Two common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) accessions, one from a Zn–Pb contaminated site (CS accession) and the other from an uncontaminated site (UCS accession), were hydroponically exposed to a mixture of heavy metals (Pb2+ + Zn2+ + Cd2+) with and without EDTA at an equimolar rate. The metallicolous CS accession showed a higher tolerance to metal treatment in the absence of the chelating agent, whereas the UCS accession was especially tolerant to EDTA treatment alone. Combination of metal and EDTA treatment resulted in a higher Pb accumulation in shoots of both accessions although plants hardly showed phytotoxic symptoms. Cd and Zn uptake was not augmented by EDTA addition to the polymetallic medium. Chelant-assisted Pb accumulation was 70% higher in the CS accession than in the UCS accession, despite the fact that the former accession evapotranspired less water than the UCS accession. These results support the existence of a non-selective apoplastic transport of metal chelates by R. acetosa roots, not related to transpiration stream.

The long-term effects of UVB exclusion and temperature on the methanol extractable (ME) phenolics (flavonoids, phenolic acids) and iridoids of Menyanthes trifoliata L. (Mt) leaves were studied in northern Finland (68°N) using wooden frames covered with filters for UVB exclusion (polyester filter), control (cellulose acetate filter) and ambient (no filter) conditions. Analysis of ambient plots showed no effect of the daily mean temperature (2σ = 1.58 °C) on the leaf ME compound content and composition, but minimum temperatures decreased the flavonol content. UVB exclusion did not affect the total ME compound content but significantly decreased the proportion of flavonols concomitantly with an increase in iridoids. Due to its high iridoid content, Mt appears as an interesting model plant for studying the iridoid biosynthesis and its regulation under stress conditions. This study shows that exclusion of UVB radiation modified the content of flavonols and iridoids but not chlorogenic acids in leaves of Menyanthes trifoliata in the subarctic.

Extensive use of magnetic iron oxide (magnetite) nanoparticles (IONP) has raised concerns about their biocompatibility. It has also stimulated the search for its green synthesis with greater biocompatibility. Addressing the issue, this study investigates the molecular nanotoxicity of IONP with embryonic and adult zebrafish, and reveal novel green fabrication of iron oxide nanoparticles (P-IONP) using medicinal plant extract of Phyllanthus niruri. The synthesized P-IONP was having a size of 42 ± 08 nm and a zeta potential of −38 ± 06 mV with hydrodynamic diameter of 109 ± 09 nm and 90emu/g magnetic saturation value. High antibacterial efficacy of P-IONP was found against E.coli. Comparative in vivo biocompatibility assessment with zebrafish confirmed higher biocompatibility of P-IONP compared to commercial C-IONP in the relevance of mortality rate, hatching rate, heart rate, and morphological abnormalities. LC₅₀ of P-IONP and C-IONP was 202 μg/ml and 126 μg/ml, respectively. Molecular nano-biocompatibility analysis revealed the phenomenon as an effect of induced apoptosis lead by dysregulation of induced oxidative stress due to structural and functional influence of IONP to Sod1 and Tp53 proteins through intrinsic atomic interaction.

Short- and long-term changes in the methanol-extractable UV-absorbing compounds and biomass of the pioneer moss Polytrichum juniperinum in response to natural and enhanced UV radiation were studied. Under natural conditions, the compounds were found to fluctuate seasonally. In summer these compounds correlated negatively with irradiation. The concentration was low in July after a period of simultaneous heat, drought and high irradiation. Transient positive correlation between daily concentration and UV was seen in June. The concentration increased towards autumn and was relatively high under snow. Two enhanced UV experiments were performed. Seasonality in the compounds was again observed, with negative correlations with irradiation. During the first weeks, a transient inhibition of compound production was observed after the daily UV-B treatment. After six years of modulated UV-treatment in situ, photosynthesising biomass decreased under UV-B and increased under UV-A. A larger variation in the UV-absorbing compounds was observed under UV-B treatment. Juniper polytrichum moss is affected by drought, overwintering conditions and UV.

