Transcriptome analysis of female and male flower buds of Idesia polycarpa Maxim. var. vestita Diels

Background: Idesia polycarpa Maxim. var. vestita Diels, a dioecious plant, is widely used for biodiesel due to the high oil content of its fruits. However, it is hard to distinguish its sex in the seedling stage, which makes breeding and production problematic as only the female tree can produce fruits, and the mechanisms underlying sex determination and differentiation remain unknown due to the lack of available genomic and transcriptomic information. To begin addressing this issue, we performed the transcriptome analysis of its female and male flower. Results: 28,668,977 and 22,227,992 clean reads were obtained from the female and male cDNA libraries, respectively. After quality checks and de novo assembly, a total of 84,213 unigenes with an average length of 1179 bp were generated and 65,972 unigenes (78.34%) could be matched in at least one of the NR, NT, Swiss-Prot, COG, KEGG and GO databases. Functional annotation of the unigenes uncovered diverse biological functions and processes, including reproduction and developmental process, which may play roles in sex determination and differentiation. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed many unigenes annotated as metabolic pathways, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites pathways, plant­ pathogen interaction, and plant hormone signal transduction. Moreover, 29,953 simple sequence repeats were identified using the microsatellite software. Conclusion: This work provides the first detailed transcriptome analysis of female and male flower of I. polycarpa and lays foundations for future studies on the molecular mechanisms underlying flower bud development of I. polycarpa.

Anatomical aspects, chemical analysis and cytotoxic effect of the essential oil from leaves of Casearia arborea (Salicaceae) / Aspectos anatómicos, análisis químico y efecto citotóxico del aceite esencial de Casearia arborea (Salicaceae)

The genus Casearia (Salicaceae) is found in sub-tropical and tropical regions of the world and comprises about 200 species. In Brazil, there are about 48 species and 12 are registered in the State of Rio de Janeiro; including Casearia arborea (Rich.) Urb. Essential oil was obtained from the fresh leaves by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. The cytotoxic effect was determined by WST-1 assay. Chemical analysis of the essential oil revealed a very diversified (n = 37 compounds) volatile fraction composed mainly of non-oxygenated sesquiterpenes (90.2%). These sesquiterpenes included byciclogermacrene (18.7%), germacrene D (12.1%) and α-humulene (11.5%). In addition, the essential oil demonstrated cytotoxic effects against A549 tumor cells in the concentration of 4 µg/mL (EC50) (p < 0.05).

El género Casearia (Salicáceas) se encuentra en las regiones tropicales y sub-tropicales del planeta y comprende alrededor de 200 especies. En Brasil existen 48 especies, 12 de las cuales fueron registradas en el Estado de Río de Janeiro incluyendo Casearia arborea (Rich.) Urb. El aceite esencial fue extraído de hojas frescas por hidrodestilación y analizado por GC-MS y GC-FID. El efecto citotóxico fue determinado por ensayo WST-1. Las cavidades secretorias fueron ocasionalmente encontradas tanto en la lámina foliar como en el pecíolo. El análisis químico del aceite esencial reveló una muy diversa fracción volátil (n = 37 compuestos) formada principalmente por sesquiterpenos no oxigenados (90,2%). Estos sesquiterpenos incluyen biciclogermacreno (18,7%), germacreno D (12,1%) y α-humuleno (11,5%). Además, el aceite esencial demostró efectos citotóxicos contra las células tumorales A549 en una concentración de 4µg/mL (EC50) (p < 0.05).

Pre-treated Populus tomentiglandulosa extract inhibits neuronal loss and alleviates gliosis in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 area induced by transient global cerebral ischemia / 대한해부학회지

The genus Populus (poplar) belonging to the Salicaceae family has been used in traditional medicine, and its several species show various pharmacological properties including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. No study regarding protective effects of Populus species against cerebral ischemia has been reported. Therefore, in the present study, we examined neuroprotective effects of ethanol extract from Populus tomentiglandulosa (Korea poplar) in the hippocampal cornu ammonis (CA1) area of gerbils subjected to 5 minutes of transient global cerebral ischemia. Pretreatment with 200 mg/kg of P. tomentiglandulosa extract effectively protected CA1 pyramidal neurons from transient global cerebral ischemia. In addition, glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactive astrocytes and ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1 immunoreactive microglia were significantly diminished in the ischemic CA1 area by pretreatment with 200 mg/kg of P. tomentiglandulosa extract. Briefly, our results indicate that pretreatment with P. tomentiglandulosa extract protects neurons from transient cerebral ischemic injury and diminish cerebral ischemia-induced reactive gliosis in ischemic CA1 area. Based on these results, we suggest that P. tomentiglandulosa can be used as a potential candidate for prevention of ischemic injury.

