A new species of Polygala (Polygalaceae) from ultramafic soils in Sekhukhuneland,South Africa,with notes on its ecology

Polygala sekhukhuniensis Retief, Siebert & A.E.Van Wyk (Polygala; section Polygala; subsection Heterolophus), a new species with a restricted range in Sekhukhuneland, South Africa, is described, illustrated and compared with other members of the genus. It is a dwarf shrub that can be distinguished by its much-branched habit, sparsely flowered inflorescences, pink alae with darker pink veins, brown to black seed testa, and oblate pollen grains with pronounced opercula. Geographically, P. sekhukhuniensis is confined to heavily eroded localized sites, a natural geomorphological feature of some of the highly water-dispersible soils derived from ultramafic rocks in the valleys of the Steelpoort River and its tributaries in the Sekhukhuneland Centre of Plant Endemism. P. sekhukhuniensis is a calciotrophic excluder of heavy metals that accumulates Ca in its leaves. It is ecologically compared with co-occurring species of Polygala on ultramafic-derived soil.     

Polygala webbiana (Polygalaceae), the first record for Europe and a synopsis of Polygala subgen. Chamaebuxus

Polygala subgen. Chamaebuxus comprises five perennial species, distributed in Europe and northwestern Africa. Polygala webbiana was hitherto thought to be endemic to Morocco. In this paper, we report the first known population of this species in Europe, present in the province of Málaga (Spain). Detailed pictures of the flower, fruit, and seed are presented, as well as a map of the whole distribution. Moreover, a key to identify the species of Polygala subgen. Chamaebuxus is provided. The names P. chamaebuxus and P. vayredae are lectotypified.     

Characterizing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polygala</Emphasis> L. (Polygalaceae) Species in Southern Brazil Using ISSR

The genus Polygala is one of the seven Polygalaceae genera that occur in the Brazilian flora, covering approximately 110 species. During the taxonomic review of Polygalaceae in Southern Brazil, difficulties were found when classifying species with very similar morphology, and morphological data alone could not clarify these interspecific relationships. In this context, inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) molecular markers were used in an attempt to characterize the genetic diversity and relationships among Polygala species. Nine Polygala species were analyzed using six selected ISSR primers that generated a total of 75 bands (100% polymorphic). The relationships were evaluated by dendrograms using the unweighted pair group method using arithmetic averages algorithm. The use of ISSR to solve the taxonomic problems was very useful for the Brazilian Polygala species. This is the first report of a molecular characterization of the Brazilian Polygala species to successfully group the different species. The ISSR results are in agreement with the morphological evidence of a new Polygala species from Southern Brazil.     

Iridoid glucosides from the stems of three bioactive Brazilian Faramea species (Rubiaceae)

In this paper our previous chemical study of the anti-dengue active species Faramea bahiensis, Faramea hyacinthina and Faramea truncata (synonym of Faramea caudata) (Rubiaceae) is complemented by isolating from their stems, through a combination of silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and reversed-phase solid-phase extraction, the known iridoid glucosides monotropein (1), monotropein methyl ester (2) and 10-deacetylasperulosidic acid (3). The structures were established by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS analysis, NMR spectroscopy and comparison with literature data. This is the first report on the occurrence of these compounds in the genus Faramea Aubl. This work contributes to expand the knowledge of the chemical diversity of this botanical genus, of which a limited number of identified compounds have been reported.     

Neolignans from the seeds of Prunus tomentosa (Rosaceae) and their chemotaxonomic interest

The role of neolignans in the chemotaxonomy of the genus Prunus has long been neglected. In this study, two new dihydrobenzofuran neolignans tomentosanans A (12) and B (14), together with 15 known neolignans, were isolated from the seeds of Prunus tomentosa. This is the first report on the occurrence of compounds 1–12, 14, 15 and 17 in the genus Prunus. The biosynthetic pathways of these neolignans are also summarized. Together, these neolignans represent a phytochemical fingerprint for P. tomentosa, which may be used for identification of Prunus species.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polygala</Emphasis> subgenus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hebeclada</Emphasis> (Polygalaceae) from central Brazil

Polygala pauciramosa, a new species from the Federal District and the state of Goiás is described, illustrated, and compared with related species of Polygala subgenus Hebeclada. The new species is an herb that grows in seasonally to permanently wet savannas. A key to the species of Polygala subgenus Hebeclada from Goiás state, Brazil is provided.     