Throughout 90-day biodegradation under microaerobic conditions, invasive to Lithuania species boxelder maple (Acer negundo) leaves lost 1.5-fold more biomass than that of autochthonous black alder (Alnus glutinosa), releasing higher contents of Ntot, ammonium and generating higher BOD7. Boxelder maple leaf leachates were characterized by higher total bacterial numbers and colony numbers of heterotrophic and cellulose-decomposing bacteria than those of black alder. The higher toxicity of A. negundo aqueous extracts and leachates to charophyte cell (Nitellopsis obtusa), the inhabitant of clean lakes, were manifested at mortality and membrane depolarization levels, while the effect on H+-ATPase activity in membrane preparations from the same algae was stronger in case of A. glutinosa. Duckweed (Lemna minor), a bioindicator of eutrophic waters, was more sensitive to leaf leachates of A. glutinosa. Fallen leaves and leaf litter leachates from invasive and native species of trees, which enter water body, affect differently microbial biodestruction and aquatic vegetation in freshwater systems.

The feasibility of using fresh plant residues and their extracts to stimulate the bio-dissipation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were highlighted. Wood chip, bamboo leave, orange peel and their water-extractable organic matter (WEOM) were chosen as amendment materials. Effect of WEOM on bio-dissipation (bioaccumulation and biodegradation) of phenanthrene and pyrene from water by two bacteria were investigated. Orange peel extract demonstrated the highest efficiency for stimulating PAHs removal by bacterium B1 (Pseudomonas putida), while bamboo leave extract was the best one to enhance PAHs bio-dissipation by bacterium B2 (unidentified bacterium isolated from PAHs-contaminated soil). Amended the actual contaminated soil with 1% plant residues, PAHs dissipation were increased by 15–20%, 20–39%, 14–24%, 12–23% and 17–26%, respectively, for 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-ring PAHs via stimulating indigenous microbial degradation activity. Bamboo leave exhibited the most effective one to stimulate dissipation of PAHs in contaminated soil.

This experimental study is done to clarify the protective role of the Adiantum capillus-veneris linn plant extracts (ACVL) in Sprague-Dawley female rat reproductive organs that are intoxicated by carbendazim pesticide (CBZ). This aim is achieved by the immunohistochemical detection of the inflammatory marker NF-ҡB-P65. This aim is achieved by the immunohistochemical detection of the inflammatory marker NF-ҡB-P65 and also, description of the histopathological and pathophysiological changes. Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups (n = 8) and were daily treated orally for 4 weeks. The first group as a control, the second group was treated with ACVL plant extract 200 mg/kg b.w., the third group was treated with CBZ 25 mg/kg b.w., and the fourth group was treated with CBZ 25 mg + ACVL plant extract 200 mg/kg b.w. The pathophysiological results showed that in the third group, the ovarian tissue malondialdehyde content was elevated, but the fourth group exhibited it at a normal level. Reductions in the ovarian tissue content of glutathione, superoxide dismutase activity, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and also serum FSH, LH, and estradiol hormones were observed in the third group, while, in the fourth group, all these items recorded normal level. The histopathological findings in the third group exhibited severe congestion and hemorrhage in the ovaries, oviducts, myometrium, gastric submucosa, splenic white pulps, and brain subarachnoid spaces. The fourth group showed protection from the congestion and hemorrhage, and no histopathological changes occurred. The immunohistochemical results in the third group revealed strong positive immunoreaction against the NF-ҡB-P65 antigen in the uterus and stomach. Ovaries, spleen, and brain showed moderate positive immunoreaction. The fourth group disclosed negative immunoreaction for the NF-ҡB-P65 antigen. In conclusion, CBZ toxicity induced histopathological changes in female rat reproductive organs. CBZ induced changes in the enzymatic activities measured in ovarian and brain tissue homogenates. CBZ causes an elevation in NF-ҡB P65 as an inflammatory marker, especially in the uterus and stomach. The ACVL plant extract acts as a protective factor to prevent the CBZ toxicity and also has an anti-inflammatory effect by decreasing the synthesis of NF-ҡB-P65.

