Aislamiento y caracterización de metabolitos secundarios de Bougainvillea glabra, Choisy, (Nyctaginaceae); Leucophyllum frutescens, (Berl) I. M. Johnst, (Scrophulariaceae) y Eriobotrya japonica, Linsl (Rosaceae) [por] Eduardo Alberto Martínez Vega.

Tesis (Maestría en Ciencias con Especialidad en Química de Productos Naturales) U.A.N.L.

A scanning electron microscopy study of the seed and post-seminal development in Angelonia salicariifolia Bonpl. (Scrophulariaceae)

The external morphology of seeds and post-germination developmental stages of Angelonia salicariifolia Bonpl. (Scrophulariaceae) were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Some structural features of the seed exotesta and seedling in Angelonia are presented for the first time and are of potential taxonomic value for this neotropical genus. The seeds are very small (0.9-1.7 mm long and 0.5-0.9 mm wide), ovate, with a reticulate-crested exotesta, reticules arranged uniformly in longitudinal rows, with a high density of microcilia-like projections on the cell wall of the reticule base and on the edge of the crests. The hilum is located beside the micropyle at the narrow end of the seed. Germination is epigeal. During germination the radicle develops, followed by elongation of the hypocotyl and primary root. At this stage dense root hairs develop on the lower part of the hypocotyl. The apical bud-located between the cotyledons-begins to develop after the cotyledons have unfolded. The cotyledons are equal in size, sessile and ovate. The seedlings have two types of trichomes, one characteristic of the cotyledons and first pair of leaves (glandular, sessile, four-celled head with quadrangular shape) and the other characteristic of the hypocotyl and epicotyl (stalked, erect, elongate and three-celled with dome-shaped unicellular head). (C) 2001 Annals of Botany Company.

The Scrophulariaceae of the western Himalayas,

Mode of access: Internet.

Protective effect of rhamnopyranosyl vanilloyl isolated from Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl (Scrophulariaceae) root against acute liver injury in mice

Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of rhamnopyranosyl vanilloyl (RV) from Scrophularia ningpoensis root against tetrachloromethane (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice. Methods: RV was isolated from S. ningpoensis by column chromatography. ALI model of mice was established by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4. Liver index, liver function indices, as well as serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBIL) were evaluated. Lipid peroxidation (LPO)-related indices, including malonaldehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3) in liver tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot. Results: After treatment with RV (10, 20 or 40 mg/kg), liver index (5.65 - 5.21 vs. 6.68 %), ALT (90.18 - 79.68 vs. 112.47 U/L), AST (64.44 - 57.63 vs. 75.41 U/L) and TBIL (2.68 - 1.95 vs. 3.21 U/L) activities, as well as MDA (3.58 - 2.88 vs. 4.13 μmol/g), Bax and caspase-3 levels significantly (p < 0.05 or 0.01) decreased, compared with those in control group. After treatment with RV (10, 20 or 40 mg/kg), GSH (16.58 - 22.14 vs. 12.34 μmol/g), Bcl-2, SOD (86.45 - 107.61 vs. 68.43 U/mg) and GSH-Px (295.64 - 329.47 vs. 268.49 U/mg) levels or activities significantly (p < 0.05 or 0.01) increased, compared with those in control group. Conclusion: RV has protective effect against CCl4-induced ALI in mice, and the mechanisms involve the inhibition of LPO and apoptosis in liver cells. Thus, RV is a potential drug for the treatment of liver injury

Understanding Heliothine (Lepidoptera: Heliothinae) pests: What is a host plant?

