforti Thom., on wheat plants cultivated in soil rich in heavy metals (Ni, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Pb). P. ruqueforti has induced great resistance in wheat inoculated plants grown in heavy metal contaminated soil. Application of the isolated strain of P. ruqueforti restricted the transfer of heavy metals from soil to the plants by secreting indole acetic acid (IAA). Furthermore, P. ruqueforti inoculated wheat seedlings watered with waste water had higher plant growth, nutrient uptake and low concentrations of heavy metals in shoot and roots. On the contrary, non-inoculated wheat plants under heavy metal stress had stunted growth with symptoms of chlorosis. From the results, it is concluded that P. ruqueforti inoculation can establish a symbiotic relationship with host plants, which is useful for phytostabilization of heavy metals or in other words helping the host crops to flourish through soil that are highly contaminated with heavy metals.

Morpho-palynological study of Cyperaceae from wetlands of Azad Jammu and Kashmir using SEM and LM.

In this study 12 species of Cyperaceae have been studied for quantitative and qualitative observation of pollen grains through Light and scanning electron microscopy. Pollens of 12 species of Cyperaceae from different wetlands of Azad Jammu and Kashmir were collected. Morphological characters of pollen grains were then investigated under the Light and Scanning electron microscope. Two pollen types have been observed apolar and heteropolar. Shape of pollens was prolate (4 spp), sub-spheroidal (7 spp), and oblate (1 spp). Variation observed in exine sculpturing granular (4 spp), reticulate (1 spp), areolate-punctate (3 spp), and psilate (2 spp). Polar to equatorial ratio and fertility percentage of the pollens were also studied. Based on these micromorphlogical characters of pollens taxonomic keys have been made for the accurate identification of the members of Cyperaceae. The characteristics studied in present research work are very much valuable taxonomically and phytochemically for the identification of species of family Cyperaceae. Light microscope (LM) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used for pollen observation, which play vital role in the taxonomical identification of species and provide sufficient information for taxonomist.

Evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Bergenia ciliata Sternb (Rhizome) crude extract and fractions.

Biologically, screening of medicinal plants extracts have been since pre-historic to determine the antioxidants and antimicrobial profile. The present study was aimed to investigate and evaluate crude extract and different fractions of Bergenia ciliata Sternb (rhizome) for bioactivity which is most considerable medicinal plants. The chloroform fraction was found to be highly anti-oxidative with the IC50 value (4.15±0.82) as compare to ethyl acetate and n-hexane fraction. In addition, neither crude extract nor any fraction showed inhibition against fungal strains, i.e. Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. Furthermore, the crude extract and fractions of B. ciliata (rhizome) exhibiting promising activities against Bacillus atrophoeus, Bacillus subtilis, Kleibsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. In summary, B. ciliata is recommended as a source of bioactive compounds which might be used against oxidative stress and drug resistance bacteria.

In Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Ephedra gerardiana (Root and Stem) Crude Extract and Fractions.

The utilization of medicinal plants to treat infectious disease is a common practice in developing countries worldwide. The present study was aimed at evaluating the crude extracts of Ephedra gerardiana (root and stem) with different chemicals for antioxidant and antimicrobial (fungal and bacterial) potential. The results revealed that the ethyl acetate fractions of E. gerardiana (root and stem) have significant free radical scavenging potential with values 2.96 ± 0.39 and 2.73 ± 0.84 while n-butanol and aqueous fractions showed IC502.69 ± 0.26 and 3.44 ± 0.69 µg/ml in stem. Furthermore, crude extract and fractions also revealed promising antibacterial activities against all tested microbial strains while aqueous fraction showed no activities against Bacillus subtilis, Kleibsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Interestingly, all crude extracts and fractions were nonactive against fungal strain, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus, as compare to control. In summary, the Ephedra gerardiana (root and stem) extract and fraction possess antioxidant activities, which might be helpful in preventing or slowing the progress of various oxidative stresses, suggested to be a strong pharmaceutical agent.