Structure and histology of extrafloral nectaries of tropical species in a mexican rain forest / Estrutura e histologia dos nectarios extraflorais de especies em uma floresta tropical no México

Although there is a large diversity of plant species with extrafloral nectaries, histological detail of these glands is poorly documented in tropical rain forest species. We characterized extrafloral nectaries using digital photographs, scanning electron microscopy and histological methods for eight plant species belonging to the Costaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae and Salicaceae. To our knowledge, there are no previous reports on the structure of extrafloral nectaries for these species. Croton species exhibited reddish extrafloral nectaries on the petioles, surrounded by starshaped trichomes. Cnidoscolus multilobus and Omphalea oleifera showed green, elevated, extrafloral nectaries at the peduncle; C. multilobus showed abundant secretory tissue; O. oleifera revealed numerous cells with calcium oxalate crystals. Heliocarpus species showed extrafloral nectaries distributed at the base of the blade and possesses glands in the center of the extrafloral nectary surrounded by a series of parenchymatic cells. Pleuranthodendron lindenii has two extrafloral nectaries at the base of the leaves. Costus scaber has a hollow-type extrafloral nectary on the red-colored bracts of the inflorescence; nectar cavity is found in the center area of each bracts located on a yellow line. The extrafloral nectaries described in this study exhibited different morphologies and histological structures involved in the secretion of extrafloral nectar that could be related to biotic defenses, primarily by attracting ants.

Embora exista uma grande diversidade de espécies de plantas com nectários extraflorais, detalhes histológicos destas glândulas ainda é pouco documentado para espécies tropicais. Nós caracterizamos nectários extraflorais usando fotografias digitais, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e métodos histológicos para oito espécies de plantas das famílias Costaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae e Salicaceae. Para nosso conhecimento, não há relatos anteriores sobre a estrutura dos nectários extraflorais para as espécies estudadas. Espécies de Croton exibiram nectários extraflorais avermelhadas nos pecíolos, rodeados por tricomas em forma de estrela. Cnidoscolus multilobus e Omphalea oleifera apresentaram nectários extraflorais verdes e elevados nos pedúnculos; C. multilobus apresenta tecido secretor abundante enquanto que O. oleifera apresentou numerosas células com cristais de oxalato de cálcio. Espécies de Heliocarpus apresentaram nectários extraflorais distribuídos na base da lâmina e possuíam glândulas no centro do nectário rodeadas por uma série de células de parênquima. Pleuranthodendron lindenii apresentou dois nectários extraflorais na base das folhas. Costus scaber apresenta um nectário extrafloral do tipo oco nas brácteas avermelhadas da inflorescência, e a cavidade do nectário se encontra na área central de cada bráctea localizados em uma linha amarela. Os nectários extraflorais descritos neste estudo apresentaram morfologia e estruturas histológicas diferentes envolvidas na secreção de néctar extrafloral que poderia estar relacionado com defesas bióticas, principalmente atraindo formigas.

Estaquia caulinar de guaçatonga (Casearia sylvestris Swartz) nas quatro estações do ano, com aplicação de diferentes concentrações de AIB / Stem cuttings of "guaçatonga" (Casearia sylvestris Swartz) in the four seasons of the year with the use of different IBA concentrations

