Mathematical modeling and optimizing the in vitro shoot proliferation of wallflower using multilayer perceptron non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (MLP-NSGAII).

Novel computational methods such as artificial neural networks (ANNs) can facilitate modeling and predicting results of tissue culture experiments and thereby decrease the number of experimental treatments and combinations. The objective of the current study is modeling and predicting in vitro shoot proliferation of Erysimum cheiri (L.) Crantz, which is an important bedding flower and medicinal plant. Its micropropagation has not been investigated before and as a case study multilayer perceptron- non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (MLP-NSGAII) can be applied. MLP was used for modeling three outputs including shoots number (SN), shoots length (SL), and callus weight (CW) based on four variables including 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin (Kin), 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and gibberellic acid (GA3). The R2 correlation values of 0.84, 0.99 and 0.93 between experimental and predicted data were obtained for SN, SL, and CW, respectively. These results proved the high accuracy of MLP model. Afterwards the model connected to Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II) was used to optimize input variables for obtaining the best predicted outputs. The results of sensitivity analysis indicated that SN and CW were more sensitive to BA, followed by Kin, NAA and GA. For SL, more sensitivity was obtained for GA3 than NAA. The validation experiment indicated that the difference between the validation data and MLP-NSGAII predicted data were negligible. Generally, MLP-NSGAII can be considered as a powerful method for modeling and optimizing in vitro studies.

Exogenous supplementation of Sulfur (S) and Reduced Glutathione (GSH) Alleviates Arsenic Toxicity in Shoots of Isatis cappadocica Desv and Erysimum allionii L.

The current study was conducted to investigate the role of sulfur (S) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in mitigating arsenic (As) toxicity in Isatis cappadocica and Erysimum allionii. These plants were exposed for 3 weeks to different concentrations (0, 400 and 800 µM) of As to measure fresh weight, total chlorophyll, proline and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, As and S accumulation, and guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) along with the supplementation of 20 mg L-1 of S and 500 µM of GSH. Results revealed the significant reduction of fresh weight (especially in E. allionii), activities of POD and GST enzymes and proline content as compare to control. However, the application of S and GSH enhanced the fresh weight. Inhibition in H2O2 accumulation and improvement in antioxidant responses were measured with the application of S and GSH. Hence, the supplementation of S and GSH enhanced fresh weight and total chlorophyll in both I. cappadocica and E. allionii by alleviating the adverse effects of As stress via decreased H2O2 content and restricted As uptake.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity and Quality Control of Erysimum cheiri (L.) Crantz.

Wallflower (Erysimum cheiri) is employed as a popular herbal drug in traditional Persian medicine. Topical formulations including cerates, lotions, sitz baths, and poultices for inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, anal fissure, endometriosis, and mastitis are known. However, there is no monograph in current pharmacopoeia for the wallflower drug. The present study is aimed to screen in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of wallflower and perform quality control and characterization tests for different organs of the herb. In this regard, albumin denaturation activity, macroscopic and microscopic, phytochemical, HPTLC, and FT-IR characteristics were investigated. Wallflower showed strong anti-inflammatory activity compared to diclofenac sodium. The root (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/mL) and flower (10 mg/mL) extract exhibited higher anti-inflammatory activities than that of other plant organs at the same concentrations. Moreover, total ash was found higher in aerial parts (21.52 ± 0.06%) than flower (11.01 ± 0.03%), root (5.03 ± 0.03%), and seed (6.95 ± 0.06%), while water-soluble ash was higher in seed (34.89 ± 0.26%) than flower (5.00 ± 0.03%), aerial parts (7.16 ± 0.06%), and root (5.04 ± 0.01%). Acid-insoluble ash and sulphated ash were higher in root (9.50 ± 0.04%) and aerial part (28.37 ± 0.57%), respectively. In addition, loss on drying was ranged from 2.20 ± 0.20% in flowers to 6.00 ± 0.10% in aerial parts. On the other hand, HPTLC analysis verified cardenolide compounds in all organs of the herb, and quercetin was detected in the flavonoid fingerprint of acid hydrolysed flowers. According to FT-IR results, the observed spectral region at ~3500 cm-1 attributed to -OH stretching vibration. Also, C-H (~2900-2950 cm-1), isothiocyanate (~2340 cm-1), -C=O (~1740 cm-1), conjugated C=C of the aromatic ring (~1650 cm-1), and structure of the aromatic group (~1200-1000 cm-1) were monitored. This work is the first study to the best of our knowledge, suggesting wallflower as a potential drug candidate with the basis for a monograph in addition to initial in vitro anti-inflammatory data.

