Chemical composition and biological activity of the essential oils of Senecio aegyptius var. discoideus Boiss

The essential oil of Senecio aegyptius var. discoideus flowers, leaves, stems and roots were isolated by hydrodistillation. Analysis of the oils by capillary GLC and GLC-mass spectrometry were performed and 34 out of 37 compounds were identified. The main component was isolated and characterized as 1,10-epoxyfuranoeremophilane using a combination of GLC, GLC-MS, and NMR analyses. The oils of flowers, leaves and stems were rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons while the root oil mainly contains furanoeremophilanes. Flower and leaf volatile oils showed significant level of antifungal activity against C. albicans, moderate effect against Gram positive bacteria, however, it has weak activity against Gram negative bacteria. The isolated sesquiterpene (1,10-epoxyfuranoeremophilane) exhibited substantial inhibitory activity against Gram negative bacteria.     

High-resolution gas-chromatographic analysis of the secondary metabolites obtained by subcritical-fluid extraction from Colombian rue (Ruta graveolens L.)

Subcritical (CO(2)) extraction, carried out in a J&W Scientific High Pressure Soxhlet Extractor, was used to isolate secondary metabolites from leaves, flowers, stems and roots of Colombian rue (Ruta graveolens L.). The various extracts were analyzed by capillary chromatography, on an HP-5 (30 m) column, using nitrogen-phosphorus, flame ionization, and mass selective detection systems. Kováts indexes and mass spectra (electron impact, 70 eV) were employed for compound identification. The extracts from the various parts of rue studied had different compositions. The number of compounds detected at concentrations above 0.01% (w/w) in the extracts from leaves, flowers, stems and roots, was 78, 45, 25 and 24, respectively. 2-Nonanone (8.9%), 2-undecanone (13.4%), chalepensin (13.0%), and geijerene (19.3%) were the main constituents found in the extracts from rue leaves, flowers, stems and roots, respectively. Furanocoumarins, furoquinolines, hydrocarbons and benzodioxol derivatives were the main compound families found in all extracts, at total concentrations between 3.7 and 33.9%, depending on the part of the plant. The extraction method used has low environmental impact and produced solvent-free extracts in good yield with no pigments, waxes, resins, or high-molecular weight compounds which may interfere with the isolation and analysis of the alkaloids responsible for rue's biological activity, which were extracted in relatively high yield.     

In vitro organogenesis and alkaloid accumulation in Datura innoxia

The kinetics of tropane alkaloids accumulation in different organs such as roots, leaves, stems, flowers and seeds of Datura innoxia was investigated by GC-MS. Twenty-six tropane alkaloids were detected. The ester derivatives of tropine (3alpha-tigloyloxytropine and 3-tigloyloxy-6-hydroxytropine) are the major compounds. Undifferentiated callus were established from the stem explants of Datura innoxia using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplied with 6-benzylaminopurine (BA, 1 mg l(-10) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA, 0.5 mg l(-1)) in combination for 6 weeks. Callus differentiation was initiated by subculture onto solid MS medium, free from hormones, for more than 10 months. Initially, shoots were formed after four weeks from subculture. Further subculturing in basal MS medium without growth regulators initiated the rooting of a shooty callus after 6 weeks. Investigation of the alkaloid content of the unorganized and organized callus revealed that callus (either green or brown) yielded only trace amounts of alkaloids. On the other hand, re-differentiated shoots contained mainly scopolamine while re-differentiated roots biosynthesized hyoscyamine as the main alkaloid.     

Characterization of volatile constituents of Scaligeria tripartita and studies on the antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from stems and leaves, fruits and roots of Scaligeria tripartita oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 38 compounds were identified ranging 89-94% of the oil samples. Geijerene was found as a main compound in the oils of the stems and leaves (37%) and fruits (55%), whereas epoxypseudoisoeugenol angelate (37%) was found as a main compound in the root oil. Oils were subsequently evaluated for their antimalarial, antimicrobial against human pathogenic bacteria or fungi and antifungal activities against plant pathogens. Antifungal activity of Scaligeria oils was observed against the strawberry anthracnose-causing fungal plant pathogens Colletotrichum acutatum, C. fragariae and C. gloeosporioides using the direct overlay bioautography assay. Chemotaxonomically important pure compounds indicated in the bioautography assay were subsequently evaluated in a 96-well microdilution broth assay. The performance of overpressured layer chromatography (OPLC) and TLC for the analysis of Scaligeria essential oils was also compared.     

