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BACKGROUND: The Convolvulus genus is distributed all over the world and has a long history in traditional medicine. As nanotechnology expands its reach into areas like drug delivery and biomedicine, this study intends to assess the potential of Convolvulus arvensis L. extracts as anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents, along with chemical profiling of the methanolic (MeOH) extract active ingredients. METHODS: The chemical composition of an 85% MeOH extract was investigated by liquid chromatography with an electrospray source connected to mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). Both the 85% MeOH extract and n-butanol fraction of C. arvensis were loaded for the first time on alginate/chitosan nanoparticles. The 85% MeOH extract, n-butanol fraction and their loaded nanoparticles were tested for their cytotoxicity, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity (against pathogenic bacteria, E. coli and S. aureus). RESULTS: The chemical investigation of 85% MeOH extract of C. arvensis underwent LC-ESI-MS analysis, revealing twenty-six phenolic substances, of which 16 were phenolic acids, 6 were flavonoids, 1 glycolipid, 1 sesquiterpene and 2 unknown compounds. The FT-IR spectra confirmed the encapsulation of the 85% MeOH extract and n-butanol fraction onto alginate/chitosan nanoparticles and small size obtained by TEM maintained them nontoxic and enhanced their anti-inflammatory activity (the IC50 was decreased from 1050 to 175 µg/ml). The anti-cancer activity against HepG2 was increased and the cell viability was decreased from 28.59 ± 0.52 to 20.80 ± 0.27 at a maximum concentration of 1000 µg/ml. In addition, the MIC of encapsulated extracts was decreased from 31.25 to7.78 µg/ml in E. coli (Gm-ve) and from 15.56 to 7.78 µg/ml in S. aureus (Gm + ve) bacteria. CONCLUSION: Both alginate and chitosan are excellent natural polymers for the encapsulation process, which affects positively on the bioactive constituents of C. arvensis extracts and improves their biological properties.

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A molecular survey of native and adventive psyllids in the central Macaronesian islands provides the first comprehensive phylogenetic assessment of the origins of the psyllid fauna of the Canary and Madeira archipelagos. We employ a maximum likelihood backbone constraint analysis to place the central Macaronesian taxa within the Psylloidea mitogenome phylogeny. The native psyllid fauna in these central Macaronesian islands results from an estimated 26 independent colonization events. Island host plants are predicted by host plants of continental relatives in nearly all cases and six plant genera have been colonized multiple times (Chamaecytisus, Convolvulus, Olea, Pistacia, Rhamnus, and Spartocytisus) from the continent. Post-colonization diversification varies from no further cladogenesis (18 events, represented by a single native taxon) to modest in situ diversification resulting in two to four native taxa and, surprisingly, given the diverse range of islands and habitats, only one substantial species radiation with more than four native species. Specificity to ancestral host plant genera or family is typically maintained during in situ diversification both within and among islands. Characterization of a recently discovered island radiation consisting of four species on Convolvulus floridus in the Canary Islands shows patterns and rates of diversification that reflect island topographic complexity and geological dynamism. Although modest in species diversity, this radiation is atypical in diversification on a single host plant species, but typical in the primary role of allopatry in the diversification process.

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Seven new hexasaccharide resin glycosides, named calysepins I-VII (1-7), with 27-membered rings, were obtained from the aerial parts of Calystegia sepium. Their structures with absolute configuration were established on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation analysis and the use of chemical methods. They were defined as hexasaccharides composed of one d-quinovose, four d-glucose, and one l-rhamnose unit, and their sugar moieties were partially acylated by (2S)-methylbutanoic acid in 1-7 and (2R,3R)-nilic acid in 1-5 and 7, which mainly differed at the positions of acylation. Additionally, calysepin IV (4) exhibited cytotoxicity against A549 cells with an IC50 value of 5.2 µM.

