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Fossil leaves, fruits, and woods assigned to Rhamnaceae have been recorded from India, however, there are no previous reports of rhamnaceous fossil flowers from India. Here, we report the first fossil flowers in appreciable numbers from the early Eocene (Palana Formation) sedimentary sequences of Gurha Lignite Mine, Rajasthan, western India, and show that they are attributable to Rhamnaceae. We examined variation in flower morphology among extant and extinct rhamnaceous species as a basis for interpreting our fossil flowers. The specimens are small star‐like, pentamerous, actinomorphic, gamosepalous flowers with triangular, keeled sepals with acute apices, spathulate, short‐clawed petals alternating with sepals, shallow, five‐lobed nectary disc with prominent pentagonal outer margin, and a centrally placed globose ovary with stigma scar. The flowers co‐occur with ziziphoid leaves and are recognized as a new species Eopaliura indica Patel, Rana & Khan sp. nov. Because of aforesaid characteristics, fossil flowers are easily identifiable as Rhamnaceae and should provide a reliable means of documenting the evolutionary history of this family during the Cenozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractRhamnella wilsonii Schneid 1914 is a member of the Rhamnaceae and endemic to China. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of R. wilsonii was sequenced and assembled. The complete chloroplast genome was 160,049 bp in length, including a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 26,502 bp, one large single copy (LSC) region of 88,274 bp and one small single copy (SSC) region of 18,771 bp. The genome contained 129 genes, including 8 rRNA genes, 37 tRNA genes and 84 protein-coding genes. The overall GC content of the complete chloroplast genome was 37.15%. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that R. wilsonii is closely related to R. martinni. This study provides basic information for further studies on the identification and evolution of R. wilsonii and Rhamnella from genomic perspective.

To study the phytochemical properties in the leave and fruit of Iranian populations of Rhamnus persica Boiss, eighteen different populations from six geographical regions of Kermanshah province were studied. The results showed that the highest and lowest leaf saponin was present in Aliabad (6.40 mg/g) in Eslamabad-e Gharb and Chaharzebar in Mahidasht (3.29 mg/g), respectively. In fruit saponin, the highest content was in the population of Arkavazi in Eslamabade Gharb (4.33 mg/g) and the lowest being in Mahidasht population (Chaharzebar) and Sarpol-e Zahab (Galin) each with 2.20 mg/g. About the leaf tannin, the highest and lowest values were available in Barf-Abad population in Eslamabad-e Gharb (4.57 mg/g) and Chaharzebar in Mahidasht (1.83 mg/g), respectively. In addition, in the case of fruit tannin, the highest amount in Meleh-Sorkh population belonged to Homeil (2.74 mg/g) and the lowest being in of Changizeh population (Sonqor) in 2.28 mg/g. Moreover, the highest and lowest leaf flavonoids were obtained in two populations including Gordi in Eslamabad-e Gharb (6.14 mg/g) and Changizeh from Sonqor (4.09 mg/g), respectively. Regarding fruit flavonoids, the highest and lowest amounts were observed in populations of Meleh-Sorkh from Homeil (3.45 mg/g) and Banganjab in Mahidasht (2.13 mg/g). These findings confirmed the effect of geographical location on changing the phytochemical characteristics of Rhamnus populations in Kermanshah province from Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Australian continent has experienced progressive aridification since the Miocene, spurring recent radiations of arid-adapted lineages and the likely decline of mesic biotic groups. While examples of the former have been relatively well-documented, post-Miocene declines of non-arid sclerophyllous floras are less well understood. Here, we present a well-sampled time-calibrated nuclear phylogeny (140 accessions representing 60/65 species) of an Australian plant genus (Cryptandra Sm.: Rhamnaceae) and using ancestral range reconstructions and diversification analyses, elucidate its evolutionary history through space and time. We used high-throughput sequencing to recover 30 orthologous nuclear loci and BioGeoBEARS to infer ancestral areas. We show that the present-day distribution of Cryptandra can be explained by multiple vicariance events followed by in situ diversification with little exchange between regions. All diversification models show a speciation rate decline in Cryptandra after its radiation in the Miocene (c. 23 Mya). This coincides with aridification episodes across Australia and indicates that diversification of this genus has been negatively affected by the expansion of aridity. We also show that there were no significant differences in diversification rates between spinescent and non-spinescent Cryptandra lineages, suggesting that spinescent lineages may be the legacies of selection from extinct megaherbivores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhamnella wilsonii Schneid 1914 is a member of the Rhamnaceae and endemic to China. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of R. wilsonii was sequenced and assembled. The complete chloroplast genome was 160,049 bp in length, including a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 26,502 bp, one large single copy (LSC) region of 88,274 bp and one small single copy (SSC) region of 18,771 bp. The genome contained 129 genes, including 8 rRNA genes, 37 tRNA genes and 84 protein-coding genes. The overall GC content of the complete chloroplast genome was 37.15%. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that R. wilsonii is closely related to R. martinni. This study provides basic information for further studies on the identification and evolution of R. wilsonii and Rhamnella from genomic perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractRhamnus leptacantha C.K.Schneid. (1914). is a rare shrub species of the genus Rhamnus. The complete plastid genome of Rhamnus leptacantha was sequenced for the first time in this study. The total length of this genome is 161,248 bp with a large single copy (LSC) region (89,386 bp), a small single copy (SSC) region (19,000 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (IRs, 26,431 bp). A total of 133 functional genes were annotated, including 88 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes. Plastome of R. leptacantha displayed a conservative structure and gene order. Phylogenetic analysis strongly supported R. leptacantha clustered with other members of genus Rhamnus. This study provides a foundation for further investigation of the complete chloroplast genome in inferring the evolution within the Rhamnaceae family.

