Senna reticulata, a pioneer tree from Amazonian várzea floodplains

Senna reticulata can be considered one of the most efficient colonizers of open areas in the nutrient-rich Amazonian floodplains. Its main strategies for success are a high tolerance for waterlogging of its roots and stems and extremely high photosynthetic assimilation and rapid growth during the first terrestrial period, when height is important to avoid lethal submergence. The density of the crown is important in outshading competitors. Efficient seed dispersal and a great ability to resprout after a period of unfavorable conditions, after cutting, or after predation add to its effectiveness. These features led local people to considerSenna re-ticulata a noxious woody weed calledmatapasto. In the present article I describe the ecological, physiological, and phenological characteristics ofSenna reticulata, with its extremely high productivity and unique capacity to colonize open areas.     

Methylphenanthrenes from Sagotia racemosa

The trunk wood of Sagotia racemosa Baill. (Euphorbiaceae) contains two previously unknown micrandrols E (6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-1,2-dimethylphenanthrene) and F (6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-1,2-dimethyl-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene).     

Trinorsesquiterpenoids from Inula racemosa

Four trinorsesquiterpenoids (1–4) were isolated from the roots of Inula racemosa and the structures of two new compounds, (4R,5S,10S)-5-hydroxy-11,12,13-trinoreudesm-6-en-8-one (1) and (4R,5R,10R)-4,15-epoxy-11,12,13-trinoreudesman-8-one (3), were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Furthermore, the structure of compound 2a should be revised as (4R,5R,10S)-5-hydroxy-11,12,13-trinoreudesm-6-en-8-one (2) and compound 2 showed antiproliferative activity against A549, HepG2, and HT1080 cell lines with IC50 values of 3.71, 5.94, and 3.95 μg/mL, respectively.     

Clerodane and labdane diterpene glycosides from a Malagasy endemic plant,Cussonia racemosa

Four clerodane glycosides, cussosides A-D, and one labdane glycoside, cussoside E were isolated from the dried leaves of Cussonia racemosa, along with two known flavonol glycosides identified as rutin and kaempferol rutinoside. The structures of the compounds were deduced on the basis of their physical and spectral data.     

Aromatic glycosides from Berchemia racemosa

Two new aromatic glucosides have been isolated from the stems of Berchemia racemosa together with the known glycosides, nudiposide, (−)-secoisolariciresinol-O-β-d-glucopyranoside and methoxyhydroquinone-1-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (isotachioside). The structures of the new glucosides were found to be β-d-glucopyranosyl syringate, and methoxyhydroquinone-4-O-β-d-glucopyranoside on the basis of chemical and spectral evidences.     

Cimiracemates A-D,phenylpropanoid esters from the rhizomes of Cimicifuga racemosa

Four phenylpropanoid esters, cimiracemates A-D (1-4), along with three known compounds, isoferulic acid, ferulic acid and methyl caffeate were isolated from the EtOAc fraction of the rhizome of Cimicifuga racemosa. The structures of the esters were elucidated by means of spectral data, including 2D NMR spectroscopy.     

Diterpenoids and acetylenic lipids from Aralia racemosa

Phytochemical investigation of Aralia racemosa L. afforded three known diterpenoids and two known acetylenic lipids. The presence of these compounds is consistent with the compound classes reported from other members of genus Aralia. The structures of these compounds were determined by NMR, IR, and LC-MS spectroscopic methods. This is the first report of acanthoic acid from A. racemosa. We present corrected NMR data for (16R)-17-hydroxy-ent-kauran-19-al, which is also reported from A. racemosa for the first time.     

A new variety of Senna birostris (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae) from Argentina

Senna birostris previously included seven varieties distributed mostly above 2000 m, in the Andes, between the equator and 33°S. According to Irwin & Barneby,Senna birostris var.hookeriana was the only variety in Argentina, distributed from the Jujuy province to the San Luis province. New observations led us to identify two distinct entities that have gone under this taxon. The new variety,Senna birostris var.jallaguensis, is described from Argentina and illustrated herein and is compared toSenna birostris var.hookeriana s.str.     

