DNA-Based Identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Valeriana officinalis</Emphasis> s.l.: a Multiplexed Amplification Refractory Mutation System (MARMS) and High Resolution Melting Curve Analysis (HRMA)

The wide distribution of Valeriana officinalis as a herbal remedy as well as the considerably higher concentration of putative mutagenic valepotriate metabolites in other drug-delivering valerian species like Valeriana procera Kunth and Valeriana jatamansi Jones ex Roxb. illustrate the necessity of secure authentication of roots of Valeriana officinalis s.l., especially as the morphologically similar roots of the acutely toxic Veratrum album can be mistaken for those of Valeriana officinalis. We developed two DNA-based systems, a multiplex amplification refractory mutation system (MARMS), and a high-resolution melting curve analysis (HRMA) assay, both based on a sequence mutation within the atpB-rbcL region. With both methods, identification of Valeriana officinalis s.l. was possible. With the HRMA, the characteristic melting curve of 33 samples of Valeriana officinalis s.l. and of two commercial samples of Valerianae radix was distinct from the melting curves of all other Valeriana species (60 accessions), and from the closely related genera Centranthus and Valerianella. Since adulteration of Valeriana with toxic Veratrum species was reported previously, Veratrum primers were included in a multiplex PCR-HRM analysis. This system allowed the detection of a Veratrum admixture down to the level of 0.01 %. Although the advantages, in terms of sensitivity, specificity and practicality of the HRM for analysis of degraded plant material were superior to the MARMS assay, both methods are suitable for routine analysis. The results demonstrated the general ability of HRMA to detect specific (toxic) adulterations in drugs in a semiquantitative way.     

Isolation of the sesquiterpene alcohol (−)-pacifigorgiol from valeriana officinalis

A tertiary bicyclic sesquiterpene alcohol has been isolated from Valeriana officinalis, and identified as (−)-pacifigorgiol, the optical antipode of the alcohol isolated from Pacifigorgia adamsii.     

A new valepotriate: 7-epi-deacetylisovaltrate from Valeriana officinalis

A new valepotriate (VII) has been isolated from Valeriana officinalis roots and its structure and stereochemistry determined. Comparison with didrovaltrate is made and a correction of its C-1 configuration proposed.     

A biosystematic study ofValeriana officinalis (Valerianaceae) distributed in Bulgaria

Valeriana officinalis L. is an extremely polymorphic polyploid complex. On the basis of morphological, cytological, and phytochemical investigations of Bulgarian populations ofV. officinalis the two subspeciesV. officinalis subsp.officinalis (2n = 14, 28) andV. officinalis subsp.collina (2n = 14, 28) were each subdivided into diploid and tetraploid cytotypes.     

Pollenmorphology of Lysipomia H.B.K. and Rhizocephalum wedd. (Campanulaceae) and the revision of the pollen determination “Valeriana stenophylla” killip

Fossil pollen grains from the Quaternary of Colombia, formerly provisionally indicated as “Valeriana” stenophylla Killip, have now been identified as those of the Andean genus Lysipomia H.B.K. (Campanulaceae).In the genus Lysipomia s.l. (fide McVaugh) two considerably different pollen types are found: That of the Lysipomia s.s. and the Rhizocephalum type. The former was probably derived from the latter.     

Isolation and identification of valerenane sesquiterpenoids from Valeriana officinalis

Seven new valerenane sesquiterpenoids were isolated from a dichloromethane extract of Valeriana officinalis. The NMR, IR and mass spectral data of the isolated compounds, including the valerenic acids, are given in this paper.     

Some aspects of the initiation of callus and suspension cultures of Valeriana officinalis var. Diliana

New developments in the aspect of plant tissue cultivation of an important pharmaceutical species are discussed. There are some pathways of production cell cultures of Valeriana officinalis on agar and liquid media. The aim is to obtain suspension cultures able to produce biological active substances of the group of valepotreates as well as some new substances eventually. We gave a morphological characteristic of the different aggregated and differentiated suspension cultures.     

Cytoprotective Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Valeriana officinalis</Emphasis> Extract on an In Vitro Experimental Model of Parkinson Disease

Parkinson′s disease (PD) is one of the most important neurodegenerative worldwide disorders. The potential cytoprotective effects of aqueous extract of Valeriana officinalis on rotenone-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were demonstrated. The cytotoxicity, cell viability and analysis of cellular morphology were performed by MTT-tetrazole (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and phase contrast microscopy, respectively. Significant changes in the cellular morphology, and condensation of the cell body could be observed when cells were treated with 300 nM rotenone for 48 h. Three different concentrations of Valeriana officinalis extract were used (0.049, 0.098 and 0.195 mg/mL). These extracts brought about an increase of 7.0 ± 1.3%, 14.5 ± 1.3% and 14.5 ± 3.2% in cell viability. Our results indicated that neuroprotector action of the Valeriana officinalis extract provides support for later studies as they help understanding this drug for the development of cytoprotective various therapies in PD.     

