RESUMO
Representatives of the Crassulaceae family's genus Rhodiola are succulents, making them distinctive in a changing environment. One of the most significant tools for analyzing plant resources, including numerous genetic processes in wild populations, is the analysis of molecular genetic polymorphism. This work aimed to look at the polymorphisms of allelic variations of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and auxin response factor (ARF) gene families, as well as the genetic diversity of five Rhodiola species, using the retrotransposons-based fingerprinting approach. The multi-locus exon-primed intron-crossing (EPIC-PCR) profiling approach was used to examine allelic variations in the SOD and ARF gene families. We implemented the inter-primer binding site (iPBS) PCR amplification technique for genome profiling, which demonstrated a significant level of polymorphism in the Rhodiola samples studied. Natural populations of Rhodiola species have a great capacity for adaptation to unfavorable environmental influences. The genetic variety of wild populations of Rhodiola species leads to their improved tolerance of opposing environmental circumstances and species evolutionary divergence based on the diversity of reproductive systems.
Assuntos
Crassulaceae , Rhodiola , Rhodiola/genética , Variação Genética/genética , Filogenia , Polimorfismo Genético , Crassulaceae/genéticaRESUMO
This paper deals with three Oriental genera of the antlion subfamily Nemoleontinae. The validity of two junior synonyms of Indoleon Banks, 1913, i.e., Indophanes Banks, 1940 and Yunleon Yang, 1986, are formally restored. Indoleon is treated as a monotypic genus represented by Indol. tacitus (Walker, 1860). Indophanes comprises eight species, including five known species: Indop. audax (Walker, 1853), Indop. barbarus (Walker, 1853), Indop. infestus (Walker, 1853), Indop. sinensis Banks, 1940, and Indop. vartianorum Hölzel, 1972; two new species: Indop. amicus sp. nov. and Indop. nanliae sp. nov.; and a new combination: Indop. fuscilomus (Yang, 1986) comb. nov. Yunleon comprises two species: Y. fluctosus Yang, 1988 and Y. longicorpus Yang, 1986. We also restore the validity of a junior synonym of Indop. audax (Walker, 1853), i.e., Myrmeleon gravis Walker, 1853, and transfer it to Distoleon Banks, 1910, i.e., D. gravis stat. rev. et comb. nov. Besides, we describe the larval morphology and biology of Indop. nanliae sp. nov. and Indop. sinensis Banks, 1940. It is the first record of the immature stage of Indophanes. A key to species of these three genera is provided. Meanwhile, we discuss the taxonomic position of the aforementioned three genera and their related genera, i.e., Paraglenurus van der Weele, 1909 and Thaumatoleon Esben-Petersen, 1923, and we consider that they should be placed into Megistopini rather than Nemoleontini.
Assuntos
Crassulaceae , Holometábolos , Animais , LarvaRESUMO
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The most species-rich and ecologically diverse plant radiation on the Canary Islands is the Aeonium alliance (Crassulaceae). In island radiations like this, speciation can take place either within islands or following dispersal between islands. Aiming at quantifying intra- and inter-island speciation events in the evolution of Aeonium, and exploring their consequences, we hypothesized that (1) intra-island diversification resulted in stronger ecological divergence of sister lineages, and that (2) taxa on islands with a longer history of habitation by Aeonium show stronger ecological differentiation and produce fewer natural hybrids. METHODS: We studied the biogeographical and ecological setting of diversification processes in Aeonium with a fully sampled and dated phylogeny inferred using a ddRADseq approach. Ancestral areas and biogeographical events were reconstructed in BioGeoBEARS. Eleven morphological characters and three habitat characteristics were taken into account to quantify the morphological and ecological divergence between sister lineages. A co-occurrence matrix of all Aeonium taxa is presented to assess the spatial separation of taxa on each island. KEY RESULTS: We found intra- and inter-island diversification events in almost equal numbers. In lineages that diversified within single islands, morphological and ecological divergence was more pronounced than in lineages derived from inter-island diversification, but only the difference in morphological divergence was significant. Those islands with the longest history of habitation by Aeonium had the lowest percentages of co-occurring and hybridizing taxon pairs compared with islands where Aeonium arrived later. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings illustrate the importance of both inter- and intra-island speciation, the latter of which is potentially sympatric speciation. Speciation on the same island entailed significantly higher levels of morphological divergence compared with inter-island speciation, but ecological divergence was not significantly different. Longer periods of shared island habitation resulted in the evolution of a higher degree of spatial separation and stronger reproductive barriers.