Efficacy of gummy lozenges containing Erysimum as ancillary treatment in children with sore throat.

BACKGROUND: Sore throat frequently occurs in children aged between four and fifteen years and is often associated to inflammation of the upper respiratory tract mucosa. A reliable approach to limit the damage caused by inflammation and, therefore, to alleviate associated symptoms might be the protection of the mucosa. Aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of a medical device, formulated as a gummy lozenge and containing a combination of natural functional components (Erysimum, aloe vera and Xilogel®) able to exert a barrier effect on the mucosa, as ancillary treatment in children with sore throat. METHODS: This was an observational, prospective, parallel-group, multiple-dose trial of a medical device given in association to standard pharmacological prescribed therapy with an open label comparison vs. standard pharmacological prescribed therapy alone. The outcome measures of the study were assessed at baseline and after three days of treatment. RESULTS: One hundred and twelve school children with sore throat symptoms were recruited for this study and 69 were assigned to the group taking the study product. At the end of the treatment a statistically higher reduction in Sore Throat Pain Intensity Score and Pharyngitis Symptom Score was observed in the group taking the medical device. Moreover, the treatment with the medical device is associated to a statistically significant higher improvement of Child's General Conditions. The pediatrician assessed the efficacy and tolerability of the product under study as good/very good in 91% and 94%, respectively, of treated children. The consumer satisfaction questionnaire revealed that most of the children taking the lozenge rated it very positively in regard to its flavor and easiness of administration. CONCLUSIONS: The medical device used in this study may represent a valid choice as an adjuvant treatment in children with sore throat associated to upper respiratory tract infection.

[STUDY OF CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY OF METHANOL EXTRACTS OF THE ENDEMIC PLANT OF THE GENUS ERYSIMUM OF THE ADJARIAN FLORISTIC DISTRICT OF GEORGIA].

According to the results, investigated methanolic extracts of endemic plant from Adjarian floristic region of Georgia do not have specific cytotoxicity against the cell lines of breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 human, which is typical, e.g., for plant pigment curcumin. At the same time, the high specific cytotoxicity of 2 and 3 fractions towards keratinocytes gives reason for considering endemic plant extracts, of Adjarian floristic region of Georgia, as a potential pharmacological means for topical treatment of pathologies caused by increased proliferation of keratinocytes, such as psoriasis.

Pollinator-mediated interactions in experimental arrays vary with neighbor identity.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Local ecological conditions influence the impact of species interactions on evolution and community structure. We investigated whether pollinator-mediated interactions between coflowering plants vary with plant density, coflowering neighbor identity, and flowering season. METHODS: We conducted a field experiment in which flowering time and floral neighborhood were manipulated in a factorial design. Early- and late-flowering Clarkia unguiculata plants were placed into arrays with C. biloba neighbors, noncongeneric neighbors, additional conspecific plants, or no additional plants as a density control. We compared whole-plant pollen limitation of seed set, pollinator behavior, and pollen deposition among treatments. KEY RESULTS: Interactions mediated by shared pollinators depended on the identity of the neighbor and possibly changed through time, although flowering-season comparisons were compromised by low early-season plant survival. Interactions with conspecific neighbors were likely competitive late in the season. Interactions with C. biloba appeared to involve facilitation or neutral interactions. Interactions with noncongeners were more consistently competitive. The community composition of pollinators varied among treatment combinations. CONCLUSIONS: Pollinator-mediated interactions involved competition and likely facilitation, depending on coflowering neighbor. Experimental manipulation helped to reveal context-dependent variation in indirect biotic interactions.

Reproductive success through high pollinator visitation rates despite self incompatibility in an endangered wallflower.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Self incompatibility (SI) in rare plants presents a unique challenge-SI protects plants from inbreeding depression, but requires a sufficient number of mates and xenogamous pollination. Does SI persist in an endangered polyploid? Is pollinator visitation sufficient to ensure reproductive success? Is there evidence of inbreeding/outbreeding depression? We characterized the mating system, primary pollinators, pollen limitation, and inbreeding/outbreeding depression in Erysimum teretifolium to guide conservation efforts. METHODS: We compared seed production following self pollination and within- and between-population crosses. Pollen tubes were visualized after self pollinations and between-population pollinations. Pollen limitation was tested in the field. Pollinator observations were quantified using digital video. Inbreeding/outbreeding depression was assessed in progeny from self and outcross pollinations at early and later developmental stages. KEY RESULTS: Self-pollination reduced seed set by 6.5× and quadrupled reproductive failure compared with outcross pollination. Pollen tubes of some self pollinations were arrested at the stigmatic surface. Seed-set data indicated strong SI, and fruit-set data suggested partial SI. Pollinator diversity and visitation rates were high, and there was no evidence of pollen limitation. Inbreeding depression (δ) was weak for early developmental stages and strong for later developmental stages, with no evidence of outbreeding depression. CONCLUSIONS: The rare hexaploid E. teretifolium is largely self incompatible and suffers from late-acting inbreeding depression. Reproductive success in natural populations was accomplished through high pollinator visitation rates consistent with a lack of pollen limitation. Future reproductive health for this species will require large population sizes with sufficient mates and a robust pollinator community.

