芸芥(Eruca sativa Mill.)与芸薹属(Brassica L.)3个油用种的远缘杂交

采用芸芥 (ErucasativaMill.)与芸薹属 3个油用种 (Brassicanapus,Brassicajuncea ,Brassicarapa)进行杂交 ,共授粉15 990朵花 ,获得 12 5 7个角果 ,711粒杂交种子 ,结角率为 7.86 % ,亲和指数 0 .0 4 5。经形态学鉴定 ,无论芸芥作母本还是芸薹属的 3个油用种作母本 ,F1 植株均为偏母植株。杂交所获得角果的角粒数很低 ,许多角果为空角果 ,但在多数角果中可见到许多败育胚的残迹 ,这些败育胚中可能不乏杂种胚。对角果生长发育测量结果表明 ,远缘杂交角果在授粉后 9d左右停止生长 ,据此推断杂种胚的败育时期可能就在授粉后 9d左右。采用苯胺蓝染色法 ,在荧光显微镜下对芸芥与甘蓝型油菜杂交时花粉在柱头上的黏合、萌发及萌发花粉管在柱头和花柱中的生长、伸长情况的观察结果表明 ,异源花粉很难在柱头上黏合和萌发 ,同时在花粉黏合的部位及其附近柱头乳突细胞内产生大量胼胝质 ;萌发的少量花粉粒 ,其花粉管进入柱头也比较困难。表明芸芥与芸薹属杂交 ,存在严重的生殖隔离障碍 ,而且主要是受精前障碍。

芸芥(Eruca sativa Mill.)对菌核病的抗性研究

经对芸芥和甘蓝型油菜进行苗期菌丝块接种鉴定和花期带菌牙签鉴定表明,芸芥品种总体抗性水平高于甘蓝型油菜。所鉴定的32个芸芥品种中,抗病品种22个,占供试品种68.8％,感病品种10个,占供试品种31.2％,没有中感和高感品种。所鉴定的32个甘蓝型油菜品种中,抗病品种10个,占供试品种的31.3％,感病品种22个,占供试品种的68.8％。在芸芥中有毛类型与无毛类型有一定差异,有毛类型抗性较强。当接种菌核菌后,芸芥体内酚类物质含量迅速增加,36h后达较高水平,以后略有升高。

RAPD Assessment of Genetic Diversity of Yunjie(Eruca sativa Mill.)in China

Genetic diversity of Yunjie(.Eruca sativa Mill.)in China was assessed by analyses of RAPD(randomly amplified polymorphic DNA)markers. Twenty native cultivars representing Yunjie-growing eco-types in China were selected as material in this study. Twelve out of the 64 tested random decamer primers were able to identify 131 stable RAPD bands from these Yunjie cultivars. Of them 105 bands, or 80.15% of the total, were polymorphic. Most Yunjie cultivars from the same ecotype had their characteristic DNA bands. Cluster analysis by unweighted pair group method of arithmetic means(UPGMA)suggested that the 20 Yunjie genotypes could be divided into four groups. The genetic distances among the 20 cultivars varied from 0.117 8 between Shuozhou and Shenchi to 0. 499 4 between Hetian and Xiliang. Hetian alone could be a new type of Yunjie identified in China because it had the greatest genetic distance from all the other tested cultivars. These results indicate that Chinese Yunjie have abundant genetic diversity. Classification of Chinese Yunjie based on the RAPD information was in good agreement with the relationships between these Yunjie cultivars in their geographic origins and their plant morphology.

Improvement of (Eruca sativa Mill) yield, oil, chemical constituents and antioxidant activity utilizing a by-product of yeast production (CMS) with zinc and boron under salinity stress conditions

The impact of low-quality irrigation water on plant development has garnered significant attention from researchers. In light of this, two field experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance, yield, oil production and composition, as well as active constituents of Rocket(Eruca sativa Mill) cultivated in calcareous soil under saline water irrigation. Foliar sprays containing condensed molasses soluble(CMS), zinc(Zn), and boron(B) alone or in combination were used for irrigation. The data obtained from measuring various parameters of Rocket following foliar spraying with CMS, Zn, B or their combinations demonstrated that most treatments resulted in a significant increase in these parameters. The highest values for most measurements were observed when foliar application included all three components(CMS + Zn + B), resulting in a seed yield of 184.6 g/m2and an oil content of 675.3 kg/ha. Compared to the control group, the macronutrient content of N, P, K, Mg, and Ca increased by 34.4%, 56%, 42%, 45%, and 39% respectively in the seeds treated with these components.Furthermore, carbohydrates, proteins, phenolics flavonoids, and antioxidants showed increases of 24%, 34%,21%, 43%, and 28% respectively compared to the control group. Gas-liquid chromatography analysis identified ten components present in the seed oil characterized by higher unsaturated fatty acids ranging from 81.28% to92.28% and lower saturated fatty acids ranging from 6.72% to 8.21%. Therefore, foliar spray application including CMS, zinc, and boron can help alleviate salinity effects on Rocket plants grown under saline water irrigation conditions while improving growth, yield, oil production, and nutritional content such as total carbohydrates, proteins, and macronutrients levels.

