Proteomic Profiles Reveal the Function of Different Vegetative Tissues of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Moringa oleifera</Emphasis>

Moringa oleifera is a rich source of bioactive compounds and is widely used in traditional medicine and food for its nutritional value; however, the protein and peptide components of different tissues are rarely discussed. Here, we describe the first investigation of M. oleifera proteomes using mass spectrometry and bioinformatics methods. We aimed to elucidate the protein profiles of M. oleifera leaves, stem, bark, and root. Totally 202 proteins were identified from four vegetative organs. We identified 101 proteins from leaves, 51 from stem, 94 from bark and 67 from root, finding that only five proteins existed in both four vegetative parts. The calculated pI of most of the proteins is distributed in 5–10 and the molecular weight distributed below 100 kDa. Functional classification analysis revealed that proteins which are involved in catalytic activities are the most abundant both in leaves, stem, bark and root. Identification of several heat shock proteins in four vegetative tissues might be adaptive for resistance to high temperature environmental stresses of tropical or subtropical areas. Some enzymes involved in antioxidant processes were also identified in M. oleifera leaves, stem, bark and root. Among the four tissues studies here, leaves protein content and molecular diversity were the highest. The identification of the flocculating protein MO2.1 and MO2.2 in the bark and root provides clue to clarify the antimicrobial molecular mechanisms of root and bark. This study provides information on the protein compositions of M. oleifera vegetative tissues that will be beneficial for potential drug and food supplement development and plant physiology research.     

Trap type, chirality of alpha-pinene, and geographic region affect sampling efficiency of root and lower stem insects in pine.

Root and lower stem insects cause significant damage to conifers, vector phytopathogenic fungi, and can predispose trees to bark beetle attacks. The development of effective sampling techniques is an important component in managing these cryptic insects. We tested the effects of trap type and stereochemistry of alpha-pinene, in combination with ethanol, on catches of the root colonizing weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Hylobius spp. [mostly Hylobius pales (Herbst)], and Pachylobius picivorus (Germar), the root colonizing bark beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) Hylastes porculus Erickson, and the lower stem colonizing bark beetle Dendroctonus valens (LeConte). We tested for inter-regional differences by conducting similar field assays in the northern (Wisconsin) and southern (Louisiana) United States. The more effective trap type varied with region. Root weevils were caught primarily in pitfall traps in Wisconsin, whereas they were caught mostly in lower stem flight traps in Louisiana. In Wisconsin, root colonizing bark beetles were also caught primarily in pitfall traps, but lower stem colonizing bark beetles were caught primarily in lower stem flight traps. The root feeding weevils preferred (-) over (+)-alpha-pinene in both regions. Some exceptions relating to trap type or gender occurred in southern populations. The two root and lower stem colonizing bark beetles in Wisconsin showed no preference between (+) and (-)-alpha-pinene in combination with ethanol. No bark beetles were caught in the south. Our results suggest that modifying trap type and enantiomeric ratios of monoterpenes for different insect groups and in different regions can improve sampling efficiency for these important pests.     

Syntheses of R and S isomers of AF-DX 384, a selective antagonist of muscarinic M2 receptors

Enantiomers of 5,11-dihydro-11-[2-[2-[(N,N-dipropylaminomethyl)piperidin-1- yl]ethylamino]-carbonyl]-6H-pyrido[2,3-b][1,4]benzodiazepin-6-one (AF-DX 384) 1, have been synthesized from (S)-(+) and (R)-(-)-2-[N,N-dipropylaminomethyl]piperidine 4. The enantiomeric excess of 1 has been determined by capillary electrophoresis by using the alpha-highly sulphated cyclodextrin (alpha-HSCD) as chiral selector within the running electrolyte. (S)-(+)-(4) was prepared from (S)-(-)-pipecolic acid in a 4-step procedure (overall yield: 30%, ee: 99%) and (R)-(-)-AF-DX 384 from (R)-(+)-pipecolic acid. The (R)-(-) isomer exhibited in vitro a 23-fold higher affinity than its enantiomer (S)-(+) towards muscarinic receptors of subtype 2.     

Metabolomic analysis of Strychnos nux-vomica, Strychnos icaja and Strychnos ignatii extracts by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry and multivariate analysis techniques

1H Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry and multivariate analysis techniques were applied for the metabolic profiling of three Strychnos species: Strychnos nux-vomica (seeds, stem bark, root bark), Strychnos ignatii (seeds), and Strychnos icaja (leaves, stem bark, root bark, collar bark). The principal component analysis (PCA) of the 1H NMR spectra showed a clear discrimination between all samples, using the three first components. The key compounds responsible for the discrimination were brucine, loganin, fatty acids, and Strychnos icaja alkaloids such as icajine and sungucine. The method was then applied to the classification of several "false angostura" samples. These samples were, as expected, identified as S. nux-vomica by PCA, but could not be clearly discriminated as root bark or stem bark samples after further statistical analysis.     

