Search

ABSTRACT Aiouea is a genus of Lauraceae restricted to the New World with about 75 accepted species. In Brazil, there are about 32 species, 21 endemic to the country. Recent field work in southeastern Brazil, as well as a comprehensive study of herbarium collections, revealed a new species that we describe here as Aiouea myrmecophila. It is endemic to the Atlantic rainforest of Espírito Santo state and occurs between 800 and 1120 m along the Mantiqueira Mountain range. It is categorized as Endangered (EN) according to IUCN criteria. Its putative relationships with other species in the genus are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new secobutanolide, named secosubamolide B (3), along with three previously known secobutanolides (1, 2, and 4), were successfully isolated from a methanol extract of the stem of Lindera obtusiloba. The chemical structures of these compounds were elucidated through the analysis of spectroscopic data, and then compared with the existing literature to confirm their identities. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effect of these isolated compounds on bone marrow-derived dendritic cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was evaluated. Compounds 1–3 showed the significant suppression of LPS-triggered IL-6 and IL-12 p40 production, with IC50 values between 1.8 and 24.1 µM. These findings may provide a scientific foundation for developing anti-inflammatory agents from L. obtusiloba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of Ocotea (Lauraceae) from Cuba are described based on morphological data combined with the result of a previous molecular phylogenetic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares oil and mucilage idioblasts occurring together in the vegetative organs of Ocotea pulchella, a Lauraceae species. Our focus is specifically on the ontogeny and developmental cytology of these secretory cells. Both types of idioblasts originate from solitary cells located in the fundamental meristem, underlying the protodermis. The growth of both types of idioblasts is asynchronous, with the oil idioblasts developing first, but their initiation is restricted to the early stages of organ development. Mucilaginous idioblasts occur exclusively in the palisade parenchyma, while oil idioblasts are scattered throughout the mesophyll, midrib, and petiole of the leaves. The lamellar secretion of mucilage idioblasts is mostly made up of polysaccharides, while the secretion of oil idioblasts is made up of terpenes and lipids. Cupule occurred only in the oil idioblasts, while suberized layers occurred in both types of cells. We found that immature oil idioblasts that are close to each other fuse; mature mucilage idioblasts have labyrinthine walls arranged in a reticulate pattern; the cells close to the oil idioblasts have a pectin protective layer; and the oil idioblasts have a sheath of phenolic cells. In contrast to previous reports, the two types of secretory idioblasts were recognized during the early stages of their development. The results emphasize the importance of combining optical and electron microscopy methods to observe the ontogenetic, histochemical and ultrastructural changes that occur during the development of the secretory idioblasts. This can help us understand how secreting cells store their secretions and how their walls become specialized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The affinities of the Ocotea species from Cuba are examined based on sequences of the nuclear ITS region and the chloroplast psbA‐trnH spacer, supplemented by SEM studies on stomatal morphology. The species with bisexual flowers, all of them endemic either to the Greater Antilles or Cuba only, form (at least) two phylogenetically distinct groups. Ocotea bucheri, O. libanensis, O. moaensis, O. reticularis, and an undescribed species, all of them endemics of Eastern Cuba, form the sister group to the genus Damburneya. The remaining species form two clades nested in the Praelicaria clade. It remains uncertain if these two clades are sister to each other or not. The two widespread dioecious species show the expected affinities to conspecific material from other parts of the Neotropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. (Lauraceae) is a valuable industrial crop that produces essential oil. The essential oil extracted from L. cubeba (LCEO) has broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity and high antioxidant properties, with great potential for increased usage in the food industry. This literature review summarizes the extraction techniques, content and chemical composition, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of LCEO, with a focus on its usage in the food industry, which is an area of substantial recent research. The chemical composition of LCEO, which is affected by various factors, plays a key role in determining its bioactivity and usage in food. The potent antimicrobial activity of LCEO against various foodborne pathogens gives it potential for use in food packaging and preservation to extend shelf life. Future research challenges include the elucidation of the role and mechanism of individual chemical components of LCEO in inhibiting specific foodborne microorganisms; cultivar development to produce germplasm that yields essential oils of the desired chemical composition; and the development of commercial products that can be used in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to biotic and abiotic stresses, the WRKY gene family plays a crucial role in plant growth and development. This study focused on Phoebe bournei and involved genome-wide identification of WRKY gene family members, clarification of their molecular evolutionary characteristics, and comprehensive mapping of their expression profiles under diverse abiotic stress conditions. A total of 60 WRKY gene family members were identified, and their phylogenetic classification revealed three distinct groups. A conserved motif analysis underscored the significant conservation of motif 1 and motif 2 among the majority of PbWRKY proteins, with proteins within the same class sharing analogous gene structures. Furthermore, an examination of cis-acting elements and protein interaction networks revealed several genes implicated in abiotic stress responses in P. bournei. Transcriptomic data were utilized to analyze the expression patterns of WRKY family members under drought and waterlogged conditions, with subsequent validation by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) experiments. Notably, PbWRKY55 exhibited significant expression modulation under drought stress; PbWRKY36 responded prominently to waterlogging stress; and PbWRKY18, PbWRKY38, and PbWRKY57 demonstrated altered expression under both drought and waterlogging stresses. This study revealed the PbWRKY candidate genes that potentially play a pivotal role in enhancing abiotic stress resilience in P. bournei. The findings have provided valuable insights and knowledge that can guide further research aimed at understanding and addressing the impacts of abiotic stress within this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caneeracone A (1), a new chalcone derivative, together with three known compounds (2–4), was isolated from the seeds of Persea americana Mill. (buccaneer avocado). The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Compound 1 exhibited a potent tyrosinase activity with an IC50 of 38.29 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Caryodaphnopsis, a group of tropical trees (ca. 20 spp.) in the family Lauraceae, has an amphi-Pacific