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Cyathula uncinulata (Schrad.) Schinz — Habit: Herb. Habitat: LMWF, LMDF; up to 2 800 m. Distribution: II. Voucher: Nkunga Crater Lake, Alt. 1 900 m, 8 Aug. 2015, SAJIT 003833 (HIB). References: Fries & Fries (1925), Agnew (2013)., Published as part of Zhou, Ya-Dong, Mwachala, Geoffrey, Hu, Guang-Wan & Wang, Qing-Feng, 2022, Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Mount Kenya, East Africa, pp. 1-108 in Phytotaxa 546 (1) on page 69, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.546.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/6550464, {"references":["Fries, R. E. & Fries, T. C. E. (1925) Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Flora des Kenia, Mt. Aberdare und Mt. Elgon. VII. Notizblatt des Koniglichen Botanischen Gartens und Museums zu Berlin 9 (85): 299 - 333. https: // doi. org / 10.2307 / 3994384","Agnew, A. D. Q. (2013) Upland Kenya wild flowers and ferns, 3 rd edn. Nature Kenya Publications, Nairobi, 733 pp."]}

Cyathula polycephala Baker — Habit: Herb. Habitat: LMDF; 1 600–2 700 m. Distribution: II. Voucher: Near Ontulili Forest Station, Alt. 2 181 m, 5 Aug. 2015, SAJIT 003146 (HIB). References: Fries & Fries (1925), Bussmann (1994), Bussmann & Beck (1995a), Agnew (2013)., Published as part of Zhou, Ya-Dong, Mwachala, Geoffrey, Hu, Guang-Wan & Wang, Qing-Feng, 2022, Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Mount Kenya, East Africa, pp. 1-108 in Phytotaxa 546 (1) on page 69, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.546.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/6550464, {"references":["Fries, R. E. & Fries, T. C. E. (1925) Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Flora des Kenia, Mt. Aberdare und Mt. Elgon. VII. Notizblatt des Koniglichen Botanischen Gartens und Museums zu Berlin 9 (85): 299 - 333. https: // doi. org / 10.2307 / 3994384","Bussmann, R. W. (1994) The forest of Mt. Kenya (Kenya): Vegetation, ecology, destruction and management of a tropical mountain forest ecosystem. Ph. D. dissertation, Universitat Bayreuth Startseite, Bayreuth, 252 pp.","Bussmann, R. W. & Beck, E. (1995 a) The forests of Mt. Kenya (Kenya), a phytosociological synopsis. Phytocoenologia 25 (4): 467 - 560. https: // doi. org / 10.1127 / phyto / 25 / 1995 / 467","Agnew, A. D. Q. (2013) Upland Kenya wild flowers and ferns, 3 rd edn. Nature Kenya Publications, Nairobi, 733 pp."]}

Cyathula cylindrica Moq. — Habit: Herb. Habitat: LMWF, LMDF, BZ, UMF, HZ; up to 3 200 m. Distribution: II. Voucher: Upper Imenti Forest, Alt. 2 448 m, 7 Aug. 2015, SAJIT 003190 (HIB); SAJIT 001345 & 001920 (HIB). References: Fries & Fries (1925), Townsend (1985), Bussmann (1993, 1994), Bussmann & Beck (1995a, 1998, 1999), Agnew (2013)., Published as part of Zhou, Ya-Dong, Mwachala, Geoffrey, Hu, Guang-Wan & Wang, Qing-Feng, 2022, Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Mount Kenya, East Africa, pp. 1-108 in Phytotaxa 546 (1) on page 68, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.546.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/6550464, {"references":["Fries, R. E. & Fries, T. C. E. (1925) Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Flora des Kenia, Mt. Aberdare und Mt. Elgon. VII. Notizblatt des Koniglichen Botanischen Gartens und Museums zu Berlin 9 (85): 299 - 333. https: // doi. org / 10.2307 / 3994384","Townsend, C. C. (1985) Amaranthaceae. In: Polhill, R. M. (Ed.) Flora of Tropical East Africa. A. A. Balkema, Rotterdam, 136 pp.","Bussmann, R. W. (1993) The forest of Mt. Kenya (Kenya): A phytosociological approach with special reference to ecological problems. Ph. D. Thesis, Eberhard Karls Universitat Tubingen, Tubingen, 119 pp.","Bussmann, R. W. (1994) The forest of Mt. Kenya (Kenya): Vegetation, ecology, destruction and management of a tropical mountain forest ecosystem. Ph. D. dissertation, Universitat Bayreuth Startseite, Bayreuth, 252 pp.","Bussmann, R. W. & Beck, E. (1995 a) The forests of Mt. Kenya (Kenya), a phytosociological synopsis. Phytocoenologia 25 (4): 467 - 560. https: // doi. org / 10.1127 / phyto / 25 / 1995 / 467","Bussmann, R. W. & Beck, E. (1998) The plant communities of the forests of Mount Kenya - First phytosociological and ecological data. In: Ojany, F. F. (Ed.) African mountains and highlands - planning for sustainable use of mountain resources. United Nations University, Tokyo, pp. 96 - 107.","Bussmann, R. W. & Beck, E. (1999) Vegetation units of Mt. Kenya Forest Reserve: Comment. In: Bitok (Ed.) Vegetations-okologosche, ethnobotanische und faunistische Beitrage uber Aquatorial-Afrika. Bayreuther Forum Okologie 64. Bayreuther Forum Okologie, Bayreuth, pp. 17 - 28.","Agnew, A. D. Q. (2013) Upland Kenya wild flowers and ferns, 3 rd edn. Nature Kenya Publications, Nairobi, 733 pp."]}