不同林龄尾细桉人工林的生物量和能量分配

对广东省遂溪县北坡林场1～4年生尾细桉人工林的生物量和能量进行研究.结果表明:林龄对林分现存生物量影响极显著(P0.01),1～4年生林分生物量在10.61～147.28t.hm-2,随林龄增加,各组分和林分的生物量均增加,叶片、枝、树皮生物量占林分总生物量的比例逐年减小,而树干则呈逐年升高趋势.4个林龄阶段各组分生物量的分布规律,1～2年生为树干枝树皮根叶片,3～4年生为树干根枝树皮叶片.不同林龄各组分的平均灰分含量在0.47%～5.91%,以树皮的灰分含量最高、树干最低.各组分的平均干质量热值和去灰分热值分别为17.33～20.60kJ.g-1和18.42～21.59kJ.g-1,均以叶片数值最高、树皮最低.林龄对枝、树干、树皮的干质量热值及对叶片、树干、树皮的去灰分热值有显著影响(P0.05),对叶片和根的干质量热值、枝和根的去灰分热值及植物体热值的影响不显著(P0.05).1～4年生尾细桉的林分能量现存量在199.98～2837.20GJ.hm-2,林龄对其的影响达极显著水平(P0.01),随林龄增长,各组分和林分能量现存量增加,且各组分能量分配比例的变化趋势与生物量相同.     

水分、氮肥及MeJA处理对白桦三萜积累特性的影响

以一年半生白桦幼树为试材,研究水分、氮肥和茉莉酸甲酯(MeJA)处理对白桦三萜物质积累的影响,并对白桦植株中三萜积累规律进行了探讨。结果表明:(1)白桦幼树植株中总三萜主要分布在茎皮和叶片,根皮中最低,平均含量分别为71.94、81.60和25.45mg.g-1;叶片中总三萜积累高峰出现在6、7月份,茎皮和根皮中总三萜积累高峰分别出现在8月份和7月份。(2)干旱胁迫早期(6月)中度和重度干旱胁迫显著促进了叶中总三萜积累,分别是对照的1.24和1.27倍。茎皮中,除7月水分胁迫处理显著高于对照外,其它各月份水分胁迫不利于茎皮中总三萜含量积累,干旱胁迫不利根皮中三萜积累。(3)施氮早期(6月)不利于三萜在叶片和根皮中积累,中后期(7～10月),氮肥处理对三萜积累有显著促进作用;而施氮早期(6～7月)促进茎皮中三萜积累作用。(4)MeJA喷施处理对叶片和根皮中三萜积累(7月～10月)均具有显著的促进作用,在积累高峰期分别是对照的1.42倍和1.52倍。(5)轻度干旱、氮肥均促进了白桦幼树株高的增长和生物量的积累,而MeJA处理对整株生物量的积累不利。     

Phenolic antioxidants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Morus nigra</Emphasis> roots,and antitumor potential of morusin

Phenolic compounds are of considerable biomedical interest due to their antioxidant properties and potential in the prevention and possibly treatment of many chronic diseases. The fruits, leaves and root bark of Morus nigra (Moraceae), the black mulberry tree, have a long history of use for various therapeutic purposes in traditional medicine worldwide. The roots of the plant are known to be a rich source of phenolic compounds with a particularly high chemical diversity. This mini-review compiles the currently available knowledge on phenolic compounds reported from Morus nigra roots, and provides a brief overview on the antioxidant activity with a focus on the available in vivo evidence. Morusin, a major phenolic antioxidant of the root bark, has attracted a rapidly increasing scientific interest for its versatile and potent antitumor properties; recent developments in this regard, including morusin’s promising activity against cancer stem cells, are also discussed in the paper.     