Phenylpropanoid amides and phenylethanols from Nanophyton erinaceum

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Nanophyton erinaceum (Pall.) Bunge led to the isolation and identification of one new (1) and eight known phenylpropanoid amides (2–9), four phenylethanols (10–13), two flavonoids (14–15) and one coumarin (16). This is the first report of these isolates from the genus Nanophyton and their chemotaxonomic significance is summarized herein.     

Chemical constituents from Artemisia argyi and their chemotaxonomic significance

Twelve compounds, including one monoterpene (1), two sesquiterpene lactones (2–3), six flavonoids (4–9), one phenolic glycoside (10), one chromone (11) and one phenolic acid (12), were isolated and identified from the leaves of Artemisia argyi. Compounds 1–2, 4 and 6–7 have not been recorded before in this plant. Compounds 3, 9 and 11 were isolated from the genus Artemisia for the first time. This paper is the first report on the presence of compound 10 in species of Asteraceae. In addition, the chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was summarized.     

扑草净对远志幼苗根系活力及氧化胁迫的影响

以远志(Polygala tenuifolia Willd.)为材料,应用组织化学和生物化学的方法研究不同浓度扑草净(0—400 mg/L)对远志幼苗生长、根系活力、膜脂过氧化、活性氧含量及抗氧化酶活性等的影响。10 mg/L扑草净对远志幼苗根系活力、细胞膜完整性及活性氧的积累几乎无显著影响,而25—400 mg/L扑草净处理则显著增加活性氧的积累,明显抑制根系活力且破坏细胞膜完整性;上述结果进一步被膜脂过氧化、质膜完整性、活性氧产生(O.2-和H2O2)的非损伤组织化学染色所证明。远志幼苗可通过多种抗氧化酶(SOD、POD、CAT、APX等)和非酶抗氧化剂(如脯氨酸)的相互协调作用,清除低浓度扑草净胁迫诱发产生的活性氧,减轻对细胞的伤害。研究结果表明,发芽期是远志对扑草净处理的敏感时期,较为安全的扑草净临界浓度为10 mg/L;25mg/L扑草净处理即引起远志幼苗氧化胁迫和膜脂过氧化,使细胞膜的完整性受到破坏,根系活力下降,抑制了远志幼苗的生长发育。该研究为远志抗除草剂胁迫机制及其栽培过程中除草剂的安全合理使用提供理论依据。     

Phenolic compounds from the leaves and stem bark of Pseudospondias microcarpa (A. Rich.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae)

Phytochemical study of the leaves and the stem bark of Pseudospondias microcarpa (A. Rich.) Engl. afforded eight phenolic compounds: scopoletin (1), ferulic acid (2), isovitexin (3), rhoifolin (4), quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (5), justicialoside A (6), granduloside A (7) and pithecellobiumol B (8). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic means including 1D and 2D NMR and MS, and by comparison with previously reported data. This is the first report on the isolation of these compounds from the genus Pseudospondias. The chemotaxonomic significance of the isolated compounds within the family Anacardiaceae is discussed.     

Chemical components from Sambucus adnata wall

Sambucus adnata Wall. belongs to Caprifoliaceae family. Phytochemical investigation on the aerial parts of S. adnata led to the isolation and identification of 17 known compounds (1–17) including triterpenoids and sterols. Compounds 1 and 8 are isolated from Sambucus adnata for the first time, and it is the first report that compounds 2, 5–6, 9–10, 12–15, and 17 are isolated from the plants of genus Sambucus. Importantly, three types of abundant components: (3β)-urs-12-en-3-yl stearate (0.33 g/kg, ursane type), (3β)-olean-12-en-3-yl stearate (0.17 g/kg, oleanane type), and lupenyl palmitate (0.52 g/kg, lupinane type) could be used as potential chemotaxonomic markers to distinguish among species of Sambucus.     

Biflavonoids from Fumana procumbens (Dunal) Gren. & Godr

The first phytochemical investigation on the aerial parts of Fumana procumbens (Dunal) Gren. & Godr. led to the isolation and identification of six compounds, including two biflavonoids, i.e. dihydrodaphnodorin B (1) and daphnodorin B (2); three flavonoids, i.e. quercitrin (3), myricitrin (4), and quercetin (5); and a flavan derivative, i.e. epigallocatechin (6). The structures of the compounds were elucidated by extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic analysis in combination with MS experiments. This is the first report on the isolation of biflavonoids from the genus Fumana and from the family Cistaceae.     

