Integrated metabolome, full-length sequencing, and transcriptome analyses unveil the molecular mechanisms of color formation of the canary yellow and red bracts of Bougainvillea × buttiana 'Chitra'.

Bougainvillea is a typical tropical flower of great ornamental value due to its colorful bracts. The molecular mechanism behind color formation is not well-understood. Therefore, this research conducted metabolome analysis, transcriptome analysis, and multi-flux full-length sequencing in two color bracts of Bougainvillea × buttiana 'Chitra' to investigate the significantly different metabolites (SDMs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Overall, 261 SDMs, including 62 flavonoids and 26 alkaloids, were detected, and flavonols and betalains were significantly differentially accumulated among the two bracts. Furthermore, the complete-length transcriptome of Bougainvillea × buttiana was also developed, which contained 512 493 non-redundant isoforms. Among them, 341 210 (66.58%) displayed multiple annotations in the KOG, GO, NR, KEGG, Pfam, Swissprot, and NT databases. RNA-seq findings revealed that 3610 DEGs were identified between two bracts. Co-expression analysis demonstrated that the DEGs and SDMs involved in flavonol metabolism (such as CHS, CHI, F3H, FLS, CYP75B1, kaempferol, and quercetin) and betacyanin metabolism (DODA, betanidin, and betacyanins) were the main contributors for the canary yellow and red bract formation, respectively. Further investigation revealed that several putative transcription factors (TFs) might interact with the promoters of the genes mentioned above. The expression profiles of the putative TFs displayed that they may positively and negatively regulate the structural genes' expression profiles. The data revealed a potential regulatory network between important genes, putative TFs, and metabolites in the flavonol and betacyanin biosynthesis of Bougainvillea × buttiana 'Chitra' bracts. These findings will serve as a rich genetic resource for future studies that could create new color bracts.

Transcriptomic profiling and gene network analysis revealed regulatory mechanisms of bract development in Bougainvillea glabra.

BACKGROUND: Bracts are important for ornamental plants, and their developmental regulation process is complex; however, relatively little research has been conducted on bracts. In this study, physiological, biochemical and morphological changes in Bougainvillea glabra leaves, leaf buds and bracts during seven developmental periods were systematically investigated. Moreover, transcriptomic data of B. glabra bracts were obtained using PacBio and Illumina sequencing technologies, and key genes regulating their development were screened. RESULTS: Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the bracts develop via a process involving regression of hairs and a color change from green to white. Transcriptome sequencing revealed 79,130,973 bp of transcript sequences and 45,788 transcripts. Differential gene expression analysis revealed 50 expression patterns across seven developmental periods, with significant variability in transcription factors such as BgAP1, BgFULL, BgCMB1, BgSPL16, BgSPL8, BgDEFA, BgEIL1, and BgBH305. KEGG and GO analyses of growth and development showed the involvement of chlorophyll metabolism and hormone-related metabolic pathways. The chlorophyll metabolism genes included BgPORA, BgSGR, BgPPH, BgPAO and BgRCCR. The growth hormone and abscisic acid signaling pathways involved 44 and 23 homologous genes, and coexpression network analyses revealed that the screened genes BgAPRR5 and BgEXLA1 are involved in the regulation of bract development. CONCLUSIONS: These findings improve the understanding of the molecular mechanism of plant bract development and provide important guidance for the molecular regulation and genetic improvement of the growth and development of ornamental plants, mainly ornamental bracts.

Bougainvillea glabra Choisy bracts extract in free and liposomal forms reduce hyperplasia induced by let-60gain-of-function in Caenorhabditis elegans.

In this study, we evaluated the toxicological and antiproliferative effects of B. glabra Choisy bract extract (BGCE) in its free and loaded into liposomes forms administered to C. elegans mutants with let-60 gain-of-function (gf). Our results demonstrated that the concentration up to 75 µg CAE/mL of BGCE was safe for the worms. Notably, we developed BGCE-loaded liposomes to extend the pharmacological window up to 100 µg CAE/mL without toxicity. In addition, the extract and liposomes reduced the number and area of the multivulva formed in let-60 gf mutants. There was also an increase in the apoptotic signaling in the germline cells and increased longevity mediated through DAF-16 nuclear translocation with GST-4 activation in the treated animals. Our findings demonstrated that the BGCE-loaded liposomes possess antitumoral effects due to the activation of the apoptotic signaling and DAF-16 nuclear translocation.

