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Resources along the Silk Road in Central Asia: Lagochilus inebrians Bunge (Turkestan Mint) and Medicago sativa L. (Alfalfa)
Published in Raymond Cooper, Jeffrey John Deakin, Natural Products of Silk Road Plants, 2020
Oimahmad Rahmonov, David E. Zaurov, Buston S. Islamov, Sasha W. Eisenman
The genus Medicago L. contains ~87 annual and perennial species (Small, 2011). M. sativa is a difficult species to define as it has been complicated by polyploidy and the influences of hybridization and domestication. This has led to complex circumscriptions with M. sativa being split into numerous species with many infraspecific taxa (Sinskaya, 1935a,b, 1948, 1950, 1960; Maisuryan, 1970; Lubenets, 1972, among others). Some authors, such as A.I. Belov (1929), described ecological and geographical groups of M. sativa. More recently, recognition of a single broadly circumscribed species has been adopted in lieu of highly segregated treatments (Quiros and Bauchan, 1988). In a recent monograph, Small (2011) recognized the following infraspecific taxa: Medicago sativa subsp. sativa, Medicago sativa subsp. caerulea (Less. ex Ledeb.) Schmalh., Medicago sativa subsp. falcata (L.) Arcang. var. falcata, Medicago sativa subsp. falcata (L.) Arcang. var. viscosa (Rchb.) Posp., Medicago sativa subsp. ×varia (T. Martyn) Arcang., and Medicago sativa subsp. glomerata (Balbis) Rouy. In Central Asia, the two most common taxa are recognized as independent species M. sativa L. (Figure 6.4) and Medicago falcata L. (Figure 6.5). The morphological differences of these species are described in Table 6.1.
The Rhizobium/Bradyrhizobium-Legume Symbiosis
Published in Peter M. Gresshoff, Molecular Biology of Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation, 2018
Either expansion or contraction of host range can be accomplished by mutagenesis. For example, mutations in nodFE (region III) of R. trifolii have altered nodulation abilities on several legumes. One mutant, M2, acquired the ability to nodulate a new host, peas, and retained the ability to nodulate white and subterranean clovers. This mutant contained a Tn5 insertion just upstream of nodF. Several other nodFE mutants lost the ability to form nodules on white clover, but were still able to nodulate subterranean clover and peas.22 In R. meliloti strain 41, Tn5 insertions in nodH (hsnD) eliminated nodulation of Medicago sativa (alfalfa), but not of Melilotus albus (white sweet clover), and also extended the host range to Vicia sativa and V. villosa.71 Mutations in nodFE or nodH enabled R. meliloti strain RCR2011 to curl clover root hairs.41 These experiments provide direct evidence that nodFE and nodH influence host specificity. Mutations which block nodulation of some host plants, but not of others, have also been reported in B. japonicum,48 NGR234,84B. sp. (Arachis),70 and B. sp. (Parasponia).69
Impact of Industrial Wastewater on Medicinal Plant Growth
Published in Azamal Husen, Environmental Pollution and Medicinal Plants, 2022
On a global scale, the textile/garment industry contributes significantly to the economy of a country. The industry uses synthetic chemicals with diverse compositions, ranging from organic to inorganic substances for dyeing and printing, and continuously adding toxic substances in groundwater reservoirs and running water (Islam et al. 2015). The effluent obtained from the textile industry is highly coloured (impedes light penetration and photosynthetic activities), contains excessive salts (saline soil), various micronutrients, and non-biodegradable substances with high biological and chemical oxygen demands (Wynne et al. 2001). The utilization of this untreated wastewater for plant irrigation leads to the transfer and accumulation of these toxic substances in plant tissues and has a detrimental effect on plant and human growth (Garg and Kaushik 2008; Hai 2007). But at a lower concentration of effluent, a positive impact on germination and growth of Pisum sativum and, at 100 % effluent concentration, a reduction in plant root and shoot was noticed (Malaviya et al., 2012). Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa) is a leguminous plant with high protein and nutrition content and also affects the fertility of soils. The medicinal properties of alfalfa are utilized for the treatment of elevated cholesterol, diabetes, asthma, osteoarthritis, kidney, bladder, and prostate conditions, and menopausal symptoms (Bora and Sharma 2011; Mahawar and Akhtar 2016). It also contains various vitaminss such as vitamins A, C, E, and K, and minerals, such as iron, phosphorous, potassium, and calcium, and is a good source for commercial chlorophyll (Choi et al. 2013). The effect of various effluent concentrations (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%) conducted on the medicinal plant Medicago sativa reveals a reduction in root and shoot length, along with the chlorophyll concentration at a higher concentration of effluent exceeding 40%, which may be due to higher total solids and increased salinity (Mahawar and Akhtar 2016). In a study conducted on Vigna munga L. (black gram), shoot and root length growth was promoted at 25% effluent concentration together with growth-promoting effect, but above 25% this reduced significantly as compared with the control sample (Wins et al. 2010). Mohammad and Khan (1985) find no detrimental effect of textile industry effluents on soil and plants below 50% effluent concentration. Sesamum indicum L. (sesame) finds its medicinal value in antibacterial activity (against Staphylococcus and Streptococcus), lower blood cholesterol in humans due to the presence of sesamolin and sesamin compounds, and is also utilized in the cosmetic industry (Anilakumar et al. 2010). Lenin et al. (2014) also noticed similar results in the medicine plant sesame that, at 20% effluent concentration (sago factory), promotes seed germination, weight (fresh and dry), and root and shoot length whereas at above 20% effluent concentration significantly reduced. When textile and dye effluent is diluted with water (1:3 ratio), this has a positive impact on the growth and germination of groundnut and no detrimental effect on the growth and germination of field crops (Parameswari 2014).