Aeromonas hydrophila, an opportunistic fish pathogen, which causes several major diseases including skin ulcer and haemorrhagic septicemia, contributes considerably to the lethality in aquaculture. Chemical and antibiotic treatment employed against A. hydrophila for disease management are expensive and consequently prompted the advent of drug resistance among the pathogens. To overcome these draw backs, alternative aquatic disease control methods using conventional plant-based medicines are focussed. Our present study aimed to augment the fish non-specific immune system with the implementation of methanolic crude extracts of Andrographis paniculata to Labeo rohita, for evaluating their efficacy against A. hydrophila. Histology of major organs of A. hydrophila-infected fish such as the gills and liver displayed severe tissue damage. A. paniculata extracts exhibited the strong antibacterial activity against A. hydrophila even at lower concentrations (50 μl). The extracts also altered the haematological profile of treated infected fishes by increasing the levels of haemoglobin and total erythrocyte-leucocyte counts, along with the phagocytic index. The extracts also had a significant impact on modifying the anatomy and swimming pattern of infected fish, post treatment with the extracts. Also, A. paniculata treated infected fishes in all the plant extract administration methods, viz. injection, oral feeding and diffusion, and reduced the cumulative mortality rate to less than 30%. Even lower concentrations of A. paniculata extracts (50 μl) resulted in maximum relative percentage survival of treated fishes. Therefore, our findings suggest that A. paniculata was effective against A. hydrophila infection in aquaculture, thereby maintaining a healthy status of these fishes in aquaculture.

Improving digestibility, fermentation characteristics, and reducing greenhouse biogases to protect the environment without the use of synthetic materials is an important goal of modern-day farming and nutritionist. Plant extracts are capable of solving these. This is due to the digestive enzymes and the bioactive components capable of performing antimicrobial functions inherent in these plants. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of standard maize substrate treated with selected herbs and spices extracts on ruminal environmental biogas production and pressure during fermentation via biogas production technique. Herbs (Azadirachta indica leaves (T1), Moringa oleifera leaves (T2), Ocimum gratissimum leaves (T3) and spices (Allium sativum bulb (T4), Zingiber officinale rhizome (T5)) were harvested, air dried, and milled using standard procedures. Methanolic extracts of the herbs and spices were prepared and used as additives at different concentrations (50, 100, and 150 μL) to the maize substrate for in vitro biogas production. Data were analyzed using regression analysis. There were significant (P < 0.05) differences across all the treatments on the volume and pressure of biogas. The pressure and volume of biogas when compared with the levels tested showed differences (P < 0.05) across all the treatments for the prediction of volume from pressure of biogas. The pressure and volume of gas produced in vitro increased (P < 0.05) and biogases decreased (P < 0.05) by the substrate treated with herbs and spices but for the drum stick leaves which was similar for the levels of concentration tested. This means that the level tested had a pronounced mitigation effect on pressure of biogas and volume of biogas produced. It was concluded that the herb and spice extracts have the potential to improve rumen fermentation and reduce the production of biogases in ruminant diet.

A state-of-the-art review of biomimetic nanoparticle synthesis is presented. The technique’s origin has been traced to the studies, started over 150 years ago, on the hyperaccumulation of certain metals by different species of plants. How the initial intracellular method of nanoparticle synthesis evolved into the now widely used extracellular route has been described. The review then covers the gist of all the studies reported on the biomimetic synthesis of nanoparticles of different metals using extracts of different botanical species (plants). The synthesis mechanism is discussed, and the factors influencing the nanoparticles’ extent, shapes, and sizes are identified.