Species Identification and Genetic Diversity Analysis of Medicinal Plants Aconitum pendulum Busch and Aconitum flavum Hand.-Mazz.

The classification system for the genus Aconitum is highly complex. It is also the subject of ongoing debate. Aconitum pendulum Busch and Aconitum flavum Hand.-Mazz. are perennial herbs of the genus Aconitum. Dried roots of these two plants are used in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, morphological observations and ISSR molecular markers were employed to discriminate between A. flavum and A. pendulum, with the objective of gaining insights into the interspecies classification of Aconitum. The pubescence on the inflorescence of A. flavum was found to be appressed, while that on the inflorescence of A. pendulum was spread. UPGMA (unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic average) cluster analysis, PCoA (principal coordinates analysis), and Bayesian structural analysis divided the 199 individuals (99 individuals from DWM population and 100 individuals from QHL population) into two main branches, which is consistent with the observations of the morphology of pubescence on the inflorescence. These analyses indicated that A. flavum and A. pendulum are distinct species. No diagnostic bands were found between the two species. Two primer combinations (UBC808 and UBC853) were ultimately selected for species identification of A. flavum and A. pendulum. This study revealed high levels of genetic diversity in both A. flavum (He = 0.254, I = 0.395, PPB = 95.85%) and A. pendulum (He = 0.291, I = 0.445, PPB = 94.58%). We may say, therefore, that ISSR molecular markers are useful for distinguishing A. flavum and A. pendulum, and they are also suitable for revealing genetic diversity and population structure.

Biochemical characterization of Euphorbia resinifera floral cyathia.

Euphorbia resinifera O. Berg is a plant endemic to the Northern and Central regions of Morocco known since the ancient Roman and Greek times for secreting a poisonous latex containing resiniferatoxin. However, E. resinifera pseudo-inflorescences called cyathia are devoid of laticifers and, therefore, do not secrete latex. Instead, they exudate nectar that local honey bees collect and craft into honey. Honey and cyathium water extracts find a broad range of applications in the traditional medicine of Northern Africa as ointments and water decoctions. Moreover, E. resinifera monofloral honey has received the Protected Geographic Indication certification for its outstanding qualities. Given the relevance of E. resinifera cyathia for bee nutrition, honey production, and the health benefit of cyathium-derived products, this study aimed to screen metabolites synthesized and accumulated in its pseudo-inflorescences. Our analyses revealed that E. resinifera cyathia accumulate primary metabolites in considerable abundance, including hexoses, amino acids and vitamins that honey bees may collect from nectar and craft into honey. Cyathia also synthesize volatile organic compounds of the class of benzenoids and terpenes, which are emitted by flowers pollinated by honey bees and bumblebees. Many specialized metabolites, including carotenoids, flavonoids, and polyamines, were also detected, which, while protecting the reproductive organs against abiotic stresses, also confer antioxidant properties to water decoctions. In conclusion, our analyses revealed that E. resinifera cyathia are a great source of antioxidant molecules and a good food source for the local foraging honeybees, revealing the central role of the flowers from this species in mediating interactions with local pollinators and the conferral of medicinal properties to plant extracts.

Darwin's inflorescence syndrome is indeed associated with bee pollination.