disjunct distribution: ten species are distributed in Southeast Asia, while eight species are restricted to tropical rainforests in South America. Previously, phylogenetic analyses using two nuclear markers resolved the relationships among the five species from Latin America. However, the phylogenetic relationships between the species in Asia remain poorly known. Results: Here, we first determined the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome), plastome, and the nuclear ribosomal cistron (nrDNA) sequences of C. henryi with lengths of 1,168,029 bp, 154,938 bp, and 6495 bp, respectively. We found 2233 repeats and 368 potential SSRs in the mitogenome of C. henryi and 50 homologous DNA fragments between its mitogenome and plastome. Gene synteny analysis revealed a mass of rearrangements in the mitogenomes of Magnolia biondii, Hernandia nymphaeifolia, and C. henryi and only six conserved clustered genes among them. In order to reconstruct relationships for the ten Caryodaphnopsis species in Asia, we created three datasets: one for the mitogenome (coding genes and ten intergenic regions), another for the plastome (whole genome), and the other for the nuclear ribosomal cistron. All of the 22 Caryodaphnopsis individuals were divided into four, five, and six different clades in the phylogenies based on mitogenome, plastome, and nrDNA datasets, respectively. Conclusions: The study showed phylogenetic conflicts within and between nuclear and organellar genome data of Caryodaphnopsis species. The sympatric Caryodaphnopsis species in Hekou and Malipo SW China may be related to the incomplete lineage sorting, chloroplast capture, and/or hybridization, which mixed the species as a complex in their evolutionary history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various plant species from the Litsea genus have been claimed to be beneficial for pain relief. The PRISMA approach was adopted to identify studies that reported analgesic properties of plants from the Litsea genus. Out of 450 records returned, 19 primary studies revealed the analgesic potential of nine Litsea species including (1) Litsea cubeba, (2) Litsea elliptibacea, (3) Litsea japonica, (4) Litsea glutinosa, (5) Litsea glaucescens, (6) Litsea guatemalensis, (7) Litsea lancifolia, (8) Litsea liyuyingi and (9) Litsea monopetala. Six of the species, 1, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9, demonstrated peripheral antinociceptive properties as they inhibited acetic-acid-induced writhing in animal models. Species 1, 3, 4, 8 and 9 further showed effects via the central analgesic route at the spinal level by increasing the latencies of heat stimulated-nocifensive responses in the tail flick assay. The hot plate assay also revealed the efficacies of 4 and 9 at the supraspinal level. Species 6 was reported to ameliorate hyperalgesia induced via partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL). The antinociceptive effects of 1 and 3 were attributed to the regulatory effects of their bioactive compounds on inflammatory mediators. As for 2 and 5, their analgesic effect may be a result of their activity with the 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) which disrupted the pain-stimulating actions of 5-HT. Antinociceptive activities were documented for various major compounds of the Litsea plants. Overall, the findings suggested Litsea species as good sources of antinociceptive compounds that can be further developed to complement or substitute prescription drugs for pain management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on both morphological and molecular evidence, it is confirmed that Alseodaphnopsis maguanensis is conspecific with A. hokouensis. Hence, Alseodaphnopsis maguanensis is treated as a synonym of A. hokouensis here. The conservation status of Alseodaphnopsis hokouensis is also re-evaluated according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beilschmiedia mengwangensis, a new species of Beilschmiedia (Lauraceae) from Yunnan Province, Southwest China, is here described and illustrated based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The new species is morphologically similar and phylogenetically closely related to Beilschmiedia brachythyrsa. However, it can be distinguished from Beilschmiedia brachythyrsa by having larger fruits, longer and thicker fruiting pedicels, larger leaf blades, and more lateral veins. Taxonomic keys for identification are also provided in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Cinnamomum encompasses diverse species with various applications, particularly in traditional medicine and spice production. This study focuses on Cinnamomum burmanni, specifically on a high-D-borneol-content chemotype, known as the Meipian Tree, in Guangdong Province, South China. This research explores essential oil diversity, chemotypes, and chloroplast genomic diversity among 28 C. burmanni samples collected from botanical gardens. Essential oils were analyzed, and chemotypes classified using GC-MS and statistical methods. Plastome assembly and phylogenetic analysis were conducted to reveal genetic relationships. Results showed distinct chemotypes, including eucalyptol and borneol types, with notable variations in essential oil composition. The chloroplast genome exhibited conserved features, with phylogenetic analysis revealing three major clades. Borneol-rich individuals in clade II suggested a potential maternal inheritance pattern. However, phylogenetic signals revealed that the composition of essential oils is weakly correlated with plastome phylogeny. The study underscores the importance of botanical gardens in preserving genetic and chemical diversity, offering insights for sustainable resource utilization and selective breeding of high-yield mother plants of C. burmanni. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation is implicated as a cause in many diseases. Most of the anti-inflammatory agents in use are synthetic and there is an unmet need for natural substance-derived anti-inflammatory agents with minimal side effects. Aiouea padiformis belongs to the Lauraceae family and is primarily found in tropical regions. While some members of the Aiouea genus are known to possess anti-inflammatory properties, the anti-inflammatory properties of Aiouea padiformis extract (AP) have not been investigated. In this study, we aimed to examine the anti-inflammatory function of AP through the NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Treatment with AP inhibited the secretion of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome in J774A.1 and THP-1 cells without affecting the viability. In addition, AP treatment did not influence NF-κB signaling, potassium efflux, or intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production—all of which are associated with NLRP3 inflammasome activation. However, intriguingly, AP treatment significantly reduced the ATPase activity of NLRP3, leading to the inhibition of ASC oligomerization and speck formation. Consistent with cellular experiments, the anti-inflammatory property of AP in vivo was also evaluated using an LPS-induced inflammation model in zebrafish, demonstrating that AP hinders NLRP3 inflammasome activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation is implicated as a cause in many diseases. Most of the anti-inflammatory agents in use are synthetic and there is an unmet need for natural substance-derived anti-inflammatory agents with minimal side effects. Aiouea padiformis belongs to the Lauraceae family and is primarily found in tropical regions. While some members of the