Ficus

Geosmithia fungi are little known symbionts of bark beetles. Secondary metabolites of lilac colored species G. lavendula and other nine Geosmithia species were investigated in order to elucidate their possible role in the interactions of the fungi with environment. Hydroxylated anthraquinones (yellow, orange, and red pigments), were found to be the most abundant compounds produced into the medium during the submerged cultivation. Three main compounds were identified as 1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxyanthraquinone (1), rhodolamprometrin (1-acetyl-2,4,5,7-tetrahydroxyanthraquinone; 2), and 1-acetyl-2,4,5,7,8-pentahydroxyanthraquinone (3). Compounds 2 and 3 (representing the majority of produced metabolites) inhibited the growth of G + -bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis with minimum inhibitory concentration of 64-512 µg/mL. Anti-inflammatory activity detected as inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 was found only for compound 3 at 1 and 10 µg/mL. Compound 2 interfered with the morphology, compound 3 with cell-cycle dynamics of adherent mammalian cell lines.

Commercial and outdoor fig orchards in four Iranian provinces were surveyed for the incidence of fig mosaic virus (FMV), fig leaf mottle associated virus 2 (FLMaV-2) and fig mild mottle associated virus (FMMaV) from March 2011 to October 2012. A total of 350 asymptomatic and symptomatic fig samples were collected and tested by dot-immunobinding assay (DIBA) for the fig mosaic disease (FMD) using a polyclonal antiserum. According to DIBA results, FMD was present in 73% of the collected symptomatic samples from all visited regions. Samples with positive reactions in DIBA were then analyzed by RT-PCR using with specific primers. PCR results showed that about 14.8% of the FMD-positive samples from three inspected provinces are infected with at least one virus. FMV was the most widely spread virus (14%) followed by FLMaV-2 (1.5%), whereas FMMaV was not found. Phylogenetic analysis of the glycoprotein nucleotide and amino acid sequences of known FMV isolates showed two independent groups ...

An alternative approach to quantification of the contribution of non-Q B -reducing centers to Chl a fluorescence induction curve is proposed. The experimental protocol consists of a far-red pre-illumination followed by a strong red pulse to determine the fluorescence rise kinetics. The far-red pre-illumination induces an increase in the initial fluorescence level (F 25 ls ) that saturates at low light intensities indicating that no light intensity-dependent accumulation of Q À A occurs. Far-red light-dose response curves for the F 25 ls -increase give no indication of superimposed period-4 oscillations. F 25 ls -dark-adaptation kinetics following a far-red pre-pulse, reveal two components: a faster one with a half-time of a few seconds and a slower component with a half-time of around 100 s. The faster phase is due to the non-Q B -reducing centers that re-open by recombination between Q À A and the S-states on the donor side. The slower phase is due to the recombination between Q À B and the donor side in active PS II reaction centers. The pre-illuminationinduced increase of the F 25 ls -level represents about 4-5% of the variable fluorescence for pea leaves ($2.5% equilibrium effect and 1.8-3.0% non-Q B -reducing centers). For the other plant species tested these values were very similar. The implications of these values will be discussed.

The transfer of genes between populations is increasingly important in a world where pollinators are declining, plant and animal populations are increasingly fragmented and climate change is forcing shifts in distribution. The distances that pollen can be transported by small insects are impressive, as is the extensive gene flow between their own populations. We compared the relative ease by which small insects introduce genetic markers into their own and host-plant populations. Gene flow via seeds and pollen between populations of an Asian fig species were evaluated using cpDNA and nuclear DNA markers, and between-population gene flow of its pollinator fig wasp was determined using microsatellites. This insect is the tree's only pollinator locally, and only reproduces in its figs. The plant's pollen-to-seed dispersal ratio was 9.183-9.437, smaller than that recorded for other Ficus. The relative effectiveness of the pollinator at introducing markers into its own populations...