Summary: The macroevolutionary processes that have shaped biodiversity across the temperate realm remain poorly understood and may have resulted from evolutionary dynamics related to diversification rates, dispersal rates, and colonization times, closely coupled with Cenozoic climate change.We integrated phylogenomic, environmental ordination, and macroevolutionary analyses for the cosmopolitan angiosperm family Rhamnaceae to disentangle the evolutionary processes that have contributed to high species diversity within and across temperate biomes.Our results show independent colonization of environmentally similar but geographically separated temperate regions mainly during the Oligocene, consistent with the global expansion of temperate biomes. High global, regional, and local temperate diversity was the result of high in situ diversification rates, rather than high immigration rates or accumulation time, except for Southern China, which was colonized much earlier than the other regions. The relatively common lineage dispersals out of temperate hotspots highlight strong source‐sink dynamics across the cosmopolitan distribution of Rhamnaceae.The proliferation of temperate environments since the Oligocene may have provided the ecological opportunity for rapid in situ diversification of Rhamnaceae across the temperate realm. Our study illustrates the importance of high in situ diversification rates for the establishment of modern temperate biomes and biodiversity hotspots across spatial scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a risk factor for the onset of chronic diseases. One of the most promising approaches to treating obesity consists of reducing dietary fat absorption using extracts from plants because they contain phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids. Paliurus spina-christi, belonging to the Rhamnaceae family, is one of the five species belonging to the Paliurus genus. Herein, the aerial parts of the plant were extracted with methanol through the pressurized cyclic solid-liquid extraction using the Naviglio extractor®. The extracts were analyzed with High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography and investigated for their in vitro biological potential. The phytochemical analysis revealed that rutin has been shown to be the most abundant flavonoid component. The best antiradical activity was observed for the fruit extract with an IC50 value of 53.41 ± 1.24 µg/mL. This extract also has a better inhibitory capacity on lipid peroxidation evaluated at a different time of incubation. Potent lipase inhibitor activity of the extract from fruits was also demonstrated with in vitro experiments. This property can be attributed to a direct interaction of main components of P. spina-christi extract with the human pancreatic enzyme as demonstrated by the results of molecular docking experiments conducted on the crystallographic structures of lipase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhamnus leptacantha C.K.Schneid. (1914). is a rare shrub species of the genus Rhamnus. The complete plastid genome of Rhamnus leptacantha was sequenced for the first time in this study. The total length of this genome is 161,248 bp with a large single copy (LSC) region (89,386 bp), a small single copy (SSC) region (19,000 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (IRs, 26,431 bp). A total of 133 functional genes were annotated, including 88 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes. Plastome of R. leptacantha displayed a conservative structure and gene order. Phylogenetic analysis strongly supported R. leptacantha clustered with other members of genus Rhamnus. This study provides a foundation for further investigation of the complete chloroplast genome in inferring the evolution within the Rhamnaceae family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new naphthalene derivative, 7-acetyl-8-hydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methylnaphthalen-1-yl acetate (1), has been isolated from the stem of Rhamnus crenata, together with eight known compounds 2–9. The structure of new compound 1 was determined through spectroscopic and MS analyses. Among the isolates, emodin (3), physcion (4), quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (5), and quercetin 7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (6) showed potent inhibition with IC50 values of 33.18 ± 2.73, 35.52 ± 3.27, 28.05 ± 1.85, and 26.41 ± 3.01 μM, respectively, against LPS-induced NO generation. In addition, compounds 3, 5, and 6 also showed potent DPPH radical scavenging activities with IC50 values of 95.47 ± 6.18, 68.27 ± 5.38, and 66.25 ± 4.20 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractZiziphus mairei Dode 1908 (Rhamnaceae) is a rare and endangered perennial plant in Yunnan, China. In this study, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated the complete chloroplast genome of Z. mairei. The complete chloroplast genome was a closed circular molecule of 161,546 bp with a typical tetrad structure, containing a large single-copy (LSC) region of 89,252 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 19,364 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 26,465 bp. A total of 128 genes have been annotated, including 83 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The GC content is 36.7%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Z. mairei is closely related to Z. hajarensis, Z. jujuba, and Z. jujuba var. spinosa. Our results provide useful genetic resources for further studies on the conservation and evolution of Z. mairei.

Ziziphus mairei Dode 1908 (Rhamnaceae) is a rare and endangered perennial plant in Yunnan, China. In this study, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated the complete chloroplast genome of Z. mairei. The complete chloroplast genome was a closed circular molecule of 161,546 bp with a typical tetrad structure, containing a large single-copy (LSC) region of 89,252 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 19,364 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 26,465 bp. A total of 128 genes have been annotated, including 83 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The GC content is 36.7%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Z. mairei is closely related to Z. hajarensis, Z. jujuba, and Z. jujuba var. spinosa. Our results provide useful genetic resources for further studies on the conservation and evolution of Z. mairei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of dispersal modes has been proposed to promote the diversification of angiosperms. However, little is known about the relative impact of different dispersal modes on plant diversification. We test the association between dispersal modes and diversification rates using Rhamnaceae, the cosmopolitan buckthorn family, as a model. We found that species with diplochory have the highest diversification rates followed by those with myrmecochory and ballistic dispersal, while lineages dispersed by vertebrates and wind have relatively low diversification rates. The difference in diversification rates may be closely linked to the difference in dispersal distance and ecological interactions implied by each dispersal mode. Species which disperse over larger geographical distances may have much higher speciation rates due to the increased chance of establishing isolated populations due to geological barriers or habitat fragmentation. However, long-distance dispersal may also increase the chance of extinction. By contrast, species with short-distance dispersal modes may have low speciation rates. Complex interactions with the surrounding environment may, however, impact diversification rates positively by increasing plant survival and reproductive success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This investigation aimed to explore the anatomical structures of the stem, leaf, petiole, petal, and fruit of Paliurus spina-christi. Methods: Plant specimens were collected from Uzundere/Erzurum (Turkey) in June 2016. Subsequently, standard herbarium techniques were employed to dry and preserve the samples stored at the Herbarium of Atatürk University, Biodiversity Application and Research Center. For anatomical analysis, the materials were preserved in 70% alcohol. Characteristic elements of these plant parts were identified through sectioning, and their structures were visually documented with photographs. Results: The leaf is bifacial, with stomata located in the lower epidermis. Abundant cluster crystals of calcium oxalate, very dense, and unicellular trichome (only stem, leaf, petiole) were shown in stem, leaf, petiole, and petal. Lignified structures were observed in the samara fruits pericarp. Conclusion: This research thoroughly delineates the anatomical characteristics of P. spina-christi. The findings derived from this investigation imply that the observed anatomical variations could have valuable implications for taxonomic classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite being cultivated in China for millennia, the Chinese jujube is mostly unknown to Western consumers. The fruits are borne from vigorous trees that are tolerant to drought and other stresses, as well as disease. A number of cultivars have been demonstrated to produce in Florida. This publication is a review of jujube genetics and management as this crop gains favor among growers on small farms and home growers.

