Relaxant effects of a hydroalcoholic extract of Ruta graveolens on isolated rat tracheal rings

Background

Ruta graveolens L. (R. graveolens) is a medicinal plant employed in non-traditional medicines that has various therapeutic properties, including anthelmintic, and vasodilatory actions, among others. We evaluated the trachea-relaxant effects of hydroalcoholic extract of R. graveolens against potassium chloride (KCl)- and carbachol-induced contraction of rat tracheal rings in an isolated organ bath.

Results

The results showed that the airway smooth muscle contraction induced by the depolarizing agent (KCl) and cholinergic agonist (carbachol) was markedly reduced by R. graveolens in a concentration-dependent manner, with maximum values of 109 ± 7.9 % and 118 ± 2.6 %, respectively (changes in tension expressed as positive percentages of change in proportion to maximum contraction), at the concentration of 45 μg/mL (half-maximal inhibitory concentration IC₅₀: 35.5 μg/mL and 27.8 μg/mL for KCl- and carbachol-induced contraction, respectively). Additionally, the presence of R. graveolens produced rightward parallel displacement of carbachol dose–response curves and reduced over 35 % of the maximum smooth muscle contraction.

Conclusions

The hydroalcoholic extract of R. graveolens exhibited relaxant activity on rat tracheal rings. The results suggest that the trachea-relaxant effect is mediated by a non-competitive antagonistic mechanism. More detailed studies are needed to identify the target of the inhibition, and to determine more precisely the pharmacological mechanisms involved in the observed biological effects.     

Cyto-physiological events during radish germination in the presence of a Ruta graveolens L. infusion

ABSTRACT

An infusion of Ruta graveolens L. was tested for its inhibitory effects upon radish germination at the cyto-physiological level. Radish seeds were placed under optimum conditions for germination either in water (control) or in the presence of rue infusion (treated seeds). Morpho-physiological observations indicate that in treated radish seeds the inhibition of germination is accompanied by reduced water uptake and delayed reactivation of the outermost living layer, i.e. the aleurone cells. Compared to the control, aleurone cells of treated seeds present many large lipid droplets and protein bodies, without differentiated organelles. Moreover, chemical and biochemical analyses show that the treatment impairs the metabolic pathways of germination, such as the mobilization and utilization of seed reserves, and the loosening of cell walls. In fact, in treated seeds we found i) increased contents of glucose and galactose, ii) higher concentration of malic acid and iii) lower activities of some glycosidases compared to the control. Results suggest that aleurone cells may play an active part in controlling the embryo's metabolism.     

SC-CO2和乙酸乙酯萃取芸香中活性成分的比较分析

为了探讨超临界二氧化碳(supercritical carbon dioxide, SC-CO2)技术与提取物的分级分离在萃取芸香活性成分的应用价值,本研究采用SC-CO2和乙酸乙酯萃取芸香中植物蜡和活性成分,并调查粒径和CO2流量对提取产量的影响。在250 bar、40℃条件下提取,并使第一个分离器冷却到-10℃,可获得较好的提取效率。当粒径较小时,提取过程更快,即内部传质控制该过程。分级分离可选择性去除表皮植物蜡,约占由SC-CO2处理产生的总提取物的77.5%W/W。第二分离器中的获得的提取物中活性化合物可达86.3%W/W。随后采用气相色谱-质谱联用仪(gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, GC-MS)分析表明,乙酸乙酯提取物低于SC-CO2提取物的萃取效率,主要是由于提取物中含有大量的植物蜡。本研究为超临界二氧化碳技术在萃取芸香活性成分方面的提供技术参考。     

NaCl胁迫对四种禾本科牧草种子萌发的影响

研究了4种多年生根茎型耐旱植物——羊草、高冰草、苇状羊茅和俄罗斯新麦草种子的萌发和根芽生长对不同浓度（0、50、100、150、200、300、400和500 mmol·L^-1 ）NaCl胁迫的响应。结果表明,4种牧草种子的发芽率随着盐浓度的增加呈下降趋势。其中,羊草种子耐盐性最差,300 mmol·L^-1 NaCl处理的种子发芽率仅为1.5%,浓度超过300 mmol·L^-1时,没有种子萌发;高冰草、苇状羊茅和俄罗斯新麦草耐盐性较强,在500 mmol·L^-1 NaCl时发芽率分别为17.3%、20.0%和18.1%。4种牧草的根长和芽长均与NaCl浓度呈极显著的负相关,但表现不同：随着NaCl浓度的增加,俄罗斯新麦草的根长下降速率最快,高冰草最慢;羊草芽长下降速率最快,高冰草最慢;羊草的根/冠比值呈上升趋势,而其他3种牧草则呈下降趋势。说明NaCl胁迫对羊草抑制表现为胚根<胚芽,而后三者则为胚根>胚芽。从种子发芽率和胚生长状况看,在种子萌发期内,羊草种子萌发和苗期的耐盐能力最差,而高冰草、苇状羊茅和俄罗斯新麦草的种子萌发和苗期生长均有较强的耐盐能力。     

