Ziziphus nummularia

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance Ziziphus nummularia (Rhamnaceae) and Acacia nilotica (Fabaceae) are being used as anthelmintics in ethnoveterinary medicinal system of Pakistan. Aim of the study Present study was conducted to determine the anthelmintic activity of Ziziphus nummularia (bark) and Acacia nilotica (fruit) in order to justify their traditional use in veterinary medicine. Materials and methods In vitro anthelmintic activity of crude methanolic extract (CME) of both the plants was determined against Haemonchus contortus by the adult motility assay, the egg hatch test and the larval development assay. In vivo anthelmintic activity was evaluated in sheep naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes by administering increasing doses of crude powder (CP) and CME (1.0–3.0 g/kg). Results Both the plants exhibited dose- and time-dependent anthelmintic effects by causing mortality of worms, and inhibiting egg hatching and larval development. Acacia nilotica (LC50 = 512.86 and 194.98 μg/ml) was found to be more potent than Ziziphus nummularia (LC50 = 676.08 and 398.11 μg/ml) in egg hatch test and larval development assay, respectively. In vivo, maximum fecal egg count reduction (84.7%) was recorded on day 13 post-treatment in sheep treated with Ziziphus nummularia CME (3.0 g/kg) followed by 78.5% on same day with Acacia nilotica CME (3.0 g/kg). Conclusions These data show that both Ziziphus nummularia and Acacia nilotica possess anthelmintic activity in vitro and in vivo, justifying their use in traditional veterinary medicine in Pakistan.

Abstract: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized using Ziziphus nummularia leaf extract. The characterization was done by various spectral analysis and antifungal (anti-candidal) activity against multidrug resistant clinical isolates and their cytotoxic potential was evaluated. The ZnO NPs were 17.33 nm in size and were spherical/irregular in shape. The antifungal activity of ZnO NPs was better than four standard azole antibiotics and they also showed potent cytotoxic effect against HeLa cancer cell line. The results strongly suggest the applicability of green synthesized ZnO NPs as antifungal agent and also its use in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract: Summary Changes in isozyme patterns of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase by VA mycorrhizal fungi was investigated under glass-house conditions in three Ziziphus species. The VA mycorrhizal plants had two extra peroxidase isozyme bands and one extra polyphenol oxidase band as compared with the uninoculated plants of all three Ziziphus species. The activities of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were higher in roots of VA mycorrhizal plants of all three Ziziphus species than non-mycorrhizal plants. Details about the isozyme patterns are also discussed.

Abstract: Ziziphus nummularia (Burm. f.) Wight et Arn. is a multipurpose wild economic species well adapted to dry and hot climates of north-western plains, central India and dry regions of peninsular India. This species is reported here for its potential value in drier regions of India and may be considered for future plant genetic resource programmes.

Abstract: Ziziphus jujuba known as Indian jujube or Ber is an important plant cultivated for its fleshy fruits rich in sugars and vitamins In India, the ripe fruits are mostly consumed raw, but are sometimes stewed The dried ripe fruit is a mild laxative; seeds are sedative and are taken to halt nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pains in pregnancy Ziziphus nummularia known as Jharber commonly grows along roadsides and uncultivated land in India The tender parts of both the species are favoured fodder of sheep, goats, and cattle During October 2007, phytoplasma-like symptoms were observed on Z jujuba and Z nummularia plants growing at Payagpur, Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, India Ziziphus nummularia showed rosetting, proliferation of axillary shoots, witches’ broom-like appearance and little leaves malformed and golden yellow, whilst Z jujuba exhibited severe rosetting, but little leaves remained green The total DNA from samples of infected plants was isolated and subjected to nested PCR using universal primers specific to the 16S rRNA gene: P1/P6 (Deng & Hiruki, 1991) and R16F2n/R16R2n (Gundersen & Lee, 1996) This resulted in positive amplicons of ~1·5 and ~1·2 kbp, respectively, in infected samples (2/2) of Z jujuba and Z nummularia , but not from the healthy ones The ~1·2 kbp amplicons (two) from each sample were sequenced and data deposited in GenBank, Accession Nos EU375487 ( Z nummularia ) and EU366162 ( Z jujuba ) blast comparisons of both 16S rDNA sequences of EU375487 and EU366162 shared 99% identity with each other, and 98% with those of members of the 16SrV elm yellows group, including accessions AB052875, AB052877 and AB052879 These accessions describe the new Candidatus Phytoplasma species, ‘ Candidatus Phytoplasma ziziphi’, associated with jujube witches’ broom in China, Japan and Korea (Jung et al , 2003) Therefore, phytoplasmas associated with witches’ broom disease in Z jujuba and Z nummularia in Bahraich district, in India, are considered isolates of ‘ Ca Phytoplasma ziziphi’ This is the first record of jujube witches’-broom phytoplasma in Z jujuba and Z nummularia in India