The effect of saffron, Crocus sativus stigma, extract and its constituents, safranal and crocin on sexual behaviors in normal male rats

In this study, the aphrodisiac activities of Crocus sativus stigma aqueous extract and its constituents, safranal and crocin, were evaluated in male rats. The aqueous extract (80, 160 and 320 mg/kg body wt.), crocin (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body wt.), safranal (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 ml/kg), sildenafil (60 mg/kg body wt., as a positive control) and saline were administered intraperitoneally to male rats. Mounting frequency (MF), intromission frequency (IF), erection frequency (EF), mount latency (ML), intromission latency (IL) and ejaculation latency (EL) were the factors evaluated during the sexual behavior study. Crocin, at all doses, and the extract, especially at doses 160 and 320 mg/kg body wt., increased MF, IF and EF behaviors and reduced EL, IL and ML parameters. Safranal did not show aphrodisiac effects. The present study reveals an aphrodisiac activity of saffron aqueous extract and its constituent crocin.     

番红花EST资源的SSR信息分析

从NCBI公共数据库下载得到6745条番红花EST,通过前处理得到全长为612.01 kb的无冗余EST 1431条.在这些序列中搜索出108个SSR,分布于103条EST中,出现频率为7.55%.这些EST-SSR的平均分布距离是5.67 kb.二核苷酸重复和三核苷酸重复是番红花主要的重复类型,分别占总EST-SSR...     

变温处理对西红花花芽分化及其生理生化的影响

以西红花球茎为材料,设置20℃-25℃-20℃(T1)、20℃-30℃-25℃(T2)、25℃-35℃-25℃(T3)及25℃-30℃25℃(经验变温对照,CK1)和25℃25℃25℃(恒温对照,CK2)共5组三阶段(Ⅰ-Ⅱ-Ⅲ)变温处理,在各阶段采集球茎样品,用石蜡制片方法观察西红花花芽的分化情况,并测定各处理组球茎...     

Pollen structure and germination of Crocus thomasii Ten. (Iridaceae)

Abstract

Mature pollen of C. thomasii Ten. (Iridaceae) has been studied from a morphological and physiological point of view and compared to that of C. sativus L., C. thomasii pollen is roundish, with a 83 μm diameter and a 14% of anomalous grains. Percentage of the positive alcoholdehydrogenase (ADH +) pollen grains is about 90% whereas the in vitro germinated rate reaches 55%. Exine is homogeneously thickened (2.5 μm) with randomly distributed thinner zones and 5 μm thick intine. Cytoplasm of vegetative and generative cells is very rich of small and large smooth vesicles and vesicles coated by ribosomes. The generative cell shows a thin ondulated pectocellulosic wall. Its nucleus is intensely fluorescent after treatment with the 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) fluorochrome. Although many ultrastructural aspects of the C. thomasii pollen are common in C. sativus. L., C. thomasii pollen is smaller, more regularly structured and germinates in vivo and in vitro in higher percentage than that of C. sativus.     

Aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus species from saffron field soils in the South Khorasan province of Iran

The aim of the present study was to isolate and identify Aspergillus species associated with saffron plants in the city of Birjand (South Khorasan Province, Iran) as well as to assess their aflatoxin B1 production. Sampling was performed during 2013–2014 crop season. Aspergillus species were isolated and purified using general and specific culture media. Growth rates and macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the isolates were determined using yeast extract, Czapek yeast extract, malt extract and creatine sucrose agar media at 25 and 37 °C. DNA was extracted by the modified CTAB method and beta-tubulin, calmodulin and internal transcribed spacer genes were amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic position of the isolates was determined against other Aspergillus species. Thin layer chromatography was used to investigate the production of aflatoxin B1 by Aspergillus isolates. Based on the morphological characteristics, shape and colour of the colonies, and sequencing results, the isolates belonged to Aspergillus terreus, A. flavus, A. flavipes and A. niger species. Only A. flavus isolates were aflatoxin B1 producers. We concluded that the soil of the studied saffron fields contained several species of Aspergillus, with A. flavus significantly affecting crop production through contamination of the crop by aflatoxin.     