落叶松水浸液对胡桃楸种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

研究了落叶松水浸液对胡桃楸种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响.结果表明,与对照相比,25 g ·kg^-1浓度的落叶松根水浸液,125 g·kg^-1浓度的落叶松皮、枝水浸液对胡桃楸种子发芽率、发芽指数均表现出显著的促进作用（P＜0.05）;12.5 g·kg^-1和25 g·kg^-1浓度的落叶松根水浸液、12.5 g·kg^-1浓度的落叶松皮水浸液对胡桃楸幼苗苗高、地径生长的促进作用显著（P＜0.05）.高浓度的落叶松叶水浸液对胡桃楸种子萌发和幼苗生长具有明显的促进作用（P＜0.05）.而落叶松叶水浸液对胡桃楸种子发芽率、发芽指数、苗高以及地径的促进作用却随着水浸液浓度的降低,呈逐渐下降的趋势.施加落叶松水浸液对胡桃楸种子萌发以及幼苗生长的促进作用可能与树种间的化学相互作用有关.     

Effects of plant leachates from four boreal understorey species on soil N mineralization, and white spruce (Picea glauca) germination and seedling growth

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Natural regeneration of white spruce (Picea glauca) after disturbance has been reported to be very poor. Here a study was made to determine whether C compounds released from understorey species growing together with white spruce could be involved in this regeneration failure, either by (1) changing soil nutrient dynamics, (2) inhibiting germination, and/or (3) delaying seedling growth. METHODS: Foliage leachates were obtained from two shrubs (Ledum palustre and Empetrum hermaphroditum) and one bryophyte (Sphagnum sp.) with high phenolic compound concentrations that have been reported to depress growth of conifers in boreal forests, and, as a comparison, one bryophyte (Hylocomium splendens) with negligible phenolic compounds. Mineral soil from a white spruce forest was amended with plant leachates to examine the effect of each species on net N mineralization. Additionally, white spruce seeds and seedlings were watered with plant leachates to determine their effects on germination and growth. KEY RESULTS: Leachates from the shrubs L. palustre and E. hermaphroditum contained high phenolic compound concentrations and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), while no detectable levels of C compounds were released from the bryophytes Sphagnum sp. or H. splendens. A decrease in net N mineralization was determined in soils amended with L. palustre or E. hermaphroditum leachates, and this effect was inversely proportional to the phenolic concentrations, DOC and leachate C/N ratio. The total percentage of white spruce germination and the growth of white spruce seedlings were similar among treatments. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the shrubs L. palustre and E. hermaphroditum could negatively affect the performance of white spruce due to a decrease in soil N availability, but not by direct effects on plant physiology.     

青蒿素对蔬菜种子发芽和幼苗生长的化感效应

试验以菜豆、豇豆、大白菜和小白菜为对象,用不同浓度的青蒿素浸种,研究了黄花蒿产生的化感物质??青蒿素对蔬菜种子发芽及幼苗生长的影响。结果表明,青蒿素对蔬菜种子发芽和幼苗生长的化感作用表现出浓度效应和品种差异,即浓度越高,抑制作用愈强,尤以豇豆种子发芽率和小白菜生长的表现最为明显,前者的发芽率可降低75.00%,后者的苗高降幅高达88.37%,且胚根停止生长。青蒿素抑制同季和后季作物的种子发芽和幼苗生长,有利于扩大黄花蒿的生存空间,增强生存竞争优势。在黄花蒿?蔬菜种植体系中,选择抗化感作用较强的大白菜和菜豆可提高土地利用率和整体生产水平。用青蒿素浸种后,蔬菜幼苗的根系活力降低,菜豆和豇豆叶绿素含量提高,而大、小白菜降低,均可视为妨碍生长的生理原因。此外,青蒿素浸种还提高蔬菜种子可溶性糖和游离氨基酸含量,推测青蒿素对种子水解酶活性的影响较小,但抑制合成酶催化的生化反应,导致代谢紊乱,抑制幼苗生长。     

Effects of Ledum groenlandicum amendments on soil characteristics and black spruce seedling growth