Background: The leaves of Zizyphus spina-christi (L.) Willd contain several compounds exhibiting different pharmacologic activities. However, studies on the cytotoxic activity of these compounds are limited. Objectives: We aimed to investigate and isolate cytotoxic compounds with selective antitumor effects from the leaves of Z. spina-christi using bioassay-guided fractionation of methanol extract. Methods: Powdered, dried leaves were subjected to methanol extraction and fractionated using n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. Fractions with positive cytotoxicity against HeLa and THP-1 cell lines were further fractionated and eluted using various concentrations of organic solvents. Active compounds were isolated using different chromatographic methods and their chemical structures were determined using extensive spectroscopic methods, such as 1D NMR (1H NMR, 13C NMR, and DEPT), 2D NMR (COSY, HMBC, and HMQC), HRFAB-MS, and IR. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effects of the isolated compounds were evaluated against 62 tumor cell lines (including HeLa and THP-1) in addition to normal bone marrow cells. Results: The chloroform and aqueous methanol fractions of the leaves showed cytotoxic activity. Two compounds were successfully isolated and named “sidrin” (13-β-hydroxy-lup-20(30)-ene-2,3-β-epoxy-28-carboxylate) and “sidroside” (3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1–3)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-jujubogenin-20-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside). Sidrin exhibited cytotoxic activity against the human leukemia (Hl-60, RPMI-8226), lung cancer (A549, EKVX), breast cancer (BT-549, MDA-MB-231/ATCC), colon cancer (KM12), melanoma (M14, SK-MEL-5), and central nervous system (CNS) cancer (SF-295) cell lines, and selectivity was observed against the Hl-60, EKVX, BT-549, KM12, and SF-295 cell lines. In addition, sidrin was more active than sidroside and doxorubicin against the Hl-60 and EKVX cell lines. In contrast, sidrin had a similar effect to doxorubicin against the BT-549 and renal cancer (UO-31) cell lines. Sidroside was more selective against the leukemia (CCRF-CEM, MOLT-4), lung cancer (HOP-92, NCI-H322M), breast cancer (MDA-MB-468), melanoma (LOX IMVI), CNS cancer (SNB-19), ovarian cancer (OVCAR-8), renal cancer (UO-31, RXF 393), and prostate cancer (PC-3) cell lines. Both compounds exhibited similar activity against the breast cancer (MDA-MB-231, T-47D), colon cancer (HCC-2998, HCT-116), ovarian cancer (OVCAR-3), renal cancer (UO-31, 786–0, and SN 12C) cell lines. Normal bone marrow cells were unaffected at the same concentrations of sidrin and sidroside applied to tumor cells. Conclusions: These results suggest tumor-selective cytotoxicity of sidrin and sidroside.

Six 5(14)-membered ring type of cyclopeptide alkaloids (CPAs), including two undescribed members, 1-hydro,2β-methoxy-mauritine-A (1) and 1-hydro,2α-methoxy-mauritine-A (2), together with four known compounds, mauritine-A (3), mauritine C (4), amphibine-A (5), and amphibine-E (6), were isolated from the root bark of Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf., Their structures were determined by multiple spectral analyses, including UV, IR, 1D NMR, 2D NMR, EI-MS, HR-EI-MS, FAB-MS and ESI-MS, and by comparison with literature. All six CPAs were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity by three human cancer cell lines (MCF7, H460 and Hela) and a human normal cell line (BJ). None of the compounds showed cytotoxicity towards all tested cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Berchemia racemosa Siebold & Zucc., 1845 is a rare species distributed in restricted areas in the western Korean peninsula. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome (plastome) of B. racemosa was sequenced and assembled by Illumina paired-end sequencing. The plastome of B. racemosa was 161,187 bp in length and was quadripartite in structure, including a large single-copy (LSC) region of 89,503 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,214 bp, and two inverted repeats of 26,735 bp. The GC content was 37.2%. The plastome of B. racemosa contains 130 genes, including eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 37 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and 85 protein-coding genes. Phylogenetic analysis using complete genome sequences showed that B. racemosa is most closely related to Berchemia flavescens.

Abstract Background Massive parallel sequencing technologies have enabled the elucidation of plant phylogenetic relationships from chloroplast genomes at a high pace. These include members of the family Rhamnaceae. The current Rhamnaceae phylogenetic tree is from 13 out of 24 Rhamnaceae chloroplast genomes, and only one chloroplast genome of the genus Ventilago is available. Hence, the phylogenetic relationships in Rhamnaceae remain incomplete, and more representative species are needed. Results The complete chloroplast genome of Ventilago harmandiana Pierre was outlined using a hybrid assembly of long- and short-read technologies. The accuracy and validity of the final genome were confirmed with PCR amplifications and investigation of coverage depth. Sanger sequencing was used to correct for differences in lengths and nucleotide bases between inverted repeats because of the homopolymers. The phylogenetic trees reconstructed using prevalent methods for phylogenetic inference were topologically similar. The clustering based on codon usage was congruent with the molecular phylogenetic tree. The groups of genera in each tribe were in accordance with tribal classification based on molecular markers. We resolved the phylogenetic relationships among six Hovenia species, three Rhamnus species, and two Ventilago species. Our reconstructed tree provides the most complete and reliable low-level taxonomy to date for the family Rhamnaceae. Similar to other higher plants, the RNA editing mostly resulted in converting serine to leucine. Besides, most genes were subjected to purifying selection. Annotation anomalies, including indel calling errors, unaligned open reading frames of the same gene, inconsistent prediction of intergenic regions, and misannotated genes, were identified in the published chloroplast genomes used in this study. These could be a result of the usual imperfections in computational tools, and/or existing errors in reference genomes. Importantly, these are points of concern with regards to utilizing published chloroplast genomes for comparative genomic analysis. Conclusions In summary, we successfully demonstrated the use of comprehensive genomic data, including DNA and amino acid sequences, to build a reliable and high-resolution phylogenetic tree for the family Rhamnaceae. Additionally, our study indicates that the revision of genome annotation before comparative genomic analyses is necessary to prevent the propagation of errors and complications in downstream analysis and interpretation.

Obesity is a risk factor for the onset of chronic diseases. One of the most promising approaches to treating obesity consists of reducing dietary fat absorption using extracts from plants because they contain phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids. Paliurus spina-christi, belonging to the Rhamnaceae family, is one of the five species belonging to the Paliurus genus. Herein, the aerial parts of the plant were extracted with methanol through the pressurized cyclic solid-liquid extraction using the Naviglio extractor®. The extracts were analyzed with High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography and investigated for their in vitro biological potential. The phytochemical analysis revealed that rutin has been shown to be the most abundant flavonoid component. The best antiradical activity was observed for the fruit extract with an IC50 value of 53.41 ± 1.24 µg/mL. This extract also has a better inhibitory capacity on lipid peroxidation evaluated at a different time of incubation. Potent lipase inhibitor activity of the extract from fruits was also demonstrated with in vitro experiments. This property can be attributed to a direct interaction of main components of P. spina-christi extract with the human pancreatic enzyme as demonstrated by the results of molecular docking experiments conducted on the crystallographic structures of lipase.