Allozyme variability and phylogenetic relationships in the cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum) and related species

Gene frequencies at 13 isozyme loci were determined in three South American taxa of cultivated potatoes [the diploid group (gp.) Stenotomum, the diploid subgroups (subgp.) Goniocalyx, and the tetraploid gp. Andigena ofS. tuberosum], in the diploid weed speciesS. sparsipilum, and in most of the main cultivars now raised in the Northern Hemisphere (the tetraploid gp. Tuberosum ofS. tuberosum). High levels of genetic variability (mean number of alleles per locus, percentage of polymorphic loci, and mean heterozygosity) were detected, being higher in tetraploid potatoes. An equilibrium among the evolutionary factors which increase genetic variability and artificial selection for maximum yield would explain the high uniformity of heterozygosity values we observed in both Andigena (0.36 ± 0.02) and Tuberosum (0.38 ± 0.01) cultivars.—The low value of genetic distance (D = 0.044) between Stenotomum and Goniocalyx does not support the status of species forS. goniocalyx.—In most isozyme loci, the electromorphs of gp. Andigena were a combination of those found in both gp. Stenotomum andS. sparsipilum, suggesting an amphidiploid origin of gp. Andigena from that two diploid taxa. The presence in Andigena of unique electromorphs, which were lacking in both gp. Stenotomum andS. sparsipilum, suggests that other diploid species could be also implied in the origin of tetraploid Andean potatoes. Furthermore, since Andigena were more related to Stenotomum (D = 0.052) than toS. sparsipilum (D = 0.241), the autopolyploidization of Stenotomum individuals and the subsequent hybridization with gp. Andigena may also have occurred. Thus, our study suggests a multiple origin (amphidiploidy, autoploidy, and hybridization at tetraploid level) of gp. Andigena.—Most of the electromorphs of gp. Tuberosum were also found in gp. Andigena; both the direct derivation of that group from the Andean tetraploid potatoes and the repeated introgression provided by breeding programmes could explain this result. However, the allele c of Pgm-B, present in 30 out of 76 Tuberosum cultivars from Northern Hemisphere as well as in 3 Chilean Tuberosum cultivars, lacks in the 258 Andigena genotypes sampled, suggesting that Chilean germplasm could have taken part in the origin of at least the 39% of the potato cultivars from Europe and North America analyzed here.—The distanceWagner procedure provides an estimate of a 30% of heterogeneity in the evolutionary divergence shown by different groups of cultivated potatoes. Diploid groups show a higher (22.5%) evolutionary rate than tetraploids, which can be attributed to both tetrasomic inheritance and facultative autofecundation that exists in Andigena and Tuberosum groups. Thus, artificial selection acting since 10000 years has not resulted in a higher rate of molecular evolution at the isozyme level in the tetraploids.     

西红花FT同源基因的表达及功能分析

FT（FLOWERING LOCUS T）及其同源基因作为三大开花途径整合子之一,被认为是调控植物开花的重要基因。为了深入研究FT同源基因的功能以及西红花（Crocus sativus L.）开花的分子机理,对已报道的3个西红花FT同源基因（CsatFT1、CsatFT2和CsatFT3）进行分离及分析。gDNA包含长度分别为835、1 642和1 132 bp的完整开放阅读框（ORF）,均具有4个外显子和3个内含子;cDNA包含长度分别为528、525和540 bp的ORF,分别编码175、174和179个氨基酸;系统进化分析表明,CsatFT1、CsatFT2、CsatFT3分别和同为单子叶植物的水仙（Narcissus chinensis）NtFT、麝香百合（Lilium longiflorum）LlFT和洋葱（Allium cepa）AcFT1表现出较近的遗传距离。qRT-PCR分析结果显示,小球茎膨大阶段前期,CsatFT1、CsatFT2、CsatFT3在叶片中表达水平最高,侧根中次之,子球茎、主根中极低几乎检测不到;小球茎膨大阶段后期,CsatFT1、CsatFT2、CsatFT3都在子球茎中表达水平较高,在顶芽中几乎检测不到;室内储藏开花阶段,CsatFT1、CsatFT2、CsatFT3在柱头中表达水平最高,叶中次之,花瓣和花药中较低几乎检测不到。通过观测转基因烟草（Nicotiana tabacum）和转基因拟南芥（Arabidopsis thaliana）植株表型发现,CsatFT1,CsatFT2和CsatFT3均具有促进植物提早开花的功能。     

