The Healing Capability of Clove Flower Extract (CFE) in Streptozotocin-Induced (STZ-Induced) Diabetic Rat Wounds Infected with Multidrug Resistant Bacteria.

Treatment of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is of great challenge as it is shown to be infected by multidrug resistant bacteria (MDR bacteria). Sixty four bacterial isolates were isolated from DFU cases; antibiotic susceptibility tests were carried out for all of them. One bacterial isolate (number 11) was shown to resist the action of 8 out of 12 antibiotics used and was identified by both a Vitek-2 system and 16S rRNA fingerprints as belonging to Proteus mirabilis, and was designated Proteus mirabilis LC587231 (P. mirabilis). Clove flower extract (CFE) inhibited distinctively the P. mirabilis bacterium obtained. GC-MS spectroscopy showed that this CFE contained nine bioactive compounds. The effect of CFE on wound healing of Type 1 diabetic albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) was studied. The results indicated that topical application of CFE hydrogel improved wound size, wound index, mRNA expression of the wound healing markers (Coli1, MMP9, Fibronectin, PCNA, and TGFß), growth factor signaling pathways (PPAR-α, PGC1-α, GLP-1, GLPr-1, EGF-ß, EGF-ßr, VEGF-ß, and FGF-ß), inflammatory cytokine expression (IL8, TNFα, NFKß, IL1ß, and MCP1), as well as anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL4 & IL10), pro-apoptotic markers (FAS, FAS-L, BAX, BAX/BCL-2, Caspase-3, P53, P38), as well as an antiapoptotic one (BCL2). Furthermore, it improved the wound oxidative state and reduced the wound microbial load, as the cefepime therapy improved the wound healing parameters. Based on the previous notions, it could be concluded that CFE represents a valid antibiotics alternative for DFU therapy since it improves diabetic wound healing and exerts antibacterial activity either in vitro or in vivo.

Impact of Postharvest Nitric Oxide Treatment on Lignin Biosynthesis-Related Genes in Wax Apple (Syzygium samarangense) Fruit.

The role of nitric oxide (NO) during storage in wax apple through NO (10 µL/L) fumigate fruit was investigated. Wax apple fruit treated with NO had a significantly lower rate of weight loss, a softening index, and loss of firmness during storage. The transcriptional profile of 10 genes involved in lignin biosynthesis has been analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The qRT-PCR analysis showed nine genes regulated in the wax apple (p < 0.05) upon NO fumigation, which coincided with the enzyme activity results (NO group lower than control group in peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, and 4-coumarate-CoA ligase), whose total lignin content decreased upon treatment with NO. These results indicate that NO treatment can effectively delay the softening and senescence of wax apple fruit and play an important regulatory role in lignin biosynthesis.

Correlación del contenido de fenoles y antocianinas con la capacidad antioxidante Syzygium cumini (L. ) Skeels, (jambolan) / Phenol and anthocyanin content and correlation with the antioxidant capacity of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels, (jambolan)

Introducción: la especie Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels, (jambolam), sin. Eugenia jambolana L, es una planta rica en metabolitos secundarios con un elevado potencial biológico, medicinal, entre otros y que pueden estar asociados con las propiedades terapéuticas reportadas para S. cumini. Objetivo: comparar capacidad antioxidante de extractos del fruto, pulpa y semilla de S. cumini, con respecto al contenido de polifenoles y antocianinas. Métodos: fruto, pulpa y semillas S. cumini deshidratados y macerados se sometieron a extracción sólido-líquido; el contenido de fenoles se evaluó por el método de Folin-Ciocalteu, el de antocianinas por el método de diferencial de pH y el potencial antioxidante in vitro se evaluó con base en los métodos del radical estable 1,1-difenil­2-picrilhidracil, el radical catión 2,2´-azino-bis(3-etilbenzotiazolin-6-sulphonic ácido) y poder antioxidante de reducción del ion férrico. Resultados: el contenido de fenoles obtenidos tanto en los extractos metanólicos como etanólicos fue muy similar en fruto y pulpa, mientras que en las semillas se observó un incremento hasta 5 veces con respecto a la pulpa, presentó correlación con el efecto de protección antioxidante entre los extractos evaluados. Conclusiones: la elevada presencia de fenoles determinada en todos los extractos afectó de manera positiva la capacidad protectora contra radicales libres, y los frutos de S. cumini, podrían ser considerados como una fuente potencial de compuestos biaoctivos con aplicaciones terapéuticas(AU)

Introduction: Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels, (jambolam), sin. Eugenia jambolana L, is considered as a source of secondary metabolites with a biological and medicinal potential and these can be associated with its therapeutics properties. Objetive: to correlated the content of polyphenols and anthocyanins with antioxidant capacity in ethanolic and methanolic extracts of S. cumini. Methods: dehydrated and powered fruits, pulp and seeds of S. cumini was subjected to solid-liquid extraction. Total phenolis content was determined by Folin-Cicoulteau method, anthocyanin content was determined by the pH differential method and the potential antioxidant was evaluated using 1,1-difenil­2-picrilhidracil radical stable, 2,2´-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical cation and ferric reducing/antioxidant power tests. Results: all extracts showed an important correlation between total phenolis content and antioxidant capacity values, however, in the seed total phenolis content was almost 5 times higher than that obtained in fruit and pulp. Conclusions: all extracts exhibited a considerable antioxidant potential against free radical, and S. cumini could be used as an alternative source of natural bioactive compounds with application in therapeutic research area(AU)

Physiochemical and phytochemical properties of wax apple (Syzygium samarangense [Blume] Merrill & L. M. Perry var. Jambu Madu) as affected by growth regulator application.