Introduction: Ziziphus jujube (ZJ) or Chinese date or Indian ber is one of the extensively studied medicinal plants as it is a rich source of phytochemicals and thus may encourage a healthy diet. It is a medium-sized native plant of the Rhamnaceae family and is one of the earliest fruits with the greatest significance in Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners have used it for treating hysteria in female patients along with fatigue, anorexia, and diarrhea in cases of spleen deficiency syndrome. Ziziphus jujube (Z. jujube) is traditionally used by the locals to treat dandruff, arthritis, chronic constipation, acne, antibacterial, and cardiac diseases. Jujube includes a variety of components, including flavonoids, triterpenic acids, amino acids, cerebrosides, mineral components, phenolic acids, and polysaccharides. Methodology: The online databases including Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science, were searched using different keywords: Z. jujube, antimicrobial activity, traditional uses, and antitumor activity. The purpose of this review was therefore to summarise the previously reported phytopharmacological status of the chosen plant species. Results: The results of our analysis revealed that Ziziphus jujube contains a variety of biologically active compounds including, flavonoids, terpenoids, etc. In addition, previous research has demonstrated that plant extracts and isolated principles of ZJ also possess significant pharmacological activity including anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-melanogenic and others. Discussion: Jujube has a good potential for generating therapeutics and supplements for prophylaxis as well as treatment against cancer, inflammation, and iron/vitamin deficiencies, according to the below-mentioned human and animal studies. Also, clinical research has shown that jujube is a safe and efficient herb for human intake and thus should be included in dietary intakes and as active constituents in pharmaceutical formulations. Conclusion: Jujubes are an invaluable source of bioactive chemicals that can be incorporated into food for humans and show promise for the treatment of mild and life-threatening medical disorders. This review will encourage other scientists to continue their research on the selected plant species, especially in the areas of toxicity and bioactivity.

The leaves of Zizyphus spina-christi (L.) Willd contain several compounds exhibiting different pharmacologic activities. However, studies on the cytotoxic activity of these compounds are limited. We aimed to investigate and isolate cytotoxic compounds with selective antitumor effects from the leaves of Z. spina-christi using bioassay-guided fractionation of methanol extract. Powdered, dried leaves were subjected to methanol extraction and fractionated using n -hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n -butanol. Fractions with positive cytotoxicity against HeLa and THP-1 cell lines were further fractionated and eluted using various concentrations of organic solvents. Active compounds were isolated using different chromatographic methods and their chemical structures were determined using extensive spectroscopic methods, such as 1D NMR (1H NMR, 13C NMR, and DEPT), 2D NMR (COSY, HMBC, and HMQC), HRFAB-MS, and IR. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effects of the isolated compounds were evaluated against 62 tumor cell lines (including HeLa and THP-1) in addition to normal bone marrow cells. The chloroform and aqueous methanol fractions of the leaves showed cytotoxic activity. Two compounds were successfully isolated and named "sidrin" (13-β-hydroxy-lup-20(30)-ene-2,3-β-epoxy-28-carboxylate) and "sidroside" (3- O -β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1–3)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-jujubogenin-20- O -α-L-rhamnopyranoside). Sidrin exhibited cytotoxic activity against the human leukemia (Hl-60, RPMI-8226), lung cancer (A549, EKVX), breast cancer (BT-549, MDA-MB-231/ATCC), colon cancer (KM12), melanoma (M14, SK-MEL-5), and central nervous system (CNS) cancer (SF-295) cell lines, and selectivity was observed against the Hl-60, EKVX, BT-549, KM12, and SF-295 cell lines. In addition, sidrin was more active than sidroside and doxorubicin against the Hl-60 and EKVX cell lines. In contrast, sidrin had a similar effect to doxorubicin against the BT-549 and renal cancer (UO-31) cell lines. Sidroside was more selective against the leukemia (CCRF-CEM, MOLT-4), lung cancer (HOP-92, NCI-H322M), breast cancer (MDA-MB-468), melanoma (LOX IMVI), CNS cancer (SNB-19), ovarian cancer (OVCAR-8), renal cancer (UO-31, RXF 393), and prostate cancer (PC-3) cell lines. Both compounds exhibited similar activity against the breast cancer (MDA-MB-231, T-47D), colon cancer (HCC-2998, HCT-116), ovarian cancer (OVCAR-3), renal cancer (UO-31, 786–0, and SN 12C) cell lines. Normal bone marrow cells were unaffected at the same concentrations of sidrin and sidroside applied to tumor cells. These results suggest tumor-selective cytotoxicity of sidrin and sidroside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-healing wounds are a global health problem. Substances that enhance cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and prevention of bacterial infections accelerate the wound healing process. In this study, the wound healing potential of Ziziphus oenoplia, is investigated for its ability in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and antibacterial potential. The potential of cell proliferation enhancement (mean percent wound closure) and angiogenic response (mean vascular index) of hexanes, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts of leaf and bark of Z. oenoplia were evaluated by scratch wound assay (SWA) using Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells and chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, respectively. The antibacterial activity of these extracts was evaluated against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by disc diffusion method. Enhanced cell proliferation was shown by the hexanes, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate extracts of leaf and the hexanes extract of bark. An enhanced angiogenic response was shown by the methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of leaves and the methanol and hexanes extracts of bark. Dichloromethane extract of both leaf and bark showed considerable antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa which is less susceptible to common antibiotics. SWA-directed fractionation of the hexanes extract of the leaf has resulted in the isolation and identification of an active fraction showing mean percent wound closure of 86.4% (positive control 90.2%) and mean vascular index of 34.5 (positive control 48.6). This fraction contained lupeol, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, hexacosanol, and octacosanol. The present study provides supportive evidence for the potential of wound healing enhancement of leaf and bark extracts of Z. oenoplia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The persistence of subtropical seasonally dry forests urgently requires the implementation of ex situ conservation and restoration programs. We studied variation in seed traits and dormancy of six native species growing in seasonally dry Chaco forests of Argentina. We documented high intra- and interspecific variability in seed traits and dormancy. Fresh seeds of Geoffroea decorticans and Parasenegalia visco (Fabaceae) were water-permeable and nondormant (ND), while those of Parkinsonia praecox and Vachellia aroma (Fabaceae) were water-impermeable and had physical dormancy (PY). Seeds of Schnopsis lorentzii (Anacardiaceae) and Sarcomphalus mistol (Rhamnaceae) were water-permeable and had physiological dormancy (PD). Mechanical and chemical scarification were the most effective methods to break PY, and dry storage for 3 months was effective in breaking PD. Seeds of large-seeded species were ND or had PD, and those of small-seeded species had PY. Species inhabiting moist habitats had ND seeds, whereas those from seasonally dry habitats had seeds with PY or PD. These results suggest that seed traits and dormancy are species-specific and that intraspecific variation in seed traits is likely associated with high phenotypic plasticity of species in response to local environmental heterogeneity. These findings should be considered at the time of implementation of conservation techniques and for seed sourcing decisions for restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ziziphus jujuba Mill. is a deciduous shrub, belonging to the Rhamnaceae family. Phytochemical investigation of Z. jujuba seeds showed the presence of three undescribed 8,4′-type oxyneolignans (1-3). Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses. All isolated compounds were tested for antitumor activity against two human hepatoma cells (Hep3B and HepG2) and exhibited moderate cytotoxicity (IC50: 33.79-49.62 µM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional medicine shows several treatment protocols for COVID-19 based on natural products, revealing its potential as a possible source of anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. Ampelozizyphus amazonicus is popularly used in the Brazilian Amazon as a fortifier and tonic, and recently, it has been reported to relieve COVID-19 symptoms. This work aimed to investigate the antiviral potential of A. amazonicus, focusing on the inhibition of spike and ACE2 receptor interaction, a key step in successful infection. Although saponins are the major compounds of this plant and often reported as its active principles, a polyphenol-rich extract was the best inhibitor of the spike and ACE2 interaction. Chemical characterization of A. amazonicus bark extracts by LC-DAD-APCI-MS/MS before and after clean-up steps for polyphenol removal showed that the latter play an essential role in maintaining this activity. The effects of the extracts on viral replication were also assessed, and all samples (aqueous and ethanol extracts) demonstrated in vitro activity, inhibiting viral titers in the supernatant of Calu-3 cells after 24 hpi. By acting both in the SARS-CoV-2 cell entry process and its replication, A. amazonicus bark extracts stand out as a multitarget agent, highlighting the species as a promising candidate in the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Solid‐phase extraction applied to plant matrices is nowadays a well‐validated technique allowing to concentrate and purify different secondary metabolites. Several classes of phytochemicals have been selectively extracted by this methodology. During the last decade attention has been focused on biologically active anthraquinones from numerous sources like edible, healthy, and medicinal plants. Objectives: The aim of this review is to provide a detailed literature survey of the solid‐phase adsorption methodologies for the extraction of natural anthraquinones reported so far and to discuss and propose future directions in this field of research. Materials and Methods: Substructure search was performed in the SciFinder Scholar, PubMed, Medline, and Scopus databases. Results: The first report about application of solid‐phase adsorption for the purification of anthraquinones appeared in the literature in 2002. From this date, and in particular during recent years, the most notable examples included the use of chitin‐ and chitosan‐based polymers, of molecularly imprinted polymers, of coated magnetic nanoparticles, of miniaturized matrix solid‐phase dispersion, of functionalized resins, of differently structured lamellar solids, and finally of vortex‐synchronized matrix solid‐phase dispersion. Conclusions: The herein detailed solid‐phase adsorption methodologies are powerful tools to selectively extract natural anthraquinones and/or provide anthraquinone‐enriched phytopreparations. Nevertheless, many other important methods have been applied to synthetic anthraquinones (e.g., azo dyes). These could be conveniently employed also for natural anthranoids. Studies in this field are discussed in this review article. A review on solid phase adsorption of natural anthraquinones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Massive parallel sequencing technologies have enabled the elucidation of plant phylogenetic relationships from chloroplast genomes at a high pace. These include members of the family Rhamnaceae. The current Rhamnaceae phylogenetic tree is from 13 out of 24 Rhamnaceae chloroplast genomes, and only one chloroplast genome of the genus Ventilago is available. Hence, the phylogenetic relationships in Rhamnaceae remain incomplete, and more representative species are needed. Results: The complete chloroplast genome of Ventilago harmandiana Pierre was outlined using a hybrid assembly of long- and short-read technologies. The accuracy and validity of the final genome were confirmed with PCR amplifications and investigation of coverage depth. Sanger sequencing was used to correct for differences in lengths and nucleotide bases between inverted repeats because of the homopolymers. The phylogenetic trees reconstructed using prevalent methods for phylogenetic inference were topologically similar. The clustering based on codon usage was congruent with the molecular phylogenetic tree. The groups of genera in each tribe were in accordance with tribal classification based on molecular markers. We resolved the phylogenetic relationships among six Hovenia species, three Rhamnus species, and two Ventilago species. Our reconstructed tree provides the most complete and reliable low-level taxonomy to date for the family Rhamnaceae. Similar to other higher plants, the RNA editing mostly resulted in converting serine to leucine. Besides, most genes were subjected to purifying selection. Annotation anomalies, including indel calling errors, unaligned open reading frames of the same gene, inconsistent prediction of intergenic regions, and misannotated genes, were identified in the published chloroplast genomes used in this study. These could be a result of the usual imperfections in computational tools, and/or existing errors in reference genomes. Importantly, these are points of concern with regards to utilizing published chloroplast genomes for comparative genomic analysis. Conclusions: In summary, we successfully demonstrated the use of comprehensive genomic data, including DNA and amino acid sequences, to build a reliable and high-resolution phylogenetic tree for the family Rhamnaceae. Additionally, our study indicates that the revision of genome annotation before comparative genomic analyses is necessary to prevent the propagation of errors and complications in downstream analysis and interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Berchemia racemosa Siebold & Zucc., 1845 is a rare species distributed in restricted areas in the western Korean peninsula. