Comparison of wild accessions of g. barbadense l. from Peru and Brazil via microsatellite markers / Comparação entre acessos silvestres de g. barbadense l. do Peru e Brazil via marcadores microssatélites

Peru and Brazil are recognized as primary and secondary centers of Gossypium barbadense L., which is a species that stands out for producing long cotton fiber. However, since its introduction in Brazil, G. barbadense L. populations have reduced its occurrence and genetic variability. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the diversity level among wild accessions of G. barbadense L. from Peru and Brazil, for conservation and management of its genetic resource. Fifteen accessions from Peru, 13 from Brazil, and the cultivar Pima S7 were analyzed using 29 microsatellite markers. Genetic diversity in the 29 accessions was analyzed using descriptive statistics and methods based on distance index (UPGMA, 3D projection, and principal coordinate analysis), as well as ancestry model (Structure 2.3.4). Based on these analyses, it is verified that there is similar variability level between the Brazilian and the Peruvian accessions. At least 5 Brazilian accessions come from gene pools different from those of the rest of the Brazilian accessions. Peru's accessions originate from six different gene pools. Nine out of 29 accessions present genetic admixture of at least three different gene pools. Variability of Peruvian and Brazilian accessions may prove to be crucial for cotton crop worldwide.

O Peru é reconhecido como o centro primário e o Brasil como o centro secundário de G. barbadense L., espécie que se destaca pela fibra longa do algodão. Mas, desde a sua introdução no Brasil, as populações de G. barbadense L. vêm se reduzindo e também sua variabilidade genética. Em razão disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o nível de diversidade de acessos de G. barbadense L. do Peru e Brasil, para fins de conservação e manejo de seu recurso genético. Quinze acessos do Peru e treze do Brasil, além da cultivar Pima S7, foram analisados com 29 marcadores microssatélites. A diversidade genética foi analisada por meio de estatísticas descritivas e por métodos baseados em índice de distância (UPGMA, projeção 3D e análise de coordenadas principais) e modelo de ancestralidade (Structure 2.3.4). Por estas análises, existe nível de variabilidade similar entre os acessos do Brasil e Peru. Ao menos cinco acessos do Brasil vêm de pools gênicos distintos daqueles dos outros acessos brasileiros. Os acessos do Peru têm origem traçada a seis polls gênicos distintos. Nove entre os 29 acessos possuem mistura genética de ao menos três polls gênicos diferentes. A variabilidade do Peru e Brasil pode vir a ser crucial para a cultura do algodão em todo o mundo.

Characterization of Bioactive Components of Gossypium barbadense L. with Hematinic Potential in Wister Albino Rats.

Aims: To ascertain the hematinic potential and bioactive compounds in Gossypium barbadense. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Department of Applied Science, College of Science and Technology, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, Nigeria between February, 2013 and July, 2014. Methodology: Forty eight (48) apparently healthy albino rats weighing (150-200g) were grouped in to seven groups of five rats each. Thirteen rats were used for the G. barbadense toxicity test. Hemolytic anemia was induced using Phenylhydrazine (10mg/kg bw). Different doses (100mg/ml, 200mg/ml, and 400mg/ml) of G. barbadense were administered with periodic evaluation of Haematological indices (Hemoglobin concentration, Packed Cell Volume, Red Blood Cells and reticulocyte count). Bioferon (0.23ml/kg b.w) was used as the standard drug. Synergistic Thin layer Chromatography and Column Chromatography were used to purify the plant extract. Gas Chromatography linked with Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) was used in the Characterization of purified fraction. Results: The level of Hb (g/dl) was found to increase in a dose dependent manner (100mg-12.17g/dl, 200mg-12.60g/dl and 400mg-12.87 g/dl), likewise RBC (4.31, 4.41 and 4.72) and PCV (43.35%, 43.49%, 43.65%). Characterization revealed the presence of 19 compounds. Conclusion: G. barbadense resulted in HB, RBC and PCV boost, owing to inherent bioactive component.

GbWRKY1, a novel cotton (Gossypium barbadense) WRKY gene isolated from a bacteriophage full-length cDNA library, is induced by infection with Verticillium dahliae.