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Convolvulus arvensis is used in Pakistani traditional medicine to treat inflammation-related disorders. Its anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated on hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous extracts of whole plant on pro-inflammatory mediators in LPS-activated murine macrophage J774 cells at the non-cytotoxic concentration of 50 µg/mL. Ethyl acetate (ARE) and methanol (ARM) extracts significantly decreased mRNA levels of IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, COX-2, and iNOS. Furthermore, both extracts dose dependently decreased IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1 secretion. Forty-five compounds were putatively identified in ARE and ARM by dereplication (using HPLC-UV-HRMSn analysis and molecular networking), most of them are reported for the first time in C. arvensis, as for example, nineteen phenolic derivatives. Rutin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, chlorogenic acid, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, N-trans-p-coumaroyl-tyramine, and N-trans-feruloyl-tyramine were main constituents identified and quantified by HPLC-PDA in ARE and ARM. Furthermore, chlorogenic acid, tyramine derivatives, and the mixture of the six identified major compounds significantly decreased IL-6 secretion by LPS-activated J774 cells. The activity of N-trans-p-coumaroyl-tyramine is shown here for the first time. Our results indicate that ARE, ARM and major constituents significantly inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, which supports the use of this plant to treat inflammatory diseases.

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<b>Background and Objective:</b> Despite advancements in modern therapeutic strategies, breast cancer still the most common cause of the high death rate among women worldwide. Wild plants and their extracts have been used in traditional medicine because of their efficient anti-cancer properties. This study aims to investigate <i>in vitro</i> the anti-cancer, anti-proliferative and potential therapeutic effects of <i>Convolvulus spicatus </i>(<i>C. spicatus</i>) methanolic extract against human breast cancer cell line Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7), besides putting shed on the mechanism of action of this extract. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> MTT (dimethylthiazol-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) cytotoxicity assay was done to evaluate <i>C. spicatus</i> methanolic extract's cytotoxic effects and its therapeutic potentiality against MCF-7 cells. Flow cytometry was used to clarify the potential impact of the different concentrations of the extract against the cell cycle's evolution. Nuclear densification and apoptotic changes were also analyzed and the Annexin V/propidium iodide staining method was used to ensure the anti-proliferative effect of <i>C. spicatus </i>extracts. The expression level of the apoptotic regulatory gene (Bax gene) was evaluated. <b>Results:</b> The results proved that cytotoxicity was significantly elevated in a dose-dependent manner under various concentrations. preG1 apoptosis and cell growth arrest at the G₂/M phase was noticed. Bax gene was upregulated at its mRNA level by a 5.6-fold increase, compared to the untreated MCF-7 cells. <b>Conclusion:</b> This study gives deep insight into evaluating natural extracts and/or bioactive ingredients derived from the <i>C. spicatus</i> plant and eventually exhibited a promising apoptosis-inducing anti-cancer agent.

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Alkaline hydrolysis of the resin glycoside fraction of the whole plants of Convolvulus arvensis gave two new glycosidic acids, named arvensic acids K and L (1 and 2). Their structures were characterized on the basis of spectroscopic data as well as chemical evidence. They possessed a same pentasaccharide chain, composed of one D-fucose, three D-glucose and one L-rhamnose units. The aglycone of compound 1 was identified to be rarely existing 11S-hydroxyheptadecanoic acid, while compound 2 possessed 11S-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid as the aglycone. Their cytotoxic and anti-migration activities were also evaluated.

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Synthetic auxin herbicides constitute major alternatives for managing tough-to-kill weeds such as Ipomoea spp. Adjuvant use is known to positively affect the biological efficacy of pesticides by modifying key spraying solution and droplet properties. Determining to what extent the use of adjuvants could change spray solution parameters and affect synthetic auxin herbicides' efficiency for Ipomoea spp. control were the research goals. The study was conducted in two phases: laboratory and field, respectively. In the laboratory, the pH, the surface tension, and the resources of the herbicide drops were measured. In the field, weed control was evaluated. All adjuvants modified spray solution properties, lowering surface tension values. Most adjuvants decreased pH values as well as number and density of droplets due to an increase in droplet size. Regardless of adjuvant usage, Ipomoea spp. control levels rose more rapidly following 2,4-D spraying rather than dicamba, resulting in lower biomass accumulation when the former was used. Dicamba-containing treatments displayed slightly but significantly lower Ipomoea spp. control levels at the end of the evaluation period. Herbicide efficacy for Ipomoea spp. control was not improved upon the addition to the spray solution of any of the tested adjuvants. Adjuvant use altered spraying solution and droplet properties. 2,4-D spraying allowed for lower Ipomoea spp. biomass and greater control levels relative to dicamba, suggesting it might constitute a better option for Ipomoea spp. control. Even though herbicide efficacy was not improved with adjuvants, their use should still be considered given favorable spraying solution alterations, mainly with some alteration in droplet sizes despite the use of similar spray nozzles tips - maintaining weed control efficacy.

