Secobutanolides Isolated from Lindera obtusiloba Stem and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

In this study, a new secobutanolide, named secosubamolide B (3), along with three previously known secobutanolides (1, 2, and 4), were successfully isolated from a methanol extract of the stem of Lindera obtusiloba. The chemical structures of these compounds were elucidated through the analysis of spectroscopic data, and then compared with the existing literature to confirm their identities. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effect of these isolated compounds on bone marrow-derived dendritic cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was evaluated. Compounds 1-3 showed the significant suppression of LPS-triggered IL-6 and IL-12 p40 production, with IC50 values between 1.8 and 24.1 µM. These findings may provide a scientific foundation for developing anti-inflammatory agents from L. obtusiloba.

Impacts of Distribution Data on Accurate Species Modeling: A Case Study of Litsea auriculata (Lauraceae).

Global warming has caused many species to become endangered or even extinct. Describing and predicting how species will respond to global warming is one of the hotspots of biodiversity research. Species distribution models predict the potential distribution of species based on species occurrence data. However, the impact of the accuracy of the distribution data on the prediction results is poorly studied. In this study, we used the endemic plant Litsea auriculata (Lauraceae) as a case study. By collecting and assembling six different datasets of this species, we used MaxEnt to perform species distribution modeling and then conducted comparative analyses. The results show that, based on our updated complete correct dataset (dataset 1), the suitable distribution of this species is mainly located in the Ta-pieh Mountain, southwestern Hubei and northern Zhejiang, and that mean diurnal temperature range (MDTR) and temperature annual range (TAR) play important roles in shaping the distribution of Litsea auriculata. Compared with the correct data, the wrong data leads to a larger and expanded range in the predicted distribution area, whereas the species modeling based on the correct but incomplete data predicts a small and contracted range. We found that only about 23.38% of Litsea auriculata is located within nature reserves, so there is a huge conservation gap. Our study emphasized the importance of correct and complete distribution data for accurate prediction of species distribution regions; both incomplete and incorrect data can give misleading prediction results. In addition, our study also revealed the distribution characteristics and conservation gap of Litsea auriculata, laying the foundation for the development of reasonable conservation strategies for this species.

In Vitro and In Silico Evaluation of the Leishmanicidal and Trypanocidal Activities of Lignan Methylpiperitol Isolated from Persea Fulva.

Neglected Tropical Diseases are a significant concern as they encompass various infections caused by pathogens prevalent in tropical regions. The limited and often highly toxic treatment options for these diseases necessitate the exploration of new therapeutic candidates. In the present study, the lignan methylpiperitol was isolated after several chromatographic steps from Persea fulva L. E. Koop (Lauraceae) and its leishmanicidal and trypanocidal activities were evaluated using in vitro and in silico approaches. The chemical structure of methylpiperitol was defined by NMR and MS spectral data analysis. The antiprotozoal activity of methylpiperitol was determined in vitro and indicated potency against trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi (EC50 of 4.5±1.1 mM) and amastigote forms of Leishmania infantum (EC50 of 4.1±0.5 mM), with no mammalian cytotoxicity against NCTC cells (CC50>200 mM). Molecular docking studies were conducted using six T. cruzi and four Leishmania. The results indicate that for the molecular target hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase in T. cruzi and piteridine reductase 1 of L. infatum, the methylpiperitol obtained better results than the crystallographic ligand. Therefore, the lignan methylpiperitol, isolated from P. fulva holds potential for the development of new prototypes for the treatment of Neglected Tropical Diseases, especially leishmaniasis.

Genome mining of WOX-ARF gene linkage in Machilus pauhoi underpinned cambial activity associated with IAA induction.

As an upright tree with multifunctional economic application, Machilus pauhoi is an excellent choice in modern forestry from Lauraceae. The growth characteristics is of great significance for its molecular breeding and improvement. However, there still lack the information of WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) and Auxin response factor (ARF) gene family, which were reported as specific transcription factors in plant growth as well as auxin signaling. Here, a total of sixteen MpWOX and twenty-one MpARF genes were identified from the genome of M. pauhoi. Though member of WOX conserved in the Lauraceae, MpWOX and MpARF genes were unevenly distributed on 12 chromosomes as a result of region duplication. These genes presented 45 and 142 miRNA editing sites, respectively, reflecting a potential post-transcriptional restrain. Overall, MpWOX4, MpWOX13a, MpWOX13b, MpARF6b, MpARF6c, and MpARF19a were highly co-expressed in the vascular cambium, forming a working mode as WOX-ARF complex. MpWOXs contains typical AuxRR-core and TGA-element cis-acting regulatory elements in this auxin signaling linkage. In addition, under IAA and NPA treatments, MpARF2a and MpWOX1a was highly sensitive to IAA response, showing significant changes after 6 hours of treatment. And MpWOX1a was significantly inhibited by NPA treatment. Through all these solid analysis, our findings provide a genetic foundation to growth mechanism analysis and further molecular designing breeding in Machilus pauhoi.