Assuntos
Crassulaceae , Filogenia , Ecossistema , Especiação GenéticaRESUMO
Twenty-two flavonoids were isolated from the leaves and stems of Sedum japonicum subsp. oryzifolium (Crassulaceae). Of these compounds, five flavonoids were reported in nature for the first time, and identified as herbacetin 3-O-xyloside-8-O-glucoside, herbacetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-(2'''-acetylxyloside), gossypetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-arabinoside, gossypetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-(2'''-acetylxyloside) and hibiscetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-arabinoside via UV, HR-MS, LC-MS, acid hydrolysis and NMR. Other seventeen known flavonoids were identified as herbacetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-arabinoside, herbacetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-xyloside, gossypetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-xyloside, quercetin, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-xylosyl-(1â2)-rhamnoside-7-O-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, kaempferol 7-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3,7-di-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-glucosyl-(1â2)-rhamnoside-7-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-xylosyl-(1â2)-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-xylosyl-(1â2)-rhamnoside-7-O-rhamnoside, myricetin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-glucoside. Some flavonol 3,8-di-O-glycosides were found in Sedum japonicum subsp. oryzifolium as major flavonoids in this survey. They were presumed to be the diagnostic flavonoids in the species. Flavonoids were reported from S. japonicum for the first time.
Assuntos
Crassulaceae , Sedum , Quempferóis , Quercetina/química , Flavonoides/química , Glucosídeos/química , Glicosídeos/químicaRESUMO
Similarities (features of the family Crassulaceae) and differences in anther development and structure were observed between Aeonium balsamiferum and A. ciliatum. Microsporangia are rounded in A. ciliatum and elongate oval in A. balsamiferum. The septum between microsporangia is consequently longer in A. ciliatum and extremely short in A. balsamiferum. In the latter, pollen can spill out through both the stomium and the apical pore (the phenomenon first discovered in the family Crassulaceae), and both modes of theca opening occur simultaneously, suggesting a greater specialization for pollination for the A. balsamiferum anther. The outer tapetum is single-layered in both species, but its cells are mononuclear in A. ciliatum and binuclear in A. balsamiferum. The inner tapetum is usually single-layered and irregularly two-layered in rare cases; its cells increase in size by a factor of 2 in A. ciliatum and 3-4 in A. balsamiferum (resembling papilloid cells in structure in the latter). Similarities in anther structure were observed between the genera Aeonium and Sedum. In both genera, the anther was isobilateral (on a transverse section) and had an epiconnective, a four-beamed connective, and an annular fibrous layer on the inner side of the connective in the lower region, where there is no fusion of the anther and filament; pollen grains were of the same structural type: tricolporate with a striated surface. The findings were consistent with the cladistic reconstructions that put species of the polyphyletic genus Sedum in the tribes Aeonieae, Semperviveae, and Sedeae. Aeonium balsamiferum and A. ciliatum fall into the Aeonium clade and occupy an intermediate position between the Telephium clade (Sedum kamtschaticum) and the Acre clade (S. palmeri).
Assuntos
Crassulaceae , Flores , Pólen , ReproduçãoRESUMO
MAIN CONCLUSION: This study reported 13 new plastomes from Aeonium and Monanthes, and observed new markers for phylogeny and DNA barcoding, such as novel tRNA structures and codon usage bias and aversion. The Macaronesian clade of Crassulaceae consists of three genera: Aichryson, with about 15 species; Monanthes, with about 10 species; Aeonium, with about 40 species. Within this clade, Aeonium, known as "the botanical equivalent of Darwin's finches", is regarded as an excellent model plant for researching adaptive evolution. Differing from the well-resolved relationships among three genera of the Macaronesian clade, the internal branching patterns within the genus Aeonium are largely unclear. In this study, we first reported 13 new plastomes from genus Aeonium and the closely related genus Monanthes. We further performed comprehensive analyses of the plastomes, with focuses on the secondary structures of pttRNAs and the patterns of codon usage and aversion. With a typical circular and quadripartite structure, the 13 plastomes ranged from 149,900 to 151,030 bp in size, and the unique pattern in IR junctions might become a family-specific marker for Crassulaceae species. Surprisingly, the π values of plastomes from Monanthes were almost twice those from Aeonium. Most importantly, we strongly recommend that highly polymorphic regions, novel putative pttRNA structures, patterns of codon usage bias and aversion derived from plastomes might have phylogenetic implications, and could act as new markers for DNA barcoding of plants. The results of phylogenetic analyses strongly supported a clear internal branching pattern in Macaronesian clade (represented by Aeonium and Monanthes), with higher nodal support values. The findings reported here will provide new insights into the variation of pttRNAs, and the patterns of codon usage and aversion of the family Crassulaceae.
