Facilitation by a dwarf shrub enhances plant diversity of human-valued species at high elevations in the Himalayas of Nepal

Facilitation is a global phenomenon that occurs when one species promotes the growth, survival, or reproduction of another species, mostly in stressful environments. However, the importance of facilitation by shrubs in maintaining plant community diversity is not well evaluated in the Himalayas, especially for the richness and conservation of medicinal and human-valued species. Therefore, we aimed to explore the facilitative role of a dwarf shrub species, Berberis angulosa, in maintaining plant composition and richness of human-valued species in the Langtang valley of Nepal's Himalayas. We censused plant species in open patches and beneath Berberis during monsoon and post-monsoon (dry) seasons at three elevations.Total species richness and richness of human-valued species were significantly higher inside the Berberis canopy than in gaps; the former being 39% and the latter 46% greater under shrubs than in open sites. Facilitation by Berberis shrubs promoted plant community diversity irrespective of season and elevation; however, higher differences in mean species richness for both total plant species and human-valued species during the dry season and at high elevation indicated increased facilitation intensity under more stressful conditions. The facilitative effect of Berberis shrubs increased, combining both seasons, overall plant diversity by 19% (total=105), and human-valued species by 16% (total=56). Our results show the importance of facilitation by nurse shrubs in structuring plant communities and protecting medicinal and socio-ecologically important plants, thus enriching ecosystem services in the Himalayas. These results suggest nurse plant species should be incorporated into conservation policies and management strategies for effective biodiversity conservation and sustainability, especially in the face of climate change.     

小檗属植物一新种——平坝小檗

报道了中国贵州小檗科小檗属植物一新种,即平坝小檗（Berberis pingbaensis M. T. An）新种与堆花小檗（B. aggregate Schineid.）相近似,但植物较小,果具白粉。     

Species of Rhytismatales on Berberis from China

Three species of Rhytismatales on Berberis were found from Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in China. Two of them were described as new species to science, namely Hypoderma minteri and Lophodermium johnstonii. The third one was a known species, Hypoderma berberidis. The phylogenetic relationships of these species within the Rhytismatales were analyzed based on internal transcriber spacer ribosomal DNA. The results showed that the species of the Rhytismatales on Berberis, unlike most species on pines, were not closely related. Three ITS sequences from GenBank, named there as Lirula macrospora, were used in this study, but were found to be from misidentified sources. A key to species of Rhytismatales on Berberis worldwide is also given.     

Biosystematic study of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Berberis</Emphasis> L. (Berberidaceae) in Khorassan,NE Iran

Four species of the genus Berberis L. have been reported from different regions, including Khorassan provinces. In this article, a revision of this genus in Khorassan provinces is presented. For better validation of the results, morphological, palynological, chromosomal and molecular studies were conducted on specimens collected from Khorassan provinces and preserved in FUMH and TARI herbaria. Morphological study resulted in recognition of three species of Berberis, from which two species are new records for Khorassan. Four unknown new taxa with new morphological characters were also identified, but left for further analysis because of the high percentage of polyploidy and hybridization in this genus. In order to analyze morphological data, 35 OTUs were provided and scored using the distance method and PCoA. The shape and size of pollen grains were nearly equal in the examined taxa, and there were no obvious differences between them. Chromosomal examination indicated tetraploidy (2n = 4x = 56) in all of the studied taxa. Molecular studies were accomplished by RAPD and sequencing of the ITS region to construct a framework of relationships between the taxa. Molecular studies emphasized the difference in the four unknown taxa from others. The total evidence indicates that Berberis L. shows a high percentage of polyploidy and hybridization.     

Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) roxb. (Bahera) in health and disease: A systematic and comprehensive review

BackgroundTerminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. is one of the oldest medicinal herbs of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as well as South-East Asia. Its medicinal utility has been described in the different traditional medicinal systems, such as Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and traditional Chinese medicine.PurposeThe present study is aimed at providing a comprehensive overview on the traditional medicinal use, major phytoconstituents, biological and pharmacological activities and related mechanisms of actions and clinical studies of T. bellirica. Another objective is to describe current limitations and future direction of T. bellirica-related research.MethodsPubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and EBOSCO host databases were selected to explore literature published between 1980 and 2020 (till March). Keywords used in various combinations comprised of Terminalia bellirica, phytoconstituents, health effects, pharmacological activities, molecular targets, in vitro, in vivo, clinical studies, and disease prevention.ResultsA broad spectrum in vitro and in vivo studies suggested various biological and pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, renoprotective, antidiabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anticancer activities. Diverse bioactivities of T. bellirica have been ascribed to the presence of many bioactive phytochemicals, such as glucoside, tannins, gallic acid, corilagin, ellagic acid, ethyl gallate, galloyl glucose, chebulagic acid, and arjunolic acid.ConclusionPreclinical and clinical studies have suggested that T. bellirica plant and its phytoconstituents have immense potential for prevention and treatment of various diseases. Additional in vivo studies and clinical trials are warranted to realize the complete medicinal attributes of this plant.     

THREE NEW SPECIES OF BERBERIS FROM YUNNAN

Three new species of Berberis from Yunnan are described and illustrated: B. dokerlaica Harber, B. yiliangensis Harber and B. brevipedicillata Harber. The remarkable diversity of this genus in the Hengduan Mountains of south central China is discussed.     

Leaf Development, Metamorphic Heteroblasty and Heterophylly in Berberis s. l. (Berberidaceae)

Shoot development of temperate and tropical members of Berberis s. l. was examined in order to assess: (1) the homology of the spines along the long shoots and the foliage leaves that form on the short shoots; (2) the occurrence of heterophylly and/or heteroblasty in the genus; and (3) the structural correspondence between cataphylls, spines, and foliage leaves. The 1-5-armed spines have been interpreted as modified compound leaves lacking stipules, as a modified lamina (central spine) with stipules (lateral spines), or less often, as transformed branches, or as epidermal outgrowths. On the other hand, the foliage leaves of the short shoots have been interpreted as leaflets of palmately compound leaves. Our results indicate that there are three distinct leaf types per node: (1) Leaves modified in spines spirally arranged in long shoots; (2) foliage, expanded leaves densely arranged in short shoots; and (3) cataphylls protecting axillary buds. The spines are leaf homologs with a clear distinction between the leaf base with stipules, and a laminar portion modified into the 1-5-armed spine; the lateral spines are not stipules as they arise from the marginal meristem of the laminar portion, and not from the leaf base. The foliage leaves also have stipules flanking the leaf base. Both spiny leaves and foliage leaves develop an articulation between the base and the laminar portion. Cataphylls of the short shoots of Berberis s. str. and those of the reproductive short shoots of Mahonia correspond to the entire leaf base, but those of the renewal (vegetative) shoots of Mahonia are spiny and have an odd vestigial pinnately compound lamina. Heterochrony due to ontogenetic truncation caused by the formation of the terminal inflorescence at the apex of the short shoots could be responsible for the lack of petiole/lamina differentiation in the foliage leaves. The spiny long-shoot/foliose short-shoot system of branching in Berberis s. str. appears to be genetically and phylogenetically fixed and not environment-dependent. This represents a clear example of metamorphic heteroblasty sensu Zotz et al. (Botanical Review 77:109–151, 2011) with further occurrence of heterophylly along the short shoots.     

Bergenia crassifolia (L.) Fritsch – Pharmacology and phytochemistry

PurposeBergenia crassifolia (L.) Fritsch, a species in the Bergenia genus belongs to the family Saxifragaceae, is valuated for its medicinal application. The review focuses on the medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and the biological activities of B. crassifolia to explore its benefits and potential uses.MethodsIn this review, we summarized data, published in Russia and in other countries related to B. crassifolia.ResultsRhizomes and leaves of this plant are in use as traditional remedies for the treatment of different disorders in the folk medicine systems of Russia and Asia. The plant is a potential source of tannins, benzanoids, flavonoids, polysaccharides and other active compounds. Due to the presence of a multitude of bioactives, a wide array of pharmacological activities have been ascribed to different parts of this herb and individual compounds, which include adaptogenic, antiinflammatory, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiobesity, antitussive, cerebro-protective, hepatoprotective, immunomodulating, and diuretic.ConclusionThe review highlights the potential of B. crassifolia for further development of herbal medicines on its base.     

Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Retama</Emphasis>: a review on traditional uses,phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities

Plants of the genus Retama (Fabaceae) are used in traditional medicine of the Mediterranean Basin as an emetic, purgative, and vermifuge. Certain Retama species are also employed to treat a multitude of disorders, including diabetes, hepatitis, jaundice, sore throat, skin diseases, joint pain, rheumatism, fever, and inflammation. This review deals with updated information on the distribution, botanical characteristics, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and toxicity of the Retama species in order to support their therapeutic potential and to provide an input for future research prospects. The Retama species are mainly employed as ethnomedicinal remedies in Mediterranean countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, and Spain. Previous phytochemical studies show a complex composition, rich in carbohydrates (galactomannans), polyols (pinitol), fatty acids, phenolic compounds (genistein, daidzein) and alkaloids (retamine, lupanine). The pharmacological activity of their various extracts has been widely studied, revealing, among others, the anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic effects of these species. The potential toxicity of these medicinal plants has also been discussed. Although recent experimental evidence confirms the pharmacological interest of this genus, further studies are necessary.     

Phytochemical and pharmacological studies in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pedalium murex</Emphasis> L.

Pedalium murex (Pedaliaceae), commonly called Large Caltrops, is known for its pharmacological uses in traditional medicine system. It is reported to have excellent medicinal properties that helps cure reproductive disorders, mainly impotency in men, nocturnal emissions, gonorrhea as well as leucorrhoea in women. Apart from that, it also contains remedy for urinary and gastrointestinal tract disorders. Pharmacologically, the plant has been investigated for antiulcerogenic, nephroprotective, hypolipidemic, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, antidermatophytic, antioxidant, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities. The present review is a bundle of information collected from the published research articles and highlights the phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of P. murex. The information will be helpful in developing the new formulation with therapeutic and economical value in the future.     

Genetic,cytogenetic and morphological diversity in Helicrysum leucocephalum (Asteraceae) populations

Helichrysum (family Asteraceae) is a large, heterogeneous and polyphyletic genus. Most of the Helichrysum species have ornamental and medicinal values. Helicrysum leucocephalum Boiss., has wide geographical distribution in Iran and forms several local populations. The present investigation was performed to study inter populations, genetic, cytogenetic and morphological diversity of this medicinal species. The AMOVA test showed significant genetic difference among the studied populations but the Mantel test did not show correlation between the genetic distance and geographical distance of these populations. STRUCTURE and reticulation analyses showed some degree of genetic admixture and gene exchange among the studied populations. These populations had different chromosome numbers and also differed significantly in the size of their chromosomes.     

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.     

Successive microsporogenesis in eudicots, with particular reference to Berberidaceae (Ranunculales)

The eudicot clade of angiosperms is characterised by simultaneous microsporogenesis and tricolpate pollen apertures. Successive microsporogenesis, where a distinct dyad stage occurs after the first meiotic division, is relatively rare in eudicots although it occurs in many early branching angiosperms including monocots. An extensive literature survey shows that successive microsporogenesis has arisen independently at least six times in eudicots, in five different orders, including Berberidaceae (Ranunculales). Microsporogenesis and pollen apertures were examined here using light and transmission electron microscopy in eleven species representing six genera of Berberidaceae. Successive microsporogenesis is a synapomorphy for the sister taxa Berberis and Mahonia (and possibly also Ranzania), the remaining genera are simultaneous. Callose wall formation in Berberis and Mahonia is achieved by centripetal furrowing, though centrifugal cell plates are more usual for this microsporogenesis type. This discrepancy could reflect the fact that the successive type in Berberidaceae is derived from the simultaneous type, and centripetal furrowing has been retained. Eudicots with successive microsporogenesis usually produce tetragonal or decussate tetrads, though occasional tetrahedral or irregular tetrads in Berberis and Mahonia indicate that the switch from simultaneous to successive division is incomplete or “leaky”. In contrast, linear tetrads produced by successive microsporogenesis in Asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae s.l.) are the result of a highly specialised developmental pathway leading to the production of pollinia. Pollen in successive eudicots is dispersed as monads, dyads, tetrads, and as single grains in pollinia. Apertures are diverse, and patterns include spiraperturate, clypeate, irregular, monocolpate, diporate and inaperturate. It is possible that successive microsporogenesis, although rare, potentially occurs in other eudicots, for example, in species where pollen is inaperturate.     

