Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. and Hydrocotyle umbellata L. identification and quality assessment: A methodology comparison.

INTRODUCTION: Centella is an important genus in the Apiaceae family. It includes Centella asiatica, which has significant edible and medicinal values. However, this species is easily confused due to its similar morphological traits to Hydrocotyle umbellata, hindering its utilization in the consumer and pharmacological industries. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to differentiate these two closely related plant species using reliable methods of confirming the authenticity of natural herbal medicines. METHODS: Our work mainly focuses on the basic morphological characteristics, chemical markers, genetic fingerprints, and their biological responses. RESULTS: The plants can be clearly differentiated using their leaf shapes, stipules, petioles, inflorescences, and fruit structures. Although the phytochemical compositions of the C. asiatica extract were similar to that of H. umbellata which included flavonoids, tannins, and saponins important to the plant's ability to reduce inflammation and promote healing of wounds, the H. umbellata extract showed significantly higher toxicity than that of C. asiatica. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis was used to identify chemical fingerprints. The result revealed that C. asiatica had major triterpene glycoside constituents including asiaticoside, asiatic acid, madecassoside, and madecassic acid, which have a wide range of medicinal values. In contrast, triterpenoid saponins were not identified in H. umbellata. Furthermore, using SCoT1-6 primers was possible to effectively and sufficiently created a dendrogram which successfully identified the closeness of the plants and confirmed the differences between the two plant species. CONCLUSION: Therefore, differentiation can be achieved through the combination of morphometrics, molecular bioactivity, and chemical analysis.

From morphology to molecules: A comprehensive study of a novel Derris species (Fabaceae) with a rare flowering habit and reddish leaflet midribs, discovered in Peninsular Thailand.

Derrisrubricosta Boonprajan & Sirich., sp. nov., a new species of the genus Derris Lour. (Fabaceae) was discovered in Peninsular Thailand. The overall morphology demonstrates that the species most resembles D.pubipetala. Nevertheless, the species has several autapomorphies differentiating it from other Derris species, e.g., the presence of reddish midribs of the mature leaflets, sparsely hairy stamen filaments, prominent hairs at the base of the anthers, and presence of glandular trichomes along the leaflet midrib. Additionally, HPLC fingerprints of this species showed a distinction from D.pubipetala by the absence of phytochemical compound peaks after 13 min. Retention Time (RT). Results from molecular phylogenetic analyses also strongly supported the taxonomic status as a new species.

Friesodielsia parvimitra (Annonaceae), a New Species from Peninsular Thailand and a Note on F. argentea.

During botanical expeditions focused on the study of Annonaceae in Thailand, specimens resembling Friesodielsia glauca were collected from the lower part of peninsular Thailand but were believed to differ from that species in vegetative, flower, and fruit characters. A morphological investigation of the new specimens and species complex was conducted. Specimens (including types of F. glauca and similar species collected from Thailand and adjacent regions) were examined in the following herbaria: A, BK, BM, BKF, E, K, KEP, KKU, L, PSU, QBG, SING, and US. As a consequence, the new species Friesodielsia parvimitra, endemic to peninsular Thailand, is described and illustrated. The conservation status of the new species was provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered (CR, B2ab(iii)) following the IUCN's guidelines. In addition, F. argentea, previously regarded F. glauca, is reinstated here as a distinct species based on several morphological differences and is reported as a new record from Thailand. Photographs, line drawings, and a revised key to F. glauca and similar species are presented.

Three new species of Mitrephora (Annonaceae) from Thailand.

Three new Mitrephora species (Annonaceae), M.langsuanensis sp. nov., M.sirindhorniae sp. nov. and M.sukhothaiensis sp. nov., are described from Thailand. Mitrephoralangsuanensis resembles M.macclurei, but its leaves have more secondary veins, and its flowers have more carpels, with yellow-and-pink striped outer petals with a margin that becomes undulate with age. Mitrephorasirindhorniae resembles M.tomentosa, but has larger sepals and petals, longer flowering pedicels, and shorter monocarp stipes, with monocarps that have a longitudinal ridge. Mitrephorasukhothaiensis is distinct from its Thai congeners in having outer petals that reflex at maturity and inner petals with a pair of appendages on the margin adaxially. The addition of these three new taxa raises the total number of Mitrephora species in Thailand to 14. An identification key for Thai species is provided.

Goniothalamusroseipetalus and G.sukhirinensis (Annonaceae): Two new species from Peninsular Thailand.

Two new Goniothalamus species (Annonaceae), G.roseipetalus sp. nov. and G.sukhirinensis sp. nov., are described from the southern limits of Peninsular Thailand (Narathiwat and Yala Provinces). Both new species resemble G.macrophyllus, G.scortechinii and G.uvarioides. The addition of these two new species brings the total number of Goniothalamus species in Thailand to 27. Separate identification keys are provided for flowering and fruiting specimens of the Thai species.