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Abstract Premise Conservation policies typically focus on biodiversity hotspots. An alternative approach involves analyzing the evolutionary history of lineages in geographic areas along with their threat levels to guide conservation efforts. Mountains exhibit high levels of plant species richness and micro‐endemism, and biogeographic studies commonly point to recent and rapid evolutionary radiations in these areas. Using a nearly endemic clade of legumes, our study evaluates conservation prioritization approaches in the campo rupestre, a Neotropical ecosystem associated with mountaintops that is located between two biodiversity hotspots. Methods We compared the EDGE and EDGE2 metrics, which combine the evolutionary distinctiveness and the extinction risk of a species in a single value. These metrics are compared with traditional metrics used to assess conservation priority, such as phylogenetic diversity. Results The EDGE values reported are lower than those of other studies using this metric, mostly due to the prevalence of threatened species with short phylogenetic branch lengths (low values of evolutionary distinctiveness). Certain areas of campo rupestre with relatively high phylogenetic diversity and EDGE values do not correspond to areas with high species richness, agreeing with previous studies on biodiversity hotspots. Discussion Our study highlights the necessity of conservation of the campo rupestres as well as advantages and disadvantages of using EDGE, EDGE2, and phylogenetic diversity for appropriate selection of conservation areas with rapid evolutionary radiations. The selection of the metrics will depend primarily on the life history of the focus group and the data availability, as well as the conservation approach.

Cassia species have a long history of utilization in various traditional medicine systems worldwide, and they are widely consumed for medicinal purposes, particularly the officinal species. The aim of this review article is to provide a comprehensive overview of the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of the Cassia genus. A thorough literature review was conducted using major scientific databases, publishers, and online websites such as Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, Springer, POWO, among others. It is important to note that the taxonomy of the Cassia genus has undergone changes over time, resulting in the reclassification of some plants into the Senna and Chamaecrista genera. Therefore, this review includes relevant data on the three genera: Cassia, Senna, and Chamaecrista spp. The findings of the review indicate that Cassia, Senna, and Chamaecrista spp. have been extensively used for medicinal purposes in various traditional medicine systems, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Islamic Traditional Medicine (ITM), Unani medicine, and Ayurveda. These plants have traditionally been employed to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions, as well as skin disorders. In ITM, the reported species include Cassia acutifolia, Cassia fistula, Senna occidentalis, and Senna tora. In TCM, the most commonly used species are Cassia occidentalis, Cassia tora, Senna alexandrina, Senna occidentalis, and Senna singueana. These plants are rich in phytochemicals such as anthraquinones, alkaloids, and flavonoids, which contribute to their diverse pharmacological activities. These activities include antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiulcer, hypolipidemic, anti-atherosclerotic, and hepatoprotective effects. Based on the available literature, it can be concluded that the Cassia genus possesses significant preventive and therapeutic potential. The rich phytochemical composition and wide range of pharmacological activities make Cassia species a valuable resource in the field of natural medicine.

Abstract Objective Chamaecrista fasciculata is a widespread annual legume across Eastern North America, with potential as a restoration planting, biofuel crop, and genetic model for non-papillinoid legumes. As a non-Papilinoid, C. fasciculata, belongs to the Caesalpiniod group in which nodulation likely arose independently of the nodulation in Papilinoid and Mimosoid legumes. Thus, C. fasciculata is an attractive model system for legume evolution. In this study, we describe population structure and genetic diversity among 32 USDA germplasm accessions of C. fasciculata using 317 AFLP markers developed from 12 primer pairs, to assess where geographically there is the most genetic variation. Results We found that the C. fasciculata germplasm collection fall into four clusters with admixture among them. After correcting for outliers, our analysis shows two primary groups across Eastern and Central North America. To better understand the population biology of this species, further sampling of the full range of this widespread species is needed across North America, as well as the development of a larger set of markers providing denser coverage of the genome. Further sampling will help clarify geographical relationships in this widespread temperate species.

Chamaecrista belongs to subtribe Cassiinae (Caesalpinioideae), and it comprises over 330 species, divided into six sections. The section Xerocalyx has been subjected to a profound taxonomic shuffling over the years. Therefore, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis using a cpDNA trnE-trnT intergenic spacer and nrDNA ITS/5.8S sequences from Cassiinae taxa, in an attempt to elucidate the relationships within this section from Chamaecrista. The tree topology was congruent between the two data sets studied in which the monophyly of the genus Chamaecrista was strongly supported. Our analyses reinforce that new sectional boundaries must be defined in the Chamaecrista genus, especially the inclusion of sections Caliciopsis and Xerocalyx in sect. Chamaecrista, considered here paraphyletic. The section Xerocalyx was strongly supported as monophyletic; however, the current data did not show C. ramosa (microphyllous) and C. desvauxii (macrophyllous) and their respective varieties in distinct clades, suggesting that speciation events are still ongoing in these specimens.