Application of ultra-performance LC-TOF MS metabolite profiling techniques to the analysis of medicinal <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panax</Emphasis> herbs

The morphological appearance and some ingredients of Panax ginseng, Panax notoginseng and Panax japonicus of the Panax genus are similar. However, their pharmacological activities are obviously different due to the significant differences in the types and quantity of saponins in each herb. In the present study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOFMS) was used to profile the abundances of metabolites in the three medicinal Panax herbs. Multivariate statistical analysis technique, that is, principle component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were used to discriminate between the Panax samples. PCA of the analytical data showed a clear separation of compositions among the three medicinal herbs. The critical markers such as chikusetsusaponin IVa, ginsenoside R0, ginsenoside Rc, ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Rb2 and ginsenoside Rg2 accountable for such variations were identified through the corresponding loading weights, and the tentative identification of biomarkers is completed by the accurate mass of TOFMS and high resolution and high retention time reproducibility performed by UPLC. The proposed analytical method coupled with multivariate statistical analysis is reliable to analyze a group of metabolites present in the herbal extracts and other natural products. This method can be further utilized to evaluate chemical components obtained from different plants and/or the plants of different geographical locations, thereby classifying the medicinal plant resources and potentially elucidating the mechanism of inherent phytochemical diversity.     

Complete chloroplast genome of the medicinal plant Evolvulus alsinoides: comparative analysis,identification of mutational hotspots and evolutionary dynamics with species of Solanales

Evolvulus alsinoides, belonging to the family Convolvulaceae, is an important medicinal plant widely used as a nootropic in the Indian traditional medicine system. In the genus Evolvulus, no research on the chloroplast genome has been published. Hence, the present study focuses on annotation, characterization, identification of mutational hotspots, and phylogenetic analysis in the complete chloroplast genome (cp) of E. alsinoides. Genome comparison and evolutionary dynamics were performed with the species of Solanales. The cp genome has 114 genes (80 protein-coding genes, 30 transfer RNA, and 4 ribosomal RNA genes) that were unique with total genome size of 157,015 bp. The cp genome possesses 69 RNA editing sites and 44 simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Predicted SSRs were randomly selected and validated experimentally. Six divergent hotspots such as trnQ-UUG, trnF-GAA, psaI, clpP, ndhF, and ycf1 were discovered from the cp genome. These microsatellites and divergent hot spot sequences of the Taxa ‘Evolvulus’ could be employed as molecular markers for species identification and genetic divergence investigations. The LSC area was found to be more conserved than the SSC and IR region in genome comparison. The IR contraction and expansion studies show that nine genes rpl2, rpl23, ycf1, ycf2, ycf1, ndhF, ndhA, matK, and psbK were present in the IR-LSC and IR-SSC boundaries of the cp genome. Fifty-four protein-coding genes in the cp genome were under negative selection pressure, indicating that they were well conserved and were undergoing purifying selection. The phylogenetic analysis reveals that E. alsinoides is closely related to the genus Cressa with some divergence from the genus Ipomoea. This is the first time the chloroplast genome of the genus Evolvulus has been published. The findings of the present study and chloroplast genome data could be a valuable resource for future studies in population genetics, genetic diversity, and evolutionary relationship of the family Convolvulaceae.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-021-01051-w.     

DNA barcoding and haplotyping in different species of Andrographis

The genus Andrographis, belonging to the family Acanthaceae, contains several species of medicinal importance. Species, such as Andrographis alata, Andrographis echioides, Andrographis glandulosa, Andrographis lineata, Andrographis nallamalayana and Andrographis paniculata, with several bio-active compounds are being extensively used in folk medicine. However, difference of opinion exists with regard to inclusion of the species echioides into the genus Andrographis. The present study, using rbcL and matK sequences, for the first time established DNA barcodes for these six species. The nucleotide sequence of rbcL provided species-specific haplotypes for A. alata, A. lineata, and A. paniculata. Despite the differences with regard to nucleotide sequence, all the six species showed conserved amino acid sequence. However, all the six species showed distinct haplotypes in nucleotide sequence of matK and facilitated the identification and discrimination of these species. The phylogenetic tree generated with combined sequence of rbcL and matK revealed grouping of all the six species into a single clade confirming the positioning of the species echioides into the genus Andrographis.     

