Morphological and anatomical characteristics and taxonomical significance of achene micromorphology of Achillea phrygia and A. gypsicola (Asteraceae), endemic to Turkey

Micromorphological and anatomical characters of two Achillea L. species, A . phrygia Boiss. & Bal. and A. gypsicola Hub-Mor., which are endemic to Turkey, were investigated. It was observed that stem length, corymb width, number of capitula and median phyllary shape were diagnostic characters. In the anatomical studies, cross sections were taken from roots, stem and leaves. It was observed that roots of the investigated taxa had a secondary thickening. Endodermis and collenchyma layers were prominent in the stem of both taxa and they had a bifacial mesophyll while the layers of the mesophyll varied. Stomata were anomocytic in both species. We found that there was a significant difference in terms of width of epidermis cells and length of cortex cells in the root, epidermis width and length, collenchyma and parenchyma cells, endodermis length, diameter of trachea of stem, length of upper epidermis cells, width of lower epidermis cells, length of palisade parenchyma and spongy parenchyma cells, diameter of trachea and stomata length of leaf between the two taxa (p<0.05). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to describe the micromorphology of trichomes and achenes. In A. phrygia , long and eglandular trichomes were more dense on the stem and leaf epidermis. Achene micromorphological characteristics such as size, shape and achene coat were considered to be useful in separating the investigated species.     

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Artemisia absinthium L. (wormwood) and production of secondary metabolites

Hairy roots were obtained after infection of Artemisia absinthium shoots with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains 1855 and LBA 9402. The susceptibility to hairy root transformation varied between plant genotypes and bacterial strains. Hairy roots showed macroscopic differences from control root cultures. Southern blot hybridization confirmed the integration of T-DNA from both p1855 and pBin19, while polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated the presence of the neomycin phosphotransferase gene in the hairy root genome. Subcultured transformed root lines grew well in selective B5 agar-solidified medium containing kanamycin or rifampicin and without hormones. Shake-flask experiments with fast-growing root lines showed that 40 g l^–1 was the best sucrose concentration for biomass production, yielding a 463-fold increase in dry weight after 28 days of culture. Great differences were found in the profiles of the essential oils isolated from normal and hairy roots. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis showed the oil produced by transformed cultures to be a mixture of 50 compounds with only one major component representing 37% of the oil content. Received: 19 March 1996 / Revision received: 15 July 1996 / Accepted: 13 December 1996     

Chloroplast genome sequences of Artemisia maritima and Artemisia absinthium: Comparative analyses,mutational hotspots in genus Artemisia and phylogeny in family Asteraceae

Artemisia L. is a complex genus of medicinal importance. Publicly available chloroplast genomes of few Artemisia species are insufficient to resolve taxonomic discrepancies at species level. We report chloroplast genome sequences of two further Artemisia species: A. maritima (151,061 bp) and A. absinthium (151,193 bp). Both genomes possess typical quadripartite structure comprising of a large single copy, a small single copy and a pair of long inverted repeats. The two genomes exhibited high similarities in genome sizes, gene synteny, GC content, synonymous and non-synonymous substitutions, codon usage, amino acids frequencies, RNA editing sites, microsatellites, and oligonucleotide repeats. Transition to transversion ratio was <1. Maximum likelihood tree showed Artemisia a monophyletic genus, sister to genus Chrysanthemum. We also identified 20 highly polymorphic regions including rpoC2-rps2, trnR-UCU-trnG-UCC, rps18-rpl20, and trnL-UAG-rpl32 that could be used to develop authentic and cost-effective markers to resolve taxonomic discrepancies and infer phylogenetic relationships among Artemisia species.     

Isolation and Identification of a Senescence-promoting Substance from Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.)

The senescence-promoting substance of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) as detected by the oat (Avena sativa L. cv “Victory”) leaf assay has been identified as (−)-methyl jasmonate, methyl (1S, 2R)-3-oxo-2-(2′-cis-pentenyl)-cyclopentane-1-acetate, by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and optical rotatory dispersion. Its senescence-promoting effect was much stronger than that of abscisic acid, and even at such a low concentration as 1 to 2.5 micrograms per milliliter, it could completely eliminate the anti-senescence action of 2 micrograms per milliliter kinetin. Comparing the biological activity of the (−)- with the (±)-forms of methyl jasmonate, it seemed that only the (−)-form was biologically active.     