Background There are high mortality and morbidity rates due to poisonous snakebites globally with sub-Saharan Africa having some of the highest cases. However, traditional medicine practitioners (TMP) have been treating snakebites in Uganda for long despite the fact that few studies have been conducted to document such vital and rich indigenous traditional knowledge before it is lost. This study aimed to document the medicinal plant species used by experienced TMP in treating snakebite envenomation in selected post-conflict parts of Uganda. An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted in Kitgum, Serere, Kaberamaido and Kaabong districts in Uganda. Twenty-seven TMP with expertise in treating snakebites were purposively identified using the snowball technique and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics. Results Sixty plant species from 28 families were documented with high consensus among the isolated indigenous Ik tribe of Kaabong district. Most of the plant species used were from the Asteraceae and Fabaceae families with eight species each. The genus Echinops was the most well-represented with three species. The most commonly used plant species were of citation were Steganotaenia araliaceae (16), Microglossa pyrifolia (Lam.), Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel (13), Aframomum mildbraedii Loes. (11), Jasminum schimperi Vatke and Cyathula uncinulata (Schrad) Schinz (10) and Crinum macowanii Baker and Cyphostemma cyphopetalum (Fresen.) Desc. ex Wild & R.B. Drumm (10). S. araliaceae which was mentioned by all the TMP in the Ik community was used for first aid. Most of the plant species were harvested from the wild (68.75%) and were herbs (65.0%) followed by trees (23.3%). The most commonly used plant parts were roots (42.6%) and leaves (25.0%). Thirteen different methods of preparation and administration were used. Most of the medicines were administered orally (61.2%) and topically (37.6%). The commonest methods of oral application were cold water infusions (32.5%) and decoctions (21.7%). Conclusions TMP widely use several medicinal plant species for treating snakebite envenomation in the selected post-conflict regions of Uganda

Background: Cyathula prostrata (Blume) L. from the family Amaranthaceae has been used traditionally for rheumatism, dysentery, wounds and urethral discharges in the tropical regions of the world. Aim: The present study was undertaken to perform quality control standardization and to evaluate antioxidant activity of the leaf, stem, root and the whole plant of Cyathula prostrata. Methods: Macroscopic and microscopic evaluations were carried out on the plant using standard procedures. Powdered sample of the leaf was evaluated with various organic solvents for fluorescence. The chloroform, ethyl-acetate and methanolic extracts of the leaf, stem, root and whole plant were subjected to various pharmacognostic analyses and evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity using DPPH assay.Further, thin layer chromatoghraphy was used to evaluate the chloroform extract. Results: Important epidermal features in the plant include: coastal cells, unbranched, uniseriate, multicellular and non-glandular trichomes. Leaves are amphistomatic showing mostly anomocytic and actinocytic stomata. Starch grains are restricted to the adaxial surface. Vascular bundles are mainly collateral and well-developed bundle sheath. The transverse section of stem is circular, hypodermis (1-3 layers). Cross section of the root is described in detail for the plant. Cortex has angular cells. Fluorescence studies showed different colours. Physico-chemical results are comparable with standards. The TLC profile showed presence of at least seven compounds in the leaf, root and the whole plant extracts, while nine components were obtained from the stem extract. The ethyl acetate extract of the root and ethanol extract of the stem gave the highest phenolic contents (30.09±3.768 mg GAE/g) and DPPH free radical scavenging activity (87.0 ± 0.208), respectively. Conclusion: The distinctive features established in this study are steps in identification, standardization and quality control of this medicinal plant.

