Biochar from olive tree twigs and spent malt rootlets as electrodes in Zn-air batteries.

Biochars, i.e. porous carbons obtained by pyrolysis of biomass, can act as electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution and oxygen reduction reaction. In the present work, two biochars have been prepared by using materials of completely different biomass origin: olive-tree twigs and spent malt rootlets (brewery wastes). Both biomass species were subjected to pyrolysis under limited oxygen supply and then they were activated by mixing with KOH and pyrolysis again. The obtained biochars were characterized by several techniques in order to determine their structural characteristics and the composition of their active components. Despite their different origin, the two biochars demonstrated similar structural and compositional characteristics thus highlighting the importance of the pyrolysis and activation procedure. Both biochars were used as electrocatalysts in the operation of rechargeable Zn-air batteries, where they also demonstrated similar electrocatalytic capacities with only a small advantage gained by olive-tree-twigs biochar. Compared to bare nanoparticulate carbon (carbon black), both biochars demonstrated a marked advantage towards oxygen evolution reaction.

Quantitative Changes of Phenolic Compounds in Pine Twigs by Variety, Harvest Season, and Growing Region.

Three new phenolic compounds including pinosylvin 3-methoxy-5-O-ß-D-glucoside (PMG), taxiresinol 4'-O-α-L-rhamnoside (TRR), and lariciresinol 4'-O-α-L-rhamnoside (LRR) were first isolated and identified from red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.) twigs, together with four known compounds, such as (+)-catechin (CC), dihydromyricetin (DHM), dihydroquercetin 3-O-ß-D-glucoside (DHQG), and dihydroquercetin (DHQ). Additionally, the concentrations of seven phenolic compounds in pine twigs were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography based on cultivars, harvest seasons, and growing environments. Red and black pine twigs contain 379.33 and 308.83 mg/100 g of PMG as the predominant phenolics, respectively, and their contents were significantly higher in spring than in autumn. Red pine twigs contain higher amounts of three dihydroflavonols (DHM: 87.82, DHQG: 38.47, and DHQ: 68.07 mg/100 g) and two lignans (LRR: 15.63, TRR: 30.72 mg/100 g) than black pine twigs, except for higher (+)-CC level (21.88 mg/100 g) in black pine twigs. Two pine twigs had much higher flavonoid and lignan levels in the autumn than they had in the spring. Two pine twigs harvested in several different areas do not significantly differ in their phenolic compositions and contents. These results suggest that red pine twigs possessing phytochemical phenolics may be useful as potential sources for promoting human health.

Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) Waste Biomass after Harvesting as a Source of Valuable Biologically Active Compounds with Nutraceutical and Antibacterial Potential.

For sustainable sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) berry production, the task at hand is to find an application for the large amount of biomass waste arising at harvesting. Sea buckthorn (SBT) vegetation is currently poorly studied. The purpose of this research was to assess the composition and potential of SBT twigs as a source of valuable biologically active substances. Water and 50% EtOH extracts of twigs of three Latvian SBT cultivars with a high berry yield and quality, popular for cultivation in many countries (H. rhamnoides 'Maria Bruvele', 'Tatiana', 'Botanicheskaya Lubitelskaya'), were investigated for the first time. The phytochemical composition (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis) and biological activity of the obtained hydrophilic extracts were determined. The highest yield of polyphenolic compounds and serotonin was observed for 'Maria Bruvele'. Hydrophilic extracts were investigated for radical scavenging activity (DPPH˙ test), antibacterial/antifungal activity against five pathogenic bacteria/yeast, cytotoxicity, and the enzymatic activity of alpha-amylase (via in vitro testing), which is extremely important for the treatment of people with underweight, wasting, and malabsorption. The results showed a high potential of sea buckthorn biomass as a source of valuable biologically active compounds for the creation of preparations for the food industry, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics.

