Sexual reproduction in flowering plants requires initial interaction between the pollen grain and the stigmatic surface, where a molecular dialog is established between the interacting partners. Studies across a range of species have revealed that a series of molecular checkpoints regulate the pollen-stigma interaction to ensure that only compatible, generally intraspecific pollen is successful in effecting fertilization. In species that possess a 'dry stigma', such as the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the first post-pollination, prezygotic compatibility checkpoint is the establishment of pollen hydration.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEthnopharmacological Relevance: The bark of Cinnamomum cassia, called 'Rou-Gui', a traditional spice and medicine in China, is used to treat diseases resulted from kidney yang deficiency, including diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-diabetic nephropathy activity of Rou-Gui and the active compounds in it.
Materials And Methods: The air-dried bark of C.