European Journal of Medicinal Plants

Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae) is a multiple purpose lacticiferous plant with potential for biodiesel production and medicinal uses. There is in the literature different analyses about the toxic and cytogenotoxic effects of J. curcas extracts, but few information about latex toxicity. In addition, few models were employed to evaluate the toxicity response to J. curcas latex, and the toxicity in in vivo mammal’s model has not been tested yet. The cytotoxic, mutagenic and antimutagenic potential of J. curcas latex were investigated using mouse bone marrow erythrocytes. The results indicated a cytotoxic and mutagenic potential of this latex to mammalian cells. But, when J. curcas latex was co-administrated with doxorubicin (DXR – chemotherapy medication), a reduction in the number of micronuclei was observed, indicating an interaction between J. curcas latex and DXR. The interaction of latex with DXR can cause a reduction in the activity of this drug and impair the treatment of its users. Moreover, there is a lack of data on herb–drug interactions, what should be more investigated to safeguard the wellbeing of patients.

Aims: The cultivation of medicinal plants in intercropping with other species of agricultural use has been an alternative to make production sustainable in family farming. The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth, biomass production, and chemical composition of the essential oil of mint (Mentha x gracilis Sole) in intercropping with fruit species in an agroforestry system.

Study Design:  The experimental design was randomized blocks with four treatments, mint interplanted with citrus (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck), bananas (Musa spp.), blackberries (Morus nigra), or Barbados cherries (Malpighia glabra).

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in the agroforestry located in the sector of Olericultura of the Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR), Brazil, in the period between November 2015 to February 2017.

Methodology: We analyzed light intensity, relative chlorophyll index, height, leaf area, biomass accumulation, essential oil content, oil production and chemical composition of mint grown in agroforestry.

Results: The highest production of biomass and essential oil were obtained in the intercropping of mint with citrus and Barbados cherries, possibly due to the edaphic climatic conditions, such as greater light intensity, that favored the growth, production, and chemical composition of the mint essential oil. Bananas and blackberries intercropped with mint were not beneficial for the growth and production of essential oils.

Conclusion: The intercropping of mint with citrus and Barbados cherries resulted in higher growth, biomass accumulation, and essential oil content and production. The major components of the essential oils were linalool and carvone, with higher percentages in the intercropping of mint with citrus and Barbados cherries. The cultivation of mint by intercropping with fruit species such as citrus and Barbados cherries is an option to diversify the production of medicinal plants, making it sustainable.

The in vitro antibacterial assay was carried out against both Gram positive (B. cerus and S. aureus) and Gram negative (E. coli and K. pneumoniae) bacteria. Floral petals of 20 different species of plants were collected and tested for antibacterial activity. The result showed that the petals were active against both Gram positive and Gram negative. Out of 20 floral petals tested, 19 floral petals exhibited antibacterial activity against selected bacterial strains. The minimal inhibitory zone of floral petal discs against human pathogenic bacteria varies from 2 – 6 mm. Rosa carolina and Ruellia tuberosa showed significance inhibition zone for all the bacterial strains while Lantana camara does not show inhibition zone for any of these pathogenic bacteria.

Leptadenia pyrotechnica is fibre yielding plant and member of Asclepiadaceae family. Commonly all parts of Leptadenia pyrotechnica are used in folk medicines by local people. The present study gives qualitative estimation of alkaloids and its pharmacological properties. The qualitative and analysis of alkaloids carried out by using GCMS and spectral studies. Antimicrobial properties evaluate by well diffusion method. Fifty compounds found in GCMS analysis of shoots of Leptadenia pyrotechnica á,á Carotene, 6',7'-didehydro-5,6-epoxy-5,5', 6,6',7,8hexahydro3,3', 5'trihydroxy8oxo (3.56%) found to be maximum area observed at the retention time of 28.15. Shoots and roots both showed remarkable antimicrobial activity against selected microbial agents. Maximum zone of inhibition was observed in roots (15 mm) against Staphylococcus aureus and in fungal strains shoot showed (17 mm) zone of inhibition against Penicillium funiculosum. The findings of this study illustrate that Leptadenia pyrotechnica have remedial capability.

There are numerous known medicinal plants in the Gaza strip flora, some of them are used in the traditional medicine but despite extensive studies of plants either wild or cultivated in Palestine, only a few articles are reported with the phytochemistry of these plants especially the poisonous flora. The current article presents the most common and important poisoning plants in the Gaza strip flora which are therefore important for the public to know and for research and awareness. This review is considered the first study that working in some details with the poisonous plants in the Gaza strip flora in terms of botany, phytochemistry and herbal medicine. These plants are distributed in several habitats in the Gaza strip, including Wadi Gaza, coastal areas, dunes, roadsides, national parks and the botanical garden in the University of Palestine.