Comprehensive Expression Analysis of the WRKY Gene Family in Phoebe bournei under Drought and Waterlogging Stresses.

In response to biotic and abiotic stresses, the WRKY gene family plays a crucial role in plant growth and development. This study focused on Phoebe bournei and involved genome-wide identification of WRKY gene family members, clarification of their molecular evolutionary characteristics, and comprehensive mapping of their expression profiles under diverse abiotic stress conditions. A total of 60 WRKY gene family members were identified, and their phylogenetic classification revealed three distinct groups. A conserved motif analysis underscored the significant conservation of motif 1 and motif 2 among the majority of PbWRKY proteins, with proteins within the same class sharing analogous gene structures. Furthermore, an examination of cis-acting elements and protein interaction networks revealed several genes implicated in abiotic stress responses in P. bournei. Transcriptomic data were utilized to analyze the expression patterns of WRKY family members under drought and waterlogged conditions, with subsequent validation by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) experiments. Notably, PbWRKY55 exhibited significant expression modulation under drought stress; PbWRKY36 responded prominently to waterlogging stress; and PbWRKY18, PbWRKY38, and PbWRKY57 demonstrated altered expression under both drought and waterlogging stresses. This study revealed the PbWRKY candidate genes that potentially play a pivotal role in enhancing abiotic stress resilience in P. bournei. The findings have provided valuable insights and knowledge that can guide further research aimed at understanding and addressing the impacts of abiotic stress within this species.

The chloroplast genome of a subtropical tree Sassafras randaiense (Hayata) Rehder, 1920 (Lauraceae).

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Sassafras randaiense (Hayata) Rehder, 1920, a subtropical tree in the family Lauraceae, was determined. For a better understanding of the differences between S. randaiense and S. tzumu, the complete chloroplast genome of S. randaiense was sequenced and analyzed. The complete chloroplast genome is 151,781 bp in length, consisting of a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 20,114 bp, one large single-copy (LSC) region of 92,740 bp, and one small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,813 bp. The overall GC content of the complete chloroplast genome is 39.2%. Further, maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis was conducted using 31 complete plastome sequences, which support that S. randaiense and S. tzumu are nested among the members of Cinnamomum, suggesting that Sassafras belongs to Cinnamomum.

The Complex Genetic Legacy of Hybridization and Introgression between the Rare Ocotea loxensis van der Werff and the Widespread O. infrafoveolata van der Werff (Lauraceae).

Hybridization and introgression are complex evolutionary mechanisms that can increase species diversity and lead to speciation, but may also lead to species extinction. In this study, we tested the presence and genetic consequences of hybridization between the rare and Ecuadorian endemic O. loxensis van der Werff and the widespread O. infrafoveolata van der Werff (Lauraceae). Phenotypically, some trees are difficult to identify, and we expect that some might in fact be cryptic hybrids. Thus, we developed nuclear microsatellites to assess the existence of hybrids, as well as the patterns of genetic diversity and population structure in allopatric and sympatric populations. The results revealed high levels of genetic diversity, even in the rare O. loxensis, being usually significantly higher in sympatric than in allopatric populations. The Bayesian assignment of individuals into different genetic classes revealed a complex scenario with different hybrid generations occurring in all sympatric populations, but also in allopatric ones. The absence of some backcrossed hybrids suggests the existence of asymmetric gene flow, and that some hybrids might be more fitted than others might. The existence of current and past interspecific gene flow also explains the blurring of species boundaries in these species and could be linked to the high rates of species found in Ocotea.

Litsea cubeba essential oil: Extraction, chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and applications in the food industry.

Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. (Lauraceae) is a valuable industrial crop that produces essential oil. The essential oil extracted from L. cubeba (LCEO) has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and high antioxidant properties, with great potential for increased usage in the food industry. This literature review summarizes the extraction techniques, content and chemical composition, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of LCEO, with a focus on its usage in the food industry, which is an area of substantial recent research. The chemical composition of LCEO, which is affected by various factors, plays a key role in determining its bioactivity and usage in food. The potent antimicrobial activity of LCEO against various foodborne pathogens gives it potential for use in food packaging and preservation to extend shelf life. Future research challenges include the elucidation of the role and mechanism of individual chemical components of LCEO in inhibiting specific foodborne microorganisms; cultivar development to produce germplasm that yields essential oils of the desired chemical composition; and the development of commercial products that can be used in the food industry.

