Spermine reduces the harmful effects of salt stress in Tropaeolum majus.

Flowers, leaves, fruits and buds of Tropaeolum majus are used for ornamental, medicinal and food purposes. However, salt stress limits the development and productivity of T. majus due to biochemical, physiological and anatomical disturbances. Polyamine application is an alternative for mitigating the harmful effects of salt stress. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of spermine application in T. majus grown under salt stress. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme, with 0, 40 mM (moderate salt stress) and 80 mM (severe salt stress) NaCl, and 0 and 1 mM spermine, and with five replicates. Growth (plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, number of flowers, number of buds, leaf dry mass, stem dry mass and flower dry mass), gas exchange (gs, A, E, Ci and WUE), relative water content, contents of free amino acids, phenolic compounds, reducing and non-reducing sugars, lipid peroxidation and enzymatic activities (CAT, POD and APX) were evaluated. Spermine application decreased the harmful effects of salt stress on the growth and gas exchange and increased flowering in T. majus. Furthermore, the relative water content of T. majus increased under severe salt stress conditions. Spermine application reduced the contents of total phenolic compounds, free amino acids, reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars on leaves of T. majus. Spermine application increased CAT and POD activities in plants under severe salt stress and POD and APX in plants under moderate salt stress.

Molecular framework underlying floral bilateral symmetry and nectar spur development in Tropaeolum, an atypical member of the Brassicales.

PREMISE: Floral spurs are key innovations associated with elaborate pollination mechanisms that have evolved independently several times across angiosperms. Spur formation can shift the floral symmetry from radial to bilateral, as it is the case in Tropaeolum, the only member of the Brassicales with floral nectar spurs. The genetic mechanisms underlying both spur and bilateral symmetry in the family have not yet been investigated. METHODS: We studied flower development and morphoanatomy of Tropaeolum longifolium. We also generated a reference transcriptome and isolated all candidate genes involved in adaxial-abaxial differential growth during spur formation. Finally, we evaluated the evolution of the targeted genes across Brassicales and examined their expression in dissected floral parts. RESULTS: Five sepals initiate spirally, followed by five petals alternate to the sepals, five antesepalous stamens, three antepetalous stamens, and three carpels. Intercalary growth at the common base of sepals and petals forms a floral tube. The spur is an outgrowth from the adaxial region of the tube, lined up with the medial sepal. We identified Tropaeolum specific duplications in the TCP3/4L and STM gene lineages, which are critical for spur formation in other taxa. In addition, we found that TM6 (MADS-box), RL2 (RAD-like7), and KN2/6L2 and OSH6L (KNOX1 genes), have been lost in core Brassicales but retained in Tropaeolum. CONCLUSIONS: Three genes are pivotal during the extreme adaxial-abaxial asymmetry of the floral tube, namely, TlTCP4L2 restricted to the adaxial side where the spur is formed, and TlTCP12 and TlSTM1 to the abaxial side, lacking a spur.

Fetopathies associated with exposure to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor from Tropaeolum majus L.

The prevalence of the use of herbal medicines is on the rise across the world, especially amongst pregnant women. A fact that draws attention is that many species commonly used by pregnant women, including the Tropaeolum majus L. (Tropaeolaceae), also present inhibitory activity on the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Herein, we have investigated the effects of T. majus extract (HETM) on fetal development, evaluating its relationship with possible ACE inhibitory activity. Pregnant Wistar rats were treated with different HETM doses (3, 30 and 300 mg/kg/day) from gestational days 8-20. Rats were sacrificed on the day 20 of pregnancy and the following parameters were evaluated: clinical symptoms of maternal toxicity; maternal body weight; feed and water intake; maternal liver, kidney, and ovary weights, maternal ACE activity and aldosterone levels, live fetuses mean; dead fetuses percentage, fetus weight, and fetal malformation. All pregnant rats treated with high HETM doses showed significant reduction in plasma ACE activity accompanied by a decrease in serum aldosterone levels. Moreover, significant changes in fetal development were observed, including growth retardation and renal damage after 20 days of gestation. Thus, data presented demonstrate the significant effects of the use of HETM on fetal development during pregnancy.

Anti-glycative and anti-inflammatory effects of macamides isolated from Tropaeolum tuberosum in skin cells.

