Search Results (174)

Wild edible plants (WEPs) play a crucial role in sustaining local food systems, cultural heritage, and livelihoods in northeastern Thailand. This study documents the diversity, cultural significance, medicinal use, and economic value of WEPs among the Tai Yoy community in Akat Amnuai District, Sakon Nakhon Province. Field surveys, interviews, and market observations recorded 78 species belonging to 42 families, with 52 species represent new records for the province. Fruits and leaves were the most commonly used parts, while multifunctional species such as Curcuma angustifolia Roxb., Phyllanthus androgynus (L.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr., and Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz were highly valued for both dietary and medicinal purposes. Quantitative analyses, including the Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI), fidelity level (FL), and Jaccard’s similarity index (JI), revealed strong cultural consensus on key species and regional patterns shaped by ecological and sociocultural factors. Market surveys identified 25 species contributing to household income, highlighting the economic importance of WEPs and the potential risks of overharvesting. The study emphasizes the need for sustainable management, including cultivation of high-demand species, to reduce pressure on wild populations while supporting food security and traditional knowledge. These findings provide a comprehensive baseline for future ethnobotanical research, conservation planning, and the sustainable use of WEPs in northeastern Thailand. Full article

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) is a traditional and economically important crop in Bulgaria. The cultivated areas are primarily planted with seven Bulgarian varieties: ‘Hemus’, ‘Druzhba’, ‘Sevtopolis’, ‘Yubileina’, ‘Raya’, ‘Hebar’, and ‘Karlovo’. Except for ‘Karlovo’, these cultivars are widely grown due to their proven agronomic performance and adaptability across different regions of the country. However, their genetic diversity and relationships have not been deeply examined. In this study, 13 Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers were used to assess the genetic diversity of those seven Bulgarian cultivars. This research provides the first report on the application of SCoT markers in lavender accessions. The results revealed considerable polymorphism, confirming the effectiveness of the SCoT marker system for L. angustifolia. The obtained data indicate moderate genetic diversity among the cultivars, supported by the effective number of alleles and polymorphic information content. Cluster analysis (UPGMA) and Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) demonstrated clear genetic differentiation, grouping the cultivars according to their genetic proximity. These findings provide valuable baseline information for future selection, conservation, and genetic evaluation of Bulgarian lavender. Full article

The growing demand for fresh-cut fruit requires innovative preservation strategies to counteract rapid quality deterioration, particularly in lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.), which is highly susceptible to flesh browning and loss of sensory traits. Manna, a natural exudate obtained from Fraxinus angustifolia, is traditionally used in the Mediterranean area and is known to be rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, minerals (e.g., calcium), and antioxidants. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of manna as a natural preservative on fresh-cut lemon slices (cv. Zagara Bianca) from two different flowerings, primofiore (yellow fruit) and verdello (green fruit), harvested at the same time. Treatments with different manna solutions (5%, 10%, and 15%) were applied, and physicochemical parameters, nutraceutical content, and sensory traits (flavor and acidity perception) were evaluated at harvest and after 3, 6, and 12 days of storage at 5 °C with 85% RH. The results showed distinct effects depending on the maturity stage, but in all cases, manna treatments modulated the respiration rate, reduced weight loss, modified acidity perception, and improved nutraceutical content. In green lemon slices, treatment with 15% manna helped to maintain nutraceutical stability, sustained antioxidant activity, and reduced quality degradation, ensuring a balanced lemon flavor perception. In yellow lemon slices, treatment with 15% manna led to an increase in total soluble solids and a modified taste perception, resulting in a less pronounced freshness compared with the control. Overall, manna proved to be a natural coadjuvant capable of limiting oxidative processes and slowing tissue senescence, while simultaneously enhancing the nutraceutical properties of fresh-cut lemon slices. Full article

