Topic
Balanites
About: Balanites is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 87 publications have been published within this topic receiving 1306 citations.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
TL;DR: The results demonstrated that both the Fenugreek and Balanites extracts were able to in vitro inhibit α-amylase activity in dose-dependent manner and this in vitro inhibition was confirmed by in vivo suppression of starch digestion and absorption induced by both plant extracts in normal rats.
Abstract: Fenugreek and Balanites are two plants commonly used in Egyptian folk medicine as hypoglycemic agents. In the present study, the effects of 21 days oral administration of Fenugreek seed and Balanites fruit extracts (1.5 g/kg bw) on the liver and kidney glycogen content and on some key liver enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in STZ-diabetic rats were studied. In addition, the effects of these two plant extracts on the intestinal α-amylase activity in vitro and starch digestion and absorption in vivo were also examined. Results indicated that single injection of STZ (50 mg/kg bw) caused 5-folds increase in the blood glucose level, 80% reduction in serum insulin level, 58% decrease in liver glycogen and 7-folds increase in kidney glycogen content as compared to the normal levels. The activity of glucose-6-phosphatase was markedly increased, whereas, the activities of both glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and phospho-fructokinase were significantly decreased in the diabetic rat liver. Administration of Fenugreek extract to STZ-diabetic rats reduced blood glucose level by 58%, restored liver glycogen content and significantly decreased kidney glycogen as well as liver glucose-6-phosphatase activity. Meanwhile, Balanites extract reduced blood glucose level by 24% and significantly decreased liver glucose-6-phosphatase activity in diabetic rats. On the other hand, our results demonstrated that both the Fenugreek and Balanites extracts were able to in vitro inhibit α-amylase activity in dose-dependent manner. Fenugreek was more potent inhibitor than Balanites. This inhibition was reversed by increasing substrate concentration in a pattern which complies well with the effect of competitive inhibitors. Furthermore, this in vitro inhibition was confirmed by in vivo suppression of starch digestion and absorption induced by both plant extracts in normal rats. These findings suggest that the hypoglycemic effect of Fenugreek and Balanites is mediated through insulinomimetic effect as well as inhibition of intestinal α-amylase activity.
120 citations
TL;DR: The results showed remarkable biological activity of Balanites aegyptiaca fixed oil and proved its importance as natural bioactive source.
112 citations
TL;DR: This study demonstrates that elephant seed-dispersal is vital for Balanites wilsoniana, a forest canopy tree with no other effective dispersers, and provides strong evidence that B. wiloniana is dependent on elephants for its long-term persistence.
Abstract: This study demonstrates that elephant seed-dispersal is vital for Balanites wilsoniana (Zygophyllaceae), a forest canopy tree with no other effective dispersers. Non-dispersed seeds suffered high mortality (84%) and low germination (3%). Elephants were reliable at visiting fruiting trees (46%), ingesting available seeds (55%) and dispersing the fruit crop (26%). Compared with unpassed seeds, seeds passed through an elephant's gut had improved germination (54.9% vs. 2.9%) and reduced time to germination (82 vs. 132 d). Given predation rates under parent trees, elephant gut passage is expected to improve absolute germination by 66%. When this change in germination is divided by germination of unpassed seeds, elephant gut passage is expect to improve relative germination by as much as 4000%. Although post-dispersal predation occurred in dung containing B. wilsoniana seeds, dispersed seedlings were abundant. Compared with seedlings under parent trees, dispersed seedlings had greater survival and height. Dispersed seedlings survived in a diversity of environments, thrived under high-light conditions, and were negligibly affected by post-dispersal density. Although elephants are not essential for B. wilsoniana germination, their actions greatly increase seedling establishment and move a large proportion of seeds. This high degree of effectiveness, together with very low non-dispersed seed survival, provides strong evidence that B. wilsoniana is dependent on elephants for its long-term persistence.
88 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a single stage alkali-catalyzed esterification process by using 1.25% KOH, methyl alcohol 8:1molar ratio with respect to balanites oil, gives the maximum ester yield of 95%.
Abstract: The study endeavor to utilize esters of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del(Balanites) as a fuel for diesel engine. Ester developed from balanites oil by the transesterification process is investigated for its properties and the engine performance. A single stage alkali-catalyzed esterification process by using 1.25% KOH, methyl alcohol 8:1 molar ratio with respect to balanites oil, gives the maximum ester yield of 95%. The performance and emission characteristics of the engine are analyzed using balanites oil methyl esters and diesel as fuel. The viscosity of balanites oil is found to be decreased by 89% after esterification, and the calorific value of balanites oil methyl esters is nearly 94% of the diesel fuel. The engine performance with balanites oil methyl ester as a fuel resembles to that of conventional diesel fuel, while the exhaust gas emissions are reduced with the use of balanites oil methyl esters.
76 citations
TL;DR: Analysis of the spatial distribution of these juveniles by size revealed that saplings and poles are more likely to be found away from adult trees thus providing evidence that dispersal enhances juvenile survival, and underlines the importance of seed dispersal for trees that cannot maintain their populations through seedlings germinating and surviving beneath adult conspecifics.
75 citations
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |