DOCSLIB.ORG

Euphorbia Larica, Almishfah. © J. Herrera

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Euphorbia Larica, Almishfah. © J. Herrera Euphorbia larica, Almishfah. © J. Herrera 16 CACTUS-AVENTURES International N° 2-2018 International CACTUS-ADVENTURES Oman, a natural Garden in danger José Herrera (Spain) 17 CACTUS-AVENTURES International N° 2-2018 International CACTUS-ADVENTURES Oman, a natural garden in danger José Herrera (Spain) For a long time, the Sultanate of Oman has been a magnificent country to visit and admire its varied and unique flora. In fact it is not the first time that Oman appears in this magazine. For some years, the intensification of fundamentalism in Islamic countries, together with social revolts, revolutions, coups d’états or civil wars, today Oman is surely the best and safest destination. The peace and tranquility that is breathed in the country has its origin in the only recipe that exists. It has been applied since 1970 with the rise to power of Sultan Qabus, oblivious to the neoliberal fashion. Part of the creation of a welfare state, with magnificent free public services, luxury infrastructures, the empowerment of a solid middle class and an enviable social coverage. Moving around the territory in search of our favorite plants is quite safe, with some magnificent roads, even the secondary ones. If we also add the spectacular nature of its landscapes, its pristine beaches and the friendliness of its Boswellia Sacra. The limestone mountains of Jabal Samhan, from where the best incense in the world is obtained, the quality hojari. © Ángeles Felices 18 CACTUS-AVENTURES International N° 2-2018 International CACTUS-ADVENTURES Sultanate of Oman people, this place is surely one of the best choices in this part of the world. Oman is known primarily for the incense tree (Boswellia sacra), laden with millenary history and a multitude of legends, which it shares with Yemen and Somalia. We are also able to see many other plants, with a rich catalog of 1,239 species of vascular plants, of which 191 are of reduced distribution. Of these, 77 are endemic, in which 13 new species were recently included for science. In addition to the Boswellia sacra, a significant number of species were used for their healing properties, fulfilling an important social function when pharmaceutical products were not available. Its use was sustainable and the anthropogenic tensions in its habitats were much reduced. We want to see many of them in their habitat and it is not by chance that they have played a leading role in the last 4,500 years, some for their medicinal properties and others also for the odoriferous qualities of their resin. The modernization of the country, globalization, the implementation of current medicine versus the traditional one, together with the loss of its identity, have made many of these species useless from a pragmatic point of view. Except those with 19 CACTUS-AVENTURES International N° 2-2018 International CACTUS-ADVENTURES fodder properties for cattle; we perceive this as not very sustainable and augur in their preservation a probable dark future. North and center area As the country is too big for the time available, we have chosen to visit the Hajar mountains adjoining the capital Muscat and the southwest up to Dhofar. The route goes through where 76% of the species are found and where there is a greater concentration of interesting specimens. We have doubted if in the few hours that we were going to spend in the capital, it would be worth visiting the Oman Botanic Garden, still in construction since 2006. Pharaonic work that seems to culminate in the same way and time as the great pyramids although there is no doubt that it will rival the most outstanding gardens in the world. In our journey around the old capital Nizwa and the coastal city of Sur, we have focused on visiting towns always associated with oases, with extensive palm groves where the best dates of Oman are collected, such as the so-called Sukary, with a sticky, soft touch, almost creamy, reminiscent of the Jordanian variety Medjoul for its sweetness, texture and high price. These palm groves create a microclimate that allows the cultivation of horticultural products where temperatures can reach 50ºC in summer. The surroundings of these populations are very arid mountains. Dolomitic calcites predominate with karstic formations that act as a hydrographic basin with scarce rainfall and pour it into the ancestral sources that gave rise to these urban centers. In front of the town of Mishfah, 700 m alt., we could observe numerous colonies of very attractive specimens of Euphorbia larica, whose poisonous latex has been used for skin problems and in homeopathic doses as a vermifuge in dromedaries. Associated with this, one could observe some almost creeping plants of Commiphora wightii and a few C. myrrha, without leaves or fruits, with thick trunks and scanty bearing, punished for decades by cattle and drought. In the palm grove of Mishfah we could see the sophisticated use of aqueducts or falaj, inherited from the Nabatean culture. The Muslims expanded them geographically until they