Objective:To study the potential ameliorating properties of cardamom Elettaria cardamomum (E.cardamomum) L.Maton against pan masala induced damage in lung of male Swiss mice. Methods:The experimental animals were divi...Objective:To study the potential ameliorating properties of cardamom Elettaria cardamomum (E.cardamomum) L.Maton against pan masala induced damage in lung of male Swiss mice. Methods:The experimental animals were divided into 3 groups(control,pan masala treated group and pan masala with cardamom treated group) to evaluate pan masala toxicity.The observations were substantiated with profound changes in the lung tissue as revealed in the histologic and transmission electron microscopic examinations.Results:Lung of pan masala treated group showed adenocarcinoma,edema,and inflammation with increased activity of acid phosphatase,alkaline phosphatase,and lactate dehydrogenase.The deleterious effects were seen to be less in cardamom treated group and the enzymatic activity also decreased significantly (P【0.05)\ in the ameliorating group.Conclusions:Thus,the present experiment exciting results are observed when cardamom is supplemented with pan masala,or when given alone.展开更多
Cinnamon, cardamom and cloves have been widely used for medicinal purposes as well as essential cooking ingredients for flavor. The objective of the research was to investigate the antioxidant content, antioxidant cap...Cinnamon, cardamom and cloves have been widely used for medicinal purposes as well as essential cooking ingredients for flavor. The objective of the research was to investigate the antioxidant content, antioxidant capacity, and inhibition of lipid and carbohydrate metabolizing enzyme activities of selected spices (cinnamon, cardamom & cloves) methanol (ME) and water extracts (WE). The phytochemical content was determined by total phenolic and total flavanoid content. The antioxidant potential was determined by measuring 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) in spice’s (ME) and (WE) extracts. Total phenolic (GAE mg/100g dry weight) and flavonoid (mg CE/100g dry weight) content were the highest in Cloves (ME) 174.4 and 101.06. The lowest values for phenolic content were seen in ME and WE of Cardamom at 31.24 and 7.55. The DPPH IC50 values ranged from 0.22mg/mL (Cloves ME) to 0.60mg/mL (Cardamom ME). FRAP (μmol Fe2+/100g dry weight) for Cinnamon, Cardamom (ME) was 2438.5 and 325. Clove (ME) had a significantly higher reducing potential of 6888.5 which might have been attributed by the high amounts of phenolics and flavonoids in the spice. FRAP in spice extracts (WE) was lower with values of 2296.5 and 218.5 and 2310.5, respectively. The highest inhibition of the α-glucosidase was observed by Clove (ME) 86.5%, which also had the highest amylase enzyme inhibition at 71%. However, inhibition of the lipase enzyme was highest by the Cinnamon (WE) extracts 44.3%. The potential of phytochemicals in spices was studied and if consumed in high amounts could offer antioxidative properties and regulate key digestive enzymes which may lead to prevention or decreased progression of diseases such as Cancer, Diabetes and Cardiovascular diseases.展开更多
Cultivation of cash crops, such as cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) in the forest understorey is a common practice in many tropical forests. Over time, cultivation may change forest structure and species composition, l...Cultivation of cash crops, such as cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) in the forest understorey is a common practice in many tropical forests. Over time, cultivation may change forest structure and species composition, leading to gradual degradation of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Effective conservation of these forests requires an enhanced understanding of the demographic processes such as soil seed bank that may greatly influence future forest composition. We examined how the soil seed bank structure and composition responds to cardamom cultivation in a high conservation value Sri Lankan montane rain forest. Soil samples from natural forest with abandoned cardamom plantations (CP) and adjacent natural forest (NF) patches without cardamom were collected in dry and wet seasons. Soil samples were spread out in trays in a shade house and germination was recorded weekly for 19 weeks. The density of seeds in the soil seed bank was much higher in CP than NF. While grasses and forbs contributed the highest number and percentage of seeds in soils of both forest types, their densities in the soil seed bank were 9 and 2 times greater in the CP than the NF, respectively. Seeds of the non-native herbs Ageratina riparia and E. cardamomum were 4 and 20 times greater in the soil of CP, respectively. Seeds of light demanding tree species such as Macaranga indica were restricted to soils of CPs. Overstorey tree community of each forest type was poorly represented in their respective soil seed banks. The high density of seeds of pioneer trees and non-native herbs in the soil of CPs, combined with higher light transmission to the ground floor may exacerbate competition for resources with the seedlings of late successional trees of high conservation value. To overcome this barrier and enhance conservation value of the forest, restoration strategies may need to focus on transplanting seedlings of these species into forest with abandoned cardamom plantations.展开更多
Extraction of quality RNA for molecular biology applications from perennial woody plants like mulberry is complicated due to the presence of high polysaccharides, polyphenols and other secondary metabolites. Since the...Extraction of quality RNA for molecular biology applications from perennial woody plants like mulberry is complicated due to the presence of high polysaccharides, polyphenols and other secondary metabolites. Since the existing methods failed to yield quality RNA in sufficient quantity from leaf and root tissues of mulberry, in this study, we modified the CTAB-based protocol. The standardised protocol yielded high quantity (520.00 μg/g fresh weight of leaf tissue) of quality RNA and the RNA extracted was suitable for all downstream applications such as cDNA synthesis, PCR and whole transcriptome analysis. The method developed was also found to be useful for isolating good quality and quantity total RNA from desiccated and salinity stressed leaf tissues of mulberry. The protocol was also applied successfully to isolate total RNA from leaf tissues of other species such as cardamom, papaya and rice.展开更多
文摘Objective:To study the potential ameliorating properties of cardamom Elettaria cardamomum (E.cardamomum) L.Maton against pan masala induced damage in lung of male Swiss mice. Methods:The experimental animals were divided into 3 groups(control,pan masala treated group and pan masala with cardamom treated group) to evaluate pan masala toxicity.The observations were substantiated with profound changes in the lung tissue as revealed in the histologic and transmission electron microscopic examinations.Results:Lung of pan masala treated group showed adenocarcinoma,edema,and inflammation with increased activity of acid phosphatase,alkaline phosphatase,and lactate dehydrogenase.The deleterious effects were seen to be less in cardamom treated group and the enzymatic activity also decreased significantly (P【0.05)\ in the ameliorating group.Conclusions:Thus,the present experiment exciting results are observed when cardamom is supplemented with pan masala,or when given alone.