Tropaeolum tuberosum, commonly known as Mashua, is an herbal remedy used on the skin in order to treat local pain and to heal wounds. This study aimed to evaluate the extracts and isolated compounds from T. tuberosum with anti-glycative and anti-inflammatory activities. Guided isolation by bioassay led to the isolation and characterisation by NMR and MS of (S)-(-)-N-(α-methylbenzyl)-oleamide (1) and (S)-(-)-N-(α-methylbenzyl)-linoleamide (2). Both compounds inhibited the production of TNF-α with IC50 values of 9.38 µM (NIH/3T3 cells) and 10.06 µM (PA317 cells) for compound 1, and 5.3 µM (NIH/3T3 cells) and 6.48 µM (PA317 cells) for compound 2. Compounds 1 and 2 showed the inhibitory effect on the BSA-MGO formation at concentrations of 9.38 µM (3.39%) and 5.30 µM (8.53%), respectively. Moreover, both compounds showed significant breaking properties on the MGO-AGE-protein crosslink with percent modification of 6.58% (9.38 µM) and 18.08% (5.30 µM), respectively.

Alkaloids isolated from Tropaeolum tuberosum with cytotoxic activity and apoptotic capacity in tumour cell lines.

Two alkaloids were isolated and identified for the first time in the black tubers of Tropaeolum tuberosum, collected from the Titicani-Taca, Ingavi province in La Paz, Bolivia. Their structures were elucidated by extensive NMR and MS spectroscopic analyses. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity and apoptotic capacity against four human cancer cell lines. 2-Benzyl-3-thioxohexahydropyrrolo[1,2-c]imidazole-1-one (1) showed slight cytotoxic activity against all the cancer cell lines which were tested, with IC50 values ranging from 27.45 ± 0.80 to 31.07 ± 0.87 µM. Moreover, N-(4-acetyl-5-methyl-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) acetamide (2) showed significant anti-cancer potential, with IC50 values between 1.26 ± 0.57 µM and 1.37 ± 0.09 µM against all human cancer cell lines which were tested. Treatment of tumour cell lines with the compounds caused an increase in the apoptotic rate of these cells, observing that compound 2 presented an apoptotic effect which was double with respect to the control (Dimethylenastron).

90-Day Oral Toxicity Assessment of Tropaeolum majus L. in Rodents and Lagomorphs.

Tropaeolum majus L., popularly known as nasturtium, is a species widely used in the form of infusions and salads. In the last years, the antihypertensive, diuretic, and calcium and potassium sparing activities of T. majus preparations were shown. Moreover, no preclinical 90-day oral toxicity studies were conducted. Thus, this study evaluated the toxicity of the hydroethanolic extract obtained from T. majus (HETM) leaves in female and male mice, rats, and rabbits. Swiss mice and Wistar rats were treated with HETM (75, 375, and 750 mg/kg). The doses of rabbits (30, 150, and 300 mg/kg) were calculated by allometric extrapolation. The control groups received vehicle. The animals were orally treated, daily, for 90 days. At the end, the animals were anesthetized, and body weight gain, relative weight of liver, kidney, and spleen, and histopathological changes were evaluated. Serum hematological and biochemical parameters were also analyzed. No alterations were found in body and organ weights or in histopathological and biochemical evaluation. Hematological analyses revealed small changes in lymphocytes and neutrophil counts in rats after administration of 750 mg/kg of HETM. These results showed that 90-day use of T. majus is safe in rodents and lagomorphs.

Safety Assessment and Botanical Standardization of an Edible Species from South America.

Tropaeolum majus L. (Tropaeolaceae), commonly known as nasturtium, is an important edible plant native to the Andean States and widely disseminated throughout South America. Despite the use of this species is quite widespread, there are no minimum quality control standards or data on its genotoxicity. So, the aim of this study was to present a detailed anatomical and histochemical study for Tropaeolum majus and provide genotoxicity parameters of a preparation routinely used in South American countries. First, three different Tropaeolum majus aqueous extracts (TMAEs) at concentrations of 1.5%, 7%, and 15% were prepared according to the popular use. Then, genetic toxicity of TMAE was evaluated on bacterial reverse mutation, genomic lesions, and micronucleus formation in male rats. Furthermore, a detailed anatomical and histochemical study of the leaves and stems of Tropaeolum majus were performed. No revertant colonies were found in any bacterial cultures examined. In the comet assay, TMAE showed no significant DNA damage in all tested doses. Micronucleus assay showed no significant increases in the frequency of inducing micronuclei in any dose examined. Light and electron microscope images of cross-section of leaves and stems from Tropaeolum majus revealed useful diagnostic features. The presented data showed significant safety parameters for the use of TMAE and provided important data for the quality control of this plant species.

