Convolvulus prostratus Forssk : A Memory Boosting Herb

Convolvulus prostratus Forssk. aka C. pluricaulis, C. microphyllus commonly known as ‘Shankhpushpi’ has been traditionally used for improvement in memory and cognitive function in cases of dementia, epilepsy, depression, anxiety and central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Studies have shown that this herb has potential to enhance memory recall, increase brain plasticity and boost learning ability. The plant species has several active metabolites including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids and terpenoids that interacts with protein, neurological signaling pathways and demonstrates pharmacological effects, such as, anti-amnesiac, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, analgesic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, memory and learning improving, sedative-hypnotic and anticonvulsant activity, which have been linked to brain health and the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, leaf explant of C. prostratus were cultured on MS (Murashige and Skoog’s medium) medium supplemented with 1mgL-1 2, 4-D shows optimum callus induction. Moreover, several biotechnological approaches could be used for better understanding of its memory enhancing mechanism, such as, phytochemical analysis for active compounds, in vitro and in vivo studies for safety and efficacy, metabolomics for potential health benefits and tissue culture for large scale productionof this medicially potent plant species in controlled environment. At present, there are many commercial medicinal products available in the market consisting Shakhapushpi as an ingredient or whole

Antioxidant response of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni (Angiosperms; Asteraceae) during developing phase of suspension cell culture

The present study established a protocol for suspension cell culture of Stevia rebaudiana and demonstrates the antioxidant enzymes activity during various developing phase of it. Higher concentration of Auxin and Cytokines (3.0 mg L-1 BAP and 4.0 mg L-1 NAA) with Ascorbic acid (1 mg L-1) considered as highly suitable growth regulator combination for growth and development of Stevia rebaudiana suspension culture. Maximum concentration of stevioside (~70 mg G-1 of dry weight of tissue) was obtained on 14th day (exponential phase) which got reduced on 28th day (apoptotic phase) upto ~21 mg G-1 of dry weight of tissue. The amount of MDA reduced initially upto stationary growth phase which showed the adaptation of suspension cells in the culture medium and culture environment. Reduction of Chlorophyll showed the enhancing phenolic content with progressive culture period, while enhanced amount of proline was indicating the generation of defense mechanism with depletion of nutrient (with increased culture duration). The amount of SOD got enhanced with elevating the concentration of H2O2 as well. The concentration of CAT enhanced upto stationary growth phase of suspension cell while APX concentration showed continuous inhibition up to apoptotic phase from exponential phase

Micropropagation of <i>Salvadora persica </i>Linn. via Cotyledonary Nodes

197-200An efficient and reliable protocol for micropropagation of Salvadora persica Linn. has been standardized, which is a medicinally as well as economically important arid zone plant species. Cotyledonary nodes (1cm long) excised from 15-20 days-old seedlings germinated in vitro served as explant source. The seeds were germinated on half strength MS medium devoid of phytohormones. Cotyledonary nodes were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of cytokinins (BAP and KN) and auxins (IAA, IBA and NAA). Maximum shoot proliferation from single explant was obtained on MS medium incorporated with BAP (4.0 mg/l), IAA (0.5 mg/l), adenine sulphate (40 mg/l), glutamine (l00 mg/l) and thiamine HCl (10 mg/l). In vitro produced shoots were induced to root on a range of IBA concentrations (0.5-5.0 mg/l) supplemented to half strength MS medium. The highest frequency of root proliferation was on half strength MS medium supplemented with 3.0 mg/l IBA. The regenerates were transferred to field conditions after acclimatization with a success rate of 60%

Nitric oxide in plants: an insight on redox activity and responses toward abiotic stress signaling

Plants, as sessile organisms, are subjected to diverse abiotic stresses, including salinity, desiccation, metal toxicity, thermal fluctuations, and hypoxia at different phases of plant growth. Plants can activate messenger molecules to initiate a signaling cascade of response toward environmental stresses that results in either cell death or plant acclimation. Nitric oxide (NO) is a small gaseous redox-active molecule that exhibits a plethora of physiological functions in growth, development, flowering, senescence, stomata closure and responses to environmental stresses. It can also facilitate alteration in protein function and reprogram the gene profiling by direct or indirect interaction with different target molecules. The bioactivity of NO can be manifested through different redox-based protein modifications including S-nitrosylation, protein nitration, and metal nitrosylation in plants. Although there has been considerable progress in the role of NO in regulating stress signaling, still the physiological mechanisms regarding the abiotic stress tolerance in plants remain unclear. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the emerging knowledge regarding NO function in plant tolerance against abiotic stresses. The manuscript also highlighted the importance of NO as an abiotic stress modulator and developed a rational design for crop cultivation under a stress environment

Role of Engineered Carbon Nanoparticles (CNPs) in Promoting Growth and Metabolism of Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek: Insights into the Biochemical and Physiological Responses

Despite the documented significance of carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs) in plant development, the knowledge of the impact of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) dosage on physiological responses of crop plants is still scarce. Hence, the present study investigates the concentration-dependent impact of CNPs on the morphology and physiology of Vigna radiata. Crop seedlings were subjected to CNPs at varying concentrations (25 to 200 µM) in hydroponic medium for 96 h to evaluate various physiological parameters. CNPs at an intermediate concentration (100 to 150 µM) favor the growth of crops by increasing the total chlorophyll content (1.9-fold), protein content (1.14-fold) and plant biomass (fresh weight: 1.2-fold, dry weight: 1.14-fold). The highest activity of antioxidants (SOD, GOPX, APX and proline) was also recorded at these concentrations, which indicates a decline in ROS level at 100 µM. At the highest CNPs treatment (200 µM), aggregation of CNPs was observed more on the root surface and accumulated in higher concentrations in the plant tissues, which limits the absorption and translocation of nutrients to plants, and hence, at these concentrations, the oxidative damage imposed by CNPs is evaded with the rise in activity of antioxidants. These findings show the importance of CNPs as nano-fertilizers that not only improve plant growth by their slow and controlled release of nutrients, but also enhance the stress-tolerant and phytoremediation efficiency of plants in the polluted environment due to their enormous absorption potential