Ficus (Moraceae) is a well-known group with specific pollination mutualisms, and hybridization is considered to be rare. Here, we report the presence of interspecific hybrids between Ficus pumila L. and F. thunbergii ...Ficus (Moraceae) is a well-known group with specific pollination mutualisms, and hybridization is considered to be rare. Here, we report the presence of interspecific hybrids between Ficus pumila L. and F. thunbergii Maxim. on Okinoshima, a small island offshore of Shikoku, western Japan. AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism of genomic DNA) data suggested that more than one-fourth of individuals of morphological F. pumila were assigned as intermediate genotypes, suggesting hybrids. The hybridization between the two species was introgressive and unidirectional from F. thunbergii to F. pumila. The findings of this study, combined with other previous reports, suggest that the breakdown of mutualistic systems can occur in isolated populations such as those on islands.展开更多
[Objectives]To study the anti-inflammatory effects of extracts from different parts of Ficus pumila L.[Methods]Inflammatory models of xylene-induced ear swelling,glacial acetic acid-induced celiac capillary permeabili...[Objectives]To study the anti-inflammatory effects of extracts from different parts of Ficus pumila L.[Methods]Inflammatory models of xylene-induced ear swelling,glacial acetic acid-induced celiac capillary permeability and carrageenan-induced toe swelling were established to evaluate the effects of extracts from different parts of F.pumila L.on inflammation.The inflammatory model of ear swelling in mice with bilateral adrenalectomy induced by xylene was established to determine whether its anti-inflammatory effect depends on hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis(HPAA)system.[Results]Compared with the blank control group,except that there was no statistical significance in the low dose group(P>0.05),the high and middle dose groups of extracts from different parts of F.pumila L.had significant inhibitory effects on xylene-induced ear swelling in mice.The high,middle and low dose groups of F.pumila L.extract could significantly increase the celiac capillary permeability of mice induced by glacial acetic acid,and significantly inhibit the toe swelling induced by carrageenan.Compared with the blank control group,the high and middle dose groups of extracts from different parts of F.pumila L.could significantly inhibit xylene-induced ear swelling and carrageenan-induced toe swelling in bilateral adrenalectomy mice.[Conclusions]The extracts from different parts of F.pumila L.had anti-inflammatory activity,and its anti-inflammatory effect was independent of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis(HPAA)system.展开更多
Objective: To evaluate the in vitro antioxidant power of cactus pear seed oil [Opuntia ficusincida L. MILL.(CPSO)] and its protective effect against chemically induced diabetes mellitus in mice. Methods: The in vitro ...Objective: To evaluate the in vitro antioxidant power of cactus pear seed oil [Opuntia ficusincida L. MILL.(CPSO)] and its protective effect against chemically induced diabetes mellitus in mice. Methods: The in vitro antioxidant effect of CPSO was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) scavenging assay. The preventive effect was conducted on Swiss albino mice treated with CPSO(2 m L/kg, per os), before and after a single intraperitoneal alloxan administration(100 mg/kg). Survival rate, body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured and histopathological analysis of pancreas was performed to evaluate alloxaninduced tissue injuries. Results: CPSO exhibited an antioxidant effect in DPPH scavenging assay. Moreover, the administration of CPSO(2 m L/kg) significantly attenuated alloxaninduced death and hyperglycemia(P<0.001) in treated mice. Morphometric study of pancreas revealed that CPSO significantly protected islets of langerhans against alloxan induced-tissue alterations. Conclusions: Based on theses results, CPSO can prevent alloxan-induced-diabetes by quenching free radicals produced by alloxan and inhibiting tissue injuries in pancreatic β-cells.展开更多
Endomycorrhizal fungi play an important role in the survival of plants on poor soils. Planting seeds into lunar soil at a lunar colony will be a challenge for seeds of any plant. The seeds will need a special microbi...Endomycorrhizal fungi play an important role in the survival of plants on poor soils. Planting seeds into lunar soil at a lunar colony will be a challenge for seeds of any plant. The seeds will need a special microbial “tool kit” that will help them germinate and the young seedlings establish themselves. In this study, seeds of the prickly pear cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica, were chosen to examine the presence of fungus spores in the soil, inside the seeds and after germination in the rhizosphere, roots and other tissues of the young seedlings. The nutrient poor lunar regolith simulant JSC-1A was used as autoclaved or untreated growth medium. The mycorrhizal fungus Trichoderma viride was predominantly identified on the roots of new seedlings. This fungus also demonstrated the strongest effect on the germination rate of the seeds in comparison with other fungi isolated from the rhizosphere of Opuntia plants. T. viride was not detected within seeds and also not within seedlings, besides the root tips, whereas an arbuscular mycorrhizal Glomus species was seed-borne and present throughout most of the seedling. A close association between T. viride and a Glomus species associated with O. ficus-indica is demonstrated through light microscopic and electron microscopic images of the outside and inside root tips of the seedlings.展开更多