Aiouea genus are known to possess anti-inflammatory properties, the anti-inflammatory properties of Aiouea padiformis extract (AP) have not been investigated. In this study, we aimed to examine the anti-inflammatory function of AP through the NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Treatment with AP inhibited the secretion of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome in J774A.1 and THP-1 cells without affecting the viability. In addition, AP treatment did not influence NF-κB signaling, potassium efflux, or intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production—all of which are associated with NLRP3 inflammasome activation. However, intriguingly, AP treatment significantly reduced the ATPase activity of NLRP3, leading to the inhibition of ASC oligomerization and speck formation. Consistent with cellular experiments, the anti-inflammatory property of AP in vivo was also evaluated using an LPS-induced inflammation model in zebrafish, demonstrating that AP hinders NLRP3 inflammasome activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lindera obtusiloba Blume is the northernmost tree species in the family Lauraceae, and it is a key species in understanding the evolutionary history of this family. The species of L. obtusiloba in East Asia has diverged into the Northern and Southern populations, which are geographically separated by an arid belt. Though the morphological differences between populations have been observed and well documented, intraspecific variations at the plastomic level have not been systematically investigated to date. Here, ten chloroplast genomes of L. obtusiloba individuals were sequenced and analyzed along with three publicly available plastomes. Comparative plastomic analysis suggests that both the Northern and the Southern populations share similar overall structure, gene order, and GC content in their plastomes although the size of the plasome and the level of intraspecific variability do vary between the two populations. The Northern have relatively larger plastomes while the Southern population possesses higher intraspecific variability, which could be attributed to the complexity of the geological environments in the South. Phylogenomic analyses also support the split of the Northern and Southern clades among L. obtusiloba individuals. However, there is no obvious species boundary between var. obtusiloba and var. heterophylla in the Southern population, indicating that gene flow could still occur between these two varieties, and this could be used as a good example of reticulate evolution. It is also found that a few photosynthesis‐related genes are under positive selection, which is mainly related to the geological and environmental differences between the Northern and the Southern regions. Our results provide a reference for phylogenetic analysis within species and suggest that phylogenomic analyses with a sufficient number of nuclear and chloroplast genomic target loci from widely distributed individuals could provide a deeper understanding of the population evolution of the widespread species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides information on the distribution and taxonomy of two species of Euphorbia in West Bengal, India. The authors collected specimens and compared them to existing literature and herbarium specimens, identifying the species as Euphorbia hypericifolia and Euphorbia hyssopifolia. Detailed descriptions, habitat information, and distribution data are provided for ease of identification. The article also discusses the taxonomic treatment of Beilschmiedia gaurii, a plant species found in the Andaman Islands of India, describing its characteristics, habitat, and distribution. The authors express gratitude to various organizations and individuals for their support and assistance in conducting the research. [Extracted from the article]

Persea is a genus of Lauraceae with about 101 accepted species from the Americas and another two from the Macaronesian Islands and the Azores. The New World species occur in subtropical to tropical regions from sea level to ca. 4000 m. Recent field work in southeastern Brazil, as well as the study of 1432 collections of Brazilian Persea, revealed a new species that we describe here as Persea quarciticola. The new species belongs to Persea subg. Eriodaphne. It is restricted to the 'morros de sal' (mountains of quartz) of Vargem Alta, Espírito Santo, between 600 and 800 m. We provide a complete description of the new species, including illustrations, a distribution map, and discussion on its putative relationships within the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lindera aggregata is a species of the Lauraceae family, which has important medicinal, economic and ornamental values. In this study, we sequenced, assembled and annotated the chloroplast genome of L. aggregata and reannotated and corrected eight unverified annotations in the same genus. The chloroplast genomes taxa from Lindera and from different genera of Lauraceae were compared and analyzed, and their phylogenetic relationship and divergence time were speculated. All the 36 chloroplast genomes had typical quadripartite structures that ranged from 150,749 to 154,736 bp in total length. These genomes encoded 111–112 unique genes, including 78–79 protein-coding genes, 29–30 tRNA and 4 rRNA. Furthermore, there were 78–97 SSRs loci in these genomes, in which mononucleotide repeats were the most abundant; there were 24–49 interspersed repeats, and forward repeat types were the most frequent. The codon bias patterns of all species tended to use codons ending with A or U. Five and six highly variable regions were identified within genus and between genera, respectively, and three common regions (ycf1, ndhF-rpl32 and rpl32-trnL) were identified, which can be used as important DNA markers for phylogeny and species identification. According to the evaluation of the Ka/Ks ratio, most of the genes were under purifying selection, and only 10 genes were under positive selection. Finally, through the construction of the evolutionary tree of 39 chloroplast genomes, the phylogenetic relationship of Lauraceae was clarified and the evolutionary relationship of Lindera was revealed. The species of genus Lindera experienced rapid adaptive radiation from Miocene to Pleistocene. The results provided valuable insights for the study of chloroplast genomes in the Lauraceae family, especially in the genus Lindera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laurus nobilis L. is an aromatic shrub or tree, Mediterranean element. The leaves are employed as a spice and for medicinal purposes. It is known by various names in Turkey, such as "defne, har and tehnel." In this study, 15 different laurel leaf samples were purchased from 6 different cities in Turkey, diagnosed, and evaluated in terms of quality. The conditions of use and sale of these samples were evaluated. The essential oils obtained from the leaf samples were analyzed, and their physical properties such as density, refractive index, and optical rotation were determined. In the chemical composition of the oils, 1,8-cineole (41.2–64.4%), sabinene (1.5–15.9%), and α-terpinyl acetate (1.5–15%) have been found to be the major components. However, in one station, the presence of 1,8-cineole was not be determined. Laurel leaf drugs offered for sale in some provinces of Turkey were purchased from the market and their morphological characteristics and essential oil profiles were examined and evaluated in terms of public health. It was determined that these samples should be standardized