The effects of leaves and litter of the boreal forest understory shrub, Ledum groenlandicum, on soil characteristics and black spruce (Picea mariana) seedling growth were investigated. Organic and mineral soils, not previously associated with L. groenlandicum, were amended with leaves and litter of this species. The objectives of the present study were: (i) to determine the changes in soil characteristics after amending with L. groenlandicum, (ii) to determine the quantitative variation in the concentration of water-soluble phenolic allelochemicals in mineral and organic soil layers modified by L. groenlandicum and (iii) to study the growth response of black spruce in soils treated with different L. groenlandicum amendments. The amended organic and mineral soils were analyzed for pH, organic matter, PO₄, N, Ba, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ca, Na, K, Mg, Al and total phenolics equivalence. Results indicate that organic soils amended with L. groenlandicum leaves and litter were significantly different from unamended control soil for most of the chemical characteristics, while amended mineral soil was different from that of unmodified mineral soil for PO₄, organic matter, K and total phenolics equivalence. Water-soluble phenolics from L. groenlandicum and changes in nutrient availability are plausible causes of L. groenlandicum interference with black spruce seedling growth.     

四种苔藓植物提取液对二种蓼科植物种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

研究卵叶泥炭藓(Sphagnumovatum),卷叶凤尾藓(Fissidenscristatus),弯叶灰藓(Hypnumcallichroum)和大金发藓(Polytrichumcommune)的水粗提取液对维管植物虎杖和皱叶酸模种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果显示:四种苔藓植物的粗提取液对两种植物的种子萌发率并没有显著影响。然而,弯叶灰藓,、卵叶泥炭藓和卷叶凤尾藓的提取液抑制了皱叶酸模种子的活力指数。除此之外,卷叶凤尾藓还显著地抑制了它幼苗的干重。四种藓类的提取液对虎杖的种子活力指数和干重,但是卷叶凤尾藓的提取液对幼苗的生长有显著的影响。苔藓植物粗提取液对种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响的机制并不清楚,有待进一步研究。     

森林凋落物对种子萌发与幼苗生长的影响

森林更新是森林生态系统维持自身稳定的重要环节,其早期阶段(种子萌发与幼苗生长)对气候变化十分敏感,同时显著地受到森林凋落物的影响。对这种影响机制的深入研究,有助于进一步认识和了解森林更新动态和群落演替方向。本文简要概述了近年来国内外森林凋落物研究动态,从森林凋落物影响种子萌发与幼苗生长的物理作用机制(凋落物对种子与幼苗产生的物理障碍与机械损伤,微环境的温度、湿度以及光照条件的变化等)、生物化学作用机制(产生化感物质、降解释放营养物质)以及通过改变土壤理化性质间接对其产生影响等3个方面进行了系统综述,并且就气候变化与森林凋落物的协同作用通过多种方式直接或间接地对树木种子萌发与幼苗生长产生影响的机理进行了初步探讨。在此基础上提出了这一领域未来研究趋势和需要加以重视的问题。     

不同光照对望天树种子萌发和幼苗早期生长的影响

在不同光照梯度的人工遮荫和森林生境中,研究了西双版纳季节雨林标志树种望天树的种子萌发和幼苗早期生长特征.结果表明,裸地上的强光照和深度遮荫均不利于望天树种子的萌发,中等程度的遮荫有利于种子萌发.望天树种子萌发率在林窗中央最大,而且萌发迅速,林窗边缘和林下生境不利于种子萌发.幼苗株高、基径和单株叶面积等生长指标均在部分遮荫处理条件下最大;幼苗根冠比在裸地上最高,且随遮荫程度的增加而降低;幼苗比叶面积在一定光照强度范围内随遮荫程度的增加而增大,在3层遮荫最大.除幼苗根冠比以外的其它生长参数均在林窗中央最大.讨论了环境因子(主要是光照强度和光质)对望天树种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响.     

Vermicompost treatment differentially affects seed germination,seedling growth and physiological status of vegetable crop species

Vermicompost preparations are increasingly used in agricultural practice. There is a possibility, that crop plants are sensitive to negative effect of vermicompost at early stages of development. The aim of the present study was to test the effects of vermicompost on seed germination and seedling growth of different vegetable crop species. Vermicompost substitution inhibited seed germination and seedling growth with almost linear decrease of growth with increasing concentration of vermicopost in the substrate. However, both leaf chlorophyll content and photochemical activity of photosynthesis increased in all crop species with the exception of pea seedlings. Vermicompost extract as a watering solution showed positive effect on growth of bean and pea seedlings. Germination response of vermicompost extract-imbibed seeds was clearly crop species-dependent. Hypocotyl growth was stimulated by low and moderate vermicompost extract concentrations. Radicle growth was more sensitive to negative effect of vermicompost extract. It is reported that both solid vermicompost and vermicompost extract contain number of active substances of both phenolic and humic nature, each with own dose- and genotype-dependent effect of seed germination and early stages of seedling development. Findings of this study suggests that vermicompost must be used cautiously for practical purposes of plant propagation.     