were introduced in Spain through Al Andalus (Andalucía, Spain) from the 8th century and, like other pre- industrial technologies, they have survived until a few decades ago. Towards the southwest we visited the other points where the flora is concentrated. They are the ramblas or wadis. In Wadi Tanuf, W. Alshab, W. Bani Khaled, W. Shaab and W. Al Tiwi we have been able to check the variety of vegetation that is distributed along the roadside. There are traces of rains, both sporadic and torrential, the presence of some springs and the proximity of groundwater levels in which it is easy to see Ficus cordata trees. On the sides, hanging from the vertical walls we observed plants of Capparis spinosa that traditionally did not have culinary uses such as Mediterranean capers, but provided a wide range of medicinal remedies in its leaves and tender stems for headaches, ear 20 CACTUS-AVENTURES International N° 2-2018 International CACTUS-ADVENTURES Boswellia Sacra flowers with one of its pollinating insects. © J. Herrera Abandoning the incense extraction gives way to other uses of Boswellia sacra, here slaughtered by herds in Sadah and Jufa. © J. Herrera 21 CACTUS-AVENTURES International N° 2-2018 International CACTUS-ADVENTURES Boscia arabica, Wadi Tanuff. © J. Herrera Commiphora habessinica whose young shoots are grazed by herds. A Cissus quadrangularis grows aside. West Jabal Al Qara © J. Herrera inflammations, childbirth, etc. In the distance we see two types of trees. One with a large trunk and thick crown that gives it some visual attraction is Boscia arabica, which seems to be adapted to all environments of this country, with its small oval leaves and dense foliage of branches. The other trees, distributed in a scattered manner, have a sparse crown with oblong leaves. They are Moringa peregrina which, like their Indian relative (Moringa oleifera), the oil of the seeds is collected for different uses in medicine and nutrition. Today there is scientific literature confirming its properties, with a high level of antioxidants, proteins, vitamins C and A, calcium, potassium and sodium. In a scattered way, on the steep walls of these environments, we found various specimens of Commiphora habessinica, always located in firm 22 CACTUS-AVENTURES International N° 2-2018 International CACTUS-ADVENTURES Calotropis procera, Wadi al Sahb. © J. Herrera areas. In several of them they were with almost ripe fruits, but without a single leaf. We also found several Acacia gerrardii on the roadside. This genus is one of the most ubiquitous in the country, along those growing in the middle of the dry course of the ramblas, Calotropis procera, well adapted to all types of soil and conditions. We could already see it in the huge dunes (ergs) of the Libyan Sahara, but we also know it occuring widespread throughout India and the western Himalayas. If its adaptability is surprising enough, so are the extensive healing properties of all parts of the plant. Its frequent therapeutic use is recorded in Ayurvedic medicine and today they are endorsed by different scientific publications. Along the ramblas we were Ipomoea pes-caprae, Mahout. © Ángeles Felices 23 CACTUS-AVENTURES International N° 2-2018 International CACTUS-ADVENTURES Tetraena (ex Zygophyllum) qatarense, Shana. © J. Herrera Acacia is a quasi ubiquitous genus: here, Acacia tortillis, Wadi Shuwaymyah. © J.H. 24 CACTUS-AVENTURES International N° 2-2018 International CACTUS-ADVENTURES Although Wadi Dawkah is a UNESCO-sponsored protected nature reserve, we have seen specimens of Boswellia sacra with obvious signs of being grazed by herds. © J. Herrera able to observe some specimens that were familiar to us. It was not even necessary to come too close to verify that they were oleander (Nerium oleander), but less flowery than in the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Near the mouth of the sea we came across several specimens of Ipomoea pes-caprae, always on the coast and in sandy soils. There we see a small succulent plant that reminded us a lot of the so-called maritime Uvilla (Zygophyllum now Tetraena fontanesii) of the Canary Islands. After analyzing it, we verified that it is in fact Tetraena ex Zygophyllum qatarense, very common as we will see later in the arid coast of the central zone. We continued towards the southwest by the road following the coast. Acacia tortilis and Prosopis cineraria predominate with frequent herds of goats and camels in a very arid landscape, where it rains extremely little (50-100 mm/year). In addition to its forage use, P. cineraria also has a well-deserved fame as antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, analgesic and antipyretic in the countries where it is represented. Many of its therapeutic qualities have also been endorsed by scientific research. Southern area.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Ricerca Marzo 13