and quality-controlled before being released to the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils isolated from the leaves of Machilus cicatricosa S.K. Lee and Machilus bonii Lecomte from Vietnam were studied and reported. The techniques of gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to characterize the chemical constituents of the essential oil while the microdilution assay was used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity. The main constituents of the leaf oil of M. cicatricosa were α-pinene (20.6%), bicyclogermacrene (15.2%), linalool (14.9%), and β-pinene (8.4%). On the other hand (E)-β-ocimene (26.3%), bicyclogermacrene (23.6%) and (E)-nerolidol (9.1%) were the major constituents of M. bonii leaf essential oil. The studied essential oils displayed antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 64.0 μg/mL. In addition, essential oil from the leaf of M. bonii was the most active towards Bacillus cereus ATCC14579 with MIC value of 64.0 μg/mL, while M. cicatricosa showed stronger anti-candidal activity against Candida albicans ATCC 10231 with MIC value of 32.0 μg/mL. This is the first report on the chemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of M. cicatricosa and M. bonii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils (EOs) from Lauraceae plants have been extensively investigated in the control of storedproduct insects. In this work, four Lauraceae species namely Lindera communis Hemsl., Phoebe neurantha (Hemsl.) Gamble, Litsea rotundifolia Hemsl. var. oblongifolia (Nees) Allen and Litsea variabilis Hemsl. var. oblonga Lec. were collected for extracting EOs by hydro-distillation and their chemical compositions were comparatively analyzed by GC/MS and GC/FID. Furthermore, contact toxicity and repellency of these EOs were evaluated against Tribolium castaneum Herbst, a universal model insect used in fundamental and applied research. Results indicated that EOs from Lin. communis, P. neurantha, Lit. rotundifolia and Lit. variabilis were mainly composed of sesquiterpenoids including (E)-ß-famesene, cis-a-bisabolene, a-selinene, eremophilene, ß-selinene, etc. In bioassays, all the EOs at maximum testing concentration of 78.63 nL/cm2 were significantly repellent to T. castaneum adults at 2 and 4 h post-exposure, which were comparable to the positive control DEET. Among them, EOs from P. neurantha, Lit. rotundifolia, Lin. communis P and Q also had contact toxicity with LD50 values of 14.52, 17.58, 23.82 and 86.63 µg/adult respectively. It suggests that the four species of Lauraceae have promising potential to be developed into botanical repellents and contact toxicants against stored-product insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Florida Lauraceae Cassytha flifbrmis and Persec, palustris have poorly documented floral biology. Cassytha fitiformis is a pantropical, nearly leafless parasitic twining vine abundant in South Florida. A literature review turned up essentially no information on its breeding system. Bagging experiments, floral inonitoring, stigmatic pollen counts, and floral dissections demonstrated self-pollination, apparently mixed with infrequent inter-floral pollen exchange. Thrips identified as probable Pseudothrips inequalis occupy the flowers at widely different concentrations in different Cassytha populations, and the larvae sometimes inhabit the space between the succulent perianth tube and hard fruit pericarp Persea palustris is a congener with the relatively well - studied commercial Avocado OR americana). Preliminary indications in older literature based mainly on Avocado and one additional species, plus informal observations from 1958 on/1 palustris, suggested a hypo - thetical model of two distinct floral types. each type flowering synchronously. According to the model, flowering is divided into two time blocks each day, type A opening synchronously as pistillate in the early time block and reopening as staminate in the later block the next day, type B opening as pistillate in the late time block. to reopen as staininate in the early time block the following day. Field data showed R palustris partial adherence to the model but with substantial deviations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new α-pyrone, i.e., cryptocrassinervione (1), and a new flavone glycoside, i.e., kaempferol-3-0-rhamnosyl-2-O-apiofuranoside (4), were isolated from EtOAc extract of Cryptocarya crassinervia leaves. Along with these compounds, two known flavone glycosides, namely afzelin (2) and quercitrin (3), were also isolated. The structures of the new compounds were determined based on NMR and mass spectral data. Compounds 1-4 were examined against eight receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) (EGFR, HER2, HER4, IGFIR, InsR, KDR, PDGFRa, and PDGFRB), which showed that these compounds were moderately active against EGFR, with inhibition percentages of 55, 49, 41, and 44%, respectively. They were weakly active against HER2, with inhibitions of 17, 20, 18, and 16%, respectively. However, they were not active against the rest of the RTKs. Nevertheless, compounds 1-4 have potency as inhibitors of EGFR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lauraceae have one of the oldest fossil records of angiosperms with the earliest known evidence from the mid-Cretaceous. However, most of these records are based on leaves, especially from the Cenozoic of Asia, which are often challenging to assign to extinct or extant genera or species. In contrast, fossils of reproductive organs are more informative, but remain scarce. We here described the first Cenozoic Lauraceae flower of Asia and confirmed the presence of Cryptocarya in the Miocene Zhangpu flora (Fujian Province, south-eastern China) based on an amber inclusion. We scanned the specimen using synchrotron radiation-based micro-computed tomography (SRμCT) and then compared the fossil with extant flowers of the genus. The present fossil flower is small, bisexual, and polysymmetric, with a whorled and trimerous perianth and androecium along with a hypanthium around the gynoecium. The perianth comprises six undifferentiated tepals, the androecium consists of nine stamens and three innermost staminodes, and the gynoecium of a single carpel with a superior, unilocular (and uniovulate) ovary. Our study also shows that the fossil shares an unusual position of the typical staminal glands and a short androecial tube on the rim of the hypanthium with at least one extant Australian species of Cryptocarya, which have not been reported before. Nowadays, Lauraceae are still present in tropical to subtropical regions, mostly in American and Asian rainforests. The discovery of many Lauraceae leaf fossils in Zhangpu, as well as the amber flower of this study, is consistent with the current reconstruction of the amber source environment as a megathermal seasonal rainforest during the Mid-Miocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litsea cubeba (Lours.) Pers. belongs to the family Lauraceae, which occurs mainly in the tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The plant gained importance for its essential oils, sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids, lignans volatile oils, and numerous secondary metabolites. The Essential oil extracted from its bark, stem, leaves can be used commercially for the preparation of medicines, insecticides, perfumes, flavors, and colognes. The secondary metabolites extracted from L. cubeba show potential pharmacological activities, viz., antipyretic, analgesic, antidiarrheal and