Assuntos
Uso do Códon , Crassulaceae , Evolução Molecular , Filogenia , RNA de TransferênciaRESUMO
The suspensor in the majority of angiosperms is an evolutionally conserved embryonic organ functioning as a conduit that connects ovule tissues with the embryo proper for nutrients and growth regulators flux. In this article the present knowledge on the embryo-suspensor ultrastructure and function in representatives of Crassulaceae genera: Sedum, Jovibarba, Sempervivum, Aeonium, Monanthes, Aichryson and Echeveria. The role of the suspensor in the transport of nutrients from the tissues of the ovule to the proper embryo is confirmed by the structure of the basal cell, especially the nature of the micropylar part of its wall, the "transfer wall". The basal suspensor cell is a site of intense metabolic activity. The special attention is paid to the plasmodesmata. The correlation between types of suspensors and structure of plasmodesmata was investigated. Final conclusions are given and the presented data summarized.
Assuntos
Crassulaceae , Sedum , Crassulaceae/ultraestrutura , Desenvolvimento Embrionário , Plasmodesmos/ultraestrutura , Sedum/ultraestrutura , Sementes/metabolismoRESUMO
PREMISE: Plants have evolved different ecological strategies in response to environmental challenges, and a higher lability of such strategies is more common in plant groups that adapt to various niches. Crassula (Crassulaceae), occurring in varied mesic to xeric habitats, exhibits a remarkable diversity of life-forms. However, whether any particular life-form trait has shaped species diversification in Crassula has remained unexplored. This study aims to investigate diversification patterns within Crassula and identify potential links to its life-form evolution. METHODS: A phylogenetic tree of 140 Crassula taxa was reconstructed using plastid and nuclear loci and dated based on the nuclear DNA information only. We reconstructed ancestral life-form characters to estimate the evolutionary trends of ecophysiological change, and subsequently estimated net diversification rates. Multiple diversification models were applied to examine the association between certain life-forms and net diversification rates. RESULTS: Our findings confirm a radiation within Crassula in the last 10 million years. A configuration of net diversification rate shifts was detected, which coincides with the emergence of a speciose lineage during the late Miocene. The results of ancestral state reconstruction demonstrate a high lability of life-forms in Crassula, and the trait-dependent diversification analyses revealed that the increased diversification is strongly associated with a compact growth form. CONCLUSIONS: Transitions between life-forms in Crassula seem to have driven adaptation and shaped diversification of this genus across various habitats. The diversification patterns we inferred are similar to those observed in other major succulent lineages, with the most-speciose clades originating in the late Miocene.
Assuntos
Crassulaceae , Adaptação Fisiológica , Evolução Biológica , Ecossistema , Filogenia , Plastídeos/genéticaRESUMO
Analysing multiple genomic regions while incorporating detection and qualification of discordance among regions has become standard for understanding phylogenetic relationships. In plants, which usually have comparatively large genomes, this is feasible by the combination of reduced-representation library (RRL) methods and high-throughput sequencing enabling the cost effective acquisition of genomic data for thousands of loci from hundreds of samples. One popular RRL method is RADseq. A major disadvantage of established RADseq approaches is the rather short fragment and sequencing range, leading to loci of little individual phylogenetic information. This issue hampers the application of coalescent-based species tree inference. The modified RADseq protocol presented here targets ca. 5,000 loci of 300-600nt length, sequenced with the latest short-read-sequencing (SRS) technology, has the potential to overcome this drawback. To illustrate the advantages of this approach we use the study group Aichryson Webb & Berthelott (Crassulaceae), a plant genus that diversified on the Canary Islands. The data analysis approach used here aims at a careful quality control of the long loci dataset. It involves an informed selection of thresholds for accurate clustering, a thorough exploration of locus properties, such as locus length, coverage and variability, to identify potential biased data and a comparative phylogenetic inference of filtered datasets, accompanied by an evaluation of resulting BS support, gene and site concordance factor values, to improve overall resolution of the resulting phylogenetic trees. The final dataset contains variable loci with an average length of 373nt and facilitates species tree estimation using a coalescent-based summary approach. Additional improvements brought by the approach are critically discussed.