Prosopis laevigata and Opuntia ficus-indica grow in arid and semiarid regions of Mexico and other countries. Both produce biopolymers with interesting characteristics from the rheological point of view as well as beca...Prosopis laevigata and Opuntia ficus-indica grow in arid and semiarid regions of Mexico and other countries. Both produce biopolymers with interesting characteristics from the rheological point of view as well as because of their coagulating-flocculating capabilities. Prosopis produce galactomannans inside the endosperm, very similar to those found in guar, locust bean, and tara gums. Opuntia sp. produces mucilage that contains polygalacturonic acid and five neutral sugars. Prosopis seed gum has not been proposed to be used as coagulant-flocculant before. In the case of Opuntia mucilage, some authors have suggested its use in the treatment of waters, using either the mucilage or the whole cladode powder. The use of these products in the treatment of municipal or even industrial wastewaters could give rise to diverse benefits. From the environmental point of view, treated waters with neither Fe nor Al, nor synthetic polymers would be obtained (with less toxicity risk). Besides, the produced sludges would be smaller in amount, with better biodegradability, and lower metals content. From the economical point of view, the use of these biopolymers would give an added value to the Opuntia and Prosopis culture in Mexico, helping small communities to enhance their incomes by producing environmental-friendly products. This work shows that both Prosopis galactomannan and Opuntia mucilage can be used to treat municipal wastewaters with an initial organic charge of about 827 mg/L as COD by the coagulation-flocculation process, with COD removals for the mesquite seed gum of up to 90% (pH 10, dose of 75 mg/L) and of 60% (pH 7, doses of 50 and 150 mg/L). In the case of mucilage, 65% of the initial COD was removed at pH 10 (dose of 50 mg/L). These figures are very promising for the treatment of wastewaters, with environmental-friendly products.展开更多
文摘Ficus (Moraceae) is a well-known group with specific pollination mutualisms, and hybridization is considered to be rare. Here, we report the presence of interspecific hybrids between Ficus pumila L. and F. thunbergii Maxim. on Okinoshima, a small island offshore of Shikoku, western Japan. AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism of genomic DNA) data suggested that more than one-fourth of individuals of morphological F. pumila were assigned as intermediate genotypes, suggesting hybrids. The hybridization between the two species was introgressive and unidirectional from F. thunbergii to F. pumila. The findings of this study, combined with other previous reports, suggest that the breakdown of mutualistic systems can occur in isolated populations such as those on islands.
文摘[Objectives]To study the anti-inflammatory effects of extracts from different parts of Ficus pumila L.[Methods]Inflammatory models of xylene-induced ear swelling,glacial acetic acid-induced celiac capillary permeability and carrageenan-induced toe swelling were established to evaluate the effects of extracts from different parts of F.pumila L.on inflammation.The inflammatory model of ear swelling in mice with bilateral adrenalectomy induced by xylene was established to determine whether its anti-inflammatory effect depends on hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis(HPAA)system.[Results]Compared with the blank control group,except that there was no statistical significance in the low dose group(P>0.05),the high and middle dose groups of extracts from different parts of F.pumila L.had significant inhibitory effects on xylene-induced ear swelling in mice.The high,middle and low dose groups of F.pumila L.extract could significantly increase the celiac capillary permeability of mice induced by glacial acetic acid,and significantly inhibit the toe swelling induced by carrageenan.Compared with the blank control group,the high and middle dose groups of extracts from different parts of F.pumila L.could significantly inhibit xylene-induced ear swelling and carrageenan-induced toe swelling in bilateral adrenalectomy mice.[Conclusions]The extracts from different parts of F.pumila L.had anti-inflammatory activity,and its anti-inflammatory effect was independent of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis(HPAA)system.