芸芥(Eruca.sativa Mill)总DNA提取方法及RAPD扩增体系研究

以芸芥9370为材料,在SDS法的基础上,通过改变离心时间,操作步骤,建立了一种较快速提取芸芥基因组DNA的方法。使用美国伯乐公司生产的Mycycler TM thermal cycler扩增仪,对影响RAPD扩增的因素进行了比较研究,确定了模板、10×buffer(主要含Mg2+)、、dNTPs、引物和Taq DNA聚合酶的适宜量和最佳的循环次数。试验结果表明在25μL体系中使用18.5μL ddH2O,2μL 10×buffer(主要含Mg2+),2μLdNTPs,1μL引物,0.5μL TaqDNA聚合酶,1μL模板;反应条件为94℃预变性4 min,然后进行94℃50 s,38℃退火1 min 20 s,72℃延伸2 min,40个循环后,再在72℃延伸10 min,芸芥RAPD扩增效果较好。

饱和烷烃处理下紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)的转录学特征

为探究紫花苜蓿在石油污染下的耐受机理,采用超声碎促溶的方法,将3种有机物(十二烷、十六烷和二十四烷)配置成质量分数均为1%的混合溶液,模拟饱和烷烃污染对紫花苜蓿幼苗进行处理,分别对污染0,6,24 h的植株取样进行转录组学分析,共获得1431个差异表达基因(DEGs)。GO富集分析表明,这些DEGs主要涉及蛋白结合、代谢途径和催化活性等;KEGG富集分析表明,DEGs主要富集到植物病原体相互作用、MAPK信号通路和光合生物碳固定途径等。qRT-PCR验证转录组结果可靠。研究结果为研究植物降解和耐受原油中饱和石油烃污染机制原理及后续筛选和培育耐石油污染植物提供理论依据。

Influence of Heavy Metals on Seed Germination and Early Seedling Growth in <i>Eruca sativa</i>Mill.

Heavy metals present in soil and water naturally or as contaminants from human activities can cause bioaccumulation affecting the entire ecosystem and pose harmful health consequences in all life forms. Some famous non-food hyperaccumulators such as Thlaspi caerulescens, Sedum alfredii, Pteris vittata, Arabidopsis halleri and Athyrium yokoscense are of very little economic value, making it difficult for them to be used for phytoremediation. In this paper, the influence of heavy metals Cu, Ni, Zn, Hg, Cr, Pb and Cd on seed germination and early seedling growth in oil crop Eruca sativa was evaluated under laboratory conditions. Our results indicated that among the 7 heavy metals tested, only Ni at higher concentrations (1 mM and above) significantly decreased the Eruca seed germination in a dose-dependent manner. All heavy metals except Zn and Ni decreased the root length first, then the shoot length or the fresh seedling weight, and seed germination was always the last to be influenced. With Ni, the root length, shoot length and fresh seedling weight were stimulated when Ni concentrations were under 1 mM;with Zn, the root length, shoot length and fresh seedling weight were increased by all concentrations tested (0.20 - 5.0 mM). Our results indicated that Eruca is tolerant or moderately tolerant to Cu, Hg, Cr, and Cd and highly tolerant to Pb, Ni and Zn, and can be developed as an industrial oil crop for phytoremediation of soils contaminated by heavy metals.

Effects of Paclobutrazol Seed Priming on Seedlings Quality,Physiological and Bakanae Disease Index Characteristics of Rice(Oryza sativa L.)

