Lectins from latices of Euphorbia and Elaeophorbia species

Crude latex sera from 17 members of the genus Euphorbia and from Elaeophorbia drupifera (Euphorbiaceae) contained a wide range of agglutinating abilities. Homogeneous lectins were isolated from latices of Euphorbia coerulescens, E. hermentiana, E. lactea, E. lactea cristata, E. lathyris, E. trigona and Elaeophorbia drupifera. The M,s of the lectins ranged from 60 to 67 000, and the unit weights from 27 to 38 000. pI measurements showed that each latex contained from five to 13 isolectins. The amino acid compositions of the seven lectins were determined: those from E. hermentiana, E. lactea, E. lactea cristata, E. trigona and Elaeophorbia drupifera are related.     

Isolation and characterization of proteases from Euphorbia lactea and Euphorbia lactea cristata

Latex from E. lactea yielded three homogeneous proteases, euphorbains, 1a₁, 1a₂ and 1a₃ with M_r of 66 k, 44 k and 33 k respectively. Euphorbains 1a₁ and 1a₃ had unique pIs of, in order, 7.0 and 4.5, while 1a₂ comprised three charged forms with pIs ranging from 5.0 to 6.4. From the latex of E. lactea cristata a single proteolytic euphorbain 1c was isolated which had an M_r of 70 000 and five pIs between 5.0 and 8.0. Euphorbains 1a₁ and 1c have similar substrate specificities which are different from those of 1a₂ and 1a₃. Euphorbains 1a₁, 1a₂ and 1c are serine-centred enzymes with vital histidine residues, and the latter protease is activated by Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺.     

Laticifers and the classification of Euphorbia: the chemotaxonomy of Euphorbia esula L.

Laticifers and the classification of Euphorbia: the chemotaxonomy of Euphorbia esula L. Articulated and non-articulated laticifer cells represent distinctive cell types of relatively recent origin and occur in only a few families. Both types are of separate phylogenetic origin, reflecting independent evolutionary trends in the Euphorbiaceae. Supra-generic groupings of this family can be segregated into three taxonomic units using the laticifer character; with either articulated laticifers, non-articulated laticifers, or no laticifers. Such units may reflect more natural assemblages than now represented in the classification of this family. Laticifers possess chemical and morphological features of potential application as taxonomic characters to aid in delimiting species and interpreting evolutionary trends. The triterpenoid profile from latex of Euphorbia species has been shown to be diagnostic for a taxon. The qualitative and quantitative composition show a high level of stability under diverse environmental and physiological conditions indicating a genetic basis for triterpenoid synthesis. Triterpenoid profiles of known accessions of European E. esula L. and related presumptive taxa from North America readily separated them into distinctive chemotaxa that include one for E. esula L., whereas morphological features were found inadequate for separating accessions to presumptive taxa. Identification of adventive spurges in North America requires diagnostic analyses of Eurasian leafy spurges for comparison. Laticifer characters used in conjunction with relevant morphological features will provide a broadened insight into phylogenetic relationships with the Euphorbiaceae.     

Problems of distinction among succulent Euphorbia species from eastern tropical Africa

Problems of distinction among succulent Euphorbia species from eastern tropical Africa. Identification of herbarium specimens of succulent Euphorbia species is especially difficult due to distortion of important characters upon drying. Problems encountered in collecting and preserving material result in poor representation in the herbarium, and true variation and distribution of closely related taxa are thus often established only from field studies. These problems are exposed and some solutions given in four groups of species from east and northeast Africa: the non-spiny E. schimperi-nubica group, the single-spined E. triaculeata group, the shrubby E. heterochroma-stapfii group and the tree E. nyikae-kibwezensis group.     

Cytotoxic Diterpenoids from Euphorbia fischeriana

Five new diterpenoids, named euphorfischerins A–E, were isolated from the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana. Their chemical structures and absolute configurations were determined by interpretation of NMR, HR-ESI-MS, ECD and X-ray diffraction data. Euphorfischerin A showed cytotoxicity against the human cancer cell lines HeLa, H460 and Namalwa with IC₅₀ values of 4.6, 11.5 and 16.4 μM, respectively, while euphorfischerin B gave comparable IC₅₀ values of 9.5, 17.4 and 13.3 μM against the three cancer cell lines, respectively.     

New species of Euphorbia subgenus Tirucalli (Euphorbiaceae) from Somalia and Oman

A small shrub, Euphorbia bariensis related to E. arbuscula , a sturdy shrub, E. pachyclada related to E. consobrina and E. nubica , and one with conspicuous bracts, E. papilionum related to E. cameronii , are described as distinctive new endemic-species from northeast Somalia. A new endemic, E. dhofarensis related to E. larica , is also described from the Dhofar region of Oman.     

Jatrophane diterpenoids from Fructus Euphorbia sororia

Fructus Euphorbia sororia is a widely used traditional medicine in China. Six new jatrophane-type diterpenoids (compounds 1–6) were isolated from Fructus E. sororia. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (IR, ESI-MS, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR).     

