Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, and Biological Activities of the Genus Cordyline.

Cordyline species have a long history in traditional medicine as a basis of treatment for various ailments such as a bloody cough, dysentery, and a high fever. There are about 26 accepted species names in this genus distributed worldwide, including C. fruticosa, C. autralis, C. stricta, C. cannifolia, and C. dracaenosides. This work presents a comprehensive review of the traditional uses of plants of the genus Cordylie and their chemical constituents and biological activities. A bibliographic search was conducted to identify available information on ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, chemical composition, and biological activities. A total of 98 isolated compounds potentially responsible for most of the traditional medicinal applications have been reported from eight species of Cordyline and are characterised as flavonoid, spirostane, furostane, and cholestane glycosides. Some of these pure compounds, as well as extracts from some species of Cordyline, have exhibited noteworthy anti-oxidant, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, and hypolipidemic activities. Although many of these species have not yet been investigated phytochemically or pharmacologically, they remain a potential source of new bioactive compounds.

Molecular characterization of Cordyline virus 1 isolates infecting yam (Dioscorea spp).

Cordyline virus 1 (CoV1) is a velarivirus that has so far only been reported in ornamental Ti plants (Cordyline fruticosa). Using high-throughput sequencing, we identified CoV1 infection in yam accessions from Vanuatu. Using a specific RT-PCR assay, we found that CoV1 is also present and highly prevalent in Dioscorea alata, D. cayenensis, and D. trifida in Guadeloupe. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CoV1 isolates infecting yam in Guadeloupe display a low level of molecular diversity. These data provide insights into the transmission of CoV1 in yam in Guadeloupe.

Extraction of polygenetic natural dyes from Cordyline fruticosa & Mussaenda erythrophylla for textile substrates.

In the present study, cotton, silk and polyester yarns were dyed with the aqueous extracts of natural dyes from the pink leaves of Cordyline fruticosa and red sepals of Mussaenda erythrophylla. The dyeing was performed with mordants (Alum, Acetic acid, Copper sulphate and Lemon juice) and without mordant. UV-visible spectral analysis of natural dyes was determined. The selected dyed samples were assessed in terms of dye absorption percentage (E%), colour values (CIELAB), colour strength (K/S) and fastness properties. Various shades of ash-green and pink colours were obtained from the aqueous extracts of C. fruticosa leaves and M. erythrophylla sepals. Fastness results showed good to very good grades. It was observed that multiple colours were produced with different mordants from a single source; therefore, the dyes extracted from the above plants are polygenetic in nature.

Steroidal glycosides from the Vietnamese cultivar Cordyline fruticosa "Fairchild red".

A phytochemical study of Cordyline fruticosa "Fairchild red" (Asparagaceae) from Vietnam, led to the isolation of fourteen steroidal glycosides, including twelve previously undescribed along with two known ones. Ten compounds were obtained by successive solid/liquid chromatographic methods from an aqueous-ethanolic extract of the roots, and four from the aerial parts. Their structures were elucidated mainly by spectroscopic analysis 2D NMR and mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS), as spirostanol glycosides, 5α-spirost-25(27)-ene-1ß,3ß,4α-triol 1-O-ß-D-fucopyranoside, 5α-spirost-(25)27-ene-1ß,3ß,4α-triol 1-O-ß-D-xylopyranoside, 5α-spirost-(25)27-ene-1ß,3ß,4α-triol 1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-fucopyranoside, 5α-spirost-(25)27-ene-1ß,3ß,4α-triol 1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-(4-O-sulfo)-ß-D-fucopyranoside, 5α-spirost-25(27)-ene-1ß,3ß-diol 1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-fucopyranoside, and 5α-spirost-25(27)-ene-1ß,3ß-diol 1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-α-L-arabinopyranoside. Furostanol glycosides were also isolated as 26-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-5α-furost-(25)27-ene-1ß,3ß,4α,22α,26-pentol 1-O-ß-D-fucopyranoside, 26-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-22α-methoxy-5α-furost-(25)27-ene-1ß,3ß,4α,26-tetrol 1-O-ß-D-fucopyranoside, 26-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-5α-furost-(25)27-ene-1ß,3ß,22α,26-tetrol 1-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, 26-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-5α-furost-(25)27-ene-1ß,3ß,22α,26-tetrol 1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-glucopyranoside, 26-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-5α-furost-(25)27-ene-1ß,3ß,22α,26-tetrol 1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-fucopyranoside, and 26-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-22α-methoxy-5α-furost-(25)27-ene-1ß,3ß,26-triol 1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-fucopyranoside. All the isolated compounds were further evaluated for their cytotoxicity against 4T1 cell line, from a mouse mammary gland tissue, using MTS method.

