Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) family Malvaceae is an important crop used in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutics industries. Roselle is cultivated mainly in Upper Egypt (Qena and Aswan governorates) producing 94% of total production. Root rot disease of roselle is one of the most important diseases that attack both seedlings and adult plants causing serious losses in crop productivity and quality. The main objective of the present study is to identify and characterize pathogens associated with root rot and wilt symptoms of roselle in Qena, Upper Egypt and evaluate their pathogenicity under greenhouse and field condition. Fusarium oxysporum, Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium solani, Fusarium equiseti and Fusarium semitectum were isolated from the natural root rot diseases in roselle. All isolated fungi were morphologically characterized and varied in their pathogenic potentialities. They could attack roselle plants causing damping-off and root rot/wilt diseases in different pathogenicity tests. The highest pathogenicity was caused by F. oxysporum and M. phaseolina followed by F. solani. The least pathogenic fungi were F. equiseti followed by F. semitectum. It obviously noted that Baladi roselle cultivar was more susceptible to infection with all tested fungi than Sobhia 17 under greenhouse and field conditions. This is the first report of fungal pathogens causing root rot and vascular wilt in roselle in Upper Egypt.
Adult ; Efficiency ; Egypt* ; Fungi ; Fusarium ; Humans ; Malvaceae ; Seedlings ; Virulence

OBJECTIVETo study the identification characters of Abutilon indicum and its confused herb A. theophrasti and establish an identification method.

METHODLMVP (leaf morphological-venation pattern for identification Chinese herbs), and QAERM (quantitatively analyze and evaluate reliability for the method of identification Chinese herbs) were applied for the study.

RESULTThe main differences of the leaf of Abutilon indicum: leaf margin cilia short and not clear (75-200 microm), petiole top with long straight hairs (up to 1.0-1.2 cm), when the tertiary veins and intersecondary veins issue from the lower part of midrib, their angles of divergence usually were wide acute (65 degrees-80 degrees) and a few was about right angle (80 degrees-100 degrees). The main differences of the leaf of A. theophrasti: leaf margin cilia long and clear (200-500 microm), petiole top with short straight hairs (most 0.1-0.5 mm), when the tertiary veins and intersecondary veins issue from the lower part of midrib, their angles of divergence usually were about right angle (80 degrees-100 degrees) and a few was wide acute (65 degrees-80 degrees). With the mentioned three groups of key differences, the both plants could be successfully identified from each other. The accuracy of identification results (AC) was from 97.5% to 99.6%, the repeatability of identification results: agreement rate for observation (ARO) was 97.1% and Kappa value was 0.94.

CONCLUSIONThe established method is simple, rapid, economic and reliable.

Malvaceae ; anatomy & histology ; classification ; growth & development ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; classification ; growth & development

By the fourth survey of Chinese medicinal resources, new medicinal plants records of 2 genera and 5 species were reported in Tibet. They are two genera Rhynchoglossum and Asteropyrum, and five species including Rh. obliquum, A. peltatum, Urena repanda, Schefflera khasiana and Mimulus tenellus. All the voucher specimens are preserved in Herbarium of Tibet Agriculture and Animal Husbandry University.
Araliaceae ; classification ; Lamiales ; classification ; Malvaceae ; classification ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; Ranunculaceae ; classification ; Tibet

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents from the roots of Pterospermum heterophyllum.

METHODThe chemical constituents of P. heterophyllum were isolated and purified by silica gel and sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic data and physicochemical properties.

RESULTNine compounds were isolated and identified as taraxerol (1), betulin (2), betulinic acid (3), sumaresinolic acid (4), 2-methoxy-5-hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone (5), 5, 7-dihydroxy-6, 8-dimethylchromone (6), alpha-monpalmitin (7), palmitic acid (8), beta-sitosterol (9).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 2-7 were isolated from this genus for the first time.

Chromatography ; Malvaceae ; chemistry ; Naphthoquinones ; chemistry ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Palmitic Acid ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Sitosterols ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry

Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. (roselle) is a polyphenol rich fruit. This study aimed to identify the neuroprotective effect of roselle on LPS-induced cell proliferation and nitric oxide-induced free radical in microglia and neuroblastoma cells. MTT assay was used to identify the appropriate concentration of roselle and LPS for microglia and neuroblastoma cells proliferation study. Griess assay were used to determine the level of nitric oxide accumulated based on the reaction of Griess to estimate the activity of iNOS in nitric oxide production. The results showed that roselle at the concentration of 50 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL and LPS at concentration of 1 μg/mL does not give cytotoxic effect towards microglia C8-B4 and neuroblastoma LN18 cells. The roselle treatment at 50 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL showed a protective effect on LPS-induced microglia C8-B4 cells. However, in neuroblastoma LN18 cells, no protective effect was seen on both 50 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL of roselle treatment following induction with 1 μg/mL of LPS. On the other hand, the production of nitric oxide (NO) was reduced when LPS-induced microglia C8-B4 cells were treated with 50 μg/mL of roselle. Treatment of roselle at concentration 100 μg/mL on LPS-induced neuroblastoma LN18 cells also reduced the production of nitric oxide. As a conclusion, roselle had the ability to give neuroprotective effect by the inhibition of LPS induction activity on microglia activation for normal and cancer cells at different concentrations.
Hibiscus