基金supported by grants from CNRST,Morocco(Project URAC-40)Belgium(Program 3,CUD Project)
文摘Objective: To evaluate the in vitro antioxidant power of cactus pear seed oil [Opuntia ficusincida L. MILL.(CPSO)] and its protective effect against chemically induced diabetes mellitus in mice. Methods: The in vitro antioxidant effect of CPSO was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) scavenging assay. The preventive effect was conducted on Swiss albino mice treated with CPSO(2 m L/kg, per os), before and after a single intraperitoneal alloxan administration(100 mg/kg). Survival rate, body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured and histopathological analysis of pancreas was performed to evaluate alloxaninduced tissue injuries. Results: CPSO exhibited an antioxidant effect in DPPH scavenging assay. Moreover, the administration of CPSO(2 m L/kg) significantly attenuated alloxaninduced death and hyperglycemia(P<0.001) in treated mice. Morphometric study of pancreas revealed that CPSO significantly protected islets of langerhans against alloxan induced-tissue alterations. Conclusions: Based on theses results, CPSO can prevent alloxan-induced-diabetes by quenching free radicals produced by alloxan and inhibiting tissue injuries in pancreatic β-cells.
文摘Endomycorrhizal fungi play an important role in the survival of plants on poor soils. Planting seeds into lunar soil at a lunar colony will be a challenge for seeds of any plant. The seeds will need a special microbial “tool kit” that will help them germinate and the young seedlings establish themselves. In this study, seeds of the prickly pear cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica, were chosen to examine the presence of fungus spores in the soil, inside the seeds and after germination in the rhizosphere, roots and other tissues of the young seedlings. The nutrient poor lunar regolith simulant JSC-1A was used as autoclaved or untreated growth medium. The mycorrhizal fungus Trichoderma viride was predominantly identified on the roots of new seedlings. This fungus also demonstrated the strongest effect on the germination rate of the seeds in comparison with other fungi isolated from the rhizosphere of Opuntia plants. T. viride was not detected within seeds and also not within seedlings, besides the root tips, whereas an arbuscular mycorrhizal Glomus species was seed-borne and present throughout most of the seedling. A close association between T. viride and a Glomus species associated with O. ficus-indica is demonstrated through light microscopic and electron microscopic images of the outside and inside root tips of the seedlings.
文摘Prosopis laevigata and Opuntia ficus-indica grow in arid and semiarid regions of Mexico and other countries. Both produce biopolymers with interesting characteristics from the rheological point of view as well as because of their coagulating-flocculating capabilities. Prosopis produce galactomannans inside the endosperm, very similar to those found in guar, locust bean, and tara gums. Opuntia sp. produces mucilage that contains polygalacturonic acid and five neutral sugars. Prosopis seed gum has not been proposed to be used as coagulant-flocculant before. In the case of Opuntia mucilage, some authors have suggested its use in the treatment of waters, using either the mucilage or the whole cladode powder. The use of these products in the treatment of municipal or even industrial wastewaters could give rise to diverse benefits. From the environmental point of view, treated waters with neither Fe nor Al, nor synthetic polymers would be obtained (with less toxicity risk). Besides, the produced sludges would be smaller in amount, with better biodegradability, and lower metals content. From the economical point of view, the use of these biopolymers would give an added value to the Opuntia and Prosopis culture in Mexico, helping small communities to enhance their incomes by producing environmental-friendly products. This work shows that both Prosopis galactomannan and Opuntia mucilage can be used to treat municipal wastewaters with an initial organic charge of about 827 mg/L as COD by the coagulation-flocculation process, with COD removals for the mesquite seed gum of up to 90% (pH 10, dose of 75 mg/L) and of 60% (pH 7, doses of 50 and 150 mg/L). In the case of mucilage, 65% of the initial COD was removed at pH 10 (dose of 50 mg/L). These figures are very promising for the treatment of wastewaters, with environmental-friendly products.