Supramolecular Gels Incorporating Cordyline terminalis Leaf Extract as a Polyphenol Release Scaffold for Biomedical Applications.

Cordyline terminalis leaf extract (aqCT) possesses abundant polyphenols and other bioactive compounds, which are encapsulated in gelatin-polyethylene glycol-tyramine (GPT)/alpha-cyclodextrin (α-CD) gels to form the additional functional materials for biomedical applications. In this study, the gel compositions are optimized, and the GPT/α-CD ratios equal to or less than one half for solidification are found. The gelation time varies from 40.7 min to 5.0 h depending on the increase in GPT/α-CD ratios and aqCT amount. The aqCT extract disturbs the hydrogen bonding and host-guest inclusion of GPT/α-CD gel networks, postponing the gelation. Scanning electron microscope observation shows that all gels with or without aqCT possess a microarchitecture and porosity. GPT/α-CD/aqCT gels could release polyphenols from 110 to 350 nmol/mL at the first hour and sustainably from 5.5 to 20.2 nmol/mL for the following hours, which is controlled by feeding the aqCT amount and gel properties. GPT/α-CD/aqCT gels achieved significant antioxidant activity through a 100% scavenging DPPH radical. In addition, all gels are non-cytotoxic with a cell viability more than 85%. Especially, the GPT3.75α-CD10.5aqCT gels with aqCT amount of 3.1-12.5 mg/mL immensely enhanced the cell proliferation of GPT3.75α-CD10.5 gel without extract. These results suggest that the inherent bioactivities of aqCT endowed the resulting GPT/α-CD/aqCT gels with effective antioxidant and high biocompatibility, and natural polyphenols sustainably release a unique platform for a drug delivery system or other biomedical applications.

High resolution leaf spectral signature as a tool for foliar pigment estimation displaying potential for species differentiation.

Optical leaf profiles depend on foliar pigment type and content, as well as anatomical aspects and cellular ultrastructure, whose effects are shown in several species. Monocotyledon and Dicotyledon plants presenting natural pigment content variations and anatomical alterations were analyzed. Each plant species displays its own spectral signatures, which are, in turn, influenced by foliar pigment class (composition) and concentration, as well as anatomical and ultrastructural plant cell characteristics. Plants with no anthocyanin displayed increased reflectance and transmittance in the green spectral region (501-565 nm), while values decreased in the presence of anthocyanin. At wavelengths below 500 nm (350-500 nm), strong overlapping signatures of phenolics, carotenoids, chlorophylls, flavonoids and anthocyanins were observed. Using a partial least squares regression applied to 350-700 nm spectral data allowed for accurate estimations of different foliar pigment levels. In addition, a PCA and discriminant analysis were able to efficiently discriminate different species displaying spectra overlapping. The use of absorbance spectra only was able to discriminate species with 100 % confidence. Finally, a discussion on how different wavelengths are absorbed and on anatomical interference of light interaction in leaf profiles is presented.

Antibacterial 5α-Spirostane Saponins from the Fruit of Cordyline manners-suttoniae.

Antibacterial-activity-guided fractionation of a dichloromethane extract from the fruit of Cordyline manners-suttoniae and subsequent structure-activity investigations resulted in the identification of 10 new (1-10) and one known (11) 5α-spirostane saponin. The structures of the new compounds were established by 1D and 2D NMR analyses. The absolute configurations of the isolated compounds were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis or chemical derivatizations. The most active compound, suttonigenin F (6), inhibited the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus with MIC75 values that were comparable to those of the antibiotic chloramphenicol. Structure-activity relationships were also obtained from the assessment of antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of the isolated saponins.