Cyathula uncinulata (Schrad.) Schinz is used in ethnomedicine in various parts of the world. This study isolated and characterized a bioactive compound from C. uncinulata based on its antibacterial activities. Separation of the bioactive compound from the ethyl acetate fractions of the plant was by solvent-solvent fractionation followed by repeated column chromatography. The structure of the compound was elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopic Original Research Article Bisi-Johnson et al.; EJMP, 10(1): 1-9, 2015; Article no.EJMP.18649 2 methods. The NMR spectra of the isolated compound showed that the compound with formula C22H38O7 and molecular weight 414.5329 has a long aliphatic chain made up of sugar and fatty acyl moiety. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of fractions of extracts ranges from 0.39 to 2.5 mg/ml. The MIC of the final purified compound was 0.34 mg/ml compared to the MIC of 0.19 of kanamycin indicating a reasonable bioactivity. This study thus supports the traditional use of C. uncinulata in the treatment of bacterial infections.

Background This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of some plants used in folklore medicine to treat diarrhoea in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Methods The acetone extracts of Acacia mearnsii De Wild., Aloe arborescens Mill., A. striata Haw., Cyathula uncinulata (Schrad.) Schinz, Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt., E. comosa (Houtt.) Wehrh., Hermbstaedtia odorata (Burch. ex Moq.) T.Cooke, Hydnora africana Thunb, Hypoxis latifolia Wight, Pelargonium sidoides DC, Psidium guajava L and Schizocarphus nervosus (Burch.) van der Merwe were screened against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, multi-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Isangi, S. typhi, S. enterica serovar Typhimurium, Shigella flexneri type 1b and Sh. sonnei phase II. A qualitative phytochemical screening of the plants extracts was by thin layer chromatography. Plants extracts were screened for antibacterial activity using serial dilution microplate technique and bioautography. Results The TLC fingerprint indicated the presence of terpenoids and flavonoids in the herbs. Most of the tested organisms were sensitive to the crude acetone extracts with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 0.018–2.5 mg/mℓ. Extracts of A. striata, C. uncinulata, E. autumnalis and P. guajava were more active against enteropathogens. S. aureus and Sh. flexneri were the most sensitive isolates to the crude extracts but of significance is the antibacterial activity of A. arborescens and P. guajava against a confirmed extended spectrum betalactamase positive S. enterica serovar Typhimurium. Conclusion The presence of bioactive compounds and the antibacterial activity of some of the selected herbs against multidrug resistant enteric agents corroborate assertions by traditional healers on their efficacies.

A C29 phytoecdysteroid named amarasterone A (1) has been isolated from Cyathula capitata (Amaranthaceae), Leuzea carthamoides (Asteraceae), and Microsorum scolopendria (Polypodiaceae). We recently isolated amarasterone A from C. officinalis. Amarasterone A has been postulated as a biosynthetic intermediate of cyasterone in Cyathula sp. The stereochemistry at the C-24 and C-25 positions of these amarasterone A samples was investigated by comparing the NMR spectroscopic data with those of stereodefined model compounds, (24R,25S)-, (24R,25R)-, (24S,25S)-, and (24S,25R)-isomers of (20R,22R)-3β-methoxystigmast-5-ene-20,22,26-triol (2a-d), which were synthesized in the present study. Amarasterone A isolated from Cyathula officinalis was determined to be the (24R,25S)-isomer (1a), while amarasterone A from L. carthamoides was found to be the (24R,25R)-isomer (1b). Amarasterone A from M. scolopendria was found to be a mixture of 1a and 1b. The biosynthesis of cyasterone in Cyathula sp. is discussed on the basis of the identical C-24 configuration of sitosterol and amarasterone A.

From ethanolic extract of Cyathula tomentosa plant new D-glucopyranosyl -6-α-4’methoxy rhamnopyranosidehas been isolated and characterized with help of FAB mass, 1H, 13C NMR, HMQC & delete 6 reference and extra 4 in sequence of references.

Resumo Este estudo engloba as espécies de Amaranthaceae registradas para as cangas da Serra dos Carajás, no estado do Pará, trazendo descrições detalhadas, ilustração e comentários morfológicos das espécies. São registradas quatro espécies, sendo duas do gênero Alternanthera Forsk. e duas espécies do gênero Cyathula Blume, para a área de estudo. Abstract This study comprises the species of Amaranthaceae registered for the cangas of Serra dos Carajás, Pará state, including detailed descriptions, illustrations and morphological comments of the species. Four species are registered for the study area: two species of Alternanthera Fork. and two species of Cyathula Blume.