The genus Chamaecrista Moench is included in the Leguminosae family, subfamily Caesalpinoideae, tribe Cassieae. Studies on herbivory and oviposition in fruits of this genus, or in genera of the same tribe, demonstrate interactions with insects of the order Coleoptera, more specifically of the bruchines (Chrysomelidae), but there are few records on floral herbivory. The purpose of this work was to verify the presence of floral herbivory and list the herbivorous insects of Chamaecrista trachycarpa (Vog.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby. The experiment was carried out on a native grassland area of the Ecological Park of Klabin, in Telêmaco Borba, PR, a region characterized by the transition between the semi-deciduous seasonal forest and the mixed ombrophilous forest. Three inflorescences were randomly collected from 15 plants, in the morning and in the afternoon period, during three days in March 2008. Two thousand one hundred and fifty-six (2156) flowers were collected, 38.5% presenting herbivory. One hundred and fifty-seven (157) insects were collected, most of them in the afternoon period. Coleoptera represented 146 and the others consisted of ants and young forms of hemipteras. The most representative family was the Chrysomelidae (Eumolpinae) with a number of 124, followed by Curculionidae, with a number of 22. Coleoptera, especially the subfamily Eumolpinae, can be indicated as the main Chamaecrista herbivory insects. O gênero Chamaecrista Moench está incluído na família Leguminosae, subfamília Caesalpinoideae, tribo Cassieae. Estudos sobre herbivoria e ovoposição de insetos em frutos deste gênero, ou em gêneros da mesma tribo, demonstram interações com insetos da ordem Coleoptera, mais especificamente dos bruquíneos, mas a herbivoria floral é pouco estudada. O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar a presença de herbivoria floral e indicar os potenciais herbívoros de Chamaecrista trachycarpa (Vog.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby. O experimento foi realizado em uma área de campo natural do Parque Ecológico da Klabin, em Telêmaco Borba, PR, região caracterizada pela transição entre a floresta estacional semidecidual e a ombrófila mista. Foram coletadas três inflorescências, de 15 plantas aleatoriamente, no período da manhã e no da tarde, durante três dias de março de 2008. Foram coletadas 2156 flores, 38,5% das quais apresentavam algum sinal de herbivoria. O número total de insetos coletados foi 157, e a maioria foi coletada no período da tarde. Os coleópteros representaram 146 e os demais foram representados por formigas e formas jovens de hemípteros. A família mais representativa foi Chrysomelidae (Eumolpinae), com 124 insetos coletados, seguido por 22 Curculionidae pertencentes principalmente a subfamília Eumolpinae. Esses podem ser indicados como os principais herbívoros de Chamaecrista.

