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One new 3-O-glycoside of betulinic acid, named heptaelliptoic acid A (1), together with one known betulinic acid analogue (2), and four other compounds (3-6) were separated by combinatively chromatographic techniques. For the first time, all of the purified compounds (1-6) were reported from the H. ellipticum species. Their structures were obviously elucidated basing exhaustive and pervasive UV-VIS, FT-IR, HR-MS-ESI, and NMR experiment data. Compounds 2-4 were significantly displayed the in vitro α-glucosidase inhibition (IC50 values of 11.53, 28.75, and 10.90 µM, respectively) better than the acarbose positive drug (IC50 value of 214.50 µM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Polyscias australiana (F.Muell.) Philipson (family Araliaceae) led to the isolation and identification of two new analogues belonging to the rare dammarane-type triterpene glycosides, polysciasosides B (1) and C (2). Also isolated in high yields from this plant was the known saponin, β-hedrin (3). The two new polysciasoside analogues exhibited no anti-inflammatory activity (inhibitory effects on NO inhibition and cell viability in RAW 264.7 macrophages) or cytotoxic activity against AGS gastric adenocarcinoma or the MCF7 breast adenocarcinoma cell lines. In contrast, the known compound β-hedrin exhibited potent anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity in these biological assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four previously unreported triterpenoid saponins named 3β-hydroxy-23-oxours-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (mannioside G) (1), 23-O-acetyl-3β-hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (mannioside H) (2), ursolic acid 28-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl] ester (mannioside I) (3), and 3β-hydroxy-23-oxolup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (mannioside J) (4) were isolated as minor constituents from the EtOAc soluble fraction of the MeOH extract of the leaves of Schefflera mannii along with the known compounds 23-hydroxyursolic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (5), ursolic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (6), pulsatimmoside B (7) betulinic acid 28-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl] ester (8), 23-hydroxy-3-oxo-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (9), hederagenin (10), ursolic acid (11), betulinic acid (12), and lupeol (13). Their structures were elucidated by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR analysis and mass spectrometry. The MeOH extract, the EtOAc and n-BuOH fractions, and some of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against four bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC1026, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 35984, Escherichia coli ATCC10536, and Klepsiella pnemoniae ATCC13882. They were also screened for their antioxidant properties, but no significant results were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new dammarane-type ginsenosides elucidated as 6-O-[α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-dammar-24-ene-3β, 6α, 12β, 20S-tetraol, named 20(S)-Ginsenoside Re10 (4); 6-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-[α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-dammar-24-ene-3β, 6α, 12β, 20R-tetraol, named 20(R)-Ginsenoside Re11 (8); along with one steroidal saponin (1) and six known triterpenoid ginsenosides (2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9) were isolated from the radix and rhizomes of mountain-cultivated ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, family Araliaceae). Their structures were determined by comprehensive chemical and spectroscopic analysis. In addition, what's even more concerning is that protodioscin was isolated for the first time from Panax ginseng. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrocotyle vulgaris is a perennial wetland clonal plant in the Araliaceae family, which was introduced to China as an ornamental plant in the 1990s. Although H. vulgaris is now considered a potential invasiveness species in China, it also plays a significant role in the remediation of water pollution. Here, we reported its complete chloroplast genome and analyzed the basic characteristics. The chloroplast genome was 153,165 bp in length, including a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 25,072 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) region of 84,291 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,730 bp. The H. vulgaris chloroplast genome contained 132 predicted genes, and its overall GC content was 37.60%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that H. vulgaris was closely related to H. verticillata. The H. vulgaris chloroplast genome presented in this study will lay a foundation for further genetic and genomic studies of the genus Hydrocotyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and three new species of eriophyoid mites from China are described and illustrated. They are Abifurcacothrix brassaiopsisgen. nov. & sp. nov. infesting Brassaiopsis glomerulata (Bl.) Regel. (Araliaceae), Neocalepitrimerus pittosporussp. nov. and Diptilomiopus illicioidessp. nov. infesting Pittosporum illicioides Mak. (Pittosporaceae). These new species were found to be vagrant on the lower surface of their associated plant leaves, with no apparent damage observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A newly found leaf arrangement to reduce self-shading was observed in a Japanese warm-temperate forest. For monoaxial trees that deploy leaves directly on a single stem, leaf arrangements involving progressive elongation of the petiole and progressive increase in deflection angle (the angle between stem and petiole) from the uppermost to the lowermost leaves act to reduce self-shading. However, the progressive reduction in petiole length and deflection angle from the uppermost to the lowermost leaves should also result in the reduction of self-shading. Nevertheless, the latter leaf arrangement has not been reported previously for any tree species. Four Araliaceae species, namely, Gamblea innovans, Chengiopanax sciadophylloides, Dendropanax trifidus and Fatsia japonica, which are typical monoaxial tree species in Japan, were studied. We examined the crown structure of saplings growing in the