In vitro Antioxidant Activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Valeriana officinalis</Emphasis> Against Different Neurotoxic Agents

Valeriana officinalis L. (Valerian) is widely used as a traditional medicine to improve the quality of sleep. Although V. officinalis have been well documented as promising pharmacological agent; the exact mechanisms by which this plant act is still unknown. Limited literature data have indicated that V. officinalis extracts can exhibit antioxidant properties against iron in hippocampal neurons in vitro. However, there is no data available about the possible antioxidant effect of V. officinalis against other pro-oxidants in brain. In the present study, the protective effect of V. officinalis on lipid peroxidation (LPO) induced by different pro-oxidant agents with neuropathological importance was examined. Ethanolic extract of valerian (0–60 μg/ml) was tested against quinolinic acid (QA); 3-nitropropionic acid; sodium nitroprusside; iron sulfate (FeSO₄) and Fe²⁺/EDTA induced LPO in rat brain homogenates. The effect of V. officinalis in deoxyribose degradation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was also investigated. In brain homogenates, V. officinalis inhibited thiobarbituric acid reactive substances induced by all pro-oxidants tested in a concentration dependent manner. Similarly, V. officinalis caused a significant decrease on the LPO in cerebral cortex and in deoxyribose degradation. QA-induced ROS production in cortical slices was also significantly reduced by V. officinalis. Our results suggest that V. officinalis extract was effective in modulating LPO induced by different pro-oxidant agents. These data may imply that V. officinalis extract, functioning as antioxidant agent, can be beneficial for reducing insomnia complications linked to oxidative stress.     

Transfer cells and lipid droplets of someValerianaceae

Development, structure and the axial distribution of transfer cells and their lignification were investigated inValerianella locusta, Valeriana officinalis, andV. tuberosa (Valerianaceae). Fundamental new results are: (1) Transfer cells often contain numerous lipid droplets. Within the stem the distribution of cells containing lipid droplets correlates to that of transfer cells. (2) InValeriana officinalis persisting protuberances are frequently found on pit membranes of xylem transfer cells. Lignified transfer cells can undergo a second modification: a layer covering the secondary wall forms wall ingrowths similar to those of transfer cells. (3) Peripheral pith cells, abuting transfer cells, are able to modify into transfer cells. Cambial derivatives are only temporarily developed as transfer cells. (4) Phloem transfer cells are found in vascular bundles of the whole axis. (5) In roots, xylem transfer cells are poorly developed or absent. (6) Oil cells with oil bodies are present in the rape ofValeriana tuberosa. They are absent however in the stem of the species investigated. (7) Tannins occur in elements of the primary cortex, phloem and secondary xylem ofValeriana officinalis.     

Comparison of metabolomics of Dendrobium officinale in different habitats by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS

Dendrobium officinale has been considered over past centuries to be extremely valuable for use as an herbal medicine in South Asian countries. In this work, the chemical profiles of D. officinale from different habitats were systematically characterized using ultra-performance liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and multivariate analysis. The principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal partial least squares analysis (OPLS-DA) of UPLC-Q-TOF-MS data displayed an obvious separation. Several flavonoids and terpenoids derivatives contribute to the quantitative chemotypic variation within and between the samples as observed. These findings lead to a better understanding of the phytochemical variation of D. officinale which can aid in quality control of raw material.     

Pollen morphology in relation to the taxonomy and phylogeny of some native Greek Aegilops species

The pollen morphology of some native Greek Aegilops species is investigated in LM (quantitative pollen characters) and SEM (exine sculpture) using acetolysed material. Furthermore, quantitative data are subjected to a multivariate analysis. The tetraploid Ae. cylindrica and its diploid parent Ae. caudata show a distinct morphological affinity as regards their quantitative pollen profile and the features of the exine sculpture. The tetraploid Ae. triuncialis is morphologically divergent from both its parents Ae. caudata and Ae. umbellulata due to the very large values of its quantitative pollen characters. However, the SEM survey of the exine sculpture indicates a rather high degree of similarity between Ae. triuncialis and Ae. umbellulata. No significant differences have been found between the two varieties of Ae. caudata (caudata and polyathera) concerning the quantitative pollen characters as a total or the morphology of the exine sculpture. The resultant clustering of the taxa on the basis of the quantitative pollen characters as well as the recorded similarities of their exine pattern are related to their sectional classification based on cytogenetical and morphological data.     

Morphological variation in populations of Bletia purpurea (Orchidaceae) and description of the new species B. riparia

Bletia purpurea is the most widespread species in its genus. Morphological variation has been recognized throughout the range of its distribution. In this paper, the morphological variation from 63 populations (583 individuals) ofBletia purpurea is assessed to determine whether more than one species were present. Forty-four quantitative and qualitative characters were examined by univariate analyses and exploratory multivariate analyses. Univariate analyses indicate that quantitative characters such as lateral sepal width, petal. width, lip length, and lip width are significantly different for populations from Acazónica, Mexico. Floral parts in the populations from Acazónica are the smallest among all populations. Qualitative characters such as petals covering the lip midlobe and horizontal lip position are found exclusively in the same populations. We concluded that these populations should be described as a new species,B. riparia. Multivariate analyses indicated that morphological variation among the other populations cannot be ascribed to geographic distribution or ecological factors.     