    RICERCA Gli essudati resinosi prodotti porto tra terpeni volatili (oli dalle Burseraceae sono noti fin essenziali) e non volatili. Sono dall’antichità. simili ai balsami, ma più fluide. I più importanti da un punto di - Gommoresine. Contengono * Laura Consalvi vista storico ed economico sono gomme. Il termine è secondo l’incenso e la mirra, due gommo- molti autori scorretto, nel senso oleoresine ottenute da alcune che non si dovrebbe parlare di specie dei generi Boswellia (B. un tipo di resine ma di resine di l presente lavoro si è svolto carteri. B. frereana. B. serrata e vario tipo contenenti intrusioni presso il Dipartimento di altre) e Commiphora (C. di gomme che non sono una nor- IChimica e Tecnologia del myrrha, C. mukul, C. molmol, male componente delle resine. Farmaco, sezione di Chimica C. erythraea, C. guidottii e In generale possiamo dire che Organica, dell’Università degli altre) rispettivamente. Tali resi- sono essudati contenenti gomme Studi di Perugia, nel laboratorio ne, essudando dal tronco, si rap- e resine (es. mirra). di ricerca del gruppo del Prof. prendono e cristallizzano, dando Curini, sotto la supervisione origine a granuli vetrosi forte- Nel caso delle Burseraceae si della Prof.ssa Maria Carla mente aromatici. Nelle loro tratta di gommo-oleoresine che Marcotullio e della Dott.ssa numerose varianti sono state contengono anche una minima Federica Messina e ha avuto infatti usate tanto a scopi medi- parte di olio essenziale volatile. come oggetto un approfondi- cinali quanto a fini devozionali. A causa della presenza dell’olio mento dell’analisi fitochimica In generale il termine resina essenziale sono piacevolmente della resina di Commiphora indica un gruppo eterogeneo di profumate, proprietà che ha erythraea con l’intento di isola- secreti vegetali rappresentati da contribuito alla loro popolarità.
    [Show full text]
  • A Preliminary Phytolith Reference Collection for the Mountains of Dhufar, Oman
    The use of phytoliths as a proxy for distinguishing ecological communities: A preliminary phytolith reference collection for the mountains of Dhufar, Oman Undergraduate Research Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Graduation “with Honors Research Distinction in Evolution and Ecology” in the Undergraduate Colleges of The Ohio State University by Drew Arbogast The Ohio State University May 2019 Project Co-Advisors: Professor Ian Hamilton, Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology Professor Joy McCorriston, Department of Anthropology 2 Table of Contents Page List of Tables...................................................................................................................................3 List of Figures..................................................................................................................................4 Abstract............................................................................................................................................5 Introduction......................................................................................................................................6 Background......................................................................................................................................7 Materials and Methods...................................................................................................................11 Results............................................................................................................................................18
    [Show full text]
  • Commiphora Gileadensis; in Vitro Study
    Antibacterial Effect of Extract from Commiphora gileadensis; In Vitro Study by Khalid Abuljadayel B.D.S. King Abdulaziz University 2012 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE in THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE AND POSTDOCTORAL STUDIES (Craniofacial Science) THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Vancouver) August 2020 ã Khalid Abuljadayel, 2020 The following individuals certify that they have read and recommend to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for acceptance, the thesis entitled: Antibacterial Extract from Commiphora gileadensis; In Vitro Study submitted by Khalid Abuljadayel in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Craniofacial Science. Examination Committee: Supervisor: Dr. Markus Haapasalo, Department of Oral Biological & Medical Sciences Supervisor Committee: Dr. Ya Shen, Department of Oral Biological & Medical Sciences Supervisor Committee: Dr. Lari Hakiinen, Department of Oral Biological & Medical Sciences Additional Examiner: Dr. Adriana Manso, Department of Oral Health Sciences. ii Abstract Objective: This in vitro study aims to investigate the antimicrobial effect of extracts from Commiphora gileadensis (C. gileadensis) on one and three weeks old oral anaerobic multispecies biofilms and to compare them to 2% chlorhexidine (CHX). Material and Methods: Hydroxyapatite discs were coated with type I collagen and immersed in Brain Heart Infusion broth infused with an oral subgingival plaque obtained from two donors. The discs were then incubated under anaerobic conditions for one or three weeks. After biofilm growth, the discs were exposed to one or three minutes for the following solutions: 1 - C. gileadensis 1mg/ml water, 2 - C. gileadensis 0.1mg/ml water, 3 - C.
