Metabolite Profiling Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and the Biological Evaluation of Medicinal Plants of Chinese Dichocarpum (Ranunculaceae)

The genus Dichocarpum is endemic to East Asia, and many species have been used to treat various diseases. However, phytochemical researches of this genus have been limited to date. In the present study, a metabolomic approach based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was used to explore the phytochemical profiles of 10 Chinese Dichocarpum species, and cannabinoid receptor (CB1/CB2) agonistic activities evaluation of these plants was performed. A total of 128 features were putatively annotated, belonging to alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenes saponins, phenolic acids, and others. Semi-quantitative statistics demonstrated that alkaloids and flavonoids were widely distributed, with the former the most abundant, whereas triterpenes saponins were mainly distributed in D. fargesii and D. wuchuanense. The phylogenetic results obtained from DNA sequencing assigned the 10 species to three groups. Further results of in silico annotation revealed three chemical families and helped determine the characteristic features of the three groups. In addition, the plant extracts of nine species from this genus showed agonistic activity on CB2 receptors. This comprehensive analysis revealed the chemotype distribution and pharmacophylogenetic relationship, to provide clues for the prospective resource utilization of the medicinal plants from the genus Dichocarpum.     

Medicinal history of North American Veratrum

Plants belonging to the genus Veratrum have been used throughout history for their medicinal properties. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, phytochemical investigations revealed a host of steroidal alkaloids in Veratrum species, some of which are potent bioactives. This review discusses Veratrum species that grow in North America with a focus on the medicinal history of these plants and the steroidal alkaloids they contain. While significant reviews have been devoted to singularly describing the plant species within the genus Veratrum (botany), the staggering breadth of alkaloids isolated from these and related plants (phytochemistry), and the intricacies of how the various alkaloids act on their biological targets (physiology and biochemistry), this review will straddle the margins of the aforementioned disciplines in an attempt to provide a unified, coherent picture of the Veratrum plants of North America and the medicinal uses of their bioactive steroidal alkaloids.     

Phytochemistry and pharmacognosy of the genus Psorospermum

The genus Psorospermum Baker (tribe Vismieae, family Guttiferae, subfamily Hypericoideae) comprises 55 species, mainly of which are represented by shrubs or small trees typically growing in tropical regions of South America, Africa, and Madasgascar. Most of the species of the title genus have been used for centuries in the ethnomedical traditions of indigenous African populations as febrifugal, antidote against poisons, purgative, stomachic, and as a remedy for the treatment of leprosy, skin diseases (like dermatitis, scabies and eczemas), and subcutaneous wounds. Phytochemicals isolated from Psorospermum spp. comprise alkaloids, simple and prenylated anthraquinones, flavonoids, long chain alcohols and hydrocarbons, steroids, tannins, terpenes, and simple and prenylated xanthones. The reported biological activities of the above mentioned natural compounds refer to anti-bacterial, anti-protozoal, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and neuroprotective effects. The aim of this review is to examine in detail from a phytochemical and pharmacologically points of view what is reported in the current literature about the properties of phytopreparations or individual active principles obtained from plants belonging to Psorospermum genus.     

A new species of Penicillium isolated from soil at the Kruger National Park in South Africa

A new species of Penicillium Link ex Fries is described and illustrated. It is represented by twenty six isolates recovered from soil at twenty six different locations at the southern part of the Paul Kruger National Park in South Africa. It clearly differs from all species of the genus described so far among the Biverticillata-Symmetrica Section, and it is therefore described and proposed as a new taxon: Penicillium krugerii sp. nov.     

Phylogeny and biogeography of Alyssum (Brassicaceae) based on nuclear ribosomal ITS DNA sequences

The genus Alyssum consists of about 195 species native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa. All species were assigned to six sections. Previous molecular phylogeny studies indicate that Alyssum is polyphyletic. However, the divergence time and dispersal of the genus are not well studied. In this study, the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Alyssum were studied with nrDNA ITS sequences obtained from five sections. The divergence time was estimated by fossil calibration and the biogeography was examined by spread analysis. The phylogeny indicated two main lineages: lineage 1 includes the section of Alyssum, Gamosepalum and Psilonema; lineage 2 includes the section of Odontarrhena, Meniocus and Clypeola. The phylogenetic relationship was not congruent with the previous sectional classifications. The age of Alyssum was dated to the upper Miocene. Molecular data suggested the diversification of Alyssum in Mediterranean areas and wide-ranging distribution such as North Africa, eastward into Central Asia and immigration into North America. Climatic aridification and arid/semiarid areas established in the Pliocene/Pleistocene could have provided favourable conditions for the migration and diversification of Alyssum.     

