Insight into strigolactone hormone functions in plant parasitic weeds: a regulatory perspective

The strigolactones (SLs) are plants hormones that have multiple functions in architecture and development. The roles of SLs in shoot branching and stem secondary growth of autotrophic plants are established. SL is also involved in the interaction between root parasitic plants and their host plants. SLs are exudates by the root of the host plant in search of a fungal partner for symbiotic association, while parasitic plants utilize this facility to detect the host root. The first formed tubercle of Philapanhche, whose germinations are driven by host-derived SLs, exudates parasitic derived SLs (PSLs) and could encourages germination of the adjacent parasitic seeds, resulting in parasite cluster formation. The existence of aboveground spikes in clusters suggests an intriguing approach for increasing parasite population by amplifying PSLs, which result in massive parasitic seed germination. PSLs probably have a role in the increased branching of Broomrapes opposing the host plant, resulting in the parasites' clustered appearance aboveground. This review highlights the distinct roles of SLs and PSLs, and their potential role in host-parasitic interaction.

Chemome profiling and comparison of three Orobanche medicinal plants / 中国中药杂志

Several Orobanche medicinal plants sometimes served as alternative sources of Cistanches Herba, attributing to the benefits such as tonifying kidney, strengthening tendons and bones. Among them, O. coerulescens, O. cernua and O. pycnostachya have been widely utilized in northern China for treatments of pains in the loins and knees, impotence, and spermatorrhea. However, their chemical profiles haven't been elucidated. In the present study, UHPLC-IT-TOF-MS was implemented to conduct in-depth chemome profiling of O. coerulescens, O. cernua and O. pycnostachya, aiming to achieve a comprehensive chemical characterization and to provide pronounced information for the quality control and clinical applications. An ACE Ultra-Core 2.5 Super C_(18)(3.0 mm×150 mm, 2.5 μm) column was deployed for chromatographic separations, and high-resolution MS~n spectra were recorded by IT-TOF-MS. Forty-eight components, in total, were observed, and thirty-eight ones were structurally annotated according to proposing mass fragmentation patterns, matching with relevant databases. Particularly, nine ones were confirmed by reference compounds. Overall, the chemical compositions of O. coerulescens and O. cernua are quite similar, and differences occur between O. pycnostachya and the prior two ones; primary chemical family is phenylethanoid glycosides, and several lignan glycosides as well as iridoid glycosides are also observed; the primary components include acteoside, isoacteoside, crenatoside and 2'-acetylacteoside, etc.

Pharmacophylogenetic study of genus Orobanche, Cistanche and Boschniakia / 中国中药杂志

The genus Orobanche, Cistanche and Boschniakia are taxonomically classified as members of Orobanchaceae. The medicinal plants of these three genera are closely related, and their traditional curative effects are similar. As representative compounds, phenethyl glycosides are predominantly dominant type both in amount and in chemical structural varieties, which are considered to be the important bioactive material basis of these genera. In this paper, phenethyl glycosides and their pharmacological activities are described in a single list. In addition, the other compounds were also reviewed in order to better compare the difference of the bioactive substances. These findings have important reference value for effective development and rational utilization of resources of medicinal plants in the family Orobanchaceae.

A new phenethyl alcohol glycoside from Orobanche coerulescens / 中国中药杂志

The constituents of the whole plant of Orobanche coerulescens were isolated and purified by using various column chromatographic techniques including D101, silica gel and ODS. The structures were identified by spectroscopic analyses including NMR and MS. A new phenylethanol glycoside was isolated from the whole plant of O. coerulescens, and was identified as 2-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethanol-1-O- [(1→3)-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-4, 6-O-di-feruloyl]-β-D-glucopyranoside, named as orobancheoside B. Through the antibacterial activity test, orobancheoside B was proved to have certain antibacterial activity, and be one of the main active components of O. coerulescens. The research result will laid a foundation for the medicinal materials and quality control research. Activity screening, broomrape orobancheoside B has certain antibacterial activity, as one of the main active components of O. coerulescens, and to constantly improve the quality of the medicinal materials laid a foundation.

A new phenethyl alcohol glycoside from Orobanche coerulescens / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the whole plant of Orobanche coerulescens. Methods: The constituents were isolated and purified by using various column chromatographic techniques including D101, silica gel, and ODS, and the structures were identified by spectroscopic analyses including HR-ESI-MS, NMR, and 2D-NMR. Results: A new phenethyl alcohol glycoside was isolated from 50% ethanol extract in the whole plant of O. coerulescens, and its structure was identified as 2-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxy)-phenyl-ethanol-1-O-α-L-[(1→3)-4-O-acetyl-rhamnopyranosyl-4-O-feruloyl]-O-β-D-glucopyranoside. Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new compound named as orobancheoside A.

Chemical constituents from Orobanche cernua / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from Orobanche cernua in Orobanchaceae. Methods: The chemical constituents were separated and purified by macroporous resin, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and MCI column chromatographies. Their structures were determined by physicochemical properties and spectral data. Results: Twelve compounds were isolated from 70% ethanol extract of O. cernua. Among them, eight phenylpropanoid glycosides were identified as acteoside (1), campneoside II (2), crenatoside (3), campneoside I (4), isocrenatoside (5), isoacteoside (6), leucosceptoside A (7), and cistanoside F (8), three liganans were identified as (+)-syringaresinol-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (9), (+)-pinoresinol-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (10), and isoeucommin A (11), and one steroide was stigmasterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside (12). Conclusion: Compounds 7 and 12 are isolated from the family Orobanchaceae for the first time; Compounds 4, 7, and 9-12 are isolated from the plants of Orobanche L. firstly, and compounds 2, 4, and 6-12 are found from O. cernua for the first time.

Genetic diversity in two variants of Orobanche gracilis Sm. [var. gracilis and var. deludens (Beck) A. Pujadas] (Orobanchaceae) from different regions of Spain

The pattern of genetic variation among populations of two Orobanche gracilis Sm. taxa (var. gracilis and var. deludens (Beck) A. Pujadas) from Northern and Southern Spain growing on different hosts was analysed using RAPD markers. The diversity analysis within populations revealed a higher level of diversity in the populations from the North when compared to the Southern ones. The results of principal co-ordinate analysis (PCoA) based on Dice distances among samples clearly established the separation of samples according to the taxonomical variety and the geographical origin of each population. The Southern populations of both var. gracilis and var. deludens were more differentiated among them than those of var. gracilis from the North. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that the lowest level of population differentiation was found in O. gracilis var. gracilis from the North, whereas in the case of O. gracilis var. deludens from the South most of the genetic diversity was attributable to differences among populations. Possible explanations for the distribution of variation in these populations are discussed.