Mexican copalchis of the Rubiaceae family: more than a century of pharmacological and chemical investigations

Phytochemistry Reviews - The term copalchi has been used in the scientific literature to define a group of plants of the Rubiaceae and Euphorbiaceae families with extremely bitter stem-barks,...     

Habroneuron Standley,a little-known genus of Mexican Rubiaceae

Lindenia radicans is found to be conspecific withHabroneuron mexicanum; the combinationH. radicans is made. Monotypic and known from only two Oaxacan collections,Habroneuron exhibits an unusual leaf venation, which is described and illustrated. A relationship with the tribe Rondeletieae is suggested.     

Chemotaxonomy of the Rubiaceae family based on leaf fatty acid composition

With 10,700 species distributed in 637 genera, the Rubiaceae family is one of the largest of the angiosperms. Since it was previously evidenced that the fatty acid composition of photosynthetic tissues can be a tool for chemotaxonomic studies, the fatty acid composition of leaves from 107 Rubiaceae species highly representative of the diversity of the family was determined. Principal component analysis allowed a clear-cut separation of Coffeae, Psychotrieae and Rubieae. The occurrence of C16:3 fatty acid, a marker of the prokaryotic plastidial lipid biosynthetic pathway, concerned at least two branches: Theligoneae/Rubieae and Anthospermeae-Anthosperminae which appeared to be in close relationship. Additional experiments were carried out to ensure the correlation between the presence of C16:3 fatty acid and the prokaryotic biosynthetic pathway.     

Evolution of fruit characters and dispersal modes in the tropical family Rubiaceae

We investigated the evolution of fruit characters, animals versus abiotic dispersal modes, life forms and geographical distribution, in the large, mostly tropical, family Rubiaceae. As a basis for our analysis we used a phylogenetic tree derived from chloroplast DNA variation. Fleshy fruits have evolved independently at least 12 times in the family. Most of these originations appear to have occurred during Eocene to Oligocene, i.e. the radiation period for some animal taxa (bird families, mammal orders) comprising most extant dispersers of Rubiaceae fruits. Changes of dispersal modes may be of more recent origin in a few cases, e.g. evolution of drupes in some lineages, and shifts from drupes to nuts. The distribution of fruit characters suggested that in several lineages animal-dispersed fruits, such as berries and drupes have remained largely unaltered since the time of origination. This is in contrast to the occurrence of winged seeds in capsules, and pterophylls, i.e. enlarged calyx lobes promoting wind dispersal of fruits, which apparently have shifted more frequently during evolution, indicating a difference in 'phylogenetic plasticity' between modes of animal and wind dispersal.
Animal dispersal was over-represented among genera dominated by shrubs, whereas abiotic dispersal was most prevalent among herbaceous genera. Drupes were over-represented in groups with transoceanic distributions, and on islands, indicating dispersal over long distances, probably by birds. In contrast, no evidence was found to support the view that animal dispersal in general enhances long distance dispersal. We also analysed geographical patterns on the tribal level but these were too complex to yield any resolved area cladograms due to the occurrence of many widespread taxa and area redundancy.     

Antidiabetic properties of high molecular weight heparin-adenosine triphosphate complex

Repeated intramuscular administration of the heparin-adenosine triphosphate (ATP) complex or ATP increased plasma anticoagulant and fibrinolytic activities and depressed the anticoagulation system in rats at the age of 10–11 months. Diabetogenic dose of alloxan induced no diabetes mellitus in such animals.     

Antidiabetic properties of polysaccharide- and polyphenolic-enriched fractions from the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum

We screened seaweed species from Atlantic Canada for antidiabetic activity by testing extracts for alpha-glucosidase inhibitory effect and glucose uptake stimulatory activity. An aqueous ethanolic extract of Ascophyllum nodosum was found to be active in both assays, inhibiting rat intestinal alpha-glucosidase (IC50 = 77 microg/mL) and stimulating basal glucose uptake into 3T3-L1 adipocytes during a 20-minute incubation by about 3-fold (at 400 microg/mL extract). Bioassay-guided fractionation of the A. nodosum extract showed that alpha-glucosidase inhibition was associated with polyphenolic components in the extract. These polyphenolics, along with other constituents appeared to be responsible for the stimulatory activity on glucose uptake. However, attempts to further concentrate this activity through fractionation techniques were unsuccessful. A crude polyphenol extract (PPE), an enriched polyphenolic fraction (PPE-F1) and a polysaccharide extract (PSE) were prepared from commercial A. nodosum powder and administered to streptozotocin-diabetic mice for up to 4-weeks by daily gavage at 200 mg/kg body mass. PPE and PPE-F1 improved fasting serum glucose level in diabetic mice; however, the effect was only statistically significant at day 14. In addition, PPE-F1 was shown to blunt the rise in blood glucose after an oral sucrose tolerance test in diabetic mice. Mice treated with PPE and PPE-F1 had decreased blood total cholesterol and glycated serum protein levels compared with untreated diabetic mice, whereas PPE also normalized the reduction in liver glycogen level that occurred in diabetic animals. All 3 A. nodosum preparations improved blood antioxidant capacity.     