KEY MESSAGE: A relationship between vertical acropetal inflorescences with protandrous flowers and bee pollination was hypothesized by Darwin back in 1877. Here we provide empirical evidence supporting this association across the angiosperms. Plant reproduction is not only determined by flower traits but also by the arrangement of flowers within inflorescences. Based on his observations of the orchid Spiranthes autumnalis, Darwin proposed in 1877 that bee-pollinated plants presenting protandrous flowers on vertical acropetal inflorescences, where proximal flowers open first, can exploit the stereotypical foraging behavior of their pollinators (i.e., upward movement through the inflorescence) to promote pollen exportation and reduce self-pollination. In these inflorescences, male-phase flowers lie spatially above female-phase flowers. To examine this untested hypothesis, we compiled literature information from 718 angiosperms species and evaluated the association between vertical acropetal inflorescences with protandrous flowers and bee pollination within a phylogenetic comparative framework. Results reveal that this type of inflorescence is indeed more common in species pollinated by bees. Moreover, this association does not seem to be weakened by the presence of alternative self-pollination avoidance mechanisms, like self-incompatibility, suggesting that this inflorescence type benefits mainly male rather than female fitness. Other inflorescence types placing male-phase flowers above female-phase flowers, e.g., vertical basipetal inflorescences with protogynous flowers, do not provide strong evidence of a differential association with pollination by bees. Female-biased nectar production in vertical acropetal inflorescences with protandrous flowers may reinforce the behavior of bees to fly upwards, rendering Darwin's configuration more adaptive than other inflorescence configurations.

Assessing the Anti-Aging and Wound Healing Capabilities of Etlingera elatior Inflorescence Extract: A Comparison of Three Inflorescence Color Varieties.

Torch ginger, Etlingera elatior, is a Zingiberaceae plant with various red, pink, and white inflorescence. The wound healing potential and anti-aging effects of freeze-dried torch ginger inflorescence extracts (FTIEs) from three varieties were compared. The red FTIE had the highest content of phenolic, flavonoid, caffeoylquinic acid, and chlorogenic acid, followed by the white and pink FTIE. Consistent with the chemical constituents, the red FTIE demonstrated the greatest capacities for free radical scavenging, anti-tyrosinase, and anti-collagenase activity, followed by the white and pink FTIE. In cell-based studies, FTIEs displayed cytotoxicity to B16F10 melanoma cells, with the red FTIE showing the greatest activity (LC50 of 115.5 µg/mL). In contrast, the pink and the white FTIEs had less cytotoxicity impact. Nonetheless, at 1000 µg/mL, all three FTIE variants were safe on L929 fibroblasts or RAW 264.7 monocyte cells. White FTIE (500 µg/mL) exhibited the highest activity in stimulating collagen production and the greatest impact on cell migration, whereas the pink and red FTIE had a lesser effect. All FTIEs slightly suppressed the pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocytes, with no significant variation between FTIE variants. In conclusion, all FTIEs revealed promising potential for anti-aging cosmeceuticals and wound care products at specific concentrations.

Ameliorative effects of the Coptis inflorescence extract against lung injury in diabetic mice by regulating AMPK/NEU1 signaling.

BACKGROUND: In diabetic patients, complications are the leading cause of death and disability, while diabetic lung damage has received little research. The Coptis inflorescence extract (CE) has hypoglycemic properties, but the mechanism of its protective role on diabetic lung injury is understood. PURPOSE: This study aims to explore the protective actions and molecular mechanism of CE and its active ingredients in diabetic lung disease. METHOD: Twenty-nine metabolites were identified in the metabolomic profile of CE using HPLC-ESI/MS, and high-content substances of berberine (BBR) and linarin (LIN) were isolated from CE using column chromatography. The potential targets and molecular mechanisms of CE against diabetic lung damage were systematically investigated by network pharmacology and in vitro experimental validation. RESULTS: CE significantly improved lung function and pathology. CE (360 mg/kg) or metformin treatment significantly improved lipid metabolism disorders, including decreased HDL-C and elevated serum TG, TC, and LDL-C levels. Furthermore, CE's chemical composition was determined using the HPLC-QTOF-MS method. CE identified five compounds as candidate active compounds (Berberine, Linarin, Palmatine, Worenine, and Coptisine). Network pharmacology analysis predicted CE contained five active compounds and target proteins, that AMPK, TGFß1, and Smad might be the key targets in treating diabetic lung injury. Then we investigated the therapeutic effect of bioactive compounds of CE on diabetic lung damage through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Intragastric administration with BBR (50 mg/kg) or LIN (20 mg/kg) suppressed weight loss, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia, significantly alleviating lung inflammation in diabetic mice. Further mechanism research revealed that LIN or BBR inhibited alveolar epithelial-mesenchymal transition induced by high glucose by regulating AMPK/NEU-mediated signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the administration of CE can effectively alleviate diabetic lung damage, providing a scientific basis for lowering blood sugar to moisturize lung function. BBR and LIN, the main components of CE, can effectively alleviate diabetic lung damage by regulating AMPK/NEU1 Signaling and inhibiting the TGF-ß1 level, which may be a critical mechanism of its effects.