Casearia sylvestris Swartz (Salicaceae) ou guaçatonga é uma árvore nativa do México, da América Central, e da América do Sul, com grande importância ecológica, farmacológica, e comercial. No entanto, como a maioria das espécies nativas de interesse medicinal no Brasil, a guaçatonga não é cultivada comercialmente, sendo obtida por extrativismo. O presente trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de testar um protocolo de propagação vegetativa de guaçatonga por meio da estaquia, visando identificar qual a melhor estação do ano para o enraizamento de estacas e avaliar o efeito da utilização do regulador vegetal ácido indolbutírico (AIB). No outono, inverno e primavera de 2007, e no verão de 2008, estacas caulinares semilenhosas de 12-14 cm de comprimento e com duas folhas foram preparadas e tratadas com AIB (0, 1000, 2000 e 3000 mg L-1), em solução alcoólica, através da imersão rápida por 10 segundos da base das estacas, e foram plantadas em tubetes contendo substrato Plantmax HT® em casa-de-vegetação sob nebulização intermitente. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com 4 repetições, 4 tratamentos, e 16 estacas por parcela. Todos os experimentos foram avaliados após 90 dias, sendo que para dois deles (primavera 2007 e verão 2008) prolongou-se o tempo de permanência em casa-de-vegetação para melhor desenvolvimento das raízes. Foram avaliados os parâmetros: porcentagem de estacas enraizadas, porcentagem de estacas vivas (com calos e sem raízes, sem calos e sem raízes), porcentagem de folhas retidas, porcentagem de estacas mortas, número de raízes, comprimento das três maiores raízes (cm), e média da massa seca das raízes (mg). Não ocorreu enraizamento nas estacas retiradas no outono e no inverno. Com as estacas retiradas na primavera obteve-se 39,1% de enraizamento. Estacas coletadas no verão não responderam como o esperado, apresentando, após 240 dias, 6,3% de enraizamento no tratamento com 3000 mg L-1 de AIB. O AIB até 3000 mg L-1 não estimulou o enraizamento de estacas de guaçatonga e a melhor estação do ano para a estaquia é a primavera.

Casearia sylvestris Swartz (Salicaceae), or "guaçatonga", is a tree native to Mexico and Central and South America, with great ecological, pharmacological and commercial relevance. Similarly to most native species of medicinal interest in Brazil, "guaçatonga" is not commercially cultivated and is obtained by means of extraction. The aim of this study was to test a protocol for the vegetative propagation of "guaçatonga" by means of stem cutting, identifying the best season for stem rooting and assessing the effect of using the growth regulator indolebutyric acid (IBA). In the fall, winter and spring 2007 and summer 2008, semi-hardwood cuttings with 12-14 cm length and two leaves were prepared and treated with IBA (0, 1000, 2000 and 3000 mg L-1), in alcohol solution, by rapidly immersing for 10 seconds the base of cuttings and planting them in tubes containing Plantmax HT® in greenhouse under intermittent nebulization. Experimental design was completely randomized with 4 replicates, 4 treatments and 16 cuttings per plot. All experiments were evaluated after 90 days, and for two of them the time of maintenance in greenhouse was prolonged in order to improve root development. The following parameters were evaluated: percentage of rooted cuttings, percentage of live cuttings (with callus and without roots, without callus and without roots), percentage of retained leaves, percentage of dead cuttings, number of roots, length of the largest roots (cm) and mean dry mass of roots (mg). There was no rooting on cuttings collected during the fall and the winter. For cuttings collected in the spring, 39.1% rooting was obtained. Cuttings collected in the summer did not show the expected results, presenting after 240 days 6.3% rooting when treated with 3000 mg L-1 IBA. Up to 3000 mg L-1, IBA did not stimulate the rooting of "guaçatonga" cuttings and the best season for cutting is spring.

Screening of some ethnobotanically important plants of Nagar area Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Certain species of ethnobotanical importance belonging to families Asteraceae, Berberidaceae, Cupressaceae, Elaeagnaceae, Gentianaceae, Salicaceae and Tamaricaceae, were collected from Gilgit during the months of June and July 2008 and were investigated for the presence of alkaloids, amino acids, anthraquinone [free and as glycosides] ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolics, proteins, saponins and steroids in their aqueous, ethanol and benzene extracts. Artemisia maritime L. [leaves] showed positive results for carbohydrates, coumarins, phenolics and proteins. Ephedra gerardiana Wall ex. Stapf. [stem] tested positive for alkaloids, ascorbic acid, coumarins, phenolics, proteins, saponins and steroids. Tamarix gallica L. tested positive for alkaloids, amino acids, anthraquinone as glycoside, ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenolics, proteins and steroids in stems, roots and leaves. Salix acmophylla Boiss. showed positive results for alkaloids, amino acids, anthraquinone [free and as glycosides] ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenolics, proteins, saponins and natural steroids. Hippophae rhamnoides L. showed positive results for alkaloids, amino acids, anthraquinone [free as glycosides] ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolics, proteins, saponins and steroids. Berberis glycocarpa Stapf. showed positive results for alkaloids, amino acids, ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenolics, proteins and steroids in stem, roots and leaves. Similarly Juniperus excelsa Wall ex. C.A. Meyer showed positive result for anthraquinone [both free and as glycosides], carbohydrates, phenolics, proteins, saponins and natural steroids