Socioeconomic determinants of fertility: selected Mexican regions, 1976-1977

Cumulative fertility is analyzed for 4 regions of Mexico, based on World Fertility Survey data of 1976-77; the state of Baja California, the Northwest region, the State of Jalisco, and the Northeast region. Based on stepwise regression methodology, the study compares results for 12 subsamples of married respondents, 3 age categories by 4 regions. The dependent variables are children ever born and children ever born in the last 5 years. Migration, urban, educational, and occupational variables are included as independent variables. Regression results reveal level of education is the major, and negative, influence on fertility. Other results include specific negative effects for prior occupation, size of place of residence, and childhood place of residence. Fertility effects appear different for migration origin and destination regions, but more similar for younger ages. Effects of migration on fertility are small. Mean fertility as measured by children ever born was 4.34 for the 1976-77 World Fertility Survey samples versus 3.69 for the Mexican census of 1980. Fertility varied somewhat by region with the highest and lowest values in Jalisco and the Northeast, respectively. Expected age-related changes in fertility were noted.     

More characters or more taxa for a robust phylogeny--case study from the coffee family (Rubiaceae)

Using different data sets mainly from the plant family Rubiaceae, but in parts also from the Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Lardizabalaceae, Saxifragaceae, and Solanaceae, we have investigated the effect of number of characters, number of taxa, and kind of data on bootstrap values within phylogenetic trees. The percentage of supported nodes within a tree is positively correlated with the number of characters, and negatively correlated with the number of taxa. The morphological analyses are based on few characters and weakly supported trees are expected. The percentage of supported nodes is also dependent on the kind of data analyzed. In analyses of Rubiaceae based on the same number of characters, RFLP data give trees with higher percentage of supported nodes than rbcL and morphological data. We also discuss the support values for particular nodes at the familial and subfamilial levels. Two new data sets of ndhF and rbcL sequences of Rubiaceae are analyzed and together with earlier studies of the family we can conclude that the monophyly of the Rubiaceae is supported and within the family there are three well supported, but not easily characterized, large subfamilies, Rubioideae, Cinchonoideae s.s. and Ixoroideae s.l. There are also a few genera (Luculia and Coptosapelta) unclassified to subfamily.     

Sensitivity of selected members of the family Halobacteriaceae to quinolone antimicrobial compounds

Many members of the Halobacteriaceae are inhibited by quinolone compounds, which inhibit type II DNA topoisomerase. Ciprofloxacin was the most potent inhibitor, followed by ofloxacin and norfloxacin. Ciprofloxacin concentrations between 25 and 60 μg/ml caused 50% inhibition of the growth of most Haloferax and Haloarcula species. Halobacterium species were less sensitive. At sublethal concentrations, formation of elongated and/or swollen cells was observed in many species. The alkaliphilic Natronobacterium pharaonis was very sensitive (50% inhibition by ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and norfloxacin at concentrations between 4 and 15 μg/ml). The resistance of many members of the Halobacteriaceae to high concentrations of quinolone compounds may in part be due to the high magnesium concentrations present in the growth media. Haloferax volcanii was sensitive to 40 μg/ml ciprofloxacin when grown at suboptimal magnesium concentrations (0.1 M), but was hardly affected by 100 μg/ml of the inhibitor when grown in the presence of 0.5–0.75 M MgCl₂. It is suggested that the putative archaeal type II DNA topoisomerase has properties similar to those of the enzyme from Bacteria, although its sensitivity to quinolone antimicrobial compounds may be lower. Received: 6 November 1995 / Accepted: 26 February 1996     

New Rubiaceae from the Brazilian Planalto

Three new species from Brazil,Hindsia irwinii, Manettia irwinii, andMitracarpus pusillus, are described. A new section,Brevicalyx, is erected for Hindsia irwinii, and another new section,Irwinianthus, forManettia irwinii.     

Phylogeny of the Gardenieae (Rubiaceae)

The phylogeny of Gardenieae (Rubiaceae) is evaluated using 70 morphological and anatomical characters and 81 terminal taxa. After successive reweighting of the characters and modified bootstrap tests the following is concluded. The position of the Diplosporinae genera Argocoffeopsis, Calycosiphonia, Cremaspora and Tricalysia with the genera belonging to the tribes Aulacocalyceae, Coffeeae, Octotropideae and Pavetteae, suggests that this subtribe does not belong in Gardenieae. Posoqueria is nested among outgroup genera and consequently is not a member of the tribe. Robbrecht & Puff's informal 'tetrad group' is monophyletic. Likewise, their 'Alibertia group' is supported as monophyletic, although slightly rearranged. On the other hand, their 'Aidia group' must he greatly expanded with several genera in order to be monophyletic, but the monophyly of this group is weakly supported. Several disputed genera should be included in Gardenieae ( Anomanthodia, Amaioua, Brachytome , and supposedly Bertiera ). Most inferred groups, however, exhibit low bootstrap values and should he viewed with caution.     

