Evolutionary importance of the relationship between cytogeography and climate: New insights on creosote bushes from North and South America.

Relationships between genome size and environmental variables suggest that DNA content might be adaptive and of evolutionary importance in plants. The genus Larrea provides an interesting system to test this hypothesis, since it shows both intra- and interspecific variation in genome size. Larrea has an amphitropical distribution in North and South American deserts, where it is most speciose. Larrea tridentata in North America shows a gradient of increasing autopolyploidy; while three of the four studied South American species are diploids, Larrea divaricata, Larrea nitida, Larrea ameghinoi, and the fourth is an allopolyploid, Larrea cuneifolia. We downloaded available focal species' georeferenced records from seven data reservoirs. We used these records to extract biologically relevant environmental variables from WorldClim at 30 arc seconds scale, to have a broad characterization of the variable climatic conditions of both regions, and a climatic envelope for each species. We estimated relative DNA content index and relative monoploid genome values, by flow cytometry, of four most abundant Larrea species throughout their respective ranges. Then we winnow the bioclimatic dataset down to uncorrelated variables and sampled locales, to analyse the degree of association between both intra- and interspecific relative DNA content and climatic variables that are functionally relevant in arid environments using Pearson correlations, general linear and mixed effects models. Within the genus Larrea, relative DNA content increases with rising temperature and decreases with rising precipitation. At the intraspecific level, all four species show relative DNA content variation across climatic conditions. Larrea is a genus that shows genome size variation correlated with climate. Our results are also consistent with the hypothesis that extreme environmental pressures may have facilitated repeated whole genome duplication events in North America, while in South America, reticulate evolution, as allopolyploidization, and speciation might have been climate-dependent since the Oligocene.

The use of jarilla native plants in a Diaguita-Calchaquí indigenous community from northwestern Argentina: An ethnobotanical, phytochemical and biological approach.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In northwestern Argentina inhabit several ancient indigenous communities with diverse cultural and historical background. Geographical isolation has contributed to the prevalence of a native plant-based folk medicine; "jarilla" species are medicinal plants widely used in local communities for the treatment of mycosis, respiratory, gastrointestinal and rheumatic disorders. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: To assemble the traditional knowledge acquired through years with scientific data concerning to phytochemistry, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of three "jarillas" species. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ethnobotanical data of three "jarillas", Zuccagnia punctata (Zp), Larrea cuneifolia (Lc), and Larrea divaricata (Ld), were explored by interviewing native people from Indigenous Community of Amaicha del Valle, Tucumán. Phenolic profiles from each infusion were analyzed by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Antioxidant activity was determined by superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide scavenging capacity, lipoperoxidation inhibition, and ferrous iron chelating activity. It was also assessed their ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory enzymes, such as xanthine oxidase, lipoxygenase, and hyaluronidase. RESULTS: Ethnobotanical interviews showed that local people use "jarillas" mainly as infusions and baths. It was reported different categories of uses, such as medicinal (10 curative applications), to religious purposes, tinctorial, as construction material and as fuel. From infusions prepared, the MS and MS/MS data allowed the identification of 27 compounds from Z. punctata, and 11 from both Larrea sp. The infusions showed an important antioxidant activity through different mechanisms, highlighting Zp and Lc in free radical scavenging capacity and Ld on lipid peroxidation inhibition and iron binding. They were also capable of inhibit xanthine oxidase and lipoxygenase enzymes, being Lc the most active one. CONCLUSIONS: This research work provides novel information concerning to several categories of traditional uses of "jarilla" species in a Diaguita-Calchaquí community and focus attention to infusions from a phytochemical and biological approach.

Evaluacion de la Actividad antifúngica del extracto de las hojas de Jarilla frente a cepas de Tiña Capitis - juliaca noviembre 2014 a febrero 2015 / Evaluation of the antifungal activity of Jarilla leaves extract against Tiña Capitis strains - juliaca November 2014 to February 2015