[Profiling by LC-MS and LC-MS/MS with Electrospray source (ESI) of extracts from three organs of Thymelaea hirsuta L.] / Profilage par LC-MS et LC-MS/MS avec source Electrospray (ESI) des extraits de trois organes de Thymelaeahirsuta L.

Algeria, by its geographical position, is home to an exceptional biodiversity occupied by important medicinal plants. Thymelaea hirsuta, endemic species is a medicinal plant used in Algerian folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases. This work focused on the phytochemical study by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with Electrospray source (ESI) of aqueous extracts from flowers, leaves and twigs. The phytochemical results show that the different organs, more particularly the flowers constitute a privileged source of biologically active molecules belong to the family of polyphenols in which the subfamilies of hydroxycinamic acids (ferulic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, feruloylquinic acid…), coumarins (esculetin, scopoletin, sphondine, rutarensin…) and flavonoids (Isochamaejasmine, kaempferol, apigenin…). This study confirms, scientifically, the traditional use of this plant and reveals its interest in the context of industrial pharmaceutical exploitation.

Paleohistology of the Cretaceous resin-producing conifer Geinitzia reichenbachii using X-ray synchrotron microtomography.

PREMISE: The conifer Geinitzia reichenbachii was a common member of the Cretaceous Laurasian floras. However, the histology of G. reichenbachii leafy axes was never described in detail, and our knowledge of its paleoecology remains very limited. Using new and exquisitely preserved silicified material from the Upper Cretaceous of western France, we describe G. reichenbachii from the gross morphology to the cellular scale, then discuss paleoecological and taphonomical implications. METHODS: We examined specimens from two localities in western France (Claix and Moragne) using propagation phase-contrast X-ray synchrotron microtomography. RESULTS: The cuticle and the inner tissues of leafy axes are preserved in three dimensions. Epidermis, hypodermis, palisade parenchyma, spongy parenchyma, transfusion tracheids, and most of tissues of the vascular cylinder are clearly discernible. The numerous resin ducts are sometimes filled by persisting resin. Additionally, surfaces of some leaves preserved drops and flows of resin. CONCLUSIONS: Depositional environmental context combined with histological features of G. reichenbachii suggest that this conifer was adapted to a range of marginal-littoral ecosystems including those open to the sea paleoenvironments and innermost ones influenced by strong continental inputs. Geinitzia reichenbachii was adapted to withstand intense sunlight, hot temperatures coupled with salty sea wind, and dry conditions. The frequent amber-bearing beds in the Cretaceous from western France with Geinitzia as a main component of the associated floras raises the possibility of a role for Geinitzia in the production of the "Charentese amber".

Dynamics of Phloridzin and Related Compounds in Four Cultivars of Apple Trees during the Vegetation Period.

Apple trees (Malus domestica Borgh) are a rich source of dihydrochalcones, phenolic acids and flavonoids. Considering the increasing demand for these phytochemicals with health-benefitting properties, the objective of this study was to evaluate the profile of the main bioactive compounds-phloridzin, phloretin, chlorogenic acid and rutin-in apple tree bark, leaves, flower buds and twigs. The variety in the phenolic profiles of four apple tree cultivars was monitored during the vegetation period from March to September using chromatography analysis. Phloridzin, the major glycoside of interest, reached the highest values in the bark of all the tested cultivars in May (up to 91.7 ± 4.4 mg g-1 of the dried weight (DW), cv. 'Opal'). In the leaves, the highest levels of phloridzin were found in cv. 'Opal' in May (82.5 ± 22.0 mg g-1 of DW); in twigs, the highest levels were found in cv. 'Rozela' in September (52.4 ± 12.1 mg g-1 of DW). In the flower buds, the content of phloridzin was similar to that in the twigs. Aglycone phloretin was found only in the leaves in relatively low concentrations (max. value 2.8 ± 1.4 mg g-1 of DW). The highest values of rutin were found in the leaves of all the tested cultivars (10.5 ± 2.9 mg g-1 of DW, cv. 'Opal' in September); the concentrations in the bark and twigs were much lower. The highest content of chlorogenic acid was found in flower buds (3.3 ± 1.0 mg g-1 of DW, cv. 'Rozela'). Whole apple fruits harvested in September were rich in chlorogenic acid and phloridzin. The statistical evaluation by Scheffe's test confirmed the significant difference of cv. 'Rozela' from the other tested cultivars. In conclusion, apple tree bark, twigs, and leaves were found to be important renewable resources of bioactive phenolics, especially phloridzin and rutin. The simple availability of waste plant material can therefore be used as a rich source of phenolic compounds for cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and food supplement preparation.