light-limited understorey in a Japanese warm-temperate forest. Two evergreen species, Dendropanax trifidus and F. japonica showed progressive petiole elongation and progressive increase in the deflection angle from the uppermost to the lowermost leaves. In contrast, saplings of deciduous species, G. innovans and C. sciadophylloides had a leaf arrangement involving progressive reduction in petiole length and deflection angle from the uppermost to the lowermost leaves. The leaf arrangement has diversified among members of the same family, but all four studied species develop a crown with little self-shading that is adapted for growth in the light-limited understorey. Although trees are likely to be under the same selective pressure to reduce self-shading, this study revealed that there is flexibility in its morphological realisation, which has been poorly appreciated previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chamabainia cuspidata Wight (Urticaceae), Debregeasia orientalis C.J.Chen (Urticaceae), and Hydrocotyle himalaica P.K.Mukh. (Araliaceae) are being reported here as new additions to the flora of Himachal Pradesh, India. All three species were collected from Khokhan Wildlife Sanctuary in Kullu district. Of these, H. himalaica also forms an addition to the flora of western Himalayan region. Detailed description, distribution, information on habitat and colour photographs of all three species are provided for easy identification in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrocotyle, belonging to the Hydrocotyloideae of Araliaceae, consists of 95 perennial and 35 annual species. Due to the lack of stable diagnostic morphological characteristics and high-resolution molecular markers, the phylogenetic relationships of Hydrocotyle need to be further investigated. In this study, we newly sequenced and assembled 13 whole plastid genomes of Hydrocotyle and performed comparative plastid genomic analyses with four previously published Hydrocotyle plastomes and phylogenomic analyses within Araliaceae. The plastid genomes of Hydrocotyle exhibited typical quadripartite structures with lengths from 152,659 bp to 153,669 bp, comprising a large single-copy (LSC) region (83,958–84,792 bp), a small single-copy (SSC) region (18,585–18,768 bp), and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) (25,058–25,145 bp). Each plastome encoded 113 unique genes, containing 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. Comparative analyses showed that the IR boundaries of Hydrocotyle plastomes were highly similar, and the coding and IR regions exhibited more conserved than non-coding and single-copy (SC) regions. A total of 2932 simple sequence repeats and 520 long sequence repeats were identified, with specificity in the number and distribution of repeat sequences. Six hypervariable regions were screened from the SC region, including four intergenic spacers (IGS) (ycf3-trnS, trnS-rps4, petA-psbJ, and ndhF-rpl32) and two coding genes (rpl16 and ycf1). Three protein-coding genes (atpE, rpl16, and ycf2) were subjected to positive selection only in a few species, implying that most protein-coding genes were relatively conserved during the plastid evolutionary process. Plastid phylogenomic analyses supported the treatment of Hydrocotyle from Apiaceae to Araliaceae, and topologies with a high resolution indicated that plastome data can be further used in the comprehensive phylogenetic research of Hydrocotyle. The diagnostic characteristics currently used in Hydrocotyle may not accurately reflect the phylogenetic relationships of this genus, and new taxonomic characteristics may need to be evaluated and selected in combination with more comprehensive molecular phylogenetic results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyscias munroi Lowry & G.M Plunkett is published as a replacement name (nomen novum) for the invalid name Polyscias racemosa (C.N. Forbes) Lowry & G.M. Plunkett (Araliaceae), a later homonym of P. racemosa (Drake) R. Vig. [=P. paniculata (D.C.) Baker]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four previously unreported triterpenoid saponins named 3β-hydroxy-23-oxours-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (mannioside G) (1), 23-O-acetyl-3β-hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (mannioside H) (2), ursolic acid 28-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl] ester (mannioside I) (3), and 3β-hydroxy-23-oxolup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (mannioside J) (4) were isolated as minor constituents from the EtOAc soluble fraction of the MeOH extract of the leaves of Schefflera mannii along with the known compounds 23-hydroxyursolic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (5), ursolic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (6), pulsatimmoside B (7) betulinic acid 28-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl] ester (8), 23-hydroxy-3-oxo-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (9), hederagenin (10), ursolic acid (11), betulinic acid (12), and lupeol (13). Their structures were elucidated by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR analysis and mass spectrometry. The MeOH extract, the EtOAc and n-BuOH fractions, and some of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against four bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC1026, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 35984, Escherichia coli ATCC10536, and Klepsiella pnemoniae ATCC13882. They were also screened for their antioxidant properties, but no significant results were obtained.