A revision of the genus Dolichos (Fabaceae,Papilionoideae, Phaseoleae), including Lesotho and Swaziland

A revision of the genus Dolichos in South Africa (Lesotho and Swaziland included) is presented. This legume genus, belonging to the bean tribe Phaseoleae, mainly has an African distribution, extending into Asia. In South Africa it is represented by nine species, two (D. sericeus and D. trilobus) of which extend into Tropical Africa. Dolichos is closely related to the genus Macrotyloma from which it can be distinguished by the short standard appendages, reticulate pollen and the generally purple flowers (standard appendages long, pollen tuberculate or spinulose and flowers yellow or orange in Macrotyloma). It also has affinities with the genera Dipogon and Lablab. The correct nomenclature, as well as complete synonymy, typification and distribution maps of all the species are provided.     

World revision of Ortheziola Šulc (Homoptera: Coccoidea: Ortheziidae) with descriptions of eleven new species

Soil samples and museum collections were analysed from all zoogeographic regions of the world. From this material eleven new species of Ortheziola?ulc are described from Africa and the U.K., five additional species are redescribed and a key is presented for the identification of all sixteen species. A slightly modified concept of the genus is presented and several new characters are given as diagnostic of the genus. A phylogenetic hypothesis is given based on analysis of the morphological features of adult females. Results show that Ortheziola is most diverse in eastern Africa where relatively more advanced species occur. Basal species occur primarily in western Africa and Asia.     

TWO NEW SOREDIATE TAXA OFPELTIGERA

Examination of specimens ofPeltigera didactyla, from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America revealed that this sorediate species includes three entities that can be separated on morphological characters. A new species,P. lambinonii, is described from East Africa, and a new combinationP. didactylavar.extenuata, is proposed to accommodate morphs from mesic forest habitats in Asia, Europe and North America. Despite this taxonomic reduction,P. didactylavar.didactylaremains a ubiquitous taxon. The former two taxa often produce methyl gyrophorate, which can co-occur with traces of gyrophoric acid. These tridepsides were only rarely detected in var.didactyla; their occasional presence seems to be best explained by hybridization. The taxonomic and ecological significance of these substances is discussed.     

The old world salsola as a source of valuable secondary metabolites endowed with diverse pharmacological activities: a review

Salsola is an important genus in the plant kingdom with diverse traditional, industrial, and environmental applications. Salsola species are widely distributed in temperate regions and represent about 45% of desert plants. They are a rich source of diverse phytochemical classes, such as alkaloids, cardenolides, triterpenoids, coumarins, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, and phenolic acids. Salsola spp. were traditionally used as antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulants. They attracted great interest from researchers as several pharmacological activities were reported, including analgesic, antipyretic, antioxidant, cytotoxic, hepatoprotective, contraceptive, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, and antimicrobial activities. Genus Salsola is one of the most notorious plant genera from the taxonomical point of view. Our study represents a comprehensive review of the previous phytochemical and biological research on the old world Salsola secies. It is designed to be a guide for future research on different plant species that still belong to this genus or have been transferred to other genera.     

A Review of the Fossil Record of the Genus Itea (Iteaceae, Saxifragales) with Comments on its Historical Biogeography

Itea is a genus of about 20 species of trees and shrubs that are today native to southeastern North America, eastern Asia, and eastern Africa. In this paper, I review the fossil record of Itea, which is based on four types of fossils: diporate, psilate pollen attributed to Itea or the dispersed pollen genus Iteapollis; carpofossils representing fruits and seeds attributed to Itea europaea; flowers preserved in amber and assigned to Adenanthemum iteoides; and leaf impressions attributed to Itea. The distributions of these fossils indicate that Itea was present in western North America from the early Eocene to Miocene, in eastern North America beginning no later than the early Miocene, and in western Eurasia from the late Eocene to Pliocene. Only one datapoint is known from eastern Asia; it is early Miocene in age. Based on the fossil record, it can be inferred that Itea crossed between continents over both the Bering Land Bridge and North American Land Bridge, and that it reached Africa from Europe via Anatolia. Thus, it is predicted that the sole extant North American species, I. virginica, may be most closely related to the sole extant African species, I. rhamnoides. The potential application of Itea fossils to calibrating phylogenetic trees generated from molecular sequence data is also discussed.     

