Search Results (7)

The rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens global health by reducing the effectiveness of current antibiotics. Natural products remain an essential source of structurally diverse compounds with therapeutic potential. This study’s methanolic extracts of Sophora tomentosa L., a leguminous plant with traditional medicinal uses, were fractionated by liquid–liquid extraction and column chromatography. Dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions from leaves and seeds exhibited antibacterial activity against Kocuria rhizophila and Bacillus cereus. GC–MS profiling revealed alkaloids (e.g., matrine), flavonoids (e.g., catechin), phthalic acid derivatives, and fatty acids, supporting the potential of S. tomentosa as a source of novel antibacterial agents. Full article

Negative air ions (NAIs) can purify the atmosphere and maintain human health. In this study, we selected six tree species, Pinus tabuliformis, Pinus bungeana, Acer truncatum, Sophora japonica, Koelreuteria paniculata, Quercus variabilis, Robinia pseudoacacia, and Populus tomentosa, and we established for the first time five “capacity indicators” to characterize and judge the capacity of plants to release negative ions: they comprised the release contribution rate L, release coefficient n, release rate s, instantaneous current number v, and total level of release Z. These indicators were used to assess the ability of the plants to release NAIs by themselves. The results showed the following. (1) The daily variations in L and n show “W” and “concave” shapes, respectively, and the contribution capacity at night is significantly higher than that during the day. The diurnal variations in s, v, and Z all showed a “bimodal” pattern. The NAI release rate and release level of each tree species during the day were significantly higher than those at night. (2) The trees released the most NAIs during the day at approximately 10:00, while Robinia pseudoacacia and Populus tomentosa peaked with a 2 h lag (12:00). The NAI release capacity of each tree species was the worst at 13:00. (3) During the growing season, the self-contribution effects L and n of the plants were the strongest in May. The release rates and release levels s, v, and Z were the lowest in August. The coniferous plants released NAIs at the fastest rate in September and broad-leaved plants in July, with the highest release levels. In this study, the plants released the most NAIs from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., which is the best time to travel. Quercus variabilis was preferentially recommended in the pairing of species of tree with the quickest NAI release and the highest total number released, followed by Koelreuteria paniculata and Sophora japonica. Full article

Understanding species-specific mechanisms governing symbiotic fungal responses to plant traits and soil factors is critical for optimizing urban tree “plant-soil-fungus” systems under pollution stress. To address this gap, we combined δ¹³C/δ¹⁵N isotope analysis and ITS sequencing for three common street trees in Beijing: Sophora japonica, Ginkgo biloba, and Populus tomentosa. In S. japonica, symbiotic fungal abundance was positively associated with leaf δ¹⁵N, indicating root exudate-mediated “plant-microbe” interactions during atmospheric NO_x assimilation. G. biloba, with weak NO_x assimilation, exhibited a negative correlation between fungal abundance and soil available N/P, suggesting mycorrhizal nutrient compensation under low fertility. P. tomentosa showed decreased fungal abundance with increasing soil N/P ratios and specific leaf area, reflecting carbon allocation trade-offs that limit mycorrhizal investment. These results demonstrate that symbiotic fungi respond to atmospheric and edaphic drivers in a tree species-dependent manner. Urban greening strategies should prioritize S. japonica for its NO_x mitigation potential and optimize fertilization for G. biloba (nutrient-sensitive fungi) and P. tomentosa (nutrient balance sensitivity). Strategic mixed planting of P. tomentosa with S. japonica could synergistically enhance ecosystem services through complementary resource acquisition patterns. This study provides mechanism-based strategies for optimizing urban tree management under atmospheric pollution stress. Full article

The anti-MERS-CoV activities of three medicinal plants (Azadirachta indica, Artemisia judaica, and Sophora tomentosa) were evaluated. The highest viral inhibition percentage (96%) was recorded for S. tomentosa. Moreover, the mode of action for both S. tomentosa and A. judaica showed 99.5% and 92% inhibition, respectively, with virucidal as the main mode of action. Furthermore, the anti-MERS-CoV and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities of S. tomentosa were measured. Notably, the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of S. tomentosa was very high (100%) and anti-MERS-CoV inhibition was slightly lower (96%). Therefore, the phytochemical investigation of the very promising S. tomentosa L. led to the isolation and structural identification of nine compounds (1–9). Then, both the CC₅₀ and IC₅₀ values for the isolated compounds against SARS-CoV-2 were measured. Compound 4 (genistein 4’-methyl ether) achieved superior anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity with an IC₅₀ value of 2.13 µm. Interestingly, the mode of action of S. tomentosa against SARS-CoV-2 showed that both virucidal and adsorption mechanisms were very effective. Additionally, the IC₅₀ values of S. tomentosa against SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV were found to be 1.01 and 3.11 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, all the isolated compounds were subjected to two separate molecular docking studies against the spike (S) and main protease (M^pr°) receptors of SARS-CoV-2. Full article