Os herbicidas mimetizadores da auxina constituem alternativas importantes para o manejo de plantas daninhas de difícil controle, como Ipomoea spp. Sabe-se que o uso de adjuvante afeta positivamente a eficácia biológica dos pesticidas, modificando as principais propriedades da solução e do espectro de gotas da pulverização. Os objetivos desse trabalho foram determinar em que medida o uso de adjuvantes pode alterar os parâmetros da solução de pulverização e afetar a eficiência dos herbicidas mimetizadores da auxina para Ipomoea spp. Os estudos foram conduzidos em duas fases: em laboratório e em campo. Em laboratório foi avaliado o pH, tensão superficial e características das gotas dos herbicidas. Em campo foi avaliado o controle da planta daninha. Todos os adjuvantes modificaram as propriedades da solução de pulverização, diminuindo os valores de tensão superficial. A maioria dos adjuvantes diminuiu os valores de pH, bem como o número e a densidade de gotas. Independentemente do uso de adjuvante, os níveis de controle de Ipomoea spp. aumentaram mais rapidamente após a pulverização com 2,4-D do que com o dicamba, resultando em menor acúmulo de biomassa quando o primeiro foi usado. Os tratamentos contendo dicamba apresentaram ligeiramente menor controle de Ipomoea spp. A aplicação de 2,4-D promoveu menor biomassa e maiores níveis de controle em relação ao dicamba de Ipomoea spp., sugerindo que possa constituir uma opção melhor de controle. Embora a eficácia do herbicida não tenha sido melhorada com adjuvantes, seu uso ainda deve ser considerado com alterações favoráveis da solução de pulverização, principalmente tamanhos de gotas em qualquer uso de pontas de pulverização - mantendo a eficácia do controle de plantas daninhas.

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Convolvulus genus is a representative of the family of Convolvulaceae. Convolvulus plants are broadly distributed all over the world and has been used for many centuries as herbal medicine. Convolvulus genus contains various phytochemicals such as flavonoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, mucilage, unsaturated sterols or terpenes, resin, tannins, lactones, and proteins. This review highlights the phytochemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, application as food preservative, traditional medicine use, anticancer activities, and clinical effectiveness in human of Convolvulus plants. All the parts of Convolvulus plants possess therapeutic benefits; preliminary pharmacological data validated their use in traditional medicine. However, further preclinical and clinical experiments are warranted before any application in human health.

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ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy commonly known as Shankhapushpi, is traditionally prescribed for nerve debility, loss of memory, epilepsy and as nervine tonic. Plant also proved to have diverse pharmacological activity but the neuroprotection in ischemic stroke were not found. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effect of Convolvulus pluricaulis against bilateral common carotid artery (BCCA) occlusion induced cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The neuroprotective activity of Convolvulus pluricaulis against bilateral common carotid artery (BCCA) occlusion induced cerebral ischemic reperfusion (I/S) injury. Sprague-Dawley rats of either sex (200-250 g) were divided into nine groups of 8 rats each. Sham and control group, saline treated 10 ml/kg orally. Third group treated with Quercetin 25 mg/kg orally and fourth to ninth groups treated with chloroform and ethanol extract of Convolvulus pluricaulis 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg (p.o.) respectively. Control, Quercetin and extract treated groups underwent 30 min BCCA occlusion and 24 h reperfusion on 10th day but sham underwent same surgery without BCCA occlusion and 24 h reperfusion on 10th day. The antioxidant enzymatic and non-enzymatic levels were estimated by UV spectroscopic method and cerebral infarction area, Blood brain barrier disruption, microtubule-associated protein 2 immunohistochemical and histopathological studies were carried out. RESULTS: The results of the study indicate that the chloroform and ethanol extract of Convolvulus pluricaulis showed neuroprotective activity by a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation (p < 0.001) and an increase in superoxide dismutase (p < 0.01, p < 0.001), catalase (p < 0.01, p < 0.001), glutathione (p < 0.001), and total thiol (p < 0.001) levels in extract-treated groups as compared to control group. Measurement of cerebral infarction area, blood brain barrier disruption, microtubule-associated protein 2 immunohistochemical and histopathological studies further supported the protective effect of the extract. CONCLUSIONS: Present study revile that Convolvulus pluricaulis has potent neuroprotection against bilateral common carotid artery (BCCA) occlusion induced cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury.