    [Show full text]
  • Application of Botanical Powders for the Management of Stored Sorghum Insect Pests in Small-Scale Farmers' Storage Structures
    IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS) e-ISSN: 2319-2380, p-ISSN: 2319-2372. Volume 14, Issue 3 Ser. I (March 2021), PP 12-24 www.iosrjournals.org Application of botanical powders for the management of stored sorghum insect pests in small-scale farmers’ storage structures of Northern Nigeria Mohammed Suleiman Department of Biology, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, Nigeria Abstract: Farmers’ storage structures, store rooms, in Pauwa villages of Katsina State, Northern Nigeria were simulated and incorporated with application of leaf powders of Euphorbia balsamifera Aiton, Lawsonia inermis L., Mitracarpus hirtus (L.) DC. and Senna obtusifolia (L.) Irwin and Bemeby, in search for more eco-friendly methods of managing insect pests of stored sorghum. Four most commonly grown sorghum varieties in the study areas, “Farar Kaura” (FK), “Jar Kaura” (JK), “Yar Gidan Daudu” (YGD) and ICSV400 in threshed forms were used for the study. The four varieties (2.50 kg each) were packed in small polypropylene bags, mixed with the leaf powders at the concentration of 5% (w/w) of the plants and kept in small stores of the aforementioned village for 12 weeks. Insect pests recovered after 12 weeks were Sitophilus zeamais, Rhyzopertha dominica, Tribolium castaneum, Cryptolestes ferrugineus and Oryzaephilus surinamensis. There were significant fewer insects pests in treated sorghum than in untreated types (P < 0.05). More weight losses were recorded in untreated grains than in those treated with the botanical powders in traditional store rooms. In terms of varieties, grain weight losses were in the order FK > JK > YGD > ICSV400. The botanicals also showed significant (P < 0.05) protectant ability against the weevils with their performance in the order E.
    [Show full text]
  • Literaturverzeichnis
    Literaturverzeichnis Abaimov, A.P., 2010: Geographical Distribution and Ackerly, D.D., 2009: Evolution, origin and age of Genetics of Siberian Larch Species. In Osawa, A., line ages in the Californian and Mediterranean flo- Zyryanova, O.A., Matsuura, Y., Kajimoto, T. & ras. Journal of Biogeography 36, 1221–1233. Wein, R.W. (eds.), Permafrost Ecosystems. Sibe- Acocks, J.P.H., 1988: Veld Types of South Africa. 3rd rian Larch Forests. Ecological Studies 209, 41–58. Edition. Botanical Research Institute, Pretoria, Abbadie, L., Gignoux, J., Le Roux, X. & Lepage, M. 146 pp. (eds.), 2006: Lamto. Structure, Functioning, and Adam, P., 1990: Saltmarsh Ecology. Cambridge Uni- Dynamics of a Savanna Ecosystem. Ecological Stu- versity Press. Cambridge, 461 pp. dies 179, 415 pp. Adam, P., 1994: Australian Rainforests. Oxford Bio- Abbott, R.J. & Brochmann, C., 2003: History and geography Series No. 6 (Oxford University Press), evolution of the arctic flora: in the footsteps of Eric 308 pp. Hultén. Molecular Ecology 12, 299–313. Adam, P., 1994: Saltmarsh and mangrove. In Groves, Abbott, R.J. & Comes, H.P., 2004: Evolution in the R.H. (ed.), Australian Vegetation. 2nd Edition. Arctic: a phylogeographic analysis of the circu- Cambridge University Press, Melbourne, pp. marctic plant Saxifraga oppositifolia (Purple Saxi- 395–435. frage). New Phytologist 161, 211–224. Adame, M.F., Neil, D., Wright, S.F. & Lovelock, C.E., Abbott, R.J., Chapman, H.M., Crawford, R.M.M. & 2010: Sedimentation within and among mangrove Forbes, D.G., 1995: Molecular diversity and deri- forests along a gradient of geomorphological set- vations of populations of Silene acaulis and Saxi- tings.