Characterization of Ti Ringspot-Associated Virus, a Novel Emaravirus Associated with an Emerging Ringspot Disease of Cordyline fruticosa.

Ti ringspot is an emerging foliar disease of the ti plant (Cordyline fruticosa) in Hawaii that is quickly spreading throughout the islands. Symptoms include small chlorotic ringspots on leaves that often coalesce to form larger lesions. Although several virus species have been discovered in symptomatic plants, none have been associated with these symptoms. Here, we report and characterize a novel virus closely associated with ti ringspot symptoms in Hawaii. The presence of double membrane bodies approximately 85 nm in diameter in symptomatic cells and sequence analyses of five genomic RNA segments obtained by high-throughput sequencing indicate that this virus is most closely related to members of the plant virus genus Emaravirus. Phylogenetic and sequence homology analyses place this virus on a distinct clade within the Emaravirus genus along with High Plains wheat mosaic emaravirus, blue palo verde broom virus, and Raspberry leaf blotch emaravirus. Sequence identity values with taxonomically relevant proteins indicate that this represents a new virus species, which we are tentatively naming ti ringspot-associated virus (TiRSaV). TiRSaV-specific reverse transcription PCR assays detected the virus in several experimental herbaceous host species following mechanical inoculation. TiRSaV was also detected in eriophyid mites collected from symptomatic ti plants, which may represent a putative arthropod vector of the virus.

Steroidal saponins from the aerial parts of Cordyline fruticosa L. var. strawberries.

A new sulfated steroidal derivative (fruticogenin A: 1-sulfo-australigenin-3-sodium sulphate, 1) and three new steroidal saponins named fruticoside K (3-sulfo-spirostan-25(27)-ene-1ß,3ß-diol-1-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-ß-D-fucopyranoside], 2), fruticoside L (3-sulfo-spirostan-25(27)-ene-1ß,3ß,6α-triol-1-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-ß-D-fucopyranoside], 3) and fruticoside M (spirostan-25(27)-ene-1ß,3α-diol-1-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside], 4) were isolated from the aerial parts of Cordyline fruticosa L. var. strawberries. Their structures were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR data, mass spectrometry and chemical methods. Compounds 2 and 4 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against melanoma (A375), breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231), and colon carcinoma (HCT116) human tumor cell lines.

Transcript profiling of a novel plant meristem, the monocot cambium.

While monocots lack the ability to produce a vascular cambium or woody growth, some monocot lineages evolved a novel lateral meristem, the monocot cambium, which supports secondary radial growth of stems. In contrast to the vascular cambium found in woody angiosperm and gymnosperm species, the monocot cambium produces secondary vascular bundles, which have an amphivasal organization of tracheids encircling a central strand of phloem. Currently there is no information concerning the molecular genetic basis of the development or evolution of the monocot cambium. Here we report high-quality transcriptomes for monocot cambium and early derivative tissues in two monocot genera, Yucca and Cordyline. Monocot cambium transcript profiles were compared to those of vascular cambia and secondary xylem tissues of two forest tree species, Populus trichocarpa and Eucalyptus grandis. Monocot cambium transcript levels showed that there are extensive overlaps between the regulation of monocot cambia and vascular cambia. Candidate regulatory genes that vary between the monocot and vascular cambia were also identified, and included members of the KANADI and CLE families involved in polarity and cell-cell signaling, respectively. We suggest that the monocot cambium may have evolved in part through reactivation of genetic mechanisms involved in vascular cambium regulation.

Extraction, preparation and application of pigments from Cordyline fruticosa and Hylocereus polyrhizus as sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells.