Boerhavia diffusa attenuates podocyte injury in rats with adenine induced chronic kidney disease by enhancing nephrin expression.

Nephrin is a transmembrane protein that maintains the slit diaphragm of renal podocyte. In chronic kidney disease (CKD), podocyte effacement causes damage to glomerular basement membrane barrier leading to proteinuria. Boerhavia diffusa, (BD), an Ayurveda herb, is used in treatment of various diseases particularly in relation to the urinary system. This study attempts to evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of BD on the expression of nephrin in adenine induced CKD rats. CKD was induced in Wistar albino rats using adenine (600/mg/kg, orally for 10 days). CKD rats were treated with BD (400/mg/kg) and pirfenidone (500/mg/kg) orally for 14 days. The kidneys were harvested from euthanized animals and processed for histopathology, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry, gene and protein expression of nephrin. Diseased rats treated with BD and pirfenidone showed reduction in the thickening of renal basement membranes and reduced haziness in brush border of PCT and glomeruli. Nephrin gene and protein expressions were higher in BD and pirfenidone treated group when compared to the disease control group. The structural and functional damage brought on by adenine-induced nephrotoxicity was countered by protective action of BD by up regulating the expression of nephrin. Therefore, BD can be utilized as a nutraceutical for the prevention and treatment of CKD.

BpCYP76AD15 is involved in betaxanthin biosynthesis in bougainvillea callus.

MAIN CONCLUSION: BpCYP76AD15 is involved in betaxanthin biosynthesis in callus, but not in bracts, in bougainvillea. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea peruviana) is a climbing tropical ornamental tree belonging to Nyctaginaceae. Pigments that are conferring colorful bracts in bougainvillea are betalains, and that conferring yellow color are betaxanthins. In general, for red-to-purple betacyanin biosynthesis, α clade CYP76AD that has tyrosine hydroxylase and DOPA oxygenase activity is required, while for betaxanthin biosynthesis, ß clade CYP76AD that has only tyrosine hydroxylase is required. To date, betaxanthin biosynthesis pathway genes have not been identified yet in bougainvillea. Since bougainvillea is phylogenetically close to four-O-clock (Mirabilis jalapa), and it was reported that ß clade CYP76AD, MjCYP76AD15, is involved in floral betaxanthin biosynthesis in four-O-clock. Thus, we hypothesized that orthologous gene of MjCYP76AD15 in bougainvillea might be involved in bract betaxanthin biosynthesis. To test the hypothesis, we attempted to identify ß clade CYP76AD gene from yellow bracts by RNA-seq; however, we could not. Instead, we found that callus accumulated betaxanthin and that ß clade CYP76AD gene, BpCYP76AD15, were expressed in callus. We validated BpCYP76AD15 function by transgenic approach (agro-infiltration and over-expression in transgenic tobacco), and it was suggested that BpCYP76AD15 is involved in betaxanthin biosynthesis in callus, but not in bracts in bougainvillea. Interestingly, our data also indicate the existence of two pathways for betaxanthin biosynthesis (ß clade CYP76AD-dependent and -independent), and the latter pathway is important for betaxanthin biosynthesis in bougainvillea bracts.

Complete Chloroplast Genomes and Phylogenetic Relationships of Bougainvillea spectabilis and Bougainvillea glabra (Nyctaginaceae).

Bougainvillea L. (Nyctaginaceae) is a South American native woody flowering shrub of high ornamental, economic, and medicinal value which is susceptible to cold damage. We sequenced the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of B. glabra and B. spectabilis, two morphologically similar Bougainvillea species differing in cold resistance. Both genomes showed a typical quadripartite structure consisting of one large single-copy region, one small single-copy region, and two inverted repeat regions. The cp genome size of B. glabra and B. spectabilis was 154,520 and 154,542 bp, respectively, with 131 genes, including 86 protein-coding, 37 transfer RNA, and 8 ribosomal RNA genes. In addition, the genomes contained 270 and 271 simple sequence repeats, respectively, with mononucleotide repeats being the most abundant. Eight highly variable sites (psbN, psbJ, rpoA, rpl22, psaI, trnG-UCC, ndhF, and ycf1) with high nucleotide diversity were identified as potential molecular markers. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between B. glabra and B. spectabilis. These findings not only contribute to understanding the mechanism by which the cp genome responds to low-temperature stress in Bougainvillea and elucidating the evolutionary characteristics and phylogenetic relationships among Bougainvillea species, but also provide important evidence for the accurate identification and breeding of superior cold-tolerant Bougainvillea cultivars.