Heliothine moths (Lepidoptera: Heliothinae) include some of the world's most devastating pest species. Whereas the majority of nonpest heliothinae specialize on a single plant family, genus, or species, pest species are highly polyphagous, with populations often escalating in size as they move from one crop species to another. Here, we examine the current literature on heliothine host-selection behavior with the aim of providing a knowledge base for research scientists and pest managers. We review the host relations of pest heliothines, with a particular focus on Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), the most economically damaging of all heliothine species. We then consider the important question of what constitutes a host plant in these moths, and some of the problems that arise when trying to determine host plant status from empirical studies on host use. The top six host plant families in the two main Australian pest species (H. armigera and Helicoverpa punctigera Wallengren) are the same and the top three (Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Malvaceae) are ranked the same (in terms of the number of host species on which eggs or larvae have been identified), suggesting that these species may use similar cues to identify their hosts. In contrast, for the two key pest heliothines in the Americas, the Fabaceae contains approximate to 1/3 of hosts for both. For Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), the remaining hosts are more evenly distributed, with Solanaceae next, followed by Poaceae, Asteraceae, Malvaceae, and Rosaceae. For Heliothis virescens (F.), the next highest five families are Malvaceae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae, Convolvulaceae, and Scrophulariaceae. Again there is considerable overlap in host use at generic and even species level. H. armigera is the most widely distributed and recorded from 68 plant families worldwide, but only 14 families are recorded as a containing a host in all geographic areas. A few crop hosts are used throughout the range as expected, but in some cases there are anomalies, perhaps because host plant relation studies are not comparable. Studies on the attraction of heliothines to plant odors are examined in the context of our current understanding of insect olfaction, with the aim of better understanding the connection between odor perception and host choice. Finally, we discuss research into sustainable management of pest heliothines using knowledge of heliothine behavior and ecology. A coordinated international research effort is needed to advance our knowledge on host relations in widely distributed polyphagous species instead of the localized, piecemeal approaches to understanding these insects that has been the norm to date.

地黄属和崖白菜属的分子系统学研究--兼论地黄属和崖白菜属的科级系统位置

地黄属（Rehmannia Libosch.ex Fisch.et Mey）和崖白菜属（Triaenophora Solereder）是广义玄参科（Scrophulariaceae sensu lato ）种类较少的两个属。地黄属包括六个种，崖白菜属包括三个种。地黄属植物的根可以入药，是中国传统的著名中药。但在传统的分类学上，地黄属的种间系统关系及地黄属与崖白菜属的系统关系一直没有进行深入的研究。这两个属在科级的系统位置也一直都不确定。针对以上问题，本文通过大量的标本查阅、野外考察、以及分子系统学研究，得出了一些初步的结果。 1. 形态学 通过大量的野外考察及标本观察，对地黄属和崖白菜属的形态性状及其变异式样进行了详细地比较分析，重新评价了各性状的分类学价值。认为地黄属和崖白菜属植物的叶型，小苞片的形状，花冠的折叠式样在属下种类区分和系统关系的分析方面均具有较高的系统学价值。过去种间处理所依据的性状（如植株高低，花冠的颜色等）并不可靠，这些性状不宜作为属下种间的划分。 2．分子系统学 利用叶绿体DNA 片段trnL-F 和rps16 及核基因ITS 片段，通过数据单独和联合的最大简约法和贝叶斯法的系统发育分析，结合地黄属所有六个种和崖白菜属的两个种的形态特征，探讨它们属间及属下种间的系统关系。分析结果支持地黄属和崖白菜属的姐妹群关系，同时也支持两个属各自的单系起源。在地黄属内，天目地黄位于地黄属的基部位置可能与它独特的花冠裂片形状及地理分布有关。茄叶地黄和地黄亲缘关系最近，细胞学和形态学的证据同样支持二者姐妹群关系。裂叶地黄和高地黄的近缘关系也得到分子和形态学证据的支持。 一系列的分子系统学的研究揭示广义玄参科至少包括五个主要单系的科，由于地黄属和崖白菜属在这些研究中缺乏取样，他们的科级系统位置仍然是不确定的。因此，在上述研究的基础上，我们在广义唇形目中对与地黄属和崖白菜属可能近缘的类群进行广泛取样，通过五个DNA 片段（ITS, trnL-F, rps16, rbcL 和rps2）进行最大简约法和贝叶斯法分析，来探讨地黄属和崖白菜属在科级的系统位置。我们的分析分为两步，一、我们对所有取样的种类进行ITS 数据单独分析和四个叶绿体DNA 合并分析。二、根据第一步的分析结果，选择合适的外类群，内类群聚焦于与地黄属和崖白菜属近缘的列当科，透骨草科，泡桐属来探讨地黄属和崖白菜属及其近缘类群的系统发育关系，以及它们在科级的系统位置。数据分析采用ITS 数据的单独分析，四个叶绿体DNA 数据合并分析及ITS 和叶绿体数据的联合分析。结果显示地黄属和崖白菜属组成的单系分支和列当科构成姐妹群关系，并具有较高的支持率。植物化学和形态学的证据也支持地黄属和崖白菜属与列当科的姐妹群关系。因此，地黄属和崖白菜属可能隶属于列当科，代表列当科第二个非寄生类群的分支与列当科的余下类群构成姐妹群关系，或应该将地黄属和崖白菜属组成的单系分支上升到一个科级的水平，与列当科互为姐妹群关系。