Background: Antimicrobial resistance in oral pathogens drives interest in natural alternatives such as essential oils (EOs). Methods: The chemical composition and in vitro antimicrobial activity of Origanum vulgare, Thymus vulgaris, and Lavandula angustifolia EOs were investigated. Oils were profiled by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and tested against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 using the disc diffusion method (triplicate, 1 µL/disc, ~850–950 µg). Results: O. vulgare oil produced the strongest inhibition against C. albicans (18.4 ± 0.5 mm), T. vulgaris was most active E. coli (13.0 ± 0.5 mm), while L. angustifolia showed negligible activity (6–7 mm). All EO inhibition zones were smaller than those of antibiotics. Conclusions: At clinically relevant doses, Oregano and Thyme oils showed modest antimicrobial effects, whereas Lavender was inactive. However, these findings are limited by the use of ATCC strains, small sample size, and reliance on the disc diffusion method, which provides only qualitative data and does not capture biofilm or host interactions. Future studies should include minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC)/minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) assays, biofilm models, and cytotoxicity testing. AI-assisted GC-MS analysis and automated inhibition zone measurement should be considered as future perspectives to improve reproducibility and translational potential. Full article

Epilepsy manifests as recurrent spontaneous seizures associated with irregular brain activity. Recognizing the limitations of conventional antiepileptic treatments, we explored the therapeutic potential of essential oils (EOs) derived from Greek aromatic plants (Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata wild, Mentha piperita, Lavandula angustifolia and Origanum Dictamnus). Specifically, we explored their radical scavenging capacity (DPPH), as well as their antioxidant (AOP and MDA levels) and neuroprotective effect in a PTZ-induced epilepsy Balb/c mice model (animals were pretreated with EOs prior to PTZ treatment). Our results indicated that Mentha piperita emerges as the most promising EO, demonstrating strong antioxidant activity and the highest radical scavenging ability (IC₅₀ = 1.9 mg/mL). Mentha pulegium also exhibited considerable antioxidant potential, demonstrating the strongest effect in the AOP assay when administered prior to PTZ treatment. Furthermore, Origanum dictamnus exhibited the strongest potential to attenuate MDA formation in the presence of PTZ. Finally, immunohistochemistry indicated a trend of neuronal preservation in animals pretreated with EOs prior to PTZ, with Mentha piperita demonstrating the most significant effect. Based on these findings, we suggest that certain EOs possess significant antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Further research is warranted to validate these results and elucidate the active ingredients responsible for the observed properties. Full article

Plants of the genus Lavandula are widely studied for their pharmaceutical and food relevance. The composition of lavender essential oil is primarily genotype-dependent but also influenced by environment, developmental stage, and morphology. This study assessed biomass, morphology, oil yield, and chemical composition of seven cultivars (L. angustifolia Boston Blue, L. angustifolia Dwarf Blue, L. Abrialis, L. Super A, L. Super Z, L. Maime, and L. sumiens) cultivated in Tuscany (Italy) over two growing seasons years (2019–2020 and 2020–2021) at two sites (IT and VR). Most morphological traits were significantly affected by cultivar, site, and year, with IT and lavandin cultivars outperforming VR and true lavender. Cultivar strongly influenced compound concentrations, confirming genetic control. True lavender oils showed distinctive profiles compared to ISO 3515:2002/Cor 1:2004 and the literature: lower linalool (~12.8% vs. 25–38%), higher linalyl acetate (~22.7% vs. 25–45%), negligible camphor (~0%), and very low 1,8-cineole (0.7%). Lavandin oils matched ISO 8902:2009 and the literature for major compounds (1,8-cineole 7%, camphor 8.9%, and linalool 23.4%), except for linalyl acetate (14.2%), below the standard range (20–38%). Overall, cultivar choice significantly shaped essential oil yield and chemical profiles, highlighting genetic and environmental interactions that are crucial for lavender breeding and industrial applications. Full article

Saline–alkaline wetlands represent critical ecosystems for maintaining biodiversity, regulating hydrological processes, and supporting regional ecological resilience. However, the extent to which dominant vegetation regulates soil functionality and microbial assemblages in these unique saline systems remains insufficiently understood. In this study, we examined five characteristic vegetation types—Phragmites communis Trin., Typha angustifolia L., Bryophytes, Suaeda salsa (L.) Pall., Echinochloa phyllopogon (Stapf) Koss.—across the saline wetlands of Chagan Lake, northeast China, which are embedded in a heterogeneous matrix of forests, grasslands, and agricultural lands. Comprehensive assessments of soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, and bacterial communities were conducted, integrating high-throughput sequencing with multivariate statistical analyses. Our results revealed that vegetation cover markedly influenced soil attributes, particularly total organic carbon (TOC) and alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen (AN), alongside key enzymatic functions such as urease and alkaline phosphatase activities. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria emerged as dominant bacterial phyla, with their relative abundances tightly linked to vegetation-induced shifts in soil environments. Notably, soils under E. phyllopogon demonstrated elevated bacterial diversity and enzymatic activities, underscoring the synergistic effects of plant selection on soil biogeochemical health. Structural equation modeling further elucidated complex pathways connecting vegetation, microbial diversity, soil quality, and enzymatic functioning. These findings emphasize the pivotal role of vegetation management in improving soil fertility, shaping microbial communities, and guiding the sustainable restoration of saline–alkaline wetlands under environmental stress. Full article