Comparative Analyses of Chloroplast Genome Provide Effective Molecular Markers for Species and Cultivar Identification in Bougainvillea.

Bougainvillea is popular in ornamental horticulture for its colorful bracts and excellent adaptability, but the complex genetic relationship among this genus is fuzzy due to limited genomic data. To reveal more genomic resources of Bougainvillea, we sequenced and assembled the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequences of Bougainvillea spectabilis 'Splendens'. The cp genome size was 154,869 bp in length, containing 86 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNAs, and eight rRNAs. Cp genome comparison across 12 Bougainvillea species (B. spectabilis, B. glabra, B. peruviana, B. arborea, B. praecox, B. stipitata, B. campanulata, B. berberidifolia, B. infesta, B. modesta, B. spinosa, and B. pachyphylla) revealed five mutational hotspots. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that B. spectabilis published previously and B. glabra clustered into one subclade as two distinct groups, sister to the subclade of B. spectabilis 'Splendens'. We considered the phylogeny relationships between B. spectabilis and B. glabra to be controversial. Based on two hypervariable regions and three common plastid regions, we developed five molecular markers for species identification in Bougainvillea and applied them to classify 53 ornamental Bougainvillea cultivars. This study provides a valuable genetic resource for Bougainvillea breeding and offers effective molecular markers to distinguish the representative ornamental species of Bougainvillea.

Transcriptome analyses shed light on floral organ morphogenesis and bract color formation in Bougainvillea.

BACKGROUND: Bougainvillea is a popular ornamental plant with brilliant color and long flowering periods. It is widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics. The primary ornamental part of the plant is its colorful and unusual bracts, rich in the stable pigment betalain. The developmental mechanism of the bracts is not clear, and the pathway of betalain biosynthesis is well characterized in Bougainvillea. RESULTS: At the whole-genome level, we found 23,469 protein-coding genes by assembling the RNA-Seq and Iso-Seq data of floral and leaf tissues. Genome evolution analysis revealed that Bougainvillea is related to spinach; the two diverged approximately 52.7 million years ago (MYA). Transcriptome analysis of floral organs revealed that flower development of Bougainvillea was regulated by the ABCE flower development genes; A-class, B-class, and E-class genes exhibited high expression levels in bracts. Eight key genes of the betalain biosynthetic pathway were identified by homologous alignment, all of which were upregulated concurrently with bract development and betalain accumulation during the bract initiation stage of development. We found 47 genes specifically expressed in stamens, including seven highly expressed genes belonging to the pentose and glucuronate interconversion pathways. BgSEP2b, BgSWEET11, and BgRD22 are hub genes and interacted with many transcription factors and genes in the carpel co-expression network. CONCLUSIONS: We assembled protein-coding genes of Bougainvilea, identified the floral development genes, and constructed the gene co-expression network of petal, stamens, and carpel. Our results provide fundamental information about the mechanism of flower development and pigment accumulation in Bougainvillea, and will facilitate breeding of cultivars with high ornamental value.

Elevated NO2 induces leaf defensive mechanisms in Bougainvillea spectabilis seedlings.

With a growing economy, the living standard of people has improved which has led to increased use of urban motor vehicles globally. Consequently, the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has increased in the ambient air, becoming a major pollutant in urban areas. Plant leaves can absorb, adsorb and fix nitrogen oxides to some extent. Interestingly, NO2 has been recognized as a positive/negative regulator of plant growth. To comprehensively understand the effect of NO2-induced pollution on plants, Bougainvillea spectabilis seedlings were fumigated with different concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) for a short period in the current study. Further, the induced morphological, physiological, and biochemical changes were measured in the treated as well as untreated seedlings. NO2 exposure caused yellow-brown spotting on the leaf blades in B. spectabilis, which could be the symptoms of oxidative damage. Our findings also reflected the changes in antioxidant enzyme activity and peroxidation of membrane lipids. In addition, the levels of osmotic regulatory substances were also found to be altered to different degrees. In addition, the activities of nitrogen metabolism-related enzymes varied, mainly affecting amino acid metabolism. Overall, the current study would provide a theoretical and scientific basis for selecting and allocating plants in NO2-contaminated areas to manage the pollutants level.