Effect of light on seed germination and seedling growth ofMerremia species

The seeds ofMerremia aegyptia are indifferent to light conditions for germination, which becomes 100% in the first 24 hrs. On the contrary, inM. dissecta the highest percentage was found in red light within the first 24 hrs. This difference was lost later on except in far-red. The seedling growth of the two species was least in blue and red lights, respectively. However, the growth of hypocotyl in the former species was faster than the latter.     

人工模拟降水格局变化对醉马草种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

降水格局的变化会影响到植物种子萌发出苗过程及幼苗的更新。本研究以呈扩张趋势的草原毒害草醉马草(Achnatherum inebrians)种子为材料,利用环境控制培养箱进行降水量(W-60%,W-30%,W,W+30%,W+60%)和降水间隔(T5,T10)的双因素控制实验,探讨醉马草种子萌发和幼苗生长对降水格局变化的响应规律,以期为探索醉马草的发生规律及预测其潜在分布范围提供科学依据。结果表明:(1)在相同降水间隔条件下,醉马草的出苗速度和出苗率随着总降水量的增加而提高;延长降水间隔促进W和W+30%条件下醉马草出苗,加快出苗进程。(2)无论降水间隔是否变化,总降水量增加60%(W+60%)使出苗势和出苗指数显著提高(P<0.05);在W和W+30%条件下,延长降水间隔使出苗率、出苗势和出苗指数显著提高(P<0.05)。(3)无论降水间隔是否变化,总降水量减少30%(W-30%)显著抑制幼根和幼苗的生长,总降水量增加60%(W+60%)显著促进幼苗的生长(P<0.05);但总降水量增加30%(W+30%)和60%(W+60%)均显著降低根苗比(P<0.05)。...     

铜尾矿对5种豆科植物种子萌发和幼苗生长影响的初步研究

通过水培实验和土培实验,研究了铜陵铜尾矿对5种豆科植物种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果表明,五种豆科植物种子在尾矿浸提液中均能萌发,但萌发率比对照组低,而且浸提液对种子萌发产生一定的阻滞作用,酸化尾矿浸提液对种子萌发初期的吸胀吸水有促进作用。尾矿与土壤5种不同改良方式的基质试验也发现铜尾矿对种子萌发着阻滞作用,其中大豆、赤豆、赤小豆在70d内未发现死苗现象。     

当归根际土对其种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

室内条件下测定了当归根际土水浸液对当归种子萌发、幼苗生长的影响,采用化感作用效应指数（RI）和综合化感效应指数（M）及差异性检验评价了当归根际土的化感效应。结果表明：与蒸馏水和对照土实验组相比,根际土、非根际土水浸液对种子萌发、幼苗生长及4种酶活性均有显著的抑制作用;随着质量浓度的升高,根际土水浸液对当归种子萌发和幼苗生长的综合化感效应在各浓度（0.125～1.000 g·ml^-1）之间差异显著（P<0.05）,而在相同质量浓度条件下,根际土水浸液的综合化感效应较非根际土和对照土明显;当质量浓度均为0.500 g·ml^-1时,根际土、非根际土水浸液对4种酶活性均有明显抑制作用,且二者之间的差异达到显著水平（P<0.05）;3种土壤水浸液供体对当归种子萌发、幼苗生长的抑制强度均表现为根际土>非根际土>对照土,因此推测自毒作用是当归连作障碍的原因之一。     

种子特征和播种深度对辽东栎种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

该文在玻璃温室内的遮阴环境下,采用盆播方法研究了辽东栎种子特征(大小和种皮)和播种深度(0、3、6、10 cm)对种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果表明:(1)辽东栎大种子萌发率、萌发速率、萌发值和萌发指数在所有播种深度均高于小种子。其中非去皮种子萌发率、萌发速率和萌发指数在0 cm播种深度的不同大小种子间差异显著,去皮种子所有萌发参数在6和10 cm播种深度的不同大小种子间均差异显著;去皮可促进大种子萌发,但抑制小种子萌发;不同大小种子所有萌发参数均在0 cm播种深度最大,在10cm播种深度最小。(2)不论有无种皮,大种子萌发幼苗的叶片数、单株叶面积、总干物质质量和根冠比在所有播种深度均大于小种子萌发幼苗;去皮种子萌发幼苗的株高、基径、叶片数、单株叶面积和总干物质质量在所有播种深度均不同程度地小于非去皮种子萌发幼苗,但前者根冠比在0、3、6 cm播种深度大于后者;随着播种深度增大,幼苗株高、叶片数、单株叶面积、总干物质质量和根冠比等生长参数均呈减小趋势,但基径随播种深度增大而增大。     