Two new substituted polychiral 5, 6-dihydro-α-pyrones from Orthosiphon diffusus and molecular docking studies

Chemical investigation on Orthosiphon diffusus lead to isolation of two new substituted polychiral 5, 6-dihydro-α-pyrones, orthodiffenes E-F (5-6) which were characterized from the detailed studies of their 1D and 2D NMR spectra. Isolated molecules orthodiffenes E-F (5-6) along with previously isolated, reported orthodiffene A-D (1-4) molecules were subjected to in silico studies and analysed for anticancer target Topoisomerse I-B − DNA complex. Orthodiffene D and E are giving noteworthy observations while all isolated molecules are showing a pattern of binding in active pocket similar to each other however, different from Camptothecin, an anticancer agent. Orthodiffene A-C have comparable cytotoxicity to Camptothecin, which we have earlier reported.     

Indanone and mellein derivatives from the Garcinia-derived fungus Xylaria sp. PSU-G12

Two new compounds, one indanone (1) and one mellein (2), along with 3-hydroxy-4-methyl-1-indanone (3), griseofulvin (4), dechlorogriseofulvin (5), cytochalasin D (6) and three mellein derivatives (7–9) were isolated from the broth extract of the Garcinia-derived fungus Xylaria sp. PSU-G12. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. This is the first report on the isolation of indanone derivatives from the genus Xylaria. The isolated compounds were evaluated for antioxidant activity in DPPH assay.     

Chemical constituents from Saussurea licentiana Hand.-Mazz

Chemical investigation of Saussurea licentiana led to the isolation of ten compounds, and their structures were identified to be dia-aurantiamide acetate (1), (+)-pinoresinol 4-O-β-D-glucoside (2), encelin (3), apigenin (4), luteolin (5), jaceosidin (6), luteolin -7-O-β-D- glucopyranoside (7), α-amyrin (8), β-amyrin (9), taraxasterol (10) on the basis of mass and NMR spectra. This is the first report on the occurrence of compounds 1, and 2 in the genus Saussurea while 1 is reported for the first time from Asteraceae. This work also represents the first phytochemical work on the whole plants of S. licentiana.     

Chemical constituents from Chonemorpha griffithii

Chemical investigation of the aerial part of Chonemorpha griffithii has led to the isolation of 20 compounds, comprising six lignans (1–6), six triterpenoids (7–12), four phenolic acids (13–16), two flavonoids (17 and 18), one cyclitol (19) and one aliphatic acid (20). Among them, 5′-methoxy-7′-oxomatairesinol (1) was identified to be a new lignan. It is the first report of the presence of those compounds in this genus. Two 24-methyl-29-norcycloartane triterpenoids (10 and 11) were considered as the chemotaxonomic markers for the species C. griffithii.     

Chemical constituents from the rare mushroom Calvatia nipponica inhibit the promotion of angiogenesis in HUVECs

Calvatia species, also known as puffball mushrooms, are common sources of food worldwide. Calvatia nipponica (Agaricaceae) is one of the most rare species in the Calvatia genus. It was first validated in 2008. Due to its scarcity, C. nipponica has never been chemically investigated. Its recent discovery in Korea allowed to conduct this study, and using bioactivity-guided fractionation for antiangiogenic activity, chemical investigation of the MeOH extract of the fruiting bodies of C. nipponica led to the isolation of five alkaloids (1–5) and two phenolic compounds (6–7). This is the first study to report the chemical investigation of C. nipponica, and compound 1 was previously reported as chemically synthesized only until our report of its isolation and identification from natural sources. The structure of 1 was determined by spectroscopic analysis by 1D and 2D NMR spectra and HR-MS. All compounds (1–7) were tested for inhibition of angiogenesis using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Compounds 2, 4 and 5 significantly inhibited the promotion of angiogenesis in HUVECs. Compound 5 showed the most potent inhibition via downregulation of VEGF, p38 and ERK signaling pathways. These results suggested that the rare mushroom C. nipponica might be beneficial in antiangiogenesis therapy for cancer treatment.