Antimicrobial activities of Conyzolide and Conyzoflavone from Conyza canadensis

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of the two isolated compounds from Conyza canadensis have been reported in the current study. The two isolated compounds i.e. Conyzolide (1) and Conyzoflavone (2) were tested against six bacterial and five fungal strains, employing hole diffusion and macrodilution methods. Both the compounds showed significant activities against the tested pathogens with special reference to E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, Trichophytom longifusus, C. albicans, and C. glaberata. Conyzolide revealed comparatively better antibacterial activity against E. coli (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): 25 µg/mL) in comparison to Conyzoflavone. However, in case of antifungal activities, Conyzoflavone exhibited superior antifungal activity against C. albicans (MIC: 10 µg/mL) as compared to Conyzolide.     

Sphingolipids from Conyza canadensis

Sphingolipid 1 and its corresponding beta-D-glucopyranoside derivative 2 have been isolated from the ethylacetate fraction of Conyza canadensis along with beta-sitosterol 3, stigmasterol 4, beta-sitosterol 3-O-beta-D-glucoside 5 and harmine 6, reported for the first time from this species. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated through spectroscopy including two-dimensional NMR.     

小蓬草精油化感作用的生物测定

采用水蒸气蒸馏法从小蓬草[Conyza canadensis (L.)Cronq.]地上部分分离出精油,利用GC-MS技术对该精油的主要化学成分进行了鉴定,结果显示:精油提取率为0.07%;该精油主要含有2,3-二甲基-4(3H)-喹唑啉酮、α-佛手柑油烯、柠檬烯二醇、反式-β-金合欢烯和α-姜黄烯等成分,其中,2,3-二甲基-4(3H)-喹唑啉酮的相对含量最高,达到54.41%.以青菜(Brassica chinensis L.)、白菜[B. pekinensis (Lour.)Rupr.]、小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)和高粱[Sorghum bicolor (L.)Moench]为供试植物,采用培养皿法对不同质量浓度(0.75、1.5、3.0和6.0 g·L-1)小蓬草精油的化感效应进行了生物测定,结果显示:经不同质量浓度小蓬草精油处理后4种供试植物的种子最终发芽率和发芽指数以及幼苗的根长和株高等4个生物测定指标总体上均低于对照,且随精油质量浓度的提高不断降低,其中,0.75 g·L-1 精油处理组的4个生物测定指标均与对照无显著或极显著差异,而6.0 g·L-1精油处理组的4个指标与对照则有显著或极显著的差异.4种供试植物的4个生物测定指标的化感效应敏感指数几乎均为负值,且随精油质量浓度的提高敏感指数的绝对值逐渐增大,说明小蓬草精油对供试植物的化感作用为抑制作用,且抑制作用的强度与精油质量浓度有关.在4种供试植物中,小蓬草精油对青菜种子的最终发芽率的抑制作用最明显,其半抑制浓度(IC50)约为3.0 g·L-1;在4个生物测定指标中,种子最终发芽率以及幼苗根长对小蓬草精油的化感作用较敏感.研究结果表明,小蓬草精油具有一定的化感活性,可将其作为植物源除草剂原料进行开发利用.     

小蓬草精油的化感效应

小蓬草精油化感作用研究结果表明不同浓度小蓬草精油对青菜、白菜、小麦、稗草和鹅观草的种子最终发芽率、种子发芽指数、幼苗根长、幼苗根系活力、幼苗叶绿素含量、幼苗叶绿素a含量和幼苗叶绿素b含量的化感效应敏感指数均为负值,小蓬草精油对五种植物具有抑制作用,且精油浓度越高抑制作用越强.小蓬草精油主要通过抑制青菜、白菜、小麦、稗草和鹅观草的种子发芽速率、幼苗根系活力和叶绿素含量来抑制受体植物生长.不同浓度小蓬草精油对五种植物种子最终发芽率、种子发芽指数和幼苗根长的影响中,鹅观草对小蓬草精油最为敏感,小蓬草精油对鹅观草种子萌发的半抑制浓度(IC50)为0.42 g L-1.     