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome (plastome) of B. racemosa was sequenced and assembled by Illumina paired-end sequencing. The plastome of B. racemosa was 161,187 bp in length and was quadripartite in structure, including a large single-copy (LSC) region of 89,503 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,214 bp, and two inverted repeats of 26,735 bp. The GC content was 37.2%. The plastome of B. racemosa contains 130 genes, including eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 37 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and 85 protein-coding genes. Phylogenetic analysis using complete genome sequences showed that B. racemosa is most closely related to Berchemia flavescens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The phytochemical composition and the antibacterial and antifungal properties of Zizyphus lotus L. (ZL) leaves and Ruta chalepensis L. (RC) aerial parts harvested from Oran in northwest Algeria were assessed against multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical pathogens. Materials and Methods: The phenolic compounds identification in the hydromethanolic (MeOH.E) and the aqueous extracts (Aq. E) was done by HPLC-DAD analysis, while the phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents were determined using quantitative methods. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were also determined. The synergistic effect between both plants was elucidated using the checkerboard dilution test. Results: An important phenolic content was determined with higher concentrations in Z. lotus leaves extracts than R. chalepensis. The HPLC-DAD analysis allowed us to identify benzoic acid as the major phenolic compound in Z. lotus extracts, while catechin, quercetin and epicatechin were the major compounds identified in R. chalepensis. Important antimicrobial activity was observed against all the clinical pathogen strains. The most potent effect was estimated against MDR Salmonella enterica sp. arizonae with 20±0.1mm of growth inhibition zone diameter using RCMeOH.E, while a diameter of 35.03±0.06 mm was measured using ZLMeOH.E. Also, important anti-Candida activity was estimated. No synergistic interaction against the different microbial strains was determined by applying the combinations of both plants' extracts, with a fractional inhibitory concentration index superior to 4 (FICindex >4). Conclusion: Z. lotus and R. chalepensis can be exploited in the medical field as a potential source of antimicrobial components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ziziphus abyssinica root bark is widely used in folk medicine to manage liver diseases, particularly, jaundice but its effect on paracetamol-induced liver toxicity (PILT) has not yet been validated. This study explored the ameliorative effect of ethanolic root bark extract of Ziziphus abyssinica (ZAE) against PILT in rats. The flavonoid and phenolic content of ZAE was evaluated using Folin-Ciocalteau and aluminium trichloride colorimetric methods, respectively. Antioxidant activity of ZAE was determined in vitro by evaluating its ferrous reducing antioxidant capacity (FRAC) as well as DPPH and nitic oxide (NO) radicals scavenging activities. Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to six groups (n = 6) and administered with normal saline (10 mL/kg, p.o.), N-acetylcysteine (50 mg/kg, i.p.) and ZAE (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) respectively for seven days after which they received paracetamol (PCM, 3000 mg/kg, p.o.). Animals were sacrificed 48 h after paracetamol administration under light anaesthesia and assessed for liver toxicity and oxidative stress. Total flavonoid and phenolic contents of ZAE were 1313.425 µg/mL quercetin equivalence and 268.31 µg/mL gallic acid equivalence respectively. ZAE exhibited marked FRAC as well as DPPH and NO radical scavenging activities with IC50s of 80.41 ± 1.56, 67.56 ± 1.11 and 7.11 ± 1.48 μg/mL respectively. ZAE and N-acetylcysteine significantly (p

Seed dormancy varies greatly between species, clades, communities, and regions. We propose that fireprone ecosystems create ideal conditions for the selection of seed dormancy as fire provides a mechanism for dormancy release and postfire conditions are optimal for germination. Thus, fire‐released seed dormancy should vary in type and abundance under different fire regimes. To test these predictions, we compiled data from a wide range of fire‐related germination experiments for species in different ecosystems across the globe. We identified four dormancy syndromes: heat‐released (physical) dormancy, smoke‐released (physiological) dormancy, non‐fire‐released dormancy, and non‐dormancy. In fireprone ecosystems, fire, in the form of heat and/or chemical by‐products (collectively termed 'smoke'), are the predominant stimuli for dormancy release and subsequent germination, with climate (cold or warm stratification) and light sometimes playing important secondary roles. Fire (heat or smoke)‐released dormancy is best expressed where woody vegetation is dense and fires are intense, i.e. in crown‐fire ecosystems. In such environments, seed dormancy allows shade‐intolerant species to take advantage of vegetation gaps created by fire and synchronize germination with optimal recruitment conditions. In grassy fireprone ecosystems (e.g. savannas), where fires are less intense but more frequent, seed dormancy is less common and dormancy release is often not directly related to fire (non‐fire‐released dormancy). Rates of germination, whether controls or postfire, are twice as fast in savannas than in mediterranean ecosystems. Fire‐released dormancy is rare to absent in arid ecosystems and rainforests. The seeds of many species with fire‐released dormancy also possess elaiosomes that promote ant dispersal. Burial by ants increases insulation of seeds from fires and places them in a suitable location for fire‐released dormancy. The distribution of these dormancy syndromes across seed plants is not random – certain dormancy types are associated with particular lineages (phylogenetic conservatism). Heat‐released dormancy can be traced back to fireprone floras in the 'fiery' mid‐Cretaceous, followed by smoke‐released dormancy, with loss of fire‐related dormancy among recent events associated with the advent of open savannas and non‐fireprone habitats. Anthropogenic influences are now modifying dormancy‐release mechanisms, usually decreasing the role of fire as exaptive effects. We conclude that contrasting fire regimes are a key driver of the evolution and maintenance of diverse seed dormancy types in many of the world's natural ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a climate change scenario, global forest loss had a direct impact on the hydrological cycle, making the protection of soil and water resources a central issue. In the Central Andes of western Argentina, information on Chacay (Ochetophila trinervis) mountain forests is scarce. This tree thrives along river and stream banks, fixes atmospheric nitrogen, and grows in impoverished soils. The seeds of O. trinervis are characterized by physical or physiological dormancy, and germination requires technique application. The main goal was to evaluate the effect of mechanical and chemical scarification, cold stratification, and hot water immersion on the final germination percentage, germination speed index, and the mean germination time of O. trinervis seeds. Our results show that mechanical and chemical scarification are the treatments that best inhibit seed dormancy in this species. Mechanical scarification with sandpaper is the treatment that offers a balance between effective results and an easy-to-apply technique. Sulfuric acid (SA) treatment is also efficient in breaking dormancy, but we recommend applying it under extreme careful laboratory conditions. Highlitghs: • Our findings support the hypothesis that the seeds of O. trinervis show physical dormancy because either mechanical (M) or chemical scarification (SA) techniques achieved the highest germination values. • Our results indicate that mechanical scarification (M) might be a practical option for O. trinervis seedling germination in the Central Andes of Western Argentina. • Sulfuric acid (SA) treatment is also efficient in breaking dormancy, but we recommend applying it under extreme careful laboratory conditions.

