Comparative anatomy and genetic bases of fruit development in selected Rubiaceae (Gentianales).

PREMISE: The Rubiaceae are ideal for studying the diversity of fruits that develop from flowers with inferior ovary. We aimed to identify morpho-anatomical changes during fruit development that distinguish those derived from the carpel versus the extra-carpellary tissues. In addition, we present the fruit genetic core regulatory network in selected Rubiaceae species and compare it in terms of copy number and expression patterns to model core eudicots in the Brassicaceae and the Solanaceae. METHODS: We used light microscopy to follow morphoanatomical changes in four selected species with different fruit types. We generated reference transcriptomes for seven selected Rubiaceae species and isolated homologs of major transcription factors involved in fruit development histogenesis, assessed their homology, identified conserved and new protein motifs, and evaluated their expression in three species with different fruit types. RESULTS: Our studies revealed ovary-derived pericarp tissues versus floral-cup-derived epicarp tissues. Gene evolution analyses of FRUITFULL, SHATTERPROOF, ALCATRAZ, INDEHISCENT and REPLUMLESS homologs suggest that the gene complement in Rubiaceae is simpler compared to that in Brassicaceae or Solanaceae. Expression patterns of targeted genes vary in response to the fruit type and the developmental stage evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Morphologically similar fruits can have different anatomies as a result of convergent tissues developed from the epicarps covering the anatomical changes from the pericarps. Expression analyses suggest that the fruit patterning regulatory network established in model core eudicots cannot be extrapolated to asterids with inferior ovaries.

Protective effects of Anthocleista djalonensis A. Chev root extracts against induced testicular inflammation and impaired spermatogenesis in adult rats.

This study was designed to explore the protective effects of methanol (Meth, 200 mg kg-1 body wt) and aqueous ethanol (Eth-OH, 200 mg kg-1 body wt) extracts of Anthocleista djalonensis roots on testicular inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 5 mg/kg body wt) and depletion of tubular germ cells induced by busulfan (15 mg/kg body wt) in rats after 60 days of oral administration. As expected, LPS stimulation of the animals significantly increased serum and intra-testicular interleukin-6 and serum nitrite levels which were significantly inhibited in the Eth-OH + LPS and Meth + LPS animals. The increase in testicular and not serum myeloperoxidase activity that was induced by LPS treatment was synergistically increased in the Eth-OH + LPS animals, whereas it was inhibited in the Meth + LPS animals compared to LPS-treated animals. Furthermore, the administration of the Eth-OH or Meth extracts protected against busulfan-induced depletion of tubular germ cells and promotes the re-population of the seminiferous tubules with germ cells (spermatogonia, spermatocytes and round spermatids) at different stages of development. The extracts were found to contain 7'-oxaspiro [cyclopropane-1,4'-tricyclo [3.3.1.0 (6,8)] nonan-2'-one], cis,cis-7,10-hexadecadienal, hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester, and 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-) which may partly explain the observed anti-inflammatory effects. In conclusion, Meth extracts of A. djanonesis have better anti-inflammatory effects than the Eth-OH extract for the management of impaired testicular function due to inflammation. However both extracts exhibited protective effect on the histology of the testis allowing for the recovery of spermatogenesis.

Cell line cytotoxicity, antiadipogenic and glucose uptake activity of Sarcostemma brevistigma Wight. & Arn.

Nature has gifted us with abundant plants possessing medicinal virtues which can cure several illnesses. Currently, diabetes mellitus is a severe threat to human well-being across the world due to the rapidly increasing incidence of diabetes. New effective bioactive drugs are in need, as plants do harbour and are proven to have potential antidiabetic activity than the present hypoglycemic medicines used in clinical therapy. In this study, in vitro cytotoxicity, glucose uptake, and anti-adipogenic activities of the plant extract (methanolic extract) of S. brevistigma were examined using 3T3L1 cell lines. The studies interpreted by MTT cytotoxicity assay and glucose uptake assay by using 3T3-L1 cell lines, it was found that a very low dosage (1 ng/mL) of plant extract showed lesser cytotoxicity effect (1.42%) and considerably higher glucose uptake activity of 38.04% which is equivalent to the glucose uptake shown by 100 nm insulin (40.10%). Though plant extract has antidiabetic activity, it is important to study whether it has any other related side effects when used at higher concentrations. Therefore, in this study, the appropriate non-toxic concentration was optimized.