Chromosome numbers of Thai Rubiaceae

Chromosome numbers for 14 taxa of indigenous Thai Rubiaceae are presented. They include first counts for 3 genera: Aphaenandra (A. uniflora), Prismatomeris (P. tetrandra subsp. malayana) and Tarennoidea (T. wallichii) ; all show diploidy on x=11. The remaining counts are first counts for species: Argostemma diversifolium, A. neurocalyx and A. pictum, Coptosapelta flavenscens, Gardenia saxtilis, Ixora sp., Morinda sp., Mussaenda sanderiana, Oxyceros horridus, Rothmannia wittii (first count for an Asiatic species of the genus) (all diploid on x=11), and Canthium sp. (tetraploid on x=11). The poor state of karyological knowledge of indigenous Thai Rubiaceae is discussed, and a table including all relevant known chromosome counts is presented. Chromosome data are only known for 38 genera (ca. 41% of all Rubiaceae genera occurring in Thailand); chromosome numbers are often only available for one or few taxa of each genus [in sum, for only about 50 (or for roughly 10% of all) taxa]. Of only 14 genera (ca. 15%), chromosomes were counted from Thai material (for the others, counts originate from elsewhere, i.e. refer to more widely distributed taxa also extending into Thailand).     

Evaluation of Lactobacillus strains for selected probiotic properties

Eleven strains of Lactobacillus collected in the Culture Collection of Dairy Microorganisms (CCDM) were evaluated for selected probiotic properties such as survival in gastrointestinal fluids, antimicrobial activity, and competition with non-toxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 for adhesion on Caco-2 cells. The viable count of lactobacilli was reduced during 3-h incubation in gastric fluid followed by 3-h incubation in intestinal fluid. All strains showed antimicrobial activity and the three most effective strains inhibited the growth of at least 16 indicator strains. Antimicrobial metabolites of seven strains active against Lactobacillus and Clostridium indicator strains were found to be sensitive to proteinase K and trypsin, which indicates their proteinaceous nature. The degree of competitive inhibition of non-toxigenic E. coli O157:H7 adhesion on the surface of Caco-2 cells was strain-dependent. A significant decrease (P?<?0.05) in the number of non-toxigenic E. coli O157:H7 adhering to Caco-2 cells was observed with all lactobacilli. Three strains were selected for additional studies of antimicrobial activity, i.e., Lactobacillus gasseri CCDM 215, Lactobacillus acidophilus CCDM 149, and Lactobacillus helveticus CCDM 82.     

Review of the Neotropical Isertieae (Rubiaceae)

All neotropical genera previously included in the tribe Isertieae A. Rich. ex DC. are considered. The tribe Isertieae is here delimited by the following characters: absence of rhaphides, valvate aestivation of the corolla, cordiform or discoid placenta, fleshy indehiscent fruit, and seed coat cells with pitted walls. As so delimited, the tribe definitely includes the neotropical generaIsertia Schreb.,Gonzalagunia Ruiz & Pav.,Amphidasya Standl.,Raritebe Wernh.,Sabicea Aubl., andMussaenda L. as well as some paleotropical genera not here considered. The following neotropical genera are excluded from tribe Isertieae:Hippotis Ruiz & Pav.,Pentagonia Benth.,Sommera Schlecht.,Tammsia Karst.,Coccocypselum P. Browne,Schradera Vahl,Didymochlamys Hook, f., andXerococcus Oerst. The position of four genera,Striolaria Ducke,Patima Aubl.,Habroneuron Standl., andNeosabicea Wernh., remains uncertain due to a lack of material.     

Synthesis and immunomodulatory properties of selected oxazolone derivatives

Eleven oxazolone derivatives were synthesized and characterized by (1)H NMR, EI, IR and UV spectroscopic and CHN analysis. Three compounds, 4-[(E)-(4-nitrophenyl)methylidene]-2-phenyl-1,3-oxazol-5(4H)-one (11), 4-[(E)-(4-methoxyphenyl)methylidene]-2-methyl-1,3-oxazol-5-one (12) and 4-[(E)-(4-nitrophenyl)methylidene]-2-methyl-1,3-oxazol-5(4H)-one (13) were screened for phagocyte chemiluminescence, neutrophil chemotaxis, T-cell proliferation, cytokine production from mononuclear cells and cytotoxicity. 4-[(E)-(4-Nitrophenyl)methylidene]-2-methyl-1,3-oxazol-5(4H)-one (13) was found to be the most potent immunomodulator in the series.