小蓬草地上部分精油的活性组分

利用气质联用仪(GC-MS)对水蒸气蒸馏提取小蓬草(Conyza canadensis)地上部分精油的挥发性组分进行了分析,匹配度74以上的活性组分有柠檬烯、α-佛手柑油烯、顺式-β-麝子油烯等萜类化合物,反式-对-薄荷-2,8-二烯醇、顺式-对-薄荷-2,8-二烯-1-醇、香芹醇、反式香芹醇等醇类化合物,s-香芹酮等酮类化合物。通过纸上种子发芽的生物测定试验,结果表明小蓬草地上部分精油对受体植物油菜种子萌发具有抑制作用,且具有50%抑制作用的丙酮溶液的适宜浓度IC50为0.6 mg/mL。     

Effects of the extract from Conyza canadensis on human blood platelet aggregation

The effects of different parts of extract from medicinal plant Conyza canadensis, used to control bleeding, on human blood platelet aggregation in vitro were investigated. Aqueous extract of Conyza c. from young or old plants, glycoconjugate part, polysaccharide part and aglycon part at the concentrations above 0.75 mg/ml strongly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by collagen (2 microg/ml) in dose-dependent manner. Polysaccharide part isolated from plant extract had the strongest inhibitory effect on aggregation stimulated by collagen and seems to be responsible for antiaggregatory properties.     

Bioherbicidal potential of Xanthomonas campestris for controlling Conyza canadensis

The effects of environmental parameters on bioherbicidal activity of the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris, against glyphosate-resistant and – susceptible Conyza canadensis (horseweed), were studied under greenhouse conditions. Rosette leaf-stage plants were more susceptible than older plants, and increasing inoculum from 10⁵ to 10⁹ cells/mL caused significantly greater plant mortality and biomass reduction of plants in both the rosette and bolting growth stages. A dew period at 25°C was required to cause an 80% and 60% mortality of plants in the rosette and bolting growth stages, respectively. Results indicate that X. campestris can infect and kill horseweed, demonstrating its bioherbicidal potential.     

Physiological Responses and Tolerance Mechanisms to Cadmium in Conyza canadensis

Experiments were conducted to examine the effects of different concentrations of Cd on the performance of the Cd accumulator Conyza canadensis. Cd accumulation in roots and leaves (roots > leaves) increased with increasing Cd concentration in soil. High Cd concentration inhibited plant growth, increased the membrane permeability of leaves, and caused a significant decline in plant height and chlorophyll [chlorophyll (Chl) a, Chl b, and total Chl] content. Leaf ultrastructural analysis of spongy mesophyllic cells revealed that excessive Cd concentrations cause adverse effects on the chloroplast and mitochondrion ultrastructures of C. canadensis. However, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, total non-protein SH compounds, glutathione, and phytochelatin (PC) concentrations, showed an overall increase. Specifically, the increase in enzyme activities demonstrated that the antioxidant system may play an important role in eliminating or alleviating the toxicity of Cd in C. canadensis. Furthermore, results demonstrate that PC synthesis in plant cells is related to Cd concentration and that PC production levels in plants are related to the toxic effects caused by soil Cd level. These findings demonstrate the roles played by these compounds in supporting Cd tolerance in C. canadensis.     

小蓬草的胚胎学研究

对小蓬草（Conyzacanadensis）大小孢子发生、雌雄配子体形成、受精、胚及胚乳发育过程进行了研究,主要结果如下：花药四室,药壁由表皮、药室内壁、中层和绒毡层组成。表皮退化;药室内壁宿存,细胞柱状伸长,纤维状加厚;中层细胞退化较早,在小孢子母细胞减数分裂开始时仅存残迹;绒毡层于小孢子母细胞减数第一次分裂前期开始原位变形退化,属于腺质型绒毡层;小孢子母细胞减数分裂为同时型,四分体的排列方式主要为四面体形和左右对称形;成熟花粉粒多为3-细胞花粉粒,偶见2-细胞花粉粒。子房下位,2心皮,1室,单胚珠,基生胎座;单珠被,薄珠心,倒生胚珠,具发达的珠被绒毡层。珠心表皮下分化出大孢子孢原细胞,孢原细胞直接发育为大孢子母细胞,大孢子母细胞减数分裂形成4个大孢子直线形排列,仅合点端的大孢子发育成功能大孢子母细胞,胚囊发育为蓼型。两个极核在受精前融合为次生核,珠孔受精。胚乳发育属于核型,胚胎发育为紫菀型;具胚乳吸器。     

Plant community diversity and invasibility by exotics: invasion of Mediterranean old fields by Conyza bonariensis and Conyza canadensis

A series of communities were established in situ to differentiate the effects of species richness, functional richness and functional group identity on invasibility of Mediterranean annual old fields. We monitored the demographic and vegetative parameters of two exotic annuals introduced as seedlings, Conyza bonariensis and C. canadensis . Community species richness and functional composition determined resistance to invasion by Conyza. Conyza bonariensis biomass decreased with increasing species richness. Legumes increased the biomass and consequently the net fecundity of both Conyza , while survival was favoured by Asteraceae . Communities with fewer Asteraceae and grasses increased the reproductive effort of C. bonariensis . A separate glasshouse experiment using the same species mixes revealed that establishment of Conyza decreased with increasing species richness or when grasses were present. Patterns of Conyza performance are interpreted in the light of measurements of ecosystem functional parameters, making it possible to formulate hypotheses about mechanisms limiting community invasibility.     