Honeybees affect floral microbiome composition in a central food source for wild pollinators in boreal ecosystems.

Basic knowledge on dispersal of microbes in pollinator networks is essential for plant, insect, and microbial ecology. Thorough understanding of the ecological consequences of honeybee farming on these complex plant-pollinator-microbe interactions is a prerequisite for sustainable honeybee keeping. Most research on plant-pollinator-microbe interactions have focused on temperate agricultural systems. Therefore, information on a wild plant that is a seasonal bottleneck for pollinators in cold climate such as Salix phylicifolia is of specific importance. We investigated how floral visitation by insects influences the community structure of bacteria and fungi in Salix phylicifolia inflorescences under natural conditions. Insect visitors were experimentally excluded with net bags. We analyzed the microbiome and measured pollen removal in open and bagged inflorescences in sites where honeybees were foraging and in sites without honeybees. Site and plant individual explained most of the variation in floral microbial communities. Insect visitation and honeybees had a smaller but significant effect on the community composition of microbes. Honeybees had a specific effect on the inflorescence microbiome and, e.g., increased the relative abundance of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) from the bacterial order Lactobacillales. Site had a significant effect on the amount of pollen removed from inflorescences but this was not due to honeybees. Insect visitors increased bacterial and especially fungal OTU richness in the inflorescences. Pollinator visits explained 38% variation in fungal richness, but only 10% in bacterial richness. Our work shows that honeybee farming affects the floral microbiome in a wild plant in rural boreal ecosystems.

Comparative Analysis of Environment-Responsive Alternative Splicing in the Inflorescences of Cultivated and Wild Tomato Species.

Cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is bred for fruit production in optimized environments, in contrast to harsh environments where their ancestral relatives thrive. The process of domestication and breeding has profound impacts on the phenotypic plasticity of plant development and the stress response. Notably, the alternative splicing (AS) of precursor message RNA (pre-mRNA), which is one of the major factors contributing to transcriptome complexity, is responsive to developmental cues and environmental change. To determine a possible association between AS events and phenotypic plasticity, we investigated environment-responsive AS events in the inflorescences of cultivated tomato and its ancestral relatives S. pimpinellifolium. Despite that similar AS frequencies were detected in the cultivated tomato variety Moneymaker and two S. pimpinellifolium accessions under the same growth conditions, 528 genes including splicing factors showed differential splicing in the inflorescences of plants grown in open fields and plastic greenhouses in the Moneymaker variety. In contrast, the two S. pimpinellifolium accessions, LA1589 and LA1781, had 298 and 268 genes showing differential splicing, respectively. Moreover, seven heat responsive genes showed opposite expression patterns in response to changing growth conditions between Moneymaker and its ancestral relatives. Accordingly, there were eight differentially expressed splice variants from genes involved in heat response in Moneymaker. Our results reveal distinctive features of AS events in the inflorescences between cultivated tomato and its ancestral relatives, and show that AS regulation in response to environmental changes is genotype dependent.

The spatiotemporal regulations of epicatechin biosynthesis under normal flowering and the continuous inflorescence removal treatment in Fagopyrum dibotrys.