In the current study, lavender plant (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) waste, as obtained after the essential oils steam distillation process as well as lignocellulose biomass of two of the most common pine species (Pinus nigra L., Pinus brutia L.), was characterized in terms of chemical composition, moisture, ash content, and calorific value, in order of its potential to be used as feedstock material in pellets production to be assessed, studying different materials ratios. The lavender material was introduced at low percentages (0, 5, 10 and 15% w/w) in the feedstock of pellets, in order to maintain the total ash content of the mixed feedstock as adequately low-lying, ensuring the classification of pellets in qualitative categories of A1, A2 and B (residential uses, ENplus). The resultant lavender–pine mixed syntheses were densified in a multi-mold pelletizing machine and the pellets were characterized with regard to physical, morphological, mechanical, hygroscopic, and thermal characteristics, based on the limits set by the respective ENplus standards as benchmarks. The results demonstrated that although lavender waste has a high content of ash and extractives compared to wood, it can be used in a mixture (<15% lavender percentage) with pure wood material to produce pellets of adequate quality for residential use. The lavender waste presence favored pellets’ mechanical strength, dimensions, hydrophobicity, dimensional stability, bulk density (marginally) and resultant quality of the pellets. Lavender slightly decreased the calorific value of pellets, though without recording a significant adverse impact. The lavender material mixed with black pinewood (at 15%) revealed the best pellets’ feedstock performance. The findings exhibited that lavender lignocellulosic residues are suitable for producing high-performance residential pellets, provided that the lavender content does not exceed 15% of the feedstock. Full article

Background/Objectives: Anxiety, agitation, and mood disturbances are increasingly common among children and adolescents. Given the limitations of conventional pharmacological treatments in the pediatric population, particularly for subthreshold or mild conditions, interest in complementary approaches such as phytotherapy is growing. This review aims to critically evaluate the clinical evidence supporting the use of herbal medicines and botanical food supplements for mental health symptoms in youths and to explore the pharmacological basis of their activity. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across main databases for clinical trials involving herbal products for psychologically related symptoms in children and adolescents. Eligible studies included those using registered herbal medicines, as well as authorized food supplements, that evaluated behavioral or cognitive outcomes. In addition, bioinformatic analyses were performed on selected phytocompounds to predict their molecular targets. Results: Twenty-nine clinical trials were identified, including eighteen targeting pathological conditions (notably attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression) and eleven addressing borderline symptoms such as nervous agitation, restlessness, or sleep disturbances. Herbal products showing clinical promise include Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst., Crocus sativus L., Ginkgo biloba L., Hypericum perforatum L., Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Melissa officinalis L., Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Passiflora incarnata L., Pinus pinaster Aiton, Valeriana officinalis L., and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. Bioinformatic predictions revealed polypharmacological activity profiles involving neuroinflammatory, neuroprotective, and neurotransmitter-related pathways. Conclusions: This review highlights both the potential and the current limitations of herbal products in pediatric mental health care. Evidence supports their use for selected indications, provided that standardized preparations and clinical oversight are ensured. Further research is essential, particularly to inform dosing, safety, and integrative care strategies. Full article

