Interactions between cell wall polymers are critical for establishing cell wall integrity and cell-cell adhesion. Here, we exploit the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seed coat mucilage system to examine cell wall polymer interactions. On hydration, seeds release an adherent mucilage layer strongly attached to the seed in addition to a nonadherent layer that can be removed by gentle agitatio...

Wilt and crown rot of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilici, represents a major problem on this crop, which is grown in Italy over a large area (approximately 80 ha) under glasshouse, mainly in the Riviera Ligure (5). First reported in Russia (12), F. oxysporum f. sp. basilici has been observed in Italy (6,22), France (15), the United States (1,2,7,24), an...

Pectins are complex polysaccharides that form the gel matrix of the primary cell wall and are abundant in the middle lamella that holds plant cells together. Their degree of methylesterification (DM) impacts wall strength and cell adhesion since unesterified pectin regions can cross-link via Ca(2+) ions to form stronger gels. Here, we characterize flying saucer1 (fly1), a novel Arabidopsis thal...

Despite proposed ecological importance of mucilage in seed dispersal, germination and seedling establishment, little is known about the role of mucilage in seed pre-germination processes. Here we investigated the role of mucilage in assisting achene cells to repair DNA damage during dew deposition in the desert. Artemisia sphaerocephala achenes were first treated γ-irradiation to induce DNA dam...

Lallemantia royleana (Balangu) is a well known Iranian medicinal plant that its seed mucilage has many applications in modern pharmacology. Plant mucilage traditionally was used as a gel supplement, and natural matrix for sustained release of drugs. But it seems that these compounds are not a simple additive and also have many undiscovered pharmacological properties. In this research, the anest...

Background & Aims: The topical anesthetic effects of diphenhydramine combined with ingredients such as aluminum and magnesium hydroxide have been used for many years in modern medicine. Due to the limited durability of anesthetic mouthwashes due to saliva secretion and the spreading use of herbal and natural medicines in pharmacotherapy, this study was designed to formulate diphenhydramine in t...