Roxburgh was right: Aponogeton microphyllus and Aponogeton undulatus are distinct species.

Aponogeton microphyllus, previously placed under the synonymy of A. undulatus, is recognized here as a distinct species based on morphology, chromosome number, and molecular phylogenetics (nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed (ITS) spacer region). Observations on the type and live specimens revealed morphological differences between the two species. Aponogeton microphyllus flowered regularly and set seeds. Aponogeton undulatus flowered rarely, did not set seeds, but showed formation of young plantlets on the inflorescence axis. Similarly, different chromosome numbers were recorded in Aponogeton microphyllus and the two forms of A. undulatus, viz., AF1 and AF2, which occur in distinct populations. Aponogeton microphyllus exhibited polysomaty with root-tip cells showing 2n=40, 42, and 44 chromosomes. The two forms of A. undulatus, AF1 and AF2, showed 2n=84 and 86 chromosomes, respectively. Based on the ITS data, both species occupied two separate clades. Plastid trnK intron region indicated a close relationship between both species. Our study suggests the need for comprehensive phylogenetic analyses of A. undulatus across its distribution range based on more advanced techniques such as highthroughput sequencing data to understand the A. undulatus species complex and to detect natural hybrids of this species.

Allium cytogenetics: a critical review on the Indian taxa.

The genus Allium Linnaeus, 1753 (tribe Allieae) contains about 800 species worldwide of which almost 38 species are reported in India, including the globally important crops (onion, garlic, leek, shallot) and many wild species. A satisfactory chromosomal catalogue of Allium species is missing which has been considered in the review for the species occurring in India. The most prominent base number is x=8, with few records of x=7, 10, 11. The genome size has sufficient clues for divergence, ranging from 7.8 pg/1C to 30.0 pg/1C in diploid and 15.16 pg/1C to 41.78 pg/1C in polyploid species. Although the karyotypes are seemingly dominated by metacentrics, substantial variation in nucleolus organizing regions (NORs) is noteworthy. The chromosomal rearrangement between A.cepa Linnaeus, 1753 and its allied species has paved way to appreciate genomic evolution within Allium. The presence of a unique telomere sequence and its conservation in Allium sets this genus apart from all other Amaryllids and supports monophyletic origin. Any cytogenetic investigation regarding NOR variability, telomere sequence and genome size in the Indian species becomes the most promising field to decipher chromosome evolution against the background of species diversity and evolution, especially in the Indian subcontinent.

Cytogenetics, Typification, Molecular Phylogeny and Biogeography of Bentinckia (Arecoideae, Arecaceae), an Unplaced Indian Endemic Palm from Areceae.

Bentinckia is a genus of flowering plants which is an unplaced member of the tribe Areceae (Arecaceae). Two species are recognized in the genus, viz. B. condapanna Berry ex Roxb. from the Western Ghats, India, and B. nicobarica (Kurz) Becc. from the Nicobar Islands. This work constitutes taxonomic revision, cytogenetics, molecular phylogeny, and biogeography of the Indian endemic palm genus Bentinckia. The present study discusses the ecology, morphology, taxonomic history, distribution, conservation status, and uses of Bentinckia. A neotype was designated for the name B. condapanna. Cytogenetical studies revealed a new cytotype of B. condapanna representing 2n = 30 chromosomes. Although many phylogenetic reports of the tribe Areceae are available, the relationship within the tribe is still ambiguous. To resolve this, we carried out Bayesian Inference (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) analysis using an appropriate combination of chloroplast and nuclear DNA regions. The same phylogeny was used to study the evolutionary history of Areceae. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Bentinckia forms a clade with other unplaced members, Clinostigma and Cyrostachys, and together they show a sister relationship with the subtribe Arecinae. Biogeographic analysis shows Bentinckia might have originated in Eurasia and India.

Ethnobotany, botany, phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology of the genus Thalictrum L. (Ranunculaceae): A review.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Thalictrum (Ranunculaceae) is known for its important alkaloids which have been reported to exhibit various pharmacological activities, viz. antitumor, antimicrobial, antitussive, antiamebic, hypotensive effects, HIV antiviral, etc. Throughout the world, the plant has been used as a tonic, purgative, stimulant, aperient and is utilized in various systems of medicine in the treatment of various ailments like snake bite, jaundice, rheumatism, stomachache, wounds, swellings, uterine tumors, paralysis, joints pain, nervous disorders, toothache, diarrhea, piles, fever, peptic ulcer, ophthalmic, headache, diuretic, dyspepsia, convalescence, etc. AIMS OF THIS REVIEW: To bring together all the information regarding the botany, phytochemistry, ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology of Thalictrum and identify the gaps in the existing studies so that full medicinal potential of the genus can be realized. METHODS: Available literature on botany, geography, traditional uses, phytochemicals, and pharmacology was gathered by referring to library and electronic searches in PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, relevant journals and books. RESULTS: A variety of phytochemicals like alkaloids, essential oils, glycosides, phenols and terpenoids have been reported from Thalictrum species. Alkaloids are the most dominant diverse group with 178 different types. The crude extracts and isolates exhibit a gamut of pharmacological activities, namely anticancer, antimalarial, antioxidant, antipyretic, anti-tumor, ant-influenza virus, contraceptive and immunosuppressive. Northalrugosidine, an alkaloid from T. alpinum shows in vivo antileishmanial activity. So far, cytotoxic effects of only three Thalictrum species, viz. T. dasycarpum, T. foliolosum and T. simplex have been reported. Thl isolated from T. simplex is found to be 50% toxic (CC50%) at the concentration ranging from 53 to 95 µM. CONCLUSIONS: Thalictrum has tremendous medicinal values used in many traditional systems of medicine. It has multiple chemical components and still there is scope to explore more. Multiple chemical constituents and its utilization signify its high demand in the drug markets or pharmaceutical companies. In depth phytochemical studies along with in vitro studies with respect to their active principles can help in tapping the full medicinal potential of the genus.