Beitrag zur Kenntnis der österreichischen Sippen desValeriana officinalis-Aggregats und ihrer Chromosomenzahlen

Zusammenfassung Die vonWalther im wesentlichen für Deutschland ausgearbeitete Gliederung vonValeriana officinalis agg. ist in ihren Grundzügen auch in Österreich anwendbar. Die Chromosomenzahlen der Sippen sind in diesem Land die gleichen wie auch in anderen Teilen Europas.Valeriana officinalis L. s. str. — die in Österreich häufigste Art — ist mit 2n=14 diploid,V. collina Wallr. mit 2n=28 tetraploid. Ob die beiden in Österreich weniger häufigen, einander sehr ähnlichen oktoploiden Sippen mit 2n=56 —V. sambucifolia Mikan fil. undV. procurrens Wallr. — wirklich Artrang verdienen, ist zu diskutieren.V. procurrens wächst in Österreich unter anderem in den Nordtiroler Alpen.

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Summary The subdivision ofValeriana officinalis agg. established byWalther especially for Germany is found to be practicable in its main features in Austria too. The chromosome numbers of the taxa are the same in Austria as in other parts of Europe.Valeriana officinalis L. s. str. is a diploid (2n=14),V. collina Wallr. is a tetraploid species (2n=28). As to the nearly related octoploid taxaV. sambucifolia Mikan fil. andV. procurrens Wallr. (2n=56) it is still to be discussed, if they should be recognized as species or not.

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Herrn Professor Dr. L.Geitler zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Biological and phytochemical aspects of Valeriana officinalis

Two populations of Valeriana officinalis L. subsp. collina (Wallr.) Nyman show considerable differences in anatomy and chemistry and one of them contains an accessory B chromosome, which is not present in the other. In consideration of the metabolic and adaptive role of this type of chromosome the hypothesis is put forward that there is a connection between the presence of an accessory chromosome and the histological, anatomical and chemical physiognomy of a particular population. This connection would involve considerable practical implications in the field of pharmaceutics.     

Ecologically Determined Variation in Leaf Anatomical Traits of Sesleria rigida (Poaceae) in Serbia – Multivariate Morphometric Evidence

This paper presents the results of a multivariate morphometric study of leaf anatomical characters in different populations of Sesleria rigida sensu lato in Serbia. Morphometric analyses were performed on cross-sections of 521 tiller leaves collected from 21 populations of S. rigida. Principal component analysis and canonical discriminant analysis were used to identify the structure of variability and to determine which variables discriminate between the groups. The UPGMA (unweighted pair-group average linkage) clustering analyses based on leaf anatomical characters and habitat climatic characteristics were employed to explore whether the observed anatomical differences are a result of adaptive responses. Regression analysis (linear regression) was performed to identify the level of correlation between leaf anatomical characters and basic orographic, geological, and bioclimatic habitat characteristics. DIVA-GIS software was used to extract 19 bioclimatic parameters from the WorldClim set of global climate layers. Our detailed analyses have shown that the studied populations are anatomically very well differentiated into the serpentine populations from western Serbia and carbonate populations from eastern Serbia. The regression analysis has shown that the geological substrate (serpentinites vs. carbonates) represents the most significant abiotic factor that is correlated with the anatomical differentiation of the populations in the studied area. Besides the geological substrate, bioclimatic parameters such as precipitation and habitat humidity are also highly correlated with the leaf anatomical characters, which was not the case with temperature.     

Effect of irrigation with saline magnetized water and different soil amendments on growth and flower production of Calendula officinalis L. plants

Global climate change and increased population caused significant depletion of freshwater especially in arid and semi-arid regions including Saudi Arabia. Saline water magnetization before irrigation may help in alleviating the adverse effects of salinity on plants. The current study aimed to examine the potential beneficial effects of water magnetization and soil amendments on growth, productivity, and survival of Calendula officinalis L. plants. Three types of water (tap water “control”, well water, and magnetized well water) and two types of soil amendments (Fe₂SO₄ and peat moss) were examined. Our results showed that irrigating C. officinalis plants with saline well water (WW) adversely affected growth and flowering as compared to tap water (TW). However, plants irrigated with magnetized water (MW) showed significant enhancement in all the studied vegetative and flowering growth parameters as compared to those irrigated with WW. Furthermore, mineral contents and survival of C. officinalis plants irrigated with MW were higher than those irrigated with TW. Irrigation with MW significantly reduced levels of NA⁺ and Cl⁻ ions in leaves of C. officinalis plants indicating the role of magnetization in alleviating harmful effects of salinity. The current study showed that water magnetization enhanced water quality and increased plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients. Further studies are needed to examine the possibility of irrigating food crops with magnetized water.