Anti-inflammatory activities of cucurbitacin E isolated from Citrullus lanatus var. citroides: role of reactive nitrogen species and cyclooxygenase enzyme inhibition

The in vivo and in vitro mechanistic anti-inflammatory actions of cucurbitacin E (CE) (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) were examined. The results showed that LPS/INF-γ increased NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages, whereas L-NAME and CE curtailed it. CE did not reveal any cytotoxicity on RAW264.7 and WRL-68 cells. CE inhibited both COX enzymes with more selectivity toward COX-2. Intraperitoneal injection of CE significantly suppressed carrageenan-induced rat's paw edema. ORAC and FRAP assays showed that CE is not a potent ROS scavenger. It could be concluded that CE is potentially useful in treating inflammation through the inhibition of COX and RNS but not ROS.     

Analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detection mass spectrometry of phenolic compounds in fruit of Eucalyptus globulus cultivated in Algeria

A method based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS) following fractionation by chromatography on a Sephadex LH-20 column has been developed to determine the phenolic composition of fruit of Eucalyptus globulus growing in Algeria. The presence of 18 gallotannins, 26 ellagitannins, and 2 flavonols was established. Tentative identification is provided for these compounds on the basis of UV-visible spectra and mass spectrometry data. Most compounds described in this study have not previously detected in fruit of E. globulus. Moreover, this is the first report of methyl digalloyl diglucose, 3,3'-O-dimethylellagic acid 4-O-β-glucopyranoside, ellagic acid hexose, methyl ellagic acid pentose, methyltetragalloylglucose, and valoneic acid isomers (sanguisorbic, flavogallic acid dilactone) in the genus Eucalyptus. Quantitatively, ellagic acid and its derivatives, including ellagitannins, are largely predominant.     

Genetic Variation for Salinity Tolerance in Pakistani Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Germplasm

Soil salinity is one of the major production constraints. Development and planting of salt‐tolerant varieties can reduce yield losses due to salinity. We screened 185 rice genotypes at germination stage in petri dishes under control, 50, 100 and 150 mm salt stress, and at seedling stage in Yoshida's hydroponic nutrient solution under control, 50 and 100 mm salt stress. At germination stage, 15 genotypes including Nona Bokra, Sonahri Kangni, 7421, 7423 and 7467, whereas at seedling stage, 28 genotypes including Nona Bokra, Jajai‐77, KSK‐133, KSK‐282, Fakhr‐e‐Malakand, Pakhal, IR‐6, Khushboo‐95, Shahkar and Shua‐92 were found salt tolerant. Basmati‐370, Mushkan, Homo‐46 and accessions 7436, 7437 and 7720 were sensitive to salinity at both germination and seedling stage. We further screened a subset of 33 salt‐tolerant and salt‐sensitive genotypes with SSR markers. Four SSR markers (RM19, RM171, RM172 and RM189) showed significant association with two or more of the studied traits under 50, 100 and 150 mm salt stress. These markers may be further tested for their potential in marker‐assisted selection. The salt‐tolerant genotypes identified in this study may prove useful in the development of salt‐tolerant rice varieties in adapted genetic background.     

Genetic variation of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) in the urban woodlands of Helsinki

We present a genetic profile of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) in three woodlands of the Helsinki region. We genotyped all mature trees and samples of seedlings to evaluate patterns of genetic variation and gene flow, and evaluate the long-term stability and natural regeneration of these stands. Although five microsatellite loci showed no significant differences in heterozygosity between generations in most locations, significant (p?per se does not interfere with gene flow over the distances represented here. Based on our findings, a minimal-maintenance program reliant upon natural regeneration of oak in the public parks of Helsinki seems plausible.