Rice(Oryza sativa L.)is one of the most important cereal crops in the world.Bakanae disease is a significant rice disease widely distributed in rice-growing regions worldwide.Therefore,the present investigation aimed to assess the optimal concentrations of paclobutrazol(PBZ)as a treatment for rice grains(cv.Sakha 108)to control bakanae disease,also evaluating its impact on grain germination,seedling growth parameters as well as disease index.Paclobutrazol concentrations had no significant impact on seed germination,regardless of whether the seeds were incubated with Fusarium fujikuroi or not.Application of PBZ,either alone or in combination with fungal pathogens,negatively impacted the rice seedlings’height.Paclobutrazol at 25,50 and 100 mg/L,combined with the fungal pathogen positively impacted root length.Paclobutrazol at 3 and 6 mg/L mitigated the adverse impact on chlorophyll pigments content in infected seedlings.The highest proline contents were achieved by 100 mg/L PBZ alone or in combination with fungal pathogens.It has been observed that the application of PBZ,either alone or in combination with a fungal pathogen,leads to the enhancement of catalase,peroxidase,and polyphenol oxidase activities.The median lethal concentration of PBZ was 0.874 mg/L;applying low concentrations of paclobutrazol effectively increased the percentage of fungal growth suppression.Application of PBZ,at higher concentrations(50 and 100 mg/L),decreased infection percentage and disease severity index(DSI)significantly.These findings suggest that PBZ can be an effective treatment for controlling bakanae disease and enhancing resistance in rice plants.

The auxin transporter OsAUX1 regulates tillering in rice(Oryza sativa)

Tillering is an important agronomic trait of rice(Oryza sativa)that affects the number of effective panicles,thereby affecting yields.The phytohormone auxin plays a key role in tillering.Here we identified the high tillering and semi-dwarf 1(htsd1)mutant with auxin-deficiency root characteristics,such as shortened lateral roots,reduced lateral root density,and enlarged root angles.htsd1 showed reduced sensitivity to auxin,but the external application of indole-3-acetic acid(IAA)inhibited its tillering.We identified the mutated gene in htsd1 as AUXIN1(OsAUX1,LOC_Os01g63770),which encodes an auxin influx transporter.The promoter sequence of OsAUX1 contains many SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE(SPL)binding sites,and we demonstrated that SPL7 binds to the OsAUX1 promoter.TEOSINTE BRANCHED1(OsTB1),a key gene that negatively regulates tillering,was significantly downregulated in htsd1.Tillering was enhanced in the OsTB1 knockout mutant,and the external application of IAA inhibited tiller elongation in this mutant.Overexpressing OsTB1 restored the multi-tiller phenotype of htsd1.These results suggest that SPL7 directly binds to the OsAUX1 promoter and regulates tillering in rice by altering OsTB1 expression to modulate auxin signaling.

Irrigation regimes modulate non-structural carbohydrate remobilization and improve grain filling in rice(Oryza sativa L.)by regulating starch metabolism

Recently developed ‘super’ rice cultivars with greater yield potentials often suffer from the problem of poor grain filling, especially in inferior spikelets. Here, we studied the activities of enzymes related to starch metabolism in rice stems and grains, and the microstructures related to carbohydrate accumulation and transportation to investigate the effects of different water regimes on grain filling. Two ‘super’ rice cultivars were grown under two irrigation regimes of well-watered(WW) and alternate wetting and moderate soil drying(AWMD). Compared with the WW treatment,the activities of ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase(AGPase), starch synthase(StSase) and starch branching enzyme(SBE), and the accumulation of non-structural carbohydrates(NSCs) in the stems before heading were significantly improved, and more starch granules were stored in the stems in the AWMD treatment. After heading, the activities of α-amylase, β-amylase, sucrose phosphate synthase(SPS) and sucrose synthase in the synthetic direction(SSs)were increased in the stems to promote the remobilization of NSCs for grain filling under AWMD. During grain filling, the enzymatic activities of sucrose synthase in the cleavage direction(SSc), AGPase, StSase and SBE in the inferior spikelets were increased, which promoted grain filling, especially for the inferior spikelets under AWMD.However, there were no significant differences in vascular microstructures. The grain yield and grain weight could be improved by 13.1 and 7.5%, respectively, by optimizing of the irrigation regime. We concluded that the low activities of key enzymes in carbon metabolism is the key limitation for the poor grain filling, as opposed to the vascular microstructures, and AWMD can increase the amount of NSC accumulation in the stems before heading, improve the utilization rate of NSCs after heading, and increase the grain filling, especially in the inferior spikelets, by altering the activities of key enzymes in carbon metabolism.

