Influence of patch geometry, post-bark-extraction-treatment on bark recovery and standardizing number of sprouts for bark harvest from coppices in Cinnamomum zeylanicum blume: implications for sustainable harvesting.

Though Cinnamomum zeylanicum is a very important commercial aromatic bark yielding and oldest known tree spice of India, there are hardly any studies to understand the nature of wound healing and bark recovery. Further, optimal number of sprouts to be retained under coppice system to maximize the bark yield per tree in C. zeylanicum is not yet standardized. The present investigation was carried out to understand the influence of patch geometry and application of post-bark-extraction-protection treatments on bark regeneration in mature trees as well as to standardize an optimal number of sprouts to be retained under coppice system to maximize the bark yield per tree. In general, wound healing in C. zeylanicum occurred from the edge of the blaze and was quicker in the narrower patch than the broader patch; application of Bordeaux paste or neem seed kernel extract on the blazed area immediately after the bark extraction, resulted in significantly higher mean percent bark recovery and higher bark oil content than control. Allowing seven coppice sprouts per stem resulted in higher dry mass of bark per plant and higher bark oil than other treatments under coppice system. The results of the study would enable formulation of management strategies specifically for sustainable bark harvesting in Cinnamomum species.

The genetic legacy of fragmentation and overexploitation in the threatened medicinal African pepper-bark tree, Warburgia salutaris.

The pepper-bark tree (Warburgia salutaris) is one of the most highly valued medicinal plant species worldwide. Native to southern Africa, this species has been extensively harvested for the bark, which is widely used in traditional health practices. Illegal harvesting coupled with habitat degradation has contributed to fragmentation of populations and a severe decline in its distribution. Even though the species is included in the IUCN Red List as Endangered, genetic data that would help conservation efforts and future re-introductions are absent. We therefore developed new molecular markers to understand patterns of genetic diversity, structure, and gene flow of W. salutaris in one of its most important areas of occurrence (Mozambique). In this study, we have shown that, despite fragmentation and overexploitation, this species maintains a relatively high level of genetic diversity supporting the existence of random mating. Two genetic groups were found corresponding to the northern and southern locations. Our study suggests that, if local extinctions occurred in Mozambique, the pepper-bark tree persisted in sufficient numbers to retain a large proportion of genetic diversity. Management plans should concentrate on maintaining this high level of genetic variability through both in and ex-situ conservation actions.

Physico-chemical, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties and stability of hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.) procyanidins microcapsules with inulin and maltodextrin.

BACKGROUND: Procyanidins from the bark of hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.) were isolated and purified. Qualitative and quantitative composition was compared with that of the extract of hawthorn fruit (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.). Stability and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of procyanidins before and after micro-encapsulation were estimated. The effects of the carrier type (inulin and maltodextrin) and procyanidins:carrier ratio (1:1, 1:3) and the influence of storage temperature (20 °C, -20 °C, -80 °C) on the content of procyanidins were evaluated. RESULTS: Samples before and after micro-encapsulation contained from 651 to 751 mg of procyanidins in 1 g. Among the procyanidins, (-)-epicatechin, dimer B2, and trimer C1 dominated. The use of inulin during spray drying resulted in greater efficiency of micro-encapsulation than the use of maltodextrin. During storage of the samples at 20 °C degradation of procyanidins was observed, whereas at -20 °C and -80 °C concentrations of them increased. CONCLUSION: The microcapsules with procyanidins from the bark of hawthorn, as well as the extract of procyanidins, have valuable biological activity, and strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is better to prepare microcapsules with a greater amount of carrier, with the procyanidin/carrier ratio 1:3. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Anti-giardia activity and acute toxicity of a methanol extract of Senna racemosa bark.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Senna racemosa (Mill.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby (syn. Cassia racemosa Mill.) is a plant used in traditional Mayamedicinal practices to treat diarrhea. A methanol extract of S. racemosa bark has been shown to have in vitro activity against Giardia intestinalis. No studies of its efficacy and toxicity in in vivo models have been done. The present study objective was to analyze the activity of this methanol extract of S. racemosa bark against Giardia intestinalis trophozoites in experimentally infected mice, and evaluate its toxicological effects in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: S. racemosa was collected in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico (21°58'N, 89°36'W) in June 2005. The bark methanol extract was obtained and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) was used to generate a constituent profile. In vivo anti-giardia activity was assayed with an experimental model of G. intestinalis infection in neonatal CD-1 mice. Nine doses ranging from 0.25-15mg extract/kg body weight were tested to determine the dose required to kill 50% of the trophozoites (ED50). An acute toxicity assay was run in which one of four single doses (200, 1000, 2000 and3000mg/kg body weight) was orally administered to adult Wistar rats. Animal weight, death rates, toxic effects and behavioral parameters were observed over a 14-d period. They were then euthanized and a necropsy performed. RESULTS: The S. racemosa bark extract inhibited growth of G. intestinalis (ED50=1.14mg/Kg) in neonatal CD-1 mice. No toxic or lethal effects were observed even at the highest dosage (3000mg/Kg), and neither were signs of toxicity observed in internal organs. The active compounds chrysophanol and physcion were present in the extract at a 1.76 ratio. CONCLUSIONS: The results strongly support traditional use of S. racemosa bark for treatment of diarrhea caused by Giardia intestinalis infection.