小蓬草精油的分离组分比较分析

通过薄层色谱分析和柱色谱分离结合气相色谱-质谱分析小蓬草精油的分离组分,结果表明其不同分离组分组成有差异,可以分离得到以香芹酮(18.33%)为特征成分,含有cis-香芹醇(3.79%),cis-香芹酮氧化物(1.74%),trans-香芹醇(1.62%),橙花叔醇(1.13%),石竹烯氧化物(0.38%),对甲基苯乙酮(0.64%)或者是以cis-香芹醇为特征成分,含有cis-马鞭草烯酮的分离组分。香芹酮、cis-香芹醇、橙花叔醇、对甲基苯乙酮、cis-马鞭草烯酮等是具有香气的化合物。     

土壤不同浓度铜对小飞蓬毒害及耐受性研究

通过对高Cu污染区(Ⅰ)、低Cu污染区(Ⅱ)和非污染区(Ⅲ)小飞蓬盆栽实验及生理生化指标分析,结果表明,生态型Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ电导率均随着Cu浓度增加而增大,并且两者之间呈极显著正相关;叶绿素(a+b)含量随着Cu浓度增加呈极显著负相关;生态型Ⅰ的蛋白质和脯氨酸含量随着Cu浓度增加均先有所升高,然后又降低,而生态型Ⅱ、Ⅲ则一直呈现降低趋势.3种生态型小飞蓬体内SOD、POD、CAT酶活性在Cu胁迫下均有所提高,与对照相比,当Cu浓度为1200mg·kg^-1时,生态型Ⅰ的SOD、POD、CAT活性分别为194.1%、206.2%、1186%;Ⅱ的SOD、POD、CAT活性分别为170.1%、182.9%、1113%;Ⅲ的SOD、POD、CAT的活性分别为115.1%、155.4%、10.73%.对3种生态型小飞蓬的生理生化指标及酶活性分析表明,高Cu污染区小飞蓬的耐受性要强于低Cu污染区,两者又均强于非污染区小飞蓬,这3种生态型小飞蓬的耐受性呈现出了明显的种间差异.     

入侵植物小飞蓬及其伴生植物的光合特性

为探讨小飞蓬的入侵机制和制定有效的治理措施,对入侵植物小飞蓬及其主要伴生植物山苦荬和鸭跖草的光合特性进行研究.结果表明:小飞蓬的光饱和点和光补偿点分别为1634.00和23.84 μmol·m-2·s-1,介于2种伴生植物之间;光饱和点下的最大净光合速率为28.12μmol· m-2·s-1,显著高于2种伴生植物;表观量子效率为0.06,与山苦荬差异不显著,但显著高于鸭跖草.小飞蓬的CO2饱和点和CO2补偿点分别为834.00和23.69μmol·mol-1;CO2饱和点下的最大净光合速率为31.97 μmol·m-2·s-1,介于2种伴生植物之间;羧化效率为0.078,显著高于伴生植物.有效光合辐射和CO2浓度的变化对小飞蓬及其伴生植物的气孔导度、蒸腾速率影响不显著,但显著影响其水分利用率.小飞蓬具有较高的光合速率和物质积累能力,较高的生产力是其成功入侵的重要因素之一.     

超声波提取加拿大蓬总黄酮的研究

目的:研究加拿大蓬中总黄酮提取方法及最佳工艺.方法:采用超声提取法,通过单因素试验和正交试验筛选最佳工艺条件.结果:最佳提取条件为60%乙醇、料液比1:20、60 kW下超声45 min.得率为31.076 mg/g.结论:该方法提取提取总黄酮快速、简便,可适用于生产中加拿大蓬总黄酮类物质的检测.该方法是提取加拿大蓬总...     