Ficus carica Linn. (Moraceae) is commonly known as edible fig. The leaves, roots, fruits and latex of the plant are medicinally used in different diseases. The leaves are claimed to be effective in various inflammatory conditions like painful or swollen piles, insect sting and bites. However, there has been no report on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of F. carica leaves. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of F. carica leaves. Our study validated the traditional claim with pharmacological data. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of the drug could be due to the presence of steroids and flavanoids, respectively, which are reported to be present in the drug. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity of the drug could be due to its free radical scavenging activity. Further work is also required to isolate and characterise the active constituents responsible for the anti-inflammatory activities.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: In the search for new, safe and efficacious uterine active agents, the plant Ficus exasperata was subjected to phytochemical screening and pharmacological analysis. Materials and methods: Ethyl acetate and methanolic leaf extracts of Ficus exasperata were fractionated and purified by a series of chromatographic techniques. The isolation process was guided by in vitro functional uterine assays involving the use of C57Bl/6 female mice. Identification of the active chemical constituents was performed by several spectroscopic techniques which included 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The uterine effects of these compounds were investigated on spontaneous, oxytocin-induced and high KCl-induced contractions using isolated uterine segments of non-pregnant female mice. The activity of different compounds on the amplitude (maximum tension above basal force) and frequency of uterine contractions were simultaneously measured and then statistically analysed. The structure-activity relationships were also examined where possible. Results: These studies led to the identification of some new phytochemical derivatives. Pharmacological assay revealed the presence of both uterine stimulatory and inhibitory constituents. The new pheophytin/ pheophorbide derivatives, flavonoids, fatty acids and glycerol derivatives significantly reduced the frequency and amplitude of uterine contraction, while KCl salt, pyrimidine and pheophorbide-b derivatives significantly augmented both spontaneous and agonist-induced contractions.

Methanolic, hexanoïc, chloroformic and ethyl acetate extracts of Ficus carica latex were investigated for their in vitro antimicrobial proprieties against five bacteria species and seven strains of fungi. The green fruit latex was collected from Chott Mariam Souse, Middle East coast of Tunisia. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated and based respectively on the inhibition zone using the disc -diffusion assay, minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) for bacterial testing and the method by calculating inhibition percentage (I%) for fungiinhibiting activities. The methanolic extract had no effect against bacteria except for Proteus mirabilis while the ethyl acetate extract had inhibition effect on the multiplication of five bacteria species (Enterococcus fecalis, Citobacter freundei, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Echerchia coli and Proteus mirabilis). For the opportunist pathogenic yeasts, ethyl acetate and chlorophormic fractions showed a very strong inhibition (100%); methanolic fraction had a total inhibition against Candida albicans (100%) at a concentration of 500µg/ml and a negative effect against Cryptococcus neoformans. Microsporum canis was strongly inhibited with methanolic extract (75%) and totally with ethyl acetate extract at a concentration of 750µg/ml. Hexanoïc extract showed medium results.

Fig fruit has been a typical component in the health-promoting Mediterranean diet for millennia. To study the potential health-promoting constituents of fig fruits, six commercial fig varieties differing in color (black, red, yellow, and green) were analyzed for total polyphenols, total flavonoids, antioxidant capacity, and amount and profile of anthocyanins. Using reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC), various concentrations of anthocyanins but a similar profile was found in all varieties studied. Hydrolysis revealed cyanidin as the major aglycon. Proton and carbon NMR confirmed cyanidin-3-O-rhamnoglucoside (cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside; C3R) as the main anthocyanin in all fruits. Color appearance of fig extract correlated well with total polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and antioxidant capacity. Extracts of darker varieties showed higher contents of phytochemicals compared to lighter colored varieties. Fruit skins contributed most of the above phytochemicals and antioxidant activity compared to the fruit pulp. Antioxidant capacity correlated well with the amounts of polyphenols and anthocyanins (R 2 ) 0.985 and 0.992, respectively). In the dark-colored Mission and the red Brown-Turkey varieties, the anthocyanin fraction contributed 36 and 28% of the total antioxidant capacity, respectively. C3R contributed 92% of the total antioxidant capacity of the anthocyanin fraction. Fruits of the Mission variety contained the highest levels of polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins and exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity.

Bihu is one of the most important festivals in the northeast Indian state of Assam. Published accounts of the festival mainly deal with its rituals, texts and performance, and its ecological setting is often overlooked. This essay seeks to explore the ecological basis of Bihu and tries to understand how it has assumed its form through an interaction of culture and ecology.

Received 02.12.2014; Revised 25.04.2015; Accepted 05.05.2015] The genus Ficus Linnaeus (Moraceae) with 115 taxa is distributed throughout India from South to North up to the Himalaya at about 2,000 m elevations. Locally known as dimoru in case of non-epiphytic and jori in case of epiphytic species in Assam, India. 28 taxa including 6 varieties and 1 subspecies under the subgenus Urostigma (Gasparrini) Miquel, Pharmacosycea (Miquel) Miquel, Sycomorus (Gasparrini) Miquel, Ficus and Sycidium (Miquel) Miquel are recorded from seven districts of Upper Assam and their morphological characters and distribution were studied. Habitat of the taxa varies from epiphytic in early stage and free standing later to middle sized tree, shrub, scandent, climber. F. heteropluera Blume of subgenus Sycidium shows variations in habitat such as shrub, scandent, creeping and even erect sometimes. F. hispida L. f. exhibit maximum diversity and throughout distribution among all the species. Five forms of flower arrangements are recorded under three types of flower i.e. male, female and gall flowers. In addition to morphological and distributional studies, anatomical studies are also required for the taxa particularly from North-eastern region of India.