Virus isolate G6 was obtained from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis showing yellow and leaf curl symptoms in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. The complete nucleotide sequence of DNA-A was determined to be 2 737 nucleotides encoding six potential ORFs. Comparison showed that G6 DNA-A had more than 89% sequence identify with all isolates of Cotton leaf curl Multan virus (CLCuMV) and shared the highest sequence identify (96.1%) with CLCuMV isolate 62. G6 DNA-A had 87.1%-89.8% sequence identity with those of CLCuRV isolates, while less than 87% identities with other begomoviruses. Phylogenetic analysis of G6 DNA-A and selected begomoviruses showed that G6 was most closely related to CLCuMV isolates, and they clustered together as a separate branch. Satellite DNA molecule (G6 DNAbeta) was found to be associated with G6 using the primers beta01 and beta02. G6 DNAbeta contains 1346 nucleotides, with a potential functional ORF (C1) in complementary sense DNA. Pairwise comparison indicated that G6 DNAbeta had the highest sequence identities with CLCuMV DNAbeta (92.1%) and CLCuRV DNAbeta (88.7%), but less than 80% sequence identities with other reported satellite DNA molecules. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that G6 DNAbeta was most closely related to CLCuMV DNAbeta and the two DNAbetas clustered together as a separate branch, and formed the main branch with DNAbeta of CLCuRV and MYVV-Y47. It is concluded that G6 infecting Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is an isolate of CLCuMV.
Base Sequence ; DNA, Satellite ; chemistry ; DNA, Viral ; chemistry ; Geminiviridae ; classification ; genetics ; Gossypium ; virology ; Hibiscus ; virology ; Phylogeny

Introduction: Previous studies have shown conflicting results on the efficacy of okra on lowering blood sugar levels. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of okra in decreasing blood sugar among patients with impaired fasting glucose. Methods : This was a randomized double-blind trial among patients with impaired fasting blood glucose from three clinics in Antipolo City. Potential subjects were identified from records of the three clinics, recruited and screened using the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) and fasting blood sugar (FBS). Eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive okra or placebo capsules twice daily for one month. The blood sugar after 30 days was compared with the baseline and the difference between the okra and placebo groups was compared. Results : There was a significant difference between the pre-treatment and post-treatment FBS levels, respectively, of both the okra and placebo groups (p-value <0.01). However, the difference between the mean difference of the okra and placebo groups was not significant (p = 0.06). Conclusion The present study showed that okra capsules are not efficacious in lowering blood sugar levels.
Abelmoschus ; Blood Glucose

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of Abelmoschus esculentus.

METHODThe chemical constituents were isolated and purified by chromatography on silica gel and recrystallization. The chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data.

RESULTFourteen compounds were isolated and identified as 6-hydroxy-stigmasta-4-en-3-one(1), 6-hydroxy-stigmasta4,22-dien-3-one(2), stigmasta-5-en-3-ol-7-one(3), stigmasta-5, 22-dien-3-ol-7-one(4), stigmast-5-en-3, 7-diol(5), stigmast-5, 22-dien-3, 7-diol(6), stigmast-4, 22-dien-3, 6-dione(7), stigmasta-4, 22-dien-3-one(8), ergosta-7, 22-dien-3-ol(9), cycloart-25-en-3,24-diol(10), lupeol(11), aurantiamide acetate (12), stigmasterol(13), hexadecanoic acid (14).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-12 are obtained from the genus Abelmoschus plant for the first time and also from the Malvaceae for the first time.

Abelmoschus ; chemistry ; Alkanes ; chemistry ; Chromatography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of the esophagogram using marshmallow bolus in the evaluation of the causes of variable esophageal-related symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Esophagograms using marshmallow bolus were performed on 44 patients with esophageal-related symptoms and on ten normal volunteers. Video fluoroscopic studies were also made. Patients were classified into three groups according to their esophageal-related symptoms ; those with dysphagia, those with globus symptom, and those with chest pain. Abnormal findings on an esophagogram with marshmallow were graded into three categories ; mild, moderate, and severe. Provocation of the same symptom wasalso evaluated. Esophageal manometric studies were performed on 16 patients and those results were compared with the results obtained from the esophagogram using marshmallow bolus. RESULTS: The provocation rate of the same symptom was 33% in the first group, 47% in the second, and 24% in the third. The provocation rate was highest inthe second group. The provocation rate was also higher in patients with a severe degree of abnormality on anesophagogram using marshmallow bolus. Where there were abnormal findings, an esophagogram using marshmallow bolus showed a higher abnormality rate than did a conventional esophagogram. In cases showing abnormal findings on the esophageal manometric study, an esophagogram using marshmallow bolus showed a higher provocation rate and more severe abnormality than in cases showing normal findings on manometric study. CONCLUSION: An esophagogram using marshmallow bolus will a useful radiologic screening modality for the evaluation of patients with esophageal-related symptoms.
Althaea* ; Chest Pain ; Deglutition Disorders ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Mass Screening

In September 2013 and 2014, a significant number of kenaf plants showing symptoms of leaf spots with approximately 50% incidence were found in experimental plots in Iksan and Namwon, Korea. Leaf spots were circular to irregular, more or less vein-limited, reaching to 10 mm in diameter. The spots were initially uniformly brown to reddish brown, turning pale brown with a purplish margin and showing grayish patches on the lesion due to heavy fructification. The causative agent of the leaf spot disease was identified as Cercospora malayensis. The pathogenicity test was conducted with similar results, which fulfilled Koch's postulates. This is the first report of C. malayensis infection of kenaf in Korea.
Hibiscus* ; Incidence ; Jeollabuk-do ; Korea ; Virulence