Medicago sativa ameliorated cyclophosphamide-induced thrombocytopenia and oxidative stress in rats
Published in Toxin Reviews, 2023
Zahra Gholamnezhad, Vajihe Rouki, Ramin Rezaee, Mohammad Hossein Boskabady
Medicago sativa (M. sativa) known as “alfalfa” is a herb that has been used as food, as an anti-asthmatic, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic agent and to cure digestive tract and nervous system disorders (Bora and Sharma 2011). This herb contains several secondary metabolites and nutritional constituents including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, saponins, coumarins, and phytosterols (Karimi et al.2013, Rafińska et al.2017). It is also rich in protein and vitamins including vitamin A, C, D, E, and K, and the whole family of B vitamins as well as many minerals such as calcium, folic acid, iron, magnesium, and potassium. Various pharmacological properties of M. sativa such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-anemic, antihyperlipidemic cardioprotective, neuroprotective, anxiolytic, hepatoprotective, and immune-protective effects, were described (Basch et al.2003). The modulatory effects of M. sativa on coagulation could be explained by mechanisms such as the presence of high levels of vitamin K, inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation, and collagen and inhibition of thromboxane synthesis in platelets (Pierre et al.2005). However, to the best of our knowledge, the impact of M. sativa on thrombocytopenia has not been determined. Therefore, effects of M. sativa hydro-ethanolic extract on CP-induced thrombocytopenia, hematological and hepatic toxicity and oxidative stress, were evaluated in this study.
Effects of estrogen deficiency on liver function and uterine development: assessments of Medicago sativa's activities as estrogenic, anti-lipidemic, and antioxidant agents using an ovariectomized mouse model
Published in Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry, 2021
Hajer Jdidi, Fatma Ghorbel Kouba, Nissaf Aoiadni, Raed Abdennabi, Mouna Turki, Fatma Makni-Ayadi, Abdelfattah El Feki
Menopause occurs because the woman's ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone hormones. The adrenals are the only remaining source of sex hormones. The decline of estrogen in women menopause may result in various physiological changes, including slowing of general growth due to lack of appetite, a decreased fat skeletal muscle mass and disruption of lipid state. In addition, the increase in oxidative stress is predominant in postmenopausal women because ovarian hormone deficiency promotes the generation of ROS inducing oxidative stress, cell damage, or death (Budak et al.2011). Several studies have described menopause as prooxidants and inflammatory state, which directly impacts the development of several diseases (Miquel et al.2006). Many postmenopausal women are looking for hormone replacement therapy options. Hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) has been shown to potentially reduce or prevent menopause-associated alterations. However, complementary studies have claimed adverse effects associated with long-term HRT such as the increased risk of thromboembolic accidents, stroke, and breast cancer (Martin et al.2013). Several studies have suggested treatments based on the antioxidant properties of vitamins and natural compounds as an alternative to HRT, with few or no reported toxicity. Medicago sativa is a plant cultivated in the world because of its nutritional and medicinal properties. It is also very productive, rich in protein, minerals, and phytoestrogens: isoflavonoids, flavonoids, lignans, and commustans (Proust 2007; Mazur et al.2013). They have been shown to exert many biological effects in cell culture systems and in animals. These effects are at least partially mediated by estrogen receptors (ERs) (Kuiper et al.1998).
Nanotoxicity of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) to environmentally relevant beneficial soil bacteria – a critical review
Published in Nanotoxicology, 2019
Ricky W. Lewis, Paul M. Bertsch, David H. McNear
Research with more agronomically relevant N-fixing legumes has also shown that specific ENMs may disrupt the process of nodulation and negatively affect plant health. For instance, 7 mM ZnO (<50 nm) reduced nodule area by ∼66% 14 d post-inoculation, and 2 mM TiO2 (35 nm) reduced nodule area by ∼53% 7 d post-inoculation in hydroponically grown Pisum sativum L (Fan et al. 2014; Huang et al. 2014). Additionally, the process of nodule development, including the onset of nitrogen fixation, was delayed by TiO2 or ZnO ENM exposure. In red clover (Trifolium pretense), TiO2 ENM exposure was shown to reduce N-fixation by the endosymbiont, Rhizobium trifolii, by ∼30–54% (Moll et al. 2016). In soybeans (Glycine max), ethylene reduction assays showed high concentrations of CeO2 ENMs (3.6–7.1 mmol kg−1) significantly reduced nitrogen fixation >80% in root nodules (Priester et al. 2012) and ZnO ENMs hindered development and inhibited reproduction (Yoon et al. 2014). Additionally, ZnO and CeO2 nanoparticles in soybeans are thought to differentially elicit genotoxicity as determined through RAPD analysis for DNA damage and mutations (López-Moreno et al. 2010). Another study examining responses of Medicago sativa L inoculated with an unspecified strain of Si. meliloti showed 11.5 mM bulk or ionic zinc decreased seed germination (63 and 75%, respectively), while 11.5 mM ZnO ENMs resulted in a non-statistically significant increase (Bandyopadhyay et al. 2015). Furthermore, 3.8, 7.7, and 11.5 mM ZnO ENM reduced root and shoot biomass (83 and 33%, respectively), while equimolar concentrations of ZnCl2 reduced shoot biomass similarly, but only 11.5 mM reduced shoot biomass (33%). Interestingly, 7.7 and 11.5 mM bulk Zn resulted in large increases (∼400%) in shoot biomass. These results, in aggregate, show that legumes and the process of nodulation and nitrogen fixation are sensitive to various ENMs likely as a confluence of several physiological phenomena.