Ficus dilaporkan secara meluas sebagai tumbuhan berbunga atau berbuah sepanjang tahun. Walau bagaimanapun, terdapat juga spesies Ficus menunjukkan variasi dalam fenologi pembungaan dan pembuahan. Tindakbalas tumbuhan terhadap perubahan persekitaran terutamanya di kawasan membangun seperti Chini merupakan salah satu sebab variasi dalam corak fenologi tumbuhan. Perubahan ini kemudiannya boleh menjejaskan populasi haiwan yang bergantung dengan Ficus sebagai sumber makanan. Oleh demikian, satu kajian fenologi beberapa spesies Ficus terpilih dan penilaian awal terhadap frugivor Ficus telah dijalankan di hutan Chini, Pahang. Objektif pertama kajian ini adalah untuk mengenalpasti variasi fasa daun luruh, pembungaan dan penghasilan buah di antara spesies Ficus terpilih. Objektif kedua ialah untuk mengkaji perkaitan di antara fasa fenologi spesies Ficus terpilih dengan taburan hujan. Objektif ketiga adalah untuk mengenalpasti jenis spesies yang makan sikonium Ficus. Sebelas spesies Ficus dikenalpasti di kawasan kajian. Sebanyak tujuh daripada sebelas spesies Ficus telah dipilih untuk kajian fenologi. Corak fenologi sembilan individu pokok Ficus diperhatikan setiap bulan selama 18 bulan bermula Jun 2010 sehingga Februari 2012. Kelimpahan sikonium dianggarkan dengan dua kaedah iaitu nisbah silara pokok berskala 1 hingga 5 dan menggunakan perangkap serasah. Data bancian dianalisis bersama dengan data hujan menggunakan ujian ANOVA, korelasi dua pembolehubah dan Khi-kuasa dua. Satu siri tinjauan perangkap kamera selama tiga bulan telah dilakukan di empat stesen merangkumi spesies F. crassiramea, F. fistulosa, F. obpyramida dan F.racemosa untuk memerhatikan spesies frugivor yang mengambil Ficus sebagai sumber makanan. Pemerhatian ini menggunakan perangkap kamera jenis Reconyx Hyperfire HC500. Kamera tersebut dilaraskan supaya mengambil dua imej tambahan dalam tempoh satu minit selepas imej pertama dirakam. Imej-imej tersebut dikelaskan, dihitung dan peratusan kelakuan haiwan di setiap stesen dikenalpasti. Corak fenologi menunjukkan bahawa semua pokok Ficus berada pada fasa daun matang sepanjang tempoh kajian kecuali F. glandulifera menunjukkan fasa daun luruh dua kali pada Mac 2011 dan September 2011 dan sekali fasa pucuk daun pada April 2011. Terdapat beberapa kejadian spesies pokok kajian menunjukkan lebih daripada satu fasa fenologi dalam satu masa. Ficus crassiramea tidak menghasilkan sikonium sepanjang waktu kajian. Hasil kajian mendapati F. vasculosa menunjukkan keseragaman fasa fenologi di antara individu daripada spesies yang sama. Keseragaman fasa fenologi di antara spesies berlainan turut dicerap. Tiada korelasi di antara fasa daun luruh dan sikonium luruh dengan taburan hujan kecuali korelasi negatif di antara fasa daun luruh F. obpyramidata dengan taburan hujan. Juga tiada korelasi di antara tiga musim (basah, hujan dan kering) dengan kelimpahan sikonium. Terdapat empat spesies frugivor dikesan dan direkodkan melalui kamera iaitu Maccaca fascicularis (Monyet ekor panjang), Callosciurus notatus (Tupai), Arctogalidia trivirgata (Musang palma gigi kecil) dan Anthracoceros albirostis (Enggang). Macaca fascicularis dilihat memakan sikonium F. racemosa dan F. obpyramidata dalam diet mereka. Pemerhatian selama tiga bulan menunjukkan kekerapan lawatan M. fascicularis di F. racemosa dan F. obpyramidata masing-masing adalah 14.33% dan 7.61%. Kajian ini juga mendapati A. trivirgata sebagai frugivor buah F. fistulosa manakala C. notatus mengambil sikonium F. obpyramidata di dalam dietnya. Kesimpulannya, kajian ini mendapati tidak semua spesies Ficus menghasilkan sikonium sepanjang tahun, perkaitan di antara corak fenologi Ficus dengan taburan hujan adalah tidak jelas dan bilangan spesies frugivor Ficus yang sedikit memberi indikasi bahawa hutan Chini adalah hutan terganggu.

