Evaluation of the Allelopathic Effect of Aqueous Extract of <i>Zygophyllum simplex</i> L. on <i>Vicia faba</i> L. Plants

Abstract

SummaryIn the present study, the allelopathic effects of Zygophyllum simplex aqueous extract on Vicia faba was tested. Three concentrations (10, 20 and 40%) for three times of treatment (6, 12, 18 h) were applied. The control plants were normal, while the treated ones were significantly affected. Low concentration (10%) at all treatment times had a stimulatory effect on seed germination percentage. On the other hand, high concentration of the extract gave rise to substantial reduction in all parameters studied as the concentration increase and time of treatment prolonged. In contrast, the percentage of mitotic and meiotic aberrations increased and were time and dose dependent. Various types of mitotic and meiotic aberrations were observed. Sticky and micronuclei types of aberrations were found more frequently, confirming the toxic effect of the extract at high concentrations. Meiotic parameters of chromosome association, chiasma frequency and pollen fertility were also found affected by the time and dose. The present study proves the mutagenic effects of this extract on Vicia faba, especially at high doses. It also recommends its use at low concentrations when used as folk medicine. However, with the use of medicinal plants for treatment (folk medicine) recently increasing instead of synthetic chemical drugs, their side effects and safe and effective dose should be carefully pretested and documented before public use.

Regional Conservation Assessment of the Threatened Species: A Case Study of Twelve Plant Species in the Farasan Archipelago

“…The color of the flower is yellow, the staminal appendages are bipartite, and the fruit shape is obovoid and 5-lobed [13,75]. It has been used traditionally to treat gout, asthma, and inflammation [76][77][78].…”

Antibacterial and antioxidant potential of Tetraena simplex extracts of various polarities

“…Typically, the medicines used for human diseases are mostly derived from plant and animal sources, and almost all available indigenous plant species may be used as medicines to cure different illnesses. Plants as herbal remedies have been used to treat various diseases since ancient times [ 1 ]. Plants are one of the richest sources of natural antioxidants, which have been proven to exhibit remarkable antioxidant properties in laboratories [ 2 ].…”

“…Harmal is a halophyte growing in arid and semi-arid regions. Traditionally, T. simplex has been used in Arab states to treat asthma, gout, and swelling [ 1 , 8 ]. This plant emits a foul odor, making it unattractive for animals to feed on.…”

“…The plant contains phenolic compounds, non-alkaline mineral salts, alkaloids, flavonoids, cyclic diterpenes, amino acids, and glycosides, among other compounds [ 1 , 8 , 9 ]. Most plants belonging to Zygophyllaceae have traditionally been used to treat diseases such as cancer, non-malignant tumors, osteomyelitis, psoriasis, and warts [ 1 , 9 , 10 ]. Natural products derived from plants and animals are the main sources of new drugs, and these are the only choice worldwide at present.…”