Genus Kadsura,a good source with considerable characteristic chemical constituents and potential bioactivities

In China, the plants of genus Kadsura had been used as the folk medicines for a long time and showed good effect of activating blood and dissolving stasis, promoting qi circulation to relieve pain, dispelling wind and eliminating dampness. The bioactivities of genus Kadsura were attributed to the existence of its characteristic chemical constituents. This review systematically summarized the traditional efficacy and medicinal application of genus Kadsura in China, chemical constituents and bioactivities of the plants of genus Kadsura. And, lignans and triterpenoids were the main bioactive constituents, which exhibited good anti-HIV, anti-tumor, anti-hepatitis, anti-oxidant, anti-platelet aggregation activities and neuroprotective effect etc. Moreover, some structure–activity relationships mining would greatly enrich the opportunity of finding new and promising lead compounds and promote the reasonable development and utilization of the plants of genus Kadsura.     

Ethnomedicine and ethnobotany of fright,a Caribbean culture-bound psychiatric syndrome

Background

Plant species have long been used as principal ingredients of traditional medicine in far-west Nepal. The medicinal plants with ethnomedicinal values are currently being screened for their therapeutic potential but their data and information are inadequately compared and analyzed with the Ayurveda and the phytochemical findings.

Methods

The present study evaluated ethnomedicinal plants and their uses following literature review, comparison, field observations, and analysis. Comparison was made against earlier standard literature of medicinal plants and ethnomedicine of the same area, the common uses of the Ayurveda and the latest common phytochemical findings. The field study for primary data collection was carried out from 2006-2008.

Results

The herbal medicine in far-west Nepal is the basis of treatment of most illness through traditional knowledge. The medicine is made available via ancient, natural health care practices such as tribal lore, home herbal remedy, and the Baidhya, Ayurveda and Amchi systems. The traditional herbal medicine has not only survived but also thrived in the trans-cultural environment with its intermixture of ethnic traditions and beliefs. The present assessment showed that traditional herbal medicine has flourished in rural areas where modern medicine is parsimoniously accessed because of the high cost and long travel time to health center. Of the 48 Nepalese medicinal plants assessed in the present communication, about half of the species showed affinity with the common uses of the Ayurveda, earlier studies and the latest phytochemical findings. The folk uses of Acacia catechu for cold and cough, Aconitum spicatum as an analgesic, Aesculus indica for joint pain, Andrographis paniculata for fever, Anisomeles indica for urinary affections, Azadirachta indica for fever, Euphorbia hirta for asthma, Taxus wallichiana for tumor control, and Tinospora sinensis for diabetes are consistent with the latest pharmacological findings, common Ayurvedic and earlier uses.

Conclusions

Although traditional herbal medicine is only a primary means of health care in far-west Nepal, the medicine has been pursued indigenously with complementing pharmacology and the Ayurveda. Therefore, further pharmacological evaluation of traditional herbal medicine deserves more attention.     

Phytochemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Plants from the Genus Cissampelos

Cissampelos is a significant genus comprising of approximately 21 species of the medicinal plants (Menispermaceae). The plants of this genus are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments such as asthma, arthritis, dysentery, hyperglycemia, cardiopathy, hypertension and other related problems. These plants are rich in bioactive dibenzylisoquinoline and aborphine as well as small amounts of other ingredients. In recent years, the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Cissampelos genus have been paid more and more attention due to their diversity. Herein, we compile the chemical constituents and biological activities on this genus, and summarize the ¹³C-NMR data of the main bioactive ingredients. All information comes from scientific databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Sci-Finder, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and CNKI. It provides valuable data for the future research and development of Cissampelos genus.     

A review of the ethnomedicinal uses,phytochemistry and pharmacology of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pleiocarpa</Emphasis> genus

Pleiocarpa genus is a flowering plant from the Apocynaceae family which are rich sources of phytochemicals and have been reported to be useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal ailments, fever, malaria, pain, diabetes and cancer. The aim of this review is to present the past and current ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and the pharmacology of Pleiocarpa genus which are underexploited as revealed through this review in order to enhance its potential source of phytochemical leads in medicine. Some pharmacological activities of these plants based on their acclaimed ethnomedicinal uses have been investigated by various researchers. The chemical profile of the genus is limited to alkaloids and triterpenoids, where indole alkaloids may be considered as important taxonomical markers.