This book can be read as a journey through music and some forms from nature, in light of mathematics. This is also a journey through unique places in Palermo (Italy), and precisely: the Botanical Garden (the largest in Europe), the Doderlein Museum of Zoology, and the  Geology and Paleontology Museum Gemmellaro. Around the end of Eighteenth Century, Palermo was renown worldwide for the Circolo Matematico and its official journal, Rendiconti del Circolo Matematico di Palermo, where Poincaré, Hilbert, Landau, and Borel published research papers. Taking into account the language of mathematics, and in particular of the most abstract area of mathematics, that is, categories with their diagrams, this book explores some natural shapes displayed in the mentioned places in Palermo, showing how they can be mapped into sound. The book ends with two orchestral pieces, “A Fight for Light” and “Perfect Shapes in the Prehistoric Sea,” based on the proposed ideas. We are trying to build a unitary vision of music, visual arts, and nature. In fact, one of the main characteristics of categories is the possibility of giving a unifying language. At some points of the book, we will be using specific results of category theory.

Ilmu Sinshe atau dikenal juga sebagai ilmu Tradisional Chinesse Medicine (TCM) telah berkembang ribuan tahun lalu. Hal ini dibuktikan dengan salah satu kitab klasik yang sering dijadikan  rujukan yaitu Kitab klasik Huang Di Neijing yang telah berusia ribuan tahun.
Kitab ini  disebut juga Neijing merupakan kitab klasik TCM tertua yang ada saat ini. Dalam bahasa inggris disebut Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor. Dalam edisi sekarang, kitab ini dibagi dua bagian yaitu Suwen dan Lingshu. Penulisnya tidak diketahui. Tahun terbitnya juga belum jelas. Ada yang mengatakan zaman Zhanguo, zaman Qin Han, zaman Han barat, dalam kisaran tahun 471 hingga 221 sebelum masehi. (Willie, 2011) Salah satu teori yang menjadi acuan dalam pengobatan sinshe adalah 4 sifat dan 5 rasa yang juga terdapat dalam kitab ini.
Ilmu Sinshe sudah berkembang di Indonesia, Menurut laporan schoute seperti dikutip dr. Benjamin Lumenta, pada tahun 1640 di Batavia sudah berdiri rumah sakit China dengan ahli obat China (Lumenta, 1989), dengan berkembangnya ilmu sinshe di Indonesia tentu saja sangat penting untuk menggali material peresepan yang berasal dari tumbuhan yang ada di Indonesia. Karena Indonesia kaya akan aneka jenis tumbuhan, Sebagai salah satu contoh, di Kalimantan Timur saja Mapflofa (1995) melaporkan terdapat sekitar 170 jenis tumbuhan hutan dimanfaatkan sebagai obat  oleh suku Pasir Adang dan sekitar 203 jenis tumbuhan hutan oleh masyarakat Suku Dayak Bentian Kabupaten Kutai. Potensi ini bila dapat dimanfaatkan akan sangat bermanfaat bagi para sinshe khususnya dan masyarakat pada umumnya.

The paper deals with the taxonomy and diversity within the genus Ficus occurring in Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary based on extensive field and herbarium studies. The genus comprises 11 species in the study area contrary to the earlier report of 8 species.

The adsorption of Cr(VI) was studied in batch system using fruits of Ficus glomerata as adsorbent. The effect of temperature, pH, initial Cr(VI) concentration and time was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to investigate surface morphology and active functional groups present on the adsorbent surface. Thermodynamic parameters like free energy change ( G 0 ), enthalpy ( H 0 ) and entropy ( S 0 ) indicate the spontaneous, endothermic and increased randomness nature of Cr(VI) adsorption. Equilibrium data were fitted well with Langmuir isotherm at 50 • C. The magnitude of mean free energy indicates chemical nature of adsorption. The breakthrough and exhaustive capacities were found to be 5 and 23.1 mg g −1 respectively. The applicability of the adsorbent has been demonstrated by removing Cr(VI) from electroplating wastewater.