The current study focuses on a preliminary evaluation of the use of solid residues produced from the distillation of selected medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) as fertilizers for alkaline soils. Specifically, the residues of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), helichrysum (Helichrysum Italicum (Roth) G. Don), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.), oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and sage (Salvia officinalis L.) were added in an alkaline and calcareous soil at the rates of 0 (control), 1, 2, 4 and 8%, in three replications (treatments), and the treated soils were analyzed. The results showed that upon application of the residues, soil electrical conductivity (EC), organic C, total N and the C/N ratio significantly increased, especially at the 4 and 8% rates. The same was found for soil available P, K, B, Cu and Mn. The effects of the residues on soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and available Zn and Fe were rather inconclusive, whereas soil available N significantly decreased, which was somewhat unexpected. From the different application rates tested, it seems that all residues could improve soil fertility (except N?) when they were applied to soil at rates of 2% and above, without exceeding the 8% rate. The reasons for the latter statement are soil EC and available Mn: the doubling of EC upon application of the residues and the excessive increase in soil available Mn in treatments with 8% residues raise concerns of soil salinization and Mn phytotoxicity risks, respectively. This work provides the first step towards the potential agronomic use of solid residues from MAP distillation in alkaline soils. However, for the establishment of such a perspective, further research is needed in respect to the effect of residues on plant growth and soil properties, by means of at least pot experiments. Based on the results of the current study, the undesirable effect of residues on soil available N should be investigated in depth, since N is the most important essential element for plant growth, and possible risks of micronutrient phytotoxicities should also be studied. In addition, application rates between 2 and 4% should be studied extensively in order to recommend optimum application rates of residues to producers. Full article

This study, conducted in Southern Italy in 2023, investigated the effects of a dynamic agrivoltaics (AV) system on microclimate, water consumption, plant growth, and essential oil yield in six medicinal species: lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L. ‘Royal purple’), lemmon thyme (Thymus citriodorus (Pers.) Schreb. ar. ‘Aureus’), common thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. ‘Severn seas’), mint (Mentha spicata L. ‘Moroccan’), and sage (Salvia officinalis L. subsp. Officinalis). Due to the rotating solar panels, two distinct ground zones were identified: a consistently shaded area under the panels (UP), and a partially shaded area between the panels (BP). These were compared to an adjacent full-sun control area (T). Microclimate parameters, including solar radiation, air and leaf infrared temperature, and soil temperature, were recorded throughout the cultivation season. Reference evapotranspiration (ET_O) was calculated using Turc’s method, and crop evapotranspiration (ET_C) was estimated with species-specific crop coefficients (K_C). Results showed significantly lower microclimatic values in the UP plot compared to both BP and especially T, resulting in ET_C reductions of 81.1% in UP and 13.1% in BP relative to T, an advantage in water-scarce environments. Growth and yield responses varied among species and treatment plots. Except for mint, all species showed a significant reduction in fresh biomass (40.1% to 48.8%) under the high shading of UP compared to T. However, no biomass reductions were observed in BP. Notably, essential oil yields were higher in both UP and BP plots (0.60–2.63%) compared to the T plot (0.51–1.90%). These findings demonstrate that dynamic AV systems can enhance water use efficiency and essential oil yield, offering promising opportunities for sustainable, high-quality medicinal crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. Full article

Efficient adventitious root formation is crucial for Lavandula angustifolia Mill. propagation. This study evaluated the effects of continuous and short-duration pulse applications (1 min, 1 h, and 1 day) of the auxin dichlorprop (DCP) and its prodrug dichlorprop-2-ethylhexyl ester (DCPE) at varying concentrations on adventitious rooting and callus formation. DCPE generally proved more effective than DCP in promoting rooting, especially at lower concentrations, with continuous application of 0.1 µM DCPE yielding the highest number of adventitious roots. Notably, a brief 1 min pulse of 2.5 µM DCPE induced superior rooting, including high root number and weight, while minimizing callus formation compared to longer exposures. In contrast, 1 h pulse treatments showed a positive correlation between auxin concentration and root number but led to substantial callus development. These findings highlight DCPE’s potential as an efficient auxin source for lavender propagation, likely due to its rapid hydrolysis to active DCP within plant tissues, facilitating systemic distribution. The enhanced rooting achieved with short pulse treatments offers significant implications for optimizing commercial propagation for this economically important aromatic plant. Full article