Assuntos
Crassulaceae , Genoma , Genômica/métodos , Sequenciamento de Nucleotídeos em Larga Escala , FilogeniaRESUMO
Echeveria is a polyploid genus with a wide diversity of species and morphologies. The number of species registered for Echeveria is approximately 170; many of them are native to Mexico. This genus is of special interest in cytogenetic research because it has a variety of chromosome numbers and ploidy levels. Additionally, there are no studies concerning nuclear DNA content and the extent of endopolyploidy. This work aims to investigate the cytogenetic characteristics of 23 species of Echeveria collected in 9 states of Mexico, analyzing 2n chromosome numbers, ploidy level, nuclear DNA content, and endopolyploidy levels. Chromosome numbers were obtained from root tips. DNA content was obtained from the leaf parenchyma, which was processed according to the two-step protocol with Otto solutions and propidium iodide as fluorochrome, and then analyzed by flow cytometry. From the 23 species of Echeveria analyzed, 16 species lacked previous reports of 2n chromosome numbers. The 2n chromosome numbers found and analyzed in this research for Echeveria species ranged from 24 to 270. The range of 2C nuclear DNA amounts ranged from 1.26 pg in E. catorce to 7.70 pg in E. roseiflora, while the 1C values were 616 Mbp and 753 Mbp, respectively, for the same species. However, differences in the level of endopolyploidy nuclei were found, corresponding to 4 endocycles (8C, 16C, 32C and 64C) in E. olivacea, E. catorce, E. juarezensis and E. perezcalixii. In contrast, E. longiflora presented 3 endocycles (8C, 16C and 32C) and E. roseiflora presented 2 endocycles (8C and 16C). It has been suggested that polyploidization and diploidization processes, together with the presence of endopolyploidy, allowed Echeveria species to adapt and colonize new adverse environments.
Assuntos
Núcleo Celular/genética , Cromossomos de Plantas , Crassulaceae/genética , DNA de Plantas/análise , Meristema/genética , Folhas de Planta/genética , Ploidias , DNA de Plantas/genética , MéxicoRESUMO
The present study elucidated the structural characteristics and anti-inflammatory activity of a novel polysaccharide isolated from Orostachys fimbriata, which is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant. O. fimbriata polysaccharide (OFP) was extracted and subsequently purified by chromatography using a DEAE cellulose-52 and Sephadex G-75 column. The molecular weight was determined as 6.2 kDa. HPGPC and monosaccharide composition analysis revealed a homogeneous polysaccharide containing only Glc. Chromatography and spectral analysis showed that the possible chemical structure consisted of â4)-α-Glcp-(1â and a small quantity of â4,6)-ß-Glcp-(1â in the main chain and â6)-ß-Glcp-(1â, α-Glcp-(1â, and ß-Glcp-(1â in the side chain. Morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicated that OFP had a multi-branched structure, and the sugar chain molecules of polysaccharide appeared aggregated. OFP was found to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity by reducing the secretion of inflammatory factors in RAW264.7 cells and by decreasing the extent of xylene-induced ear swelling in mice.
Assuntos
Anti-Inflamatórios/química , Crassulaceae/química , Inflamação/tratamento farmacológico , Polissacarídeos/química , Animais , Anti-Inflamatórios/isolamento & purificação , Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Carboidratos da Dieta/metabolismo , Glucose/metabolismo , Humanos , Inflamação/patologia , Camundongos , Peso Molecular , Monossacarídeos/química , Monossacarídeos/isolamento & purificação , Polissacarídeos/isolamento & purificação , Polissacarídeos/farmacologiaRESUMO
Declines in physiological functions are the predominant risk factors for age-related diseases, such as cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, delaying the aging process is believed to be beneficial in preventing the onset of age-related diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated that Graptopetalum paraguayense (GP) extract inhibits liver cancer cell growth and reduces the pathological phenotypes of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in patient IPS-derived neurons. Here, we show that GP extract suppresses ß-amyloid pathology in SH-SYS5Y-APP695 cells and APP/PS1 mice. Moreover, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity is enhanced by GP extract in U87 cells and APP/PS1 mice. Intriguingly, GP extract enhances autophagy in SH-SYS5Y-APP695 cells, U87 cells, and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, suggesting a conserved molecular mechanism by which GP extract might regulate autophagy. In agreement with its role as an autophagy activator, GP extract markedly diminishes mobility decline in polyglutamine Q35 mutants and aged wild-type N2 animals in C. elegans. Furthermore, GP extract significantly extends lifespan in C. elegans.