This review explores medieval, ancient and modern sources for ethnopharmacological uses of Ficus (fig) species, specifically for employment against malignant disease and inflammation. The close connection between inflammatory/infectious and cancerous diseases is apparent both from the medieval/ancient merging of these concepts and the modern pharmacological recognition of the initiating and promoting importance of inflammation for cancer growth. Also considered are chemical groups and compounds underlying the anticancer and anti-inflammatory actions, the relationship of fig wasps and fig botany, extraction and storage of fig latex, and traditional methods of preparing fig medicaments including fig lye, fig wine and medicinal poultices.

Ficus thonningii (FT) is an important multipurpose fodder tree providing economic and ecological benefits across arid and semi-arid areas in Africa. Despite its availability in many Sub-Saharan African countries, there is lack of information on its effect on animal productivity. Twenty-four male weaned highland goats of age 7±1.5 months were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized block design. All animals were fed wheat straw, water, and salt licks ad libitum. The control group (T1) was fed concentrate mixture at 2 % of their body weight, while in T2, T3, and T4, 25, 50, and 75 % of the weight of concentrate (DM basis), respectively, was replaced by sun dried FT leaf meal. FT leaf meal had acceptable levels crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and tannins and has resulted in increased body weight in all treatments. Goats fed T3 diet showed significantly higher (P<0.05) values in terms of feed intake, body weight gain, some carcass attributes, and local meat quality indicators than the rest of the treatments. An increase in proportion of FT leaf meal beyond 50 %, however, resulted in decreased body weight gain, and other carcass parameters, despite increased feed intake. Therefore, F. thonningii can be used to replace commercial concentrate mixture up to 50 % to improve feed intake and productivity of Ethiopian highland goats.

Aims: To characterize fungal antagonistic bacilli isolated from aerial roots of banyan tree and identify the metabolites responsible for their antifungal activity. Methods and Results: Seven gram positive, endospore-forming, rod-shaped endophytic bacterial strains exhibiting a broad-spectrum antifungal activity were isolated from the surface-sterilized aerial roots of banyan tree. The isolates designated as K1, A2, A4 and A12 were identified as Bacillus subtilis, whereas isolates A11 and A13 were identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens using Biolog Microbial Identification System. The antifungal lipopeptides, surfactins, iturins and fengycins with masses varying in the range from m/z 900 to m/z 1550 could be detected using intact-cell MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (ICMS). On the basis of mass spectral and carbon source utilization profile, all seven endophytes could be distinguished from each other. Furthermore, ICMS analysis revealed higher extent of heterogeneity among iturins and fengycins produced by B. subtilis K1, correlating well with its higher antifungal activity in comparison with other isolates. Conclusion: Seven fungal antagonistic bacilli were isolated from aerial roots of banyan tree, exhibiting broad spectrum of antifungal activity, among which B. subtilis K1 isolate was found to be most potent. The ICMS analysis revealed that all these isolates produced cyclic lipopeptides belonging to surfactin, iturin and fengycin families and exhibited varying degree of heterogeneity. Significance and Impact of the study: The endophytes are considered as a potential source of novel bioactive metabolites, and this study describes the potent fungal antagonistic bacilli from aerial roots of banyan tree. The isolates described in this study have a prospective application as biocontrol agents. Also ICMS analysis described in this study for characterization of antifungal metabolites produced by banyan endophytic bacilli may be used as a high throughput tool for screening of microbes producing novel cyclic lipopeptides.

Syntheses of substituted salicylic acid appended pyrazoline analogues (7a-j) via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition were reported earlier. In the present investigation we have performed the anti-inflammatory activity by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibition and in vitro antioxidant activity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, nitric oxide, hydroxyl radical scavenging assay and ferrous ion chelating assay wherein compounds 7d, 7h, 7i and 7j have shown maximum antiinflammatory activity. Further, compounds 7d, 7f and 7h were proved to be excellent free radical scavengers.

Aim of the study: This study was designed to investigate the antimicrobial activities of the methanol extracts from the stem bark of Ficus ovata (FOB), fractions (FOB1-6) and compounds isolated following bio-guided fractionation [3-friedelanone (1), taraxeryl acetate (2), betulinic acid (3), oleanoïc acid (4), 2-hydroxyisoprunetin (5), 6,7-(2-isopropenyl furo)-5,2,4-trihydroxyisoflavone (6), Cajanin (7) and protocatechuic acid ].