Alseodaphnopsismaguanensis is conspecific with A.hokouensis (Lauraceae) based on morphological and molecular evidence.

Based on both morphological and molecular evidence, it is confirmed that Alseodaphnopsismaguanensis is conspecific with A.hokouensis. Hence, Alseodaphnopsismaguanensis is treated as a synonym of A.hokouensis here. The conservation status of Alseodaphnopsishokouensis is also re-evaluated according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria in this study.

The Analgesic Potential of Litsea Species: A Systematic Review.

Various plant species from the Litsea genus have been claimed to be beneficial for pain relief. The PRISMA approach was adopted to identify studies that reported analgesic properties of plants from the Litsea genus. Out of 450 records returned, 19 primary studies revealed the analgesic potential of nine Litsea species including (1) Litsea cubeba, (2) Litsea elliptibacea, (3) Litsea japonica, (4) Litsea glutinosa, (5) Litsea glaucescens, (6) Litsea guatemalensis, (7) Litsea lancifolia, (8) Litsea liyuyingi and (9) Litsea monopetala. Six of the species, 1, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9, demonstrated peripheral antinociceptive properties as they inhibited acetic-acid-induced writhing in animal models. Species 1, 3, 4, 8 and 9 further showed effects via the central analgesic route at the spinal level by increasing the latencies of heat stimulated-nocifensive responses in the tail flick assay. The hot plate assay also revealed the efficacies of 4 and 9 at the supraspinal level. Species 6 was reported to ameliorate hyperalgesia induced via partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL). The antinociceptive effects of 1 and 3 were attributed to the regulatory effects of their bioactive compounds on inflammatory mediators. As for 2 and 5, their analgesic effect may be a result of their activity with the 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) which disrupted the pain-stimulating actions of 5-HT. Antinociceptive activities were documented for various major compounds of the Litsea plants. Overall, the findings suggested Litsea species as good sources of antinociceptive compounds that can be further developed to complement or substitute prescription drugs for pain management.

Highly oxidized guaiane 12(8),15(6)-dilactones with neuroprotective activities from the roots of Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm.

In our search for neuroprotective agents, six previously undescribed highly oxidized guaiane sesquiterpenes, linderaggrols A-F (1-6), together with three known sesquiterpenes, were isolated from the roots of Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm. Their structures including absolute configurations were established by a combination of NMR spectroscopic techniques and single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. Compounds 1-6 represented the first instances of guaiane 12(8),15(6)-dilactones. Additionally, compound 6 possessed a rare 1,8-O-bridge. Neuroprotective effects against erastin-induced ferroptosis on HT-22 cells showed that some compounds demonstrated neuroprotective effects at 20.0 µM.

Aiouea padiformis extract exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the ATPase activity of NLRP3.

Inflammation is implicated as a cause in many diseases. Most of the anti-inflammatory agents in use are synthetic and there is an unmet need for natural substance-derived anti-inflammatory agents with minimal side effects. Aiouea padiformis belongs to the Lauraceae family and is primarily found in tropical regions. While some members of the Aiouea genus are known to possess anti-inflammatory properties, the anti-inflammatory properties of Aiouea padiformis extract (AP) have not been investigated. In this study, we aimed to examine the anti-inflammatory function of AP through the NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Treatment with AP inhibited the secretion of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome in J774A.1 and THP-1 cells without affecting the viability. In addition, AP treatment did not influence NF-κB signaling, potassium efflux, or intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production-all of which are associated with NLRP3 inflammasome activation. However, intriguingly, AP treatment significantly reduced the ATPase activity of NLRP3, leading to the inhibition of ASC oligomerization and speck formation. Consistent with cellular experiments, the anti-inflammatory property of AP in vivo was also evaluated using an LPS-induced inflammation model in zebrafish, demonstrating that AP hinders NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Oil and mucilage idioblasts co-occur in the vegetative organs of Ocotea pulchella (Lauraceae): comparative development, ultrastructure and secretions.