WRKY transcription factor proteins play important roles in diverse stress responses. In this study, we first cloned a novel WRKY from our constructed bacteriophage full-length cDNA library for cotton (Gossypium barbadense). The plants were stressed by exposure to a defoliating strain of Verticillium dahliae. The capacity of primary cDNA library was 1.28 × 106 PFU and the titer of the amplified cDNA library was >1010 PFU mL–1. The recombination rate of the library was 94% and average insert size was about 1.1 kb. This novel gene, named GbWRKY1 was 1971 bp long and encodes a protein of 489 amino acids. It contains two characteristic WRKY domains and two zinc finger motifs. The sub-cellular assay indicated that GbWRKY1–GFP fusion protein was localized in the nucleus. Furthermore, Northern blot analysis showed that expression pattern of GbWRKY1 was similar among tissue types (roots, stems and leaves), but differed between pathogen-infiltrated and Czapek medium-infiltrated (untreated control) plants. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that GbWRKY1 could also be induced by salicylic acid (SA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC). These findings clearly suggest that as a pathogen-inducible transcription factor GbWRKY1 plays an important role in plant defense responses.

The antimicrobial screening of a Barbadian medicinal plant with indications for use in the treatment of diabetic wound infections / Tamizaje antimicrobiano de una planta medicinal Barbadense con indicaciones para su uso en el tratamiento de infecciones de heridas en diabéticos

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic noncommunicable disease with high prevalence in the North American and Caribbean region. Diabetic Foot Syndrome which is an associated complication can lead to the development of wounds and ulcers which can become infected. Justicia secunda, a plant known locally in Barbados as Bloodroot used in folklore for wound healing, was selected to test its ability to aid diabetic wound healing by antimicrobial activity. It was therefore tested against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and Enterococcus feacalis (clincal strain) which are commonly found in diabetic wounds. METHODS: The plant was collected by local users. Methanol and acetone extracts of the plant were prepared with use of soxhlet extraction. The antimicrobial activity was assessed with the use of a modified KirbyBaurer method. Concentrations of 200 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml, and 1 mg/ml of the extract were used, with a standard ciprofloxacin 5 µg positive control, and a 5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution negative control. RESULTS: The J secunda methanol and acetone extracts with an extraction yield of 15.3% and 0.75%, respectively yielded no activity within the concentration range against the three strains of bacteria tested. In comparison with the positive control, relative inhibition zone diameter (RIZD) values of 0% resulted for both the negative control and the extracts, with the positive control having a value of 100%. CONCLUSION:The in vitro screen of the extracts prepared from J secunda, yielded no antimicrobial activity against the three strains of bacteria tested and therefore does not support the folklore claims by this mechanism of action.

OBJETIVO: La diabetes mellitus es una enfermedad crónica no transmisible, de alta prevalencia en la región de Norte América y el Caribea. El síndrome de pie diabético es una complicación asociada, que puede llevar al desarrollo de heridas y úlceras, con la consiguiente posibilidad de infección. Justicia segunda es una planta conocida localmente en Barbados como "bloodroot" (sanguinaria canadensis) y usada en la medicina folklórica para la curación de heridas. Esta planta fue seleccionada para analizar su capacidad de ayudar a curar las heridas de diabéticos por su actividad antimicrobiana. Por lo tanto, se la sometió a prueba frente a bacterias Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, y Enterococcus feacalis (cepa clínica) que normalmente se encuentran en las heridas del diabético. MÉTODOS: La planta fue proporcionada por usuarios locales. Usando un extractor Soxhlet, se prepararon extractos de metanol y acetona a partir de la planta. La actividad antimicrobiana se evaluó mediante el método de KirbyBauer modificado. Se usaron concentraciones de 200 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml, y 1 mg/ml del extracto, con un control positivo de 5 µg de ciprofloxacina estándar, y un control negativo de una solución de dimetil sulfóxido (DMSO) al 5%. RESULTADOS: Los extractos de metanol y acetona de J secunda con un rendimiento de extracción de 15.3% y 0.75% respectivamente, no arrojaron actividad alguna dentro del rango de la concentración contra las tres cepas de bacterias sujetas a prueba. Comparado con el control positivo, el diámetro de la zona de inhibición relativa (RIZD) arrojó valores de 0%, tanto para el control negativo como para los extractos, con un valor de 100% para el control positivo. CONCLUSIÓN: El tamizaje in vitro de los extractos preparados de J secunda, no arrojó actividad antimicrobiana alguna contra las tres cepas de bacterias analizadas, y por consiguiente no sustenta la afirmación de la medicina folklórica en relación con este mecanismo de acción.