灯盏花内生真菌多样性、群落结构及生态功能预测

【背景】灯盏花(Erigeron breviscapus)是国内知名的传统中药材，但关于灯盏花内生真菌多样性、群落结构和生态功能研究报道比较缺乏。【目的】探究灯盏花不同药用部位内生真菌多样性、群落结构组成及生态功能。【方法】采用ITS序列的高通量测序技术对比研究云南道地药材灯盏花根、茎、叶和花的内生菌群落结构及生物多样性差异，并利用FUNGuild数据库预测真菌群落生态功能。【结果】12个样品共获得540个操作分类单元(operational taxonomic unit, OTU)，分属于5个门22个纲55个目114个科188个属。4个不同药用部位共有的OTU数目仅占14.45%，以根部独有OTU最多。各组织均以子囊菌门和担子菌门为优势菌门；其中，根部以子囊菌门为主，花部位以担子菌门为主。亚隔孢壳属(Didymella)为灯盏花植物的核心属，在各组织中均有分布；其余优势属尚有线黑粉菌属(Filobasidium)、Cystofilobasidium、织球壳属(Plectosphaerella)，灯盏花4个组织中优势属和特有属分布各不相同。α多样性分析表明，根部内生真菌丰度显著高于其他组织，但多样性方面组织差异不明显。PCoA结果表明，根部菌落结构相对独立，而叶与茎中菌落结构较为相似。利用FUNGuild数据库分析发现，腐生真菌在各组织中占比较高，并含有大量未知功能菌群。【结论】灯盏花不同药用部位内生真菌群落组成存在明显差异，具有组织偏好。以上研究完善了灯盏花内生真菌资源的生物信息，为灯盏花内生真菌资源的开发利用提供了理论依据。     

Production of caffeic,chlorogenic and rosmarinic acids in plants and suspension cultures of Glechoma hederacea

Glechoma hederacea L. (Lamiaceae) is a perennial plant, which is distributed widely in Europe, Asia and America. Important anti-oxidant compounds are caffeic acid esters like rosmarinic acid (RA) and chlorogenic acid (CA). Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and rosmarinic acid synthase (RAS, 4-coumaroyl-CoA:hydroxyphenyllactic acid hydroxycinnamoyltransferase) contribute to the formation of RA. Our aim in this study was to follow the accumulation of RA, CA and caffeic acid in a suspension culture of G. hederacea. Growth, medium and secondary metabolism parameters were determined during a culture period of 14 days. The maximal PAL activity was observed on day 5 and the maximal RAS activity on day 8. The RA content was exceedingly high and reached 25.9% of the dry mass on day 7. Caffeic acid and CA contents remained rather low. Furthermore, the presence of RA, CA and caffeic acid and the expression patterns of RAS and hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:shikimate hydroxycinnamoyltransferase (HST), an important enzyme of monolignol formation, in leaves, flowers, stems and roots of naturally grown G. hederacea were assessed. The expression of RAS and HST genes was detectable in all organs except roots. Flowers accumulated 12.5% RA in their dry mass, leaves, stems and roots about 1%. CA was highest in leaves (2.0%), while it was at 1.6% in flowers, 1.3% in stems and almost undetectable in roots. The caffeic acid content remained at or below 0.4% of the dry weight in all organs.     

Volatiles from different organs of Unxia camphorata L. f. growing wild in the Amazon

The essential oils obtained from fresh leaves, flowers, roots and stems of Unxia camphorata collected in the rainy and dry seasons in the state of Pará, were examined by GC and GC/MS. The highest oil yields were observed from the samples collected at the dry season (flowers: 0.6%, leaves: 0.6%, stems: 0.3%, roots: 0.4%). All parts of the plant were rich in α-phellandrene, with non-significant changes during the rainy and dry seasons (flowers: 61.9–53.7%, leaves: 18.3–17.4%, stems: 68.3–72.8%, roots: 51.9–48.3%). In the leaf oil, the monoterpenoid camphor was the largest component (rainy season: 28.5%, dry season: 28.8%). In the leaf oil, the high amount of α-phellandrene was followed by methylthymol (rainy season: 14.1%, dry season: 13.1%). Depending on the plant part studied, these oils can be characterized by α-phellandrene, camphor/α-phellandrene/camphene, or α-phellandrene/methylthymol type.     

Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Different Organs of Potentilla fruticosa L. from Two Main Production Areas of China

This report compared the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of the leaves, flowers, and stems of Potentilla fruticosa L. collected from two main production areas of P. R. China (Taibai Mountains and the Qinghai Huzhu Northern Mountains). The results indicated that there were significant differences in the phenol contents and antioxidant activities among the different organs and between the two productions. High‐performance liquid‐chromatography analysis indicated that hyperoside, (+)‐catechin, ellagic acid, and rutin were the primary compounds in leaves and flowers; for stems, the content of six phenolic compounds, from two productions, were the lowest. The 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) di‐ammonium salt (ABTS), ferric reducing power (FRAP), lipid peroxidation assays, and microbial test system (MTS) were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. The results demonstrated that the leaves from two productions exhibited powerful antioxidant activity than other organs, which did not significantly differ from that of the positive control (rutin), followed by the flowers and stems. The correlation between the content of phytochemicals and the antioxidant activities of different organs showed that the total phenol, tannin, hyperoside, and (+)‐catechin contents may influence the antioxidant activity, and these compounds can be used as markers for the quality control of P. fruticosa.     

Steviol Glycoside Content in Different Organs of Stevia rebaudiana and Its Dynamics during Ontogeny

The contents of three major steviol glycosides (SGs) (stevioside and rebaudiosides A and C) in vegetative and generative organs during ontogeny of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni were analysed with HPLC. Plant organs contained different amounts of the SGs, which declined in the following order: leaves, flowers, stems, seeds, roots. The highest content of the SGs was found in upper young actively growing shoot sections, whereas lower senescent shoot sections exhibited the lowest amount of such compounds. During ontogeny a gradual increase in the SG content was observed in both mature stevia leaves and stems, and this process lasted up to the budding phase and the onset of flowering. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Volatile constituents of Aristolochia argentina

The essential oils from leaves, aerial stems and underground organs of Aristolochia argentina Gris., a medicinal plant popularly known as "charrúa", were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Forty-three components were identified in the oils. All parts of the plant afforded volatile oils characterized by high levels of argentilactone (57-89%) and the presence of undecatriene isomers (0.3-4.0%), these latter compounds providing the essential oils and extracts with an intense particular odor. Terpenes account for the remaining portion of the essential oils (5-29%). Bicyclogermacrene predominates in the aerial parts of the plant, whereas ishwarane is the main terpene of the subterranean organs. Argentilactone, a suspected carcinogenic compound, was also identified in a medicinal commercial tincture of A. argentina.     

Spatial and developmental expression of key genes of terpene biosynthesis in Tanacetum parthenium

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a medicinal plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. To improve understanding terpene metabolism in feverfew, the relative gene expression of four key genes coding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylcoenzyme A reductase (HMGR) and germacrene A synthase (GAS) from the mevalonic acid pathway (MVA), as well as 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR) and hydroxy-2-methyl-2-(E)-butenyl-4-diphosphate reductase (HDR) from the methyl erythritol phosphate pathway (MEP), were examined. Target organs and tissues included young leaves (not fully expanded), mature leaves (fully expanded), flowers, stems, roots, and glandular trichomes. HMGR, DXR, and HDR were isolated and sequenced for the first time in feverfew. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis revealed differential expression of these genes in feverfew tissues and developmental stages.     

Chemical analysis of the essential oil of Ferula glauca L. (Apiaceae) growing in Marche (central Italy)

Ferula glauca L. (Apiaceae), formerly believed a subspecies of Ferula communis L., but at the present considered a distinguishable species, was studied for the first time for volatiles from leaves, flowers, fruits and roots. The chemical analysis of the essential oil obtained from different populations growing in Marche (central Italy) was performed by GC-FID and GC–MS. The differences in composition detected between F. glauca and F. communis made the volatile fraction a reliable marker to distinguish between them, and confirmed the botanical data at the base of their discrimination. In particular, the oils obtained from leaves and roots, contained as major compounds (E)-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, myristicin and elemicin, that can be useful as marker components. Finally, the oils contained some daucane derivatives, that were detected also in F. communis and responsible for important biological properties.     

Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oils from Different Parts of Litsea cubeba

The composition of the essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of different parts of Litsea cubeba, including roots, stems, leaves, alabastra (flower buds), flowers, and fruits, were investigated by GC (RI) and GC/MS. The antimicrobial activity of the oils was assessed with disc diffusion and microbroth dilution assays. The results showed large variations in the composition among the different oils. The major components in the oils from roots and fruits, from stems, leaves, and alabastra, and from flowers were citral B (neral), β‐phellandrene, and β‐terpinene, respectively. The inhibition zone (DD) and MIC values for the bacterial strains tested, which were all sensitive to the essential oil of L. cubeba, were in the range of 10.1–35.0 mm and 100–1000 μg/ml, respectively. Hence, the oils of the various parts showed moderate activity against the tested bacteria. This investigation showed that the antibacterial activity of L. cubeba was attributed to the essential oils, thus they can be a potential medicinal resource.     

UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HR-MS-Based Metabolomics for Profiling the Sida rhombifolia Metabolites with Different Plant Organs and Cultivation Ages

Plant organs and cultivation ages can result in different compositions and concentration levels of plant metabolites. The metabolite profile of plants can be determined using liquid chromatography. This study determined the metabolite profiles of leaves, stems, and roots of Sida rhombifolia at different cultivation ages at 3, 4, and 5 months post-planting (MPP) using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The results identified that 41 metabolites in S. rhombifolia extract for all plant organs and cultivation ages. We successfully identified approximately 36 (leaves), 22 (stems), and 18 (roots) compounds in all extract. Using principal component analysis (PCA) with peak area as the variable, we clustered all sample extracts based on plant organs and cultivation ages. As a result of PCA, S. rhombifolia extracts were grouped according to plant organs and cultivation ages. In conclusion, a clear difference in the composition and concentration levels of metabolites was observed in the leaves, stems, and roots of S. rhombifolia harvested at 3-, 4-, and 5-MPP.     

盐胁迫下三色苋甜菜碱及有关酶含量的变化

三色苋(Amaranthus tricolor)不同器官中的甜菜碱(GB)含量显著不同.除子叶外,根、茎和叶的GB含量和茎、叶中的胆碱单加氧酶(CMO)含量都因300 mmol/L的NaCl处理而增加.甜菜碱醛脱氢酶(BADH)的表达无论盐处理与否在所有器官中都能检测到,其含量变化不大.当种子发芽时,具备合成GB的能力,CMO含量增加;在此之前未能检测到CMO,也不能合成GB.研究结果表明三色苋响应盐胁迫而合成GB的关键酶是CMO.     

一氧化氮参与盐胁迫下长春花酚类代谢的调控研究

为研究外源一氧化氮(NO)调控盐胁迫下长春花中酚类化合物的响应,采用液相色谱—质谱联用(LCMS)技术靶向分析梯度浓度硝普纳(SNP)处理对盐胁迫下长春花幼苗根、茎、花、叶4个部位中酚类化合物组分及含量水平的变化。结果共鉴定出L-苯丙氨酸和18种酚类物质,C6C1类5种、C6C3类5种、C6C3C6类8种,其中原儿茶酸、绿原酸、槲皮素在长春花根、茎、花、叶4个部位中均存在;不同浓度SNP处理后长春花不同部位酚类化合物响应积累明显不同,其中C6C1和C6C3小分子酚酸类化合物主要积累在根和茎中,C3C6C3类主要富集在花和叶中;L-苯丙氨酸在茎、叶中相对含量较高,盐胁迫下茎中含量显著升高,且随外源NO浓度增大呈下降趋势。外源NO影响盐胁迫下植物器官中酚类化合物的积累和变化,其中根和茎响应敏感,从种类和相对含量的角度,茎和叶更适合检测酚类化合物。     

拟南芥6个酪蛋白激酶基因的组织表达及其生物信息学分析

利用实时荧光定量PCR技术研究6个酪蛋白激酶基因在不同组织中的表达特性.结果表明:6个基因在各个器官中均有表达,但表达量不同.AT4G14340、AT3G23340、AT1G03930和AT3G03940基因在花中表达量最高,在根中其次,在茎、叶和叶柄中的表达量最低;A T1G04440和AT4G26100基因在根中的...     

Seasonal flux of isothiocyanate-yielding glucosinolates in roots, stems and leaves of Cardamine cordifolia

Concentrations of constituent isothiocyanate-yielding glucosinolates (IYG) declined seasonally in cauline leaves and stems of Cardamine cordifolia, sampled in montane Colorado. All five constituents (isopropyl, 2-butyl, isobutyl, benzyl and 2-phenyl-ethyl glucosinolates) were correlated positively with total concentration over the growing season. In contrast, no seasonal decline was discerned for total and constitutent IYG concentrations in roots and basal leaves, and constituents showed a mixed pattern of positive and negative correlations with total amount. Vegetative organs thus constitute two compartments relative to glucosinolate metabolism. In above-ground stems and associated cauline leaves, IYG concentrations decline individually and in concert over the growing season. In below-ground rhizomes and associated roots and basal leaves, individual compounds fluctuate in concentration, but in the aggregate do not decline seasonally. Metabolic fluxes of individual glucosinolates within and between vegetative organs, as well as changes in total concentrations, may influence feeding by herbivores.