龙牙百合3个地方品种的形态特征及核型分析

采用经典测量和染色体常规压片法,对龙牙百合（Lilium brownii var.viridulum Baker）3个地方品种的形态特征及核型进行研究。植株形态分析结果显示：‘江西’龙牙的株高、开花口径、种球重量和周长、中外层鳞片重量和长度以及鳞片扦插产生小鳞茎数等指标均显著大于‘大叶’龙牙和‘平头’龙牙;‘大叶’龙牙的叶片最长,均值为14.54 cm。花粉、叶表皮气孔及鳞片淀粉粒的微形态特征分析结果显示：‘江西’龙牙的花粉粒径最大,均值达111.76 μm;‘平头’龙牙的叶表皮气孔最长,气孔密度也最大（约47.6个/mm²）;‘大叶’龙牙的淀粉粒径最大,均值为47.61 μm;‘江西’龙牙的淀粉粒大小分布更集中,差异性小。染色体核型分析结果显示：龙牙百合3个品种的染色体数目均为2n=2x=24,为二倍体,其中‘江西’龙牙核型公式为2n=2x=24=2m（2SAT）+6sm（2SAT）+12st（4SAT）+4t;‘平头’龙牙核型公式为2n=2x=24=4m+8sm+10st（4SAT）+2t;‘大叶’龙牙核型公式为2n=2x=24=2m（2SAT）+6sm+14st（4SAT）+2t,三者核型均为3B型。     

Steroid-sparing effect of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) in Crohn's disease: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.

In this double-blind study carried out at five sites in Germany, 40 patients suffering from Crohn's disease receiving a stable daily dose of steroids at an equivalent of 40 mg or less of prednisone for at least 3 weeks were administered a herbal blend containing wormwood herb (3×500 mg/day) or a placebo for 10 weeks. Besides steroids, 5-aminosalicylates, if dose remained constant for at least 4 weeks prior to entering the trial and/or azathioprine, stable dose for at least 8 weeks, or methotrexate, stable dose for at least 6 weeks, were permitted as concomitant medications. The recruited 40 patients – 20 in each treatment group, were evaluated with the help of a Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) questionnaire, an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), the 21-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and an 8-item Visual Analogue Scale (VA-Scale) in 2-week intervals during the first 10 study weeks, and then at week 12, 16 and 20, which were the trial-medication free observation periods. The initial stable dose of steroids was maintained until week 2, after that a defined tapering schedule was started so that at the start of week 10 all the patients were free of steroids. At the end of week 10 the trial medication was also discontinued. The concomitant medications were maintained at the same dose levels till the end of the observation period that was the end of week 20.There was a steady improvement in CD symptoms in 18 patients (90%) who received wormwood in spite of tapering of steroids as shown by CDA-Index, IBDQ, HAMD, and VAS. After 8 weeks of treatment with wormwood there was almost complete remission of symptoms in 13 (65%) patients in this group as compared to none in the placebo group. This remission persisted till the end of the observation period that was week 20, and the addition of steroids was not necessary. In two (10%) patients did the re-starting of corticoids become necessary? On the other hand, the CD conditions of the patients who received the placebo deteriorated after the tapering of steroids, and re-starting steroids became necessary in 16 (80%) patients in this group after week 10. These results strongly suggest that wormwood has a steroid sparing effect. The improvements in HAMD scores indicate that wormwood also has an effect on the mood and quality of life of CD patients, which is not achieved by other standard medications.     

Comparison of the effects of Artemisia vulgaris and Artemisia absinthium growing in western Anatolia against trichinellosis (Trichinella spiralis) in rats

