This study tested whether soil-applied biochar can impact the seed germination and attachment of root parasitic weeds. Three hypotheses were evaluated: (i) biochar adsorbs host-exuded signaling molecules; (ii) biochar activates plants' innate system-wide defenses against invasion by the parasite; and (iii) biochar has a systemic influence on the amount of seed germination stimulant produced or ...

Background: Despite the medicinal importance of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del, Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni, Tylophora indica (Burm.f.) Merrill and Cassia sophera (Linn.), the antimicrobial potential of these plants has not been explored extensively, especially those of Cassia sophera. Methods: Both aqueous and alcoholic extracts of various parts of respective plants, and their in vitro ra...

BACKGROUND There were no studies on the anti-inflammatory activity of Euphorbia aegyptiaca, though it is commonly used by Sudanese herbalists in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. OBJECTIVES To determine phytochemical constituents of Euphorbia aegyptiacaTo investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of Euphorbia aegyptiaca in rats. METHODOLOGY Plant material was extracted by ethanol and ...

Suaeda monoica Forssk. ex J. F. Gmel was found to possess the C(4) pathway of photosynthesis. The succulent leaves of Suaeda lack a green bundle sheath formation but have a layer of chlorenchyma, containing large and centripetally arranged chloroplasts, which surrounds the water tissue. We suggest that the proximity of a chlorenchymatous cell layer to the vascular bundles is not necessary for t...

Objective: Cold methanolic extract of Suaeda maritima have been considered to screen their biological properties such as analgesic, membrane stabilizing and thrombolytic activity. Although some investigations have previously been reported with this plant, the whole plant was not studied yet to date. In the present study we aimed to investigate in vivo and in vitro bioactivities of Suaeda mariti...

Little information is available on As contamination dynamics in the soil-plant systems of wetlands. Total arsenic (As) in soil and plant samples from Suaeda salsa and Phragmites australis wetlands was measured in the Yellow River Estuary (YRE) in summer and autumn of 2007 to investigate the seasonal changes in As concentrations in different wetlands. The results showed that soil As levels great...

Lotus japonicus genes responsive to parasitism by the compatible species Orobanche aegyptiaca and the incompatible species Striga hermonthica were isolated by using the suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) strategy. O. aegyptiaca and S. hermonthica parasitism specifically induced the expression of genes involved in jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis and phytoalexin biosynthesis, respectivel...

The present study investigates the effect of oral administration of the ethanolic extracts of Luffa aegyptiaca (seeds) and Carissa edulis (leaves) on blood glucose levels both in normal and streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Treatment with both extracts significantly reduced the blood glucose level in STZ diabetic rats during the first three hours of treatment. L. aegyptiaca extract decreased ...