模拟潮汐淹浸对红树植物老鼠簕种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

在温室内用自动控制装置模拟正规半日潮淹浸作用对老鼠簕种子发芽与幼苗生长的影响,设淹水0、3、6、9、12、15、18、21和24h·d-1共9个淹水时间梯度,人工海水盐度为2%,测定不同淹水时间下老鼠簕种子萌发、幼苗株高、叶面积、生物量以及幼苗叶脯氨酸含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量、叶绿素含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性等生理生化指标.结果表明,长时间淹水(≥15 h·d-1)会推迟老鼠簕种子萌发的时间,并使发芽率和成苗率降低,淹水＜15 h·d-1适宜老鼠簕种子的萌发.随着淹水时间的增长,脯氨酸含量、MDA含量和SOD活性均先下降后上升,叶绿素含量则逐渐降低.淹水≥3 h·d-1,幼苗生物量、单株叶面积、高生长和叶绿素含量与淹水时间均呈负相关.淹水0～3h·d-1,老鼠簕总叶绿素含量、根、茎、地上部分和总生物量积累均显著大于其他处理,淹水≥18 h·d-1,老鼠筋幼苗总生物量、叶面积、叶绿素含量显著降低,根冠比开始上升.在上述人工培养条件下,淹水0～3h·d-1是老鼠筋幼苗生长的最佳淹水时间,18h·d-1是老鼠簕幼苗生长的一个临界淹水时间,淹水≥18 h·d-1老鼠筋幼苗生长显著受到抑制.     

Effects of forest fire ash on germination and early growth of four pinus species

Fire modifies the germination of seeds of numerous species. One of the fire factors that cause these modifications is the ash. This study analysed the germination of seeds of Pinus sylvestris L., Pinus nigra Arn. Pinus radiata D. Don and Pinus pinaster Aiton, subjected to different ash treatments, and the development of seedlings that grew in these conditions for 14 weeks. We obtained the ash by completely burning leaves and small twigs from the most abundant woody species in populations of pines. The ash treatments applied were as follows: Control (without ash), Low (half of the amount registered in a fire), Medium (equal to the amount registered in a fire) and High (double the amount registered in a fire). Germination took place on paper inside Petri dishes and in soil, and growth was only analysed for the plants that grew in the soil. For all species, and especially P. nigra, germination rate decreased as the amount of ash applied increased. The negative effects of the ash were more apparent following treatments in Petri dishes than in the soil. In the dishes, the average germination time varies little between the four species of pine. In soil, the average germination time is more prolonged, and only some differences were observed between treatments in P. sylvestris and P. nigra. In these species the high treatment significantly increased the average germination time. We found a greater sensitivity of P. sylvestris and P. nigra to the addition of ash, showing a higher seedling mortality rate. However, it appears that seedling development (length and weight) was not affected in any of the species through the addition of ash. These tests allow us to deduce that, in P. sylvestris, P. nigra, P. radiata and P. pinaster, the ash produced by forest fires has an inhibiting effect on germination and little effect on the development of seedlings in the first months of life. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

嫁接对茄子连作土壤生物活性及种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

研究了嫁接茄根系分泌物对黄萎菌菌丝生长的影响,嫁接对茄子根际土壤黄萎菌数量、酶活性和微生物种群数量影响及嫁接正重茬土壤水提液对茄子种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果表明：在培养4～5 d,嫁接茄根系分泌物显著抑制了黄萎菌菌落生长;嫁接茄土壤黄萎菌数量在不同时期均显著低于对照;总体上,嫁接茄根际脱氢酶、过氧化物酶和多酚氧化酶较对照有所增强;嫁接还表现出根际微生物总量、细菌、放线菌数量增加,真菌数量减少,细菌数比真菌数和放线菌数比真菌数增加;嫁接茄正重茬土壤水提液表现出促进茄子发芽和幼苗生长(根长除外),重茬自根茄土壤水提液抑制了茄子发芽和幼苗生长。