Current study employs mixture of chlorophyll-anthocyanin dye extracted from leaves of Cordyline fruticosa as new sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSCs), as well as betalains dye obtained from fruit of Hylocereus polyrhizus. Among ten pigments solvents, the ethanol and methanol extracts revealed higher absorption spectra of pigments extracted from C. fruticosa and H. polyrhizus respectively. A major effect of temperature increase was studied to increase the extraction yield. The results indicated that extraction temperature between 70 and 80°C exhibited a high dye concentration of each plant than other temperatures. The optimal temperature was around 80°C and there was a sharp decrease of dye concentration at temperatures higher than this temperature. According to experimental results, the conversion efficiency of DSSC fabricated by mixture of chlorophyll and anthocyanin dyes from C. fruticosa leaves is 0.5% with short-circuit current (Isc) of 1.3mA/cm-2, open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.62V and fill factor (FF) of 60.16%. The higher photoelectric conversion efficiency of the DSSC prepared from the extract of H. polyrhizus was 0.16%, with Voc of 0.5V, Isc of 0.4mA/cm-2 and FF of 79.16%. The DSSC based betalain dye extracted from fruit of H. polyrhizus shows higher maximum IPCE of 44% than that of the DSSCs sensitized with mixed chlorophyll-anthocyanin dye from C. fruticosa (42%).

Effect of solvents on the extraction of natural pigments and adsorption onto TiO2 for dye-sensitized solar cell applications.

Nine solvents, namely, n-hexane, ethanol, acetonitrile, chloroform, ethyl-ether, ethyl-acetate, petroleum ether, n-butyl alcohol, and methanol were used to extract natural dyes from Cordyline fruticosa, Pandannus amaryllifolius and Hylocereus polyrhizus. To improve the adsorption of dyes onto the TiO2 particles, betalain and chlorophyll dyes were mixed with methanol or ethanol and water at various ratios. The adsorption of the dyes mixed with titanium dioxide (TiO2) was also observed. The highest adsorption of the C.fruticosa dye mixed with TiO2 was achieved at ratio 3:1 of methanol: water. The highest adsorption of P.amaryllifolius dye mixed with TiO2 was observed at 2:1 of ethanol: water. H.polyrhizus dye extracted by water and mixed with TiO2 demonstrated the highest adsorption among the solvents. All extracted dye was adsorbed onto the surface of TiO2 based on Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The inhibition of crystallinity of TiO2 was likewise investigated by X-ray analysis. The morphological properties and composition of dyes were analyzed via SEM and EDX.

A comparative study of anti-gastric cancer activity between aqueous extract and ethanol extract of Folium Cordylines Fruticosae.

The active components in Folium Cordylines Fruticosae were extracted by heat reflux method. The solvents used were distilled water and ethanol. The effects of two types of extracts on gastric cancer cells were compared; dry extract yields were calculated, as well as the inhibition rates of gastric cancer MGC-803 cell proliferation and the colony cell counts. The micro-Kjeldahl method was used to measure the cell protein contents and to make a comprehensive comparison. The results showed that the MGC-803 cell inhibition rates of three different concentrations (32.5, 75 and 150 mg/ml) of ethanol extracts increased with the increase of concentration, which was 48.9% at a concentration of 150 mg/ml; aqueous extract of Folium Cordylines Fruticosae had very low inhibitory activity at a low concentration (32.5 mg/ml), which was remained at about 20%. After being affected by two types of extracts, cells had uneven sizes, with very low brightness, while the normal cells presented a uniform full form, with high definition.

Differentiation and distribution of cordyline viruses 1-4 in Hawaiian ti plants (Cordyline fruticosa L.).

Common green ti plants (Cordyline fruticosa L.) in Hawaii can be infected by four recently characterized closteroviruses that are tentative members of the proposed genus Velarivirus. In this study, a reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay developed to detect and distinguish Cordyline virus 1 (CoV-1), CoV-2, CoV-3, and CoV-4 was used to determine: (i) the distribution of these viruses in Hawaii; and (ii) if they are involved in the etiology of ti ringspot disease. One hundred and thirty-seven common green ti plants with and without ti ringspot symptoms were sampled from 43 sites on five of the Hawaiian Islands and underwent the RT-PCR assay. Eleven ornamental ti varieties were also sampled and assayed. Based on this survey, it appears none of the CoVs are involved in the etiology of ti ringspot. The observation of a non-uniform geographic distribution of the CoVs in common green ti, combined with the presence of CoVs in seed-derived ornamental varieties, suggests active vector transmission. Eight herbarium specimens collected between 1903 and 2003 from plants on the island of Oahu also underwent the RT-PCR assay. Amplifiable RNA was isolated from accessions collected in 1985 or later, however only the 2003 accession was found to harbor CoVs.