This study compares oil and mucilage idioblasts occurring together in the vegetative organs of Ocotea pulchella, a Lauraceae species. Our focus is specifically on the ontogeny and developmental cytology of these secretory cells. Both types of idioblasts originate from solitary cells located in the fundamental meristem, underlying the protodermis. The growth of both types of idioblasts is asynchronous, with the oil idioblasts developing first, but their initiation is restricted to the early stages of organ development. Mucilaginous idioblasts occur exclusively in the palisade parenchyma, while oil idioblasts are scattered throughout the mesophyll, midrib, and petiole of the leaves. The lamellar secretion of mucilage idioblasts is mostly made up of polysaccharides, while the secretion of oil idioblasts is made up of terpenes and lipids. Cupule occurred only in the oil idioblasts, while suberized layers occurred in both types of cells. We found that immature oil idioblasts that are close to each other fuse; mature mucilage idioblasts have labyrinthine walls arranged in a reticulate pattern; the cells close to the oil idioblasts have a pectin protective layer; and the oil idioblasts have a sheath of phenolic cells. In contrast to previous reports, the two types of secretory idioblasts were recognized during the early stages of their development. The results emphasize the importance of combining optical and electron microscopy methods to observe the ontogenetic, histochemical and ultrastructural changes that occur during the development of the secretory idioblasts. This can help us understand how secreting cells store their secretions and how their walls become specialized.

Comparative Analysis of Chloroplast Genomes of "Tiantai Wu-Yao" (Lindera aggregata) and Taxa of the Same Genus and Different Genera.

Lindera aggregata is a species of the Lauraceae family, which has important medicinal, economic and ornamental values. In this study, we sequenced, assembled and annotated the chloroplast genome of L. aggregata and reannotated and corrected eight unverified annotations in the same genus. The chloroplast genomes taxa from Lindera and from different genera of Lauraceae were compared and analyzed, and their phylogenetic relationship and divergence time were speculated. All the 36 chloroplast genomes had typical quadripartite structures that ranged from 150,749 to 154,736 bp in total length. These genomes encoded 111-112 unique genes, including 78-79 protein-coding genes, 29-30 tRNA and 4 rRNA. Furthermore, there were 78-97 SSRs loci in these genomes, in which mononucleotide repeats were the most abundant; there were 24-49 interspersed repeats, and forward repeat types were the most frequent. The codon bias patterns of all species tended to use codons ending with A or U. Five and six highly variable regions were identified within genus and between genera, respectively, and three common regions (ycf1, ndhF-rpl32 and rpl32-trnL) were identified, which can be used as important DNA markers for phylogeny and species identification. According to the evaluation of the Ka/Ks ratio, most of the genes were under purifying selection, and only 10 genes were under positive selection. Finally, through the construction of the evolutionary tree of 39 chloroplast genomes, the phylogenetic relationship of Lauraceae was clarified and the evolutionary relationship of Lindera was revealed. The species of genus Lindera experienced rapid adaptive radiation from Miocene to Pleistocene. The results provided valuable insights for the study of chloroplast genomes in the Lauraceae family, especially in the genus Lindera.

Potential of Ocotea indecora (Schott) Mez essential oil nanoemulsion in schistosomiasis control: Molluscicidal effects.

Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease transmitted through contaminated water in populations with low basic sanitation. The World Health Organization recommends controlling the intermediate host snails of the Biomphalaria genus with the molluscicide niclosamide. This work aims to evaluate the biocidal potential of the nanoemulsion prepared with the essential oil of Ocotea indecora leaves for the control of the mollusk Biomphalaria glabrata, intermediate host of the Schistosoma mansoni, the etiologic agent of schistosomiasis.

The quality evaluation of the laurel leaf samples sold in the market under the name of "Defne Yapragi".

Laurus nobilis L. is an aromatic shrub or tree, Mediterranean element. The leaves are employed as a spice and for medicinal purposes. It is known by various names in Turkey, such as "defne, har and tehnel." In this study, 15 different laurel leaf samples were purchased from 6 different cities in Turkey, diagnosed, and evaluated in terms of quality. The conditions of use and sale of these samples were evaluated. The essential oils obtained from the leaf samples were analyzed, and their physical properties such as density, refractive index, and optical rotation were determined. In the chemical composition of the oils, 1,8-cineole (41.2-64.4%), sabinene (1.5-15.9%), and α-terpinyl acetate (1.5-15%) have been found to be the major components. However, in one station, the presence of 1,8-cineole was not be determined. Laurel leaf drugs offered for sale in some provinces of Turkey were purchased from the market and their morphological characteristics and essential oil profiles were examined and evaluated in terms of public health. It was determined that these samples should be standardized and quality-controlled before being released to the market.

N-alkylamides from Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. with potential anti-inflammatory activity.