Anti-inflammatory, and anti-arthritic effects by the twigs of Cinnamomum cassia on complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The young branches of C. cassia Blume (Cinnamomi Ramulus; Guizhi; ; C. cassia twigs) have long been used as an anti-pyretic, anti-rheumatic, anti-spasmodic and stomachic in traditional medicine. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to test the anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and anti-arthritic effects of Cinnamomum cassia twigs in acute and chronic arthritis rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subcutaneous injection of carrageenan for acute inflammation and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) for chronic arthritis was carried out in the hind paw of SD rats. The paw volume was measured by a plethysmometer; thermal hyperalgesia was tested using a thermal plantar tester; hyperalgesia was evaluated by ankle flexion evoked vocalizations. The c-Fos expression in the lumbar spinal cord was measured with the avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique. The nitric oxide (NO) generation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells was tested by Griess assay. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: An 80% ethanoic extract of the C. cassia twigs exhibited chronic anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities by reducing the edema volume in the paws of CFA-induced chronic arthritis in rats. In addition, it showed analgesic effects through the recovery of the paw withdrawal latency stimulated by thermal hyperalgesia, and suppressing the vocalization scores evoked by ankle flexion in the hind paws of the arthritis rats. It also controlled c-Fos expression in the lumbar spinal cord of the arthritis rats. Moreover, the addition its 80%-ethanoic extract, specifically, its ethyl acetate fraction, powerfully suppressed the paw swelling in carrageenan-stimulated arthritis and the NO production in LPS-induced murine immune cells. CONCLUSION: C. cassia twigs may act as a viably sufficient therapeutic or preventive candidate for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis; additionally, it could prevent gastrointestinal damage with its gastric protection.

Effect of olive tree leaves and twigs on intake, digestibility, growth performance and blood variables of Shami goats.

The effect of replacing wheat straw and a portion of commercial concentrate with olive twigs and leaves treated with urea and molasses on nutrient digestibility, growth performance and blood variables was determined. Forty-two Shami goat kids (20 ± 2.47 kg live weight and 133 ± 5.44 days of age) were randomly allotted to three dietary treatment groups, control (75% commercial concentrate and 25% wheat straw), OTU (62.3% commercial concentrate + 37.7% olive twigs and leaves treated with 4% urea for 14 days), OTUM (51.5% concentrate mixture + 48.5% olive twigs and leaves treated with 4% urea for 14 days then sprayed by 10% molasses). Cost (SYP/t) of control, OUT and OTUM was 12,600, 10,066 and 10,106 respectively. The study consisted of a growth trial of 100 days and a digestibility trial of 12 days (7 days of adaptation and 5 days of urine and faeces collection). Serum urea, total protein, albumin, alanine aminotransferase activity, aspartate aminotransferase activity, glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, haemoglobin and packed cell volume were determined. Daily dry matter intake, digestibility of crude protein, ether extract and nutrient detergent fibre did not significantly differ among the dietary treatments (p > .05). Nitrogen intake, nitrogen excretion in urine and faeces and nitrogen balance was not significantly affected (p > .05) by the dietary treatment. The dietary treatment did not have any significant effect on average daily gain, feed conversion ratio or blood variables (p > .05). Olive twigs treated with 4% urea and OTUM replaced 37.7% and 48.5% of conventional diets of growing Shami goat kids without negative effects on growth performance nor health and potentially reduced fattening costs for farmers in olive-livestock mixed systems by 19.8 and 20%, respectively. OUT is technically simpler than OTUM, thus, it could replace the conventional fattening ration of Shami male goat.