利用RAPD分子标记技术研究芸芥(Eruca Mill.)的遗传多样性

目的研究不同来源的芸芥材料的遗传多样性和它们之间的亲缘关系,以便对其进行有效、科学的利用。方法利用RAPD分子标记技术对来源于欧洲、非洲和亚洲的30份代表性的芸芥(ErucaMill.)材料进行遗传多样性分析,根据遗传相似系数计算不同材料RAPD数据的遗传距离矩阵,按UPGMA方法对研究材料进行聚类。结果不同芸芥亚种间表现出比较大的多态性,47个引物共扩增出486条DNA带,其中432条表现出多态性,占总带数的89.0%,来源不同的材料有各自的特征带。30个材料的遗传距离在0.1036～0.4511之间。结论聚类分析表明,在遗传距离为0.1452处,30个材料可分为7个类群,其中来源于中国的材料为一独立的类群,来源于西班牙及其他国家地区的材料分属另外6个不同的类群。芸芥起源中心的西班牙及其毗邻地区的芸芥的遗传多样性最为丰富,而中国可能是芸芥的次生演化中心。

SSR引物在芸芥(Eruca stiva.Mill.)与白菜型油菜(Brassica rapa)中的共用性分析

利用29对用于油菜SSR标记的引物,分析SSR引物在芸芥和白菜型油菜间的共用性.结果表明,SSR引物在白菜型油菜中的扩增多态性比在芸芥中扩增多态性好,不同SSR引物在芸芥与白菜型油菜中扩增所得条带的数量及片段大小都存在明显差异.大多数引物在芸芥中扩增仅有1条带显现,极少部分引物扩增可得到2～3条带,大部分条带大小集中于100～500bp;而在白菜型油菜中,大多数引物扩增所得条带数为1～6条,且不同引物间差异较大.可见,油菜中所用的SSR引物也可以应用于芸芥中进行扩增研究.

芸芥(Eruca Mill.)不同亚种的形态特征及农艺性状分析

在盆栽条件下,研究Eruca vesicaria(L.)Cav.subsps.Vesicaria,Eruca vesicaria(L.)Cav.subsps.sativa和Eruca vesicaria(L.)Cav.subsps.Pinnatifida3个不同芸芥亚种的植物学形态特征和农艺性状.结果表明3个亚种形态特征存在较大差异.Eruca vesicaria(L.)Cav.subsps.vesicaria的叶、薹茎、角果上都密被刺毛,成熟期较一致,且不易落粒,生育期90～100d;而Eruca vesicaria(L.)Cav.subsps.pinatifida薹茎基部密被刺毛而上部较少,种子极小,千粒重0.25g,且易落粒;Eruca vesicaria(L.)Cav.subsps.sativa亚种,角果较长,表面被刺毛或无刺毛,不同材料间生育期差异较大.不同亚种的农艺性状也存在较大差异.

Rocket “Eruca sativa”:A salad herb with potential gastric anti-ulcer activity

AIM： To validate gastric anti-ulcer properties of Rocket ＂Eruca sativa＂ on experimentally-induced gastric secretion and ulceration in albino rats. METHODS： Gastric acid secretion studies were undertaken using pylorus-ligated rats. Gastric lesions in the rats were induced by noxious chemicals including ethanol, strong alkalis, indomethacin and hypothermic restraint stress. The levels of gastric wall mucus （GWM）, nonprotein sulfhydryls （NP-SH） and malondialdehyde （MDA） were also measured in the glandular stomach of rats following ethanol administration. The gastric tissue was also examined histologically. The extract was used in two doses （250 and 500 mg/kg body weight） in all experiments. RESULTS： In pylorus-ligated Shay rats, the ethanolic extract of Rocket ＂Eruca sativa L.＂ （EER） significantly and dose-dependently reduced the basal gastric acid secretion, titratable acidity and ruminal ulceration. Rocket extract significantly attenuated gastric ulceration induced by necrotizing agents （80% ethanol, 0.2 mol/L NaOH, 25% NaCl）, indomethacin and hypothermic restraint stress. The anti-ulcer effect was further confirmed histologically. On the other hand, the extract significantly replenished GWM and NP-SH levels, as well as the MDA level significantly reduced by extract pretreatment. CONCLUSION： Rocket extract possesses antisecretory, cytoprotective, and anti-ulcer activities against experimentally-induced gastric lesions. The anti-ulcer effect is possibly through prostaglandinmediated activity and/or through its anti-secretory and antioxidant properties.

