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To study the chemical constituents of Wedelia prostrata.Chromatography and spectroscopic analysis were employed to isolate and elucidate the chemical constituents in the plant.Seven compounds were obtained and identified as ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (I), ent-kaur-16alpha, 17-dihydroxy-19-oic acid (II), ent-kaur-15alpha-senecioyloxy-16-en-19-oic acid (III), beta-sitosterol (IV), stigmasterol (V), stigmasterol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (VI) and n-hexacosanol (VII).Compounds I-III are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Two methyl esters of fatty acids, namely octadecanoic acid methyl ester (methyl stearate) (1) and hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (methyl palmitate) (2), in addition to four cinnamyl alcohol derivatives, sinapyl alcohol (3), coniferyl alcohol (4), p-coumaryl alcohol (5) and coniferyl alcohol 4-O-glucoside (coniferin) (6), were isolated from callus cultures of Wedelia prostrata. The structure of coniferin was established by spectroscopic and chemical methods, while the other compounds were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and thin layer chromatography in comparison with standards.

Two known, but previously uncharacterized, ent-kaurenic acid derivatives, 1 and 2, and four new sesquiterpenes of the eudesmanolide type, 3-6, have been isolated from Wedelia prostata. The structures were eludidated by a range of 1D and 2D high field nmr techniques, and the stereochemistry of the new eudesmanolides was defined from a combination of coupling constant analyses and nuclear Overhauser difference spectra

Tetrachyrin (1), 3alpha-tigloyloxykaur-16-en-19-oic acid (2) and 3alpha-cinnamoyloxykaur-16-en-19-oic acid (3) have been isolated from the ethanol extract of Wedelia paludosa aerial parts.

Phytochemical investigation of the flowers of Wedelia paludosa afforded two diterpenes, ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid and ent-kaur-9(11),16-dien-19-oic acid, three acylated triterpenes, 3beta-O-hexa-decanoylolean-12-en-28-oic acid, 3beta-O-pentadecanoylolean-12-en-28-oic acid and 3beta-O-tetradecanoylolean-12-en-28-oic acid, and three steroids, stigmasterol, 3beta-O-beta-D-glycopyranosyl sitosterol and 3beta-O-beta-D-glycopyrano-sylstigmasterol. The substances were identified by their spectral data.

A recent reinvestigation of aerial parts of Wedelia paludosa D.C. is described and reports, for the first time, the isolation of iso-kaurenoic acid from this species.Uma recente reinvestigação das partes aéreas de Wedelia paludosa D.C. é descrita e relata, pela primeira vez, o isolamento do ácido iso-caurenóico desta espécie.

To study the possibilities for improvement of the ornamental character and production of secondary metabolites by using Wedelia trilobata hairy roots, we investigated the induction of W. trilobata L. hairy roots and its consumption changes of carbon resource, nitrogen resource, phosphate and calcium in the medium during liquid culture. The results showed that hairy roots could be incited from the cut edges of leaf explants 7 days after inoculation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes ATCC15834 and could have an autonomous growth on the medium without phytohormones. The PCR amplification showed that rol genes of Ri plasmid of A. rhizogenes was integrated and expressed into the genome of transformed hairy roots. The hairy root line grew very slowly in 0-7 days, very fast from 7 to 21 days. During the liquid culture of hairy roots, sucrose, NO3(-)-N, PO4(3-) and Ca2+ in the medium could be gradually absorbed and utilized with time. The content of NO3(-)-N in the medium was 5.8% of the initial amount at day 7, while sucrose content was about 50% of the initial amount. At day 35, the NO3(-)-N and sucrose content in the medium was 1.82% and 3.39% of the initial amount, respectively. In combination with Ca2+ consumption, PO4(3-) of the medium was rapidly absorbed and utilized. At day 7, the content of PO4(3-) in the spent medium was only 1.76% of the initial amount; but even at day 35, the content of Ca2+ in the spent medium was still 61.3% of the initial amount. The results presented here had provided the possibilities on improvement the ornamental character and how to prepare optimum medium for large scale cultivation and production of secondary metabolites from W. trilobata L. hairy roots.

