Bryophytes as Hidden Treasure

Abstract

Bryophytes are the second largest heterogeneous group of terrestrial plants. The bryophytes placed taxonomically between Algae and Pteridophytes, are further divided into three classes; Hornworts (class Anthocerotae), Liverworts (class Hepaticae) and Mosses (class Musci). They are the most captivating exotic species on earth with distinguishing characteristics. Bryophytes are rich in a variety of secondary biological active compounds. Bryophytes contain potentially useful natural products, including polysaccharides terpenoids, lipids, amino acids and phenylpropanoids. Bryophyte isolated compounds and extracts have cytotoxic, antimicrobial, insecticidal, antiviral, nematocidal effects on smooth and non-striated muscles, weight loss, plant growth regulation and allelopathic activities. In the present review, the therapeutic uses of bryophytes were focused in detail. This will highlight bryophytes as potential source for phytotherapeutic remedies and chemical products used in different fields of chemistry, pharmacology, bioiogy and different branches of life sciences.

Biogenic selenium nanoparticles: their dual impact on spleen and growth in arthritic mice

“…Various recent studies focused on Se due to minor difference between the toxic and therapeutic dose as both the excess and deficiency of Se are harmful [21]. The present results showed significant variation in the growth rate among different doses of SeNPs as a group receiving 2.5 mg/kg SeNPs showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the growth and the 5 and 10 mg/kg groups showed no significant reduction as compared to the control group in accordance to the results of [7,21]. While the group receiving 20 mg/kg SeNPs significantly increases (P < 0.001) the growth rate of mice (Figure -1) opposite to the finding of [4].…”

“…It is suggested by various studies that Se deficiency affects the bone tissue in man. A significant correlation was observed between the collagen pyridinium crosslinks and urinary Se levels in healthy infants suggesting a link between Se status and bone integrity as its deficiency also played a role in Kashin-Beck osteoarthropathy, an endemic in Tibet and China [7]. The recommended daily Se intake for adult human body is about 50-70 µg/day [4,6].…”

Actividad Antioxidante De Los Musgos Breutelia subdisticha, Leptodontium viticulosoides y Pylaisia falcata

“…El aprovechamiento de las briofitas como plantas medicinales ha sido común y frecuente en China e India y entre los nativos americanos desde tiempos antiguos [17]. Existen registros desde la etnobriología que exponen una serie de usos muy heterogéneos, entre los cuales están aliviar quemaduras, contusiones, heridas, fracturas [18][19][20], detener hemorragias, curar enfermedades oculares [19,21,22], combatir infecciones fúngicas, aprovechar propiedades anti apetitosas [21,23], tratar enfermedades cardiovasculares y crisis nerviosas, reducir inflamación, y hasta usos como diurético, laxante, coagulante, contra el resfriado común. Además, se reportan propiedades antitumorales [5,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25], actividades antiriníticas, antipiréticas, anticonceptivas, antiflogísticas, hemostáticas, como antídotos, y tratando la ictericia, faringitis, amigdalitis, mastitis, neumonía, entre otras [26][27][28][29].…”

Water Extract of Cryphaea heteromalla (Hedw.) D. Mohr Bryophyte as a Natural Powerful Source of Biologically Active Compounds

“…Bryophytes populate different kinds of habitats, both, humid and desert environments [5], with the exception of seas and oceans [3]. They also represent the main flora in unfavorable areas, such as the tundra or Antarctica [2], and are particularly important for the maintenance of these ecosystems [3].…”

“…Their attachment to soil or other substrates is attained by hair-like structures called rhizoids. Bryophytes are devoid of a complete system for the transport of water and nutrients, normally introduced by leaves, and for this reason they generally possess a small size, although some species can reach a few meters [5].…”