Anti-inflammatory effects of anethole in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice

Aims

Anethole, the major component of the essential oil of star anise, has been reported to have antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anesthetic properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of anethole in a mouse model of acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Main methods

BALB/C mice were intraperitoneally administered anethole (62.5, 125, 250, or 500 mg/kg) 1 h before intratracheal treatment with LPS (1.5 mg/kg) and sacrificed after 4 h. The anti-inflammatory effects of anethole were assessed by measuring total protein and cell levels and inflammatory mediator production and by histological evaluation and Western blot analysis.

Key findings

LPS significantly increased total protein levels; numbers of total cells, including macrophages and neutrophils; and the production of inflammatory mediators such as matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and nitric oxide (NO) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Anethole (250 mg/kg) decreased total protein concentrations; numbers of inflammatory cells, including neutrophils and macrophages; and the inflammatory mediators MMP-9, TNF-α and NO. In addition, pretreatment with anethole decreased LPS-induced histopathological changes. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of anethole in LPS-induced acute lung injury was assessed by investigating the effects of anethole on NF-κB activation. Anethole suppressed the activation of NF-κB by blocking IκB-α degradation.

Significance

These results, showing that anethole prevents LPS-induced acute lung inflammation in mice, suggest that anethole may be therapeutically effective in inflammatory conditions in humans.     

Morphometric and molecular variation in concert: taxonomy and genetics of the reticulate Pyrenean and Iberian alpine spiny fescues (Festuca eskia complex,Poaceae)

The Iberian mountain spiny fescues are a reticulate group of five diploid grass taxa consisting of three parental species and two putative hybrids: F. × souliei (F. eskia × F. quadriflora) and F. × picoeuropeana (F. eskia × F. gautieri). Phenotypic and molecular studies were conducted with the aim of determining the taxonomic boundaries and genetic relationships of the five taxa and disentangling the origins of the two hybrids. Statistical analyses of 31 selected phenotypic traits were conducted on individuals from 159 populations and on nine type specimens. Molecular analyses of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were performed on 29 populations. The phenotypic analyses detected significant differences between the five taxa and demonstrated the overall intermediacy of the F. × picoeuropeana and F. × souliei between their respective parents. The RAPD analysis corroborated the genetic differentiation of F. eskia, F. gautieri and F. quadriflora and the intermediate nature of the two hybrids; however, they also detected genetic variation within F. × picoeuropeana. These results suggest distinct origins for F. × picoeuropeana in the Cantabrian and Pyrenean mountains, with the sporadic Pyrenean populations having potentially resulted from recent hybridizations and the stabilized Cantabrian ones from older events followed by potential displacements of the parents. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 173 , 676–706.     

Reassessment of cf. Halticosaurus orbitoangulatus from the Upper Triassic (Norian) of Germany – a pseudosuchian,not a dinosaur

The holotype of cf. Halticosaurus orbitoangulatus Huene, 1932, comprises an incomplete and macerated but associated skull of an archosaurian reptile from the middle (second) Stubensandstein (middle Löwenstein Formation; Upper Triassic: Norian) of Baden‐Württemberg, Germany. It was originally interpreted as a theropod dinosaur but more recently it has been suggested that this taxon has crocodylomorph affinities. Detailed preparation of the holotype of cf. H. orbitoangulatus has revealed much new anatomical information and permitted reassessment of its affinities. The maxilla lacks both a distinct antorbital fossa and a medial bony lamina bordering the antorbital fenestra. The lateral surface of the dentary bears a pronounced horizontal ridge. The squamosal differs from that of basal crocodylomorphs in being L‐shaped rather than arcuate in dorsal view, lacking a dorsolateral overhang, and lacking an interlocking contact with the paroccipital process as, for example, in the basal crocodylomorph Saltoposuchus connectens from the same horizon and locality. Phylogenetic analysis placed cf. H. orbitoangulatus amongst loricatan pseudosuchians (but not amongst Crocodylomorpha) rather than amongst theropod dinosaurs. The holotype of cf. H. orbitoangulatus represents a previously unrecognized taxon of loricatan pseudosuchian, which is here named Apatosuchus orbitoangulatus and set apart from other known Norian‐age non‐crocodylomorph loricatans by its apparently much smaller size. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Malleola tibetica sp. nov. (Aeridinae,Orchidaceae) from Tibet,China

Malleola tibetica, a new species from southeastern tropical Tibet, China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, the new species is closely related to M. dentifera, but differs from it by having uniformly green leaves, flowers with entire lateral lobes of the lip and a basally thickened mid‐lobe, and a column that is densely cristaline‐papillose adaxially.     

Species richness and endemicity in the Spanish vascular flora

Data from an updated and revised checklist of the Spanish flora is analyzed. The Spanish vascular plant flora is composed of 204 families, 1433 genera and 7071 species. Floristic data are analysed by considering three regions: mainland Spain with 5984 species, the Balearic Islands with 1521 species and Canary Islands with 2066 species. Extinct species are included in the analysis, with an extinction rate of 0.35% of the flora. A total of 1488 endemic species are recognized, which account for 21% of the Spanish flora. The rate of endemism in the Canary Islands is 25.9%, considerably higher than for the Balearic Islands (6.9%) and for mainland Spain (13.8%). A list of the 35 strict endemic genera is compiled, of which 65.7% are Canarian, and another list of 27 subendemic genera of which 48.1% are also Canarian. An estimated 12% of the Spanish flora is non‐native, with large variation between the 20.7% of the Canary flora, 10.5% of mainland Spain and 9.7% of the Balearic Islands. Finally, the composition of the Spanish flora for large groups and families is ana lysed. The data show that species richness and endemicity rates have been overestimated by previous authors, and are similar to other Mediterranean countries. It is concluded that a complete revision of the Macaronesian flora is strongly needed to obtain an accurate comparison with the flora of other areas.     