anti-tumor, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-HIV, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, and hypothermic activities. In north east plants and parts sold in the local market and used by local people for various ailments and culinary purposes. Overexploitation of the plants took place due to its essential oils and medicinal value; therefore, conservation strategies are needed. Here, we are summarizing the medicinal uses of Litsea sp. and the conservation strategies for the Lauraceae family plants using various tissue culture approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Aiouea (Lauraceae) from the Colombian Andes is described and illustrated. Aiouea chicaque is distinguished by the following combination of characters: elliptic leaves with cuneate to attenuate bases, pinnate venation, glabrous, without domatia, externally glabrous flowers with stamens of whorls I and II with four locules, whorl III with two locules, and fruits with persistent tepals in the cupule. According to IUCN criteria, the new species is given a preliminary threat assessment as Vulnerable (VU) based on its reduced area of occupancy and the small number of localities where it is found. Additionally, two species of Ocotea and one of Andea, previously known from the Andes of Ecuador, are here recorded for the first time for the flora of Colombia: O. fistulosa, O. pautensis and A. homeieri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litsea cubeba , the core species of the Lauraceae family, is valuable for the production of essential oils due to its high concentration of monoterpenes (90%). The key monoterpene synthase and metabolic regulatory network of monoterpene biosynthesis have provided new insights for improving essential oil content. However, there are few studies on the regulation mechanism of monoterpenes in L. cubeba. In this study, we investigated LcTPS32 , a member of the TPS-b subfamily, and identified its function as an enzyme for the synthesis of monoterpenes, including geraniol, α-pinene, β-pinene, β-myrcene, linalool and eucalyptol. The quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that LcTPS32 was highly expressed in the fruits of L. cubeba and contributed to the characteristic flavor of its essential oil. Overexpression of LcTPS32 resulted in a significant increase in the production of monoterpenes in L. cubeba by activating both the MVA and MEP pathways. Additionally, the study revealed that LcMYB106 played a negative regulatory role in monoterpenes biosynthesis by directly binding to the promoter of LcTPS32. Our study indicates that LcMYB106 could serve as a crucial target for metabolic engineering endeavors, aiming at enhancing the monoterpene biosynthesis in L. cubeba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Phytolith analysis is a promising tool for paleovegetation reconstruction. However, compared with grass phytoliths, there are few studies that have classified the phytoliths of trees. Therefore, reliable definitions of phytolith types in woody plants and studies of representative woody phytoliths in soils are needed to provide an improved basis for reliable phytolith-based vegetation reconstruction. Methods: To explore the morphology of woody phytoliths and their preservation in soils, we described the phytolith morphology of 60 common broadleaved woody plants in the mid-subtropical zone of China, based initially on anatomical origin, and then on shape and finally on texture. We also for the first time established an index (R value) to explore the preservation of broadleaved woody phytoliths in soil in this region. Results: We divided the phytoliths of broadleaved woody plants into 6 major types and 35 sub-types. The 6 major types are: Epidermal Cell, Silicified stomata, Tracheary, Favose, Haircell, and Others. We found some degree of correspondence between different phytolith types and the parent plants. Fagaceae, Lauraceae, Magnoliaceae, Rosaceae, Anacardiaceae and Euphorbiaceae could be clearly distinguished from other families based on phytoliths. Only eight types of broadleaved woody phytoliths were present in the soils. Elongate attenuate, Elongate entire, and Polyhedral were better preserved in soils than the other types (Elongate entire attenuate, Tabular sinuate, Hair, Sclereid, and Favose). Conclusion: Our results provide a more accurate reference for broadleaved wood phytoliths in interpreting paleovegetation in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez essential oil has many biological activities due to its main compound 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (1N2F), followed by methyleugenol, a carcinogenic agent. This study analyzed the influence of seasonality on yields, antioxidant capacity, and 1N2F content of A. canelilla leaf and twig essential oils. Essential oils (EOs) were extracted with hydrodistillation and analyzed with gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and a flame ionization detector. Antioxidant capacity was measured using the free radical scavenging method (DPPH). Chemometric analyses were carried out to verify the influence of climatic factors on the production and composition of EOs. 1-Nitro-2-phenylethane was the major constituent in A. canelilla EOs throughout the seasonal period (68.0–89.9%); methyleugenol was not detected. Essential oil yields and the 1N2F average did not show a statistically significant difference between the dry and rainy seasons in leaves and twigs. Moderate and significant correlations between major compounds and climate factor were observed. The twig oils (36.0 ± 5.9%) a showed greater antioxidant capacity than the leaf oils (20.4 ± 5.0%). The PCA and HCA analyses showed no statistical differences between the oil samples from the dry and rainy seasons. The absence of methyleugenolin in all months of study, described for the first time, makes this specimen a reliable source of 1N2F. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new (1 and 2) meroterpenoids were isolated from the bark of Cinnamomum cassia. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods. Antioxidant activities of 1 and 2 were evaluated by the ORAC and DPPH radical scavenging assays, and the results revealed that compound 2 displayed oxygen radical absorbance capacity. The discovery of compounds 1 and 2 added new members of this kind of natural product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the biggest genus in the Lauraceae family is Litsea. It is common in sultry and sub-tropical locations including Southerneast Asia, Japan, South part of China and Taiwan as well as in large quantities in the Western Ghats of Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal, Vietnam and India. In India it is distributed in north eastern region especially in Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland. In the traditional medicine, Litsea species is being used since at least 600 AD. The tribal peoples who lived in the north east part of India are having the practice of using two Litsea species namely Litsea cubebaand Litsea salicifolia. Litsea sal icifolia commonly known as Dighloti by the Assami's and various parts of the plant like fruits, fresh leaves, wood, stem bark has been used for the treatment of bone fracture and as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory related to rheumatic afflictions, mosquito repellent, phytopesticidal, antibacterial, antimalarial, also used as condiment by the tribal communities. Most of the folk medicinal plants were still unknown for their uses and research to be needed to carry forward them. This review's objective is to examine the plant Litsea