桂西南28年生米老排人工林生物量及其分配特征

应用相对生长法对桂西南28年生米老排人工林生物量及其分配特征进行了研究。结果表明:28年生米老排人工林生物量为281.47t·hm-2,生态系统生物量分配格局为乔木层(97.89%)>凋落物层(1.87%)>灌木层(0.16%)>草本层(0.08%);其中,乔木层生物量为275.54t·hm-2,其生物量在各器官的分配规律为树干(63.01%)>树根(21.01%)>树枝(9.64%)>树皮(4.38%)>树叶(1.72%)>果实(0.25%);乔木生物量的径级分布接近正态分布,生物量主要集中在径级为25～29cm的林木,占乔木层生物量总量的48.15%;28年生米老排人工林林分年均净生产力为15.61t·hm-2·a-1,各组分净生产力大小顺序为乔木层(81.50%)>凋落物层(16.82%)>灌木层(0.98%)>草本层(0.70%);乔木层年均净生产力为12.72t·hm-2·a-1,各器官净生产力大小顺序为树干(48.76%)>树叶(18.64%)>树根(16.26%)>树枝(7.46%)>果实(5.50%)>树皮(3.39%)。     

Composition of the leaf, stem bark and root bark oils of Isolona cooperi investigated by GC (retention index), GC-MS and 13C-NMR spectroscopy

The leaf, stem bark and root bark oils of Isolona cooperi Hutchinson & Dalziel from the Ivory Coast have been analysed by GC (retention index), GC-MS and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Two types of essential oil were produced by the plant. The leaf and stem bark oils were monoterpene-rich, containing principally (Z)-beta-ocimene and gamma-terpinene and three lactones, 5-[(E and Z)-hexylidene]-5H-furan-2-ones and massoia lactone, were present in appreciable amounts. Conversely, the root bark oil was dominated by 5-isopentenylindole and (E)-beta-caryophyllene. The strategy for the analysis of each oil was adapted according to the nature of the components.     

Chemical constituents of Cordia latifolia and their nematicidal activity

Following nematicidal activity‐guided isolation studies on the fruits, bark, and leaves of Cordia latifolia, two new constituents, cordinoic acid (=11‐oxours‐12‐ene‐23,28‐dioic acid; 1 ) and cordicilin (=2‐{[(E)‐3‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐enoyl]oxy}‐3‐[4‐hydroxy‐3‐(stearoyloxy)phenyl]propanoic acid; 2 ) were isolated from the stem and leaves, respectively, together with nine known compounds, namely cordioic and cordifolic acid from the stem bark, latifolicin A–D and rosmarinic acid from the fruits, and cordinol and cordicinol from the leaves. Their structures were determined by means of spectroscopic analyses including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques. The nematicidal activities of these constituents were determined against the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Hundred percent mortality was caused by all of these after 72 h at a 0.125% concentration. Compound 1 and cordioic acid were most active and caused 100% mortality after 24 h at a 0.50% concentration. Furthermore, compound 2 , the ester of rosemarinic acid, was found to be more active than the free acid.     

短周期尾巨桉能源林生物量与能量特征研究

为开发和利用尾巨桉能源林,通过测量1~4年生植株的叶片、树枝、树根、树干和树皮的热值和生物量,对短周期尾巨桉能源林的生物量和能量特征进行了研究。结果表明,尾巨桉叶片、树枝、树干、树根、树皮和林分生物量均随林龄增加而增加,叶片、树枝、树皮生物量占单株总生物量的比例逐年减小,而树干则呈逐年升高趋势。1~4年生尾巨桉单株和林分的生物量分别为4.32~66.29 kg和10.68~153.33 t hm-2。生物量的结构特征表明,尾巨桉林分在第4年开始郁闭,生长以增加树干的生物量为主。尾巨桉各组分的平均干质量热值为17.23~20.56 kJ g-1,且差异极显著(P<0.01),以叶片的值最高、树皮的最低;同一组分不同林龄的热值差异不显著(P>0.05)。1~4年生尾巨桉的单株和林分能量现存量为81.61~1255.22 MJ和201.83~2903.32 GJ hm-2,其变化趋势及大小排列顺序与生物量相同。因此,对尾巨桉能源林可以4年短周期进行经营。     

Flavonoids from two Lonchocarpus species of the Yucatan Peninsula

Leaves, stem bark and root of Lonchocarpus xuul and Lonchocarpus yucatanensis were studied separately. A chalcone, 2',4-dimethoxy-6'-hydroxylonchocarpin (), and the flavones 5,4'-dihydroxy-3'-methoxy-(6:7)-2,2-dimethylpyranoflavone (2) and 5,4'-dimethoxy-(6:7)-2,2-dimethylpyrano-flavone (3), together with the known carpachromene (4), were isolated from the leaves of both species. Similarly, the previously reported flavans xuulanin (5) and 3beta-methoxyxuulanin (6), together with the novel 3beta,4beta,5-trimethoxy-4'-hydroxy-(6:7)-2,2-dimethylpyranoflavan (7), 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxy-(6:7)-2,2-dimethyl-pyranoflavan (8), and 3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-(6:7)-2,2-dimethylpyranoflavan (10), were isolated from the stem bark and root of both species. Finally, the known 2',4'-dihydroxy-3'-(3-methylbut-2-enyl) chalcone (13) was obtained from the root of L. xuul only. The structures of the various metabolites were established by interpretation of their spectroscopic data.     