Pharmacognostic studies on the leaves of Eclipta alba Hassk. and Wedelia calendulaceu Less. (both family Compositae) have been performed. Microscopic characteristicss of the leaves and stems have been compared. Fluorescence characteristics of the leaf powders and the extracts of the leaves in various solvents have been compared along with quantitative values, ash values and extractive values. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts of the leaf powders in various solvents have been performed.

Present study reports the chemopreventive effect of methanol extract of Wedelia calendulaceae (MEWC) against 20-methylcholanthrene (20-MC) induced carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice. MEWC was administered orally at 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight for 90 consecutive days after 24h of single subcutaneous administration of 20-MC (200 μg) in mice and observed for 15 weeks to record tumor incidence (fibrosarcoma) and survival. After 15 weeks the mice were sacrificed for the estimation of hematological profiles and liver biochemical parameters viz. lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). MEWC treatment markedly reduced tumor incidence and prolonged life span of sarcoma bearing mice as compared to 20-MC control. Hematological profiles were significantly (p0.001) restored to normal levels in MEWC treated mice. MEWC treatment significantly (p0.001) modulated the aforesaid liver biochemical parameters as compared to 20-MC control. Therefore, W. calendulaceae possess remarkable chemopreventive efficacy in Swiss mice.

The aims of the research is to identify chemical compounds of leaf Sernai (Wedelia biflora) and test their bioactivity as antiplasmodium against of Plasmodium berghei. Extraction of the compounds from the Wedila biflora leaf was done with methanol. To observe the bioactivepotency of the Wedelia biflora extract antiplasmodium test against with The 4-day test method was done. The Phytochemical test results using theLieberman-Burchard reagent positive for triterpenoids compounds and analysis by GC-MS chromatogram identified 45 compounds with anabundance peak maximum of 27.92% which is identified in the data base as kaur-16-en-18-oic acid. Wedelia biflora leaf extract potentiallyactive as antiplasmodium with IC values = 39.952 mg / kg BW.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Key words: antiplasmodium, GC-MS, Plasmodium berghei, Wedelia bifolra 50

Extracts of the stems of the Thai plant Wedelia biflora (Linn.) DC (Compositae) were shown to have antifeedant activity against the cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boh.). This activity also prompted an investigation of antifungal properties. Five compounds with antifeedant and/or antifungal activity were isolated. They include 16-methylkaur-15-en-19-oic acid, 24-ethylcoprostanone, stigma-7-en-3-ol, stigmasterol, grandifloric acid, and ent-kauradienoic acid. 16-Methylkaur-15-en-19-oic acid and grandifloric acid showed antifungal activity against the fungi Pythium ultimum (240% and 70%) and Rhizoctonia solani (280% and 78%). (...)

Polymnia wedelia Linnaeus, Systema Naturae, ed. 12, 2: 576; Mantissa Plantarum: 118. 1767, nom. illeg. "Habitat in Carthagenae sylvis." RCN: 6656. Replaced synonym: Wedelia frutescens Jacq. (1760). Type not designated. Current name: Wedelia frutescens Jacq. (Asteraceae). Note: An illegitimate new name in Polymnia for Wedelia frutescens Jacq. (1760)., Published as part of Jarvis, Charlie, 2007, Chapter 7: Linnaean Plant Names and their Types (part P), pp. 718-782 in Order out of Chaos. Linnaean Plant Types and their Types, London :Linnaean Society of London in association with the Natural History Museum on page 758, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.291971