BACKGROUND: Flowering is a critical physiological change that interferes with not only biomass yield but also secondary metabolism, such as the biosynthesis of flavonoids, in rhizome/root plants. The continuous inflorescence removal (CIR) treatment is frequently conducted to weaken this effect. Fagopyrum dibotrys (D.Don) H.Hara (Golden buckwheat) is a kind of rhizome medicinal plant rich in flavonoids and is widely used for the treatment of lung diseases. The CIR treatment is usually conducted in F. dibotrys because of its excessive reproductive growth. To uncover the molecular mechanisms, comprehensive analysis was performed using metabolome and transcriptome data obtained from normally bloomed and the CIR treated plants. RESULTS: Metabolome results demonstrated that in the rhizomes of F. dibotrys, its bioactive compound called epicatechin has higher amount than most of the detected precursors. Compared with the normally bloomed plants, the level of epicatechin in the rhizomes of the CIR group increased by 25% at the withering stage. Based on 96 samples of the control and the CIR groups at 4 flowering stages for 4 tissues, RNA-Seq results revealed a 3 ~ 5 times upregulations of all the key enzyme genes involved in the biosynthesis of epicatechin in both time (from the bud stage to the withering stage) and spatial dimensions (from the top of branch to rhizome) under the CIR treatment compared to normal flowering. Integrated analysis of LC-MS/MS and transcriptome revealed the key roles of several key enzyme genes besides anthocyanidin reductase (ANR). A total of 93 transcription factors were identified to co-expressed with the genes in epicatechin biosynthetic pathway. The flowering activator SQUAMOSA promoter-binding protein like (SPLs) exhibited opposite spatiotemporal expression patterns to that of the epicatechin pathway genes; SPL3 could significantly co-express with all the key enzyme genes rather than the flowering repressor DELLA. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) further confirmed the correlations among chalcone synthases (CHSs), chalcone isomerases (CHIs), ANRs, SPLs and other transcription factors. CONCLUSIONS: SPL3 might dominantly mediate the effect of normal flowering and the CIR treatment on the biosynthesis of epicatechin in rhizomes mainly through the negative regulations of its key enzyme genes including CHS, CHI and ANR.

Screening the bioactive compound from Coptis chinensis inflorescence by immobilized peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma.

Coptis chinensis inflorescence is a by-product of Coptis chinensis Franch and riches in alkaloids. We screened the bioactive compounds in the by-product through an immobilized peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. The receptor was covalently immobilized on the macroporous silica gel through amino groups to generate the affinity stationary phase and was applied for screening. Berberine, palmatine, and jatrorrhizine were identified as the retained components of the herb on the affinity column. We evaluated the binding of the three bioactive compounds with the receptor by nonlinear chromatography and molecular docking. The affinities of the compounds to the receptor were (1.42 ± 0.10) ×108 /M, (4.88 ± 0.38) ×107 /M, and (1.65 ± 0.13) ×107 /M for berberine, palmatine, and jatrorrhizine, with dissociation rate constants of (17.70 ± 0.03) ×10-3 /S, (5.18 ± 0.25) ×10-2 /S, and (15.7 ± 0.05) ×10-2 /S, respectively. Cys285, Arg288, Ile326, Leu330, and His449 in the agonist binding pocket of the receptor participated in the formation of bioactive compound-receptor conjugates. These data indicated that the immobilized receptor is a reliable alternative for screening the bioactive compounds. In addition, Coptis chinensis inflorescence has the potential to be a source for drug discovery.

Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Changes Triggered by Inflorescence Removal in Panax notoginseng (Burk.).