Power, policy and the Prunus africana bark trade, 1972-2015.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: After almost 50 years of international trade in wild harvested medicinal bark from Africa and Madagascar, the example of Prunus africana holds several lessons for both policy and practice in the fields of forestry, conservation and rural development. Due to recent CITES restrictions on P. africana exports from Burundi, Kenya and Madagascar, coupled with the lifting of the 2007 European Union (EU) ban in 2011, Cameroon's share of the global P. africana bark trade has risen from an average of 38% between 1995 and 2004, to 72.6% (658.6 metric tons) in 2012. Cameroon is therefore at the center of this international policy arena. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This paper draws upon several approaches, combining knowledge in working with P. africana over a 30-year period with a thorough literature review and updated trade data with "ground-truthing" in the field in 2013 and 2014. This enabled the construction of a good perspective on trade volumes (1991-2012), bark prices (and value-chain data) and the gaps between research reports and practice. Two approaches provided excellent lenses for a deeper understanding of policy failure and the "knowing-doing gap" in the P. africana case. A similar approach to Médard's (1992) analyses of power, politics and African development was taken and secondly, studies of commodity chains that assess the power relations that coalesce around different commodities (Ribot, 1998; Ribot and Peluso, 2003). RESULTS: Despite the need to conserve genetically and chemically diverse P. africana, wild populations are vulnerable, even in several "protected areas" in Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo and in the forest reserves of Madagascar. Secondly, hopes of decentralized governance of this forest product are misplaced due to elite capture, market monopolies and subsidized management regimes. At the current European price, for P. africana bark (US$6 per kg) for example, the 2012 bark quota (658.675t) from Cameroon alone was worth over US$3.9 million, with the majority of this accruing to a single company. In contrast to lucrative bark exports, the livelihood benefits and financial returns to local harvesters from wild harvest are extremely low. For example, in 2012, the 48 active harvesters working within Mount Cameroon National Park (MCNP) received less than 1US$ per day from bark harvests, due to a net bark price of 0.33 US$ per kg (or 43% of the farm gate price for wild harvested bark). In addition, the costs of inventory, monitoring and managing sustainable wild harvests are far greater than the benefits to harvesters. CONCLUSION: Without the current substantial international donor subsidies, sustainable harvest cannot be sustained. What is required to supply the current and future market is to develop separate, traceable P. africana bark supply chains based on cultivated stocks. On-farm production would benefit thousands of small-scale farmers cultivating P. africana, including local women, for whom wild harvesting is too onerous. This change requires CITES and EU support and would catalyze P. africana cultivation in across several montane African countries and Madagascar, increasing farm-gate prices to harvesters compared to economic returns from wild harvest.