Trichinellosis often causing diarrhea and more rarely fever, periorbital edema and myositis in human, is commonly treated with benzimidazole derivatives. The Artemisia genus has been found to be effective against a variety of parasites. In the present study, the efficacy against trichinellosis (Trichinella spiralis) of Artemisia vulgaris and Artemisia absinthium was examined for the first time in rats. The results of trichinoscopy and artificial digestion, during the enteral (adult) phase of the illness show that 300 mg/kg doses of methanol extracts of the aerial parts of A. vulgaris and A. absinthium reduced the larval rate by 75.6% and 63.5% in tongue, 53.4% and 37.7% in diaphragm, 67.8% and 46.2% in quadriceps, and 66.7% and 60.5% in biceps-triceps muscles of rats, respectively. Furthermore, during the parenteral (encapsulated larvae) phase, 600 mg/kg doses of A. vulgaris and A. absinthium extracts decreased the larval rate by 66.4% and 59.9% in tongue, 57.4% and 50.0% in diaphragm, 47.6% and 43.7% in quadriceps, 60.2% and 46.4% in biceps-triceps muscles of rats, respectively. Analysis of antibody also showed that A. vulgaris significantly reduced the antibody response (P < 0.05) during the enteral and parenteral phases. Thus, the results of the present study revealed that A. vulgaris could be an alternative drug against trichinellosis.     

A new variety of a thermophilic mold,Thermoascus aurantiacus var. levisporus

A member of a new thermophilic taxon, isolated from the soil from the Republic of Honduras, is described as Thermoascus aurantiacus var. levisporus var. nov. The anamorph consists of terminal and thick-walled conidia, similar to those in Thermoascus aurantiacus Miehe. The peridium consists of a more or less uniform layer of pseudoparenchymatous cells. Ascospores are smooth and thick-walled. Its optimum temperature for growth is 49–50 ° C and it grows best at pH 3.5–4.0.     

In vitro evaluation of antileishmanial activity and toxicity of essential oils of Artemisia absinthium and Echinops kebericho

Potential toxicity, costs, and drug‐resistant pathogens necessitate the development of new antileishmanial agents. Medicinal and aromatic plants constitute a major source of natural organic compounds. In this study, essential oils of Artemisia absinthium L. and Echinops kebericho Mesfin were investigated by GC and GC/MS analyses. Isolated oils were screened for antileishmanial activity against two Leishmania strains (L. aethiopica and L. donovani), and toxicity on the human monocytic leukemia (THP‐1) cell line and red blood cells in vitro. GC/MS Analysis revealed 65 compounds (93.74%) for Artemisia absinthium and 43 compounds (92.85%) for Echinops kebericho oil. The oils contained the oxygenated monoterpene camphor (27.40%) and the sesquiterpene lactone dehydrocostus lactone (41.83%) as major constituents, respectively. Both oils showed activity against promastigote (MIC 0.0097–0.1565 μl/ml) and axenic amastigote forms (EC₅₀ 0.24–42.00 nl/ml) of both leishmania species. Weak hemolytic effect was observed for both oils, showing a slightly decreased selectivity index (SI 0.8–19.2) against the THP‐1 cell line. Among the two oils tested, E. kebericho exerted strong antileishmanial activity that was even higher than that of amphotericin B with significant cytotoxicity. This study, therefore, demonstrated the potential use of both oils as source of novel agents for the treatment of leishmaniasis.     

Morphological variability of the diatom Cyclotella atomus Hustedt var. atomus and C. atomus var. gracilis var. nov.

Cyclotella atomus collected from different rivers, reservoirs and lakes shows considerable morphological variability. On the basis of electronmicroscopic (EM) study, we propose Cyclotella atomus var. gracilis Genkal et Kiss as a new variety of this species. Cyclotella atomus var. atomus has short and long radial striae, which are irregularly arranged on the same valve, and the alveolar chambers are not clearly divided from the central, hyaline part of the valve face. In addition to the described basic form, several specimens with other features have also been found and are thought to belong to an undescribed variety. The striae of the new variety are equal in length, and the alveolar chambers are clearly divided from the hyaline central area of the valve face by a curved structure.There are EM micrographs on Cyclotella atomus var. gracilis under different names in different papers. The new variety has several characteristics also found in other species, e.g. Cyclotella caspia Grun., or C. meneghiniana Kütz.     