Leishmaniasis is a global public health problem without adequate treatment options, hence requiring research on new drug development.Our main objective was the evaluation of a kaurenic acid (ent-kaur-16-in-19-oico), isolated from the Venezuelan plant Wedelia trilobata (Asteracea), on Leishmania (V) braziliensis both in vivo and in vitro.The in vitro assay was performed using axenic amastigotes and promastigotes as well as infected and uninfected macrophages. Parasites and macrophages were treated with concentrations of the compound varying between 10 and 250 microg/ml. The effect of the compound on cellular viability was evaluated by counting dead and living cells in a hemocytometer and by the colorimetric method using MTT (Methylthiazoletetrazolium). For the in vivo assay, Balb/c mice were infected subcutaneously with 1 x 10(6) promastigotes of L. (V.) braziliensis and afterwards treated with a daily dose of 30 mg/kg in 100 microl of kaurenic acid administered by intraperitoneal injection for one week.The compound had a lethal effect on axenic amastigotes and promastigotes with DL50 of 0.25 and 0.78 microg/ml, respectively, in 24 hours. Low toxicity was observed for J774-G8 macrophages with a DL50 of 25 microg/ml and high viability (70-92%), while a moderate viability was observed for infected macrophages (37-81%), with concentrations of 25 microg/ml or less. Additionally, a 70% reduction was observed in the size of the skin lesions in Balb/c mice with no evident toxic effect.The results indicate that this compound has a potent leishmanicidal effect on L. (V.) braziliensis.

For the development of “medical foods” and/or botanical drugs as defined USA FDA, clear and systemic characterizations of the taxonomy, index phytochemical components, and the functional or medicinal bioactivities of the reputed or candidate medicinal plant are needed. In this study, we used an integrative approach, including macroscopic and microscopic examination, marker gene analysis, and chemical fingerprinting, to authenticate and validate various species/varieties of Wedelia, a reputed medicinal plant that grows naturally and commonly used in Asian countries. The anti-inflammatory bioactivities of Wedelia extracts were then evaluated in a DSS-induced murine colitis model. Different species/varieties of Wedelia exhibited distinguishable morphology and histological structures. Analysis of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region revealed significant differences among these plants. Chemical profiling of test Wedelia species demonstrated candidate index compounds and distinguishable secondary metabolites, such as caffeic acid derivatives, which may serve as phytochemical markers or index for quality control and identification of specific Wedelia species. In assessing their effect on treating DSS induced-murine colitis, we observed that only the phytoextract from W. chinensis species exhibited significant anti-inflammatory bioactivity on DSS-induced murine colitis among the various Wedelia species commonly found in Taiwan. Our results provide a translational research approach that may serve as a useful reference platform for biotechnological applications of traditional phytomedicines. Our findings indicate that specific Wedelia species warrant further investigation for potential treatment of human inflammatory bowel disease.

A simple, sensitive, and specific gas chromatographic (GC) method was developed to determine the main bioactive sesquiterpene lactones, trilobolide-6- O -isobutyrates A and B (TBO-A and TBO-B), in Wedelia trilobata , a useful folk herb. A commercially available HP-5 capillary column (30 m × 0.25 mm i.d. × 0.25 μm) was utilized for the direct determination of TBO-A and TBO-B in W. trilobata . Calibration curves were obtained by spiking authentic compounds and the internal standard (ferulic acid) into W. trilobata samples before extraction. Extraction was carried out by refluxing the dried herb (0.5 g) for 1 h in methanol (25 mL). All calibration curves showed good linear regressions ( r 2 >0.992) within test ranges. The assay was reproducible and accurate with the overall intraday and interday relative standard deviations and accuracies of less than 10% and more than 90%, respectively. The developed GC method was successfully utilized to analyze the TBO-A and TBO-B in aerial parts and flowers of W. trilobata , indicating that it was suitable for the quality control of this commonly used herb and related traditional Chinese medicines.

Antibacterial and molluscicidal activities of methanol and chloroform extracts of 16 plant species belonging to the families Compositae and Melastomataceae were evaluated. The chloroform extract of Vernonanthura tweediana and the methanol extract of Senecio santelisis resulted to be very toxic to brine shrimp nauplii (LC50 = 1 μg/ml). Chloroform extracts of S. santelisis and Senecio leucostachys as well as the methanol extract of Wedelia subvaginata displayed molluscicidal effects on Biomphalaria peregrina showing LC100 < 100 μg/ml. Moderate antibacterial action was produced by the chloroform extracts of Flaveria bidentis, Grindelia scorzonerifolia and Vernonia incana against two strains of Staphylococcus aureus. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Fil: Bardon, Alicia del Valle. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; Argentina Fil: Borkosky, Silvia Susana. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Ybarra, María Inés. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; Argentina Fil: Montanaro, Susana. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; Argentina Fil: Cartagena, Elena. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; Argentina

