ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Tropaeolaceae (Brassicales) comprise ~100 species native to South and Central America. Tropaeolaceae flowers have a nectar spur, formed by a late expansion and evagination of the fused proximal region of the perianth (i.e. the floral tube). This spur is formed in the domain of the tube oriented towards the inflorescence axis, which corresponds to the adaxial floral region. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms responsible for the evolution of spurs in Tropaeolaceae. METHODS: In this study, we examined the spatio-temporal expression of genes putatively responsible for differential patterns of cell division between the adaxial and abaxial floral regions in Tropaeolaceae. These genes include previously identified TCP and KNOX transcription factors and the cell division marker HISTONE H4 (HIS4). KEY RESULTS: We found a TCP4 homologue concomitantly expressed with spur initiation and elaboration. Tropaeolaceae possess two TCP4-like (TCP4L) copies, as a result of a Tropaeolaceae-specific duplication. The two copies (TCP4L1 and TCP4L2) in Tropaeolum longifolium show overlapping expression in the epidermis of reproductive apices (inflorescence meristems) and young floral buds, but only TlTCP4L2 shows differential expression in the floral tube at early stages of spur formation, restricted to the adaxial region. This adaxial expression of TlTCP4L2 overlaps with the expression of TlHIS4. Later in development, only TlTCP4L2 is expressed in the nectariferous tissue of the spur. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, we hypothesize that Tropaeolaceae TCP4L genes had a plesiomorphic role in epidermal development and that, after gene duplication, TCP4L2 acquired a new function in spur initiation and elaboration. To better understand spur evolution in Tropaeolaceae, it is critical to expand developmental genetic studies to their sister group, the Akaniaceae, which possess simultaneously an independent duplication of TCP4L genes and a spurless floral tube.
Subject(s)
Magnoliopsida , Tropaeolaceae , Tropaeolum , Plant Nectar/metabolism , Tropaeolum/metabolism , Flowers , Magnoliopsida/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, PlantABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objective To determine the centesimal composition of minerals, fatty acids and vitamin C of leaves and tubers of crem, and to discuss the nutritional potential of the T. pentaphyllum species. Methods The centesimal composition of protein, lipid, fiber, ash and carbohydrate was determined by gravimetric analysis. Mineral composition was determined by optical emission spectrometry. Vitamin C was determined by dinitrophenylhydrazine method. Fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography. The percentage of recommended dietary intake of leaves and tubers of crem was calculated for each nutrient. Results A high content of fibrous fraction (63.07g/100g), potassium (4.55g/100g), magnesium (553.64mg/100g) and sulfur (480.79mg/100g) was observed in the chemical composition of leaves. In tubers, a high carbohydrate content was observed, with 62.60g/100g of starch and 3.43g/100g of fiber, as well as high potassium (0.58g/100g), sulfur (447.14g/100), calcium (205.54g/100g) and phosphorus (530.07g/100g) levels. The vitamin C content of tubers was 78.43mg/100g and the linoleic acid content was 0.455g/100g. The intake of 100g of crem leaves may contribute with 65% of the recommended dietary intake of sulfur. The intake of 100g of crem tuber may contribute with 106% of the recommended dietary intake of sulfur and 21% of the recommended dietary intake of Vitamin C. Conclusion The chemical composition of crem (Tropaeolum pentaphyllum Lam.) tubers and leaves demonstrated an important contribution of nutrients, mainly sulfur, vitamin C and linoleic acid in its tubers, indicating a high nutritional potential of this species.
