David E. Zaurov

Plant extracts from central Asia showing antiinflammatory activities in gene expression assays

Plant natural products remain a good resource for the discovery of novel pharmaceuticals. A mouse macrophage‐based quantitative, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) system was optimized to screen plant extracts for antiinflammatory activities using three well known genetic markers of inflammation. Plants used for extraction were taxonomically identified and vouchered species from two Central Asian countries, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, collected through the International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups (ICBG) program. The mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase‐2, interleukin 1β and inducible nitric oxide synthase genes in RAW macrophages was determined quantitatively in response to treatment with plant extracts applied at 100 µg/mL. The screening of 1000 extracts from 449 plant species belonging to 68 plant families resulted in 75 extracts (7.5%) showing strong (75% or higher inhibition) activity against at least one target gene. Many extracts showed qualitative and quantitative differences in the levels of activities against each target gene. Extracts identified from this screen were able to reduce inflammatory symptoms in vivo, thereby validating the screening approach. Copyright

Nitrogen‐form and endophyte‐Infection effects on growth, nitrogen uptake, and alkaloid content of chewings fescue turf grass

Abstract Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra L. ssp. commutata Gaud) is naturally infected by an endophyte, however, little is known about the biology of this association and the effects on host fitness. A hydroponic study was conducted in the greenhouse to determine if endophyte and/or nitrogen (N) form influenced growth, N accumulation and alkaloid production in ‘Jamestown II’ Chewings fescue. Endophyte‐infected and non‐infected grasses were established in solution culture for 5 weeks using a 1/4 strength modified Hoagland solution, and then grown for 15 d in similar solutions containing 50 mg L‐1 of N as either NH4‐N, NO3 ‐N or a 1:1 mixture of NH4‐N and NO3 ‐N. The presence of the endophyte increased total biomass 54% in this grass, but growth was unaffected by N source. Nitrogen uptake was 58% higher in endophytic grasses, but no differences were observed in N use efficiency with respect to non‐endophytic grasses. Nitrogen form affected both N uptake and N use efficiency, with significantly higher values ...

The Medicinal Plants of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan

Description: Herbaceous perennial with thin, branched rhizomes. Stems few or solitary, usually 25–50 cm tall, grayish with long, entangled, white hairs, often with short leafy branches in mid and upper leaf axils. Leaves bipinnatisect, usually oblong, green or grayish-green, more or less densely hairy; leaves of sterile shoots up to 25 cm long, long-petiolate; lower stem leaves 7–20 cm long, petiolate to subsessile; upper leaves sessile, usually 1–6 cm long. Inflorescences capitula arranged in loose, convex corymbs of unequal heights. Involucre cup-shaped; involucral bracts oviform, pale yellowish-green. Ray flower ligules pink, very rarely white. Fruits oblong, wedge-shaped achenes, truncated at the apex.

Genetic resources of Pistacia vera L. in Central Asia

Pistacia vera L. is grown as an economically valuable crop in a number of semi-arid regions worldwide. However, the species remains quite underutilized when considering its wide native range and inherent genetic diversity. Central Asia represents a large and diverse region where a wealth of P. vera genetic resources exists. Much of this region, which is the center of diversity and/or the center of origin of many important crops, has been inaccessible to the western world for centuries. Since the break up of the Soviet Union, Central Asia has become increasingly open and opportunities for reciprocal germplasm exchange and scientific collaborations are growing. To bring increased attention to the valuable P. vera genetic resources endemic to this region, and to promote its better utilization, management, and preservation, a description and history of the species from a Central Asian perspective, along with recent and ongoing activities, are discussed here.

The Geography, Climate and Vegetation of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia that extends from the foothills of the Tian Shan and Pamir mountains in the east to just west of the Aral Sea. In the north Uzbekistan borders Kazakhstan, in the east and southeast Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, in the west Turkmenistan, and in the south Afghanistan. The country covers 447,400 km2 (172,742 sq miles) and has a population of about 26 million. Uzbekistan is divided into 12 provinces and 1 autonomous republic (Fig. 2.1).

The Geography, Climate and Vegetation of Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country in the northeastern part of Central Asia. The Kyrgyz Republic shares borders to the south and southeast with Tajikistan and China, to the north and northwest with Kazakhstan, and with Uzbekistan to the west. The country covers 198,500 km2 (76,621 sq miles) and has a population of approximately 5.3 million. Kyrgyzstan is divided into seven provinces (Fig. 1.1).