Several in-vitro and in-vivo ethnopharmacological studies carried out with plants of the genus Wedelia have already demonstrated hepatoprotective effects in chemically-induced liver injury, including those induced by paracetamol. Here, the effects of the crude extract from Wedelia paludosa on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice was investigated. Intraperitoneal injection of paracetamol (1000 mg kg−1) caused 80% death after 24 h in mice, which was significantly reduced by oral pretreatment with W. paludosa (500 mg kg−1). Hepatotoxicity was observed 24 h after an intraperitoneal injection of paracetamol (600 mg kg−1), as evidenced by an increase in plasma activity of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases. That hepatotoxicity was significantly attenuated by W. paludosa pretreatment (100–500 mg kg−1) in a dose-response manner. Paracetamol (1000 mg kg−1) drastically depleted total glutathione levels and decreased glutathione peroxidase and δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity in the liver, such effects not being prevented by pretreatment with W. paludosa. Neither paracetamol treatment alone nor pretreatment with W. paludosa altered glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase activity or the levels of end-products of lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, we found that W. paludosa protected against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity, an effect not observed over oxidative stress-related parameters. Hepatoprotection is likely mediated by some terpenes present in W. paludosa extract. However, further studies will be required to explain the mechanisms involved in the hepatoprotection afforded by W. paludosa.

The present study was carried out to evaluated acute and subacute toxicity of a hydroalcoholic extract from aerial parts of Wedelia paludosa (Asteraceae).Toxicity of W. paludosa was evaluated in Swiss mice after ingestions of the extract during one day (acute model) and during 15 days (subacute model).The results showed that the LD50 of the extract is higher than 4000 mg/kg and the subacute treatment did not shows any change in corporal weight and hematological parameters. However, a change in liver weight but not in hepatic enzymes was observed. This suggests that the liver function is not altered by Wedelia paludosa in this study. Some changes in the creatinine content were observed, but could not be related with the extract dose.The results suggest that the plant seems to be destituted of toxic effects in mice.

A field investigation on the selection behavior of Cuscuta japonica on their hosts showed that among the test plant communities, the number of coiling, the time of haustorium occurring, and the rate of coiling of C. japonica on hosts followed the order of B. papyrifera, W. chinensis, I. cairica, and L. camara; but the length of the elongation of C. japonica growing tips from coiling to haustorium occurring was with the order of L. camara, I. cairica, W. chinensis, and B. papyrifera. Furthermore, the growing tips of C. japonica coiled 3 circles in left direction on all selected hosts in 12 hrs, but grew away after contacting PVC rods within 24 hrs. The host diversity of C. japonic was beneficial to the survival of both C. japonica and its hosts. The selection behavior of C. japonica on their hosts had no correlation with the total N contents of different hosts. It could be postulated that the secondary metabolites of hosts made a contribution to the selection behavior of C. japonica on their hosts.

An efficient protocol was achieved for rapid propagation of Wedelia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr. through axillary bud proliferation and ex vitro rooting. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with benzyladenine (BA; 8.87 microM) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA; 2.46 microM) was optimal for axillary bud proliferation, which developed a mean of 8.3 shoots/node. Excision and culture of node segments from in vitro shoots on medium supplemented with the same concentration of growth regulators developed more than 30 shoots within 40 days. Excision and culture of nodes in succession enhanced the number of shoots. Shoot multiplication did not exhibit decrease in the number of shoots even at 10th subculture. Nevertheless, the shoots exhibited a tendency towards stunted nature. But reduction of BA to 4.44 or 2.22 microM resumed normal growth of shoots. Half strength MS medium fortified with IBA (2.46 microM) induced the highest number of roots. All in vitro rooted shoots survived in field. Dipping of the basal end of shoots collected from multiplication medium in IBA (2.46 microM) solution for 7 days induced roots and its transfer to small pots facilitated the survival of all rooted shoots (100%). Rooting ex vitro by direct transfer of shoots from multiplication medium exhibited 89.2 per cent survival. Use of commercial sugar and tap water and also the omission of in vitro rooting reduce the propagation cost 50-70 per cent. The protocol enables to harvest more than 50,000 plantlets within 150 days starting from a single node explant.

