Природничий альманах (біологічні науки)

Зміст

2024-02-21T22:28:43+02:00

ISSN 2524-0838 (друковане видання)

ISSN 2706-9133 (онлайн видання)

УГРУПОВАННЯ З ВИДАМИ ІНВАЗІЙНИХ РОСЛИН НОВГОРОД-СІВЕРСЬКОГО ПОЛІССЯ

2024-02-22T19:50:32+02:00

Мета дослідження полягала у виявленні та синтаксономічній характеристиці угруповань з домінуванням видів інвазійних рослин у межах Новгород-Сіверського Полісся. У ході досліджень, проведених у 2021 р., було виявлено вісім асоціацій (Elodeetum canadensis, Erigeronto-Lactucetum serriolae, Echinochloo-Setarietum pumilae, Convolvulo arvensis-Amaranthetum retroflexi, Carduo acanthoidis-Onopordetum acanthi, Polygonetum arenastri var. Lepidotheca suaveolens, Calystegio sepium-Impatientetum glanduliferae, Chelidonio-Aceretum negundi nom. inval.) та п’ять дериватних угруповання (Helianthus tuberosus [Artemisietea vulgaris], Solidago canadensis [Artemisietea vulgaris], Lupinus polyphyllus [Artemisietea vulgaris/Molinio-Arrhenatheretea], Hippophae rhamnoides [Molinio-Arrhenatheretea/Artemisietea vulgaris]) з восьми союзів (Potamogetonion, Sisymbrion officinalis, Panico-Setarion, Onopordion acanthi, Polygono-Coronopodion, Senecionion fluviatilis, Potentillion anserinae, Chelidonio-Acerion negundi nom. inval.), восьми порядків (Potamogetonetalia, Sisymbrietalia, Atriplici-Chenopodietalia albi, Onopordetalia acanthi, Polygono arenastri-Poetalia annuae, Convolvuletalia sepium, Molinietalia, Chelidonio-Robinietalia) та семи класів (Potamogetonetea, Stellarietea mediae, Artemisietea vulgaris, Polygono-Poetea annuae, Galio-Urticetea, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea і Robinietea) рослинності, що утворені видами з високим інвазійним потенціалом.

Виявлено, що за минулі роки процес проникнення видів інвазійних рослин у фітоценози Новгород-Сіверського Полісся значно посилився, кількість синтаксонів з домінуванням інвазійних рослин зросла майже на половину. Серед найбільш поширених синтаконів з домінуванням видів інвазійних рослин варто відзначити Xanthium albinum [Potentillion anserinae/Bidentetea tripartitae], Chelidonio-Aceretum negundi nom. inval. та Polygonetum arenastri var. Lepidotheca suaveolens. Це свідчить про значне поширення видів інвазійних рослин у регіоні.

FLORISTIC STRUCTURE OF SAND COMMUNITIES OF CHERNIHIV POLISSYA

2024-02-22T19:52:40+02:00

The purpose of the paper is to determine historical aspects of the research of the flora and vegetation of the region, to describe the floristic structure and composition of the psammophytic communities of Chernihiv Polissya, as well as to analyze the synanthropic fraction of the psammophytic flora and to determine the degree of its anthropogenic transformation. The materials for the article were collected during the field research of Chernihiv Polissya on sandy soil in 2017–2021. According to the results of research, it was found that the psammophytic flora of Chernihiv Polissya includes 282 species of vascular plants belonging to 190 genera and 64 families. Also, seven species of mosses and 15 species of lichens were found. The psammophytic flora of vascular species of Chernihiv Polissya is 21.4% of the flora of Eastern Polissya and 6.3% of the flora of Ukraine. The spreading process of new species are mainly related to climate changes (xerophytization of phytodiversity) and invasions. Poales (19.08% of the total number of species) and Asterales (18.75%) were the most represented orders in the systematic structure. Compositae (18.1%) and Poaceae (12.2%) were dominant families. According to the acquired data on the psammophytic flora of Chernihiv Polissya 132 genera (69.1%) were represented by one species. This indicates a substantial degree of synanthropization in the flora. Perennials (58%) predominate among herbaceous species (91.1%). Mesophytes and xeromesophytes were dominant groups by the attitude to the water regime. Among psammophytes five groups were distinguished and according to the variability of soil moisture the most represented one was the group of hemi-hydrocontrastophiles 133 (47.2%), according to soil acidity (pH) – sub-acidophiles (44%), soil aeration – sub-aerophiles (53.2%), total soil salt content – semi-eutrophes (43.6%), soil carbonate content – hemi-carbonatophobes (46.5%), thermal regime – sub-mesotherms (57.4%), cryoclimatic regime – hemi-cryophytes (46.1%), humidity – sub-aridophytes (37.6%), by the continentality of climate – hemi-continental (50%), lighting conditions – sub-heliophytes (87.6%). The analysis of the synanthropic fraction of the sand flora of Chernihiv Polissya indicated active processes of spreading invasive species within the psammophytic communities of Chernihiv Polissya.