Traditional medicine shows several treatment protocols for COVID-19 based on natural products, revealing its potential as a possible source of anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. Ampelozizyphus amazonicus is popularly used in the Brazilian Amazon as a fortifier and tonic, and recently, it has been reported to relieve COVID-19 symptoms. This work aimed to investigate the antiviral potential of A. amazonicus, focusing on the inhibition of spike and ACE2 receptor interaction, a key step in successful infection. Although saponins are the major compounds of this plant and often reported as its active principles, a polyphenol-rich extract was the best inhibitor of the spike and ACE2 interaction. Chemical characterization of A. amazonicus bark extracts by LC-DAD-APCI-MS/MS before and after clean-up steps for polyphenol removal showed that the latter play an essential role in maintaining this activity. The effects of the extracts on viral replication were also assessed, and all samples (aqueous and ethanol extracts) demonstrated in vitro activity, inhibiting viral titers in the supernatant of Calu-3 cells after 24 hpi. By acting both in the SARS-CoV-2 cell entry process and its replication, A. amazonicus bark extracts stand out as a multitarget agent, highlighting the species as a promising candidate in the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs.

Key message: An understorey shrub is an extreme CaOx accumulator that plays a disproportionately large role in Ca cycling; however, transformations of CaOx and other Ca forms in forest soils demand detailed attention. Calcium oxalate (CaOx) plays an important but neglected role in Ca cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. CaOx crystals are present in leaves and roots (less commonly in bark and wood) of many trees and vary greatly in size, shape, and crystallinity. We extend an Australian study of an Eucalyptus regnans forest ecosystem, showing that the shrub Pomaderris aspera plays a significant role in Ca cycling. X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) shows that crystals of CaOx in the leaves of both species contain up to 15% Ca; the density of crystals being much greater in P. aspera than in E. regnans. The concentration of oxalate in P. aspera is about 6% dry weight, ranking P. aspera as an extreme oxalate accumulator, in common with a number of other members of the family Rhamnaceae. The fate of CaOx in nutrient cycling is poorly known and often misunderstood. Upon committal of CaOx to the soil, transformations are brought about by fire or saprophytic heterotrophic bacteria and fungi; the latter derive carbon and energy from the oxidation of oxalate. The primary reaction is one of the oxidations which produces CaCO3 and CO2, such that half of the C is sequestered in the CaCO3 which will remain stable under alkaline conditions and is therefore a potential sink for atmospheric CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Malay Archipelago is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, but it suffers high extinction risks due to severe anthropogenic pressures. Paleobotanical knowledge provides baselines for the conservation of living analogs and improved understanding of vegetation, biogeography, and paleoenvironments through time. The Malesian bioregion is well studied palynologically, but there have been very few investigations of Cenozoic paleobotany (plant macrofossils) in a century or more. We report the first paleobotanical survey of Brunei Darussalam, a sultanate on the north coast of Borneo that still preserves the majority of its extraordinarily diverse, old-growth tropical rainforests. We discovered abundant compression floras dominated by angiosperm leaves at two sites of probable Pliocene age: Berakas Beach, in the Liang Formation, and Kampong Lugu, in an undescribed stratigraphic unit. Both sites also yielded rich palynofloral assemblages from the macrofossil-bearing beds, indicating lowland fern-dominated swamp (Berakas Beach) and mangrove swamp (Kampong Lugu) depositional environments. Fern spores from at least nine families dominate both palynological assemblages, along with abundant fungal and freshwater algal remains, rare marine microplankton, at least four mangrove genera, and a diverse rainforest tree and liana contribution (at least 19 families) with scarce pollen of Dipterocarpaceae, today's dominant regional life form. Compressed leaves and rare reproductive material represent influx to the depocenters from the adjacent coastal rainforests. Although only about 40% of specimens preserve informative details, we can distinguish 23 leaf and two reproductive morphotypes among the two sites. Dipterocarps are by far the most abundant group in both compression assemblages, providing rare, localized evidence for dipterocarp-dominated lowland rainforests in the Malay Archipelago before the Pleistocene. The dipterocarp fossils include winged Shorea fruits, at least two species of plicate Dipterocarpus leaves, and very common Dryobalanops leaves. We attribute additional leaf taxa to Rhamnaceae (Ziziphus), Melastomataceae, and Araceae (Rhaphidophora), all rare or new fossil records for the region. The dipterocarp leaf dominance contrasts sharply with the family's <1% representation in the palynofloras from the same strata. This result directly demonstrates that dipterocarp pollen is prone to strong taphonomic filtering and underscores the importance of macrofossils for quantifying the timing of the dipterocarps' rise to dominance in the region. Our work shows that complex coastal rainforests dominated by dipterocarps, adjacent to swamps and mangroves and otherwise similar to modern ecosystems, have existed in Borneo for at least 4-5 million years. Our findings add historical impetus for the conservation of these gravely imperiled and extremely biodiverse ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spyridium Fenzl is a genus of ~45 species endemic to south-western and south-eastern Australia. This study provides the most comprehensive phylogenies of Spyridium to date, analysing both entire chloroplast genomes and the nuclear ribosomal array (18S – 5.8S – 26S). There was substantial incongruence between the chloroplast and nuclear phylogenies, creating phylogenetic uncertainty, but some clear relationships and biogeographic patterns could be established. Analyses support the monophyly of Spyridium , identifying an early east–west split at the base of the nuclear phylogeny and deep divergences of New South Wales and Tasmanian endemic clades. We also found evidence of more recent dispersal events between eastern and western Australia and between Tasmania and the mainland. Eleven taxa were found to be monophyletic in the nrDNA phylogeny and two were clearly polyphyletic (S. eriocephalum Fenzl and S. phylicoides Reissek). Although the polyphyly of S. eriocephalum correlates with the two varieties, suggesting distinct taxa, further research is required on S. phylicoides. Spyridium (Rhamnaceae) is a genus on shrubs endemic to southern and eastern Australia. We present the first nuclear rDNA and chloroplast genome phylogenies for the genus, including all described species and several phrase-name taxa. Our results support an early eastern–western Australia split in the base of the nuclear tree and early divergence of species groups endemic to Tasmania and New South Wales–Queensland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceanothus velutinus Douglas ex Hook. (Rhamnaceae; snowbrush ceanothus) is a native evergreen species that may be used in water-efficient landscaping. Few studies, however, have been conducted to clonally propagate this landscape-worthy species. Accordingly, experiments were designed to develop an effective propagation protocol by cuttings. Terminal cuttings