salicifoliaand to present updated, thorough, and organized information on its ethnopharmacology and its phytochemistry profile in order to comprehend the need for additional research on this species in order to provide therapeutic applications and research opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To support the identification of species and control illegal charcoal production, this study aimed to anatomically characterize the carbonized wood of species native to the Araucaria forest areas, including Nectandra megapotamica, Ocotea indecora, Ocotea diospyrifolia, Ocotea puberula, Balfourodendron riedelianum, Chrysophyllum marginatum and Zanthoxylum rhoifolium. The samples were collected in the Planalto Catarinense region (high plains of the state of Santa Catarina). Three disks were removed from three trees of each species, selected randomly. All discs were sectioned to obtain samples close to the different parts of the trunk (near bark, intermediate and near pith). These sample were then carbonized for 392 minutes in a muffle furnace using a ramp regime with a maximum temperature of 450 °C. Following carbonization, there was no significant degradation of the anatomical structure and cell arrangement, enabling the characterization and identification of species through comparison with wood description references. The position of samples in the trunk did not influence the anatomical characteristics, facilitating species identification. Wood from the Lauraceae family exhibited greater vessel diameter and lower vessel frequency compared to samples from the Rutaceae and Sapotaceae families. Discrimination of Chrysophyllum marginatum from the other evaluated species was possible based on vessel grouping, ray width and ray frequency. The results obtained contribute to a charcoal database of Atlantic Forest species, providing valuable information for practical applications in forestry supervision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new 1,3-benzodioxole-4,5-dione, cinnakanehirain (6-methylbenzo[d][1,3]dioxole-4,5-dione (1) and eight known compounds were isolated from the roots of Cinnamomum kanehirae Hayata (Lauraceae). The structure of the new constituent was essentially elucidated by spectral evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The family Lauraceae possesses ca. 50 genera and 2,500–3,000 species that are distributed in the pantropics. Only half of the genera of the family were represented in previously published plastome phylogenies because of the difficulty of obtaining research materials. Plastomes of Hypodaphnideae and the Mezilaurus group, two lineages with unusual phylogenetic positions, have not been previously reported and thus limit our full understanding on the plastome evolution of the family. Herbariomics, promoted by next generation sequencing technology, can make full use of herbarium specimens, and provides opportunities to fill the sampling gap. Results: In this study, we sequenced five new plastomes (including four genera which are reported for the first time, viz. Chlorocardium, Hypodaphnis, Licaria and Sextonia) from herbarium specimens using genome skimming to conduct a comprehensive analysis of plastome evolution of Lauraceae as a means of sampling representatives of all major clades of the family. We identified and recognized six types of plastomes and revealed that at least two independent loss events at the IR-LSC boundary and an independent expansion of SSC occurred in the plastome evolution of the family. Hypodaphnis possesses the ancestral type of Lauraceae with trnI-CAU, rpl23 and rpl2 duplicated in the IR regions (Type-I). The Mezilaurus group shares the same plastome structure with the core Lauraceae group in the loss of trnI-CAU, rpl23 and rpl2 in the IRa region (Type-III). Two new types were identified in the Ocotea group: (1) the insertion of trnI-CAU between trnL-UAG and ccsA in the SSC region of Licaria capitata and Ocotea bracteosa (Type-IV), and (2) trnI-CAU and pseudogenizated rpl23 inserted in the same region of Nectandra angustifolia (Type-V). Our phylogeny suggests that Lauraceae are divided into nine major clades largely in accordance with the plastome types. The Hypodaphnideae are the earliest diverged lineage supported by both robust phylogeny and the ancestral plastome type. The monophyletic Mezilaurus group is sister to the core Lauraceae. Conclusions: By using herbariomics, we built a more complete picture of plastome evolution and phylogeny of the family, thus providing a convincing case for further use of herbariomics in phylogenetic studies of the Lauraceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citral is a monoterpene aldehyde, which is the main chemical component of essential oils from Litsea cubeba and Cymbopogon citratus, as well as one of the most important representatives of open-chain monoterpene compounds. The lemon flavor released by citral is very strong, and thus, it is widely used in essence, spices, manufacturing of various foods and beauty and other industries. It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, insecticidal and other biological activity. This paper reviewed citral in Lauraceae plants and its biological activity, in order to provide reference for the development and utilization of citral in Lauraceae plants and its diversified applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litsea cubeba, a deciduous shrub belonging to the Lauraceae family, has a variety of medicinal properties, and its fruit, leaves, roots, and bark are used for treating conditions such as spleen-stomach deficiency, dysphagia, and unidentified tumors. The main chemical components of Litsea cubeba are alkaloids, flavonoids, lignans, terpenes, and their glycosides, with aporphine alkaloids being the most characteristic. Recent studies have demonstrated that Litsea cubeba has a wide variety of pharmacological activities, including antitumor, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic effects. This article summarizes the chemical composition and pharmacological activities of Litsea cubeba and explores their mechanisms of action, providing a reference for the development and utilization of the Litsea cubeba chemical components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cinnamomum kanahirae (Cinnamomum sect. Camphora) is an ecologically and economically important tree species endemic to Taiwan best known as the sole host plant of the highly valued medicinal mushroom 'niu-chang-chih' (Taiwanofungus camphoratus). Although C. kanahirae had been synonymized under C. micranthum, studies of fruit morphology, essential oil contents, allozyme profiles, and plastome phylogenomics have demonstrated that the two species are different. However, in a recent study that transferred all species of Cinnamomum sect. Camphora to the restored genus Camphora based on phylogenetics and macro- and micromorphology, C. kanahirae was regarded as conspecific with C. micranthum and thus was treated as a synonym of Camphora micrantha. Additionally, C. camphora var. nominale, an ecologically and genetically distinct variety long recognized in Taiwan, was also synonymized under Camphora officinarum. On the other hand, Machilus philippinensis was thought to be Cinnamomum philippinense and thus erroneously transferred to Camphora (i.e., Camphora philippinensis). To rectify these taxonomic oversights, two new combinations Camphora kanahirae comb. nov. and Camphora officinarum var. nominale comb. nov. are proposed and Camphora philippinensis is treated as a syn. nov. of Machilus philippinensis for effective conservation and sustainable