Assuntos
Envelhecimento/efeitos dos fármacos , Crassulaceae/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Proteínas Quinases Ativadas por AMP/efeitos dos fármacos , Peptídeos beta-Amiloides/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Autofagia/efeitos dos fármacos , Caenorhabditis elegans/efeitos dos fármacos , Técnicas de Cultura de Células , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Humanos , Longevidade/efeitos dos fármacos , Camundongos , Camundongos TransgênicosRESUMO
In this study, the systematic status of Messageria Bavay Dautzenberg, 1904 is discussed. It is recognized as an alycaeid genus, rather than as a subgenus or a junior synonym of Helicomorpha Mllendorff, 1890 (Diplommatinidae) as previously thought. Additionally, a new species, Messageria sinica n. sp. from Guizhou, and a new subspecies, Messageria scalarioides donghiana n. ssp. from Guangxi are described. Messageria scalarioides donghiana n. ssp. is morphologically different from the nominate subspecies by the larger shell and wider lower whorls and umbilicus. Messageria sinica n. sp. is morphologically different from the type species by having larger shell and distinct intermediate ribs.
Assuntos
Crassulaceae , Gastrópodes , Animais , China , UmbigoRESUMO
Aeonium is a genus of succulents belonging to the Crassulaceae family. Their importance in traditional medicine has stimulated both pharmacological and chemical research. In this study, we optimized extraction, separation, and analytical conditions using a high performance liquid chromatographic method coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry by the negative mode (HPLC-ESI-MS) in order to, for the first time, determine thirty-four compounds from Aeonium arboreum leaves. Twenty-one of them are assigned among which are sixteen flavonoids and five phenolic acids. FRAP, TAC, DPPH, and ABTSâ¢+ radical scavenging were used to evaluate antioxidant activity. The obtained IC50 values ranged from 0.031 to 0.043 mg.mL-1 for DPPH and between 0.048 and 0.09 mg·mL-1 for ABTSâ¢+. Antimicrobial activity was also assessed. The obtained minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of these extracts ranged from 12.5 to 50 µg·mL-1 against Micrococcus luteus, Listeria ivanovii, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium oxysporum, and from 25 to 50 µg·mL-1 against Candida albicans. Therefore, these extracts can be considered as a potential source of biological active compounds.
Assuntos
Anti-Infecciosos/química , Antioxidantes/química , Crassulaceae/química , Fenóis/química , Extratos Vegetais/química , Anti-Infecciosos/farmacologia , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Flavonoides/química , Flavonoides/farmacologia , Fenóis/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Espectrometria de Massas por Ionização por Electrospray , Espectrometria de Massas em TandemRESUMO
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Orostachys japonica A. Berger, also known as Wa-song in Korea, has traditionally been used as a folk medicine, but the potential anti-cancer effects of aqueous extract of Orostachys japonica (OJe) have not yet been thoroughly investigated. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the anti-cancer effects of OJe, its possible mechanisms of action were investigated in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistant SNU-C5/5-FUR colorectal cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The functional compounds of OJe were identified with high performance liquid chromatography. The anti-cancer effects of OJe in SNU-C5/5-FUR cells were investigated by a cell viability assays, flow cytometry analysis, and a subcutaneous xenograft model employing BALB/c-nude mice. Possible signalling pathways were assayed with Western blotting. RESULTS: OJe (250 µg/ml) showed anti-cancer effects in SNU-C5/5-FUR cells, that were mediated via apoptosis as well as cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. Gallic acid and (-)-epicatechin, the major functional components of OJe, induced cell cycle arrest. OJe treatment (250 mg/kg, p.o.) produced a significant anti-proliferative effect in the xenograft model via decreased ß-catenin/GSK3ß and increased p27 expression. OJe treatment significantly activated ERK and p38 both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that OJe has anti-proliferative effects on 5-FU-resistant colorectal cancer cells via regulation of MAPK signalling pathways.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias Colorretais/tratamento farmacológico , Crassulaceae/química , Fluoruracila/farmacologia , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases/efeitos dos fármacos , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Animais , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos , Humanos , Camundongos , Camundongos Nus , Extratos Vegetais/química , Distribuição Aleatória , Ensaios Antitumorais Modelo de XenoenxertoRESUMO