Biosynthesis of friedelane and quinonemethide triterpenoids is compartmentalized in Maytenus aquifolium and Salacia campestris

Maytenus aquifolium (Celastraceae) and Salacia campestris (Hippocrateaceae) species accumulate friedelane and quinonemethide triterpenoids in their leaves and root bark, respectively. Enzymatic extracts obtained from leaves displayed cyclase activity with conversion of the substrate oxidosqualene to the triterpenes, 3beta-friedelanol and friedelin. In addition, administration of (+/-)5-(3)H mevalonolactone in leaves of M. aquifolium seedlings produced radio labelled friedelin in the leaves, twigs and stems, while the root bark accumulated labelled maytenin and pristimerin. These experiments indicated that the triterpenes once biosynthesized in the leaves are translocated to the root bark and further transformed to the antitumoral quinonemethide triterpenoids.     

Evaluation of various parts of the paw paw tree, Asimina triloba (Annonaceae), as commercial sources of the pesticidal annonaceous acetogenins.

Various plant parts of the paw paw tree (Asimina triloba Dunal, Annonaceae) were extracted and partitioned to concentrate the mixture of acetogenins into a standardized pesticidal extract (F005). A bioassay with brine shrimp larvae (Artemia salina Leach) was used to determine the relative potencies of the various extracts. The small twigs (0-0.5 cm diameter) yielded the most potent extract (LC50 = 0.04 ppm); the stem wood (LC50 = 4.9 ppm) and leaves (LC50 = 53.7 ppm) yielded the poorest activities. The unripe fruits, seeds, root wood, root bark, and stem bark were notably potent and, generally, yielded > 2% of their dry weight as F005. The smaller diameter stems were more potent than the larger stems. We conclude that, by pollarding the trees, the entire twigs and small branches of paw paw could be processed to produce a potent acetogenin mixture; this biomass could be made available in quantities needed for commercialization of the pesticidal product and could be renewable through regrowth from the parent trunk and larger branches.     

Chemical examination of the roots of Terminalia arjuna—the structures of arjunoside III and arjunoside IV,two new triterpenoid glycosides

The non-phenolic fraction of the alcoholic extract of the root bark of Terminalia arjuna yielded two new triterpenoid glycosides, arjunoside III and arjunoside IV in addition to arjunglucoside I and arjunetin. The structure of arjunoside III was established as the 28-β-d(+)-glucuronopyranoside of arjunic acid by a study of its chemical and spectroscopic (¹H and ¹³C NMR) data. Arjunoside IV was shown to be the 3-O-α- l(?)-rhamnoside of arjunic acid. Leucocyanidin, ellagic acid and gallic acid have been isolated from the phenolic part of the root extract.     

Growth Rates in relation to Assimilate Supply and Demand: II. THE EFFECT OF PARTICULAR LEAVES AND GROWING REGIONS IN DETERMINING THE DRY MATTER DISTRIBUTION IN YOUNG APPLE-TREES

It is generally accepted that the translocation of carbohydratesis determined by the concentration gradient from leaves havingan exportable surplus to utilizing regions along a conductingsystem whose efficiency declines as the season advances. Theexperiments showed that this mechanism alone could account fora good deal of the characteristic seasonal pattern of distributionof the vegetative increment, but that four additional mechanismswere necessary to account for the major features of the results.These were (1) limitation of the quantity of growing leaf ona shoot, (2) cessation of leaf production in early autumn, (3)correlation between extension and radial growth, (4) stimulationof root growth in the autumn. The experiments, on potted cuttings of an apple rootstock, involvedremoving all but ten leaves on particular parts of the shoot,or reducing the extent of the cambial surface (by bark stripping),or reducing the size of the root system, and then determiningthe increase in weight of leaves, stem, and roots over periodsof several weeks. Following defoliation and continual removalof new young leaves, the reduced increment was utilized morein new stem and less in the roots. The summed dry-matter productionof leaves in the upper, middle, and lower parts of the stemwas greater than the production by intact plants during July-August,but no different during June and the autumn. Removal of a fifthof the bark surface of the old stem was followed in July bysufficient regeneration of the cambium at the vertical edgesof the wound to give the same growth in all regions of the plantas the controls, and in September by regeneration from the woundsurface to give 84 per cent of the control growth, the deficiencyoccurring in the root and old stem. Removing half of the rootsystem, using a split-root technique, in July reduced growthby 30 per cent but in September had no effect. The relativegrowth rate of the remaining root was increased. Removing nothingbut fine root by a special technique in July reduced growthby 14 per cent, all parts being equally affected; the Septembertreatment was invalidated by thickened roots being removed inaddition to the fine when the treatment had the same effectas root pruning.     