The root of Panax notoginseng (Burk.), in which saponins are the major active components, is a famous traditional Chinese medicine used to stop bleeding and to decrease inflammation and heart disease. Inflorescence removal increases the yield and quality of P. notoginseng, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. Here, the differences between inflorescence-removal treatment and control groups of P. notoginseng were compared using transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses. Illumina sequencing of cDNA libraries prepared from the rhizomes, leaves and roots of the two groups independently identified 6,464, 4,584, and 7,220 differentially expressed genes (DEG), respectively. In total, 345 differentially expressed transcription factors (TFs), including MYB and WRKY family members, were induced by the inflorescence-removal treatment. Additionally, 215 DEGs involved in saponin terpenoid backbone biosynthetic pathways were identified. Most genes involved in the mevalonic acid (MVA) and methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathways were activated by inflorescence removal. The co-expression analysis showed that the low expression levels of flavonoid biosynthesis-related genes (e.g., C4H and F3H) decreased the biosynthesis and accumulation of some flavonoids after inflorescence removal. The results not only provide new insights into the fundamental mechanisms underlying the poorly studied inflorescence-removal process in P. notoginseng and other rhizome crops, but they also represent an important resource for future research on gene functions during inflorescence-removal treatments and the reproductive stage.

Ginsenoside distribution in different architectural components of Panax notoginseng inflorescence and infructescence.

The roots of Panax notoginseng (Burk) F. H. Chen are used as a highly valuable Chinese herbal medicine in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and hematological diseases. Several aerial parts of plant are usually abandoned as the wastes. Panax notoginseng inflorescence (IFO) is commonly used as a folk medicine and dietary ingredient, its fruiting stage is referred as infructescence (IFU). Owing to high chemical complexity and structural similarity of ginsenosides, the co-eluting phenomenon, especially for the isomers, is inevitable in the chromatogram, resulting in the inaccurate quantitation. A novel LCMS method using hybrid positive full scan and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) modes was developed to characterize ginsenoside distribution in different architectural components of IFO and IFU. MRM was performed for the quantification of G-Ra2 and NG-Fp2, a pair of co-eluting isomers with identical negative MS and MS/MS characteristics, and full scan was conducted to quantify other investigated saponins. Our data indicate that flower buds have the highest abundance of the summed saponins, fruit pedicel and fruit pericarp, commonly considered as the useless by-products of seed processing, contain the abundant saponins. Additionally, the contents of the detected ginsenosides in these architectural components significantly increased along with their growth years. Our findings will facilitate comprehensive utilization and exploitation of P. notoginseng inflorescence and infructescence.

Neera, a non-fermented traditional drink from coconut spadix restores the redox status in sodium fluoride intoxicated mice.

OBJECTIVES: Neera, non-fermented coconut inflorescence sap (NFCIS) and its fermented form, toddy (FCIS) are the two well-known traditional drinks in South India. Both the saps show high rejuvenation effect and NFCIS is used for the curing of bronchial suffocation, anemia, tuberculosis and piles in traditional medicine. But, a few scientific studies have been reported on their health benefits so far. Presently, the antioxidant effect of both non-fermented (NFCIS) and fermented form (FCIS) of coconut inflorescence were analyzed in experimental animals. METHODS: The free radical scavenging property of FCIS and NFCIS was analyzed in vitro. The effect of these saps on mitigating sodium fluoride (NaF) deteriorated redox status was evaluated in mice. RESULTS: NFCIS exhibited high antioxidant activity than its fermented form. NFCIS reduces metal ions and scavenge hydroxyl and DPPH radicals with IC50 values 6.5 ± 1.9 and 44 ± 3.14 µL/mL, respectively. Supplementation of NFCIS for 14 days increased SOD, CAT and GPx activities and GSH level in liver by 51.67, 52, 27.88 and 35.77%, respectively against NaF induced decline with a concomitant decrease in lipid peroxidation to 40.76%. Saps rich in minerals indicate pharmaceutical and nutritional value. CONCLUSION: The study revealed the antioxidant efficacy of non-alcoholic natural drink, Neera and recommends an alternative for synthetic carbonated soft drinks. The regular consumption of Neera may protect the body from various chronic diseases especially where the oxidative stress played as a key role.

Floral and pollination characteristics of Eriocaulon heleocharioides, an extinct species in the wild, for evidence-based conservation management.

