The methanol extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa (p < 0.01) showed a significant dose dependent relaxant effect (IC50) = 350 microM) on rat ileal strip comparable to the effect shown by nifedipin and papaverine as reference compounds. Similarly, the extract when administered intraperitoneally significantly (p < 0.05-0.01) reduced the intestinal transit (13%-35%) in rats (IC50, = 250 microM). The ex...

In order to investigate nocturnal uptake and assimilation of NO2 by C3 and crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants, they were fumigated with 4 microl l(-1) 15N-labeled nitrogen dioxide (NO2) for 8 h. The amount of NO2 and assimilation of NO2 by plants were determined by mass spectrometry and Kjeldahl-nitrogen based mass spectrometry, respectively. C3 plants such as kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus)...

Rapid gastrointestinal absorption of refined carbohydrates (CHO) is linked to perturbed glucose-insulin metabolism that is, in turn, associated with many chronic health disorders. We assessed the ability of various natural substances, commonly referred to as "CHO blockers," to influence starch and sucrose absorption in vivo in ninety-six rats and two pigs. These natural enzyme inhibitors of amy...

The pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), is a highly polyphagous pest that invaded southern Florida in 2002 and is now widely established throughout most of the state. Although Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. is a preferred and economically important host of M. hirsutus, the susceptibility and expression of feeding symptoms by different cultivars have not been evaluated. Cultivar...

The pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), is a highly polyphagous pest that invaded southern Florida in 2002 and is now widely established throughout most of the state. Although Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. is a preferred and economically important host of M. hirsutus , the susceptibility and expression of feeding symptoms by different cultivars have not been evaluated. Cultiva...

Viral neuraminidase inhibitors are widely used as synthetic anti-influenza drugs for the prevention and treatment of influenza. However, drug-resistant influenza A virus variants, including H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs), have been reported. Therefore, the discovery of novel and effective antiviral agents is warranted. We screened the antiviral effects of 11 herbal tea ...

Locally, Gomutra Silajit is known under the name “RAKTAMANDALAM”. Literally, it means ‘Blood Patch’ or ‘Blood coloured Matter’. In fact, the Ayurvedic texts refer to its colour as that of ‘Japakusuma’ – the China Rose, botanically known as Hibiscus rosasinensis Linn. (Telegu: Mandara). For this reason the local name referring to its colour as ‘Rakta’ (Blood) is apt. The above treatise also indi...

Competition among pollen grains for the chance to fertilize ovules typically involves two stages: arrival times on stigmas and/or the growth of pollen tubes through styles. In a previous study of Hibiscus moscheutos, we found that individual pollen donors often differed in pollen tube competitive ability. Here we determined whether short delays in pollen arrival time altered the average success...

Scarlet rosemallow (Hibiscus coccineus Walter) is a diploid, perennial, erect, and woody shrub. The species is a desirable inclusion in home landscapes because it is a native plant with attractive flowers and unusual foliage. The objective of these experiments was to determine the number of loci, number of alleles, and gene action controlling flower color (red vs. white) in scarlet rosemallow. ...

A three-way resolution method based on PARAFAC model was applied for the UV-Vis spectra to study the simultaneous degradation of anthocyanins extracted from fresh calyces of flowers of the Hibiscus sabdariffa. This methodology was used to resolve a chemical system, for which there was no a priori information about the composition or the pure spectra, a so-called black system. In the pH range fr...