The methanolic stem bark extract of Ficus thonningii (Moraceae) was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and in vitro antimicrobial tests. The phytochemical tests was carried out using standard methods of analysis and these investigations revealed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, carbohydrates, flavonoids, saponins and tannins. The antimicrobial activity of the plant extract was assayed using the agar plate disc diffusion and nutrient broth dilution techniques. Test micro organisms were: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi (Gram-negative), Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp. (Grampositive). The extracts inhibited the growth of all the test organisms at different concentrations especially against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus spp. which had mean inhibition zone of 33.33±7.33 mm and 32.33±2.51 mm respectively. The results showed the MIC of 10 mg ml -1 against pseudomonas and 1.25 against remaining organisms tested. The MBC against Staphylococcus aureus was 2.5 mg ml -1 and that of Streptococcus spp. was found to be 0.625mg ml -1 . The extracts showed varied inhibitory activity against the organisms studied.

Robust thermal dissipation sensors of variable length (3 to 30 cm) were developed to overcome limitations to the measurement of radial profiles of sap flow in large-diameter tropical trees with deep sapwood. The effective measuring length of the custom-made sensors was reduced to 1 cm at the tip of a thermally nonconducting shaft, thereby minimizing the influence of nonuniform sap flux density profiles across the sapwood. Sap flow was measured at different depths and circumferential positions in the trunks of four trees at the Parque Natural Metropolitano canopy crane site, Panama City, Republic of Panama. Sap flow was detected to a depth of 24 cm in the trunks of a 1-m-diameter Anacardium excelsum (Bertero & Balb. ex Kunth) Skeels tree and a 0.65-m-diameter Ficus insipida Willd. tree, and to depths of 7 cm in a 0.34-m-diameter Cordia alliodora (Ruiz & Pav.) Cham. trunk, and 17 cm in a 0.47-m-diameter Schefflera morototoni (Aubl.) Maguire, Steyerm. & Frodin trunk. Sap flux density was maximal in the outermost 4 cm of sapwood and declined with increasing sapwood depth. Considerable variation in sap flux density profiles was observed both within and among the trees. In S. morototoni, radial variation in sap flux density was associated with radial variation in wood properties, particularly vessel lumen area and distribution. High variability in radial and circumferential sap flux density resulted in large errors when measurements of sap flow at a single depth, or a single radial profile, were used to estimate whole-plant water use. Diurnal water use ranged from 750 kg H 2 O day -1 for A. excelsum to 37 kg H 2 O day -1 for C. alliodora.

We sought to determine the effect of a natural laxative mixture compared with daily prescribed laxatives on bowel movement frequency in elderly long-term care residents. Secondary endpoints included ease of administration and costs of the natural laxative. A randomized controlled trial comparing the effect of the Beverley-Travis natural laxative mixture to prescribed laxatives was conducted over an 8-week period. Subjects were randomized to treatment and control groups; control subjects continued on regularly prescribed laxatives, and treatment group subjects discontinued prescribed laxatives and received 2 tablespoons of the natural laxative mixture twice a day for the remaining 4-week period. Bowel movement frequency and consistency were collected, and ease of natural laxative administration as well as costs associated with use of the natural or prescribed laxatives were calculated. The study included 45 residents, with 34 completing the 8-week study period (16 treatment group subjects and 18 control subjects). Treatment group subjects had a significant increase in average number of bowel movements from 15.5 to 22.2 (P = .007) following initiation of the natural laxative, and no difference in bowel movement frequency was observed among control subjects (P = NS). The natural laxative mixture was rated as “easy” or “very easy” to administer by 90%–92% of nurses, and cost savings of $103.04 was estimated. The Beverley-Travis natural laxative mixture, given at a dosage of 2 tablespoons twice daily, is easy to use, cost-effective, and more effective than daily prescribed laxatives at producing normal bowel movements.

BACKGROUND: Medicinal plants have been reported to play an important role in modulating glycemic responses and have preventive and therapeutic implications. Several mechanisms have been proposed for the antidiabetic effect of medicinal plants such as inhibition of carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes, manipulation of glucose transporters, β-cell regeneration and enhancing insulin-releasing activity. The present investigation evaluated the possible mechanism of action through which Ficus racemosa stem bark (Moraceae) exerts its hypoglycemic effect using suitable in vitro techniques.