Molecular, Phenotypical, and Host-Range Characterization of Robbsia andropogonis Strains Isolated from Bougainvillea spp. in Mexico.

Characteristic leaf spot and blight symptoms caused by Robbsia andropogonis on bougainvillea plants were found in three locations in different provinces of Mexico from 2019 to 2020. Eleven bacterial isolates with morphology similar to R. andropogonis were obtained from the diseased bougainvillea leaves. The isolates were confirmed as R. andropogonis by phenotypic tests and 16S rRNA, rpoD, and gyrB gene sequencing. In addition to bougainvillea, the strains were pathogenic to 10 agriculturally significant crops, including maize (Zea mays), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), barley (Hordeum vulgare), coffee (Coffea arabiga), carnation (Dianthus caryophilus), Mexican lime (Citrus × aurantifolia), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), broadbeans (Vicia faba), and pea (Pisum sativum), but not runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus). The haplotypes network reveals the genetic variability among Mexican strains and its phylogeographic relationship with Japan, the U.S.A., and China. The presence of this pathogen represents a challenge for plant protection strategies in Mexico.

A Box-Behnken Extraction Design and Hepatoprotective Effect of Isolated Eupalitin-3-O-ß-D-Galactopyranoside from Boerhavia diffusa Linn.

The objectives of this study were to optimize and quantify the maximum percentage yield of eupalitin-3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosidefrom Boerhavia diffusa leaves using response surface methodology (RSM), as well as to demonstrate the hepatoprotective benefits of the bioactive compound. The Box-Behnken experimental design was utilized to optimize the eupalitin-3-O-ß-D-galactopyranoside extraction procedure, which also looked at the extraction duration, temperature, and solvent concentration as independent variables. Boerhaviadiffusa leaves were extracted, and n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and water were used to fractionate the dried extracts. The dried ethyl acetate fraction was thoroughly mixed in hot methanol and stored overnight in the refrigerator. The cold methanol was filtered, the solid was separated, and hot methanol was used many times to re-crystallize the solid to obtain pure eupalitin-3-O-ß-D-galactopyranoside (0.1578% w/w). The proposed HPTLC method for the validation and quantification of eupalitin-3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosidewassuccessfully validated and developed. The linearity (R2 = 0.994), detection limit (30 ng), and quantification limit (100 ng) of the method, as well as its range (100-5000 ng), inter and intraday precision (0.67% and 0.991% RSD), specificity, and accuracy (99.78% RSD), were all validated as satisfactory. The separation of the eupalitin-3-O-ß-D-galactopyranoside band was achieved on an HPTLC plate using toluene:acetone:water (5:15:1 v/v) as a developing system. The Box-Behnken statistical design was used to determine the best optimization method, which was found to be extraction time (90 min), temperature (45 °C), and solvent ratio (80% methanol in water v/v) for eupalitin-3-O-ß-D-galactopyranoside. Standard silymarin ranged from 80.2% at 100 µg/mL to 86.94% at 500 µg/mL in terms of significant high hepatoprotection (cell induced with carbon tetrachloride 0.1%), whereas isolated eupalitin-3-O-ß-D-galactopyranoside ranged from 62.62% at 500 µg/mL to 70.23% at 1000 µg/mL. More recently, it is a source of structurally unique flavonoid compounds that may offer opportunities for developing novel semi-synthetic molecules.

Composition, Color Stability and Antioxidant Properties of Betalain-Based Extracts from Bracts of Bougainvillea.