Cooperation between osteoblastic cells and endothelial cells enhances their phenotypic responses and improves osteoblast function

Osteogenesis requires close co-operation with angiogenesis to create vascularized bone tissue. In this study, an indirect co-culture model using osteoblasts (OBs), primary endothelial cells (ECs) and Matrigel interlayer was established to understand the impact of each cell type on the other. ECs synergistically enhanced osteoblastic gene expression by OBs, while OBs were capable of supporting tubule-like structures formed by ECs on Matrigel, enhancing mean tubule length from 146.5 ± 23.5 μm in ECs alone to 192 ± 28.6 μm in co-culture (p < 0.05). Similar improvements were noted in terms of tubule number. An applicability study of the co-culture model to bone tissue engineering, performed on a biopolymer fibrous membrane, showed substantially enhanced deposition of calcified nodules. These results demonstrate the efficacy of co-culture with ECs to improve osteogenesis for bone tissue engineering.     

Ostericum atropurpureum sp. nov. (Apiaceae) from Zhejiang,China

Ostericum atropurpureum G. Y. Li, G. H. Xia & W. Y. Xie (Apiaceae, Apioideae) from Zhejiang, China, is described and illustrated. It is closely related to O. huadongense Z. H. Pan & X. H. Li and O. sieboldii (Miquel) Nakai, but differs in having leaves with 1.5–9.0 cm long petiole, linear bracteoles 6–12 mm long, 5–9 rays, 7–14‐flowered umbellules, dark purple petals, broadly winged dorsal and lateral fruit ribs, 1.0–1.5 mm broad, 3–6 vittae in each furrow and 4–8 on the commissure.     

The K+/H+ antiporter LeNHX2 increases salt tolerance by improving K+ homeostasis in transgenic tomato

The endosomal LeNHX2 ion transporter exchanges H⁺ with K⁺ and, to lesser extent, Na⁺. Here, we investigated the response to NaCl supply and K⁺ deprivation in transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) overexpressing LeNHX2 and show that transformed tomato plants grew better in saline conditions than untransformed controls, whereas in the absence of K⁺ the opposite was found. Analysis of mineral composition showed a higher K⁺ content in roots, shoots and xylem sap of transgenic plants and no differences in Na⁺ content between transgenic and untransformed plants grown either in the presence or the absence of 120 mm NaCl. Transgenic plants showed higher Na⁺/H⁺ and, above all, K⁺/H⁺ transport activity in root intracellular membrane vesicles. Under K⁺ limiting conditions, transgenic plants enhanced root expression of the high‐affinity K⁺ uptake system HAK5 compared to untransformed controls. Furthermore, tomato overexpressing LeNHX2 showed twofold higher K⁺ depletion rates and half cytosolic K⁺ activity than untransformed controls. Under NaCl stress, transgenic plants showed higher uptake velocity for K⁺ and lower cytosolic K⁺ activity than untransformed plants. These results indicate the fundamental role of K⁺ homeostasis in the better performance of LeNHX2 overexpressing tomato under NaCl stress.     

Rubia austrozhejiangensis sp. nov. (Rubiaceae) from Zhejiang,China

Rubia austrozhejiangensis Z. P. Lei, Y. Y. Zhou & R. W. Wang, a new species of Rubiaceae from China, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to R. ovatifolia Z. Ying Zhang and R. argyi (H. Lév. & Vaniot) H. Hara ex Lauener, but differs from the former in having stems and branches cylindrical, not quadrate‐angled, long‐ovate to ovate‐lanceolate leaf blades, many‐flowered inflorescence, and smaller mericarps, 3–4 mm in diameter. In R. ovatifolia, stems and branches are quadrate‐angled, leaf blades ovate, ovate‐cordate to rounded cordate, and the inflorescences are sparsely flowered. Compared to R. argyi, the new species has cylindrical, not quadrate‐angled stems and branches, leaf blades that are long‐ovate to ovate‐lanceolate, 3–5‐veined, and slightly reflexed corolla lobes. In R. argyi, stems and branches are quadrate‐angled or winged, the corolla lobes are spreading, and the mericarps are 5–7 mm in diameter.     

Midday stomatal conductance is more related to stem rather than leaf water status in subtropical deciduous and evergreen broadleaf trees

Midday depressions in stomatal conductance (g_s) and photosynthesis are common in plants. The aim of this study was to understand the hydraulic determinants of midday g_s, the coordination between leaf and stem hydraulics and whether regulation of midday g_s differed between deciduous and evergreen broadleaf tree species in a subtropical cloud forest of Southwest (SW) China. We investigated leaf and stem hydraulics, midday leaf and stem water potentials, as well as midday g_s of co‐occurring deciduous and evergreen tree species. Midday g_s was correlated positively with midday stem water potential across both groups of species, but not with midday leaf water potential. Species with higher stem hydraulic conductivity and greater daily reliance on stem hydraulic capacitance were able to maintain higher stem water potential and higher g_s at midday. Deciduous species exhibited significantly higher stem hydraulic conductivity, greater reliance on stem capacitance, higher stem water potential and g_s at midday than evergreen species. Our results suggest that midday g_s is more associated with midday stem than with leaf water status, and that the functional significance of stomatal regulation in these broadleaf tree species is probably for preventing stem xylem dysfunction.