The present study deals with the investigation of phytochemically evaluated aqueous extract of leaves of Beta vulgaris for its anti-inflammatory activity. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan induced rat paw oedema method for acute inflammation and cotton pellet granuloma method for chronic inflammation. The standard drug used was indomethacin (10 mg/kg) for both the models. In both methods, aqueous extract at a dose level of 1000 mg/kg has shown significant activity which is comparable to that of the standard.

Background: Diabetes is a serious metabolic disorder affecting the metabolism of carbohydrate, protein and fat. A number of studies have shown that diabetes mellitus is associated with oxidative stress, leading to an increased production of reactive oxygen species. Ficus deltoidea is traditionally used in Malaysia for regulating blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The use of F. deltoidea as an alternative medicinal herb is increasingly gaining popularity with the sale of F. deltoidea tea bags and capsules in the local market. The present study was undertaken to investigate the antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of the fruits from different varieties of F. deltoidea, employing in vitro methods. Method: Two fruit varieties of F. deltoidea (var. angustifolia (SF) and var. kunstleri (BF)) were extracted separately using double-distilled water. The resulting aqueous extracts were partitioned using ethyl acetate to obtain the ethyl acetate and water fractions. The crude aqueous extracts and the corresponding fractions were evaluated for their phenolic, flavonoid, sugar and protein contents. Protein profiling of the extracts and fractions were also carried out by means of SDS-PAGE and SELDI-TOF MS. Antidiabetic activities were assessed based on the ability of the samples to inhibit yeast and mammalian α-glucosidase as well as α-amylase. Antioxidant capacities were examined by measuring the ability of the samples to reduce ferric ions and to scavenge DPPH, superoxide anion, ABTS and nitric oxide radicals. Results: The crude extracts and fractions of SF and BF inhibited both yeast and rat intestinal α-glucosidases in a dose-dependent manner, but did not inhibit porcine pancreatic α-amylase. The water fraction of BF showed the highest percentage of α-glucosidase inhibition while having the highest amount of protein (73.33 ± 4.99 μg/mg fraction). All the extracts and fractions exhibited antioxidant activities, with SF crude extract showing the highest antioxidant activity and phenolic content (121.62 ± 4.86 mg/g extract). Fractionation of the crude extracts resulted in loss of antioxidant activities. There was no positive correlation between phenolic and flavonoid content with α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. However, phenolic content correlated well with antioxidant activities of the crude extracts but not with the fractions.

Infections with gastrointestinal nematodes have severe consequences for the health of millions of people worldwide, and cause serious economic losses in livestock farming. Current control relies heavily on anthelmintic drugs, to which resistance is now developing rapidly. Plant cysteine proteinases, from the fruits or latex of plants such as papaya, pineapple and fig, have high proteolytic activities that are known to digest nematode cuticles, have low toxicity and have been used in traditional medicines against gastrointestinal nematodes for decades. These proteinases constitute strong candidates for a much needed alternative strategy for the treatment of gastrointestinal nematode infections of both humans and animals.

The antifungal efficacy of Ficus sycomorus and Pergularia tomentosa plant extracts on Bufo regularis experimentally infected with Aspergillus niger was studied. After an oral administration of the pathogen for 15 days, the blood, kidney and liver were examined. Treatment with A. niger produced a reduction in red blood count cells and hemoglobin content. Also, both livers and kidneys revealed marked destruction and degenerative changes. These changes included congestion of blood vessels, leukocytic infiltration, and cytoplasmic vacuolization of the hepatocytes. As well as complete destruction of the cellular boundaries of the tubular epithelia, inflammatory leukocytes between the intertubular spaces, destruction and necrosis in renal tubule cells and the swollen glomeruli with wide glomerular spaces were seen. Pretreatment with F. sycomorus and P. tomentosa plant extracts 1 h prior the administration of A. niger for two weeks improved blood parameters and protected against hepatic and renal damage as observed from histological examination and reduced spore numbers in culture media on these organs.