Micropropagation of Cordyline terminalis.

This protocol describes an efficient and rapid method for large-scale multiplication of Cordyline terminalis in a cost-effective manner. Actively growing shoot tips were selected as explants. Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium was supplemented with different plant growth regulators at various developmental stages of C. terminalis. The highest percentage of regeneration (95 ± 2.8) and average number of shoot buds (60.2 ± 4.4) per explant were obtained in medium containing 80 mg /L adenine sulfate (AdSO(4)), 2 mg/L 6-benzyladenine (BA), and 0.1 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Thousands of micropropagated plants were produced within 4-5 months using this protocol.

New cholestane glycosides from the leaves of Cordyline terminalis.

Four new cholestane glycosides (1-4) were isolated from the leaves of Cordyline terminalis (Agavaceae). The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and a few chemical transformations followed by chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses.

Snails and slugs damaging the cut foliage, Cordyline fruticosa and use of biorationals towards their management.

Snails and slugs became a serious molluscan pests and damaging leaves of purple compacta, Cordyline fruticosa extensively grown for export at Green Farm Ltd, Sri Lanka. The export quality of leaves of C. fruticosa is lowered due to feeding of snails, Achantina fulica (Bowditch), Opeas pyrgula Schmacker and Boettgerx and Helix aspersa Muller and slugs incurring great loss to cut foliage industry. Paucity of information is available to understand snails and slugs damage and their host range that limits to develop suitable management practices. Therefore this study was aimed to determine damage, alternate hosts and to develop possible management practices. Snails and slugs damaged mainly fresh leaves of C. fruticosa. The severity of damage was 44.5% in infested field based on the visual rating method. Leaves of cassava, sting bean, okra, cucumber, passion fruit, papaya, Glyricidia and shoe flower were identified as alternate hosts and neem, Ixora and Dracaena spp were not served as alternate hosts. Among the plant materials tested for their repellence against snails and slugs revealed that neem seed powder was an irritant; neem leaves, mint leaves and Lantana leaves were acted as anti-feedant and Salt as chemical repellent. Among the barrier and bait experiments Bordeaux mixture exhibited a significant barrier effect against horizontal movement of snails. Baits made out of Metaldehyde bait, vegetables bait and jaggery had a strong effect in repelling the snails and slugs. Mulching with Madhuca longifolia punnac was the best to reduce the snails and slugs population compared to M. longifolia seed kernel powder. Oil from M. longifolia failed to reduce their population. Hence the results revealed that saponin containing M. longifolia punnac helped to eliminate snails and slugs when used as mulch. Metaldehyde, vegetable and jaggery baits are also useful to minimize their colonization further. Hence combination of these methods will help to prevent snails and slugs from damaging C. fruticosa and benefit to the cut foliage industry to sustain its export quality.

An assemblage of closteroviruses infects Hawaiian ti (Cordyline fruticosa L.).

The ti plant (Cordyline fruticosa L.) is culturally important throughout most of Polynesia and has considerable economic importance in Hawai'i where the foliage is commonly used in cultural ceremonies as well as food and ornamental industries. In Hawai'i, ringspot symptoms were recently observed on leaves of the common green variety of ti growing in Kahalu'u on the island of O'ahu, and Wailuku and Hana on the island of Maui. High molecular weight double-stranded (ds)RNAs were isolated from the leaves of symptomatic plants as well as plants without symptoms. A cDNA library derived from the dsRNAs present in symptomatic plants was generated and sequenced. These sequences indicated at least four distinct clostero-like viruses were present in the plants, and phylogenetic analyses suggested they were most closely related to Little cherry virus 1, an unassigned member of the family Closteroviridae. The 16,883 nucleotide genome of one of these viruses was determined and predicted to contain ten open reading frames with an organization typical of closteroviruses. Reverse-transcription PCR revealed this virus was present in both symptomatic and asymptomatic ti plants, making it unlikely to be responsible for the observed ringspot symptoms. We propose the name Cordyline virus 1 (CoV-1) for this virus and include it as a new, unassigned member of the family Closteroviridae.