This study represents the first paper of the effects of growth regulators on the physiochemical and phytochemical properties of the wax apple fruit, a widely cultivated fruit tree in southeast Asia. Net photosynthesis, sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activity, peel color, fruit firmness, juice content, pH value, total soluble solids (TSSs), and the sugar acid ratio were all significantly increased in growth regulators (PGRs) treated fruits. The application of gibberellin (GA(3)), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) significantly reduced titratable acidity and increased total sugar and carbohydrate content compared to the control. The 50 mg/L GA3, 10 mg/L NAA, and 5 mg/L 2,4-D treatments produced the greatest increases in phenol and flavonoid content; vitamin C content was also higher for these treatments. PGR treatment significantly affected chlorophyll, anthocyanin, and carotene content and produced higher phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and antioxidant activity levels. There was a positive correlation between peel color and TSS and antioxidant activity and both phenol and flavonoid content and PAL activity and anthocyanin formation. A taste panel assessment was also performed, and the highest scores were given to fruits that had been treated with GA3 or auxin. The study showed that application of 50 mg/L GA3, 10 mg/L NAA, and 5 mg/L 2,4-D once a week from bud development to fruit maturation increased the physiochemical and phytochemical properties of wax apple fruits.

The influence of hydrogen peroxide on the growth, development and quality of wax apple (Syzygium samarangense, [Blume] Merrill & L.M. Perry var. jambu madu) fruits.

The present study represents the first report of the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) on the growth, development and quality of the wax apple fruit, a widely cultivated fruit tree in South East Asia. The wax apple trees were spray treated with 0, 5, 20 and 50 mM H(2)O(2) under field conditions. Photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance, transpiration, chlorophyll and dry matter content of the leaves and total soluble solids and total sugar content of the fruits of wax apple (Syzygium samarangense, var. jambu madu) were significantly increased after treatment with 5 mM H(2)O(2). The application of 20 mM H(2)O(2) significantly reduced bud drop and enhanced fruit growth, resulting in larger fruit size, increased fruit set, fruit number, fruit biomass and yield compared to the control. In addition, the endogenous level of H(2)O(2) in wax apple leaves increased significantly with H(2)O(2) treatments. With regard to fruit quality, 20 mM H(2)O(2) treatment increased the K(+), anthocyanin and carotene contents of the fruits by 65%, 67%, and 41%, respectively. In addition, higher flavonoid, phenol and soluble protein content, sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and antioxidant activities were recorded in the treated fruits. There was a positive correlation between peel colour (hue) and TSS, between net photosynthesis and SPS activity and between phenol and flavonoid content with antioxidant activity in H(2)O(2)-treated fruits. It is concluded that spraying with 5 and 20 mM H(2)O(2) once a week produced better fruit growth, maximising the yield and quality of wax apple fruits under field conditions.

Photosynthesis and oxidative stress in the restinga plant species Eugenia uniflora L. exposed to simulated acid rain and iron ore dust deposition: potential use in environmental risk assessment.

The Brazilian sandy coastal plain named restinga is frequently subjected to particulate and gaseous emissions from iron ore factories. These gases may come into contact with atmospheric moisture and produce acid rain. The effects of the acid rain on vegetation, combined with iron excess in the soil, can lead to the disappearance of sensitive species and decrease restinga biodiversity. The effects of iron ore dust deposition and simulated acid rain on photosynthesis and on antioxidant enzymes were investigated in Eugenia uniflora, a representative shrub species of the restinga. This study aimed to determine the possible utility of this species in environmental risk assessment. After the application of iron ore dust as iron solid particulate matter (SPM(Fe)) and simulated acid rain (pH 3.1), the 18-month old plants displayed brown spots and necrosis, typical symptoms of iron toxicity and injuries caused by acid rain, respectively. The acidity of the rain intensified leaf iron accumulation, which reached phytotoxic levels, mainly in plants exposed to iron ore dust. These plants showed the lowest values for net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, chlorophyll a content and electron transport rate through photosystem II (PSII). Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were decreased by simulated acid rain. Peroxidase activity and membrane injury increased following exposure to acid rain and simultaneous SPM(Fe) application. Eugenia uniflora exhibited impaired photosynthetic and antioxidative metabolism in response to combined iron and acid rain stresses. This species could become a valuable tool in environmental risk assessment in restinga areas near iron ore pelletizing factories. Non-invasive evaluations of visual injuries, photosynthesis and chlorophyll a fluorescence, as well as invasive biochemical analysis could be used as markers.

Regulatory role of iron and EDTA in the shoot development from the epicotyl explants of Syzygium cuminii.

Iron has proved to be an integral component of the culture medium supporting the caulogenic response of the epicotyl segments of S. cuminii. In the absence of both the iron and EDTA even the shoot buds failed to develop, while in the presence of either of these, though the shoot buds developed, their elongation was adversely affected. Among the three iron sources tested, ferrous sulphate proved to be the best, as the ferric chloride was not as effective as the former when used either alone or along with EDTA. Ferric citrate, on the other hand, when provided alone, elicited better response than that induced by ferrous sulphate alone. However, in combination with EDTA, the response declined significantly. The estimation of endogenous levels of iron in the explants further supported these results. The quantum of iron absorption was at a maximum during the first week of the culture and the explants, once deprived of iron during the first week, failed to catch up to the level of iron accumulated in the explants maintained continuously on complete medium, even after transfer to the complete medium. Likewise, the level of copper ions did not come up to comparable levels even if the explants were transferred to the complete medium after initial deprivation.