Phytochemical investigation of the whole plant of Wedelia paludosa (Acmela brasiliensis) furnished a new eudesmanolide lactone, named paludolactone (2), in addition to the known eudesmanolide (1), stigmasterol, kaurenoic and oleanolic acids. 1H- and 13C-NMR, and MS spectroscopic and elemental analyses were used for the structural elucidation of these compounds.

We evaluated the variation of the concentration of kaurenoic acid (1), which is a bioactive diterpene, in leaves, flowers, stems and roots from Wedelia paludosa (Acmela brasiliensis) for different seasons using the HRGC/FID method. The results indicated that the concentration of 1 is higher in the roots and stems during the autumn. The pharmacological results suggested that kaurenoic acid is responsible, at least in part, for the hypoglycemic potential detected in this plant.

Dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) is produced in high concentrations in many marine algae, but in higher plants only in a few salt marsh grasses of the genus Spartina, in sugar canes (Saccharum spp.), and in the Pacific strand plant Wollastonia biflora (L.) DC. The high concentrations found in higher plants (up to 250 micromol g(-1) dry weight) suggest an important role, but though many functions have been suggested (including methylating agent, detoxification of excess sulphur, salt tolerance, and herbivore deterrent), its actual functions remain unclear. The fact that the ability to produce DMSP in high concentrations is found in species that have no taxonomic or ecological relationship suggests that the compound evolved independently and serves different functions in different plants. This is supported by observations that DMSP in W. biflora behaves differently from that in Spartina species. While DMSP concentrations in W. biflora have been found to increase with increasing salinity, suggesting a role in osmotic control, such a relationship has not been found for DMSP in Spartina species. Recent observations on tissue culture showed that, while undifferentiated tissue of W. biflora produced DMSP, such material of Spartina alterniflora Loisel. did not. Ongoing studies with tissue culture of both species have opened up new avenues of research on DMSP in higher plants, ultimately to elucidate the functions of this enigmatic compound.

Wedelia paludosa (Acmela brasiliensis) (Asteraceae), a traditionally used native Brazilian medicinal plant, showed antifungal activity against dermatophytes in dilution tests. The hexane, dichloromethane and butanol fractions displayed activity against Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, with minimal inhibitory concentrations between 250 and 1000 microg/mL. Two pure compounds, identified as kaurenoic acid (1) and luteolin (2), also showed activity against these dermatophytes.

Life table and interference index of population control (IIPC) were used to evaluate the effects of spraying alcohol extracts of plant secondary substances on the population of Liriomyza sativae. Field experiment results showed that alcohol extracts derived from Lantana camara, Eupatorium odoratum, and Wedelia chinensis, and one kind of commercial petroleum spray oil were positive to protect kidney bean from infestation of L. sativae. The IIPC of these repelling substance compared with control were 0.136, 0.163, 0.213, and 0.222, and the control effects on L. sativae were 86.4%, 83.7%, 78.7%, and 77.8%, respectively. At the same time, the parasitism of vegetable leafminer was increased compared with control, indicated that the effects of parasitism were increased. The results indicated that these substances had strong effects in controlling the population of L. sativae.

Wedelia calendulacea Less., a perennial herb containing isoflavanoids, is used in liver disorders, uterine hemorrhage and menorrhagia. Osteoporosis in women occurs mainly due to estrogen deficiency following menopause. Studies indicate that isoflavones are estrogenic enough to promote bone formation. Our study was aimed to investigate the antiosteoporotic effect of the ethanol extract of W. calendulacea in the ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis, at two different dose levels of 500 and 750 mg/kg/body wt. day. The findings, assessed on the basis of biomechanical and biochemical parameters, showed that the ethanol extract of the plant had a definite protective effect. This was further supported by the histopathological studies. Phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of isoflavones and wedelolactone, which are known to act as phytoestrogens and may be responsible for the antiosteoporotic activity.