A new arborescent Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) from northern Somalia

Euphorbia spissa, sp. nov., a tree known from a single population on a rocky limestone slope in northern Somalia, is described and illustrated. The species is compared with the widespread E. tirucalli, as well as with E. cameronii and E. bariensis (endemics in Somalia), E. arbuscula (endemic on Socotra), and E. uzmuk (endemic in northern Yemen).     

Tumor promoting diterpenes from Euphorbia leuconeura L.

Diterpene esters of the phorbol and ingenol types are known to be highly active tumor promoting agents that typically occur in members of the Euphorbiaceae. In the present work, Euphorbia leuconeura, a rare indoor plant, is analyzed for its tumor promoting potential. Latex as well as total leaf extracts exhibited Epstein-Barr-virus (EBV) inducing activity comparable to 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-O-acetate, a well known tumor promoter. The activity of individual fractions correlated with their ingenol ester content. Three ingenol esters with EBV inducing activity could be isolated and identified. They belong to the milliamine type of diterpene esters that contain aromatic peptidyl groups. Two of them (milliamines L and M) are already known from E. milii. The third compound is identified as an isomer of milliamine F with a novel 3,20-diester arrangement. The data show a close relationship between E. leuconeura and the more popular indoor plant E. milii whose latex is also used as a powerful molluscicide.     

New herbaceous and woody species of Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) from Somalia

A small prostrate herb, Euphorbia salsicola , a woody shrublet with curious tubers, E. scatorhiza , and a small tree with decorative bracts, E. thulinii , are described as new species of Euphorbia. Within subgenus Lyciopsis the morphological variability of E. cuneata in Somalia is discussed and a new subspecies cretacea is described. E. gypsophila , a closely related but distinct species found only on gypsum is also described as new, together with E. dunensis , a shrublet from the coastal dunes and E. tripartita , another shrub in the same subgenus related to E. matabelensis. As far as present records show, all the new taxa are endemic in Somalia.     

大戟内生菌的抑菌活性及其与宿主相关性研究

为了开发利用药用植物的内生菌资源,以大戟和其内生真菌作为材料,以一株乌桕来源的内生菌作为对照,研究自身具有抑菌作用的药用植物的内生菌在抑菌作用上和宿主的相关性.结果表明,大戟内生菌镰刀菌E5有抑制宿主受试病原菌的作用,并在活植物体内表现出对受试病原菌的拮抗作用;其抑菌能力受宿主成分刺激而加强,而宿主成分对受试病原菌无抑制作用,乌桕来源的内生菌链隔孢S12无抑制受试病原菌的作用.内生菌E5需要在氧气充足条件下培养才能产生抑菌作用,抑菌活性最大产生时间和生物量最大值不同时出现.内生菌E5的抑菌能力受到pH、温度、紫外线影响.大戟内生菌E以上特点,体现了其与宿主之间的互惠共生关系.     

New cerebrosides from Euphorbia peplis L.: antimicrobial activity evaluation

The less polar fraction of the methanolic extract from the plant Euphorbia peplis L. exhibited interesting antifungal and antitubercular activity. A complex mixture of four glucocerebrosides was responsible for this activity. Two new cerebrosides were isolated for the first time from Euphorbiaceae, 4 was assigned as 1-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(2S,3S,4E,8E)-2N-[(2'R)-2'-hydroxy-hexadecanoyl]-4 (E), 8 (E)-octadecadiene-1,3-diol and 3 as the 1-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(2S,3S,4R,8Z)-2N-[(2'R)-2'-hydroxytetracosanoyl]-8 (Z)-octadecene-1,3,4-triol. The structures were determined on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidences. Mass spectrometry of dimethyl disulfide derivatives was useful for the determination of the double-bond positions in the long-chain bases.     

Chemical constituents of Euphorbia peplus

Phytochemical investigation of the whole plant of Euphorbia peplus Linn. led to the isolation of previously uncharacterized jatrophane type diterpenoid euphopepluanone L (1), along with seven known compounds, including three diterpenes (2–4), three bisnorsesquiterpenes (5–7), and a monoterpene (8). Their chemical structures were established based on extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 3 (20-deoxyingenol) and 5–8 were firstly isolated from E. peplus, while PBI 345 (5) reported from the genus for the first time. Furthermore, the chemotaxonomic significance of the isolates was discussed.     

New pair-spined species of Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) from Somalia

Eighteen new species of Euphorbia subgenus Euphorbia are described and their relationships discussed. All are endemic to Somalia, with limited distributions in the northern Regions. One, E. phillipsioides , has been identified mistakenly for some time as E. phillipsiae , which is shown to be conspecific with E. golisana. E. xylacantha , considered by N. E. Brown to be synonymous with E. monacantha , is reinstated as a distinct but variable species.     