Aim: Evolutionary studies of oceanic island endemics are usually focused on lineages that have experienced in situ radiation, while those that speciated once on the island or archipelago but have not further diversified (single‐species endemics) remain understudied. The Macaronesian archipelagos, in the Atlantic Ocean, are home to significant numbers of single‐species endemics. The genus Hedera L. (12 species) includes three single‐species endemics from three Macaronesian archipelagos with putatively independent origins. Here, we tested the role of phylogenetic niche conservatism in their evolution. To that end, we (1) reconstructed the spatio‐temporal origin of Macaronesian ivies using phylogenomics, and (2) assessed the role of climatic niche during their colonization and speciation. Location: Azores, Canary Islands, Madeira, western Mediterranean. Taxon: Hedera spp. Methods: We used 166 samples representing all Hedera species to generate genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) libraries and performed time‐calibrated phylogenomic and biogeographic analyses. Climatic preferences and climatic niche evolution were assessed using a geo‐referenced database of the western ivy species (2,297 records). Results: Independent and asynchronous colonization and speciation were estimated for the three Macaronesian ivies, resulting in different degrees of phylogenetic and climatic niche differentiation: H. canariensis displayed an early divergence (7.5–12 Ma) and high phylogenetic and niche isolation; H. azorica had intermediate phylogenetic isolation and niche divergence from its closest relative H. helix (4.4–6.8 Ma) and H. maderensis was embedded within the climatically similar H. iberica (2.8–4.6 Ma). A strong phylogenetic signal was suggested for climatic niche in the western clade of Hedera, where the three Macaronesian ivies are placed. Main Conclusions: The three Macaronesian ivies represent the evolutionary stages leading to the emergence of single‐species island endemics. Climatic niche conservatism appears to be involved in the evolution of single‐species endemics, first by facilitating island colonization, and then by limiting in situ diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We herein describe a new species, Panax siamensis J. Wen, from the tropical monsoon forests in northern Thailand. Panax siamensis is characterized by a combination of characters including horizontally elongated rhizomes with thick internodes, 3–5 whorled leaves each with 7–9 sessile and lanceolate leaflets, lanceolate bracteoles not persisting at the fruiting stage, 2-locular ovaries, and red fruits with a black top. The new species is most closely related to Panax zingiberensis C.Y. Wu & Feng from southeastern Yunnan province of China, sharing the character of sessile leaflets, but differing in that P. siamensis has well developed, elongated rhizomes (vs. compact, ginger-like rhizomes and rootstock in P. zingiberensis), and 7–9 leaflets (vs. (3–) 5–7 leaflets in P. zingiberensis). We also compare Panax siamensis to other related Asian Panax species, including P. assamicus Banerjee, P. bipinnatifidus Seem., P. pseudoginseng Wallich, and P. vietnamensis Ha & Grushv. The new taxon is preliminarily assessed as Vulnerable (VU D2), according to the IUCN Red List criteria. A taxonomic key is provided to facilitate the identification of P. siamensis and its close allies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on Hydrocotyle verticillata, a member of the Apiaceae family, identified as an escapee and naturalized weed in Telangana, India, found in moist areas like dump yards and drains. Topics include the morphological description of H. verticillata, its distinction from similar species, and its ecological and economic impacts as an alien aquatic plant species.

Abstract In the quality control of herbal drugs, analysis of microscopy structures is crucial to detect any adulterants or substitutes. Microscopic analysis is considered one of the first pharmacopeial parameters of pharmacognostic identification. Cecropia pachystachya Trécul (Urticaceae), commonly known as “embaúba” or Ambay pumpwood, is a broadleaved tree species native to South America, from Brazil to Argentina. Cecropia pachystachya is used in traditional medicine as a diuretic, antiasthmatic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypertensive. Due to the malpractice of adulterating botanicals with other species having similar morphology and therapeutic uses, an unrelated plant Tetrapanax papyrifer (Hook.) K. Koch (Araliaceae) is commonly used as an adulteration of C. pachystachya. Tetrapanax papyrifer was introduced into Brazil and utilized in folk medicine as an antidiarrheal, antitussive, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant. This work aimed to identify and differentiate between the two species using microscopic features of the leaf epidermis. The presence or absence and the morphotype of trichomes are sufficient to identify and differentiate between these species, in whole or pulverized form.

Plant-derived miRNAs exist in mammals in a cross-kingdom manner and many studies have focused on their role in regulating and treating diseases. Mountain-cultivated ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.) is a valuable Chinese medicine with anti-cancer activity. However, the miRNAs with anti-cancer activity are less studied. In this study, 12 mountain-cultivated ginseng samples were collected from Liaoning Province, China, at 4, 15, 18, and 20 growth years, three biological replicates of each growth year were performed. Small RNA libraries were constructed and sequenced on the BGISEQ-500 platform. By sequencing analysis, 299 miRNAs were identified, including 48 known miRNAs and 251 potential novel miRNAs. A total of 4633 potential human genes were predicted as putative targets of miRNAs by using RNA hybrid, Miranda, and Target Scan software. Then 75 miRNAs were screened to target 277 cancer genes. Interestingly, pgi-miR6135a targeted SOS1 to inhibit cancer occurrence, and its expression level increased with the growth years. It is suggested that the expression of miRNA may affect the anti-cancer activity of mountain-cultivated ginseng in different growth years. However, the human targets of mountain-cultivated ginseng miRNAs need to be confirmed through further experimental validation. This study predicted the miRNA of mountain-cultivated ginseng with anti-cancer activity and provided insights for researches investigating the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine from the perspective of cross-kingdom regulation of plant-derived miRNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the existence of important floristic and forest inventories in the Paraná state, the montane and upper montane ecosystems still give rise to new species and new records of plants. Here, we report for the first time in the Paraná state Hydrocotyle itatiaiensis Brade (Araliaceae), a rare and poorly studied species endemic to montane and upper montane rainforests and highland grasslands of the South and Southeast regions of Brazil. The previously known geographic distribution had a 700 km gap between northern São Paulo and southern