Glutamic Dehydrogenase and Glutamic-oxaloacetic Transaminase in Apple Tree Tissues

A technique is described whereby active preparations of glutamic dehydrogenase (GDH) and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) can be obtained from all apple tree tissues using a hand-operated coffee mill. The amount of insoluble polyvinylpyrrolidone required and the composition of the extractant have been investigated together with the degree of replication obtained and the stability of the resultant extracts. After extraction of all tissues the proportion of both GDH and GOT found in the supernatant was far greater than that in the mitochondria. Addition of calcium and some other metal ions to the assays resulted in some increase in GDH but had no effect on GOT activity. With crude extracts the effect of added calcium was small but after ultrafiltration or acid precipitation it was greatly increased. The co-factors NADH, NADPH and NAD were all active with GDH in extracts of apple leaves, stem bark and roots. No activity was found with NADP. In the presence of added calcium ions the ratios of activity NADH:NADPH and NADH:NAD were approximately 10:1 and 20:1 respectively. The seasonal variations in specific activity of GDH and GOT in apple leaves, stem bark and wood, and old and young roots were determined separately. The highest GDH activities were found in the leaves in October and in the stem bark in May, while in other tissues activities were generally higher in winter than in summer. The seasonal patterns for GOT activity were very similar to those for GDH except that in the leaves the level changed little through the year. The results are discussed in relation to published work on these enzymes in other plants and to their possible role in the apple tree.     

矿区绿化树木对镉和锌的吸收与分布

研究了南京某矿区11种树木的重金属吸收和分布特征.结果表明：树木对重金属的吸收和富集因树木种类、部位及重金属种类的不同而异.法国冬青对Cd的含量、富集和转运系数均高于其它树种,可以植物萃取方式修复土壤污染.Cd主要积累在树木根部,树木不同器官对Cd积累能力的总趋势为根＞叶及枝＞树皮＞树干;而Zn更多地积累在树木地上部（叶和枝）而非根部.11种树木对Cd和Zn的富集系数均<0.2.树木对Cd和Zn的转运系数差异显著,总体上是Zn>Cd.     

Sesquiterpenes and alkaloids from Cleistopholis patens

The root bark of Cleistopholis patens collected in Ghana yielded two sesquiterpenes and five alkaloids. The sesquiterpenes have been characterised as the acyclic methyl-(?)-(trans)-(trans)-10,11-dihydroxyfarnesoate and its monocyclic derivative methyl-(+)-10-hydroxy-6,11-cyclofarnes-7(14)-enoate. The alkaloids were of the unusual aza-polycyclic and naphthyridine groups and included one new member of both classes. Examination of stem bark samples from the same source and from Sierre Leone showed the presence of the sesquiterpenes and the oxoaporphine alkaloid liriodenine but neither of the rarer alkaloid types.     

Biomass accumulations and the distribution of nitrogen and phosphorus within three<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus acutissima</Emphasis> stands in central Korea

Above- and belowground biomass and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) distribution within threeQuercus acutissima stands were investigated in central Korea. The average age (year) and diameter at breast height (DBH, cm) were 10.8 and 7.9 for Stand 1, 38.2 and 17.1 for Stand 2, and 44.0 and 20.7 for Stand 3, respectively. Fifteen trees were destructively harvested for dimension analysis of component biomass (stem wood, stem bark, foliage, branches, and roots) plus N and P concentrations. Total biomass (t ha^-1) was 88.7 for Stand 1, 154.9 for Stand 2, and 278.1 for Stand 3 while N and P contents in all tree components (kg ha^-1) were 483.3 and 52.2, 697.1 and 55.0, and 1113.9 and 83.7. Nitrogen concentrations were highest in the foliage, followed by the stem bark, branches or roots, and stem wood. In contrast, P concentrations were greatest in the roots, then foliage, branches, stem bark, and stem wood. In general, N and P concentrations in these components significantly decreased with tree age and DBH, while N and P contents significantly increased with age and size. These relationships were stronger for size than for age. Our current data could be utilized to estimate N and P budgets for silvicultural practices, including fertilization, thinning, and harvesting.