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a threaten human health problem, and accompanied by hyperglycemia and disorder of insulin secretion, is a major cause of abnormalities in maintaining blood glucose homeostasis. Also, low-grade inflammation, as well as insulin resistance (IR), is a common feature in patients with T2D. Numerous causes of the outbreak of T2D have been suggested by researchers, who indicate that genetic background and epigenetic predisposition, such as overnutrition and deficient physical activity, hasten the promotion of T2D milieu. Orostachys japonicus A. Berger (O. japonicus) is a herbal and remedial plant whose various activities include hemostatic, antidotal, febrile, and anti-inflammatory. Hence, we designed to evaluate the antidiabetic efficacy of ethanol extracts of O. japonicus (OJE). Six-week-old C57BL/Ksj-db/db (db/db) mice were used. The results showed that mice given various concentrations of OJE (0, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg per day) for 8 weeks showed significantly reduced hyperglycemia, IR, and liver injury, confirmed by measuring diabetic parameters, serum, and hepatic biochemicals. Furthermore, the treatment of OJE markedly decreased the mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines, lipid accumulation, and gluconeogenesis-related genes. Consistently, western blot analysis indicated that mice treated with OJE showed increased levels of phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase, phospho-Akt, glucose transporters 2 and 4 (GLUT2 and GLUT4) in T2D mice. Likewise, much the same results were obtained in in vitro experiments. Taken together, OJE had hopeful advantage in sustaining the glucose homeostasis and diminishing IR, and could be a safe alternative remedy for treating T2D.
Assuntos
Crassulaceae , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Resistência à Insulina , Animais , Glicemia , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamento farmacológico , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/genética , Etanol , Humanos , Inflamação/tratamento farmacológico , Insulina , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologiaRESUMO
Ecogeographical displacement of homoploid hybrid lineages from their parents is well documented and considered an important mechanism to achieve reproductive isolation. In this study, we investigated the origin of the flowering plant species Sempervivum tectorum in the Massif Central (France) through homoploid hybridization between lineages of the species from the Rhine Gorge area (Germany) and the Pyrenees (France). We used genotyping-by-sequencing genetic data as evidence for the hybrid origin of the Massif Central lineage, and WorldClim climatic data and soil pH and soil temperature data collected by us for ecological niche and species distribution modelling. We could show that the Massif Central lineage shows hybrid admixture and that the niche of this lineage is significantly different from those of the parental lineages. In comparison with the parental niches, different variables of the niche of the hybrid lineage are intermediate, parental-combined or extreme. The different niche of the Massif Central populations thus can plausibly be interpreted as hybridization-derived. Our species distribution modelling for the Last Glacial Maximum and Mid-Holocene showed that the potential distribution of the hybrid lineage at the likely time of its origin in the Quaternary possibly was parapatric in relation to the largely sympatric distributions of the parental lineages. We hypothesize that reproductive isolation of the hybrid lineage from the parental lineages resulted from the segregation of distribution ranges by a differential response of the three lineages to a warming climate.