utilization of these valuable tree species in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have been conducted over the last decade to identify secondary metabolites from plants, in particular those from the class of alkaloids, for the development of new anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) drugs. The genus Alseodaphne, comprising a wide range of alkaloids, is a promising source for the discovery of new cholinesterase inhibitors, the first-line treatment for AD. With regard to this, a phytochemical investigation of the dichloromethane extract of the bark of A. pendulifolia Gamb. was conducted. Repeated column chromatography and preparative thin-layer chromatography led to the isolation of a new bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, N-methyl costaricine (1), together with costaricine (2), hernagine (3), N-methyl hernagine (4), corydine (5), and oxohernagine (6). Their structures were elucidated by the 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques and LCMS-IT-TOF analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 were more-potent BChE inhibitors than galantamine with IC50 values of 3.51 ± 0.80 µM and 2.90 ± 0.56 µM, respectively. The Lineweaver–Burk plots of compounds 1 and 2 indicated they were mixed-mode inhibitors. Compounds 1 and 2 have the potential to be employed as lead compounds for the development of new drugs or medicinal supplements to treat AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evergreen versus deciduous leaf habit is an important functional trait for adaptation of forest trees and has been hypothesized to be related to the evolutionary processes of the component species under paleoclimatic change, and potentially reflected in the dynamic history of evergreen broadleaved forests (EBLFs) in East Asia. However, knowledge about the shift of evergreen versus deciduous leaf with the impact of paleoclimatic change using genomic data remains rare. Here, we focus on the Litsea complex (Lauraceae), a key lineage with dominant species of EBLFs, to gain insights into how evergreen versus deciduous trait shifted, providing insights into the origin and historical dynamics of EBLFs in East Asia under Cenozoic climate change. We reconstructed a robust phylogeny of the Litsea complex using genome‐wide single‐nucleotide variants (SNVs) with eight clades resolved. Fossil‐calibrated analyses, diversification rate shifts, ancestral habit, ecological niche modelling and climate niche reconstruction were employed to estimate its origin and diversification pattern. Taking into account studies on other plant lineages dominating EBLFs of East Asia, it was revealed that the prototype of EBLFs in East Asia probably emerged in the Early Eocene (55–50 million years ago [Ma]), facilitated by the greenhouse warming. As a response to the cooling and drying climate in the Middle to Late Eocene (48–38 Ma), deciduous habits were evolved in the dominant lineages of the EBLFs in East Asia. Up to the Early Miocene (23 Ma), the prevailing of East Asian monsoon increased the extreme seasonal precipitation and accelerated the emergence of evergreen habits of the dominant lineages, and ultimately shaped the vegetation resembling that of today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the floristic explorations conducted in 2022-2023 in different forest areas of the northeast region of Bangladesh, some specimens of the family Lauraceae were collected. The critical examinations of these specimens have revealed that they belong to the species Litsea kurzii, Litsea stocksii, and Litsea variabilis of the family Lauraceae. These species are new to the flora of Bangladesh. A detailed taxonomic description, including data on ecology, distribution, and use, a list of representative specimens examined, and photographs of each of these species have been provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several species of the genus Ocotea are used in traditional medicine due to their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. In this work we sought to investigate the effects of biseugenol, the main component of the hexane extract from the leaves of Ocotea cymbarum (Lauraceae), during a chronic inflammatory process induced by polyester-polyurethane sponge in mice. In addition to the inflammatory component, sponge discs also allowed us to evaluate parameters associated with the formation of new blood vessels and the deposition and organization of the extracellular matrix, processes that are related to the chronification of the inflammatory response. Daily treatment with biseugenol (0.1, 1 or 10 µg in 10 µl of 0.5% DMSO) inhibited the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, CXCL-1 and CCL2) and the neutrophil and macrophage infiltrate into to the implants, indirectly evaluated by the activity of myeloperoxidase and N-acetyl-β-d-glycosaminidase enzymes, respectively. In implants treated with biseugenol, we observed a reduction in angiogenesis, assessed through histological quantification of mean number of blood vessels, the levels of the pro-angiogenic cytokines FGF and VEGF and the activity of metalloproteinases. Except for VEGF levels, all mentioned parameters showed significant reductions after treatment with biseugenol. Finally, the administration of the compound also reduced TGF-β1 levels, collagen synthesis and deposition, in addition to modifying the organization of the newly formed matrix, presenting a potential anti-fibrotic effect. Therefore, our results demonstrate the potential therapeutic use of biseugenol for the treatment of a series of pathological conditions, where parameters associated with inflammation, angiogenesis and fibrogenesis are deregulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate how familial biodiversity structures forests in the critically important Amazon, I combined past plot samplings to investigate the contributions of tree families in those samplings to the structure of common Amazon forest types. I found that the families Arecaceae, Fabaceae, Clusiaceae, and Malvaceae had the most stems; Staphyleaceae, Caricaceae, and Anacardiaceae had the largest stems; Arecaceae, Fabaceae, Lecythidaceae, and Malvaceae had the largest basal area; Fabaceae, Malvaceae, and Sapotaceae had the most genera; Annonaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Lauraceae, Malvaceae, Moraceae, and Sapotaceae had the most species, and the maximum Fisher’s α diversity index was found for many families. Together, results suggest that Fabaceae and Malvaceae are the most important families structuring these forests, but also that Arecaceae and Sapotaceae may be important. Thus, conservationists and managers may help sustain structure in these forests by propagating and maintaining species in these families. Finally, correlations between total number of stems and basal area, and between total number of genera and total number of species, suggest a causal relationship between them as they structure these forests, but the lack of correlations with Fisher’s α suggest it has little structural utility for these forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the antimicrobial activity and constituents of essential oils from the leaves of Cinnamomum auricolor Kosterm. and C. petelotii Kosterm collected from Pù Hoạt Natural Reserve (Hạnh Dịch Commune, Quế Phong District), Vietnam were reported. The essential oils obtained by separate hydrodistillation were analyzed by means of gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antimicrobial activities were evaluated by microbroth dilution susceptibility assay. The