Los hongos pueden causar enfermedades en humanos, especialmente en pacientes inmunosuprimidos por ellos las plantas medicinales y sus principios activos ayudan a la medicina complementaria. OBJETIVO: Esta investigación evalúa la actividad antifúngica del estracto acuoso de las hojas de Jarilla y el Clotrimazol frente a dos cepas fúngicas. MATERIALES Y METODOS: La evaluación de la actividad antifúngica por la Técnica de Dilución del extracto de agar y la actividad antifúngica por la formación de halos de inhibición. RESULTADOS: Identificación taxonómica de la jarilla(Larrea sp), características organolépticas del Extracto acuoso liofilizado (color pardo moderado, olor característico e higroscópico), el extracto acuoso es más soluble en agua destilada, y este contiene alcaloides, triterpenos, flavonoides, saponinas; y el índice de inhibición aumenta a mayores concentraciones del EA y del Clotrimazol y disminuye a mayor tiempo de incubación (pasadas las 168 horas). La cepa más sensible al extracto acuoso es el Trichophyton mentagrophytes ATCC 24953. CONCLUSIONES: La Jarilla pertenece a la familia Zygophyllaceae, Orden Zygphyllales y Clase Magnoliopsida, División Magnoliophyta, Reino Plantae. El Estracto Acuoso Liofilizado es de aspecto: Polvo grueso, pardo moderado, olor característico y poco higroscópico y la solubilidad del EA es mayor en el solvente agua destilada. Por el Tamizaje Fitoquímico destacan: alcaloides, triterpenos, flavonoides, saponinas, trazas de azucares reductores, fenoles y taninos. El grado de Inhibición del EA y Clotrimazol frente a Trichophyton mentagrophytes a las 72 horas se obtuvo que a mayor concentración del EA y el Clotrimazol (16, 8, 4, 2 ug/ml) la inhibición es de 100%; y a las 168 horas a las mismas concentraciones del EA(16 , 8, 4, 2 mg/dl.) en un 75% de inhibición; a las 168 horas la inhibición de EA en concentracines mayores(16 , 8, 4, 2 mg/dl.)se mantuvo en 75% pero el Clotrimazol bajo su inhibición hasta 25% a las mismas concentraciones.

Larrea divaricata Cav: scientific evidence showing its beneficial effects and its wide potential application / Larrea divaricata Cav: evidencia específica mostrando sus efectos beneficiosos y su amplia aplicación potencial

Larrea divaricata Cav. (jarilla) (Zygophyllaceae) is used in Argentinean folk medicine. It contains nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a lignan with nefrotoxic and hepatotoxic effects. The presence of NDGA converts controversial the use of L. divaricata. The amount of NDGA is higher in alcoholic extracts than in aqueous extracts (AE). The last 20 years had a great advance on the use of AE to treat different conditions in a safe manner. In this review, we present the scientific results tending to confirm the potential beneficial effects of the AE on human health. The anti-proliferative effects of AE of L. divaricata have been assayed on a tumor lymphoid line (BW 5147) and the pathways involved in such effects were described. The anti-microbial activity was determined by tests for bacteria and fungus. The anti-inflammatory activity was assayed by using carrageen and TPA induced-inflammation tests. The Immunomodulatory effects were investigated ¯in vivo and ¯in vitro on mice. Sub-fractions of aqueous extracts were obtained and analyzed. The immunogenicity of proteins from crude AE was characterized and antioxidant and nutritional activity were studied. The effect of an AE on hair loss was assayed. In summary, AE from L. divaricata has pharmacological activities including anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer effects.

Larrea divaricata Cav. (Jarilla) (Zygophyllaceae) es utilizada en medicina popular Argentina. Contiene ácido nordihidroguaiarético (NDGA), un lignano con efectos nefrotóxicos y hepatotóxicos. La presencia de NDGA hace controvertido el uso de L. divaricata. La cantidad de NDGA es mayor en extractos alcohólicos que en extractos acuosos (EA). Los últimos 20 años han tenido un gran avance en el uso de EA para el tratamiento de diferentes condiciones en forma segura. En esta revisión se presentan resultados científicos que confirman los efectos potencialmente beneficiosos de los EA sobre la salud humana. Los efectos anti-proliferativos se han ensayado en una línea de tumor linfoide, así como los mecanismos involucrados. La actividad anti-microbiana se determinó usando pruebas para bacterias y hongos. La actividad anti-inflamatoria fue evaluada mediante el uso de inflamación inducida por carragenina y TPA. Los efectos inmunomoduladores fueron investigados "in vivo" e "in vitro" en ratones. Sub-fracciones de los EA fueron obtenidos y analizados. La inmunogenicidad de las proteínas del EA crudo se caracterizaron y se estudiaron las actividades antioxidantes nutricionales. Además, se ensayó el efecto del EA en la caída del cabello. En resumen, los EA de L. divaricata presentan actividades farmacológicas como por ejemplo, anti-microbiana, anti-inflamatoria y efectos anti-cancerígenos.