Genus Barleria L. (Acanthaceae): a review of its taxonomy, cytogenetics, phytochemistry and pharmacological potential.

OBJECTIVES: Barleria, a large genus of the Acanthaceae family, comprises more than 300 species with diverse taxonomy, cytogenetics, phytochemistry and pharmacological potential. Therefore, the aim of this review is to critically assess the research on Barleria and provide guidance for future investigations. METHODS: The data were obtained from different sources, such as books, theses, journals and some of the websites and internet-based searches, published from 1901 to 2020. Data obtained from PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, online electronic journals, SpringerLink, Wiley, etc. have also been used. KEY FINDINGS: The species of this genus exhibit considerable medicinal properties. Cytogenetical data are scantily available with chromosome counts available for only 24 species. The most common chromosome number is 2n = 2x = 40. So far, 187 compounds are reported from Barleria species. The active principles, their uses, toxicity and pharmacological effects are discussed. Essential oils, flavones, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenes and terpenoids form the major compounds. SUMMARY: It is highly recommended that the pharmacological and economic potential of Barleria species should be exploited and more detailed studies and attention be geared towards its utilization and conservation. In addition, to ensure maximum pharmacological benefits and sustainable use, it is necessary to have empirical information explaining its ethnobotanical values as well as commercial potential.

Phytochemical Studies on Two Unexplored Endemic Medicinal Plants of India, Barleria terminalis and Calacanthus grandiflorus.

Barleria terminalis Nees and Calacanthus grandiflorus (Dalzell) Radlk. are endemic medicinal plants of the Western Ghats of India. The aim of the present research work was to investigate phytochemical profile, potent bioactives using RP-HPLC, LC-MS and GC-MS and to evaluate their bioactivities. Acetone was found to be the best extraction medium for separating phytochemicals. Similarly, acetone and methanol extracts exhibited potential antioxidant properties. Ethanol extract of B. terminalis stem showed potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (89.10 ± 0.26%) inhibitory activity. Inhibition of α-amylase (36.96 ± 2.96%) activity was observed the best in ethanol extract of B. terminalis leaves and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (94.33 ± 0.73%) in ethanol extract of C. grandiflorus stem. RP-HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of several phenolic compounds (gallic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, chlorogenic acid and coumaric acid) and phenylethanoid glycoside (verbascoside). The highest phenolics content were observed in B. terminalis (GA (4.17 ± 0.002), HBA (3.88 ± 0.001), VA (4.54 ± 0.001), CHLA (0.55 ± 0.004) mg/g DW, respectively). Similarly, LC-MS and GC-MS revealed the presence of phenolics, glycosides, terpenes, steroids, fatty acids, etc. Moreover, positive correlation between studied phytochemicals and antioxidants was observed in principal component analysis. Based on the present investigation, we conclude that B. terminalis and C. grandiflorus can be further explored for their active principles particularly, phenylethanoid glycosides and iridoids and their use in drug industry for pharmaceutical purposes.

Molecular Authentication of the Traditional Medicinal Plant "Lakshman Booti" (Smithia conferta Sm.) and Its Adulterants through DNA Barcoding.

BACKGROUND: Smithia conferta Sm. is an annual herb widely used in Indian traditional medical practice and commonly known as "Lakshman booti" in Sanskrit. Morphological resemblance among the species of genus Smithia Aiton. leads to inaccurate identification and adulteration. This causes inconsistent therapeutic effects and also affects the quality of herbal medicine. AIM: This study aimed to generate potential barcode for authentication of S. conferta and its adulterants through DNA barcoding technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Genomic DNA extracted from S. conferta and its adulterants was used as templates for polymerase chain reaction amplification of the barcoding regions. The amplicons were directed for sequencing, and species identification was conducted using BLASTn and unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean trees. In addition, the secondary structures of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 2 region were predicted. RESULTS: The nucleotide sequence of ITS provides species-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms and sequence divergence (22%) than psbA-trnH (10.9%) and rbcL (3.1%) sequences. The ITS barcode indicates that S. conferta and Smithia sensitiva are closely related compared to other species. CONCLUSION: ITS is the most applicable barcode for molecular authentication of S. conferta, and further chloroplast barcodes should be tested for phylogenetic analysis of genus Smithia. SUMMARY: The present investigation is the first effort of utilization of DNA barcode for molecular authentication of S. conferta and its adulterants. Also, this study expanded the application of the ITS2 sequence data in the authentication. The ITS has been proved as a potential and reliable candidate barcode for the authentication of S. conferta. Abbreviations used: BLASTn: Basic Local Alignment Search Tool for Nucleotide; MEGA: Molecular Evolutionary Genetic Analysis; EMBL: European Molecular Biology Laboratory; psbA-trnH: Photosystem II protein D1- stuctural RNA: His tRNA gene; rbcL: Ribulose 1,5 bi-phosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit gene.