A new species of Senna (Caesalpiniaceae) from coastal northern Bahia,Brazil

Irwin, Howard S. (Clark Garden, 193 I. U. Willets Road, Albertson, NY 11507) and Rupert C. Barneby (New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458-9980). A new species of Senna (Caesalpiniaceae) from coastal northern Bahia, Brazil. Brittonia 37: 192–194. 1985. - Senna (sect. Chamaefistula ser. Laxiflorae) phlebadenia, closely akin to S. australis, but the only known species of the genus with secondary veins of leaflets excurrent into a marginal nectary, is described and illustrated from two collections from the coastal plain of Bahia northeast of Salvador.     

Bioactive compounds from Caulerpa racemosa as a potent larvicidal and antibacterial agent

Marine algae are rich sources ofbioactive compounds capable of harboring secondary metabolites which are structurally and biologically active. In our study, the methanolic extract of marine algae Caulerpa racemosa （green algae） was employed to determine the antibacterial and larvicidal activity. The antibacterial activity showed effective inhibition against five pathogenic bacteria. A significant zone size of 16 mm was observed for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The methanolic extract of Caulerpa racemosa showed effective larvicidal activity against Culex tritaeniorhynchus and the histopathological studies revealed the rupture in mid gut of larvae. The bioactive compounds in the crude extract were further identified as 2-（-3-bromo-1-adamantyl） acetic acid methyl ester and Chola-5, 22- dien-3-ol by GC-MS. Hence the bioactive compounds obtained from the methanolic extracts could be used for the bactericidal and larvicidal activity which will overcome the harmful impact of synthetic insecticide on environment.     

Isolation and characterization of a new d-galactose-binding lectin from Sambucus racemosa L

A new acidic lectin from red elder (Sambucus racemosa L.) bark has been isolated by affinity chromatography and gel filtration. Noteworthy, and in contrast to other Sambucus species, red elder bark lacks acidic non-toxic type 2 ribosome-inactivating proteins but has basic ribosome-inactivating protein activities. The new lectin (SRLbm) shows specificity for N-Ac-Galactosamine/D-Galactose and has an apparent Mr of 30,000. The N-terminal amino acid sequence displays a close homology with other lectins and B chains of non-toxic type 2 ribosome-inactivating proteins nigrins and ebulins present in other Sambucus species. SRLbm triggers red blood cell agglutination in the range 4-12 micro g/ml.     

Responses of Senna reticulata,a legume tree from the Amazonian floodplains,to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration and waterlogging

Key message

The Amazonian tree Senna reticulata showed an increase in photosynthesis and starch content under elevated [CO ₂ ] that led an increment in biomass after 90 days. Elevated [CO ₂ ] was also capable of reducing the negative effect of waterlogging.

Abstract

Tree species from the Amazonian floodplains have to cope with low oxygen availability due to annual pulses of inundation that can last up to 7 months. Species capable of adapting to flooding and/or waterlogged conditions usually partition their storage to favor starch and allocate it to roots, where carbohydrates are used to maintain respiration rates during waterlogging. In spite of climate change, virtually nothing is known about how elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration ([CO₂]) will affect plants when combined with waterlogging. In this work, we used open top chambers to evaluate the effect of elevated [CO₂] during a period of terrestrial phase and in subsequent combination with waterlogged conditions to determine if the surplus carbon provided by elevated [CO₂] may improve the waterlogging tolerance of the fast-growing Amazonian legume tree Senna reticulata. During the terrestrial phase, photosynthesis was ca. 28 % higher after 30, 45 and 120 days of elevated [CO₂], and starch content in the leaves was, on average, 49 % higher than with ambient [CO₂]. Total biomass was inversely correlated to the starch content of leaves, indicating that starch might be the main carbohydrate source for biomass production during the terrestrial phase. This response was more pronounced under elevated [CO₂], resulting in 30 % more biomass in comparison to ambient [CO₂] plants. After 135 days at elevated [CO₂] an inversion has been observed in total biomass accumulation, in which ambient [CO₂] presented a greater increment in total biomass in comparison to elevated [CO₂], indicating negative effects on growth after long-term CO₂ exposure. However, plants with elevated [CO₂]/waterlogged displayed a greater increment in biomass in comparison with ambient [CO₂]/waterlogged that, unlike during the terrestrial phase, was unrelated to starch reserves. We conclude that S. reticulata displays mechanisms that make this species capable of responding positively to elevated [CO₂] during the first pulse of growth. This response capacity is also associated with a “buffering effect” that prevents the plants from decreasing their biomass under waterlogged conditions.     