    [Show full text]
  • 47732 HE MNO MYRRH Web.Indd
    Myrrh (Commiphora molmol) Clinical Summary Traditional usage Myrrh is perhaps best known for its historical role in many religion traditions as an ingredient in anointing oils, incense and an embalming ointment. It was also used as a highly valued perfume. Myrrh has a long history of use as an antiseptic and astringent and used to treat problems of the mouth, gum and throat and digestive tonic. Myrrh was a common ingredient in toothpowders and for parasites. Actions Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, anaesthetic, astringent, anticancer, antiparasitic hypocholesterolaemic, hypoglycaemic/insulinaemic, hepatoprotective, thyroid modulator Indications • Hypercholesterolaemia & dyslipidaemia • Cancer • Toxin exposure, oxidative stress & liver disorders • Diabetes & obesity • Hypothyroid • Parasitic infections • Bacterial infections including acne, gum disease, gingivitis • Neuralgia Toxicity HUMAN Transient skin rashes, headaches and gastrointestinal disorders have been reported in some patients during studies with Myrrh. One case of rhabdomyolysis with hemoglobinuria has been reported that resolved when Myrrh was discontinued. ANIMAL Toxicity studies revealed a significant increase in weight of reproductive organs as well as elevated levels of RBC and Hb in mice. High doses of 1 or 5 g plant resin/kg/d caused salivation, soft faeces, jaundice, dyspnoea, ataxia and eventually death in goats. Lower doses were safe. Use in pregnancy Contraindicated due to possible emmenagogic action Contraindications and cautions None documented. Drug interactions None documented. Administration and dosage Dried resin: 200mg – 600mg daily Liquid extract (resin) 1:5 90% alcohol: 1.0-2.5mL 3 times daily. A full monograph is available on: www.herbalextracts.com.au Description Myrrh is a reddish-brown resinous material obtained from the dried sap of the Commiphora species of trees.
    [Show full text]
  • Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria Cultural Landscape
    Additional information requested by ICOMOS regarding the nomination of the Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria Cultural Landscape for Inscription on the World Heritage List 2018 November 2018 1 Index This report includes the additional information requested by ICOMOS in its letter of the 8th October 2018 concerning the nomination process of Risco Caido and Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria Cultural Landscape. It includes the information requested, along with the pertinent comments on each point. 1. Description of de property p. 3 2. Factors affecting the property p. 54 3. Boundaries and the buffer zone p. 59 4. Protection p. 68 5. Conservation p. 79 6. Management p. 87 7. Involvement of the local communities p. 93 2 1 Description of the property ICOMOS would be pleased if the State Party could provide a more accurate overview of the current state of archaeological research in the Canary Islands in order to better understand Gran Canaria's place in the history of the archipelago. The inventory project begun at the initiative of Werner Pichler which mentions the engravings of the north of Fuerteventura with 2866 individual figures and the work briefly mentioned in the nomination dossier of several researchers from the Universidad de La Laguna, on the island of Tenerife, and the Universidad de Las Palmas, on the island of Gran Canaria could assist in this task. Table 2.a.llists all the attributes and components of the cultural landscape of Risco Caldo and its buffer zone (p. 34). However, only part of the sites are described in the nomination dossier (p.