Morphological and anatomical features of Cuscuta pedicellata and C. campestris

Observations on morphological and anatomical features of Cuscuta pedicellata and, to a lesser extent, C. campestris have been made at different stages of their life-cycles. The seedling is filiform with a bulbous radicular end which collapses early. The simple shoot apex is green and photosentitive. Initial "nutation" is followed by "creeping" over the substrate. Host plants less than about three weeks old seem not to be attacked by Cuscuta seedlings. When haustorial contact is established the shoot apex differentiates into buds and scale leaves. The chlorophyll disappears and stomata, which are lacking in the seedling, develop. The apical growth rate increases strongly by frequent cell division and - elongation. This is reflected anatomically by the formation of "cell families" in rows. Weakening and flowering of the host plants are followed by flowering of the parasite. Greening of stem segments of Cuscuta occurs during formation of haustoria and after death of the host. Stem anatomy is characterized by a tripartite cortex in which the middle layer consists of thin-walled angular cells. Characteristic are also the voluminuous intercellular spaces, the cortical and perivascular laticifers, and the central position of the small vascular bundles. Observations on self-parasitism were made. The epidermis of the haustorial cushion elongates and the cytoplasm is mainly positioned towards the host. Pseudo-intercellular spaces are formed between the epidermal cells. The haustorium connects the phloem of the two plants, but vascular elements of any kind have not been observed.     

Antimicrobial and efflux pump inhibitory activity of caffeoylquinic acids from Artemisia absinthium against gram-positive pathogenic bacteria

Background

Traditional antibiotics are increasingly suffering from the emergence of multidrug resistance amongst pathogenic bacteria leading to a range of novel approaches to control microbial infections being investigated as potential alternative treatments. One plausible antimicrobial alternative could be the combination of conventional antimicrobial agents/antibiotics with small molecules which block multidrug efflux systems known as efflux pump inhibitors. Bioassay-driven purification and structural determination of compounds from plant sources have yielded a number of pump inhibitors which acted against gram positive bacteria.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this study we report the identification and characterization of 4′,5′-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (4′,5′-ODCQA) from Artemisia absinthium as a pump inhibitor with a potential of targeting efflux systems in a wide panel of Gram-positive human pathogenic bacteria. Separation and identification of phenolic compounds (chlorogenic acid, 3′,5′-ODCQA, 4′,5′-ODCQA) was based on hyphenated chromatographic techniques such as liquid chromatography with post column solid-phase extraction coupled with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy. Microbial susceptibility testing and potentiation of well know pump substrates revealed at least two active compounds; chlorogenic acid with weak antimicrobial activity and 4′,5′-ODCQA with pump inhibitory activity whereas 3′,5′-ODCQA was ineffective. These intitial findings were further validated with checkerboard, berberine accumulation efflux assays using efflux-related phenotypes and clinical isolates as well as molecular modeling methodology.

Conclusions/Significance

These techniques facilitated the direct analysis of the active components from plant extracts, as well as dramatically reduced the time needed to analyze the compounds, without the need for prior isolation. The calculated energetics of the docking poses supported the biological information for the inhibitory capabilities of 4′,5′-ODCQA and furthermore contributed evidence that CQAs show a preferential binding to Major Facilitator Super family efflux systems, a key multidrug resistance determinant in gram-positive bacteria.     

中国特有植物四合木的昆虫群落与多样性特征

对中国特有植物四合木(Tetraena mongolica)植株上昆虫群落进行调查和多样性特征分析,共采得四合木上昆虫标本1935号,隶属于8目42个科(或总科)136种。包括同翅目、膜翅目、半翅目、鞘翅目、双翅目、缨翅目、直翅目和脉翅目的种类。同翅目昆虫在数量上占有绝对的优势,达67.96%。膜翅目丰富度最高,有59种;优势类群(>10%)是叶蝉,常见类群(1%～10%)包括小蜂、粒脉蜡蝉、天牛、蚂蚁、皮蝽、蚜虫和盲蝽等。调查所得昆虫群落中植食性昆虫有59种共1610只,丰富度和个体数量在群落中占有绝对的优势。其中尤以吸食类昆虫为最,其个体数量和优势度指数最大,但均匀度最低。寄生性天敌昆虫在群落中多样性最大,优势度最低,多为膜翅目种类。中性昆虫优势度指数较高。捕食性昆虫物种丰富度和个体数量较小,但多样性高,仅次于寄生性昆虫。     

Morphological and anatomical studies inTribulus terrestris I. Phyllotaxis and branching

Phyllotaxis and branching system inTribulus terrestris were studied. Besides three nodal types already known in the species, a new type was found. The four nodal types were designated as A (with one leaf and no flower), B (with one leaf and one flower), C (newly found type, with two leaves of different sizes and no flower) and D (with two leaves of different sizes and one flower). A-type nodes are found only in basal parts of shoots, while distal parts have exclusively D-type nodes. Between the nodes of the two types there is always one node of B-type. Occurrence of C-type is rare and restricted to the first node of the lateral branch. The first leaf of the lateral branch superposes to the leaves of the mother axis at maturity, but it is situated at first more or less laterally. On the basis of anatomy, as well as gross morphology, the branching system at B- and D-type nodes was interpreted as sympodial, the main axis ending in a flower. With regard to the manner of overlapping of sepal margins, right- and left-handed calyces were recognized. The handedness always corresponds to the direction to which the peduncle is inclined.     

