Antispasmodic effect of Piper nigrum fruit hot water extract on rat ileum

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of black pepper fruit hot water extract (BPE) on rat ileum contractility and the mechanism(s) of its action. The extract was prepared by adding black pepper powder to boiling distilled water followed by evaporated the solvent. Ileum was dissected from male adult rat (Wistar) and in Tyrode solution the tissue contractions were recorded by an isotonic transducer under 1 g tension. The cumulative concentrations of the BPE (0.0625-1 mg mL(-1)) reduced the ileum contractions induced by KCl (60 mM) or carbachol (10 microM) concentration dependently (p<0.001). In Ca2+-free Tyrode solution with high potassium (60 mM), BPE, (0.0625-1 mg mL(-1)) attenuated the contractions induced by cumulative concentrations of CaCl2 (0.225-2.7 mM) concentration dependently (ANOVA, p<0.05). The incubation of the tissue preparation (20 or 30 min) with L-NAME (100 microM), naloxone (1 microM) or propranolol (1 microM) did not reduce the extract antispasmodic effect on KCl-induced ileum contraction. The extract spasmolytic effect was attenuated neither by glibenclamide (10 microM) nor by tetraethylammonium (1 mM). Present results suggest that the spasmolytic effect of the extract on rat ileum was possibly mediated via Ca2+ influx.     

Ileal relaxation induced by Mentha longifolia (L.) leaf extract in rat

The effect of Mentha longifolia (L.) leaf hydroalcoholic extract (MLE) was examined on rat ileal smooth muscle contractions. Last portion of ileum from male adult Wistar rat was mounted in an organ bath containing Tyrode solution. The tissue was contracted by carbachol (CCh, 10 microM), KCl (60 mM) and BaC12 (4 mM) and then MLE (0.0625-1 mg mL(-1)) was added to the bath cumulatively. The effect of MLE on KCl-induced contraction was examined after tissue incubation with propranolol (1 microM), naloxone (1 microM) and N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 microM). The effect of MLE on CaCl2-induced ileal contraction in Ca(2+)-free with high potassium Tyrode solution was also evaluated. The role of potassium channels was examined by ileum incubation (5 mim) with tetraethylammonium (TEA, 1 mM). The results showed that KCl-, CCh and BaCl2-induced ileal contractions were inhibited (p < 0.001) by cumulative concentrations of MLE with the same potency. In addition, MLE (0.25-1 mg mL(-1)) inhibited (p < 0.01) ileal contractions induced by CaCl2 (0.45-2.7 mM) in a concentration-related manner. The antispasmodic effect of MLE was affected neither by propranolol, L-NAME nor by naloxone. The MLE concentration-response curve was shifted to the right (p < 0.05) by tissue incubation with TEA. From results it may be suggested that Mentha longifolia hydroalcoholic leaf extract induces its spasmolytic activity mainly through disturbance in calcium mobilization and partly by potassium channels activation. Present results show that Mentha longifolia leaf extract exerts relaxant effects on intestinal smooth muscle, consistent with the traditional use of the plant to treat gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea and colic.     

Benefits of organic fertilizers spray on growth quality of chili pepper seedlings under cool temperature

In this study, effects of foliar application (with constant 0.2% concentration) of chemical NPK (N20:P10:K20) and organic fertilizers of Biomin (an organic aminochelate fertilizer), Humifolin (a humic acid based fertilizer), Biomin?+?Humifolin, a synthetic macro-micro mixture, soil application of NPK (600?mg.kg^?1 of the N20:P10:K20 formulation), and a no fertilizer control were evaluated on growth and quality of chili pepper (Capsicum annuum var annuum) seedlings under greenhouse conditions with cool temperature of 15?±?3?°C. The results showed that most growth and quality traits were best improved by foliar application of Biomin aminochelate followed by Humifolin fertilizer. Higher values for leaf area, leaf number, chlorophyl index, root and shoot biomass, and leaf concentration of soluble sugars, N, K, Ca, and Zn, were attributed to foliar application of Biomin and Humifolin. The mixture of Biomin?+?Humifolin had reduced values of those parameters indicating possible negative interaction when these two organic fertilizers are mixed.     

