Among 23 extracts of medicinal and edible plants tested, Mauritia flexuosa L.f., Arecaceae, showed significant antioxidant ability (DPPH and ORAC = 1062.9 and 645.9 +/- 51.4 mu g TE/mg extract, respectively), while Annona montana Macfad., Annonaceae, demonstrated the most promising anti-proliferative effect (IC50 for Hep-G2 and HT-29 = 2.7 and 9.0 mu g/ml, respectively). However, combinatory antioxidant/anti-proliferative effect was only detected in Oenocarpus bataua Mart., Arecaceae (DPPH = 903.8 and ORAC = 1024 mu g TE/mg extract; IC50 for Hep-G2 and HT-29 at 102.6 and 38.8 mu g/ml, respectively) and Inga edulis Mart., Fabaceae (DPPH = 337.0 and ORAC = 795.7 mu g TE/mg extract; IC50 for Hep-G2 and HT-29 at 36.3 and 57.9 mu g/ml, respectively). Phenolic content was positively correlated with antioxidant potential, however not with anti-proliferative effect. None of these extracts possessed toxicity towards normal foetal lung cells, suggesting their possible use in development of novel plant-based agents with preventive and/or therapeutic action against oxidative stress-related diseases

Recent climate change models predict that coffee production and the livelihood of millions of farmers will be hardly affected by climate change. Climate changes pronounced in increasing temperature and rainfall variability will reduce the bio-climatic suitable areas, growth and yield of coffee and will induce the occurrence of pests and diseases. Understanding the extent of the climate-driven impact on coffee production and farmers’ adaptation strategies is vital in sustaining coffee productivity. In the form of in-depth analysis, this review begins by contextualizing climate change and coffee production and gives insight into the impact of climate change on coffee suitability areas, growth, yield and the incidence of pests and diseases. It further examines the adaptation strategies pursued by farmers to reduce the impacts of climate change. Site-specific adaptation strategies implemented by farmers to minimize detrimental effects of climate change include (i) selecting appropriate shade tree species and their optimal management, (ii) farmers training, (iii) soil fertility maintenance and protection and (iv) pests and diseases management. Moreover, improving farmers’ access to weather, fair market and technology will enhance their adaptive capacity to climate change. Finally, designing adaptation policies and building the existing practices help the small farmers to pursue climate-resilient coffee production.

Garcinia kola Heckel (Clusiaceae), known as bitter kola, is a multipurpose tree indigenous to West and Central Africa. This highly preferred species is called “wonder plant” because all of its parts can be used as medicine. Its seeds, the most valued product of the tree, are commonly eaten to prevent/cure gastric disorders and for their typical astringent taste. There is a vast evidence that bioactive components of the seeds can serve as alternative medicine to treat/prevent severe illnesses such as malaria, hepatitis and immune-destructive diseases. Despite the species’ pharmaceutical potential and its high preference by West and Central African communities, G. kola is still at the beginning of its domestication process. Even though, there are numerous scientific articles published on species‘ biological activities, it is a difficult task to find basic information on its diversity, distribution, genetics, silvicultural management or botany. Therefore, in this very first review published on G. kola, we summarize all relevant information known about the species, target some of the challenges connected with its cultivation and propose a leading direction for future research and domestication process.