Aegilops cylindrica var.kastorianum (Poaceae): A new variety from Greece

A native population ofAegilops cylindrica was encountered for the first time in Greece in 1980 (near Kastoria, NW. Greece), completely isolated and at a great distance from its main distribution area. There are morphological and chromosomal, but no protein and esterase pattern differences from otherAe. cylindrica populations. This justifies the recognition of a new variety: var.kastorianum. Our comparative and karyotypic observations support the view thatAe. caudata var.polyathera and not var.caudata (typica) is the possible donor of genome C of the new variety.     

关于尾尖奇蒿(菊科-春黄菊族)合格发表问题的一条简注（英文）

尾尖奇蒿(Artemisia anomala var.acuminatissima)(菊科-春黄菊族)1992年发表时未指定模式,故为不合格发表。该名称2011年得以合格发表,故2016年的再次合格发表纯属多余,是有关作者没有仔细查阅文献的结果。该名称的正确引证应为“Artemisia anomala var.acuminatissima Y.R.Ling,Bangladesh J.Plant Taxon.18:203.2011”,而非“Artemisia anomala var.acuminatissima Y.R.Ling,Phytotaxa 273:213.2016”。     

红花深山含笑形态变异与繁殖应用

红花深山含笑是2007年发现并快速繁殖应用的木兰科种类。本文在野外调查的基础上,结合文献资料,对红花深山含笑的发现历程、形态性状变异、繁殖推广应用现状进行分析。结果表明,红花深山含笑是优良的乡土树种,发现时野外数量极少;实生苗间存在一定的性状差异,是资源开发的优良种质资源;目前红花深山含笑繁殖主要以嫁接为主,通过正确的嫁接方法及良好的后期管理可有效繁殖苗木。     

绿僵菌大孢变种的生物学特征及其对蛴螬的毒力研究

以报道较多的蛴螬病原真菌 布氏白僵菌、绿僵菌小孢变种作参照菌,系统研究了新分离鉴定的绿僵菌大孢变种的生物学特性,测定了其在偏低的自然气温下对蛴螬的致病能力.结果表明,绿僵菌大孢变种与参照菌的培养要求接近,最适宜的温度为25 ℃.3种供试的培养基中,PPDA为最适宜的培养基,其次为SDAY.在偏低的温度环境下绿僵菌大孢变种对蛴螬的毒杀能力强于布氏白僵菌,土壤和喷雾处理后累计僵虫率分别达88.23%和76.47%,有很好的田间应用前景.     

宽叶兔儿风花序侧生分枝的变异式样以及分枝兔儿风的分类地位问题

宽叶兔儿风Ainsliaealatifolia花序主轴上的侧生分枝通常被描述为由单个或2–4个头状花序聚集而组成的簇生花序。作者在野外和标本馆中仔细研究了该种居群内侧生分枝花序形态的变异,依据其简化和集中的程度在居群内区分出3种花序类型:简单的复合聚伞花序、复杂的复合聚伞花序以及两者之间的过渡类型,具有后面两种类型的个体在居群内少见。这一发现不仅为探讨兔儿风属内各种花序的演化提供了新的线索,而且为理清宽叶兔儿风这一地理广布种的分类学问题提供了新的视野。居群内有些侧生分枝为复杂的复合聚伞花序类型的个体整个花序的主轴折断了,这是由于整个主轴顶端部分被昆虫蛀食或者其他外力造成的。值得注意的是分枝兔儿风Ainsliaealatifoliavar.ramifera的主模式就属于这种情况。分枝兔儿风和宽叶兔儿风原变种之间在分布区、生境以及物候上并没有明显的分化,因此分枝兔儿风被处理成宽叶兔儿风的异名。