Nutritional potential of leaves and tubers of crem (Tropaeolum pentaphyllum Lam) / Potencial nutricional de folhas e tubérculos de crem (Tropaeolum pentaphyllum Lam)

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the centesimal composition of minerals, fatty acids and vitamin C of leaves and tubers of crem, and to discuss the nutritional potential of the T. pentaphyllum species. Methods The centesimal composition of protein, lipid, fiber, ash and carbohydrate was determined by gravimetric analysis. Mineral composition was determined by optical emission spectrometry. Vitamin C was determined by dinitrophenylhydrazine method. Fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography. The percentage of recommended dietary intake of leaves and tubers of crem was calculated for each nutrient. Results A high content of fibrous fraction (63.07g/100g), potassium (4.55g/100g), magnesium (553.64mg/100g) and sulfur (480.79mg/100g) was observed in the chemical composition of leaves. In tubers, a high carbohydrate content was observed, with 62.60g/100g of starch and 3.43g/100g of fiber, as well as high potassium (0.58g/100g), sulfur (447.14g/100), calcium (205.54g/100g) and phosphorus (530.07g/100g) levels. The vitamin C content of tubers was 78.43mg/100g and the linoleic acid content was 0.455g/100g. The intake of 100g of crem leaves may contribute with 65% of the recommended dietary intake of sulfur. The intake of 100g of crem tuber may contribute with 106% of the recommended dietary intake of sulfur and 21% of the recommended dietary intake of Vitamin C. Conclusion The chemical composition of crem (Tropaeolum pentaphyllum Lam.) tubers and leaves demonstrated an important contribution of nutrients, mainly sulfur, vitamin C and linoleic acid in its tubers, indicating a high nutritional potential of this species.

RESUMO Objetivo Este estudo teve por objetivo determinar a composição centesimal, mineral, vitamina C e ácidos graxos de folhas e tubérculos de crem, e discutir o potencial nutricional da espécie T. pentaphyllum. Métodos A composição centesimal em proteínas, lipídeos, fibras, cinzas e carboidratos foi determinada por análise gravimétrica. A composição mineral foi determinada por espectrometria de emissão óptica. A vitamina C foi determinada pelo método dinitrofenilhidrazina. Os ácidos graxos foram determinados por cromatografia a gás. A porcentagem da ingestão dietética recomendada de folhas e tubérculos de crem foi calculada para cada nutriente. Resultados Na composição química das folhas verificou-se alto conteúdo de fração fibrosa (63,07g/100g), potássio (4,55g/100g), magnésio (553,64mg/100g) e enxofre (480,79mg/100g). Nos tubérculos verificou-se alto conteúdo de carboidratos, com 62,60g/100g de amido e 3,43g/100g de fibras, além de alto teor de potássio (0,58g/100g), enxofre (447,14g/100), cálcio (205,54g/100g) e fósforo (530,07g/100g). O conteúdo de vitamina C no tubérculo de crem foi de 78,43mg/100g, e o de ácido graxo linoleico foi de 0,455 g/100g. A ingestão de 100g de folhas de crem poderá contribuir com 65% da ingestão diária recomendada de enxofre. A ingestão de 100g de tubérculo de crem poderá contribuir com 106% da ingestão diária recomendada de enxofre e com 21% da ingestão diária recomendada de Vitamina C. Conclusão A composição química de tubérculos e folhas de crem apresentou um aporte expressivo de nutrientes, principalmente de enxofre, além de vitamina C e ácido linoleico nos tubérculos, indicando um alto potencial nutricional da espécie.

Ação acaricida in vitro de Tropaeolum majus sob teleóginas de Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus / in vitro acaricidal effect of Tropaeolum majus on the engorged female of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus

O objetivo desse estudo foi o de avaliar a eficácia acaricida in vitro do extrato aquoso e etanólico a 70 por cento da Tropaeolum majus em teleóginas do Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Extrato das partes aéreas (caule e folhas) e de flores foram testados na concentração final de 2 por cento. A coleta de teleóginas de Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus foi realizada em propriedades do município de São Francisco de Assis e São Pedro do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. O extrato das partes aéreas em etanol a 70 por cento alcançou eficácia de 99,1 por cento. Esse estudo é o primeiro relato de ação carrapaticida de Tropaeolum majus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro acaricide effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Tropaeolum majus on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus engorged females. Extracts from the aerial parts (stems and leaves) and from the flowers were tested at a final concentration of 2 percent. The Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus engorged females were collected in farms in two municipalities (São Francisco de Assis and São Pedro do Sul), in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. An efficacy of 99,1 percent was found using extract of aerial parts in ethanol at 70 percent. This is the first report of acaricidal effect of Tropaeolum majus.