文摘Cinnamon, cardamom and cloves have been widely used for medicinal purposes as well as essential cooking ingredients for flavor. The objective of the research was to investigate the antioxidant content, antioxidant capacity, and inhibition of lipid and carbohydrate metabolizing enzyme activities of selected spices (cinnamon, cardamom & cloves) methanol (ME) and water extracts (WE). The phytochemical content was determined by total phenolic and total flavanoid content. The antioxidant potential was determined by measuring 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) in spice’s (ME) and (WE) extracts. Total phenolic (GAE mg/100g dry weight) and flavonoid (mg CE/100g dry weight) content were the highest in Cloves (ME) 174.4 and 101.06. The lowest values for phenolic content were seen in ME and WE of Cardamom at 31.24 and 7.55. The DPPH IC50 values ranged from 0.22mg/mL (Cloves ME) to 0.60mg/mL (Cardamom ME). FRAP (μmol Fe2+/100g dry weight) for Cinnamon, Cardamom (ME) was 2438.5 and 325. Clove (ME) had a significantly higher reducing potential of 6888.5 which might have been attributed by the high amounts of phenolics and flavonoids in the spice. FRAP in spice extracts (WE) was lower with values of 2296.5 and 218.5 and 2310.5, respectively. The highest inhibition of the α-glucosidase was observed by Clove (ME) 86.5%, which also had the highest amylase enzyme inhibition at 71%. However, inhibition of the lipase enzyme was highest by the Cinnamon (WE) extracts 44.3%. The potential of phytochemicals in spices was studied and if consumed in high amounts could offer antioxidative properties and regulate key digestive enzymes which may lead to prevention or decreased progression of diseases such as Cancer, Diabetes and Cardiovascular diseases.
文摘Cultivation of cash crops, such as cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) in the forest understorey is a common practice in many tropical forests. Over time, cultivation may change forest structure and species composition, leading to gradual degradation of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Effective conservation of these forests requires an enhanced understanding of the demographic processes such as soil seed bank that may greatly influence future forest composition. We examined how the soil seed bank structure and composition responds to cardamom cultivation in a high conservation value Sri Lankan montane rain forest. Soil samples from natural forest with abandoned cardamom plantations (CP) and adjacent natural forest (NF) patches without cardamom were collected in dry and wet seasons. Soil samples were spread out in trays in a shade house and germination was recorded weekly for 19 weeks. The density of seeds in the soil seed bank was much higher in CP than NF. While grasses and forbs contributed the highest number and percentage of seeds in soils of both forest types, their densities in the soil seed bank were 9 and 2 times greater in the CP than the NF, respectively. Seeds of the non-native herbs Ageratina riparia and E. cardamomum were 4 and 20 times greater in the soil of CP, respectively. Seeds of light demanding tree species such as Macaranga indica were restricted to soils of CPs. Overstorey tree community of each forest type was poorly represented in their respective soil seed banks. The high density of seeds of pioneer trees and non-native herbs in the soil of CPs, combined with higher light transmission to the ground floor may exacerbate competition for resources with the seedlings of late successional trees of high conservation value. To overcome this barrier and enhance conservation value of the forest, restoration strategies may need to focus on transplanting seedlings of these species into forest with abandoned cardamom plantations.
文摘Extraction of quality RNA for molecular biology applications from perennial woody plants like mulberry is complicated due to the presence of high polysaccharides, polyphenols and other secondary metabolites. Since the existing methods failed to yield quality RNA in sufficient quantity from leaf and root tissues of mulberry, in this study, we modified the CTAB-based protocol. The standardised protocol yielded high quantity (520.00 μg/g fresh weight of leaf tissue) of quality RNA and the RNA extracted was suitable for all downstream applications such as cDNA synthesis, PCR and whole transcriptome analysis. The method developed was also found to be useful for isolating good quality and quantity total RNA from desiccated and salinity stressed leaf tissues of mulberry. The protocol was also applied successfully to isolate total RNA from leaf tissues of other species such as cardamom, papaya and rice.
