60 research outputs found
Clinopodium raimondoi (Lamiaceae), a new species from Sicily
No full textOn the basis of the taxonomic study of the collections made by F. M. Raimondo, kept in PAL, a new species of Clinopodium is described. The new taxon, named Clinopodium raimondoi, occurs in N-W coast of Sicily on limestone substrata, in steppe communities dominated by Hyparrhenia hirta. The main distinctive characteristics of C. raimondoi, with respect to other taxa known from Europe and other Mediterranean countries, are the large size, the opposite and decussate branches, and the clearly woody at base stems of mature plants as well. Relationships of the new taxon with the Mediterranean ones in the C. nepeta group are also discussed
Tocopherol, fatty acid and phytosterol content in seeds of nine wild taxa of Sicilian Brassica (Cruciferae)
No full textThe purpose of this study was to determine tocopherol (Toc), fatty acid and phytosterol content in dry seeds of nine wild
taxa of Sicilian
Brassica
sect.
Brassica.
Analyses were performed by gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectroscopy (MS).
The biochemical analysis of dry seeds showed that in the nine taxa examined,
α
- and
γ
-Toc were the major isomers,
δ
-
Toc was present in traces and
β
-Toc was never found. All taxa had a similar fatty acid composition with C 16:0 (357.2 mg
kg
−
1
DW), C 18:1 (393.94 mg kg
−
1
DW) and C 22:1 (618.29 mg kg
−
1
DW) acids present in higher amount. Unsaturated
fatty acids (52.5–66.5%) were more abundant than saturated (33.5–47.5%) ones relative to the total fatty acids. Moreover,
sitosterol was the most abundant (61.7–69.6%) of all phytosterols in all species and subspecies, followed by brassicasterol
and campesterol at 16.0–19.3% and 11.9–20.7%, respectively. Total Toc content and the relative percentage of single
isoforms were useful to discriminate seeds of
B. incana
,
B. macrocarpa
,
B. rupestris
group and
B. villosa
group. On the basis
of these results,
B. villosa
subsp.
villosa
,
B. villosa
subsp.
bivoniana
,
B. villosa
subsp.
drepanensis
and
B. villosa
subsp.
tinei
can be ascribed to the
B. villosa
group. These taxa, having the highest T-Toc,
γ
-Toc and phytosterol contents, are
potentially the most bioactive ones, and could, therefore, be exploited in breeding programmes to develop genotypes with
putative positive effects on human health
From ethnobotany to experimental research: the therapeutic properties of Sicilian hellebore
No full textIn Sicily, the genus Helleborus (Ranuculaceae) is only represented by H. bocconei subsp. siculus (= H. bocconei subsp. intermedius). In some mountain areas of the Island, the rhizomes of this plant, harvested in a particular month of the year (May) and dried, are used in traditional veterinary practice for treating pneumonia in domestic animals, cattle and horses in particular. The same usage – with rhizomes of other Helleborus species or subspecies – is reported from various other areas of Mediterranean Europe. Phytochemical tests have permitted the isolation and characterization of new biologically active molecules. The extracts of rhizomes and aerial parts of the plant were shown antibacterial properties. Some compounds, isolated from the methanolic extract of the rhizomes, were shown to be cytotoxic. In addition, morpho-anatomical studies have revealed the presence of different endophytic and commensal fungi in all organs of the plant, which could be isolated and cultured. One of the isolates has been identified as the endophytic fungus Botrytis byssoidea, which is also widely present in the soil. Further fungal isolates include Chaetomium strumarium, strain RR1, an endophytic ascomycete the identity of which was confirmed by molecular analyses. When cultured, it developed plentifully; the filtered broth from these cultures was used in antibiotic property assays. The tests were positive; the detailed results are forthcoming. They support our initial hypothesis, that the therapeutic effect the hellebore’s rhizomes extract is due to metabolites produced by an endophytic fungus. It remains to be seen whether the plant itself, devoid of the microfungus, produces the same therapeutically effective metabolites that are present in the extracts of plants from the wild or from outdoor cultivation. The study of the Sicilian hellebore, beyond its biological interest, has potential for its relevance for therapeutic applications both in veterinary and human medicine
From ethnobotany to experimental research: the therapeutic properties of Sicilian hellebore
No full textSpadaro V., Pasqualetti M., Faqi A. S. & Raimondo F. M. (2018). From ethnobotany to experimental research: the therapeutic proper-ties of Sicilian hellebore. Fl. Medit. 28: 247-252.