Comparison of the Contents of Multiple Constituents in Different Medicinal Parts of Porana racemosa / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To establish a method for the simultaneous determination of eight constituents ，such as scopolin ， scopoletin，chlorogenic acid ，cryptochlorogenic acid ，neochlorogenic acid ，isochlorogenic acid A ，isochlorogenic acid B ，and isochlorogenic acid C ，in different medicinal parts （stems，twigs and leaves ）of Porana racemosa ，and to compare the contents of eight constituents . METHODS ：HPLC method was adopted. The determination was performed on Agilent TC-C 18 column with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile- 0.1％ phosphate acid （gradient elution ） at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The column temperature was 30 ℃，and the detection wavelength was set at 345 nm. The sample size was 10 μL. The contents of above constituents in stems ，twigs and leaves of P. racemosa were compared ，and the principal component analysis was carried out by Markerlynx XS software. RESULTS ：The linear range of scopolin ，scopoletin，chlorogenic acid ，cryptochlorogenic acid ， neochlorogenic acid ，isochlorogenic acid A ，isochlorogenic acid B ，and isochlorogenic acid C were 0.076 4- 7.64，0.062 8-6.28， 0.090 8-9.08，0.080 0-8.00，0.057 6-5.76，0.094 4-9.44，0.086 0-8.60，0.078 8-7.88 mg/L，respectively（all r＞0.999）. RSDs of precision，stability（24 h）and reproducibility tests were all lower than 2.0％. The average recoveries were 99.71％（RSD＝1.36％， n＝6），100.39％（RSD＝1.76％，n＝6），99.20％（RSD＝1.75％，n＝6），100.04％（RSD＝2.63％，n＝6），98.57％（RSD＝1.99％， n＝6），99.68％（RSD＝1.84％，n＝6），99.90％（RSD＝1.88％，n＝6），99.76％（RSD＝1.47％，n＝6），respectively. The average contents of above eight constituents were 9.725 3，1.286 5，7.271 3，1.347 6，0.997 7，0.710 9，0.656 3，0.364 7 mg/g in stems ； those were 0.690 3，0.411 7，4.394 3，0.639 6，0.531 3，1.392 7，0.989 1，1.129 2 mg/g in twigs ；those were 1.195 1，0.691 1， 27.952 9，6.173 4，1.405 1，0.549 7，0.288 8，0.794 2 mg/g in leaves ，respectively. The results of principal component analysis showed that different parts of P. racemosa could be divided into 3 categories. Among them ，most of the stems ofP. racemosa gathered in the first quadrant of score plot ，all the twigs gathered in the third quadrant ， and all the leaves 分m gathered in the fourth quadrant. CONCLUSIONS ：Established method is simple and reproducible ，and can be used for the determination of 8 constituents in different medicinal parts of P. racemosa. The average contents of neochlorogenic acid ，chlorogenic acid and cryptochlorogenic acid in the leaves of P. racemosa are relatively high ；the contents of isochlorogenic acid B ，isochlorogenic acid A and isochlorogenic acid C in the twigs are relatively high；the average contents of scopolin and scopoletin in the stems are also relatively high.

Relationship of the Musculocutaneous Nerve and Its Twigs to the Coracoid Process: An Operative Exposure.