Six amides, including a new N-alkylamide (1), four known N-alkylamides (2-5) and one nicotinamide (6) were isolated from Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers., which is a pioneer herb traditionally utilized in medicine. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR experiments and by comparison of their spectroscopic and physical data with the literature values. Cubebamide (1) is a new cinnamoyltyraminealkylamide and possessed obvious anti-inflammatory activity against NO production with IC50 values of 18.45 µM. Further in-depth pharmacophore-based virtual screening and molecular docking were carried out to reveal the binding mode of the active compound inside the 5-LOX enzyme. The results indicate that L. cubeba, and the isolated amides might be useful in the development of lead compounds for the prevention of inflammatory diseases.

In vitro and In silico evaluation of the Leishmanicidal and Trypanocidal activities of Lignan Methylpiperitol isolated from Persea Fulva

Neglected Tropical Diseases are a significant concern as theyencompass various infections caused by pathogens prevalent intropical regions. The limited and often highly toxic treatmentoptions for these diseases necessitate the exploration of newtherapeutic candidates. In the present study, the lignanmethylpiperitol was isolated after several chromatographicsteps from Persea fulva L. E. Koop (Lauraceae) and its leishmani-cidal and trypanocidal activities were evaluated using in vitroand in silico approaches. The chemical structure of methylpiper-itol was defined by NMR and MS spectral data analysis. Theantiprotozoal activity of methylpiperitol was determined in vitroand indicated potency against trypomastigote forms of Trypa-nosoma cruzi (EC50 of 4.5 � 1.1 mM) and amastigote forms ofLeishmania infantum (EC50 of 4.1 � 0.5 mM), with no mammaliancytotoxicity against NCTC cells (CC50 > 200 mM). Moleculardocking studies were conducted using six T. cruzi and fourLeishmania. The results indicate that for the molecular targethypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase in T. cruzi and pite-ridine reductase 1 of L. infatum, the methylpiperitol obtainedbetter results than the crystallographic ligand. Therefore, thelignan methylpiperitol, isolated from P. fulva holds potential forthe development of new prototypes for the treatment ofNeglected Tropical Diseases, especially leishmaniasis.

Rare 7,9'-dinorlignans with neuroprotective activity from the roots of Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm.

Linderagatins C-F (1-4), the first examples of naturally occurring diaryltetrahydrofuran-type 7,9'-dinorlignans, were characterized from the roots of Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm. The structures of these dinorlignans were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configurations were determined based on calculated and experimental ECD data. A biosynthetic pathway for these dinorlignans was hypothetically proposed. Compounds 2 and 3 showed significant neuroprotective effects on erastin-induced ferroptosis in HT-22 cells with EC50 values of 23.4 and 21.8 µM, respectively.

Exploration of the truncated cytosolic Hsp70 in plants - unveiling the diverse T1 lineage and the conserved T2 lineage.

The 70-kDa heat shock proteins (Hsp70s) are chaperone proteins involved in protein folding processes. Truncated Hsp70 (Hsp70T) refers to the variant lacking a conserved C-terminal motif, which is crucial for co-chaperone interactions or protein retention. Despite their significance, the characteristics of Hsp70Ts in plants remain largely unexplored. In this study, we performed a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of 192 sequenced plant and green algae genomes to investigate the distribution and features of Hsp70Ts. Our findings unveil the widespread occurrence of Hsp70Ts across all four Hsp70 forms, including cytosolic, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial, and chloroplast Hsp70s, with cytosolic Hsp70T being the most prevalent and abundant subtype. Cytosolic Hsp70T is characterized by two distinct lineages, referred to as T1 and T2. Among the investigated plant and green algae species, T1 genes were identified in approximately 60% of cases, showcasing a variable gene count ranging from one to several dozens. In contrast, T2 genes were prevalent across the majority of plant genomes, usually occurring in fewer than five gene copies per species. Sequence analysis highlights that the putative T1 proteins exhibit higher similarity to full-length cytosolic Hsp70s in comparison to T2 proteins. Intriguingly, the T2 lineage demonstrates a higher level of conservation within their protein sequences, whereas the T1 lineage presents a diverse range in the C-terminal and SBDα region, leading to categorization into four distinct subtypes. Furthermore, we have observed that T1-rich species characterized by the possession of 15 or more T1 genes exhibit an expansion of T1 genes into tandem gene clusters. The T1 gene clusters identified within the Laurales order display synteny with clusters found in a species of the Chloranthales order and another species within basal angiosperms, suggesting a conserved evolutionary relationship of T1 gene clusters among these plants. Additionally, T2 genes demonstrate distinct expression patterns in seeds and under heat stress, implying their potential roles in seed development and stress response.