Gastroprotective potential of Buddleja scordioides Kunth: Effects into the modulation of antioxidant enzymes and inflammation markers in an in vivo model

Ethnopharmacological relevance: A common plant used to treat several gastric disorders is Buddleja scordioides Kunth,commonly known as salvilla. Aim of thes tudy: To detect inflammatory markers,in order to evaluate the gastroprotective potential of salvilla infusions,as this could have beneficial impact on the population exposed to gastric ulcers and colitis. Materials and methods: The present work attempted infusions were prepared with B. scordioides (1% w/w) lyophilized and stored.Total phenolic content and GC–MS analysis were performed. Wistar rats were divided into five groups a negative vehicle control,an indomethacin group,and three experimental groups,named preventive,curative,and suppressive. All rats were sacrificed under deep ether anesthesia(6h)after the last oral administration of indomethacin/infusion.The rat stomachs were promptly excised,weighed,and chilled in ice-cold and 0.9%NaCl.Histological analysis,nitrites quantification and immunodetection assays were done. Results: B.scordioides infusions markedly reduced the visible hemorrhagic lesions induced byindomethacin in rat stomachs,also showed down-regulation of COX2, IL-8 and TNFα and up-regulation of COX-1with a moderate down-regulation of NFkB and lower amount of nitrites.However,this behavior was dependent on the treatment,showing most down-regulation of COX-2,TNFα and IL-8 in the curative treatment;more down-regulation of NF-kB in the preventive treatment;and more up-regulation of COX-1 for the suppressor and preventive treatments. Conclusion: The anti-inflammatory potential of B. scordioides infusions could be related with the presence of polyphenols as quercetin in the infusion and how this one is consumed.

The endemic flora of Morocco

Morocco is characterized by high vascular plant diversity with an estimated 4200 species and subspecies of which 22% are endemic. This study presents an updated list of the endemic species in the Moroccan flora following the classification of APG III, including comments on their geographical distribution and ecoregions. The endemic flora contains 879 species and subspecies in 55 families and 287 genera. Three new combinations are proposed. The High Atlas, Middle Atlas and the Rif mountains are the three richest floristic regions for endemic species, but the endemics are not restricted to these floristic regions only. Conservation efforts are therefore necessary in both the Mediteranean and Saharan ecoregions to preserve the biodiversity and botanical richness of Morocco. In this updated checklist we propose a new combination (Verbascum demnatensis) and a new name (Verbascum hamidoui) in the genus Verbascum (Scrophulariaceae).

Growth Regulators and KNO3 on Seed Germination of Angelonia salicariifolia

Angelonia salicariifolia is an herbaceous perennial native to Brazil with ornamental potential as garden plant, cut-flower and potted plant. It has blue flowers 1.0 to 1.4 cm long, in 10-30 cm long terminal racemes. In previous studies seeds of A. salicariifolia showed a positive photoblastic behavior under constant temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 degrees C. The present study evaluated the effects of growth regulators (100, 200, 300, 400, 500 mg L-1 of gibberellic acid and 2.25, 11.3, 22.5 mg L-1 of 6-benzylamino-purine) and potassium nitrate (0.2 and 1.0 %) on promoting its seed germination. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with six replications of 25 seeds, for each treatment. Seeds from dehiscent capsules were sown on one layer of filter paper and moistened with growth regulators or KNO3 solutions. Germination was carried out at 25 degrees C +/- 1 degrees C, under continuous light or darkness. Germination (protusion of the radicle) was observed daily for 20 days. In the dark, only gibberellic acid promoted seed germination. The percentage of germination and the speed of germination index at 400 mg L-1 (47.3%; 0.86) and 500 mg L-1 (52.0%; 0.95) were significantly higher compared to 100 mg L-1 (27.8%; 0.38) and 200 mg L-1 (32.3%; 0.49). The mean germination time at 500 mg L-1 (10.0 days) was significantly smaller compared to 100 mg L-1 (11.9 days) and 200 mg L-1 (11.5 days). Under light, treatments did not differ among each other or from the control, except for 22.5 mg L-1 of 6-benzylamino-purine and potassium nitrate (1.0%), which decreased the percentage of germination and the speed of germination index compared to control. The application of growth regulators or potassium nitrate under light condition is not necessary, since these treatments did not improve germination percentage or the speed of germination index.