Nephroprotective Effect of <i>Nigella Sativa</i>and <i>Matricaria Chamomilla</i>in Cisplatin Induced Renal Injury—Supportive Treatments in Cisplatin Nephrotoxicity

Nigella sativa and Matricaria chamomilla are extensively consumed as tea or tonic. Despite their widespread use as a home remedy, relatively few trials evaluated their benefits in nephroprotection. Hence, this study evaluates the nephroprotective effects of supportive treatments (N. sativa, M. chamomilla and vitamin E) in cisplatin nephrotoxicity rat model. Eighty rats divided into 10 groups, of 8 animals each. The first group (G1) injected with saline intra-pretoneal (i.p). G2 injected with 5 mg/kg cisplatin i.p on zero day of experiment and repeated 4 times, with 5 days free interval. G3-G10 received daily supportive treatments, started 5 days before the experiment (–5day). Concomitantly G4, G6, G8 and G10 injected with 5 mg/kg cisplatin i.p like G2. On day sixteen, animal scarified, serum and/or kidney tissue were used to determine kidney function tests (serum urea, creatinine, NAG, β-gal), oxidative stress indices (NO, LPO), antioxidant activities (SOD), sulphur compounds (GGT, GSH, total thiols ), apoptotic indices (cathepsin D, DNA fragmentation), two minerals (Ca2+ and zn2+). Cisplatin caused marked elevation in serum GGT that reduced signifi-cantly in group received M. chamomilla with cisplatin (P < 0.001). There is a correlation between GGT and NAG in cisplatin group (r = 0.731 p < 0.05) that may suggest one of possible mechanisms of renal injury by cisplatin. M. chamomilla followed by N. sativa and vitamin E improved the biochemical and pathological renal injury, as determined by increasing the body weight, normalizing the kidney functions, decreasing the oxidative stress markers, improving the apoptotic markers, minimizing the pathological changes. Hence, N. sativa and M. chamomilla will be a promising nephroprotective agents for reducing cisplatin nephrotoxicity, most probably, by antioxidants effects and inhibition GGT production, respectively.

Selection Strategy for Chestnut (<i>Castanea sativa</i>Mill.) Families Originating from Contrasting European Populations

Genetic material originating from contrasting European chestnut (Castanea sativa) populations of Greece, Italy and Spain was evaluated in a common garden test situated in Greece. The aim of the study is to device an appropriate selection strategy by identifying and conserving superior genotypes for current and future use in breeding programs. Breeding material consisted of 143 open-pollinated families growing in a common garden provenance-progeny experimental trial. Growth trait genetic parameters were estimated and response to selection was evaluated using family, within family and combined selection methods. Two models were employed for the estimation of family variance and genetic parameters. The CVA varied between 12.1% and 67% among traits and models, showing an increasing trend with age. Heritability estimates were high;however their variation with age was irregular. Selection of superior families regarding three years of measurement for height, diameter, volume index and number of leaves showed a potential gain of 12% - 25%, 12% - 28%, 33% - 73% and 21% - 49% over the mean of all plants. Genetic gain for volume index was the highest among the traits studied and the joint model used presented a more effective selection strategy. Results indicate that the experimental trial studied presented substantial genetic variation and sufficient genetic gain opportunities for quantitative traits of economic importance. These findings suggest that inferior trees can be rogued from the experimental trial and a seedling seed orchard of Castanea sativa in Greece can be established.

DDG1 and G Protein α Subunit RGA1 Interaction Regulates Plant Height and Senescence in Rice(Oryza sativa)

Many studies have already shown that dwarfism and moderate delayed leaf senescence positively impact rice yield,but the underlying molecular mechanism of dwarfism and leaf senescence remains largely unknown.Here,using map-based cloning,we identified an allele of DEP2,DDG1,which controls plant height and leaf senescence in rice.The ddg1 mutant displayed dwarfism,short panicles,and delayed leaf senescence.Compared with the wild-type,ddg1 was insensitive to exogenous gibberellins(GA)and brassinolide(BR).DDG1 is expressed in various organs,especially in stems and panicles.Yeast two-hybrid assay,bimolecular fluorescent complementation and luciferase complementation image assay showed that DDG1 interacts with theα-subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein.Disruption of RGA1 resulted in dwarfism,short panicles,and darker-green leaves.Furthermore,we found that ddg1 and the RGA1 mutant was more sensitive to salt treatment,suggesting that DDG1 and RGA1 are involved in regulating salt stress response in rice.Our results show that DDG1/DEP2 regulates plant height and leaf senescence through interacting with RGA1.