The present study compared the adsorption properties of two plant materials and the waste products after their essential oil extraction for removing Cu(II) ions from contaminated water. Methods like SEM, XRD, nitrogen adsorption, DTA, TGA, FTIR, and XPS were used for characterization of the materials. All materials showed similar porosity and structure, favoring Cu(II) biosorption. The effects of contact time, pH, temperature, sample amount, and initial metal concentration on Cu(II) removal were examined. Optimal pH was 4, with equilibrium reached in less than 10 min. Temperature and sample amount do not significantly influence the biosorption. The experimental data were fitted to the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models, and maximum adsorption capacities were calculated. The four plant materials proved to be effective biosorbents for removing copper ions from contaminated water. Desorption experiments using 1 M HNO₃ and 0.1 M EDTA showed 100% recovery. The reusability of the most effective biosorbent was confirmed through four adsorption/desorption cycles with EDTA. This material was also used to study the possibilities of purifying a real sample of contaminated water. Full article

Due to prolonged irrigation from the Yellow River, a large area of farmland in the Hetao Oasis has undergone different degrees of salinization and alkalization, leading to reduced crop yields and incapable soil for plant growth. To enhance the productivity of the farmland with saline-alkali soils, it is important to select salt-tolerant economic plant species that are capable of growing under the local climate and soil conditions in the Hetao Oasis. We conducted the experiment by planting Ziziphus jujuba var. spinose, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Hippophae rhamnoides and Lycium chinense in the Bayan Taohai Farm of the Hetao Oasis. Changes of plant growth (the survival rate, plant height, canopy, basal diameter and new branch length) and soil physicochemical properties (soil organic carbon, total carbon, total nitrogen, pH, electrical conductivity and particle size distribution) were continuously monitored during two growing seasons. Results indicated that, by the end of the first growing season, the survival rate of the Z. jujuba was less than 10%, making it unsuitable for plantation in the saline-alkali soils of the Hetao Oasis. In terms of plant growth, the E. angustifolia exhibited the highest survival rate (94.71%) and the fastest growth rate, indicating that E. angustifolia is adapted in the saline-alkali soils of the Hetao Oasis. The survival rates for L. chinense and H. rhamnoides were 86.46% and 65.64%, respectively, indicating that these species could grow in the saline-alkali soils, but at a slower rate. From the perspective of soil improvement, E. angustifolia, H. rhamnoides and L. chinense could reduce the soil pH, and E. angustifolia could significantly increase soil nutrients. In conclusion, it is not recommended to plant Z. jujuba, while the E. angustifolia is recommended as a proper economic species to be widely planted in the saline-alkali soils of the Hetao Oasis. H. rhamnoides could be selectively planted in areas with better soil conditions, and the L. chinense could be planted following soil improvement measurements. The research enhanced the effective utilization of the saline-alkali farmland and provided proper economic plant species for sustainable agriculture management in the Hetao Oasis of Inner Mongolia. Full article

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a widespread pathogen responsible for recurrent infections, primarily affecting the skin and mucous membranes. With the aim of targeting both the viral infection and the associated inflammatory response, biotechnologically produced Lavandula angustifolia Miller (L. angustifolia) extract, rich in rosmarinic acid, was incorporated into liposomal formulations intended for topical application. Lavender is known for its strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, wound-healing, and antiviral properties. However, its low stability under certain conditions limits its therapeutic potential. Four different formulations were developed: conventional liposomes, glycerosomes, hyalurosomes, and glycerohyalurosomes. The vesicles were characterized for size, stability, and entrapment efficiency. Glycerosomes were the smallest (~58 nm), while the other formulations ranged around 77 nm, all maintaining a highly negative surface charge, ensuring stability and reduced aggregation. Glycerol-containing formulations demonstrated superior stability over 12 months, while liposomes and hyalurosomes increased their size after only two months. Entrapment efficiency reached up to 100% for most vesicles, except for glycerohyalurosomes (~54%). In vitro studies on Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts (NHDFs) demonstrated that all formulations were biocompatible and enhanced cell viability under oxidative stress. Glycerosomes, hyalurosomes, and glycerohyalurosomes exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity by reducing MMP-1 and IL-6 levels in LPS-stimulated fibroblasts. Furthermore, these preliminary results highlighted promising antiviral activity against HSV-1 of the obtained formulations, particularly when applied during or post-infection. Overall, these phospholipid vesicles offer a dual therapeutic approach, combining antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral effects, positioning them as promising candidates for the treatment of HSV-induced skin lesions and related inflammatory conditions. Full article