BACKGROUND: A musculocutaneous nerve (MCN) injury is a rare complication of the Latarjet procedure. Most of these injuries are neurapraxias and resolve with time; however, permanent injuries can occur. Understanding the anatomy and relationship of the MCN to the coracoid process is essential to prevent injuries. PURPOSE: To provide realistic, in situ-referenced measurements for the Latarjet procedure. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: A total of 12 matched-pair cadaveric specimens (24 fresh-frozen shoulders) were dissected. Coracoid osteotomy was performed, and the MCN and its respective twigs were identified. Measurements were made from the coracoid process to the entry site of the nerve twigs and trunk into the coracobrachialis muscle. RESULTS: Overall, 70.8% of specimens had twigs; however, there was a discrepancy in the presence (41.7%) and number (75.0%) of twigs in the paired specimens. The most proximal twigs were, on average, 33.5 ± 8.1 mm (range, 21.9-47.6 mm) from the coracoid process. The main trunk was, on average, 51.1 ± 14.4 mm (range, 16.7-71.9 mm) from the coracoid process. In 33.3% of specimens, the nerve entered the coracobrachialis at a distance shorter than 5 cm below the coracoid process, and this increased to 91.7% when the twigs were accounted for. CONCLUSION: The previously described safe zone of 5 cm below the coracoid process may not be reliable to protect the MCN or its twigs. Using 3 cm would decrease the chances of damaging a twig or the main trunk. In 33.3% of the specimens, the nerve entered the coracobrachialis at a distance shorter than 5 cm below the coracoid process, and this increased to 91.7% when twigs were accounted for. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: As the Latarjet procedure is an emerging technique, it is essential to be aware of the anatomic structures and the relation between different neural structures to anatomic points of reference. Therefore, the results of this study add significant information for a safe surgical procedure for the majority of patients suffering from shoulder instability.

Effect of Glyphaea brevis twigs extract on cell viability, apoptosis induction and mitochondrial membrane potential in TM3 Leydig cells.

Glyphaea brevis twigs (Spreng) Monach. (GBT) are used by local herb healers to manage male sexual fertility disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of G. brevis twigs on TM3 Leydig cells. GBT was extracted using methanol solvent, and Leydig cells were exposed to the respective concentrations of GBT extract (0.1, 1, 10, 100 and 1,000 µg/ml) for 24 and 72 hr respectively. Parameters evaluated include cell morphology, viability (MTT assay), mitochondrial membrane potential (TMRE dye), apoptosis (Annexin V Alexa Fluor 488 binding) and RT-qPCR analyses of the mRNA expression. Results revealed that GBT had no cytotoxic effect on cell viability and the cell morphology. GBT also revealed a considerable elevation (p < 0.05) in fluorescence intensity, accompanied by intact mitochondria in TM3 Leydig cells. Furthermore, GBT resulted in the reduction of necrotic and apoptotic cells. The mRNA StAR was upregulated markedly with the effect prominent at 100 µg/ml. This study showed that GBT might be useful for managing male infertility ailments.

A sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of polyphenols in rat plasma: Application to a pharmacokinetic study of dispensing granules and standard decoction of Cinnamomum cassia twigs.

This study established a rapid and reliable approach using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of cinnamic acid, vanillic acid and protocatechuic acid in rat plasma. This is the first report on a comparative pharmacokinetic study of dispensing granules and standard decoction of Cinnamomum cassia twigs in rats. After liquid-liquid extraction by ethyl acetate, the plasma samples were subjected to LC-MS/MS for multiple reaction monitoring. The standard curves showed good linear regression (r2 > 0.9991) in the range of 10.0-16000 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision were found to be within 15% of the nominal concentration. The recoveries of the three phenolics ranged from 88.7 to 105.7%. Finally, this approach was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic analysis of the three phenolics after oral administration of standard decoction and dispensing granules of C. cassia twigs in rats. Although the values of AUC0-t of vanillic acid and protocatechuic acid in standard decoction group were larger than those of the dispensing granule group, no significant difference was observed for the two groups. Of note, the elimination rates of vanillic acid were slower in the standard decoction group than the dispensing granule group.

Isolation of an antiviral compound from Tunisian olive twig cultivars.

