We have characterized a cDNA clone, IRK1, for a putative receptor kinase from a stigma cDNA library of Ipomoea trifida. IRK1 protein contains an extracellular receptor-like domain and the consensus sequences diagnostic of serine/threonine protein kinase. Both the pattern of gene expression and the results of RFLP analysis indicate that the IRK1 gene is not primarily involved in the self-incompa...

Ipomoea genus is widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The exploration of genetic diversity is pre-requisite for genome organization in the wild species and the related domesticated ones. Inter-simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers was used to assess the identification of 21 important Ipomoea species and determination of the genetic relationships among these s...

Changes in antioxidant capacity in the body as a result of oxidative stress play an important role in the development of diabetic complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd. on antioxidant defense systems in the liver and kidney of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Administration of the extract to diabetic rats for 21 ...

Numerous diseases are associated with oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Current research is directed towards finding naturally-occurring antioxidants of the plant origin. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activities of Ipomoea pes-caprae extract. 80% ethanol extract of Ipomoea pescaprae was studied in vitro for total antioxidant activity, for scavengi...

Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd. is a widely used medicinal plant in South Africa for the treatment of diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity and possible toxicity effect of aqueous leaf extract of the herb administered at different dosages for 15 days in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Administration of the extract at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight significant...

The village of Zapotitlán de las Salinas is situated in the Valley of Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, Puebla, Mexico. Plant species used by the local inhabitants to treat gastrointestinal diseases were identified using ethnobotanical, ethnographic and taxonomic methods. Out of 119 interviews, 44 plant species were registered, of which the following are the most frequently used (listed in descending order):...

This study was undertaken to investigate the vasodilatory effect of an aqueous extract of Elaeis guineensis Jacq (EGE) in the porcine coronary artery and elicit its possible mechanism(s) of action. Vascular effects of crude extract of dried and powdered leaves of Elaeis guineensis were evaluated on isolated coronary arteries on organ chambers. Determination of eNOS expression and the phosphoryl...

Objectives: The genus Salvia is one of the most widespread members of the Lamiaceae family and S.virgata Jacq. decoction is traditionally used for leukemia in Turkey. In this study, water extract and methanol extract of S. virgata were investigated for their antiproliferative effects on Jurkat (Clone E6-1) leukemia cell lines and also GSH-Px, SOD and MDA levels were evaluated as oxidative stres...