Conventional Breeding and Molecular Markers for Blast Disease Resistance in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Monogenic lines,which carried 23 genes for blast resistance were tested and used donors to transfer resistance genes by crossing method.The results under blast nursery revealed that 9 genes from 23 genes were susceptible to highly susceptible under the three locations(Sakha,Gemmeza,and Zarzoura in Egypt);Pia,Pik,Pik-p,Piz-t,Pita,Pi b,Pi,Pi 19 and Pi 20.While,the genes Pii,Pik-s,Pik-h,Pi z,Piz-5,Pi sh,Pi 3,Pi 1,Pi 5,Pi 7,Pi 9,Pi 12,Pikm and Pita-2 were highly resistant at the same locations.Clustering analysis confirmed the results,which divided into two groups;the first one included all the susceptible genes,while the second one included the resistance genes.In the greenhouse test,the reaction pattern of five races produced 100%resistance under artificial inoculation with eight genes showing complete resistance to all isolates.The completely resistant genes:Pii,Pik-s,Piz,Piz-5(=bi2)(t),Pita(=Pi4)(t),Pita,Pi b and Pi1 as well as clustering analysis confirmed the results.In the F1 crosses,the results showed all the 25 crosses were resistant for leaf blast disease under field conditions.While,the results in F2 population showed seven crosses with segregation ratio of 15(R):1(S),two cross gave segregated ratio of 3 R:1 S and one gave 13:3.For the identification of blast resistance genes in the parental lines,the marker K3959,linked to Pik-s gene and the variety IRBLKS-F5 carry this gene,which was from the monogenic line.The results showed that four genotypes;Sakha 105,Sakha 103,Sakha 106 and IRBLKS-F5 were carrying Pik-s gene,while was absent in the Sakha 101,Sakha 104,IRBL5-M,IRBL9-W,IRBLTACP1 and IRBL9-W(R)genotypes.As for Pi 5 gene,the results showed that it was present in Sakha 103 and Sakha 104 varieties and absent in the rest of the genotypes.In addition,Pita-Pita-2 gene was found in the three Egyptian genotypes(Sakha 105,Sakha 101 and Sakha 104)plus IRBLTACP1 monogenetic.In F2 generation,six populations were used to study the inheritance of blast resistance and specific primers to confirm the ratio and identify the resistance genes.However,the ratios in molecular markers were the same of the ratio under field evaluation in the most population studies.These findings would facilitate in breeding programs for gene pyramiding and gene accumulation to produce durable resistance for blast using those genotypes.

A study of efficacy of Nigella sativa in treatment of Meniere's disease: A randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial

Purpose:Meniere's disease(MD),first introduced by Prosper Meniere,is characterized mainly by vertigo,tinnitus,aural fullness and sensorineural hearing loss.Though the exact pathophysiology of MD is unknown,immunologic and inflammatory interactions are possible underlying mechanisms involved in MD.This study is aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effect of Nigella sativa on MD as a therapeutic agent.Methods:We divided 40 patients with definite MD into two groups of 20 cases.The study group received 1 g of Nigella sativa oil daily for three months and the control group received a placebo.Changes in hearing,tinnitus and vertigo were estimated by pure tone audiometry,tinnitus handicap inventory questionnaire and dizziness handicap inventory questionnaire,respectively.Results:At the end of the study we did not observe any significant improvement in study's group hearing threshold,tinnitus and vertigo compared to the control group.Conclusions:In this study,statistical analysis showed that Nigella sativa failed to improve signs and symptoms of MD.However,further investigations with a larger study population are needed to ascertain the current conclusion.

Drought-Mediated Modulation in Metabolomic Profiling of Nigella Sativa Leaf, Growth, Ecophysiology and Antioxidants

Abiotic stresses,including drought,have been found to affect the growth and medicinal quality of numerous herbs.The proposed study aims to study the effects of different drought regimes on the metabolic profile,growth,ecophysiology,cellular antioxidants,and antioxidant potential of Nigella sativa(Black cumin)leaf.Forty-day-old seedlings of N.sativa were exposed to three regimes of drought(control,moderate and high)for a week.UPLCMS/MS metabolic profile of the leaf reveals the presence of more than a hundred metabolites belonging to anthocyanins,chalcones,dihydro flavonoids,flavonoids,flavanols,flavones,flavonoid carbonoside,isoflavones,etc.Drought was found to alter the contents of identified metabolites.Drought stress-induced oxidative stress and increased production of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anions.Physiological changes,activities of antioxidant enzymes,contents of antioxidants,and proline were significantly high under drought to protect against the low water regimes.Furthermore,stressed leaf extract had higher antioxidant potential.Thus,N.sativa leaf bears multiple metabolic pathways and can tolerate a higher degree of drought or osmotic stress.