Assuntos
Mudança Climática , Crassulaceae/genética , Hibridização Genética , Modelos Biológicos , Isolamento Reprodutivo , Adaptação Biológica , Ecossistema , Europa (Continente) , Filogeografia , PloidiasRESUMO
Tumors are one of the most life-threatening diseases, and a variety of cancer treatment options have been continuously introduced in order to overcome cancer and improve conventional therapy. Orostachys japonica (O. japonica), which is a perennial plant belonging to the genus Orostachys of the Crassulaceae family, has been revealed to exhibit pharmacological properties against various tumors in numerous studies. The present review aimed to discuss the biological actions and underlying molecular mechanisms of O. japonica and its representative compounds-kaempferol and quercetin-against tumors. O. japonica reportedly has antiproliferative, anti-angiogenic, and antimetastatic activities against various types of malignant tumors through the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, a blockade of downstream vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-VEGFR2 pathways, and the regulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. In addition, emerging studies have highlighted the antitumor efficacy of kaempferol and quercetin. Interestingly, it was found that alterations of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades are involved in the pivotal mechanisms of the antitumor effects of O. japonica and its two compounds against cancer cell overgrowth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. In summary, O. japonica could be considered a preventive and therapeutic medicinal plant which exhibits antitumor actions by reversing altered patterns of MAPK cascades, and kaempferol and quercetin might be potential components that can contribute to the efficacy and underlying mechanism of O. japonica.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Crassulaceae , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases/efeitos dos fármacos , Neoplasias/tratamento farmacológico , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Inibidores da Angiogênese/farmacologia , Humanos , Quempferóis/farmacologia , Plantas Medicinais , Quercetina/farmacologia , Receptor 2 de Fatores de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/metabolismo , Fatores de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/metabolismoRESUMO
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Orostachys japonicus A. Berger (O. japonicus), referred to as Wa-song in Korea is a traditional and herbal medicine. Even though it has been traditionally used to treat inflammation- and toxicity-related diseases, the effects of ethanol extract of O. japonicus (OJE) on acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP) overdose-induced hepatotoxicity have not been determined yet. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of OJE against APAP-induced acute liver injury (ALI) and explore the underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were treated orally with OJE (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) for seven days before APAP (300 mg/kg) injection. After 12 h of APAP treatment, serum and liver tissues were collected. An in vitro system using primary hepatocytes was also applied in this study. RESULTS: Pretreatment with OJE, especially at a dose of 200 mg/kg, reduced APAP overdose-induced ALI in mice, as evidenced by decreased serum alanine/aspartate aminotransferase levels, histopathological damage, and inflammation. Consistently, OJE pretreatment reduced the gene transcription of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A11 and CYP1A2 in livers of mice injected with or without APAP, at least in part, via inactivation of nuclear receptor pregnane X receptor (PXR). Furthermore, the role of PXR in mediating the OJE regulation of CYPs was confirmed in primary hepatocytes, which showed that OJE pretreatment inhibited PXR activity and APAP hepatotoxicity enhanced by pregnenolone 16α-carbonitrile, a mouse agonist of PXR. Besides, the antioxidative activity provided by OJE, involving increases in hepatic glutathione (GSH) content and decreases in malondialdehyde levels, has been shown to exert hepatoprotective effects in normal and injured livers. Moreover, APAP-activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in mice liver were indirectly inhibited by pretreatment with OJE. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our findings showed that OJE attenuated APAP-induced ALI by decreasing APAP-metabolizing enzymes via inactivation of PXR and the restoration of hepatic GSH content. Therefore, OJE could be a promising hepatoprotective agent.
Assuntos
Acetaminofen/envenenamento , Doença Hepática Induzida por Substâncias e Drogas/prevenção & controle , Crassulaceae/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Acetaminofen/farmacocinética , Animais , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Overdose de Drogas/complicações , Glutationa/metabolismo , Hepatócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Hepatócitos/patologia , Inflamação/tratamento farmacológico , Inflamação/patologia , Fígado/efeitos dos fármacos , Fígado/patologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Extratos Vegetais/administração & dosagem , Receptor de Pregnano X/efeitos dos fármacos , Receptor de Pregnano X/metabolismoRESUMO
Diabetes Mellitus is associated with systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, which may play a central role in the development of diabetic complications. In this study, combined preparations of Kalanchoe pinnata and metformin were investigated to determine the effects on inflammatory activity in human skeletal muscle myoblasts (HSMMs) and human diabetic skeletal muscle myoblasts (DHSMMs). Results showed that combinatorial preparations sustained cell viability for 3 days in both HSMM and DHSMM cells. However, a significant decrease in cellular viability occurred for both cell lines on day 5. Results also indicate that combinatorial preparations of K. pinnata may modulate immune responses by significantly upregulating proinflammatory markers, interleukin (IL) 2, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and upregulating the anti-inflammatory marker, IL-10, in HSMM and DHSMM cells. The combined preparations significantly downregulated the anti-inflammatory glycoprotein IL-6 in both diabetic and nondiabetic human skeletal muscle cells. The findings suggest that combined preparations of K. pinnata and metformin might be a potential immune-modulating agent that may promote inflammation and adversely affect the outcome of diabetic patients.
