We have developed an efficient transformation system for the tropical actinorhizal tree Allocasuarina verticillata using Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated gene transfer. Mature zygotic embryos were inoculated with the disarmed strain C58C1 carrying, in the binary vector BIN19, the nptll gene, providing kanamycin resistance as a selectable marker, and the reporter gene β‐glucuronidase containing an intron. The transformed embryos were cultivated on nutrient medium supplemented with 0.5 µM NAA, 2.5 µM BA, 100 mg l−1 kanamycin and 250 mg l−1 cefotaxime. After 2 months, a 21% transformation frequency was obtained. Within 6–9 months, transgenic plants were recovered from 70% of the transformed calli. The presence of the transgenes was demonstrated by PCR analysis and by the expression of the β‐glucuronidase; integration of the T‐DNA was confirmed by Southern hybridization. More than 100 transgenic plants from a total of 23 independent transformation events have been successfully established in soil. The possibility to obtain nitrogen‐fixing nodules after inoculation of transgenic A. verticillata plants by the actinomycetal strain of Frankia Allo2 was established.

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Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv., a Vietnamese ginseng, is a well-known plant, naturally distributed in the Ngoc Linh and Hoang Lien Son mountain areas in Vietnam. It is used as a tonic and medicinal food in traditional folk medicine because it possesses wondrous health benefits. To support its functional attributes, various investigations have been carried out to find out its anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-stress, anti-nociception, psychomotor and sedativehypnotic effects and anxiolytic activities. Also similar to other ginsengs, Vietnamese ginseng is a rich source of saponins and it has higher content of protopanaxadiol-, protopanaxatrial-and ocotillol-type saponins compared to other ginsengs in the world. Majonoside R2 is a main saponin in Vietnamese ginseng but this compound does not exist in Panax ginseng. Based on this systematic review, we discussed for future prospects and suggest that thorough scientific scrutiny is necessary in future researches.

This study investigated in vitro antioxidant and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells growth inhibitory effect of Eclipta alba Hassk (EH) and Mesona procumbens Hemsl (MH). Extracts from ethanol 50% (E50) were chosen for the assays. Total phenolic and flavonoid content and the antioxidant activities including ABTS 1 and DPPH radical-scavenging system were determined. The identification of phenolic compounds was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). It was found that higher levels of DPPH and ABTS 1 radical-scavenging activity were detected from the EH extract with IC 50 of 41.91 6 0.08 and 75.49 6 1.15 mg/mL, respectively. The rate of DPPH radical-scavenging activity was significantly influenced by the reaction time. The 4hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and rosmarinic acid were the identified compounds in the EH. The 7-hydroxycoumarin, ferulic acid, and rutin being new compounds and two known compounds were identified in the MH. Lactate dehydrogenase released in medium was also evaluated. Extracts of the EH and MH stimulated the apoptotic factors bcl-2, bax, caspase-3, caspase-9 in HepG2. Overall, the EH extract was higher in total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant potential and more effective in inhibiting cancer cell growth.