Effects of manure-based urea pellets on growth,yield, and nitrate content in coriander,garden cress,and parsley plants

Various organic residues and animal manures represent an excellent matrix material for production of natural-based pellet fertilizers. Fully decomposed cow manure with 50% w/w urea was used for pellet production in densities of 400 or 800 kg/m³, representing low and high compact urea pellets. The growth of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.), and parsley (Petroselinum crispum Mill.) were then evaluated under application of these pelleted urea compared to urea alone and unfertilized plants. The total amount of applied nitrogen (N) in the form of urea or pelleted urea was 300 mg/kg soil, wherein pelleted urea treatments, 30% of N was incorporated into the soil as urea alone before planting. The results showed that application of pelleted urea in low and high compactness resulted in different plant responses in the three vegetable crops. Plant growth and biomass production was increased in plants treated with urea or low compact urea pellets. Leaf N concentration and the Soil-Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) index were increased by low but not by high compact urea pellet application. Regardless of compactness, pellet treated plants had less nitrate content compared to urea treated plants. Number of flowering plants in coriander and garden cress was higher with high compact urea pellet and in unfertilized plants, whereas plants treated with urea or with low compact urea pellet showed fewer flowering plants. So, for production of these leafy vegetables low compact pellet is preferred.     

The influence of silane coupling agent and poplar particles on the wet-tability,surface roughness,and hardness of UF-bonded wheat straw （Triticum aestivum L.）/poplar wood particleboard

We used silane coupling agents to improve the bonding ability between wheat straw particles and UF resin, and investigated surface properties （wettability and surface roughness） and hardness of parti-cleboard made from UF-bonded wheat straw （Triticum aestivum L.） combined with poplar wood as affected by silane coupling agent content and straw/poplar wood particle ratios. We manufactured one-layered particleboard panels at four different ratios of straw to poplar wood par-ticles （0%, 15%, 30% and 45% wheat straw） and silane coupling agent content at three levels of 0, 5% and 10%. Roughness measurements, average roughness （Ra）, mean peak-to-valley height （Rz）, and root mean square roughness （Rq） were measured on unsanded samples by using a fine stylus tracing technique. We obtained contact angle measurements by using a goniometer connected to a digital camera and computer sys-tem. Boards containing greater amounts of poplar particles had superior hardness compared to control samples and had lower wettability. Panels made with higher amounts of silane had lower Rq values.     

Seed Development,Oil Accumulation and Fatty Acid Composition of Drought Stressed Rapeseed Plants Affected by Salicylic Acid and Putrescine

Two field experiments were carried out in 2017 and 2018 to evaluate the impacts of salicylic acid (1?mM SA) and putrescine (1?mM Put) on leaf osmolytes, seed reserve and oil accumulation and fatty acid composition of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) under different watering levels (irrigations after 70 and 150?mm evaporation as normal irrigation and severe drought stress, and 70?→?90?→?110?→?130?→?150 and 70?→?100?→?130→150 as gradual and moderately gradual water deficits, respectively). The experiments were laid out as split plot on the bases of randomized complete block design in three replications. Water stress increased the contents of glycine betaine, proline, soluble sugars, and proteins. Application of SA and Put further enhanced the contents of glycine betaine and soluble sugars, while reduced proline content of leaves. Seed filling duration, seeds per plant, plant biomass and seed yield were decreased with increasing irrigation intervals. Exogenous SA and Put enhanced all of these parameters under different irrigation intervals. Oil accumulation in seeds was diminished as water stress severed. The gradual water deficit considerably reduced the impacts of drought stress on yield related traits and oil content per seed, due to stress acclimation of plants. Oil content of seeds was augmented by SA and Put treatments through prolonging seed filling duration, particularly under limited irrigations. Percentages of palmitic acid and stearic acid (saturated fatty acids) were not affected by water limitation. However, unsaturated fatty acids of linoleic and linolenic acids were reduced, and oleic acid was enhanced due to water shortage. Unsaturation index was improved by SA and Put treatments under severe water stress as a result of decreasing oleic acid and increasing linoleic and linolenic acids contents. The SA spray was the best treatment for improving rapeseed seed and oil production under normal and stressful conditions.