Comparative effects of nitric oxide and salicylic acid on salinity tolerance in saffron (Crocus sativus)

Abstract

Salinity is a major environmental stress worldwide that adversely affects plant’s growth and metabolism. Various studies have demonstrated the positive effect of growth regulators on improving stress tolerance of plants. In this study, Crocus sativus as a profitable herb and expensive spice was subjected to nitric oxide and salicylic acid treatments to improve its sustainability under salinity stress. Based on our results treating Crocus sativus corms with nitric oxide caused more growth under salinity stress, also nitric oxide was able to reduce stress effects by compatible solutes accumulation, inducing antioxidative enzyme activities and increasing the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. However, salicylic acid treatment did not improve plant growth under salinity.     

The antileukemic effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and its related molecular targets: A mini review

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), and its main constituents, crocin, and crocetin have shown promising effects as an antileukemic agent in animal models and cell culture systems. Saffron retards the growth of cancer cells via inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis and enhancing antioxidative system. It can induce apoptosis and chemosensitivity via inhibiting multidrug resistance proteins. Saffron also induces differentiation pathways via inhibiting promyelocytic leukemia/retinoic acid receptor-α, histone deacetylase1, and tyrosyl DNA phosphodiesterase-1 as well. The present review highlights the most recent findings on the antileukemic effects of saffron and its underlying molecular targets. The emerging evidence suggests that saffron has a selective toxicity effect against leukemic cells while is safe for the normal cells.     

黄瓜CsPGIP基因的克隆及表达分析

以加工型黄瓜材料NW99为对象,利用RT-PCR技术克隆黄瓜多聚半乳糖醛酸酶抑制蛋白基因(PGIP),并分析其基因编码序列、组织表达特异性和诱导表达模式。结果表明:(1)从黄瓜中克隆到一个PGIP基因,命名为CsPGIP;CsPGIP基因全长1 026bp,读码框987bp,无内含子,编码328个氨基酸残基,具有xxLxLxxNxLt/sGxIPxxLxxLxxL结构域,属于Pgip基因家族。(2)CsPGIP基因与甜瓜PGIP基因同源性最高,与十字花科Pgip基因同源性较高。(3)CsPGIP在黄瓜各个器官都表达,但表达水平具有组织特异性,在嫩叶中表达量最高,在茎中表达量最低;该基因表达明显受到水杨酸诱导,可能在抵御外界病原菌入侵过程中起重要作用。     

Allozyme comparison of three nemertean species of the genus Oerstedia (Nemertea: Monostilifera) from the Sea of Japan

Three species of hoplonemerteans, all very similar in external features (Oerstedia oculata, Oerstedia phoresiae, and Oerstedia zebra) were compared using 23 allozyme loci. The results of this study confirm the specific validity of O. phoresiae. At 20 of the 23 loci this species shares no common alleles with O. oculata (D = 2.718) and at 21 of the 23 loci O. phoresiae shares no common alleles with O. zebra (D = 2.730). Most likely O. zebra is a color variation of O. oculata, because these species are very similar in their allozyme markers (D = 0.000).     