Generally, floral characteristics and pollination are important factors enhancing the quality and quantity of reproductive output for regeneration in plant conservation. However, lack of evidence-based management could decrease fitness under ex-situ conservation. We investigated the capitulum and pollination characteristics of Eriocaulon heleocharioides Satake (Eriocaulaceae), which is extinct in the wild, to develop an evidence-based conservation management plan incorporating previously ignored reproductive characteristics. To evaluate the functional characteristics of capitula, pollen-ovule ratio, and reproductive status (maximum pollination success/florivory damage) were investigated along six flowering sequences of capitulum. To evaluate the effect of plant density on pollen transfer, high- and low-density plots were established. Total deposited pollen on stigma, insect visitation, and visit duration per capitulum were observed. A significantly lower pollen-ovule ratio was observed in the first of six capitula, reflecting higher female functionality. The highest pollination success was found in the second-fourth capitula, whereas florivory increased along the terminal capitula position. High plant density affected the pollen deposited on stigmas via insect visitation and low pollinator visit duration. Different capitula in E. heleocharioides could have different effects: different sexual functionality, enhancement of reproductive output both in quality and quantity through active pollen transfer, and escaping from florivores. High plant density could facilitate outcross-pollen transfer in E. heleocharioides. Multiple perspectives are important for determining potential reproductive success in ex-situ conservation. Thus, density management reflecting capitulum characteristics could improve the efficiency of conservation efforts for E. heleocharioides.

Identification of Chemical Constituents in Coptis chinensis Inflorescence by UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS） was developed to analyze and identify the chemical constituents in <italic>Coptis chinensis</italic> inflorescence. Method:The chromatographic separation was performed on ACQUITY UPLC BEH C₁₈ column （2.1 mm×100 mm， 1.7 μm） with the mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution （A）-acetonitrile （B） for gradient elution （0-15 min， 10%-22%B； 15-20 min， 22%B； 20-25 min， 22%-44%B； 25-35 min， 44%-50%B； 35-40 min， 50%-60%B； 40-55 min， 60%-85%B）， the flow rate was 0.15 mL·min^-1， the injection volume was 3 μL and the column temperature was 30 ℃. HRMS was equipped with electrospray ionization （ESI） and scanned in positive and negative ion modes by means of full scan/data dependent secondary scan （Full MS/dd-MS²）. Compound Discoverer 3.0 software combined with mzCloud， mzVault， ChemSpider databases and HRMS database of components in traditional Chinese medicine were used to analyze and identify the collected data by HRMS， based on accurate relative molecular mass， retention time and characteristic ion fragmentation of the compounds， as well as literature information and relevant reference materials. Result:A total of 51 chemical constituents were identified in <italic>C</italic>.<italic> chinensis</italic> inflorescence， including 16 alkaloids， 14 flavonoids， 7 phenylpropanoids， 7 organic acids and 7 others. Among them， 10 components ［berberine， palmatine， coptidine， rutin， quercetin， isoquercitrin， chlorogenic acid， cryptochlorogenic acid，<italic> D</italic>-（-） quinic acid and <italic>D</italic>-proline］ were unambiguously identified by comparing with reference standards. Conclusion:The established UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS can be used to accurately analyze and identify chemical constituents of <italic>C. chinensis</italic> inflorescence. A total of 41 chemical constituents are reported from <italic>C. chinensis</italic> inflorescence for the first time and 6 alkaloids are found from the <italic>C. chinensis</italic> for the first time. These findings can provide methodological reference and experimental basis for the basic research of quality evaluation and efficacy materials of <italic>C. chinensis</italic> inflorescence， and lay a foundation for its further development and utilization.