Santa Catarina states, which is now filled by the present record. We provide photographs from the field, a map of occurrences, a description, and comments on the morphology, taxonomy, and conservation status of the species. Our new records reinforce the conservation importance of these environments and the need for further floristic surveys in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new sesquilignans, Eleutherocosus A (1), Eleutherocosus B (2) and Eleutherocosus C (3) together with seven known lignans (4 - 10) were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble extract of Eleutherococcus senticosus. Their structures were elucidated by the basis of spectroscopic and physicochemical analyses. All the isolates were evaluated for in vitro inhibitory activity against DGAT1 and DGAT2. Among them, compounds 1 - 3 exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity on DGAT1 with IC 50 values of 71.4 ± 1.3, 79.1 ± 1.1 and 65.2 ± 1.2 μM, respectively. [Display omitted] • Three compounds (1 - 3) were obtained from the stem of Eleutherococcus senticosus for the first time. • Structures of the new compounds (1 - 3) were elucidated by NMR spectroscopic data. • The relationship between DGAT activity and chemical structure was investigated. • Compounds 1 - 3 displayed a high selectivity for inhibitory against DGAT1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schefflera bojeri possesses several therapeutic virtues: the leaves are used to alleviate hypertension and the bark for the treatment of diabetes. This work aims to verify its potential medicinal virtues. Quantitative analyses of phytochemicals from the leaves and bark were performed using spectrophotometric methods. The antioxidant capacity was determined with DPPH and FRAP assays. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the two methanol extracts were respectively assessed on the in vivo experimental pain and oedema models. Their antidiabetic property was determined using the oral glucose tolerance test in mice. The acute toxicity of the methanolextracts was evaluated in mice. The total bioactive compound content (TBCC) in the leaves was two-fold more than in the bark as well as the total phenolic compounds (TPC). Oxalic acid (22.39%) was the main compound quantified in the bark, while ferulic acid (18.42%) was of the main molecule in the leaves. The leaves exerted a stronger antioxidant activity than the bark against DPPH but exerted a similar activity on ferric ions. Both the methanol extracts showed a similar dose-dependent analgesic activity (p < 0.05). Yet, the anti-inflammatory activity of the methanol extracts at each phase of observation (1h, 2h, 3h and 4h, p < 0.05, respectively) was in a dose-dependent manner however the leaves exerted more potent activity than the bark at the dose of 200 mg/kg at each time of observation. Both of the extracts demonstrated a dose-dependent hypoglycaemic activity at 60- and 120 min post glucose administration (p < 0.01). Both of the methanol extracts did not show any sign of preliminary toxicity. The secondary metabolites in the extracts could be at the origin of preliminary pharmacological properties justifying the therapeutic virtues of this species. Further phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological studies should be undertaken to better clarify these biological activities. [Display omitted] • Schefflera bojeri leaves are used to alleviate hypertension and its bark is used to treat diabetes. • Oxalic acid (22.39%) was the major compound quantified in the bark and ferulic acid (18.42%) was those of the leaves. • The methanol extracts exerted antalgic and anti-inflammatory activities in a dose-dependent manner. • The methanol extracts decreased the glycaemia dose-dependently. • The methanol extracts did not reveal any toxicity signs using an acute toxicity assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated morphological features, leaf and stem anatomy, leaf architecture, epidermal characteristics, and molecular characters of some taxa of Araliaceae to trace out the diversity and the diagnostic significance of these attributes. The studied taxa based on combination of 260 characters representing 182 morphological and 78 molecular characters which were subjected to a numerical analysis using NTSYSPC program. The generated dendrogram explained the similarities and the differences between the examined taxa. The specific similarities are discussed and compared with some current classification systems. The generated dendrogram from morphological attributes confirmed the separation of Aralieae and Schefflerieae as two tribes of Araliaceae and supported the separation of simple leaved taxa from compound leaved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of Dendropanax (Araliaceae) endemic to Costa Rica are described. Dendropanax aberrans J.F. Morales resembles D. grandiflorus but differs by the inflorescence structure (panicle of umbels vs. single umbel), and the smaller sizes of both the hypanthium and the petals. Dendropanax zarratu J.F. Morales is unique among Central America and West Indian taxa. It is recognized by its panicle of umbels, with the peduncles agglomerate, flowers 8-9-merous, hypanthium 7-8 mm long, and fruits 1.2-1.4 cm long. Illustrations of the new species and a key to the four Dendropanax having elongated hypanthia (= 4 mm long) in Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and Colombia are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how genetic variation is spatially distributed is necessary for understanding the processes that generate and maintain biodiversity. However, there has been little investigation into the phylogeography of widespread forest trees in Aotearoa New Zealand with studies to date showing little congruence in phylogeographic patterns. Pseudopanax crassifolius (lancewood/horoeka) is a widespread lowland forest tree endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand. We investigated the phylogeography of this species using microsatellites and chloroplast haplotypes and compare the results to published results from the closely-related P. ferox, which also has a widespread lowland distribution, but differs in its ecological preferences. Microsatellite genotypes revealed two weakly differentiated genetic clusters within P. crassifolius. One cluster comprised all individuals from the North Island plus