Anti-inflammatory activity of cinnamon (C. zeylanicum and C. cassia) extracts - identification of E-cinnamaldehyde and o-methoxy cinnamaldehyde as the most potent bioactive compounds.

Chronic inflammation is a contributing factor in many age-related diseases. In a previous study, we have shown that Sri Lankan cinnamon (C. zeylanicum) was one of the most potent anti-inflammatory foods out of 115 foods tested. However, knowledge about the exact nature of the anti-inflammatory compounds and their distribution in the two major cinnamon species used for human consumption is limited. The aim of this investigation was to determine the anti-inflammatory activity of C. zeylanicum and C. cassia and elucidate their main phytochemical compounds. When extracts were tested in LPS and IFN-γ activated RAW 264.7 macrophages, most of the anti-inflammatory activity, measured by down-regulation of nitric oxide and TNF-α production, was observed in the organic extracts. The most abundant compounds in these extracts were E-cinnamaldehyde and o-methoxycinnamaldehyde. The highest concentration of E-cinnamaldehyde was found in the DCM extract of C. zeylanicum or C. cassia (31 and 34 mg g(-1) of cinnamon, respectively). When these and other constituents were tested for their anti-inflammatory activity in RAW 264.7 and J774A.1 macrophages, the most potent compounds were E-cinnamaldehyde and o-methoxycinnamaldehyde, which exhibited IC50 values for NO with RAW 264.7 cells of 55 ± 9 µM (7.3 ± 1.2 µg mL(-1)) and 35 ± 9 µM (5.7 ± 1.5 µg mL(-1)), respectively; and IC50 values for TNF-α of 63 ± 9 µM (8.3 ± 1.2 µg mL(-1)) and 78 ± 16 µM (12.6 ± 2.6 µg mL(-1)), respectively. If therapeutic concentrations can be achieved in target tissues, cinnamon and its components may be useful in the treatment of age-related inflammatory conditions.

[Study on ecological suitability regionalization of Eucommia ulmoides in Guizhou].

OBJECTIVE: To study the ecological suitability regionalization of Eucommia ulmoides, for selecting artificial planting base and high-quality industrial raw material purchase area of the herb in Guizhou. METHODS: Based on the investigation of 14 Eucommia ulmoides producing areas, pinoresinol diglucoside content and ecological factors were obtained. Using spatial analysis method to carry on ecological suitability regionalization. Meanwhile, combining pinoresinol diglucoside content, the correlation of major active components and environmental factors were analyzed by statistical analysis. RESULTS: The most suitability planting area of Eucommia ulmoides was the northwest of Guizhou. The distribution of Eucommia ulmoides was mainly affected by the type and pH value of soil, and monthly precipitation. The spatial structure of major active components in Eucommia ulmoides were randomly distributed in global space, but had only one aggregation point which had a high positive correlation in local space. The major active components of Eucommia ulmoides had no correlation with altitude, longitude or latitude. CONCLUSION: Using the spatial analysis method and statistical analysis method, based on environmental factor and pinoresinol diglucoside content, the ecological suitability regionalization of Eucommia ulmoides can provide reference for the selection of suitable planting area, artificial planting base and directing production layout.

[Study on the influence of the contents of paeonol in the cutting process of fresh Cortex Moutan].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of cutting process on the quality of Cortex Moutan. METHODS: The contents of paeonol in Cortex Moutan collected by different methods were determined by HPLC. RESULTS: The cutting process of fresh Cortex Moutan was as follows: collectd the 4-years-Cortex Moutan, cleaned sliced fresh Cortex Moutan, and then dried them in the sun. CONCLUSION: This study provides a scientific basis for the cutting process of fresh Cortex Moutan.

Intra-annual nutrient flux in Pinus taeda.