https://doi.org/10.7320/FlMedit28.247
https://www.herbmedit.org/flora/FL28_247-252.pd
Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi
No full textOn September 27, 2016, the Trial Chamber (Chamber) of the International Criminal Court (ICC or tribunal) rendered its judgment in Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, wherein the defendant was convicted of the war crime of intentionally directing attacks on protected cultural objects. It is the ICC's first such conviction and the first time that an accused has entered a guilty plea at the tribunal pursuant to Article 65 of the Rome Statute (Statute). Al Mahdi pled guilty to co-perpetrating attacks on protected objects pursuant to Article 8(2)(e)(iv) of the Statute for his role in the attack on, and destruction of, ten mosques and mausoleums in Timbuktu. The Trial Chamber sentenced him to nine years in prison.</jats:p
Comparative pharmacokinetics of amikacin sulphate in calves and sheep.
No full textThe pharmacokinetics of amikacin sulphate were investigated in calves and sheep. Five animals of each species were given 7.5 mg kg-1 intravenously and intramuscularly. After intravenous administration the pharmacokinetic parameters significantly different (P less than 0.01) between calves (first value) and sheep (second value), were: the initial concentration (87.05, 146.6 micrograms ml-1), the apparent distribution volume (350, 200 ml kg-1), the area under curve (5512, 11,018 min micrograms ml-1) and the clearance (1.5, 0.7 ml min-1 kg-1). After dosing intramuscularly the peak concentration (23.5, 34.36 micrograms ml-1), the peak time (45, 75 min) and the area under curve (5458, 9191 min micrograms ml-1) were significantly different (P less than 0.01). No significant differences were observed in the terminal halflife values, suggesting that elimination rate was independent of both route of administration and animal species. The drug in aqueous solution showed a good bioavailability in both animal species (about 0.87 in sheep and greater than 0.99 in calves) despite the greater serum concentrations always attained in shee
Characterization and conservation of Clinopodium raimondoi Spadaro, A.S. Faqi & Mazzola germplasm in the Parco della Favorita of Palermo city (Sicily, Italy)
No full textIn urban areas, the parks represent an important source of plant biodiversity. The Parco della Favorita is the largest green area in Palermo city (Sicily, Italy). Clinopodium raimondoi Spadaro, A.S. Faqi & Mazzola is an aromatic plant species which has a range of uses in Sicilian traditional culture. The essential oil of this species
is rich in terpene components and its aroma is similar to that of mint. The aim of this study was to enhance the germplasm of C. raimondoi in the Parco della Favorita. A collection-field was set up within the park. The main biometric and productive parameters of the species were determined and gas chromatographic analyses were
carried out to determine the quality profile of the essential oils. The collection-field of C. raimondoi plays an important role in the conservation and safeguard of the species
Not Available
No full textNot AvailablePCR amplification of callipyge gene yielded an amplified product of 426 bp in Indian sheep breeds. RFLP study of callipyge gene with FaqI (BsmFI) restriction enzyme revealed presence of wild type allele A with only one genotype (AA) and absence of the mutant allele G which is responsible for callipyge phenotype and enhanced mutton quality. The results revealed that there is absence of polymorphism at this locus and callipyge mutation is not found in all the studied Indian sheep breeds and fat tailed dumba sheep.Not Availabl
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