A new seabird (Aves, cf. Phaethontidae) from the Lower Eocene phosphates of Morocco

A proximal part of humerus from the basal Ypresian (lowermost Eocene) of the Ouled Abdoun Basin, Morocco, is described as a new genus and species tentatively assigned to the Phaethontidae (tropicbirds). This fossil possibly represents the oldest record of the Phaethontidae and markedly differs from Lithoptila, a contemporaneous Prophaethontidae from the same locality. This new taxon lived in a tropical climate and was probably an efficient flier with pelagic habits, like extant tropicbirds of the genus Phaethon.     

First identification of Decennatherium Crusafont, 1952 (Mammalia,Ruminantia, Pecora) in the Siwaliks of Pakistan

Previously undescribed remains of a new large giraffid have been identified from the late Miocene Siwaliks Hills of the Potwar Plateau in Pakistan. This taxon is very intimately related to the late Miocene giraffid genus Decennatherium, previously only certainly identified in the Iberian Peninsula, and with some possible remains assigned to Decennatherium crusafonti from Aliäbäd (Iran). The new material collected in the Siwaliks Hills shows a high morphological similarity with the Spanish remains of the genus, especially the early Vallesian Decennatherium pachecoi. Two previously undescribed ossicone fragments from the same area are also described and identified as cf. Decennatherium. These findings represent the easternmost occurrence of the genus Decennatherium and show a late Miocene migration of the genus throughout the Iberian Peninsula and Southern Asia.     

Enzyme electrophoresis,genetic identity and description of a new genus and species of heteronemertean (Nemertea,Anopla) from northwestern Spain and North Wales

The anoplan order Heteronemertea, particularly the genera Cerebratulus, Lineus and Micrura, contains a very large number of nominate species, many of which are inadequately described. As a consequence, systematic difficulties are encountered with the identification of many taxa in this group, especially those originally established primarily on the basis of their external features. The present paper concerns heteronemerteans collected from two locations, the Foz Estuary (north-western Spain) and Llandudno (North Wales). The Spanish collection included specimens identified as Lineus longissimus (Gunnerus), whilst samples from Llandudno contained large numbers of Lineus viridis (Müller); samples of a third similar but apparently undescribed species were found at both locations. Starch gel electrophoresis showed that samples of the apparent third species were genetically almost identical from each of the two locations, but were clearly different from the two described Lineus species. Histological studies of the unknown specimens revealed anatomical characters, including the unique feature of a proboscis epithelium ciliated throughout its length, which exclude it from any known heteronemertean taxon; it is accordingly placed in a new genus and species, for which the name Riseriellus occultus is proposed.     

Phytogeographical Implication of Bridelia Will. (Phyllanthaceae) Fossil Leaf from the Late Oligocene of India

Background

The family Phyllanthaceae has a predominantly pantropical distribution. Of its several genera, Bridelia Willd. is of a special interest because it has disjunct equally distributed species in Africa and tropical Asia i.e. 18–20 species in Africa-Madagascar (all endemic) and 18 species in tropical Asia (some shared with Australia). On the basis of molecular phylogenetic study on Bridelia, it has been suggested that the genus evolved in Southeast Asia around 33±5 Ma, while speciation and migration to other parts of the world occurred at 10±2 Ma. Fossil records of Bridelia are equally important to support the molecular phylogenetic studies and plate tectonic models.

Results

We describe a new fossil leaf of Bridelia from the late Oligocene (Chattian, 28.4–23 Ma) sediments of Assam, India. The detailed venation pattern of the fossil suggests its affinities with the extant B. ovata, B. retusa and B. stipularis. Based on the present fossil evidence and the known fossil records of Bridelia from the Tertiary sediments of Nepal and India, we infer that the genus evolved in India during the late Oligocene (Chattian, 28.4–23 Ma) and speciation occurred during the Miocene. The stem lineage of the genus migrated to Africa via “Iranian route” and again speciosed in Africa-Madagascar during the late Neogene resulting in the emergence of African endemic clades. Similarly, the genus also migrated to Southeast Asia via Myanmar after the complete suturing of Indian and Eurasian plates. The emergence and speciation of the genus in Asia and Africa is the result of climate change during the Cenozoic.