[Measurement of salicylic acid in poplar's bark [P. deltoides and P. euramerican] by high performance liquid chromatography [HPLC]]

The family salicaceae included salix and populus species. This family especially salix alba is very important in ancient medicinal. Recognition and investigation on other species in this family can help to development of herbal medical in country. This study was done to measuring of salicylic acid in Populus deltoides and Populus euramerican. After collection and drying of barks, extraction was done according to TAPPI standard [T204 om-88] by using acetone, ethanol and water solutions. Measuring of Salicylic acid was done by HPLC [High Performance Liquid Chromatography]. The extractive materials yield of populus deltoides and populus euramerican's bark were obtained 12.2 and 17.7% respectively base on dry weight of bark. HPLC analysis shows that there are 32 compounds in water extractive materials which amount of two compounds are more than others. According to retention time one of two compounds is Salicylic acid. The Salicylic acid values in populus deltoides and euramerican bark extractive materials are 14.7 and 19.5 ppm respectively. Generally, this research show that populus species contains Salicylic acid which is lower than Salix alba. The amount of Salicylic acid in populus euramerican is more than populus deltoids. Hydrophobic compounds in populus euramerican are twice than populus deltoides. There is no significant difference between hydrophilic compounds of two species

Advances in studies on chemical constituents and bioactivities of plants from flacourtiaceae / 中国中药杂志

In this article, the research of chemical constituents and bioactivities in recent ten years has been reviewed of plants from the 12 genera in Flacourtiaceae related to the medicinal resources in China. The research in China about the plants from Flacourtiaceae was done very little, but many literatures have been reported abroad. The plants from Flacourtiaceae mostly contain the constituents such as aromatic glucosides, lignanoid glucosides, diterpenoids and cyclopentenoid cyanohydrin glucosides et al. These compounds or plant extracts mainly show antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activities. The research of plants from Carrierea, Itoa and Bennettiodendron of Flacourtiaceae in China is still blank. The systemic research about chemical constituents and bioactivities of plants from these genera will play important roles in the discovery of novel natural products and active constituents, and provide valuable reference for the classifying of plants from these genera.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of an acid fraction of the seeds of Carpotroche brasiliensis (Raddi) (Flacourtiaceae)

Carpotroche brasiliensis is a native Brazilian tree belonging to the Oncobeae tribe of Flacourtiaceae. The oil extracted from its seeds contains as major constituents the same cyclopentenyl fatty acids hydnocarpic (40.5 percent), chaulmoogric (14.0 percent) and gorlic (16.1 percent) acids found in the better known chaulmoogra oil prepared from the seeds of various species of Hydnocarpus (Flacourtiaceae). These acids are known to be related to the pharmacological activities of these plants and to their use as anti-leprotic agents. Although C. brasiliensis oil has been used in the treatment of leprosy, a disease that elicits inflammatory responses, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the oil and its constituents have never been characterized. We describe the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of C. brasiliensis seed oil in acute and chronic models of inflammation and in peripheral and central nociception. The mixture of acids from C. brasiliensis administered orally by gavage showed dose-dependent (10-500 mg/kg) anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, inhibiting both the edema by 30-40 percent and the associated hyperalgesia. The acid fraction (200 mg/kg) also showed significant antinociceptive activity in acetic acid-induced constrictions (57 percent inhibition) and formalin-induced pain (55 percent inhibition of the second phase) in Swiss mice. No effects were observed in the hot-plate (100 mg/kg; N = 10), rota-road (200 mg/kg; N = 9) or adjuvant-induced arthritis (50 mg/kg daily for 7 days; N = 5) tests, the latter a chronic model of inflammation. The acid fraction of the seeds of C. brasiliensis which contains cyclopentenyl fatty acids is now shown to have significant oral anti-inflammatory and peripheral antinociceptive effects.