• Applied Microscopy
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• v.50
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• pp.15.1-15.6
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• 2020

Sample preparation including dehydration and drying of samples is the most intricate part of scanning electron microscopy. Most current sample preparation protocols use critical-point drying with liquid carbon dioxide. Very few studies have reported samples that were dried using chemical reagents. In this study, we used hexamethyldisilazane, a chemical drying reagent, to prepare plant samples. As glandular trichomes are among the most fragile and sensitive surface structures found on plants, we used Millingtonia hortensis leaf samples as our study materials because they contain abundant glandular trichomes. The results obtained using this new method are identical to those produced via critical-point drying.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.329-332
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• 1985

A simple new device for obtaining very clear epidermal imprints for light microscopic studies is discussed. This new device is developed from“Britfix”(polystyrene cement) which is non-toxic to the plant organs. It involves direct application of the material on the desired surface of the plant organ to obtain thin, transparent replica. From the present investigation“Britfix”is found to be useful for the study of epidermal anatomy, morphology and physiology. Epidermal imprints can be mounted on the microscope slide without a mounting medium. Permanent slide of these imprints can be kept for any desired period without any deterioration of the replica.

• CELLMED
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.17.1-17.10
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• 2013

Reproductive dysfunction is a major health concern amongst the inhabitants of Tana River County. An ethno botanical study was conducted in Garsen, Itsowe and Ngao sub divisions of Tana River County to document the utilization of medicinal plants for the management of female reproductive ailments. The target population was practicing herbalists from Pokomo, Ormo and Giryama communities in the study area. Structured questionnaires and focussed group discussions were used to collect data. Forty eight plant species distributed in 40 genera and 29 families were documented as being important for the management of pregnancy related complications, menstrual disorders, infertility, fibroids and as contraceptives. The species most frequently cited by the herbalists were fourteen. Fifty two percent of the plant species were probably being mentioned for the first time as being useful in reproductive health management. In conclusion, Tana River has a pool of TMPs with a wealth of indigenous knowledge that needs to be exploited. The plants used to treat dysmenorrhea for example may be important analgesic agents that need further investigation while those with anti-fertility properties may contain steroidal phyto chemical compounds. Such species therefore need further investigation to establish their efficacy and mechanism of action.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.333-342
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• 2020

Despite poorly documented species delimitation and unresolved taxonomic nomenclature, four species of Symplocos (S. coreana, S purnifolia, S sawafutagi, and S. tanakana) have been described in Korea. In this study, we carried a comparative wood anatomy analysis of all four species of Korean Symplocos to understand the wood anatomical variations among them. The results of this study indicated that Korean Symplocos are comparatively indistinguishable in terms of their qualitative wood features, except for exclusively uniseriate rays present in S. purnifolia instead of uniseriate to multiseriate in other three species. Nevertheless, differences are noticed in quantitative wood variables such as the vessel density, vessel size, and ray density. The vessel density of S. purnifolia is more than twice as high as those of S. sawafutagi and S. tanakana. In contrast, the vessel circumference and diameter on both plants of S. sawafutagi and S. tanakana is nearly twice as large as those of S. purnifolia. Symplocos coreana has characteristic intermediacy between these two groups in terms of vessel features and is closer to S. purnifolia in terms of its ray density level. A cluster analysis based on a paired group (unweighted pair-group method with the arithmetic mean, UPGMA) algorithm using the Euclidean similarity index clearly differentiates S. purnifolia from the remaining species, representing the first branch of the phenogram.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.335-344
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• 1998

Percicarp anatomy of Fagophrum was examined on the basis of 12 species and two subspecies to contribute to a better understanding of specific phylogenetic relationship within genus. Examined species have a similar mature pericarp structure, but differences among the species are found with respect to whether or not sclerotic cells are present, and what kind of is the sclerotic cell shape in theexocarp. By the comparisons with pericarp anatomical structure, they are classified into three groups. First clade is composed of F. esculentum , F. esculentum ssp. ancestralis and F. homotropicum ; second clade is consisted of F. tataricum, F. tataricum ssp. potanini and Fl cymosum ; third clade is composed of f. callianthum,F. capillatum, F. gracilipes, F. leptopodum, F.lineare, F. pleioramosum, F.statice and F.urophyllum. The phylogey based on pericarp characters was considerably consistent with ones proposed by previous authors. It also suggested that pericarp characters are useful informatino for deduceing phylogenetic phylogenetic realtionship within geneus Fagopyrum. On the other hand, morphological character evolution indicated that there are tow synapomorphies in genus. There,it was suggested that these species having selfing and homostylous characters are evolved form heterostylous and ourcrossing species.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2010