Intra-annual nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium) flux was quantified for Pinus taeda L. at a nutrient-poor, well-drained sandy site in Scotland County, NC, USA where a 2 × 2 factorial of irrigation and nutrition was applied in four replications in a 10-year-old stand with 1200 stems ha(-1). Treatments were applied with the goal of providing optimum nutrition (no nutritional deficiencies) and water availability. Component (foliage, branch, stem and root) nutrient content was estimated monthly for 2 years using nutrient concentration and phenology assessments combined with destructive harvests. Positive flux values indicated nutrient accumulation in the trees while negative values indicated nutrient loss from the trees. Fertilization significantly increased nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium flux 140%, on average, over non-fertilized. Irrigation significantly increased calcium flux 28% while there was no significant irrigation effect on nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium or magnesium. Maximum nutrient fluxes (kg ha(-1) day(-1)) for non-fertilized and fertilized stands were 0.36 and 1.05 for nitrogen, 0.042 and 0.095 for phosphorus, 0.13 and 0.51 for potassium, 0.27 and 0.42 for calcium, and 0.04 and 0.12 for magnesium, respectively. Maximum flux was coincident with ephemeral tissue (foliage and fine root) development and likely would be higher in stands with more foliage than those observed in this study (projected leaf area indices were 1.5 and 3.0 for the non-fertilized and fertilized stands). Minimum nutrient fluxes (kg ha(-1) day(-1)) for non-fertilized and fertilized stands were -0.18 and -0.42 for nitrogen, -0.029 and -0.070 for phosphorus, -0.05 and -0.18 for potassium, -0.04 and -0.05 for calcium, and -0.02 and -0.03 for magnesium, respectively. Minimum fluxes were typically observed in the dormant season and were linked to foliage senescence and branch death. Foliage and branch component nutrient contents were out of phase for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium, indicating nutrient retranslocation and storage in branches prior to foliage development and after foliage senescence. In contrast to current operational fertilizer programs which often target winter application these data suggest the best application times would be during foliage development.

Habitat influence on antioxidant activity and tannin concentrations of Spondias tuberosa.

CONTEXT: Different habitat conditions can be responsible for the production of secondary metabolites and for the antioxidant properties of plant products. OBJECTIVE: Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether the antioxidant activity and tannin concentrations in the stem bark of Spondias tuberosa Arruda (Anacardiaceae) varied with collection site. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The bark was collected from 25 individual trees, distributed in five different landscape units, as follows: agroforestry gardens, areas of pastures, maize cultivation areas, mountain areas and mountain bases, with the former 3 being considered as anthropogenic habitats, and the latter 2 considered as habitats with native coverage. The study was conducted in the rural area of the city of Altinho, Pernambuco State (Northeast Brazil). The DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) method was used to measure the antioxidant activity and tannin concentrations were evaluated by using the radial diffusion method. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that there were no significant differences among the tannin concentrations of the individuals from the native (6.27% ± 1.75) or anthropogenic areas (4.63% ± 2.55), (H = 2.24; p > 0.05). In contrast, there were significant differences (H = 5.1723; p < 0.05) among the CE50 means of the antioxidant activities of the individuals from the native (32.10 µg/ml ± 5.27) and anthropogenic areas (27.07 µg/ml ± 2.29). However, correlations between the tannin concentrations and antioxidant activity of the extracts were not observed in the native (r = 0.39; p > 0.05) or in the anthropogenic areas (r = 0.38; p > 0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Because the variation of the antioxidant capacity of S. tuberosa bark was not accompanied by a variation in the tannin concentration, this property may be related to the presence of other metabolite(s).

Phenolic compounds from Byrsonima crassifolia L. bark: phytochemical investigation and quantitative analysis by LC-ESI MS/MS.

Phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of Byrsonima crassifolia's bark led to the isolation of 8 known phenolic compounds 5-O-galloylquinic acid, 3-O-galloylquinic acid, 3,4-di-O-galloylquinic acid, 3,5-di-O-galloylquinic acid, 3,4,5-tri-O-galloylquinic acid, (+)-epicatechin-3-gallate along with (+)-catechin and (+)-epicatechin. Due to their biological value, in the present study, a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method, working in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, has been developed to quantify these compounds. B. crassifolia bark resulted in a rich source of phenolic compounds and particularly of galloyl derivates. The proposed analytical method is promising to be applied to other galloyl derivatives to quantify these bioactive compounds in raw material and final products.