The essential oils obtained from the leaves of Wedelia paludosa DC. and Wedelia trilobata (L.) Hitch., were analyzed by GC/MS. α-Pinene was the chief constituent found in all samples of both oils in a yield above 30%. W. paludosa oil was also rich in β-pinene (10.3%), limonene (21.3%) and γ-muurolene (11.8%), while α-phellandrene (17.4%) and limonene (16.3%) were the other major components of W. trilobata oil.

Pascalia glauca (Wedelia glauca) is a member of the Heliantheae-Ecliptinae (Asteraceae) native to South America, which however has become naturalized and invasive around the globe. After studying the protologue and the historical materials kept at Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid (Spain), both a lectotype and an epitype are designated for P. glauca. Illustrations of living plants and the type material are presented, and some historical aspects involving the provenance of the original material are discussed to justify the type selection. The present contribution was partly supported by the research project ‘Flora iberica’ part IX, CGL-2011−28613-C03−01, from MICINN (Mº de Economía y Competitividad, Gobierno de España).

Four compounds, veratrylidenehydrazide, 3,3′-di-O-methylquercetin, 2,7-dihydroxy-3(3t'-methoxy-4′- hydroxy)-5-methoxyisoflavone and 3′,7-di-O-methylquercetin were isolated from the methylene chloride extract of dried leaves of Wedelia biflora. The structures were elucidated from spectroscopic evidence. The third compound possessed antifungal and boll weevil antifeedant activity while the fourth showed antifungal activity.

The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Wedelia glauca (Asteraceae) growing in San Luis, Argentina, was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Forty-two compounds were identified. The oil was found to be rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons (near 94.9%), such as limonene (38.0%), sabinene (23.9%) and α-pinene (22.0%), which were the main components.

The plant Wedelia biflora has been used in traditional medicine in India and Vietnam to treat various symptoms. However, the chemical composition of its flowers remains mostly unknown. Therefore, we now report the isolation and structural elucidation of six new phenolic glycosides {wedebicoside A – F (1–6)} and one new ceramide [wedebiceramide (9)], together with six known compounds, 1- O-(2′,4′-diangeloyloxy- β-D-fucopyranosyl)-6-hydroxythymol (7), 1- O-[2′,4′-diangeloyloxy-3′-(3′'-angeloyloxy- β-D-fucopyranosyl)- β-D-fucopyranosyl]-6-hydroxythymol (8), anhydrosecoisolariciresinol (10), friedeline (11), epifriedelanol (12) and stigmasterol (13) from the flowers of Wedelia biflora. Their structures were established by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, as well as by high resolution ESI–MS analysis and comparison with literature data. The cytotoxic activities against HeLa, MCF-7 and NCI–H460 were evaluated on some purified compounds at the concentration of 100 μg/mL. Compounds 1, 2, 3 and 5 showed strong cytotoxic activities against three surveyed cancer cell lines. Consequently, this study elucidated the phytochemical composition of W. biflora, as well as the potential use of some of the new compounds against some cancers.

In the article “Mortality of a captive axis deer ( Axis axis) and a llama ( Lama glama) due to ingestion of Wedelia glauca” by F. Giannitti et al., it is mentioned that Wedelia glauca, a plant native to South America, was widely distributed in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil and had been introduced in Spain. The authors have learned that the species was also introduced in the southeastern United States (Louisiana and Florida), where it has been described with the former name Pascalia glauca, according to the following reference: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PAGL9 . The authors are unaware of its persistence in the flora of the United States.