RESUMO Objetivo Este estudo teve por objetivo determinar a composição centesimal, mineral, vitamina C e ácidos graxos de folhas e tubérculos de crem, e discutir o potencial nutricional da espécie T. pentaphyllum. Métodos A composição centesimal em proteínas, lipídeos, fibras, cinzas e carboidratos foi determinada por análise gravimétrica. A composição mineral foi determinada por espectrometria de emissão óptica. A vitamina C foi determinada pelo método dinitrofenilhidrazina. Os ácidos graxos foram determinados por cromatografia a gás. A porcentagem da ingestão dietética recomendada de folhas e tubérculos de crem foi calculada para cada nutriente. Resultados Na composição química das folhas verificou-se alto conteúdo de fração fibrosa (63,07g/100g), potássio (4,55g/100g), magnésio (553,64mg/100g) e enxofre (480,79mg/100g). Nos tubérculos verificou-se alto conteúdo de carboidratos, com 62,60g/100g de amido e 3,43g/100g de fibras, além de alto teor de potássio (0,58g/100g), enxofre (447,14g/100), cálcio (205,54g/100g) e fósforo (530,07g/100g). O conteúdo de vitamina C no tubérculo de crem foi de 78,43mg/100g, e o de ácido graxo linoleico foi de 0,455 g/100g. A ingestão de 100g de folhas de crem poderá contribuir com 65% da ingestão diária recomendada de enxofre. A ingestão de 100g de tubérculo de crem poderá contribuir com 106% da ingestão diária recomendada de enxofre e com 21% da ingestão diária recomendada de Vitamina C. Conclusão A composição química de tubérculos e folhas de crem apresentou um aporte expressivo de nutrientes, principalmente de enxofre, além de vitamina C e ácido linoleico nos tubérculos, indicando um alto potencial nutricional da espécie.
Subject(s)
Food Analysis , Nutrients , Tropaeolaceae , Plant Tubers , Chemical Phenomena , Nutritive ValueABSTRACT
Tropaeolum majus L., popularly known as nasturtium, is a species widely used in the form of infusions and salads. In the last years, the antihypertensive, diuretic, and calcium and potassium sparing activities of T. majus preparations were shown. Moreover, no preclinical 90-day oral toxicity studies were conducted. Thus, this study evaluated the toxicity of the hydroethanolic extract obtained from T. majus (HETM) leaves in female and male mice, rats, and rabbits. Swiss mice and Wistar rats were treated with HETM (75, 375, and 750 mg/kg). The doses of rabbits (30, 150, and 300 mg/kg) were calculated by allometric extrapolation. The control groups received vehicle. The animals were orally treated, daily, for 90 days. At the end, the animals were anesthetized, and body weight gain, relative weight of liver, kidney, and spleen, and histopathological changes were evaluated. Serum hematological and biochemical parameters were also analyzed. No alterations were found in body and organ weights or in histopathological and biochemical evaluation. Hematological analyses revealed small changes in lymphocytes and neutrophil counts in rats after administration of 750 mg/kg of HETM. These results showed that 90-day use of T. majus is safe in rodents and lagomorphs.
Subject(s)
Plant Extracts/toxicity , Plant Leaves/toxicity , Tropaeolaceae , Administration, Oral , Animals , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Male , Mice , Phytotherapy , Rabbits , Rats , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Tropaeolum majus L. (Tropaeolaceae) is a medicinal herb popularly used in Brazil for treatment of inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases. Despite some published data on its efficacy, there are still few toxicological data describing the safety of this plant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the (anti)estrogenic and (anti)androgenic activity of the hydroethanolic extract obtained from Tropaeolum majus L. (HETM), as well as its possible effects on uterine contractility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three experimental protocols were performed, (a) uterotrophic assay, (b) Hershberger assay and (c) an ex vivo test to investigate the effects of maternal administration of HETM on uterine contractility at the end of pregnancy. In all protocols three doses of the HETM were administered to Wistar rats: 3, 30 and 300mg/kg. RESULTS: In vivo tests for detection of (anti)androgenic and (anti)estrogenic activities did not show any significant alterations. Similarly, no alterations were observed on uterine contractility induced by oxytocin and arachidonic acid. CONCLUSIONS: HETM was unable to produce (anti)estrogenic or (anti)androgenic activities in the short-term in vivo screening assays performed. In addition, there was no evidence that HETM can affect uterine contractility following gestational exposure of rats.