Betalains in bracts of Bougainvillea are of great application potential as natural food colorants and antioxidants. This study explored the color, spectra, composition, storage stability, and antioxidant properties of betalain-based Bougainvillea bracts extracts (BBEs) to verify their application value. The results showed that Bougainvillea bract color variance is due to varied contents and proportions of betacyanins (Bc) and betaxanthins (Bx). Bc or Bx alone determined hues of purple or yellow, respectively; the co-existence of Bc and Bx would produce varied hues of red. BBEs showed bright color and good antioxidant properties under a wide pH range. The pH range of 5−6 was optimal for the highest color stability, and pHs 3−8 were optimal for stronger antioxidants. Bc mainly underwent color fading during storage, while Bx easily produced dark precipitates or melanism under strong acidic (pH < 4) or alkaline conditions (pH > 8). However, Bougainvillea Bx showed 3−4 times higher antioxidant ability than Bc. Different considerations for Bc and Bx are needed for varied application purposes. The purple bracts containing only Bc would be more suitable as colorant sources, while additional Bx can bring enhancement of antioxidant ability and richness of Bougainvillea extract color.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity, Cytoprotective and In Silico Study of Ethanolic Extracts of Bougainvillea × buttiana (Var. Orange and Rose).

Bougainvillea × buttiana is a plant widely used in traditional Mexican medicine and other parts of the world for the treatment of various health disorders. In this study, the antioxidant and cytoprotective activities of three ethanolic extracts of B. × buttiana (BxbO (Orange), BxbR1 (Rose1) and BxbR2 (Rose2)) were investigated. Antioxidant activities were determined by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), DPPH free radicals scavenging activity, and radical scavenging effects on nitric oxide (NO). The in vitro cytoprotective effect of the extracts against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide-(H2O2) in a model of L929 cells was also determined as well as NO uptake with or without H2O2 through the MTT assay. The results revealed that there was a difference between the compounds present in each of the extracts, with the 2-Hydroxycinnamic acid compound being observed in all the extracts. The 2-Hydroxycinnamic acid compound was tested in silico to predict its biological (PASSonline) and toxicological (Osiris Property Explorer) activity. All extracts with 1 to 4 mg/mL inhibited the activity of the NO radical. In cells exposed to 1 mg/mL of extracts followed by H2O2 exposure, cell protection ranged from 66.96 to 83.46%. The treatment of the cells with extracts prevented the morphological changes caused by H2O2. The 2-Hydroxycinnamic acid compound showed a probability of in silico antioxidant and cytoprotective activity greater than 0.5 and 0.6, respectively. Therefore, the results demonstrated that Bxb extracts exert antioxidant and protective activities against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in L929 cells.

Evaluation of Nutritional Substances and Investigation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials of Boerhavia diffusa with in Silico Molecular Docking.

Boerhavia diffusa L. Nyctanginaceae (B. diffusa) is a medicinal herb commonly considered as a weed. The exploration of phytochemicals in different parts of B. diffusa with different solvents will create awareness, along with the suitable solvent and method for extraction of pharmaceutical compounds. Hence, the present study focuses on phytochemical analysis of B. diffusa leaves, stems, and roots in various solvents with hot and cold extraction. The decoctions performed well in most of the qualitative and quantitative tests, along with the DPPH assay. The aqueous extract showed a good result in the FRAP assay and ABTS assay. In the antimicrobial test, the B. diffusa root ethanol extract inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus with zones of inhibition of about 8 mm and 20 mm at 200 µg concentration, respectively. Using a molecular docking approach, the top four ranked molecules from the crude extract of B. diffusa profiled from GC-MS spectroscopy in terms of growth inhibition of the pathogenic bacterium P. aeruginosa were selected; among them, 2-(1,2 dihydroxyethyl)-5-[[2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-3,4-dihydrochromen-6-yl]oxy]oxolane-3,4-diol exhibited the minimum binding score, revealing high affinity in complex. B. diffusa is highly nutritious, and the maceration and decoction extracts were similar except for the chloroform extract that was found to be weak.

Post-transcriptional gene silencing of CYP76AD controls betalain biosynthesis in bracts of bougainvillea.

Betalain is one of four major plant pigments and shares some features with anthocyanin; however, no plant has been found to biosynthesize both pigments. Previous studies have reported that anthocyanin biosynthesis in some plants is regulated by post-transcriptional gene-silencing (PTGS), but the importance of PTGS in betalain biosynthesis remains unclear. In this study, we report the occurrence of PTGS in betalain biosynthesis in bougainvillea (Bougainvillea peruviana) 'Thimma', which produces bracts of three different color on the same plant, namely pink, white, and pink-white. This resembles the unstable anthocyanin pigmentation phenotype that is associated with PTGS, and hence we anticipated the presence of PTGS in the betalain biosynthetic pathway. To test this, we analysed pigments, gene expression, small RNAs, and transient overexpression. Our results demonstrated that PTGS of BpCYP76AD1, a gene encoding one of the betalain biosynthesis enzymes, is responsible for the loss of betalain biosynthesis in 'Thimma'. Neither the genetic background nor DNA methylation in the BpCYP76AD1 sequence could explain the induction of PTGS, implying that another locus controls the unstable pigmentation. Our results indicate that naturally occurring PTGS contributes to the diversification of color patterns not only in anthocyanin biosynthesis but also in betalain biosynthesis.