(1) Many studies demonstrated that olive oil and the leaves have several biological activities, but the works on olive twigs remain very limited. In this report, we investigated for anti-coxsackievirus B-3 (CVB-3) and anti-herpes virus type 2 (HSV-2) activities of olive twigs from two Tunisian varieties: Chemlali (CM) and Chétoui (CT). Extraction from the olive twigs was carried out using successively hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol. The obtained extracts were evaluated for their anti-CVB-3 and anti-HSV-2 activities by MTT and plaque reduction assays, respectively. Only hexane extracts exhibited significant activity with a selectivity index of 6.32±0.67 and 5.24±0.82 for CM and CT, respectively. The active compound was isolated through bio-guided assays using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and identified as 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP) by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This work is the first study that demonstrated an antiviral activity of both olive twigs and DTBP.

Cytotoxic activity of the twigs of Cinnamomum cassia through the suppression of cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Because twigs of Cinnamomum cassia (TC) have been reported to exert anti-cancer activity, the mechanistic study for TC's anti-cancer activity is required. Thus, we elucidated the potential molecular mechanism of TC's anti-proliferative effect and the induction of apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells. METHODS: How water extracts form TC (TC-HW) was used in this study. Anti-cell proliferative effect of TC-HW was evaluated by MTT assay. The change of protein or mRNA level by TC-HW was evaluated by Western blot and RT-RCR, respectively. The promoter construct for ATF3, NF-κB, TOP-FLASH or FOP-FLASH was used for the investigation of the transcriptional activity for ATF3, NF-κB or Wnt. siRNA for ATF3 or p65 was used for the knockdown of ATF3 and p65. RESULTS: TC-HW reduced the cell viability in human colorectal cancer cells. TC-HW decreased cyclin D1 protein level through cyclin D1 degradation via GSK3ß-dependent threonine-286 (T286) phosphorylation of cyclin D1, indicating that cyclin D1 degradation may contribute to TC-HW-mediated decrease of cyclin D1 protein level. TC-HW downregulated the expression of cyclin D1 mRNA level and inhibited Wnt activation through the downregulation of ß-catenin and TCF4 expression, indicating that inhibition of cyclin D1 transcription may also result in TC-HW-mediated decrease of cyclin D1 protein level. In addition, TC-HW was observed to induce apoptosis through ROS-dependent DNA damage. TC-HW-induced ROS increased NF-κB and ATF3 activation, and inhibition of NF-κB and ATF3 activation attenuated TC-HW-mediated apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that TC-HW may suppress cell proliferation through the downregulation of cyclin D1 via proteasomal degradation and transcriptional inhibition, and may induce apoptosis through ROS-dependent NF-κB and ATF3 activation. These effects of TC-HW may contribute to the reduction of cell viability in human colorectal cancer cells. From these findings, TC-HW has potential to be a candidate for the development of chemoprevention or therapeutic agents for human colorectal cancer.

Chemical constituents from the twigs and leaves of Cryptomeria fortunei / 中成药

AIM To study the chemical constituents from the twigs and leaves of Cryptomeria fortunei Hooibrenk ex Otto et Dietr.METHODS The ethyl acetate fraction of 95％ ethanol extract from C.fortunei was isolated and purified by silica,MCI,and Sephadex LH-20 column,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.RESULTS Eleven compounds were isolated and identified as isopimaric acid (1),sandaracopimaric acid (2),acetylisocupressic acid (3),imbricataloic acid (4),isocupressic acid (5),pinifolic acid (6),13-epicupressic acid (7),19-acetylagathadiol (8),agatadiol (9),phytol (10),elemol (11).CONCLUSION Compounds 1-10 are identified as diterpenoids and compound 11 is identified as sesquiterpenoid;Compounds 2,3,6-11 are obtained from this plant for the first time.