We have previously identified a crude extract of the plant Chamaecrista nictitans (Fabaceae)with antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus.The main objectives of this research were to identify the step of the replication cycle of herpes simplex inhibited by the extract,and to attempt to characterize the chemical characteristics of this extract.The crude extract from Chamaecrista nictitans (Fabaceae)was extracted with a mixture of diclorometane/methanol,and further fractionated following a bioassay-guided protocol using a combination of preparative thin layer and column chromatography.Toxicity and bioassay experiments were carried out in monolayers of Vero cells.The antiviral activity of the extract was assessed by total inhibition of cytopathic effect after three-day incubation.The highest concentration of the extract which was not toxic to the cells was 200 mu g/ml. Western blot and immunofluorescence techniques were used to elucidate the antiviral mechanism of the extract by infecting Vero cells with the virus at different times and monitoring the synthesis of viral proteins.A 60 kDa protein was detected at 2 hr and 8 hr post-infection but no additional proteins were synthesized at later time intervals,and cytopathic effect was not observed after 24 hr.This result indicates that the extract acts at the intracellular level in order to inhibit late transcription.However,it does not inhibit transcription/translation of early viral proteins.These results were confirmed by immunofluorescence experiments.A strong fluorescent signal was observed in control cell monolayers at 24 hr post infection,accompanied with a clear cytopathic effect.In contrast,in the presence of acyclovir or the extract,cells showed very discrete immunofluorescence,characterized by a punctuated pattern, and no cytopathic effect was observed.Neutralization assays were performed using pre-incubation of virus with either specific herpes simplex-1 antiserum,200 mu g/ml of the extract or 20 mu g /ml of acyclovir.After 1 hr incubation,cells were infected and monitored for cytopathic effect.Only the virus treated with acyclovir showed viral activity,while no cytopathic effect was induced by samples of virus incubated with the extract.It is concluded that the extract inhibits both the attachment of the virus to the cell and the secondary transcription of the virus within the cells.Chemical characterization of the extract showed the presence of tannins.Rev.Biol.Trop.52(3):807-816. Epub 2004 Dic 15.Previamente se había identificado un extracto crudo a partir de Chamaecrista nictitans (Fabaceae)con actividad antiviral contra el virus herpes simplex.Los objetivos de esta investigación fueron determinar el paso en el ciclo de replicación del herpes simplex inhibidos por el extracto y caracterizar la naturaleza química de dicho extracto.El extracto crudo de la planta se obtuvo con una mezcla de diclorometano/metanol y fraccionado,utilizando la guía de un bioensayo,mediante cromatografía preparativa de capa fina y cromatografía en columna.Los ensayos se llevaron a cabo en monocapas de células Vero.La actividad antiviral exhibida por el extracto fue determinada mediante la inhibición total del efecto citopático después de tres días de incubación.La concentración máxima de la fracción positiva que no presentó citotoxicidad fue 200 µg/ml.Se utilizaron técnicas inmunoquímicas y de inmunofluorescencia para elucidar el mecanismo antiviral ejercido por el extracto; con este propósito,se infectaron células Vero con el virus herpes simplex y se determinó la producción de proteínas virales a diferentes tiempos después de la infección.Se detectó la producción de una proteína de aproximadamente 60 kDa a las 2 hr y 8 hr luego de la infección;sin embargo no se detectó producción de ningún tipo de proteína tardía, hecho correlacionado con la ausencia de efecto citopático a las 24 hr.Este resultado indica que el extracto actúa intracelularmente siendo capaz de inhibir la transcripción secundaria.Sin embargo,el extracto permite la transcripción y traducción de proteínas tempranas.Estos resultados fueron confirmados mediante inmunofluorescencia.En células control no tratadas con el extracto,se observó una fuerte señal fluorescente acompañada de la aparición del efecto citopático característico 24 hr después de la infección con el virus herpes simplex.Por el contrario,células en presencia de acyclovir o del extracto desarrollaron un patrón muy discreto de inmunofluorescencia sin presencia de efecto citopático.Se realizaron adicionalmente ensayos de neutralización utilizando preincubaciones con un antisuero específico contra herpes simplex 1,200 µg/ml del extracto o 20 µg/ml de acyclovir.Solamente el virus tratado con acyclovir fue capaz de producir un efecto citopático,mientras que el extracto inhibió el virus y no se detectó efecto citopático. Se concluye que el extracto inhibe la adherencia inicial del virus a las células y los eventos de transcripción secundaria del virus.La caracterización química del extracto demostró la presencia de taninos en el mismo.

RESUMO A fenologia reprodutiva e as síndromes florais e de dispersão em 45 táxons de Leguminosae foram estudadas nos campos rupestres do Parque Estadual do Itacolomi (PEI), Minas Gerais, Brasil, entre setembro/2003 e outubro/2004. A floração na comunidade ocorreu durante todo o período de estudo, com o maior pico observado em março (66,6% dos táxons), havendo correlação positiva com a precipitação e a temperatura. A maioria dos táxons estudados (88,8%) apresentou características florais da síndrome de melitofilia. Foram descritos, para as espécies de Chamaecrista, dois padrões de deposição de pólen no corpo do polinizador, o direto e o indireto. Houve frutificação durante todo o período de estudo, com o maior pico em abril (57,7%), havendo correlação significativa dessa fenofase com a temperatura. A autocoria foi a síndrome de dispersão mais frequente (66,6%), associada principalmente aos frutos dos tipos legume e folículo. Os resultados indicam que a sazonalidade climática é importante para a floração, frutificação e dispersão dos diásporos nos campos rupestres do PEI e reforçam a importância das espécies de Leguminosae como uma importante fonte de recursos alimentares (pólen e néctar) para as abelhas.