飞蛾藤中的新C_(30)甾体类化合物(英文)

A novel C30 sterol, (22E, 24ξ)-24-n-propylcholest-7, 22-dien-3β-ol (racemosol, 1), along withscopoletin (2), scopolin (3), umbelliferone (4), methylβ-D-frucopyranoside (5), syringaresinol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (8),eupatilin (9), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (10) and (E）-N-2-(2,3-dihydroxyphenyl) ethyl cinnamamide(11), was isolated from the whole plants of Porana racemosa Roxb. Their structures were elucidatedpredominantly by spectral evidence.     

A new trematosphaeria from roots of rhizophora racemosa

Summary A new species ofTrematosphaeria Fuck.,T. mangrovis Kohlm. sp. nov., is described. The fungus occurred as perthophyte in roots ofRhizophora racemosa Meyer in West Africa (Liberia) and is classified as a marine species. The taxonomical situation of the Ascomycete is discussed and some ecological considerations are given.Support in part by grant GB 5587 of the National Science Foundation is gratefully acknowledged. Mrs.Erika Kohlmeyer kindly prepared the drawings.     

A revised structure for caulerpicin from Caulerpa racemosa

Caulerpicin, from the green alga Caulerpa racemosa, is shown to be a mixture of N-acylsphingosines.     

Purification and characterization of a novel cholesterol-lowering protein from the seeds of Senna obtusifolia

“Juemingzi”, a source of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has been demonstrated to play a role in decreasing serum cholesterol concentration. In this study, a novel protein, which has shown an inhibitory effect on cholesterol biosynthesis, was isolated from Senna obtusifolia L. seed by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. The novel protein’s molecular mass was 19.7 kD and its pI was 4.80. Both SDS-PAGE and isoelectric-focusing (IEF) revealed a single Coomassie brilliant blue stained band, indicating that the novel protein was a single peptide. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the protein was IPYISASFPLNIEFLPSE, which had no similarity with any other protein sequences in the NCBI protein database. Circular dichroism (CD) signals indicated that S. obtusifolia seed protein contained 12.5% α-helix, 55.6% β-sheet, and 31.9% random coil Supported by Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology (Grant No. 2003C34409) and Guangzhou Civil Department of Science and Technology (Grant No. 2002Z3-85041)     

飞蛾藤中的新C30甾体类化合物

从毛叶飞蛾藤(Porana racemosa Roxb.)全草的95%乙醇提取物中分离并鉴定了11个化合物,其中一新的C30甾体化合物鉴定为(22E,24ξ)-24-正丙基胆甾-7,22-二烯-3β-醇(飞蛾藤素,1).其余10个已知化合物分别为东莨菪素(2)、东莨菪苷(3)、伞形华内酯(4)、β-D-甲基吡喃果糖苷(5)、丁香脂素4-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(6)、斛皮素-3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(7)、斛皮素-3-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖苷(8)、异泽兰黄素(9)、山奈素-3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(10)和(E)-N-2-(2,3-二羟基苯基)乙基肉桂酰胺(11).