The compatible solute 3-dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is accumulated by certain salt-tolerant flowering plants and marine algae. It is the major biogenic precursor of dimethylsulfide, an important sulfur-containing trace gas in the atmosphere. DMSP biosynthesis was investigated in Wollastonia biflora (L.) DC. [= Wedelia biflora (L.) DC., Melanthera biflora (L.) Wild, Asteraceae]. After characterizing DMSP and glycine betaine accumulation in three diverse genotypes, a glycine betaine-free genotype was chosen for radiotracer and stable isotope-labeling studies. In discs from young leaves, label from [U-14C]methionine was readily incorporated into the dimethylsulfide and acrylate moieties of DMSP. This establishes that DMSP is derived from methionine by deamination, decarboxylation, oxidation, and methylation steps, without indicating their order. Five lines of evidence indicated that methylation is the first step in the sequence, not the last. (a) In pulse-chase experiments with [14C]methionine, S-methylmethionine (SMM) had the labeling pattern expected of a pathway intermediate, whereas 3-methylthiopropionate (MTP) did not. (b) [14C]SMM was efficiently converted to DMSP but [14C]MTP was not. (c) The addition of unlabeled SMM, but not of MTP, reduced the synthesis of [14C]DMSP from [14C]methionine. (d) The dimethylsulfide group of [13CH3,C2H3]SMM was incorporated as a unit into DMSP. (e) When [C2H3,C2H3]SMM was given together with [13CH3]methionine, the main product was [C2H3,C2H3]DMSP, not [13CH3,C2H3]DMSP or [13CH3,13CH3]DMSP. The stable isotope labeling results also show that the SMM cycle does not operate at a high level in W. biflora leaves.

Glycine betaine has been shown to act as a cytoplasmic osmolyte in many organisms. In flowering plants, the capacity to accumulate glycine betaine in response to drought or salt stress is widespread, and biochemical and immunological evidence indicates that the glycine betaine biosynthesis pathway is of ancient origin. Despite the efficacy and probable evolutionary age of glycine betaine, it appears to have been replaced by similar compounds in a few angiosperm taxa. Some of these taxa have been very successful in harsh environments. Examples are choline-O-sulphate and s- alanine betaine in the Plumbaginaceae, and dimethylsulphoniopropionate in Spartina (Gramineae) and Wedelia (Compositae). There is little evidence that these compounds are more effective than glycine betaine in a physicochemical sense. However, they may be superior metabolically in environments where drought or salinity is compounded by a second stress. In the case of choline-O-sulphate, this may be high internal SO4 2- levels. For s- alanine betaine, the second stress may be hypoxia; unlike glycine betaine, s-alanine betaine synthesis does not require O2. For dimethylsulphoniopropionate, the interacting stress may be low N availability.

In a previous paper(1), it was reported that the drug "Han-Iian-cao", in Taiwan was derived from the entire plant or aerial part of Eclipta prostrata L. and Alternanthera sessil is R. Brown. In this paper, the histological studies of "Han-lian-cao" derived from Wedelia and Hypericum plants, and of 3 species of Wedelia related plants distributed in Taiwan were made. The results showed that it was possible to classify these species by their external and internal characteristics. In addition, a key to the characteristics of the whole plants of Eclipta, Alternanthera, Wedelia and Hypericum plants are hereby given.

Considering the large tropical wet region and a rich flora, the amount of work done with respect to allelopathic interaction among Brazilian plant species seems negligible. Reports on the allelopathic effect of Mangifera indica and Cyperus rotundus on seed germination and early seedling growth of various crop plants and microorganisms are among some of the pioneer work done in this direction (Teles, 1968; Meguro, 1969a, Meguro, 1969b; Meguro and Bonomi, 1969). This was followed by evaluation of a number of plant species for their allelopathic potential. Crude extracts of Solanum chloranthum (Moraes and Vicente, 1970), Andira humilis, A. anthelmia, A. vermifuga, A. fraxinifolia (Rizzini, 1971), Calea cuneifolia (Coutinho and Hashimoto, 1971), Wedelia paludosa, Anacardium occidentalis (Barbosa, 1972), Solanum paniculatum, Artemisia absinthicum, Achryrocline alata, Athaeae rosea (Dionello-Basta and Basta, 1984), Sorghum halepense (Castro et al., 1984), Brassica napus (Vilhordo et al., 1985; Burin and Vilhordo, 1986), Phytolacca thyrsyflora (Nagao et al., 1986), Beta vulgaris, Sorghum bicolor and Ilex domestica (Santos et al., 1987) have been found to be allelopathic to several crop plants. However, isolation and characterization of allelochemicals from these species is yet to gain a momentum in Brazil and also in other Latin American countries.