of C. velutinus were collected from May to September 2019 from the Tony Grove Lake area of northern Utah. Cuttings were dipped in 1000/500 or 3000/1500 mg/l (1000/500 or 3000/1500 ppm) indole-3-butyric acid (IBA)/1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) as Dip'N Grow or in the talc-based rooting hormone Hormodin 1 (1000 mg/l IBA) (1000 ppm IBA) or Hormodin 2 (3000 mg/l IBA) (3000 ppm IBA) and stuck in a rooting medium consisting of perlite and peat moss (4:1, v:v). Rooting percentage of cuttings collected in July and treated with Hormodin 2 was 22%, which was higher than for cuttings collected in other months or treated with other hormones. Cuttings were collected from the same area from June to August 2020, and similar results were observed. In August 2019, we collected terminal and subterminal cuttings; terminal cuttings performed well when compared to subterminal cuttings. In another experiment, rooting hormones were tested using cuttings collected from greenhouse-grown seedlings that were initially grown from seeds. Based on hierarchical cluster analysis, Hormodin 2 outperformed other hormones. This protocol provides a basis for the propagation of C. velutinus by cuttings. Further research could provide important improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ziziphus joazeiro Mart., popularly known as “juazeiro”, is a tree widely found in the northeast of Brazil. It is commonly used as an antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and analgesic agent. The stem extract exhibited, beside cytotoxic properties, substantial activity against the Gram-negative bacterium Allivibrio fischeri. UHPLC-ESI-Orbitrap-HR-MS analysis of the alkaloidal fraction of the crude methanolic stem extract of this species enabled the detection and putative identification of sixteen cyclopeptide alkaloids (CPAs), including four possibly new structures. According to the MS² fragmentation analysis, from the sixteen identified CPAs, three possess a type-Ia1, one a type-Ia2, and twelve a type-Ib cyclopeptide alkaloid core. The structures of paliurine-C and -D were supported by NMR data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The variation of plant functional traits, from the cell to the whole‐plant level, is a central question in trait‐based ecology with regard to understanding ecological strategies and adaptations that result from environmental drivers. Here, we analyzed whole‐plant and leaf traits of the phreatophyte Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam., a long‐lived shrub that dominates one of the few terrestrial groundwater‐dependent ecosystems (GDEs) in Mediterranean Basin drylands. We (a) assessed architectural traits and growth patterns, (b) analyzed leaf morpho‐functional traits (specific leaf area [SLA] and stomata pore index [SPI]) and physiological traits (gas exchange rates), as well as their variations within individuals, and (c) evaluated temporal variations in modular growth (i.e., sequential iteration of structural units) between growing seasons and in leaf traits within seasons. Z. lotus' growth pattern was based on the repetition of modules composed of shoots (short and long) and branches (flowering and plagiotropic) that promoted a functional differentiation between vegetative and reproductive structures, respectively. We identified morpho‐functionally distinct leaves (i.e., heterophylly) borne on different types of branches. Leaves on flowering branches had higher SLA and water use efficiency (WUEi), but lower SPI and transpiration rates than leaves on vegetative ones. We also observed trade‐offs in the elongation of vegetative and flowering structures between growing seasons: the shorter the long shoots, the larger the flowering branches. The modular differentiation and heterophylly of Z. lotus might contribute to prioritizing the investment of resources of this phreatophyte, either for growth or reproduction, and could improve the efficiency in uptake and conservation of resources in drylands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhamnella wilsonii Schneid 1914 is a member of the Rhamnaceae and endemic to China. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of R. wilsonii was sequenced and assembled. The complete chloroplast genome was 160,049 bp in length, including a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 26,502 bp, one large single copy (LSC) region of 88,274 bp and one small single copy (SSC) region of 18,771 bp. The genome contained 129 genes, including 8 rRNA genes, 37 tRNA genes and 84 protein-coding genes. The overall GC content of the complete chloroplast genome was 37.15%. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that R. wilsonii is closely related to R. martinni . This study provides basic information for further studies on the identification and evolution of R. wilsonii and Rhamnella from genomic perspective., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s). The authors report no potential conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for content and writing of the paper., (© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

Premise of research. The fossil record of Rhamnaceae is geographically widespread and ranges from the Cretaceous to the Pleistocene, but only a few fossil fruits, namely, Ventilago engoto from the Oligocene of Mexico and V. lincangensis from the late Miocene of southwestern China, have been attributed to the tribe Ventilagineae based on the recognition of their typical fruits with an apical wing. Here we document new fossils from the middle Eocene of Jianglang, central Tibetan Plateau. We discuss their systematic affinity, the biogeographic history of the tribe, and the paleoenvironment in central Tibet on the basis of this discovery. Methodology. Fossil fruits were studied using a smart digital microscope and were extensively compared with the relevant literature as well as with specimens of extant species from herbaria. Pivotal results. These fossil fruits conform to the typical fruit type of Ventilago in having a prominent apically extended elongate-elliptical wing appendage and a hypanthium enclosing two-thirds of a seed chamber. We describe a new species, V. tibetensis sp. nov., based on the conical shape of the hypanthium, the pointed apex of the seed chamber, and the ratio of the length of the fruit and the seed chamber, which differ from other fossil records of Ventilago. Conclusions. Ventilago tibetensis is the earliest fossil record of Ventilagineae, and the age of the diversification of Ventilago should be reevaluated. The Indo-Tibetan area may represent the region of origin of this genus. It is difficult to directly assess the paleoenvironment of Jianglang solely on the basis of the occurrence of V. tibetensis , even if the group mainly lived in a subtropical to tropical area in Asia, but together with previous paleobotanic studies, the floristic assemblage indicates a subtropical flora in central Tibet during the middle Eocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus L. [Rhamnaceae]), sand cherry (Prunus pumila L. [Rosaceae]), and sweetbells (Eubotrys racemosa L. [Ericaceae]) are eastern US native shrubs with high potential for expanded landscape use because of their numerous ornamental attributes and adaptability. Micropropagation protocols were developed for these species that produce acceptable shoot multiplication rates, 100% microcutting rooting, and high-quality liner plants. New Jersey tea is not easily produced from seed or stem cuttings for commercial purposes, but we have demonstrated that micropropagation is a viable method for commercial propagation. In addition, micropropagation can be effectively used to rapidly propagate new superior genotypes of sand cherry and sweetbells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]