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Convolvulus trabutianus Schweinf. & Muschl. is an endemic plant from northern Sahara used in folk medicine. Herein we report, the isolation, characterization and evaluation of the radical scavenging properties of twenty three compounds from different extracts of this species by on-line HPLC-ABTS•+ screening. These compounds include nine phenolic acids: 2, 6, 10-16, two phytosterols: 3-4, four coumarins: 5, 7-9, two quinic acids: 21 and 22 and six flavonoids: 1, 17-20 and 23 among which the most active were: 10, 16, 21 and 22. All the extracts showed a significant antioxidant activity on-line. These results were validated off-line by ORAC and TEAC assays. Four compounds: 1, 5, 18 and 19 were described for the first time from the Convolvulaceae family, whereas compounds 2, 6, 8, 10, 13 and 21 were new for the genus Convolvulus.

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Depression is a heterogeneous disorder and has been regarded as an inflammatory disease. The aerial parts of the Convolvulus pluricaulis are used in Indian traditional medicines for the management of nervous disorders. However, the influence of methanolic extract of aerial parts of Convolvulus pluricaulis (CPE) on a chronic animal model of depression has not been investigated yet, and associated biochemical changes are still unclear. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of CPE on a chronic rat model of depression and explores its underlying mechanism of action on neuroinflammation and brain monoamines. The antidepressant-like effect of CPE (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) was depicted using the sucrose preference test and the forced swimming test (FST) while CUMS-induced alteration in the locomotor index was measured using the open field test (OFT) and actophotometer. A consecutive one-week treatment of CPE (50, and 100 mg/kg) or fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, p.o.) treatment significantly increased sucrose preference index, reduced immobility time in the FST, and increased the number of squares crossed, the number of rearing in the OFT and locomotion in the actophotometer in the CUMS-exposed rats. Moreover, elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α and liver biomarkers ALT, AST were also significantly reversed by CPE (50, and 100 mg/kg) or fluoxetine administration in the CUMS-exposed rats. Furthermore, a one-week treatment of CPE (50 and 100 mg/kg) or fluoxetine also remarkably restored the serotonin and noradrenaline levels in the hippocampus as well as in the prefrontal cortex of the CUMS-exposed rats. However, CPE (25 mg/kg) exerted insignificant protection against CUMS-induced depressive-like behavior and associated neuroinflammation. Therefore, this study demonstrates that CPE exerted antidepressant-like effect which could be mediated by anti-inflammatory potential, restoring liver biomarkers or monoaminergic responses in the stressed rats.

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In this study, a resin glycoside fraction with cytotoxic activity was isolated from the alcoholic extract of C. arvensis whole plants. To describe the chemical feature of the resin glycosides, the fraction was alkaline hydrolyzed and four novel glycosidic acids, named arvensic acids A-D (1-4), were isolated. Their structures were thoroughly elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical evidences. They all possess a same heptasacharride core, consisting of one D-fucose, two L-rhamnose and four d-glucose units. The difference among these glycosidic acids was placed on the aglycone, which is 12S-hydroxypentadecanoic acid for 1, 12S-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid for 2, 3S,12S-dihydroxypentadecanoic acid for 3, and 3S,12S- dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid for 4. These aglycones are rarely found in the structures of resin glycosides and are firstly identified in the genus Convolvulus.

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A bacterial strain designated Tese-5T was isolated from a water convolvulus field in Taiwan and characterized using the polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain Tese-5T was an aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium and formed bright yellow coloured colonies. Strain Tese-5T grew at 15-35 °C (optimum, 30 °C), with 0-1.0 % NaCl (optimum, 0-0.5 %) and at pH 5.5-7 (optimum, pH 6). The major fatty acids (>10 %) of strain Tese-5T were C18 : 1ω7c, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0. The polar lipid profile comprised phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine and sphingoglycolipid. The major polyamine was spermidine. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-10. The DNA G+C content was 65.7 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain Tese-5T belonged to the genus Novosphingobium and showed the highest levels of sequence similarity to Novosphingobium chloroacetimidivorans BUT-14T and Novosphingobium mathurense SM117T (96.3 %). Phenotypic characteristics of the novel strain also differed from those of the closest-related species of the genus Novosphingobium. On the basis of the genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, strain Tese-5T represents a novel species in the genus Novosphingobium, for which the name Novosphingobium ipomoeaesp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Tese-5T (=BCRC 80904T=LMG 28838T=KCTC 42656T).