In the trophics, vegetative phenology varies with tree characteristics, weather and soil condition. Seven Ficus species vegetative and reproductive phenological calendar in relation to climatic conditions was investigated. Monthly leaves and synconia data were collected by using “litter trap” method. Phenology were monitored using four parameters namely leaf dry weight, synconia dry weight, leaf and synconia production and synconia abundance. Synconia productivity was measured using ordinal data. Results displayed that Ficus fistulosa I leaf-flushed in August and December 2010 while F. fistulosa II flushed in July-August 2010 and November-December 2010. Both F. fistulosa shed their leaves every month except December 2010. The Ficus crassiramea did not exhibit any phenological changes except for leaf fall which is every month but not in February 2011. The Ficus glandulifera showed deciduous characteristic when it shed all its leaveas in August 2010 and February 2011. On the otherhand, Ficus obpyramidata flushed its leaves in those months. Synconia production–wise, Ficus fistulosa I started producing synconia in June 2010 and stop in November 2010 while F. fistulosa II showed different trend because it produces synconia every month. The Ficus obpyramidata produced its synconia every month (young, mature and fallen synconia) similar to F. fistulosa II. The Ficus hispida produced its synconia every month except in November 2010. The two Ficus vasculosa I and II produced their synconia (young, mature and fallen synconia) in June-July 2010, October 2010 and January- February 2011 but Ficus vasculosa II started producing synconia in July 2010. Most of the Ficus spp. frequently produced their synconia except for F. crassiramea that had no fruit at all and F. consociata produced a small amount of fruits during the study. Most of them bear more fruits during the dry season compared to the rainy season at Chini.

Kislev et al. (Reports, 2 June 2006, p. 1372) described Neolithic parthenocarpic fig fruits and proposed that they derive from trees propagated only by cuttings and thus represent the first domesticated plant of the Neolithic Revolution. Because parthenocarpic fig trees naturally produce both seeded and seedless fruits and are capable of spontaneous reproduction, we argue that the finds do not

Paracrias strii Schauff, 1985 and P. ceratophaga Palmieri & Hansson sp. nov. are  rst record in Brazil and both are associated with Ceratopus Schoenherr larvae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) reared from syconia of two species of  g-trees. Both Paracrias species are diagnosed and illustrated. Males of P. ceratophaga sp. nov. are described. The association of Paracrias with weevil larvae is brie y discussed.

The paper deals with the taxonomy and diversity within the genus Ficus occurring in Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary based on extensive field and herbarium studies. The genus comprises 11 species in the study area contrary to the earlier report of 8 species. Out of which, one species each belongs to herbs (F. assamica) and straggling shrubs (F. heterophylla) and the remaining species to shrub to big free standing trees (F. benghalensis, F. hispida, F. palmata subsp. virgata, F. racemosa, F. religiosa, F. retusa var. nitida, F. rumphii, F. semicordata and F. squamosa). F. microcarpa and F. carica have been excluded as they do not occur in the sanctuary but reported in the previous work due to misidentification. F. repens has been segregated from F. heterophylla and reinstated as a distinct species with a correct
name F. assamica. F. retusa var. nitida forms a new record for the sanctuary. In overall gross morphology, F. hispida, F. palmata subsp. virgata, F. assamica and F. heterophylla exhibit maximum diversity especially in their leaves, peduncles and figs. Among all species F. hispida has been found more common especially in low land and moist areas in mixed forest whereas F. retusa var. nitida has been seen with only two plants. All species have been critically examined and provided with correct nomenclature, vernacular name, description, phenology, ecology, uses and reference to voucher specimens. A dichotomous bracketed key to the species along with line drawings has also been included for
identification.

Latex is a sticky emulsion that exudes upon damage from specialized canals from several plants. It contains several biologically active compounds, such as phytosterols, fatty acids, and amino acids. In plants, these compounds are involved in the interaction between plants, insects, and the environment. Despite its chemical, biological, and ecological importance, Ficus carica latex is still poorly studied. To improve the knowledge on the metabolite profile of this matrix, a targeted metabolite analysis was performed in a representative sample from F. carica latex. Seven phytosterols were determined by gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry (GC-ITMS) and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), with β-sitosterol and lupeol being the compounds present in higher concentrations (ca. 54 and 14%, respectively). A total of 18 fatty acids were characterized by GC-ITMS, being essentially represented by saturated fatty acids (ca. 86.4% of total fatty acids). A total of 13 free amino acids were also identified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (HPLC/UV-vis), and cysteine and tyrosine were the major ones (ca. 38.7 and 31.4%, respectively). In humans, phytosterols and some polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, are known for their anticarcinogenic properties. With regard to amino acids, some of them, such as glycine, are neurotransmitters. Our results reveal the presence of a wide diversity of compounds, from distinct classes, in F. carica latex, possessing various potential pharmacological activities; thus, its biological potential appears to be worth further exploring.

Ficus deltoidea (Mas cotek) water extract has been widely used for woman health in Malaysia. Our investigation focused to identify anti-melanogenic efficacy of F. deltoidea since it has been known to have strong antioxidant activities. Anti-melanogenic effect of F. deltoidea extract was analyzed using cultured B16F1 melanoma cells.