Conclusions

On the basis of present and known fossil records of Bridelia, we have concluded that the genus evolved during the late Oligocene in northeast India. During the Neogene, the genus diversified and migrated to Southeast Asia via Myanmar and Africa via “Iranian Route”.     

The Genus Pluchea: Phytochemistry,Traditional Uses,and Biological Activities

In this review, literature data on phytochemical and biological investigations on the genus Pluchea are compiled. Pluchea is a genus of flowering plants in the Asteraceae family and comprises ca. 80 species distributed mainly in Northern and Southern America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Sesquiterpenoids and flavonoids are the main constituents of this genus. Compounds isolated from plants of the Pluchea genus display a variety of biological properties, viz., anticancer, antileishmanial, immunosuppressive, antioxidant, anti‐acetylcholinesterase, antimicrobial, trypanocidal, hepatoprotective, cytotoxic, larvicidal, anti‐ulcer, anti‐inflammatory, and antinociceptive activities.     

Discordance Between Spatial Distributions of Y-Chromosomal and Mitochondrial Haplotypes in African Green Monkeys (Chlorocebus spp.): A Result of Introgressive Hybridization or Cryptic Diversity?

Introgressive hybridization may cause substantial discordances among phylogenies based on different genetic markers. Such discordances have been found in diverse mammal species including primates. A recent study of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) revealed several poly- and paraphyletic relationships in African green monkeys (Chlorocebus), suggesting contemporary and/or ancient introgressive hybridization among almost all parapatric species of the genus. However, mtDNA analyses alone do not allow us to draw conclusions concerning introgression events. In this study we analyzed two Y chromosomal (Y-chr) markers for 30 African green monkey samples and compared the resulting genetic relationships to those based on published mtDNA data. In line with the results for mtDNA, we found no Y-chr evidence of hypothesized hybridization among Chlorocebus sabaeus and C. tantalus in the northern part of the contact zone in West Africa, and we found two distinct and distantly related Y-chr haplotypes within the range of C. tantalus, suggesting possible cryptic genetic diversity rather than ancient introgressive hybridization in this species. In contrast, Y-chr data revealed monophyletic relationships within Chlorocebus pygerythrus from East Africa, suggesting that mtDNA paraphylies found in this species are most likely to be the result of ancient introgressive hybridization and subsequent cytonuclear extinction of an earlier taxon. Our results accentuate the importance of analyzing sex chromosomal data in addition to mtDNA to obtain more information on the potential outcomes of hybridization with respect to genetic and species diversity. Analysis of more diverse nuclear marker sets is needed to obtain a more complete picture of the African green monkey evolution.     

Pachycrocuta (hyaenids) from the Pliocene of east Africa

Hyaenas belonging to the genusPachycrocuta were the largest hyaenas known. They had a wide distribution in the Plio-Pleistocene, having been found throughout Eurasia and in South Africa. The genus has been reported several times from east Africa, but these finds have been poorly documented. I here describe newly identified specimens ofPachycrocuta from the Turkana Basin, Kenya. It is concluded that although there are certain differences between east and South African specimens, these are of a nature that can be explained by individual variation, and therefore all African specimens are assigned to the Eurasian speciesPachycrocuta brevirostris. The migration patterns of the species are discussed and although these are still equivocal, I speculate that the species originated in Asia and migrated from there to Africa ca. 3.5 Ma and to Europe ca. 1.6 Ma.     

Kroswia,a new genus in the Pannariaceae (lichenized ascomycetes)

Abstract:A characteristic, sterile lichen genus with homoiomerous thallus containing terpenoids is described, with one subtropical species, Kroswia crystalliferum sp. nov., occurring scattered in Africa from Kenya south to the Cape, southern India (with Sri Lanka) and Taiwan. Another temperate species, Kroswia gemmascens (Nyl.) comb. nov., is restricted to Eastern Asia. In spite of its gelatinous, homoiomerous thallus, the genus appears to belong to thePannariaceae .     

Aratrisporites saharaensis sp. nov.: A characteristic lower carboniferous miospore species of North Africa

A new miospore species Aratrisporites saharaensis is described. Attributed to a genus previously known mainly from the Trias, it constitutes the first record of monolete camerate miospores from the Carboniferous.This taxon occurs abundantly in the Lower Carboniferousof northern region of the Sahara, North Africa. It has, in the past, been incorrectly attributed by several authors to Spelaeotriletes balteatus (Playford) Higgs 1975. Its stratigraphic range is late Tournaisian to early Namurian.