Chemical constituents of cultured cells of Euphorbia tirucalli and E. millii

We induced calluses from two Euphorbia species and analyzed the lipids and pigments of their cells. Growth was promoted when malt extract was added to the medium for callus induction. The lipid constituents of both E. tirucalli and E. millii calluses were the same; sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, palmitic acid and linoleic acid. In addition, an anthocyanin, cyanidin glycoside, was isolated from callus that had been induced from E. millii leaves cultured on medium containing 0.1 ppm 2,4-d.     

Parallelism in hill activity and anthocyanidin content in Euphorbia pulcherrima

Pigment compositions and Hill activities of red-leafy bracts, red-green leaves and green leaves of E. pulcherrima were studied. Interestingly enough, the chloroplasts from anthocyanidin-containing leaves are intrinsically more active than those from green leaves.     

霸王鞭乙酸乙酯部分化学成分研究

为了研究霸王鞭(Euphorbia royleana Boiss.)的化学成分及其卤虫致死活性,采用正相硅胶柱色谱、Sephadex LH-20凝胶柱色谱及半制备型高效液相色谱等方法从霸王鞭甲醇提取物的乙酸乙酯萃取部位中分离得到15个化合物。通过现代波谱学技术鉴定它们的结构分别为5(6)-guten-3α-ol(1)、蒲公英赛醇(2)、异蒲公英赛醇(3)、熊果酸(4)、齐墩果酸(5)、1-羟基-3,7,8-三甲氧基黄酮(6)、甲基獐牙菜素(7)、槲皮素(8)、胡萝卜苷(9)、β-谷甾醇(10)、豆甾醇(11)、香草醛(12)、十二烷醇(13)、植物醇(14)、1-[(12 E,16 E)-12,16-二十碳二烯酰基]-2-[(E,E)-7,11-十八碳二烯酰基]-3-硬脂酰基甘油(15)。化合物1、3、4、5、6、7、12、13、14和15均首次从该植物中分离得到。对所得到的化合物进行了卤虫致死活性研究,发现化合物4表现出较强卤虫致死活性,其LD₅₀为7.687μM。     

Development of Diagnostic Microscopic and Chemical Markers of Some Euphorbia Latexes

The latexes of the three Euphorbia species, namely E. antiquorum L., E. nerifolia L., and E. tirucalli L., are highly valued in the Indian system of medicine as purgatives, in addition to their specific and distinct therapeutic activities. In order to distinguish these latexes and develop their diagnostic microscopic and chemical markers, we performed extensive chemical and microscopic studies. The three latexes differ significantly in their microscopic features by exhibiting characteristic starch grain patterns. Although amoebic structures were found to be characteristic of E. antiquorum, dumb-bell and oval structures are characteristic of E. nerifolia and E. tirucalli, respectively. In addition, these latexes showed bone-shaped structures as a common feature, but these differed considerably in their length （10-60, 30-55, and 50-70 μm in length in E. antiquorum, E. nerifolia, and E. tirucalli, respectively）. The chemical markers nerifoliene and euphol were found to be common to both E. antiquorum and E. nerifolia, whereas euphol is the only marker for E. tirucalli. A reverse-phase high-performance thin-layer chromatographic （HPTLC） method was developed to distinguish these three latexes and to generate their standard fingerprinting patterns. Most significantly, the markers nerifoliene and euphol could be resolved by RP-18 F254s precoated aluminium plates and the latexes have been quantitatively estimated with respect to these markers. The developed microscopic, chemical and HPTLC patterns can be used to distinguish the three latexes.     

药用植物大戟的快速繁殖研究

以野生大戟为材料,探讨了大戟茎尖扦插繁殖和组织培养等快速繁殖技术的条件。结果表明:大戟茎 尖扦插繁殖,其成活率可以达到88.6%,用含有腋芽的茎在MS培养基上培养,发芽比例可以达到55%;用愈 伤组织诱导生芽,最高可以达到12%。嫩芽在不含激素的1/2MS培养基中培养,生根率达到47.1%。幼苗 接种本源的或同科外源植物5株内生真菌,比较其生长表明,接种大戟来源的两株内生真菌全苗重分别达到 对照的1.51和2.08倍,根重达到对照的2.09和3.68倍,最有利于宿主生长。     

Sphingolipids with neuritogenic activity from Euphorbia sororia

Two groups of sphingolipids 1 and 2 were isolated from the aerial parts of Euphorbia sororia. On the basis of spectroscopic data, chemical methods and GC-MS analysis, the structures of 1 and 2 were characterized as 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3S,4R,8Z)-2-[(2'R)-2'-hydroxydocosanoyl approximately hexacosanoyl, octacosanoyl amino]-1,3,4-octadecanetriol-8-ene and (2S,3S,4R,8E)-2-[(2'R)-2'-hydroxyeicosanoyl approximately hexacosanoyl amino]-1,3,4-octadecanetriol-8-ene, respectively. Both of them exhibited marked neuritogenic activity on the rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line.