Jatropha curcas is an oil bearing species with multiple uses and considerable economic potential as a biofuel plant. Plant flowering and breeding characteristics are important for us to understand the reproduction of plant populations. The present study describes the floral biology and flowering phenology of J. curcas which is a prerequisite for hybridization program for genetic improvement through conventional breeding. The plant produces flowers in dichasial inflorescences. Normally, the flowers are unisexual, and male and female flowers are produced in the same inflorescence. Only a few male flowers are produced in an inflorescence, and fruits are produced only through pollination between different flowers from the same or different plants. This study includes a description of the inflorescence, flower anatomy of both male and female flowers, female : male ratio, pollen : ovule ratio, flowering phenology, pollen viability, stigma receptivity, comparison of selfing methods and a comparison of geitonogamy and xenogamy. This information may be useful in J. curcas breeding programmes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2007.10a
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• pp.72.1-72.1
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• 2007

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• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.342-346
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• 2006

Anatomical characters of the Bupleurum latissimum Nakai, an endemic species of Korea, were investigated to confirm its phylogenetic relationships. Compare to other species with anatomical characters, B. latissimum is very similar with B, euphorbioides and B, longeradiatum in point of lacking of pith in the stem, shape of involucres, number of vascular bundles in radical leaf and cauline leaf, and lacking stomata in adaxial leaf surface. The other hand, protruded pollen aperture character appears in B. latissimum and B. euphorbioides. On the based of anatomical characters, therefore, B. latissimum has closest relationships with B. euphorbioides and B. longeradiatum. It also needs molecular study including Asian species in order to confirm phylogenetic position and speciation process apparently.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.116-124
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• 2010

This study was aimed to clerify the cytotoxicity of some plant extracts such as Hosta longissima HONDA (HL), Hemerocallis fulva var. Kwanso REGL (HFVK), Hemerocallis fulva L (HF), Macrocapium officinale NAKAI (MO) and Mentha canadensis var. piperascens HARA (MCVP), the cultured NIH3T3 fibroblasts were treated with 25, 50, 100, 150 and $200{\mu}g/mL$ of five kinds of plant extracts for 48 hours, respectively. The cytotoxicity of plant extracts was measured by MTT and NR assays for the cell viability, and XTT assay for the cell adhesion activity. In this study, HL, MO and FHVK extracts showed the range of midtoxic-non toxic by the criteria of chemical cytotoxicity. While, the HF and MCVP extracts showed midtoxic. In the extract cytotoxicity, HL, MO and FHVK extracts showed non-toxic by the criteria of extract cytotoxicity. While, HF extract was determined as lower-toxic. In the responsive sensitivity of each plant extract on colorimetric assays, HF extract was sensitive to mitochondrial enzyme by MTT assay, lysosomal enzyme by NR assay and mitochondrial nucleus by XTT assay. While, MCVP extract was sensitive to mitochondrial enzyme by MTT assay and lysosomal enzyme by NR assay than other assays. While, HL, HFVK and MO extracts were most sensitive to NR assay. Cell culture is one of useful materials in the screening of cytotoxic and recovary effect on the putative chemical agents or plant extract. And also, colorimetric assay is regarded as very useful tools for quantitative measurement of cytotoxic effect on plant extracts in vitro.

• CELLMED
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.21.1-21.15
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• 2016

In Kenya, traditional knowledge on herbal medicine has remained a mainstream source of maintaining wellbeing for generations in many communities. However, the knowledge has been eroded in the course of time due to sociocultural dynamics virtually advanced by Christianity and formal education especially in the Kikuyu community. The study documented current ethnobotanical knowledge and threat to the traditional knowledge on medicinal plants among the Kikuyu community. A survey was carried out in Mathira, Tetu, Kieni, Othaya, Mukurweini, and Nyeri Town constituencies. Thirty practicing herbalists were purposively sampled; 5 per constituency. Data was obtained through semi - structured questionnaires and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. A total of 80 ailments treated using 111 medicinal plant species distributed within 98 genera and 56 families were documented. Prevalent communicable diseases treated using herbal medicine included; gonorrhea (17.5%), malaria (15%), respiratory infections (12%), colds (10%) and amoebiasis (10%). Non-communicable diseases were; joint pains (11.1%), ulcers/hyperacidity (8.7%), high blood pressure (8.7%), intestinal worms (11.1%) and arthritis/gout (10%). Frequently harvested plant materials were; roots, barks and leaves. The study concluded that, traditional medicine practitioners in Nyeri County possessed wide knowledge of herbal medicine but this knowledge was on the verge of disappearing as it was largely a preserve of the aged generation. The study recommended massive campaign about the benefits of using herbal medicine in the study area. Further pharmacological studies are recommended on the mentioned plant species aimed at establishing their efficacy and safety as well as standardization as potential drugs.