For afforestation, it is necessary to consider habitat conditions and their impact on specific tree species, in order to enable the selection of appropriate species to improve forest productivity and stand stability. Based on the 2014 Beijing forest management inventory data, we evaluated site quality using theoretical growth equations and quantile regression; we analyzed the effects of climate, topography, and soil variables on the growth of six main tree species using random forest models optimized by a genetic algorithm; and we mapped the potential habitat of six main tree species in Beijing. The results showed that climatic factors were the most important factors affecting tree growth. The prediction models had good accuracy, with an AUC of 0.75–0.85. Among the six main tree species studied, Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. was suitable for all of Beijing’s forest land. Platycladus orientalis (Linn.) Franco, Robinia pseudoacacia Linn. and Salix matsudana Koidz. were suitable for the mountainous areas, while Sophora japonica Linn. and Populus tomentosa Carr. were suitable for planting in the plains area of southeast Beijing. The optimized random forest model applied in this study gives insight into the distribution suitability of the main tree species in Beijing, and could serve as a reference for afforestation design. Full article

Garden waste is one of the main components of urban solid waste which affects the urban environment. In this study, garden waste of Morus alba L. (SS), Ulmus pumila L. (BY), Salix matsudana Koidz (LS), Populus tomentosa (YS), Sophora japonica Linn (GH) and Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco (CB) was pyrolyzed at 300 °C, 500 °C, 700 °C to obtain different types of biochar, coded as SSB300, SSB500, SSB700, BYB300, etc., which were tested for their Cr (VI) adsorption capacity. The results demonstrated that the removal efficiency of Cr by biochar pyrolyzed from multiple raw materials at different temperatures was variable, and the pH had a great influence on the adsorption capacity and removal efficiency. GHB700 had the best removal efficiency (89.44%) at a pH of 2 of the solution containing Cr (VI). The pseudo second-order kinetics model showed that Cr (VI) adsorption by biochar was chemisorption. The Langmuir model showed that the adsorption capacity of SSB300 was the largest (51.39 mg·g⁻¹), BYB500 was 40.91 mg·g⁻¹, GHB700, CBB700, LSB700, YSB700 were 36.85 mg·g⁻¹, 36.54 mg·g⁻¹, 34.53 mg·g⁻¹ and 32.66 mg·g⁻¹, respectively. This research, for the first time, used a variety of garden wastes to prepare biochar, and explored the corresponding raw material and pyrolysis temperature for the treatment of Cr (VI). It is hoped to provide a theoretical basis for the research and utilization of garden wastes and the production and application of biochar. Full article

Sophora species are used as dietary medicines in aging-associated symptoms. Sophora tomentosa L. (ST) is a native medicinal plant in Southeast Asia; however, there is no pharmacological literature about ST extract. The present study evaluates the antioxidant phytoconstituent contents and radical scavenging capacities of ST extract. The further investigation was to clarify the neuroprotective mechanism of ST extract against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinsonism by assaying the activities of the dopaminergic system and antioxidant defenses, glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3-β) phosphorylation, and α-synuclein levels in C57BL/6 mice. The results show that ST extract alleviated the motor deficits in MPTP-induced Parkinsonism with four behavioral tests, including a rearing locomotor, catalepsy test, balance beam walking test, and pole test. ST extract reversed the number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons in substantia nigra (SN) that had decreased by MPTP. ST extract also restored the decreased levels of dopamine and the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the striatum. Furthermore, ST extract restored the levels of glutathione (GSH) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and decreased the elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in mouse striatum. ST extract also decreased α-synuclein overexpression and GSK-3β phosphorylation in mouse striatum. In vitro, ST extract exerted higher 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging capacities through its higher phenolic contents, especially protocatechuic acid and epicatechin. These results suggest that ST extract has the potential to counteract MPTP-induced motor deficit. The neuroprotective mechanism of ST extract against MPTP-induced Parkinsonism might be related to decreasing GSK-3β phosphorylation and restoring the activities of striatal antioxidant defenses to restore the nigrostriatal dopaminergic function and decrease α-synuclein accumulation. Full article