A comparison of the chemical constituents of Barbadian medicinal plants within their respective plant families with established drug compounds and phytochemicals used to treat communicable and non-communicable diseases / Una comparación de los elementos constitutivos químicos de las plantas medicinales Barbadenses dentro de sus respectivas familias de plantas, con los compuestos medicinales convencionales y los fitoquímicos usados para tratar las enfermedades comunicables y las no comunicables

OBJECTIVE: Barbados has a strong base in the practice of folklore botanical medicines. Consistent with the rest of the Caribbean region, the practice is criticized due to lack of evidence on the efficacy and safety testing. The objectives of this review article are i) to categorize and identify plants by their possible indications and their scientific classification and ii) to determine if the chemical constituents of the plants will be able to provide some insight into their possible uses in folklore medicine based on existing scientific research on their chemical constituents and also by their classification. METHOD: A review of the folklore botanical medicines of Barbados was done. Plants were primarily grouped based on their use to treat particular communicable and non-communicable diseases. Plants were then secondarily grouped based on their families. The chemical profiles of the plants were then compared to established drug compounds currently approved for the conventional treatment of illnesses and also to established phytochemicals. RESULTS: The extensive literature review identified phytochemical compounds in particular plants used in Barbadian folklore medicine. Sixty-six per cent of reputed medicinal plants contain pharmacologically active phytochemicals; fifty-one per cent of these medicinal plants contain phytochemicals with activities consistent with their reported use. CONCLUSION: Folklore botanical medicine is well grounded on investigation of the scientific rationale. The research showed that fifty-one per cent of the identified medicinal plants have chemical compounds which have been identified to be responsible for its associated medicinal activity. To a lesser extent, approved drug compounds from drug regulatory bodies with similar chemical structure to the bioactive compounds in the plants proved to validate the use of some of these plants to treat illnesses.

OBJETIVO: Barbados tiene una sólida base en la práctica de las medicinas botánicas del folklore De conformidad con el resto de la región caribeña, la práctica se critica debido a la falta de evidencia sobre la eficacia y la seguridad. Los objetivos de este artículo de revisión son (i) categorizar e identificar las plantas por sus posibles indicaciones y su clasificación científica, y (ii) determinar si los elementos constitutivos químicos de las plantas podrían proporcionar algún entendimiento de sus posibles usos en la medicina de folklore, a partir de la investigación científica existente sobre sus elementos químicos constitutivos, y también de su clasificación. MÉTODO: Se realizó una revisión de las medicinas botánicas folklóricas de Barbados. Las plantas fueron agrupadas principalmente a partir de su uso para tratar enfermedades comunicativas y no comunicativas específicas. Se agruparon entonces secundariamente sobre la base de sus familias. Se procedió entonces a comparar los perfiles químicos de las plantas con los compuestos medicinales establecidos, aprobados corrientemente para el tratamiento convencional de enfermedades. Igual procedimiento se realizó con los fitoquímicos establecidos. RESULTADOS: La extensa revisión de la literatura identificó compuestos fitoquímicos en plantas específicas usadas en la medicina folklórica de Barbados. Sesenta y seis por ciento de las plantas medicinales que gozan de reputación contienen elementos fitoquímicos farmacológicamente activos; el cincuenta y un por ciento de estas plantas medicinales contiene fitoquímicos con principios activos correspondientes al uso reportado. CONCLUSIÓN: La medicina botánica folklórica está bien cimentada en la investigación de los principios científicos. La investigación mostró que el cincuenta y un por ciento de las plantas medicinales identificadas tienen compuestos químicos que han sido identificados como responsables de la actividad medicinal asociada. En menor grado, los compuestos medicinales aprobados - provenientes de las instituciones que regulan los medicamentos con estructuras químicas similares a los compuestos bioactivos de las plantas - han servido como pruebas que validan el uso de algunas de estas plantas en el tratamiento de ciertas enfermedades.