Allozyme variation in Japanese species ofChionographis (Liliaceae)

Allozyme variation was examined in three diploid taxaChionographis japonica var.japonica, var.kurokamiana, andC. koidzumiana and three tetraploid taxaC. japonica var.kurohimensis, ssp.hisauchiana, and ssp.minoensis. Results show thatC. japonica var.kurokamiana is genetically closer toC. koidzumiana than to var.japonica. In the tetraploid taxa, fixed heterozygosities were found at several loci, and this supports the hypothesis that these taxa are allotetraploids. Furthermore, the tetraploid taxa have many unique alleles not found in the diploid taxa. This suggests that sufficient time has passed since the origin of tetraploids for new mutations to have been fixed.     

Inflorescence and floral ontogeny in Crocus sativus L. (Iridaceae)

Inflorescence and floral ontogeny of the perennial, herbaceous crop Crocus sativus L. were studied using epi-illumination light microscopy. After production of leaves with helical arrangement a determinate inflorescence forms which becomes completely transformed into a single terminal flower. In some cases, bifurcation of the inflorescence meristem yields two or three floral meristems. The order of floral organs initiation is outer tepals – stamens – inner tepals – carpels. Stamens and outer tepals are produced from the lateral bifurcation of three common stamen-tepal primordia. Within each whorl, organs start developing unidirectionally from the adaxial side, except for the stamens which begin to grow from the abaxial side. Specialized features during organ development include interprimordial growth between tepals forming a perianth tube, fusion at the base of stamen filaments, and formation of an inferior ovary with unfused styles.     

A highly specific glucosyltransferase is involved in the synthesis of crocetin glucosylesters in Crocus sativus cultured cells

Saffron (Crocus sativus) stigmata contain rare water-soluble carotenoids and the major one is crocin, the crocetin digentiobiosyl-ester. Previous studies indicated that two glucosyltransferases might be involved in the formation of crocetin glucosyl- and gentiobiosyl-esters (Dufresne et al. 1997). A UDP-Glc: crocetin 8,8′-glucosyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of crocetin monoglucosyl- and diglucosyl-esters was extracted from saffron cell cultures and purified 300-fold by gel filtration chromatography and preparative IEF electrophoresis, with a recovery of 13 percnt;. The purified enzyme preparation was highly specific for crocetin and formed ester bonds between the glucose moiety of UDP-Glc and the free carboxyl functions of crocetin. The enzyme did not add other glucose units to the glucosyl-esters to form crocetin gentiobiosyl-esters. A crude desalted extract of the same material was less specific and formed glucosyl-esters with several other compounds, including abscisic and retinoic acids. The purified preparation was active between pH 4.4 and 4.6. SDS-PAGE revealed a major band at 26 kDa while the native molecular mass determined by gel filtration was in the range of 49 to 55 kDa. The study provides concrete evidence for the hypothesis that more than one glucosyltransferase is involved in the biosynthesis of crocetin glycosyl-esters in saffron.     

Genetic variability of cultivated Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai based on AFLP analysis

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was performed to evaluate genetic relationships among 52 Chaenomeles speciosa accessions grown in China. A total of 208 polymorphic markers were generated from eight selective primer pair combinations. Genetic variations were remarkably observed in a wide range of dissimilarities, percent polymorphisms, and average polymorphism information. Genetic similarity values were calculated using Jaccard's coefficient between individuals of different flowering quince accessions; these values ranged from 0.296 to 0.931 with a mean of 0.597. Cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis were then performed on the basis of AFLP profiles. In our generated dendrogram, accessions were clustered into seven major groups. Mantel's test was performed to determine cophenetic correlation (r = 0.9); this result indicated a very good fit of the dendrogram. We conducted analysis of molecular variance and found greater variations within cultivars than among cultivars. AFLP analysis results further revealed relevant information regarding the genetic background of flowering quince accessions essential for future breeding programs related to plant improvement.     