小蓬草水浸液对2种花卉种子萌发及幼苗生长的化感作用北大核心CSCD

为揭示入侵杂草与草本花卉之间的竞争关系,以入侵植物小蓬草为供体材料,常用的花卉波斯菊、观赏油菜为受体材料,研究了小蓬草根、叶水浸提液对受体植物种子萌发、幼苗生长、抗氧化酶活性(SOD、POD和CAT)以及丙二醛(MDA)含量的化感效应差异。结果表明,(1)小蓬草浸提液对受体植物的种子萌发均具有显著化感效应,基本表现为“低促高抑”的趋势,且波斯菊、观赏油菜的种子萌发率在根、叶浸提液浓度为25 g/L时最高,在浸提液浓度为100 g/L时最低。(2)小蓬草浸提液对受体植物幼苗上下胚轴生长具有“低促高抑”的浓度效应,且浓度越大抑制作用越显著。(3)在小蓬草根、叶浸提液处理下,观赏油菜的SOD和POD活性大多显著高于对照,波斯菊SOD和POD活性则大多显著低于对照;波斯菊、观赏油菜CAT活性整体呈先缓慢升高后降低的趋势。(4)波斯菊幼苗MDA含量随小蓬草根、叶浸提液浓度的增加均呈现逐渐升高的趋势,并大多高于对照水平,而观赏油菜幼苗MDA含量随着根浸提液浓度增加而逐渐升高,却随着叶浸提液浓度的增加而降低,但大多显著低于对照水平。研究发现,小蓬草浸提液对2种花卉种子萌发和幼苗生长均表现出“低促高抑”化感作用,且综合效应强弱表现为观赏油菜大于波斯菊,根浸提液处理大于叶浸提液。     

Proteomic Analysis of Horseweed (Conyza canadensis) Subjected to Caprylic Acid Stress

Caprylic acid (CAP) is anticipated to be a potential biocontrol herbicide in the control of weeds, however the molecular mechanism of how CAP affects weeds is poorly understood. Here, the physiological and biochemical (protein‐level) changes in horseweed (Conyza canadensis L.) are studied under CAP treatment, with infrared gas analyzer and label‐free quantitative proteomics methods. In total, 112 differentially‐accumulated proteins (DAPs) (>1.5 fold change, p < 0.05) are present between treated horseweed and control samples, with 46 up‐regulated and 66 down‐regulated proteins. These DAPs are involved in 28 biochemical pathways, including photosynthesis pathways. In particular, six photosynthesis proteins show significant abundance changes in the CAP‐treated horseweed. The qRT‐PCR results confirm three of the six genes involved in photosynthesis. Moreover, by measuring photosynthesis characteristics, CAP was shown to decrease photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO₂ concentration, and the transpiration rate of horseweed. These results suggest that photosystem I is one of the main biological processes involved in the response of horseweed to CAP.     

Tissue culture and transient transformation of Marestail (Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist)

Glyphosate resistant crops are useful to agriculture by facilitating the use of nonselective herbicides, such as RoundUp^®, that have low human and environmental toxicity. The occurrence of glyphosate resistant weeds, however, has raised concern about the future utility of these crops. Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist (marestail or horseweed) is one such glyphosate resistant weed that has yet to be fully analyzed or established in tissue culture. Tissue culture enables the examination of physiological characteristics of a plant in an aseptic and controlled environment. For the present study, mairstail was cultured on a Murashige and Skoog based medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine, and α-naphthaleneacetic acid. Plant regeneration was achieved on the same basal medium supplemented with only gibberellic acid. Glyphosate resistance could be demonstrated in the cultured tissues. The cultures could also be transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens without chemically inducing virulence using phenolics or glucose and resulting in a transformation frequency (transgenic events per total number of explants used) of about 13%. The tissue culture growth, preliminary glyphosate resistance data and genetic transformation data gathered in this project provide the means to further evaluate the mode of glyphosate resistance expressed by marestail.     

Ferritin2 gene in paraquat-susceptible and resistant biotypes of horseweed Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq

Ferritins, the multimeric iron storage proteins, are the main regulators of the cellular level of uncomplexed iron. Ferritins are encoded by small gene families and expressed differentially under various developmental conditions depending on iron availability, effect of hormones or oxygen radical generating agents. In the present work the primary structure of the ferritin2 gene from resistant and susceptible biotypes of horseweed Conyza canadensis was determined. This gene was found to exhibit great similarity and possess all the structural characteristics of known plant ferritin2 genes. The C. canadensis ferritin2 genes had identical primary structure in the two biotypes and were upregulated by paraquat (Pq) in both susceptible and resistant plants. The enhanced expression level was probably connected with defence reactions in the plants after Pq treatment.