Pollen limitation in a narrow endemic plant: geographical variation and driving factors.

Pollen limitation may have important consequences for the reproduction and abundance of plant species. It may be especially harmful to endangered and endemic plants with small populations. In this study, we quantify the effect of pollen limitation on seed production and seedling emergence in an endangered narrow endemic crucifer, Erysimum popovii. We conducted a pollen addition experiment across the entire geographic distribution of the species, and explored the effect of pollinator assemblage, plant population size and density, and other habitat variables on pollen limitation intensity in 13 populations. We supplemented flowers in 20 plants per population with allogamous pollen. To account for potential resource reallocation, we used two types of control untreated flowers: internal control flowers from the same individual as the supplemented flowers, and external control flowers from other individuals. Our results indicate that E. popovii is pollen-limited in most of the populations studied, but only through seed production, since pollen supplementation did not enhance seedling emergence. Beefly abundance was associated with among-population differences in pollen limitation intensity. Populations in which beeflies were more abundant were less pollen-limited. In contrast, the abundance of other flower visitors, such as large bees or butterflies, was not associated with pollen limitation. Annual rainfall and bare soil cover were associated with the intensity of pollen limitation across populations.

Association between floral traits and rewards in Erysimum mediohispanicum (Brassicaceae).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Floral rewards may be associated with certain morphological floral traits and thus act as underlying factors promoting selection on these traits. This study investigates whether some traits that are under pollinator-mediated selection (flower number, stalk height, corolla diameter, corolla tube length and corolla tube width) in the Mediterranean herb E. mediohispanicum (Brassicaceae) are associated with rewards (pollen and nectar). METHODS: During 2005 the phenotypic traits and the visitation rate of the main pollinator functional groups were quantified in 720 plants belonging to eight populations in south-east Spain, and during 2006 the same phenotypic traits and the reward production were quantified in 400 additional plants from the same populations. KEY RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between nectar production rate and corolla tube length, and between pollen production and corolla diameter. Visitation rates of large bees and butterflies were significantly higher in plants exhibiting larger flowers with longer corolla tubes. CONCLUSIONS: The association between reward production and floral traits may be a factor underlying the pattern of visitation rate displayed by some pollinators.

Non-additive effects of herbivores and pollinators on Erysimum mediohispanicum (Cruciferae) fitness.

In this study, the non-additivity of effects of herbivores and pollinator on fitness of the plant Erysimum mediohispanicum (Cruciferae) has been experimentally tested. The abundance and diversity of the pollinator assemblage of plants excluded from and exposed to mammalian herbivores, and the combined effect of pollinators and herbivores on plant reproduction were determined over a period of 2 years. Pollinator abundance was higher and diversity was lower on plants excluded from herbivores. Furthermore, the experimental exclusions demonstrated that both pollinators and herbivores affected plant fitness, but their effects were not independent. Herbivores only had a detrimental effect on plant fitness when pollinators were present. Similarly, pollinators enhanced fitness only when herbivores were excluded. This outcome demonstrates that the importance of pollinators for plant fitness depends on the occurrence of herbivores, and suggests that herbivores may hamper pollinator-mediated adaptation in plants.

Effects of erysimin G on renal tubular function and 70-pS K+ channel activity of thick ascending limb.

AIM: To study the effect of erysimin G (CH35H52O13) on the thick ascending limb (TAL) 70-pS K+ channel of rat kidney and its effect on diuresis. METHODS: The patch-clamp cell-attached recording technique was used to record the single potassium channel current, and the urine volume (UV) was measured by urethral intubation to determine the diuretic effect. RESULTS: Erysimin G can increase the urine volume and decrease the 70-pS potassium channel activity of TAL. CONCLUSION: Erysimin G has a diuretic effect and its inhibition on the activity of apical 70-pS potassium channel may be the mechanism of its diuretic effect.