Prospective usage of magnesium potassium phosphate cement combined with Bougainvillea alba derived biochar to reduce Pb bioavailability in soil and its uptake by Spinacia oleracea L.

Combining biochar (BR) with other immobilizing amendments has additive effects on Pb immobilization and been recognized to be effective for the restoration of Pb polluted soils. However, the impacts of different proportions between BR and a highly efficient Pb immobilizing agent called "magnesium potassium phosphate cement (MC)" have never been earlier investigated. This work aimed to investigate the consequences of BR and MC alone and their mixtures of 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25 ratios on Pb bioavailability, Pb immobilization index (Pb-IMMi), and enzymatic activities in Pb polluted soil. Furthermore, amendments effects on Pb distribution in spinach, growth, antioxidant capacity, biochemical, and nutritional spectrum were also investigated. We found that MC alone performed well to immobilize Pb in soil and reducing its distribution in shoots, but was less efficient to improve soil enzymatic activities and plant attributes. Conversely, the application of BR alone stimulated soil enzymatic activities, plant growth, and quality but was less effective to immobilize Pb in soil and reducing shoot Pb concentrations. The combinations of BR and MC of various ratios showed variable results. Interestingly, the most promising outcomes were obtained with BR50%+MC50% treatment which resulted in enhanced Pb-IMMi (73%), activities of soil enzymes, plant growth and quality, and antioxidant capacity, compared to control. Likewise, significant reductions in Pb concentrations in shoots (85%), roots (78%), extractable Pb (73%) were also obtained with BR50%+MC50% treatment, compared to control. Such outcomes point towards a cost-effective approach for reducing Pb uptake by the plants via using MC and BR at a 50:50 ratio.

Boerhaavia diffusa Extract Acts as a Specific Antituberculosis Agent in Vitro Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv Infection.

The present study investigated Boerhaavia diffusa extract against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (M.tb) infection in vitro and explored the underlying mechanism. The study demonstrated that Boerhaavia diffusa extract significantly (p < 0.05) reduced RAW 264.7 and A549 cell viability in concentration dependent manner. In BEAS-2B, NuLi-1 cells and splenocytes no significant (p > 0.05) reduction in viability was observed on treatment with 2.5 to 20 mg/L concentrations of Boerhaavia diffusa. The M. tb­induced increase in TNF­α expression was significantly (p < 0.05) reversed by Boerhaavia diffusa treatment in RAW 264.7 and BEAS-2B cells. Moreover, Boerhaavia diffusa treatment significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited M.tb­induced increase in IL-6 and IL­1ß expression in RAW 264.7 and BEAS-2B cells. Boerhaavia diffusa treatment of RAW 264.7 and BEAS-2B cells significantly (p < 0.05) reversed M.tb­induced increase in iNOS and COX­2 expression. Additionally, in Boerhaavia diffusa treated cells M.tb­induced increase in NO release was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced compared to untreated cells. In summary, Boerhaavia diffusa treatment inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine production, NO release and regulate immunomodulatory mediators in M.tb­infected RAW 264.7 and BEAS-2B cells. Therefore, Boerhaavia diffusa may be developed as a therapeutic agent for treatment of M.tb­infection.

Anxiolytic, antidepressant and inhibitory effect on MAO isoenzymes by Bougainvillea glabra flower extract in rats.