    [Show full text]
  • Landscapes of West Africa, a Window on a Changing World Presents a Vivid Picture of the Changing Natural Environment of West Africa
    Landscapes of West Africa, A Window on a Changing World presents a vivid picture of the changing natural environment of West Africa. Using images collected by satellites orbiting hundreds of miles above the Earth, a story of four decades of accelerating environmental change is told. Widely varied landscapes Landscapes of West Africa: on a Changing World A Window Landscapes of West — some changing and some unchanged — are revealing the interdependence and interactions between the people of West Africa and the land that sustains them. Some sections of this atlas raise cause for concern, of landscapes being taxed beyond sustainable limits. Others offer glimpses of resilient and resourceful responses to the environmental challenges that every country in West Africa faces. At the center of all of these stories are the roughly 335 million people who coexist in this environment; about Landscapes of West Africa three times the number of people that lived in the same space nearly four decades ago. This rapid growth of West Africa’s population has driven dramatic loss of savanna, woodlands, forests A WINDOW ON A CHANGING WORLD and steppe. Most of this transformation has been to agriculture. The cropped area doubled between 1975 and 2013. Much of that agriculture feeds a growing rural population, but an increasing fraction goes to cities like Lagos, Ouagadougou, Dakar and Accra as the proportion of West Africans living in cities has risen from 8.3 percent in 1950 to nearly 44 percent in 2015. The people of West Africa and their leaders must navigate an increasingly complex path, to meet the immediate needs of a growing population while protecting the environment that will sustain it into the future.
    [Show full text]
  • Frankincense, Myrrh, and Balm of Gilead: Ancient Spices of Southern Arabia and Judea
    1 Frankincense, Myrrh, and Balm of Gilead: Ancient Spices of Southern Arabia and Judea Shimshon Ben-Yehoshua Emeritus, Department of Postharvest Science Volcani Center Agricultural Research Organization Bet Dagan, 50250 Israel Carole Borowitz Bet Ramat Aviv Tel Aviv, 69027 Israel Lumır Ondrej Hanusˇ Institute of Drug Research School of Pharmacy Faculty of Medicine Hebrew University Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, 91120 Israel ABSTRACT Ancient cultures discovered and utilized the medicinal and therapeutic values of spices and incorporated the burning of incense as part of religious and social ceremonies. Among the most important ancient resinous spices were frankin- cense, derivedCOPYRIGHTED from Boswellia spp., myrrh, derived MATERIAL from Commiphoras spp., both from southern Arabia and the Horn of Africa, and balm of Gilead of Judea, derived from Commiphora gileadensis. The demand for these ancient spices was met by scarce and limited sources of supply. The incense trade and trade routes Horticultural Reviews, Volume 39, First Edition. Edited by Jules Janick. Ó 2012 Wiley-Blackwell. Published 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1 2 S. BEN-YEHOSHUA, C. BOROWITZ, AND L. O. HANUSˇ were developed to carry this precious cargo over long distances through many countries to the important foreign markets of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, Greece, and Rome. The export of the frankincense and myrrh made Arabia extremely wealthy, so much so that Theophrastus, Strabo, and Pliny all referred to it as Felix (fortunate) Arabia. At present, this export hardly exists, and the spice trade has declined to around 1,500 tonnes, coming mainly from Somalia; both Yemen and Saudi Arabia import rather than export these frankincense and myrrh.
    [Show full text]
  • Antiproliferative Effect of Sterols from Resin of Commiphora Habessinica
    Journal of Pharmacy and Nutrition Sciences, 2019, 9, 000-000 1 Antiproliferative Effect of Sterols from Resin of Commiphora habessinica Worku Dinku1, Sang Un Choi3, Sang-Ho Lee3, Young-Sik Jung3, Zae Sung No2 and Aman Dekebo1,* 1Program of Applied Chemistry, Adama Science and Technology University, Ethiopia 2Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Adama Science and Technology University, Ethiopia 3Bio & Drug Discovery Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Republic of Korea Abstract: Commiphora habessinica resin is used traditionally to treat various diseases in Ethiopia. In this study the cytotoxic effects of chloroform fraction and cholesterol and lathosterol isolated from the chloroform fraction of the resin of C. habessinica were evaluated. In the cytotoxicity assay on A549, A2780, MIA-Paca-2, and SNU-638 cell lines, the chloroform fraction showed cytotoxicity ranging from 0.77-3.35 µg/ml. The chloroform fraction significantly inhibited cell proliferation of A549, A2780, MIA-PaCa-2 and SNU-638, with dose-dependent relation in vitro. The chloroform fraction was more sensitive and has a strongest net growth as percent control effects on A549 cell lines. A mixture of cholesterol : lathosterol (47.9% : 52.1%) exhibited a moderate cytotoxicity which is greater than the individual compound towards A549 and A2780 with IC50 of 13.77 and 20.36 µg/ml, respectively that might be due to synergetic effect. The GC-MS analysis of chloroform fraction of the resin showed presence of pentacyclic triterpenes as major component (62.98%), sesquiterpene (4.27%), phytosterols (1.53%) and others in trace amount. The isolated compounds from the chloroform fraction were analysed by spectroscopic techniques such as NMR and MS.