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OBJECTIVE: To isolate the neuroprotective component from Convolvulus pluricaulis Chois. (Convolvulaceae) which can be used as a lead molecule in the treatment of Huntington's disease (HD). METHODS: The methanolic extract of whole plant was fractionated into four fractions; chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and aqueous fraction. The chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions were pooled on the basis of antioxidant activity and TLC profile and charged into silica gel column. Four subfractions were collected from column (FrA, FrB, FrC, and FrD) and further assessed for antioxidant potential by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl in vitro assay. 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP) was administered to Wister rats for induction of HD. Different fractions were administered for 14 days. Different behavioral alterations were assessed in between study period. Animals were euthanized immediately following the last behavioral session, and biochemical parameters were measured. RESULT AND DISCUSSION: Systemic administration of 3-NP showed marked motor deficits and oxidative damage in rats. Only FrB showed significant antioxidant activity and on further purification gave pure compound (scopoletin). Our study showed that FrB (20 mg/kg) pre-treatment significantly attenuated the loss in body weight, improved the locomotor activity, grip strength, and gait abnormalities. It also has attenuated the increased malondialdehyde and nitrite levels, and restored superoxide dismutase and reduced GSH enzyme activity in the striatum and cortex in 3-NP-treated groups. These results suggest that C. pluricaulis Chois. exhibits a neuroprotective effect by accelerating brain antioxidant defense mechanisms in 3-NP-treated rats.

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"Convolvulus hystrix Vahl" is a plant that has been known to Ancient Egyptians and to Arabs and its root was used traditionally as a purgative. Our attention was directed to the root bark as we observed that the largest part of the plant is deeply impeded underground. The work plan involved testing experimental animals for the influence of aqueous root bark extract on carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolisms as reflected on the growth and relevant laboratory metabolic assessment parameters. Proximate analysis showed high percentages of moisture (85%) and total lipids (7.2%) and surprising amounts of elements such as barium, strontium, rhodium and tellurium (1.7 mg, 3.1 mg, 8 mg and 9.1 mg/g ash, respectively). Random serum glucose value showed a significant decrease in the treated female group (p < 0.05). Serum total proteins of treated female group were found to be increased significantly (p < 0.001), while it was found to be decreased in the relevant treated male group (p < 0.01), together with a significant decrease in blood urea nitrogen (p < 0.05), with a significant increase in the serum creatinine (p < 0.05). Concerning serum fat metabolic parameters, a significant decrease in the serum triglycerides and high-density lipoproteins (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively) were found. We concluded that the presence of huge amount of polyphenolics such as tannins is responsible for the overall results documented as growth retarding and antinutritional factors. The results were motivating and pointed out to the possible opening of vast areas of research in the field of natural products. We recommend a series of biochemical and pharmacological studies concerning different parts of the plant as well.

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BACKGROUND: Convolvulus arvensis L. (Convolvulaceae), bindweeds, is inhabitant to Iran and its proteoglycan mixture (PGM) has been reported to possess different biological activities. In the present study, we aimed to investigate different properties of PGM including anti-tumor, anti-angiogenesis and immunostimulatory activities. METHODS: PGM was prepared from the roots of C. arvensis. Various cancer cell lines were treated with PGM and the cytotoxicity was assessed after 24 h of incubation using MTT assay. In addition, J774A.1 macrophages were stimulated with LPS (1 µg/mL) and then with PGM. Then, production of nitric oxide (NO) as a marker of inflammation was measured using Griess reagent. Moreover, PGM was subjected to cultivated Leishmania major promastigotes and leishmanicidal activity was determined using MTT assay. More importantly, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) cultured on matrigel basement matrix and tube formation after treatment with PGM was considered microscopically for the determination of angiogenesis. RESULTS: Obtained results revealed that PGM significantly inhibited the formation of vascular-like tubes by HUVECs without any effect on their viability. Furthermore, PGM significantly exhibited leishmanicidal activity by the mechanism of suppressing L. major promastigotes developmental growth in vitro. However, PGM was shown to have no effect on the growth of cancer cells and production of NO by LPS-stimulated macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides some new evidence on remarkable leishmanicidal and anti-angiogenic activities of PGM. These findings also afford the scientific basis for the use of C. arvensis as a candidate medicinal plant for further thoroughly phytochemical investigations toward discovering leishmanicidal and anti-angiogenic compounds.

