Pharmacognostical identification of Alchemilla japonica Nakai et Hara (Identificación farmacognóstica de Alchemilla japonica Nakai et Hara)
Resumen Context: Alchemilla japonica is a therapeutically important medicinal plant, which is widely used in traditional medicine external application for injuries as well as orally for acute diarrhea, dysmenorrhea, and menorrhagia, among others. However, there is not a correct identification of this species and is of prime importance differentiate it from commonly available adulterants or substitutes, in fresh, dried or powdered state. There is only a small number of data of pharmacological standards for identification and authentication of A. japonica. Aims: To characterize morpho-anatomically the roots, leaves and stems of Alchemilla japonica Nakai et Hara (Rosaceae), explore and establish the micromorphology and quality control method for this plant. Methods: Pharmacognostic and phytochemical investigations were conducted in terms of macroscopic, microscopic and preliminary phytochemical parameters. Results: The transverse of root showed presence of polygonal parenchyma cells and obvious triangular intercellular space. The stele of the root was tetrarch. There was trichome in the epidermis cells of stem transverse section, but its cortex was wider than others. Xylem cells arranged in continuously cyclization. The phloem was more than ten bundles. There were many trichomes on the folicolous and palisade tissue contained cluster crystal of calcium oxalate, bundle sheath forms ring closed. The diagnostic feature of powder was cluster type of crystals of calcium oxalate. Trichomes were also observed. The main diagnostic feature of powder was Pente-like thickening cell walls of the subsidiary cells. Conclusions: The leaves, roots, and stem of A. japonica can be differentiated by macro and microscopic characters. Various pharmacognostic characters that observed in this study can help in identification and standardization of this species. Contexto: Alchemilla japonica es una planta medicinal, terapeutica- mente importante, que se utiliza ampliamente en la medicina tradicional por aplicacion externa en lesiones, asi como por via oral para la diarrea aguda, dismenorrea y menorragia, entre otras. Sin embargo, no hay una correcta identificacion de la especie y es de primordial importancia diferenciar esta de adulterantes comunmente disponibles o sustitutos, en estado fresco, seco o en polvo. Solo hay un pequeno numero de datos de patrones farmacologicos para la identificacion y autenticacion de A. japonica. Objetivos: Caracterizar desde el punto de vista morfo-anatomico las raices, hojas y tallos de Alchemilla japonica Nakai et Hara (Rosaceae), analizar y establecer la micromorfologia y el metodo de control de calidad para esta planta.
Apoptotic and necrotic effects of plant extracts belonging to the genus Alchemilla L. species on HeLa cells in vitro
Apoptotic and necrotic effects of plant extracts belonging to the genus Alchemilla on HeLa cells were investigated. The ratio of viable cells was determined by cell counter. Double staining method for the determination of apoptotic and necrotic index was carried out. The lowest apoptotic effect was found in Alchemilla oriturcica with the ratio of around 14% and the highest apoptotic effect found in Alchemilla trabzonica was 24%. Apoptotic effect was additionally determined by caspase-3 immunostaining. Increasing the concentrations of the extracts, especially in the level of 150 to 200 mg/mL caused the increase of necrotic effect on cancer cells. Particularly, the effects of A. oriturcica and A. trabzonica extracts with the density of 200 mg/mL were very high compared to the other species. The flavonoid components were detected in extracts of the species used for this study. The flavonoids identified are orientin (luteolin-8-C-glucoside), hyperoside (quercetin-3-O-galactoside) and isoquercetin (quercetin-3-glucoside) in Alchemilla erythropoda; rutin (quercetin-3-rutinoside), orientin, vitexin (apigenin-8-C-glucoside), hyperoside in Alchemilla ikizdereensis; rutin, hyperoside, isoquercetin (quercetin-3-glucoside) in A. oriturcica and hyperoside, isoquercetin and quercitrin (quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside) in A. trabzonica. 
 
   
 
 Key words: Alchemilla, extract, HeLa cell, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, necrosis.
Modelling environmental impacts of marine finfish aquaculture
Summary Our understanding of the interactions between fish farms and the environment has reached the stage where it is reasonable to expect that quantitative estimates of the possible environmental consequences of aquaculture development can be provided for regulatory and mitigation purposes. This paper summarizes recent developments in this area and provides several case histories of areas where theoretical analyses appear to have direct practical relevance. Fish wastes