Advanced Botany

  Tree nuts are rich source of health-enhancing bioactive compounds and considered as an important food in healthy diet. Almonds ( Prunus dulcis ) are among the world’s most popular tree nuts belong to Rosaceae family, a medium-sized family of flowering plants that includes 4,828 known species in 91 genera. Almonds are a high energy snack containing 50-55% fat, 90% of which is unsaturated oleic or linoleic acid. Further, almonds contain no cholesterol or sodium and are an abundant source of magnesium, phosphorus, and copper. They are generally consumed raw, toasted or as an integral part of other foods. Regular consumption of almonds has been associated with reduced risk of chronic-degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. They are highly nutritious and rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Almonds are also an excellent source of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the sleeping and waking...

  Vitamin D is one of the fat-soluble vitamins structurally derived from cholesterol. It is essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth and also has several other important functions in the body such as regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and facilitating normal immune function. It exists in five active forms: 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3(1,25-(OH)2D3,  24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3(24R,25-(OH)2D3, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2(1,25-(OH2)D), 25-hydroxyvitamin D3(25-OH-D3) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D2(25-OH-D2). According to a study, vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] < 50 nmol/L or 20 ng/ml) is associated with fractures and bone loss. Severe vitamin D deficiency with a 25(OH)D concentration below <30 nmol/L (or 12 ng/ml) increases the risk of excess mortality, infections, and many other diseases. Poor vitamin D status is a global health problem. Approximately one billion people worldwide suffer from vitamin D...

  Live fencing (biofencing) can be defined as the practice of establishing and maintaining perennial herbs, shrubs and trees that are resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses along the field boundaries for various purposes such as demarcation based on title deeds, crop protection from the wild or stray animals and prevention of pilferage in a sustainable and cost effective manner. Mechanical fencing is invariably a costly affair and requires regular maintenance. Live fence offers a long lasting and cheap alternative for mechanical fencing. However, for effective fencing tree/shrub should have some minimum desirable characters such as fast growth rate and multiple useful properties. Bamboo is fastest growing in nature and grows closely, therefore, constitute excellent live fence material. They can be propagated by rhizome, branch cutting and seed. Although they are browsed, but they escape damage due to fast growth and good culm strength. This species has good potential for live-f...

  The stinging nettle ( Dendrocnide excels ) is one example of a large number of plants belonging to the nettle family, Urticaceae. While stinging nettle can be found almost anywhere, it is most common in Europe, North America, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Urticaceae family is notable for its species with a painful, occasionally lethal sting due to the presence of stinging trichomes, carrying a fluid rich in formic acid, histamine, acetylcholine, and serotonin. Physical contact with stinging nettle often results in a nonimmunologic-induced contact urticarial or irritant dermatitis. There is an immediate burning, stinging, pruritic sensation in the exposed area, followed within minutes by a blanching urticarial rash. The sensitivity of humans to stinging nettle contact appears to be variable, and many do not seek medical attention because of the short-lived duration of the symptoms (minutes to hours). Some individuals experience symptoms for greater than 12 hours. The mec...

  Hair color is one of the oldest and most well-known cosmetics that have been used by humans since ancient times. Hair colors may be synthetic or natural. Synthetic hair colors which are available in the market contain amalgam of peroxide and ammonia which damage hair and also causes allergic reactions. Furthermore, people using synthetic hair color are exposed the risk of cancer including breast cancer, urinary bladder cancer etc. But natural colors derived from plants can solve these problems and are safe to use. Henna, beets, chamomile, madder, walnuts and turmeric are the most commonly used sources of plant-based colors. The plant-based colors not only make our hair look more attractive but they also provide versatile effects including conditioning, softening, promotion of growth and density, as they are rich in natural antioxidants such as flavonoids, catechins, ascorbic acid and many pigments like lutein (yellow), anthocyanins (red), carotene (golden) and more.  ...

  Green tea ( Camellia sinensis ) belongs to the family Theaceae and is used most popularly as beverage all over the world. Although moderate green tea consumption is typically healthy but drinking too much may lead to side effects such as nausea, vomiting, dehydration, lethargy, central nervous system stimulation such as dizziness, insomnia, tremors, restlessness, confusion, diuresis, heart rate irregularities and psychomotor agitation. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the most abundant polyphenol in green tea has anti-folate activity so to prevent folate deficiency it should not used in excessive quantity and it may also reacts with some drugs like aspirin and MAOI so used with caution if high level of green tea is used. Green tea is cultivated commercially in Asia, Africa and South America. Dissimilar black tea, which is fermented, green tea is produced in a non-fermented procedure. It may be used in the form of a brewed drink or capsular extract. Presently, there is no prop...

  Turmeric is a spice and has been used as a medicine for centuries. It is a major source of polyphenol curcumin that aids in the management of oxidative and inflammatory conditions, metabolic syndrome arthritis anxiety, and hyperlipidemia. Curcuma is well known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Major active ingredients of turmeric include three curcuminoids: curcumin, the primary constituent responsible for yellow color of turmeric, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. In addition, volatile oils (tumerone, atlantone and zingiberene) also have pharmacological activity. Turmeric also helps in the management of exercise-induced inflammation and muscle soreness. Although, turmeric has been used as a medicine for centuries but modern research showed that curcumin, the main constituent in turmeric by itself does not lead to the associated health benefits due to its poor bioavailability because of poor absorption, rapid metabolism and also rapid elimination. ...