A new cembranoid diterpene from twigs of Euonymus alatus / 中草药

Objective To study the chemical constituents from the twigs of Euonymus alatus. Methods Compounds were isolated and purified by a combination of various chromatographic techniques, and their structures were elucidated by physiochemical property and spectral analysis. Results Three compounds were obtained from 95% ethanol extract of the twigs of E. alatus and identified as (1S,2S,7E,11R,12S)-2,11-dihydroxy-1,12-oxidocembra-4(18),7(8)-diene (1), hemerocallal A (2), and betulinic acid methyl ester (3). Conclusion Compound 1 is a new cembranoid diterpene and named euonymuditerpene A, and compounds 2 and 3 are isolated from the twigs of Euonymus alatus for the first time.

Humidity does not appear to trigger leaf out in woody plants.

In order to anticipate the ecological impacts of climate change and model changes to forests, it is important to understand the factors controlling spring leaf out. Leaf out phenology in woody trees and shrubs is generally considered to be strongly controlled by a combination of spring warming, winter chilling requirement, and photoperiod. However, researchers have recently suggested that temperature-related air humidity, rather than temperature itself, might be the main trigger of the spring leaf-out of woody plants. Here, we sought to examine the relationship between air humidity and leaf-out across a range of humidities and plant functional groups. We did not find any consistent, measurable effect of high humidity advancing leaf-out in the 15 woody shrubs and trees examined in this study, and we did not see progressive patterns of earlier leaf-out in successively higher humidities. Our results indicate that more work must be done on this topic before researchers can properly determine the effect of humidity on the leafing out process for woody species.

Chemical constituents from twigs of Trigonostemon lutescens / 中成药

AIM To study the chemical constituents from twigs of Trigonostemon lutescens Y.T.Chang et J.Y.Liang.METHODS The ethyl acetate fraction of 95％ ethanol extract from T.lutescens twigs was isolated and purified by silica,Sephadex LH-20 and MCI column,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.RESULTS Ten compounds were isolated and elucidated as 3-O-acetyloleanolic acid (1),methyl 3-acetoxy-12-enly-oleanen-28-oate (2),taraxerone (3),spiciflorin (4),simiarenol (5),β-sitosterol palmitate (6),3,3',4-tri-O-methylellagic acid (7),β-sitosterol (8),stigamasterol (9),palmitic acid (10).CONCLUSION Compounds 1-6 are isolated from genus Trigonostemon for the first time,compounds 7 and 9 are first obtained from this plant.

Chemical constituents from the twigs of Morus alba / 中成药

AIM To study the chemical constituents from the twigs of Morus alba L..METHODS The 60％ ethanol extract from M.alba twigs was isolated and purified by ODS,sephadax LH-20 and semi-preparative column,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.RESULTS Ten compounds were isolated and identified as 4'-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-2'-hydroxyresveratrol 3-(6-O-β-D-glucopyanosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside) (1),3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-2'-hydroxyresveratrol 4'-(6-O-β-D-glucopyanosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside) (2),mulberroside A (3),mulberroside E (4),mulberroside F (5),transoxyresveratrol-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6),trans-oxyresveratrol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7),cis-mulberroside A (8),3,4-dimethoxyphenyl β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (9),kelampayoside A (10).CONCLUSION Compounds 9 and 10 are isolated from genus Morus for the first time,compounds 1,2,4-7 are first isolated from this plant.

Chemical constituents from the twigs of Morus alba / 中成药

AIM To study the chemical constituents from the twigs of Morus alba L..METHODS The 60％ ethanol extract from M.alba twigs was isolated and purified by ODS,sephadax LH-20 and semi-preparative column,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.RESULTS Ten compounds were isolated and identified as 4'-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-2'-hydroxyresveratrol 3-(6-O-β-D-glucopyanosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside) (1),3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-2'-hydroxyresveratrol 4'-(6-O-β-D-glucopyanosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside) (2),mulberroside A (3),mulberroside E (4),mulberroside F (5),transoxyresveratrol-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6),trans-oxyresveratrol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7),cis-mulberroside A (8),3,4-dimethoxyphenyl β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (9),kelampayoside A (10).CONCLUSION Compounds 9 and 10 are isolated from genus Morus for the first time,compounds 1,2,4-7 are first isolated from this plant.