Bark regeneration and tannin content in Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão after simulation of extractive damages--implications to management.

Due to the current exploitation and consequent extinction of native medicinal plants around the world, new strategies have been proposed to address the sustainable use of this resource. Accordingly, the goal of this study is to assess the speed of bark regeneration of Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão and to compare the tannin content before and after tissue regeneration. Twenty individuals from an area of Caatinga in Caruaru, Pernambuco State (NE Brazil), were selected. To evaluate the speed of bark regeneration, four treatments were established, according to the area of bark removed (10 × 2, 6 × 5, 8 × 5 and 10 × 5 cm), with five replicates (five individuals of M. urundeuva Allemão) and three treatments of tannin content (bark removed before damage, as regenerated tissue, and non-impacted bark or control). At the end of 23 months of monitoring the regeneration, we found that only seven of the 20 individuals analyzed did not fully heal. No significant correlation between the monthly percent regeneration and average monthly precipitation was found. The tannin content varied according to the quantified tissue (after damage, regenerated and control) as well as between damage classes (20 cm(2)-41.64 to 63.53 mg; 30 cm(2)-49.25 to 67.54 mg; 40 cm(2)-31.69 to 67.44 mg; 50 cm(2)-34.08 to 48.53 mg). Despite the variations found, there was no significant difference between the measurement periods (p > 0.05) or damage classes (p > 0.05). The results showed that the regeneration rate was higher in individuals belonging to the 10 × 2 and 10 × 5 cm groups and that there is no correlation between precipitation and regeneration speed. Tannin levels did not vary significantly in the tissues before damage and after regeneration.

[Construction on ISSR fingerprint of Magnolia officinalis from Enshi in Hubei province].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the ISSR fingerprint of the cortex of Magnolia officinalis produced from Enshi. METHODS: Cultivar and habit identification was based on Inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR). RESULTS: Two ISSR primes could be used to construct the ISSR fingerprint of M. officinalis from Enshi. CONCLUSION: The ISSR marker is an effective method for the cultivar and habit identification of the cortex of M. officinralis.

[Study on effect of picking bud and cutting old branch on the production of root bark of Fengdan in Anhui].

OBJECTIVE: To increase the production of root bark of Fengdan by means of picking bud and cutting old branch cultivated in Nanling, Anhui province. METHODS: An experimental plot where Fengdan has been culitivated for 4 years was selected, which was divided into 3 sections for the experiment of picking bud, cutting old branch and comparison. The buds were picked in spring of the first year. 20 plants were dug randomly from both of picking bud and comparison section monthly during April and September, and the dry weight of their root bark was recorded, respectively. The old branches were cut in autumn. 20 plants were dug randomly from both sections of cutting branch and comparison monthly during April and September of the second year, and their root bark dry weight was recorded. RESULTS: The statistical and comparative results showed that compared to the comparison section, prcking bud section botains little increase of production of root bark, while cutting old branch section had got notable increase of production. CONCLUSION: Picking bud plays an unimportant role in the production of Fengdan bark, while cutting old branch has significant influence on it.

[Phenols in seedling cortex of Magnolia officinalis from Enshi].

OBJECTIVE: To study the phenols in Cortex of Magnolia officinalis of biernial seedings produced in Enshi, Hubei. METHODS: The content of magnolol and honokiol in cortexes were determined by HPLC. The chromatograms of 10 samples seedling cortexes were recorded and compared. RESULTS: The content of magnolol and honokiol in Cortex of Magnolia officinalis of the seedlings from Enshi was higher than other samples. There were ten characteristic absorption bands in the HPLC chromatograms, which differed from the cortex of adult trees. CONCLUSION: The results can be used to identify the quality of the seedlings for the breeding.