Main aim of current study was to determine the anxiolytic and antidepressant potential of Bougainvillea glabra Extract (BVE). The effects were investigated by using Open-Field-Test (OFT), Light-and-Dark Model (LD), Hole-Board (HB) and Forced-Swimming-Test (FST). Different doses for BVE were given to Wistar-Rats and compared with Control and Diazepam. Data has been collected by simple observations of animal behaviors in mentioned models. Collected data was analyzed by SPSS-22 version. In OFT (number of squares travelled), significant differences noted between Control and BV100mg/kg (p=0.001), Diazepam and BV100mg/kg (p=0.0001), Diazepam and BV200mg/kg (p=0.015), Diazepam and BV300 mg/kg (p=0.002). In LD-Test, significant differences were noted between Control and BV100mg/kg, BV200mg/kg and BV300mg/kg (p=0.0001), Diazepam and BV100mg/kg, 200mg/kg (p=0.0001), Diazepam and BV300mg/kg (p=0.028). In HB-Test by head dips, significant differences noted between control group and BV100mg/kg and 200mg/kg (p=0.0001), Control group and BV300mg/kg (p=0.005). For number of head dips, significant differences noted between Diazepam and BV100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg (p=0.0001). In FST, significant differences were observed between Control group and BV100mg/kg, BV200mg/kg and BV300mg/kg (p=0.0001), Fluoxetine and BV100mg/kg, BV200mg/kg and BV300mg/kg (p=0.0001). It is observed that MAO-A and MAO-B are inhibited by BVE. Study demonstrates that BV flowers have anxiolytic and antidepressant activities.

Diversity, distribution, development, and evolution of medullary bundles in Nyctaginaceae.

PREMISE: Medullary bundles, i.e., vascular units in the pith, have evolved multiple times in vascular plants. However, no study has ever explored their anatomical diversity and evolution within a phylogenetic framework. Here, we investigated the development of the primary vascular system within Nyctaginaceae showing how medullary bundles diversified within the family. METHODS: Development of 62 species from 25 of the 31 genera of Nyctaginaceae in stem samples was thoroughly studied with light microscopy and micro-computed tomography. Ancestral states were reconstructed using a maximum likelihood approach. RESULTS: Two subtypes of eusteles were found, the regular eustele, lacking medullary bundles, observed exclusively in representatives of Leucastereae, and the polycyclic eustele, containing medullary bundles, found in all the remaining taxa. Medullary bundles had the same origin and development, but the organization was variable and independent of phyllotaxy. Within the polycyclic eustele, medullary bundles developed first, followed by the formation of a continuous concentric procambium, which forms a ring of vascular bundles enclosing the initially formed medullary bundles. The regular eustele emerged as a synapomorphy of Leucastereae, while the medullary bundles were shown to be a symplesiomorphy for Nyctaginaceae. CONCLUSIONS: Medullary bundles in Nyctaginaceae developed by a single shared pathway, that involved the departure of vascular traces from lateral organs toward the pith. These medullary bundles were encircled by a continuous concentric procambium that also constituted the polycyclic eustele, which was likely a symplesiomorphy for Nyctaginaceae with one single reversion to the regular eustele.

A Bipartite Begomovirus Infecting Boerhavia erecta (Family Nyctaginaceae) in the Dominican Republic Represents a Distinct Phylogenetic Lineage and has a High Degree of Host Specificity.

Boerhavia erecta plants in and around agricultural fields in the Azua Valley of the southeastern Dominican Republic often show striking golden mosaic symptoms. Leaf samples from B. erecta plants showing these symptoms were collected in 2012 and 2013, and PCR tests with degenerate primers revealed begomovirus DNA-A and DNA-B components. The complete sequences of the DNA-A and DNA-B components of four isolates show a high degree of sequence identity (>96%) and a genome organization typical of New World (NW) bipartite begomoviruses. Sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analyses revealed that these isolates composed a new phylogenetic lineage of NW bipartite begomoviruses. The most closely related begomovirus is Merremia mosaic virus, a weed-infecting species from Puerto Rico. Because DNA-A sequence identities are well below the 91% threshold, these isolates represent a new begomovirus species, for which the name Boerhavia golden mosaic virus (BoGMV) is proposed. Infectious cloned BoGMV DNA-A and DNA-B components induced golden mosaic symptoms in agroinoculated B. erecta plants, thereby fulfilling Koch's postulates for this disease. Agroinoculation and mechanical transmission experiments revealed that BoGMV has an unusually narrow host range, limited to members of the family Nyctaginaceae and not including the permissive host Nicotiana benthamiana. The inability of BoGMV to infect N. benthamiana was due to a deficiency in cell-to-cell movement but not to a unique amino acid residue in the movement protein.