Chemical Constituents of the Bulbs of Scilla peruviana and Their Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitory Activity.

Scilla species are used as medicinal plants and contain lanosterol-type triterpene glycosides. The phytochemical investigation of the bulbs of Scilla peruviana led to the isolation of 17 compounds, including three new rearranged pentacyclic-lanosterol glycosides (1-3) and two new homoisoflavanone glycosides (12 and 13). The structures of the undescribed compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including two-dimensional (2D) NMR. Among the triterpene glycosides, 2, 3, and 6 showed significant pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro. The oral administration of scillascilloside D-2 (6) reduced serum triglyceride levels in a dose-dependent manner in soybean oil-loaded mice.

Evaluation of introgressive hybridization among Cervidae in Japan's Kinki District via two novel genetic markers developed from public NGS data.

Hybridization and backcrossing of native populations with introduced species can lead to introgression and genetic alteration. In this study, we evaluated introgression in 43 deer from a potential hybrid zone around Okinoshima Island, Kinki District, Japan. This region witnessed the migration of a hybrid population (cross between the Formosan sika deer [Cervus nippon taiouanus] and other deer species) that could potentially breed with the native Japanese sika deer (C. n. centralis). We used an existing genetic marker for the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and two novel markers for nuclear DNA, developed using publicly available next-generation sequencing data. We identified one mainland deer with a mitochondrial haplotype identical to that of the Formosan sika deer as well as nuclear heterozygous sequences identical to those of Formosan and Japanese sika deer. This suggests that the mainland deer is a hybrid offspring of the Okinoshima population and native deer. However, only Japanese sika deer sequences were found in the other 42 samples, indicating limited introgression. Nevertheless, hybridization pre- and postintroduction in the Okinoshima population could cause multispecies introgression among Japanese sika deer, negatively affecting genetic integrity. We developed a simple test based on polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism to detect introgression in natural populations. Our method can accelerate genetic monitoring of Japanese sika deer in Kinki District. In conclusion, to prevent further introgression and maintain genetic integrity of Japanese sika deer, we recommend establishing fences around Okinoshima Island to limit migration, besides a continued genetic monitoring of the native deer.

Genetic Diversity and Divergence in Populations of the Threatened Grassland Perennial Vincetoxicum atratum (Apocynaceae-Asclepiadoideae) in Japan.

We examined the genetic diversity and structure in populations of the endangered grassland herb Vincetoxicum atratum using 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci. Although the populations were small and disconnected, our molecular data indicated that the species maintains relatively high levels of genetic diversity and connectivity among populations. Population clustering analyses detected 2 to 3 clusters and most of the populations of V. atratum comprised admixture of these genetic clusters. These admixtures likely formed during the process of colonizing habitats that had been disturbed by human activities. However, STRUCTURE clustering detected low-admixtures in populations occurring in rocky maritime sites, which may not be suitable for agriculture/rangeland activities. High genetic diversity and population connectivity suggested that loss of the remaining populations by grassland reduction might be an immediate threat for this species. Small grasslands populations managed by local farmers need appropriate conservation practices. Although our results showed genetic diversity and gene flow among populations of V. atratum were high, it is possible that this resulted from the historical continuous distribution of the species. To examine this hypothesis, further periodical monitoring of the genetic diversity and the genetic differentiation for the species is needed for a conservation action of the species.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for Canavalia cathartica and C. lineata (Fabaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Microsatellite markers were developed for the sea-dispersed legume Canavalia cathartica to investigate its genetic diversity and population structure. We also applied these microsatellite markers to the closely related species C. lineata. • METHODS AND RESULTS: Ten primer sets were developed for C. cathartica, and all of the primers were amplified in C. lineata. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 13 and one to 10 for C. cathartica and C. lineata, respectively. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.375 to 0.870 and from 0.071 to 0.877 for C. cathartica and C. lineata, respectively. • CONCLUSIONS: The 10 microsatellite markers developed in this study can be used to analyze the population genetic structure of C. cathartica and other related taxa.

Development of microsatellite markers for Isodon longitubus (Lamiaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Microsatellite markers were developed for Isodon longitubus to study the natural hybridization of the species and its congeners. • METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 10 primer sets were developed for I. longitubus. From the initial screening, all of 10 loci were polymorphic with five to 19 alleles per locus in the Mt. Ishizuchi population, whereas nine loci were polymorphic with two to 12 alleles per loci in the Toon population. Although one locus was monomorphic at one population, the observed and expected heterozygosity values estimated from 34 I. longitubus samples ranged from 0.273 to 1.000 and from 0.483 to 0.918, respectively. Six primer sets could amplify all three species examined in this study (I. inflexus, I. japonicus, and I. shikokianus). • CONCLUSIONS: The 10 microsatellite markers developed here will be useful in analyzing the population genetic structure of I. longitubus and in studying the natural hybridization between Isodon species.