Zinc Nutrition and its Activated Roles on Growth, Inflorescences Attributes and Some Physiological Parameters of Tagetes erecta L. Plants.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There are scarcity scientific reports on the response of medicinal plants to zinc nutrition, despite its remarkable role in growth, cell division, photosynthesis and tryptophan formation, which is involved auxin (IAA) synthesis. Therefore, further studies are required to understand the effects of zinc on one of these important plants, marigold plant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the promoting impacts of zinc-nutrition (0, 50, 75, 100 mg L-1) on marigold growth, plant height, branch number, herb and root fresh mass (FM), herb and root dry mass (DM), flowering attributes, inflorescence number/plant (IN), inflorescence diameter (ID), inflorescence (IW) weight (fresh and dry), days to first bud emergence, leaf relative water content (RWC) as well as some physiological responses, pigments, total carbohydrate, N, P, K, Zn contents of marigold plants. RESULTS: The results indicated that zinc-fertilizer at 100 mg L-1 was the superior treatment in improving the previous parameters relative to the other levels and control. Supplying Zn significantly enhanced growth parameters, flower attributes, RWC as well as nutrient contents of marigold leaves. Chlorophyll, carotenoids content and carbohydrates (%) were enhanced due to suppling Zn. Zn treatments raised the contents of N, P, K and Zn in leaves relative to unfertilized ones. A comparison of the usage treatments showed that the higher dose of Zn was better than the lower one or control but insignificant differences were observed between this treatment and the intermediate one (75 mg L-1) for some studies parameters. CONCLUSION: The obtained results suggest that exogenous application of Zn could be essentially for the nutrition program of marigold plants to provide plants by the optimum dose of Zn-fertilizer for improving the growth and, quantity and quality of inflorescence parameters.

Phenolic rich Cocos nucifera inflorescence extract ameliorates inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and toxin-induced murine models.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the acetone extract of Cocos nucifera (CnAE), an important ingredient in several traditional drugs, have been studied using different in vitro and in vivo models. CnAE did not show any observable toxicity in RAW264.7 macrophages by MTT assay. The calorimetric analysis (total COX, 5-LOX, MPO, iNOS and NO), ELISA (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α and PGE2) and qRT-PCR (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α and NF-κB) were performed in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Phosphorylation of NF-κBp65 and IκB was determined by western blotting. CnAE (100 µg/mL) remarkably inhibited total COX (68.67%) and 5-LOX (63.67%) activities, and subsequent release of iNOS, NO and PGE2 (p ≤ 0.05) in RAW264.7 cells treated with LPS. ELISA showed CnAE markedly decreased the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß (p ≤ 0.001), IL-6 (p ≤ 0.001) and TNF-α (p ≤ 0.001) in LPS treated RAW264.7 cells. CnAE (100 µg/mL) also significantly down-regulated the mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, p ≤ 0.05; IL-6, p ≤ 0.01 and TNF-α, p ≤ 0.001) and NF-κB (p ≤ 0.001) against LPS-induction. Moreover, LPS-induced phosphorylation of IκB-α and NF-κB p65 was significantly inhibited by CnAE (100 µg/mL). In vivo anti-inflammatory studies showed that CnAE (400 mg/kg) significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced acute paw oedema (59.81%, p ≤ 0.001) and formalin-induced chronic paw oedema (52.90%, p ≤ 0.001) in mice. CnAE at a dose of 400 mg/kg also showed a significant anti-nociceptive effect on acetic acid-induced writhing (48.21%, p ≤ 0.001) and Eddy's hot plate methods. These findings suggest that CnAE has significant anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties, mainly attributed to the inhibition of NF-κB/IκB signalling cascade.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of quercitrin, astragalin, afzelin and taxifolin in plasma after oral administration of Polygonum orientale inflorescence in sham-operated and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury rats.