Antibacterial activity of a stearic acid derivative from Stemodia foliosa

From the hexane-soluble fraction of an ethanol extract from leaves and stems of Stemodia foliosa (Scrophulariaceae), the new stearic acid 4-[(n-pentoxy)phenethyl] ester (1) was isolated. This compound exhibited antibacterial properties at 10μg/mL concentration by using disc diffusion method against Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis and fast-acid bacterium Mycobacterium fortuitum. The structure of the new compound was elucidated by spectroscopic methods and by chemical conversion.

Collection of Pollen Grains by Centris (Hemisiella) tarsata Smith (Apidae: Centridini): Is C. tarsata an Oligolectic or Polylectic Species?

Lia Goncalves, Claudia Ines da Silva, and Maria Luisa Tunes Buschini (2012) Collection of pollen grains by Centris (Hemisiella) tarsata Smith (Apidae: Centridini): Is C. tarsata an oligolectic or polylectic species? Zoological Studies 51(2): 195-203. Among pollinator species, bees play a prominent role in maintaining biodiversity because they are responsible, on average, for 80% of angiosperm pollination in tropical regions. The species richness of the bee genus Centris is high in South America. In Brazil, these bees occur in many types of ecosystems. Centris tarsata is an endemic species occurring only in Brazil. No previous studies considered interactions between plants and this bee species in southern Brazil, where it is the most abundant trap-nesting bee. Accordingly, the goals of this study were to investigate plants used by this species for its larval food supply and determine if this bee is polylectic or oligolectic in this region. This work was conducted in the Parque Municipal das Araucarias, Guarapuava (PR), southern Brazil, from Mar. 2002 to Dec. 2003. Samples of pollen were collected from nests of these bees and from flowering plants in grassland and swamp areas where the nests were built. All of the samples were treated with acetolysis to obtain permanent slides. The family Solanaceae was visited most often (71%). Solanum americanum Mill. (28.6%) and Sol. variabile Mart. (42.4%) were the primary pollen sources for C. tarsata in the study area. We found that although C. tarsata visited 20 species of plants, it preferred Solanum species with poricidal anthers and pollen grains with high protein levels. This selective behavior by females of C. tarsata indicates that these bees are oligolectic in their larval provisioning in this region of southern Brazil. http://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/51.2/195.pdf

Pollen and macroremains from sediment core Aschenhütte

The Upper Pleistocene sediments of the Aschenhütte sink-hole (west of Herzberg am Harz, Lower Saxony) enable one to make interesting correlations between palynological and geological results. The sequence is composed of limnic-telmatic deposits (Eemain to Lower Weichselian) and loess with paleosoils (Weichselian). Sedimentation started during the hornbeam-dominated phase of the Eemian interglacial period and continued throughout the Eemian, the Weichselian Brörup interstadial (sensu Andersen) and parts of the preceding and the following stadial phases, the Herning and the Rederstall stadials. As opposed to most of the known Eemian sites spruce was a major tree species during the hornbeam-dominated phase of the Eemian. The vegetational development during the interstadial phase does not show a period of climatic deterioration as is the case for the Brörup interstadial when considering regions with a more demanding vegetation or regions close to the natural boundaries of the tree species concerned. Pollen or seeds of Bruckenthalia and Picea omoricoides have not been found in the Aschenhütte cores. The limnic-telmatic sediments interlock with loess-paleosoils (Eemian soil and Lower Weichselian bleaching soils) at the lake shore. They are overlaid by loess paleosoils of the Stillfried-B interstadial (Hattorf soil and Lohne soil). Lake level fluctuations were determined by means of the facies distribution and isochrones as defined by pollen analysis. A relatively high stand of the lake level existed after the end of the Eemian interglacial and during the Brörup interstadial periods. In the course of the Herning stadial period the water level dropped, whereas during the Rederstall stadial phase the lake basin was covered by sediments and therefore dried up.