EXOGENOUS MELATONIN ENHANCES IMMUNE SYSTEM ACTIVITY UNDER CONDITIONS OF CHRONIC STRESS

2024-02-22T19:54:14+02:00

It is well known that chronic stress can have serious health consequences, leading to depression, anxiety, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and so on. Additionally, the stress-induced impact results in a decrease in immune system functions, rendering the body more susceptible to infections and other illnesses. In addition to regulating sleep, melatonin possesses pleiotropic properties: it inhibits oxidative stress, exhibits anti-aging effects, and demonstrates documented anti-cancer activity. Melatonin is an effective antioxidant that stabilizes mitochondria. It remains incompletely understood how melatonin affects immune defence under conditions of chronic stress.

This study aimed to determine the influence of melatonin on certain indicators of the immune system under conditions of stress exposure. Three groups of laboratory mice of the BALB/c strain were formed. The first group was kept under a 12-hour light-dark cycle. The second and third groups were subjected to chronic stress through constant illumination. The third group of animals additionally received exogenous melatonin in their drinking water. On the fifth, fifteenth, and thirtieth days of the experiment, indicators of leukocyte levels, phagocytic activity using the latex particle uptake method, and the Th1-dependent immune response were determined by the intensity of delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions.

Comparison of the indicators revealed that in the second group on the 5th day of the experiment, there was an increase in the total number of leukocytes, an elevation in the level of neutrophils, and a decrease in the level of monocytes. Animals receiving melatonin demonstrated similar results. At the end of the experiment, in the group receiving melatonin, the level of neutrophils decreased against an elevated level of lymphocytes and monocytes.

At the end of the experiment, the group subjected to chronic stress demonstrated a decrease in the number of colony-forming units. However, in the melatonin-treated group, the opposite was observed – an increase occurred. A similar trend was observed in the determination of hypersensitivity activity. In the melatonin-treated group, hypersensitivity indicators were higher compared to the group not receiving melatonin. Phagocytic activity in the third group was already higher on the fifth day of the experiment.

The results of the study indicate that the administration of melatonin has a positive impact on certain indicators of the immune system under conditions of chronic stress. Specifically, phagocytic activity increased, the level of lymphocytes was elevated, antibody production intensified, and delayed hypersensitivity reaction was enhanced.

EXERCISE-INDUCED CHANGES IN LIPID AND PROTEIN OXIDATION IN THE BLOOD OF MARES AND STALLIONS OF ENGLISH HALF-BREED HORSES LIVING IN THE POMERANIAN REGION (NORTHERN POLAND)