The study aimed to compare the pharmacokinetic properties of quercitrin, astragalin, afzelin and taxifolin, four major bioactive components of Polygonum orientale inflorescence extracts, between sham-operated and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) rats.Rats were divided into two groups: MIRI model and sham-operated. The blood samples were collected according to the time schedule. The levels of quercitrin, astragalin, afzelin and taxifolin in the plasma at designated time points were determined using an HPLC-MS/MS method. Various pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated from the plasma concentration versus time data using non-compartmental methods. After the administration of the Chinese herb Polygonum orientale inflorescence extracts, the Cmax, AUC, as well as MRT, increased, while CL decreased, in MIRI model compared to the sham-operated animals.These results suggest that the pathological damage of ischemia-reperfusion had a significant impact on the pharmacological effects of Polygonum orientale inflorescence extracts on ischemic heart disease.The method had been successfully applied to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of quercitrin, astragalin, afzelin and taxifolin in rat plasma after the oral administration of Chinese herb Polygonum orientale inflorescence extracts in rats.

Banana inflorescences: A cheap raw material with great potential to be used as a natural antioxidant in meat products.

The bioactive compounds and the antioxidant activity of extracts made with various parts of banana inflorescences (bracts, male flowers, rachis, and whole inflorescence) were evaluated in the first part of this study. The extract made with male flowers (EMF) had a higher content of phenolics and flavonoids, lower IC50 value, and higher FRAP value. Thus, EMF was selected to be used in sausage formulations at the concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2%. The effect of this reformulation on the physicochemical, oxidative, and sensory characteristics of the sausages was evaluated during the refrigerated storage (28 days). EMF presented an effective antioxidant activity, with no major changes on pH, aw, and color parameters. In addition, the sensory quality of the product was not affected by the addition of up to 2% EMF. Therefore, EMF has great potential to be used as a natural antioxidant in meat products.

An Akania (Akaniaceae) inflorescence with associated pollen from the early Miocene of New Zealand.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: An Akania-like inflorescence, including flowers with in situ pollen was recovered from the remarkable Konservat-Lagerstätte lacustrine diatomite deposit at Foulden Maar, Otago indicating the presence of Akaniaceae in southern New Zealand during the early Miocene. The flowers, although slightly smaller than the sole modern Australian species, A. bidwillii, contain pollen grains that are very like that taxon. The pollen also resembles that of the monospecific sister genus Bretschneidera from Southeast Asia and India, although that taxon has flowers with very different morphology from this genus. METHODS: The floral morphology of the fossil and in situ pollen grains were compared with flowers and pollen grains from extant species of Akaniaceae and related taxa. KEY RESULTS: The fossil inflorescence and associated pollen are referred to a new, extinct species of Akania: Akania gibsonorum. The floral structures and pollen resemble those of the modern Australian Akania species. CONCLUSIONS: The discovery of fossil flowers of Akania in an early Miocene lake deposit in New Zealand, coupled with earlier recognition of Akaniaceae leaves from the Paleocene epoch and wood from the Miocene epoch in South America suggests that the genus was once widespread in former Gondwana landmasses. The extinction of Akaniaceae in New Zealand and South America, and its present relictual distribution in eastern Australia, is most likely related to post-Miocene climatic cooling.

Low siring success of females with an acquired male function illustrates the legacy of sexual dimorphism in constraining the breakdown of dioecy.

Dioecy has often broken down in flowering plants, yielding functional hermaphroditism. We reasoned that evolutionary transitions from dioecy to functional hermaphroditism must overcome an inertia of sexual dimorphism, because modified males or females will express the opposite sexual function for which their phenotypes have been optimised. We tested this prediction by assessing the siring success of monoecious individuals of the plant Mercurialis annua with an acquired male function but that are phenotypically still female-like. We found that pollen dispersed by female-like monoecious individuals was ~ 1/3 poorer at siring outcrossed offspring than pollen from monoecious individuals with an alternative male-like inflorescence. We conclude that whereas dioecy might evolve from functional hermaphroditism by conferring upon individuals certain benefits of sexual specialisation, reversion from a strategy of separate sexes to one of combined sexes must overcome constraints imposed by the advantages of sexual dimorphism. The breakdown of dioecy must therefore often be limited to situations in which outcrossing cannot be maintained and where selection favours a capacity for inbreeding by functional hermaphrodites.