those from the north-eastern and central-eastern South Island. The second cluster, which had lower levels of genetic variation than the northern cluster, encompassed the southern and western South Island. The southern cluster exhibited lower genetic diversity, particularly in the southern South Island, suggesting that the species was severely restricted, or even extirpated, from this region during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). This result contrasts with the high level of genetic structuring observed in the closely-related P. ferox. There was evidence of asymmetric chloroplast introgression from P. ferox into P. crassifolius in the south-eastern South Island. Alternative scenarios that may have led to this asymmetric introgression are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A.Mey.) is the dry root and rhizome of the Araliaceae ginseng plant. It has always been used as a tonic in China for strengthening the body. Cardiovascular disease is still the main cause of death in the world. Some studies have shown that the functional components of ginseng can regulate the pathological process of various cardiovascular diseases through different mechanisms, and its formulation also plays an irreplaceable role in the clinical treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, this paper elaborates the current pharmacological effects of ginseng functional components in treating cardiovascular diseases, summarizes the adverse reactions of ginseng, and sorts out the Chinese patent medicines containing ginseng formula which can treat cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acanthopanacis cortex (the dried root bark of Acanthopanax gracilistylus W. W. Smith) has been used for the treatment of rheumatic diseases in China for over 2000 years. Four previously undescribed lignans (1 – 4) and 12 known lignans (5 – 16) were isolated from Acanthopanacis cortex. In this study, the inhibitory activities of compounds 1 – 16 against neutrophil elastase (NE), cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) are reported. The results show that compounds 1 – 16 exhibit weak inhibitory activities against NE and COX-1. However, compounds 2 , 6 – 8 and 13 – 16 demonstrate better COX-2 inhibitory effects with IC 50 values from 0.75 to 8.17 μ Μ. These findings provide useful information for the search for natural selective COX-2 inhibitors. [Display omitted] • 16 lignans have been isolated from the extract of Acanthopanacis cortex. • For the first time, lignans 1 – 16 were obtained in this plant. • Compounds 2 , 6 – 8 and 13 – 16 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) with high selectivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenal advances in sequencing techniques and analytical development during the last decade have provided a unique opportunity to unravel the evolutionary history of lineages under complex patterns of evolution. This is the case of the largest clade of the ginseng family (Araliaceae), the Asian Palmate group (AsPG), where the large internal polytomies and genome incongruences detected in previous studies pointed to a scenario of radiation with hybridization events between genera for the early evolution of the group. In this study, we aim to obtain well‐resolved nuclear and plastid phylogenies of the AsPG using Hyb‐Seq to evaluate the radiation hypothesis and assess the role of hybridization in the early evolution of the group. We performed concatenated‐ and coalescent‐based phylogenetic analyses from the 936 targeted nuclear loci and 261 plastid loci obtained for 72 species representing 20 genera of the AsPG and the main clades of Araliaceae. The impact of hybridization and incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) was assessed with SNaQ, and genome duplications were evaluated with ChromEvol. Our nuclear and plastid phylogenies are compatible with a scenario of early radiation in the AsPG. Also, the identification of extensive signals of hybridization and ILS behind the genome incongruences supports hybridization as a major driving force during the early radiation. We hypothesize a whole‐genome duplication event at the origin of the AsPG, followed by a radiation that led to extensive ILS, which, alongside the early inter‐genera hybridization, is obscuring the phylogenetic signal in the early evolution of this major clade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Many studies have assessed the various responses of alien plants to changes in overall nutrient or different nitrogen (N) availabilities. However, in natural soils, nutrients are present as different elements (e.g., N and phosphorus [P]) and forms (e.g., inorganic and organic). Few studies have explored whether invasive and native species differ in their responses to varying P availability and forms. Methods: We grew five taxonomically related pairs of common herbaceous, invasive and native species alone or in competition under six different conditions of P availability or forms and assessed their growth performance. Results: Invasive species overall did not produce more biomass than native species did in the various P conditions. However, the biomass response to organic forms of P was, relative to the response to inorganic forms of P, stronger for the invasive species than that for the native species and agreed with invasive species mainly allocating biomass to the root system under organic P conditions. Conclusions: While invasive species were not more promiscuous than the native species, they took great advantage of the organic P forms. Therefore, the invasion risk of alien species may increase in habitats with more organic P sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: There has been a great increase in using climatic data in phylogenetic studies over the past decades. However, compiling the high‐quality spatial data needed to perform accurate climatic reconstructions is time‐consuming and can result in poor geographical coverage. Therefore, researchers often resort to qualitative approximations. Our aim was to evaluate the climatic characterization of the genera of the Asian Palmate Group (AsPG) of Araliaceae as an exemplar lineage of plants showing tropical–temperate transitions. Methods: We compiled a curated worldwide spatial database of the AsPG genera and created five raster layers representing bioclimatic regionalizations of the world. Then, we