Ultrastructure of chromoplasts and other plastids in Crocus sativus L. (Iridaceae)

Saffron (Crocus sativus L. Iridaceae) chromoplasts and other plastids were studied by electron microscope to determine their structure, origin and pigment localization. Plastids from pistils of floral buds and flowers at anthesis, dried and decoloured stigmas, and green and senescent leaves were examined. Results indicated that mature saffron chromoplasts occur in the red parts of stigmas and have a reticulo-tubular structure. They contain a reticulum of tubules and plastoglobules. Tubules formed dilated vesicles mainly while plastoglobules appeared numerous and scattered on the whole chromoplast. Chromoplasts appeared in red stigma of very young floral buds. They originated from amyloplasts, the only plastids occurring in the colourless basal portion of style, as well as in the parenchyma of ovary and corm. Transition forms of plastid as amylo-chromoplast, occur in the yellow parts of stigma and style. Senescent leaves did not show plastids with structure similar to the chromoplast of red stigma. Red pigmented and scented stigmas might cooperate in saffron reproduction by attracting pollinator.     

Allozyme study of two subspecies of houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata undulata and C. u. macqueenii)

Samples of two subspecies of the Houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata undulata and C. u. macqueenii) were studied using protein electrophoresis, to evaluate their genetic variability and differentiation. Levels of polymorphism and gene diversity were higher than mean values for birds, and intersubspecies differentiation (measured by Nei's genetic distance) was in the range of the values known at this taxonomic level. These results suggest that the decrease in numbers associated with the recent reduction of these subspecies' ranges has not yet resulted in significant genetic impoverishment. This information is of prime importance in designing captive-breeding programmes for reintroduction purposes. The genetic distance between the two subspecies suggests a relatively recent differentiation, which already has resulted in marked behavioural differences.     

Genetic differentiation of two distinct chemotypes of Ferula communis (Apiaceae) in Sardinia (Italy)

The giant fennel, Ferula communis L. (Apiaceae) is a circum-Mediterranean species responsible of severe haemorrhagic intoxication of livestock. Electrophoretic analysis of 14 putative enzyme loci was carried out to assess genetic differentiation among poisonous and non-poisonous chemotypes of F. communis in Sardinia. Genetic structuring characterises all the five populations examined. However, differentiation was higher between poisonous and non-poisonous populations (P<0.00001), and was independent from geographic distances, suggesting a reduced gene flow between the two chemotypes.     

Allozyme variation among the spontaneous species of Sorghum section Sorghum (Poaceae)

Summary A survey of allozyme variation among the spontaneous taxa of Sorghum section Sorghum was undertaken. Eight plants each of 90 accessions representing the diploid S. bicolor (ssp. arundinaceum and drummondii) and the tetraploids S. almum and S. halepense were analyzed for 17 enzyme systems encoded by 30 loci. Low levels of variation were found within and among accessions, although there was more variation than is typical of inbreeding species. We found an average of 3.2 alleles per locus in ssp. arundinaceum, with a mean expected heterozygosity for the accessions of 0.034 and total panmictic heterozygosity of 0.154. An analysis of the apportionment of genetic variation among accessions of ssp. arundinaceum indicated that 26% of the variation occurs within accessions and 74% among accessions. Cultivated sorghum contains far less allozymic variation than ssp. arundinaceum, its presumed progenitor. This is consistent with the prediction that cultivated sorghum experienced a loss of genetic variation during domestication. For the most part, cultivated sorghum contains a subset of the allozymes found in ssp. arundinaceum. Principal component analysis revealed continuous variation among the accessions and geographic regions, with accessions failing to segregate into discrete clusters. However, accessions of race virgatum of ssp. arundinaceum occupied one end of the continuum and were, in that sense, distinguished from the other accessions. Similarly, most accessions of S. halepense and S. almum occupied the central portion of the continuum. The allozymic data presented here are consistent with the hypothesized origin of S. halepense via autopolyploidy or segmental allopolyploidy.