main constituents of C. auricolor comprised of oxygenated sesquiterpenes mainly caryophyllene oxide (26.0%), spathulenol (11.1%), and (E)-nerolidol (10.7%). However, oxygen-containing monoterpenes were the main compounds identified in S. petelotii and they are linalool (34.3%), 1,8-cineole (20.8%) and terpinene-4-ol (9.9%). The essential oil of C. auricolor displayed prominent antimicrobial activity towards Bacillus cereus ATCC14579 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 16.0 μg/mL. In addition, the essential oil of C. auricolor also exhibited antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis ATCC29212, and anti-candidal activity towards Candida albicans ATCC10231 with MIC value of 32.0 μg/mL. The leaf essential oil of C. petelotii only exhibited activity towards S. aureus and C. albicans with MIC value of 64.0 μg/mL. The chemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of both essential oils are being reported for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), vectors the mycopathogen that causes laurel wilt, a lethal vascular disease of trees in the Lauraceae. Since being detected in Georgia, USA in 2002, this invasive pest has become established in 11 additional states.With continued spread, X. glabratus will likely enter Mexico. In advance of this event, this study was initiated to assess the risk posed to eight native laurels and Hass avocados, the predominant cultivar grown in Mexico.Wood bolts from each species were used in (a) field tests to determine the relative attraction of female X. glabratus, (b) laboratory bioassays to evaluate boring preferences, and (c) GC–MS analyses to identify host kairomones. For comparison, tests included control bolt treatments consisting of silkbay (an attractive U.S. laurel) and Simmonds avocado (a Florida cultivar susceptible to laurel wilt).Hass avocado and two native laurels (Persea schiedeana and Ocotea heribertoi vel aff.) were highly attractive to females and elicited strong boring responses. These species were high in sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, including α‐copaene and α‐cubebene.Results of this study suggest that X. glabratus could become a serious agricultural and forest pest upon incursion into Mexico, with severe economic and ecological impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lauraceae species produce important essential oils (EOs);. • EOs showed major compounds with commercial interest;. • EOs showed excellent results as antimicrobials;. • EOs compounds data suggests the chemical evolution of Lauraceae species. The Lauraceae family has a pantropical distribution, and plants in this family produce essential oils (EOs) of economic and medicinal interest. The chemical and antibacterial activities of the EOs of Lauraceae plants reported in the ten years are reviewed (2007-2017). A total of 191 studies were found, and the most cited genera being Cinnamomum, Ocotea, Laurus, Litsea and Persea. A more significant number of oxygenated compounds with higher hydrogen deficiency indices values (HDI) were found in species from the Asian continent, and hydrocarbons with lower HDI were more abundant in plants from the American continent. Notably, the differentiation of these two groups is consistent with the geographic isolation of America and Asia since the Gondwana and Laurasia supercontinents. Our survey of the available data showed that the major compounds were present at concentrations above 80%, and these compounds included benzyl benzoate (87.8%), methyl (E) -cinnamaldehyde (91.5%) and methyl (E) -cinnamate (95.2%). Of the 160 studies related to antibacterial activities, the most investigated microorganisms were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus and Salmonella enterica , and the MIC values ranged from 0.2 to 1000 µg/mL. This narrative review provides an overview of chemical and antibacterial studies on of the EOs of the Lauraceae plant family, highlighting the great biotechnological potential of this family and suggesting that the biogeographic separation of species on the American and Asian continents, which occurred thousands of years ago, could have affected oxygenation patterns and HDIs of the compounds in the EOs of the Lauraceae species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lindera chunii Merr. is an important member of the Lauraceae family of plants which are known for their medicinal values. In this research article, the chemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of essential oils from the leaves of L. chunii grown in Vietnam were reported. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation of the leaves of L. chunii while the constituents were determined by using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass (GC/MS) spectrometry methods. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using a microdilution broth susceptibility assay. The constituents occurring in higher amounts in the leaf essential oil of L. chunii were mainly the monoterpene hydrocarbons comprising terpinolene (13.0%), α-pinene (8.0%), β-pinene (7.6%), camphene (7.3%), β-phellandrene (7.1%) and myrcene (5.0%). The leaf essential oil of L. chunii inhibited the growth of Enterococcus faecalis ATCC29212, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 and Salmonella enterica ATCC13076, each with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 64.0 μg/mL. The corresponding median lethal concentration (IC50) values were 19.45 μg/mL, 20.45 μg/mL and 18.78 μg/mL, respectively. The essential oil also displayed anti-candidal activity towards Candida albicans ATCC10231 with MIC value of 64.0 μg/mL, and IC50 value of 23.12 μg/mL. The antimicrobial activity of L. chunii essential oil was reported for the first time as a confirmation of the traditional uses of the plant in the treatment of microbial infections. Furthermore, the paper discusses the chemotaxonomy of Lindera oil samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many hemiparasites attach to a range of different host species, resulting in complex parasite–host interactions. Comprehensive molecular phylogenies allow the investigation of evolutionary relationships between these host plants. We surveyed the hosts of the laurel dodder (Cassytha filiformis, Lauraceae) in China, representing 184 species from 146 genera, 67 families, and spanning flowering plants, conifers, and ferns, using host phylogenetic relationships to investigate the susceptibility to attack by this hemiparasitic plant among the vascular plants. The process of produced well-formed haustoria by C. filiformis was also observed in detail for six different hosts. Our results show that C. filiformis grows mainly on trees and shrubs from phylogenetically divergent members of the rosid and asterid eudicot clades, often attacking multiple adjacent hosts simultaneously, and forming extensive colonies. However, whether and to what extent transitions between C. filiformis and host plants occur remain unclear. Physiological evidence for the complex parasite–host species interactions need to be studied in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endiandra macrocarpa, a new species of Endiandra (Lauraceae) from Yunnan Province of south-western China, is here described and illustrated, based on morphological evidence. Compared to other Endiandra species occurring in south China and the adjacent regions in Indochina, this species is mainly characterised by its much larger ellipsoidal fruits (up to 11 × 6 cm), as well as glabrous branchlets and puberulent inflorescences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]