crossed the database with the layers to climatically characterize the AsPG genera. Results: We found large disagreement in the climatic characterization of genera among regionalizations and little support for the climatic nature of the tropical–temperate distribution of the AsPG. Both results are attributed to the complexity of delimiting tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates in the world and to the distribution of the study group in regions with transitional climatic conditions. Conclusions: The complexity in the climatic classification of this example of the tropical–temperate transitions calls for a general climatic revision of other tropical–temperate lineages. In fact, we argue that, to properly evaluate tropical–temperate transitions across the tree of life, we cannot ignore the complexity of distribution ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sanicula (Apiaceae subfam. Saniculoideae) is a taxonomically difficult genus of medicinal value. Its distribution center is in China, where there are 18 species (11 of which are endemic). To provide plastid genome resources, whole chloroplast genomes of five Sanicula species (S. flavovirens, S. giraldii, S. lamelligera, S. odorata and S. rubriflora) were sequenced and compared to the previously published S. orthacantha plastome. These genomes exhibit a typical quadripartite structure. All contain 129 different genes, including 84 protein‐coding, 37 tRNA and 8 rRNA genes. The loci rpl2, matK, psbA and ycf1 are the most variable. Results of maximum likelihood analysis of 90 whole plastome sequences from Apioideae and Saniculoideae and the outgroup Hydrocotyle (Araliaceae) suggest sectional relationships in Sanicula different from the traditional classification system, but support the monophyly of Apioideae and its sister group relationship to Saniculoideae and show concordant topologies to nrDNA ITS and other plastome‐based phylogenies. Sanicula orthacantha and S. chinensis form a sister group to S. lamelligera and S. odorata, consecutively. These four species comprise a sister group to the clade of S. rubriflora and S. flavovirens, with this entire group sister to S. giraldii. The plastid genome resources provided herein will be important for future systematic, evolutionary, phylogenomic and population‐level studies of Sanicula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The path followed by species in the colonization of remote oceanic islands ultimately depends on their phylogenetic constraints and ecological responses. In this study, we aim to evaluate the relative role of geographical and ecological forces in the origin and evolution of the Madeiran ivy (Hedera maderensis), a single-species endemic belonging to the western polyploid clade of Hedera. To determine the phylogenetic placement of H. maderensis within the western polyploid clade, we analyzed 40 populations (92 individuals) using genotyping-by-sequencing and including Hedera helix as outgroup. Climatic niche differences among the study species were evaluated using a database with 867 records representing the entire species ranges. To test species responses to climate, 13 vegetative and reproductive functional traits were examined for 70 populations (335 individuals). Phylogenomic results revealed a nested pattern with H. maderensis embedded within the south-western Iberian H. iberica. Gradual niche differentiation from the coldest and most continental populations of H. iberica to the warm and stable coastal population sister to H. maderensis parallels the geographical pattern observed in the phylogeny. Similarity in functional traits is observed for H. maderensis and H. iberica. The two species show leaves with higher specific leaf area (SLA), lower leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and thickness and fruits with lower pulp fraction than the other western polyploid species H. hibernica. Acquisition of a Macaronesian climatic niche and the associated functional syndrome in mainland European ivies (leaves with high SLA, and low LDMC and thickness, and fruits with less pulp content) was a key step in the colonization of Madeira by the H. iberica/H. maderensis lineage, which points to climatic pre-adaptation as key in the success of island colonization (dispersal and establishment). Once in Madeira, budding speciation was driven by geographical isolation, while ecological processes are regarded as secondary forces with a putative impact in the lack of further in situ diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide the occurrence data on five newly recorded alien Hydrocotyle Tourn. ex L. species (Araliaceae) in Java, namely H. acutiloba (F.Muell.) N.A.Wakef., H. bonariensis Comm. ex Lam., H. leucocephala Cham. & Schltdl., H. tripartita R.Br. ex A.Rich., and H. verticillata Thunb. Most species were introduced as ornamental plants and naturalized in Java. Hydrocotyle acutiloba and H. tripartita might have been accidentally introduced as soil contaminants during the Dutch Colonial Era, but both species had been misidentified as H. sibthorpioides. Descriptions, a key, distribution map, and images of the species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new lignan, named 1,6-bis-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)hexane-1,6-dione (1), together with seven known compounds (2–8) were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble extract of Acanthopanax senticosus. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analyses. All isolates were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activity against human cancer cells of HepG2, A549, HeLa, and MCF-7. Among them, compound 8 showed significant cytotoxic activity on HepG2 and MCF-7 cells with IC50 values of 10.9 ± 1.7 and 9.2 ± 1.5 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new aurone glycoside named licoagroaurone 6-O-α-ʟ-arabinopyranoside (1), together with six known compounds (2–7), was isolated from EtOAc-soluble extract of the aerial parts of Saussurea involucrata. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. All compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase in vitro. Among them, compounds 1 and 6 showed significant inhibitory activities on α-glucosidase with the IC50 values of 47.1 and 57.7 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new coumestan named 7,5'-dihydroxy-4'-(3''-hydroxy-3''-methyl-trans-isobut-1''-enyl) coumestan (1), together with five known compounds (2–6), was isolated from the EtOAc-soluble extract of the stems of Acanthopanax senticosus. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analyses. All the isolates were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activities against four human cancer cells including HepG2, A549, HeLa and MCF-7. Among them, the new compound 1 was found to exhibit significant cytotoxic activity on HeLa cells with IC50 value of 6.5 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We document the first reported identification of Hydrocotyle bowlesioides Mathias & Constance (Araliaceae) in Texas. Chronicled presence in nearby Louisiana within the past ten years lends itself to migration of this species to similar moist, shady habitats of southeastern Texas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hedera helix (common ivy) is an attractive climbing and groundcover plant. Its leaves containing various bioactive compounds are used in medicine and cosmetology. The aim of this study was to present the functional leaf anatomy and histochemical analyses localising various secondary metabolites in ivy leaf blade and petioles. Light and fluorescence microscopy and 8 histochemical tests and 3 fluorescence assays were used. The leaf tissues contained phenolic compounds, phenolic acids, flavonoids, pectinous/mucilagous substances, acid lipids, essential oil, terpenoids, and steroid-containing terpenes. They are mainly responsible for the biological and pharmacological activity of H. helix leaves. Most of these secondary metabolites were present in the epidermis, mesophyll, phloem, and epithelial cells. In turn, they were not found in the xylem and sclerenchyma tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brassaiopsis angustifolia K.M. Feng belongs to the family Araliaceae, and is an endangered shrub species in southwest China. Despite the importance of this species, the plastid genome has not been sequenced and analyzed. In this study, the complete plastid genome of B. angustifolia was sequenced, analyzed, and compared to the eight species in the Araliaceae family. Our study reveals that the complete plastid genome of B. angustifolia is 156,534 bp long, with an overall GC content of 37.9%. The chloroplast genome (cp) encodes 133 genes, including 88 protein-coding genes, 37 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. All protein-coding genes consisted of 21,582 codons. Among the nine species of Araliaceae, simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and five large repeat sequences were identified with total numbers ranging from 37 to 46 and 66 to 78, respectively. Five highly divergent regions were successfully identified that could be used as potential genetic markers of Brassaiopsis and Asian Palmate group. Phylogenetic analysis of 47 plastomes, representing 19 genera of Araliaceae and two related families, was performed to reconstruct highly supported relationships for the Araliaceae, which highlight four well-supported clades of the Hydrocotyle group, Greater Raukaua group, Aralia-Panax group, and Asian Palmate group. The genus Brassaiopsis can be divided into four groups using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) data. The results indicate that plastome and ITS data can contribute to investigations of the taxonomy, and phylogeny of B. angustifolia. This study provides a theoretical basis for species identification and future biological research on resources of the genus Brassaiopsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Atlantic territories of western Europe and their surrounding areas are cohabited by two different species of ivies (Hedera), which are morphologically very similar, although they present different ploidy levels: Hedera helix (2x) and Hedera hibernica (4x). Concerning the northwest Atlantic Iberian territories and their surrounding areas, there are discrepancies regarding the identity of Hedera individuals at the specific level, since they have been identified as exclusively H. hibernica, but also as belonging to both species. In this context, we have aimed to determine whether the Hedera found in Atlantic Iberian Peninsula (Cantabrian Mountains territories and their surrounding areas) belong to H. helix, H. hibernica or to both. In order to achieve this, high-copy nuclear marker Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) and low-copy nuclear marker Granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI) were analyzed and compared to the results of Hedera samples from Central Europe and the Spanish Mediterranean Basin. Combined analyses of ITS-GBSSI datasets discriminate the species Hedera helix and Hedera hibernica, and our data suggest that H. hibernica is the only representative of Hedera in the Atlantic Iberian territories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five undescribed elesesterpenes L-U, along with nine known 3,4- seco -lupane-type triterpenoids were isolated from the leaves of Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus (Rupr. & Maxim.) S. Y. Hu. Elesesterpene L-S, and U were lupane-type triterpenoids, whereas elesesterpene T was an oleanane-type triterpenoid, probably artifact, as suggested by LC-MS analysis. Out of the nine known compounds, five were initially identified in E. sessiliflorus. Moreover, their structures were definitively determined using spectroscopic analyses, and the absolute configurations of elesesterpenes L-M and sachunogenin 3-O-glucoside were clarified using X-ray crystallographic techniques. The absolute configuration of elesesterpene T was determined by measuring and calculating its ECD. In addition, all compounds were tested to examine their ability to inhibit the proliferation of HFLS-RA cells induced by TNF- α in vitro. Elesesterpene M, chiisanogenin, chiisanoside, and 3-methylisochiisanoside significantly inhibited HFLS-RA proliferation. [Display omitted] • Five undescribed triterpenoids were obtained from the leaves of E. sessiliflorus. • The absolute stereochemistry of 1 – 2 were confirmed by the single crystal X-ray diffraction. • Absolute configurations of elesesterpenes S–U were determined by ECD. • All triterpenoids inhibited the proliferation of HFLS-RA induced by TNF- α. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In temperate latitudes across Europe, North Africa, and Asia, the genus Hedera L. colonizes forest understory and riparian vegetation. The goal of this research was to investigate SRAP (Sequence-related enhanced polymorphism) markers in overall 70 successions of Hedera types, that is comprised of three species Hedera helix L.; Hedera colchica (K.Koch) K.Koch and Hedera pastuchovii Woronow. Overall, 76 (Number of total loci) (NTL) DNA bands were created via polymerase chain reaction amplifications (PCR) amplification of three Hedera types. These bands were obtained by combining five distinct selective primers. The overall amount of amplified varied from 10 to 18. The projected impartial gene diversity (UHe) ranged from 0.013 (Hedera colchica) to 0.34 (Hedera colchica) (Hedera helix). The genetic similarity of three varieties is considered to be between 0.63 to 0.90. The clustering findings revealed two main groups. Hedera helix and Hedera colchica have the least affinity in the SRAP (Sequence-related amplified polymorphism) indicators study. Our findings revealed excellent molecular recognition of every genotypes tested, indicating that the Hedera accessions exhibit a lot of genetic variation. This discovery might be useful in breeding control techniques for genetic preservation and cultivar growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Panax pseudoginseng Wall. is famous as a traditional Vietnamese medicinal plant used to promote health and aid in cancer treatment. From the roots of this plant, 1 new (1) and 4 known (2 - 5) Δ20(22)-dammarane-type triterpenoid glycosides were isolated by various chromatographic methods. Their chemical structures were determined as 3β,6α,12β-trihydroxydammarane-(Z)-20(22),24-diene 6 -O- β-D-glucopyranoside (1), 3β,6α,12β-trihydroxy-dammar-(E)-20(22),25-diene 6 -O- β-D-glucopyranoside (2, ginsenoside Rh4), ginsenoside Rg5 (3), 3β,12β-dihydroxydammarane-(E)-20(22),24-diene 6 -O- β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), and 3β,12β-dihydroxydammarane-(E)-20(22),24-diene 6 -O- α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (5). The E / Z -Δ20(22) configurations in the dammarane compounds were further evidenced by 1D and 2D NMR data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new fatty acid esters of triterpenoids (1–2) together with eleven known compounds (3–13) were obtained after investigation of the CH2Cl2-MeOH (1:1) crude extract from the leaves of Schefflera barteri Harms. All these compounds (1–13) were isolated for the first time from this plant among which compounds 3, 4, 6 and 9–13 were also isolated from the genus Schefflera for the first time. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by analyses of their spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR, and MS). The antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of crude extracts, fractions and compounds (1, 2, 5, 6, 8 and 9) were investigated against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria strains as well as on human cervix carcinoma and colon adenocarcinoma cancer cell lines, respectively. They showed weak to significant activity towards the strains and malignant cells used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of three different drying tecnologies (PVD, THC-HAD, and IR-HAD) on drying kinetics, microstructure, energy consumption, and quality, that is, rehydration ratio (RR), color parameters (L*, a*, b*), total color difference (△E), Panax Notoginseng saponins (PNS) content, and ginsenosides content (R1, Rg1, Re, Rd, Rb1) of Panax Notoginseng roots were examined experimentally. As expected, the drying time decreased with increase of drying temperature from 40 to 70 °C, and PVD needed the shortest drying time, followed by THC-HAD and IR-HAD. The drying time of PVD was reduced by 22.9% and 30.2% compared with THC-HAD and IR-HAD at 60 °C, respectively. PVD can effectively shorten the drying time, and the dried samples had better brightness (about 50.2 ± 1.3), rehydration ability (range from 1.6 to 2.1) through promoting the porous structure formation of dried roots. But PVD is not the most suitable drying technology in terms of ginsenosides content preservation and energy consumption, when compared to THC-HAD and IR-HAD. For Panax Notoginseng roots need to be used as medicine, IR-HAD is a promising drying technology, especially at 50 °C, as it allowed high retention of PNS (about 12.5%) and low unit energy consumption (about 19.5 kW·h/kg). Therefore, the current findings indicate that IR-HAD drying has the potential to produce high-quality dried Panax Notoginseng roots on commercial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring new drying technology can help to deal with the challenge of better preservation of rhizome medicinal materials in the traditional Chinese medicine industry. In current work, combined infrared and hot-air drying (IR-HAD) was employed to Panax notoginseng roots and its effect on drying kinetics, energy efficiency and quality, i.e., rehydration ratio (RR), color parameters (L*, a*, b*), total color difference (ΔE), Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) content, and ginsenosides content (R1, Rg1, Re, Rd, Rb1) were evaluated. Hot air drying (HAD) was used as the control. Results showed that the increase in drying temperature significantly shortened drying time and reduced energy consumption. The shortest drying time of 43.0 h and lowest specific energy consumption of 15.9 kW·h/(kg-water) were obtained by IR-HAD at 55°C. The decrease of radiation distance and the increase of radiation power led to the shortening of drying time. However, high drying temperature resulted in large ΔE values, large collapse structure, and RR of samples. The drying time of Panax notoginseng roots dried by IR-HAD at a drying temperature of 50°C was shorter (15.5%) than HAD dried at the same drying temperature. The contents of R1, Rg1, Re, Rb1, and PNS were higher when the samples were dried by IR-HAD than those dried by HAD at the same temperature of 50°C. Moreover, the IR-HAD dried samples shortened 15.5% drying time and saved 22.1% energy consumption compared with HAD. Therefore, the optimal process condition was Panax notoginseng roots under IR-HAD at drying temperature of 50°C, radiation distance of 12 cm and radiation power of 1350 W, which can shorten drying time, maintain high ginsenosides contents and satisfactory apparent qualities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]