    [Show full text]
  • Balsam: the Most Expensive Perfume Plant in the Ancient World
    BALSAM: THE MOST EXPENSIVE PERFUME PLANT IN THE ANCIENT WORLD Zohar Amar and David Iluz Introduction Historical sources from the Hellenistic and Roman-Byzantine Periods made frequent mention of the Opobalsamum plant or the “Balm of Judea” (hereinafter referred to as “balsam”), as the plant source of a valuable perfume. The pure perfume was a sought-after commodity among the upper class, and due to the high price it commanded, a counterfeiting industry developed.1 The perfume’s prestige was due to its unique aroma and the medicinal properties attributed to it for treating various illnesses;2 it was renowned for its ability to treat headaches, early-stage cataracts, and blurred vision.3 It was used as well as a diuretic, as a curative for respiratory diseases and coughing, and as an anti-toxin — for example, as a snake venom antidote.4 It also served the field of gynecology in the * We are pleased to dedicate this article with respect and great admiration to Professor Daniel Sperber, the most illustrious contemporary scholar in the field of material culture as reflected in Rabbinic literature and from the perspectives of classical literature and archeological findings. This study was inspired by his important research which places the historical sources in their authentic settings. 1 M. Stern, Greek and Latin Authors on Jews and Judaism (Jerusalem: The Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, 1974y1984); Y. Feliks, “The Incense of the Tabernacle,” in D.P. Wright, D.N. Freedman, and A. Hurvitz, eds., Pomegranates and Golden Bells (Winona Lake, Indiana: Eisenbrauns, 1995), 125y149. 2 David Iluz et al, “Medicinal Properties of Commiphora gileadensis,” African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 4, no.
    [Show full text]
  • AN INVASIVE WOODY SPECIES) on GUM-RESIN RESOURCES and LOCAL LIVELIHOOD in BORANA, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, Vol
    Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems E-ISSN: 1870-0462 [email protected] Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán México Terefe, B.; Limenih, M.; Gure, A.; Angassa, A. IMPACT OF Acacia drepanolobium (AN INVASIVE WOODY SPECIES) ON GUM-RESIN RESOURCES AND LOCAL LIVELIHOOD IN BORANA, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, vol. 14, núm. 3, septiembre-diciembre, 2011, pp. 1063-1074 Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán Mérida, Yucatán, México Available in: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=93921493007 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal Journal's homepage in redalyc.org Non-profit academic project, developed under the open access initiative Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 14 (2011): 1063-1074 IMPACT OF Acacia drepanolobium (AN INVASIVE WOODY SPECIES) ON GUM-RESIN RESOURCES AND LOCAL LIVELIHOOD IN BORANA, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA [IMPACTO DE Acacia drepanolobium (UNA ESPECIE LEÑOSA ÍNDIGENA INVASORA) SOBRE LOS RECURSOS DE GOMA-RESINA Y ESTRATEGIAS DE VIDA LOCAL EN BORANA, SURESTE DE ETIOPÍA] a b b c,d* B. Terefe , M. Limenih , A. Gure , A. Angassa aSamara University, Ethiopia, bWondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resource Management, Hawassa University cDepartment of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa University, dBotanical Institute, University of Cologne E-mail: [email protected] *Corresponding Author SUMMARY RESUMEN We investigated the impact of Acacia drepanolobium, Se investigó el impacto de Acacia drepanolobium, una a species threatening rangeland resources including especie que amenaza los recursos disponibles en los Gum-resin production and pastoralists’ livelihoods in agostaderos, incluyendo la producción de goma-resina Borana.
    [Show full text]