The diterpenes ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid, ent-kaur-9(11),16(17)-dien-19-oic acid and 3 alpha-angeloiloxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid were identified as trypanosomicidal compounds of the ethanolic extract from the aerial parts of Wedelia paludosa D.C. (Asteraceae), showing activity up to the lowest dose of 0.68 mg/mL in the in vitro assay against trypomastigotes of T. cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease (American trypanosomiasis). The other isolates, friedelan-3 beta-ol, ent-kaur-16 alpha-ol-19-oic acid, beta-amyrin acetate and (22-E)-stigmasta-5,22-dien-3 beta-ol, were inactive. This is the first report on the trypanosomicidal activity of ent-kaur-9(11),16(17)-dien-19-oic acid and 3 alpha-angeloiloxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acids; this effect was already known for ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid.

'Romerillo' (Baccharis coridifolia DC), 'duraznillo negro' (Cestrum parqui L'Herit.), and 'sunchillo' (Wedelia glauca (Ort.) Hoff.) are highly toxic species producing important economic losses of livestock in Argentina. This study assessed the accuracy and precision in the estimation of the percentage and the mass of these species in the ingesta and feces of sheep experimentally poisoned. This study also evaluated whether the quantified percentage and the calculated mass of each toxic species in the rumen+reticulum, the easiest region to sample, are good estimates of their relative consumption. Results indicate that if species fragment density is quantified, and the percentages of non recognized fragments of the toxic species in their in vitro digestion residues are accounted for (attributing some proportion of the unidentified fragment pool to the target species), estimations are accurate, but their precision differ among species. For a 3 sheep sample, the average mass estimated by microhistological analysis represented 92.3 +/- 5.8 (romerillo), 96.5 +/- 17.3 (duraznillo negro), and 92.0 +/- 12.5% (sunchillo) (P 0.05) from those in the rumen+reticulum. For the evaluated species, the microhistological analysis of the rumen+reticulum not only confirmed the ingestion of the toxic species, but also adequately estimated the percentage in which they were ingested. DOI:10.2458/azu_jrm_v56i4_cid

The effect of an aqueous extract of the leaves of Wedelia calendulacea Less. on wound healing, in open and sutured wound models, was observed and found to be significant.

The epidermal remains of 4 poisonous plant species that produce acute intoxication in ruminants were quantified by microhistological analysis in the gastro-intestinal content of sheep experimentally poisoned. These species were 'romerillo' or 'mio mio' (Baccharis coridifolia DC); 'duraznillo negro' (Cestrum parqui L'Herit.); 'poison hemlock' (Conium maculatum L.), and 'sunchillo' (Wedelia glauca (Ort.) Hoff.). All of these species produce important economic losses of livestock in the Flooding Pampa, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The plants used for intoxication were at the vegetative stage of growth. Results indicate that the microhistological technique can be used to confirm the diagnosis of ruminant intoxication by duraznillo negro, romerillo, and sunchillo, but not by poison hemlock because digestion degrades its fragments beyond recognition. It would be convenient to sample the final sections of the digestive tract to confirm romerillo and sunchillo ingestion, because their fragments tend to concentrate there. The uniformity of duraznillo negro fragment distribution would allow identification of this species from any section of the digestive tract. However, the considerable variability in fragment distribution found among animals poisoned with the same plant species makes it necessary to sample more than 1 digestive region if only 1 animal is available for necropsy.

The structure of the toxic kaurene aminoglycoside bifloratoxin (3) from Melanthera biflora (L.) Willd ( syn. Wedelia biflora DC.) has been determined, and complete 1H and 13C n.m.r. spectral assignments achieved. The aglycon unit of bifloratoxin (3) is identical to carboxyatractyligenin (11), the aglycon of carboxyatractyloside (8).