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This study describes the chemical composition and evaluates the antibacterial and the cytotoxic effects of the essential oil from the flowers of Convolvulus althaeoides. Its chemical composition, determined by GC and GC-MS, is reported for the first time. A total of 24 compounds, accounting for 95.5% of the total oil, have been identified. The oil was characterised by a high proportion of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (36.3%), followed by oxygenated sesquiterpenes (34.7%) and oxygenated monoterpenes (24.5%). The main compounds were germacrene D (12.5%), T-cadinol (11.8%) and verbenone (6.9%). The essential oil was tested for its antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and the clinical strain Acinetobacter sp. as well as facts cytotoxic activity towards the human breast cancer cells MCF-7. This oil did not exhibit significant antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria; however, it exerted a significant cytotoxic activity against the tested cell line (IC50 = 8.16 µg/mL).

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5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), the target enzyme for glyphosate inhibition, catalyzes an essential step in the shikimate pathway for aromatic amino acid biosynthesis. The full-length cDNA of 1,751 nucleotides (CaEPSPS, Genbank accession number: EU698030) from Convolvulus arvensis was cloned and characterized. The CaEPSPS encodes a polypeptide of 520 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 55.5 kDa and an isoelectric point of 7.05. The results of homology analysis revealed that CaEPSPS showed highly homologous with EPSPS proteins from other plant species. Tissue expression pattern analysis indicated that CaEPSPS was constitutively expressed in stems, leaves and roots, with lower expression in roots. CaEPSPS expression level could increase significantly with glyphosate treatment, and reached its maximum at 24 h after glyphosate application. We fused CaEPSPS to the CaMV 35S promoter and introduced the chimeric gene into Arabidopsis. The resultant expression of CaEPSPS in transgenic Arabidopsis plants exhibited enhanced tolerance to glyphosate in comparison with control.

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Conventional and newly emerging treatment procedures such as chemotherapy, catalytic therapy, photodynamic therapy, and radiotherapy have not succeeded in reversing the outcome of cancer diseases to any drastic extent, which has led researchers to investigate alternative treatment options. The extensive repertoire of traditional medicinal knowledge systems from various parts of the world are being re-investigated for their healing properties. It has been reported that several members of the Convolvulaceae, Iridaceae, and Liliaceae families have antitumor activity against some tumor cell lines. Here we first report that Convolvulus galaticus, Crocus antalyensis, and Lilium candidum species have cytotoxic activity on human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 cells. Plant samples were collected and identified, and their cytotoxic effects on the MCF-7 cell line were examined at different concentrations of methanol extracts. We found that all three plants have cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cells but that C. galaticus has the strongest cytotoxic effect even in the lowest extract concentration tested (0.32 µg/mL). Our results indicate that these plant extracts have cytotoxic effects on human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 cells and that this cytotoxic effect comes from p53-mediated stimulation of apoptosis.

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The Palearctic planthopper Hyalesthes obsoletus is the natural vector of the grapevine yellow disease Bois noir. Grapevine is an occasional host plant of this polyphagous planthopper. To deepen our knowledge of the role of plant volatile organic compounds for H. obsoletus host plant searching, we carried out behavioral, morphological, and electrophysiological studies. We tested the attraction of H. obsoletus to nettle, field bindweed, hedge bindweed, chaste tree, and grapevine by using a Y-shaped olfactometer. The results showed a significant attraction of male H. obsoletus to chaste tree, and of the females to nettle. Male H. obsoletus were repelled by odor from hedge bindweed. Ultrastructural studies of the antennae showed at least two types of olfactory sensilla at the antennal pedicel: plaque organs and trichoid sensilla. Volatile organic compounds from nettle and chaste tree were collected, and the extracts were analyzed by coupling gas-chromatography to both mass-spectrometry and electroantennography. The volatile organic compounds that elicited electrophysiological responses in male and female antennae were identified. These findings are discussed with respect to behavior of H. obsoletus males and females in the field.