2024-02-22T20:59:56+02:00

Physical exertion and exercise-induced stress in horses vary according to the equestrian discipline and breed. The correct training programme aims to adapt the horse's organism to the physiological changes that occur during intense physical exertion. The aim of our research was to investigate the effect of physical training on the levels of markers of oxidative stress [2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), carbonyl groups of oxidatively modified proteins, total antioxidant capacity (TAC)] in the peripheral blood of healthy English half-breed horses. Nine healthy English half-breed horses (7 mares and 8 stallions) living in the village of Karlikowo, in the administrative district of GminaKrokowa, within the Puck district, Pomeranian Voivodeship, in northern Poland were used in this study. Blood was collected from the animals' jugular veins in the morning, 90 min after feeding, while the horses were in the stable and immediately after exercise. The training started at 10:00 a.m., lasted 1 hour and consisted of a cross-country ride at a walk (5 mins), a trot (15 mins), a walk (10 mins), a trot (10 mins), a walk (5 mins), a canter (5 mins) and a walk (10 mins).The results of our study showed that blood levels of TBARS, as a biomarker of lipid peroxidation, showed a non-significant change in both mares and stallions immediately after exercise compared to the resting period. Blood levels of aldehydic and ketonic derivatives of oxidatively modified proteins were reduced in both mares and stallions after exercise compared to pre-exercise levels. These reductions were statistically significant. In the blood of mares and stallions, TAC levels were increased after exercise compared to pre-exercise levels. This increase was not statistically significant. The results of our study showed that exercise did not induce oxidative stress in the blood of English half-breeds mares and stallions. These results would provide valuable information for understanding the adaptation of horses to exercise.

IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF COMMERCIAL ROSEMARY ESSENTIAL OIL AGAINST SOME GRAM-POSITIVE AND GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA

2024-02-22T21:01:30+02:00

Rosemary essential oil has many compounds suitable for use in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Rosemary essential oils are widely used in the treatment of upper and lower respiratory tract diseases, mainly due to their antibacterial and antiviral effects.This study provides insight into the in vitro antibacterial activity of commercial rosemary essential oil against Gram-negative strains such as Escherichia coli(Migula) Castellani and Chalmers (ATCC^® 25922™), E. coli (Migula) Castellani and Chalmers (ATCC^® 35218™), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Schroeter) Migula (ATCC^® 27853™) and Gram-positive strains such as Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureusRosenbach (ATCC^® 29213™), methicillin-resistant (MRSA) S. aureus (NCTC^® 12493), Enterococcus faecalis(Andrewes and Horder) Schleifer and Kilpper-Balz(ATCC^®51299™) (resistant to vancomycin; sensitive to teicoplanin) and E. faecalis (Andrewes and Horder) Schleifer and Kilpper-Balz(ATCC^®29212™). The results of the current study showed that Gram-negative bacterial strains such as E. coli (Migula) Castellani and Chalmers (ATCC^® 35218™) and P. aeruginosa (Schroeter) Migula (ATCC^® 27853™) were resistant to REO. The diameters of the inhibition zones after application of REO were similar to those of the control samples (96% ethanol). The increase in inhibition zone diameter after application of REO was 32.6% (p < 0.05) for Escherichia coli (Migula) Castellani and Chalmers (ATCC^® 25922™) strains compared to control samples (96% ethanol). Similarly, the increase in inhibition zone diameters after application of REO was 50.3% (p < 0.05) for Gram-positive strains such as S. aureus subsp. aureusRosenbach (ATCC^® 29213™).Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (NCTC^® 12493)was resistant to REO.On the other hand, the largest inhibition zone diameters after application of REO were observed for E. faecalis strains.The increase in inhibition zone diameters after application of REO was 115.5% (p < 0.05) and 115.8% (p < 0.05) for E. faecalis (Andrewes and Horder) Schleifer and Kilpper-Balz (ATCC^® 51299™) and E. faecalis (Andrewes and Horder) Schleifer and Kilpper-Balz (ATCC^® 29212™) strains, respectively. The results suggest that commercial rosemary essential oil supplied by a Polish essential oil manufacturer (NaturalneAromaty sp. z o.o., Kłaj, Poland) has some significant antimicrobial properties. In vivo studies are needed to calculate the effective dose of EOs and to determine their possible side effects and toxicity.

IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF LEAF AND STEM EXTRACTS OF GREATER CELANDINE (CHELIDONIUM MAJUS L.) USING A HUMAN BLOOD MODEL

2024-02-22T21:02:02+02:00

Greater celandine (Chelidoniummajus L., CM) is an important plant in phytotherapy and traditional medicine.CM has been used extensively in folk medicine throughout Europe and in some Asian countries, particularly for the treatment of various ailments such as stomach cancer, stomach ulcers, liver and skin diseases. It also has potential anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, antimicrobial and antifungal properties.The present study was conducted to evaluate the oxidative stress biomarkers [2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC)] in blood samples collected from healthy volunteers after in vitro incubation with extracts derived from stems and roots of greater celandine were used. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dose-dependent changes in biomarkers of oxidative stress in blood samples from healthy volunteers exposed in vitro to extracts of CM roots and stems collected from natural habitats in the area of the South Park in Słupsk (Pomeranian Province, northern part of Poland). Freshly washed plant samples were weighed, crushed and homogenised in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) (1:19, w/w) at room temperature.The extracts were then filtered and used for analysis. Blood samples from healthy volunteers were preincubated with 4 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) (control) and with CM stem and root extracts (at final concentrations of 5 and 2.5 mg/mL) at 37°C for 60 min.The results of our study showed a statistically significant decrease in TBARS levels in blood samples for root extracts at the final dose of CM extracts at both 5 and 2.5 mg/mL. We observed similar trends after in vitro incubation of blood samples with stem extracts of CM (at a final concentration of 2.5 mg/mL), where there was a statistically significant reduction in the concentration of TBARS compared to the untreated control samples. We also observed a statistically non-significant increase in TAC levels after in vitro incubation of blood samples with stem extracts of CM (at a final dose of 5 and 2.5 mg/mL) compared to control samples, while there was a statistically non-significant reduction in TAC levels after in vitro incubation of blood samples with root extracts of CM (at a final dose of 2.5 mg/mL) compared to untreated control samples. This study provides new insights into the understanding of the antioxidant properties of CM extracts.

IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT RESPONSE OF MUSCLE TISSUE OF RAINBOW TROUT (ONCORHYNCHUS MYKISS WALBAUM) TREATED WITH EXTRACT FROM LEAVES OF EUROPEAN MISTLETOE (VISCUM ALBUM L.)

2024-02-22T21:02:25+02:00

Many studies, based on the understanding of the relationship between the generation of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defences, propose a link with the recent use of mistletoe based on its antioxidant properties, supported by phytochemical and pharmacological data. The uniqueness of mistletoe metabolism, a direct consequence of its hemiparasitism, is used as a key interpretive element to explain its biological properties and guide its consequent therapeutic use.The aim of the present study was to determine the antioxidant activity of extracts derived from the leaves of Viscum album L. using biomarkers of oxidative stress [2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as a biomarker of lipid peroxidation, carbonyl derivatives of oxidative modification of proteins, total antioxidant capacity (TAC)] in the muscle tissue of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykissWalbaum) after in vitro treatment with extracts at two final concentrations (5 and 2.5 mg/mL). Our study revealed that treatment with V. album leaf extracts resulted in non-significant changes in TBARS levels in the muscle tissue after in vitro incubation with V. album leaf extracts at final concentrations of 5 and 2.5 mg/mL.The levels of aldehydic derivatives of oxidatively modified proteins in rainbow trout muscle tissue after treatment with V. album leaf extracts at final concentrations of 5 mg/mL were at the same levels as in untreated controls. When muscle tissue was incubated with V. album leaf extracts, the levels of ketonic derivatives were significantly reduced after treatment with extracts at a final concentration of 5 and 2.5 mg/mL compared to untreated samples. TAC levels in rainbow trout muscle tissue were increased after in vitro incubation with V. album leaf extracts (at final concentrations of 5 and 2.5 mg/mL) compared to untreated samples. The results of the current study demonstrated the antioxidant properties of extracts from the leaves of V. album at two final concentrations (5 and 2.5 mg/mL) after incubation with rainbow trout muscle tissue.Further studies should focus on the antioxidant effect of extracts derived from the leaves of Viscum album using other cellular models.