The species are generally amphistomatic except Pandiaka heudelotii that is hypostomatic. Anomocytic and paracytic stomatal types were mostly found but cyclocytic and diacytic types may accompany, especially in Cyathula spp. The anticlinal wall pattern varies from undulate to curved and curved-straight in the family. Other useful epidermal features are peltate scales, trichomes of different types such as candelabra type, unicellular and multicellular conical types, long acicular glandular forms that may be tuberculate or non-tuberculate and the filiform type; all can be employed at species level for delimitation purpose. Sub-familial grouping of the genera is supported while monophyly and polyphyly suggested in Gomphrenoideae and Amarantheae respectively can be inferred from the extent of character variations in the species. An indented dichotomous key is presented for species delimitation. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

The present investigation involves the meiotic studies on three populations of Cyathula capitata Moq. (family Amaranthaceae) from west Himalaya. All the three populations uniformly revealed chromosome count of 2n=34 which is the first ever report for the species. Male meiosis was abnormal in all the populations characterized by occurrence of chromatin stickiness, laggards and bridges leading to abnormal microsporogenesis. The two populations showed the phenomenon of cytomixis resulting into heterogenous sized pollen grains.

The organic extracts of leaves and roots of five plants used for treating malaria in Central, Nairobi and Rift Valley Provinces, Kenya were tested for brine shrimp lethality and in vitro antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine sensitive and resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Of the plants tested, 60% were toxic to the brine shrimp (LC(50)

A C29 phytoecdysteroid named amarasterone A (1) has been isolated from Cyathula capitata (Amaranthaceae), Leuzea carthamoides (Asteraceae), and Microsorum scolopendria (Polypodiaceae). We recently isolated amarasterone A from C. officinalis. Amarasterone A has been postulated as a biosynthetic intermediate of cyasterone in Cyathula sp. The stereochemistry at the C-24 and C-25 positions of these amarasterone A samples was investigated by comparing the NMR spectroscopic data with those of stereodefined model compounds, (24R,25S)-, (24R,25R)-, (24S,25S)-, and (24S,25R)-isomers of (20R,22R)-3β-methoxystigmast-5-ene-20,22,26-triol (2a-d), which were synthesized in the present study. Amarasterone A isolated from Cyathula officinalis was determined to be the (24R,25S)-isomer (1a), while amarasterone A from L. carthamoides was found to be the (24R,25R)-isomer (1b). Amarasterone A from M. scolopendria was found to be a mixture of 1a and 1b. The biosynthesis of cyasterone in Cyathula sp. is discussed on the basis of the identical C-24 configuration of sitosterol and amarasterone A.

Aerial parts of 23 species distributed in 10 genera of the Amaranthaceae have been examined for the presence of betaines. Glycinebetaine was isolated from all the species studied and, in addition, trigonelline was detected in eight out of the nine species of Amaranthus , 1 of the two species of Alternanthera and in the species of Iresine (3), Celosia (2), Chamissoa (1), Aerva (1), Gomphrena (1) and Froelichia (1). With the exception of I. herbstii , glycinebetaine was the predominant betaine. The highest yield of this compound was from Cyathula geniculata (2.11%, dry weight), but, with the exception of I. herbstii (0.05%), the species tested had contents in the range 0.28–2.11%, dry weight. Trigonelline yields varied from 0.004 to 0.15%, dry weight. From the data obtained, classification of the Amaranthaceae as a betaine – accumulating family would appear to be justified.

To establish a standard of quality control and to identify reliable Achyranthis Radix, three phytoecdysones including ecdysterone (1), 25R-inokosterone (2) and 25S-inokosterone (3) were determined by quantitative HPLC/UV analysis. Three phytoecdysones were separated with an YMC J'sphere ODS C(18) column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 4 μm) by isocratic elution using 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile (85:15, v/v%) as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and the UV detector wavelength was set at 245 nm. The standards were quantified by HPLC/UV from Achyranthes bidentata Blume and Achyranthes japonica Nakai, as well as Cyathula capitata Moq. and Cyathula officinalis Kuan, which are of a different genus but are comparative herbs. The method was successfully used in the analysis of Achyranthis Radix of different geographical origin or genera with relatively simple conditions and procedures, and the assay results were satisfactory for linearity, recovery, precision, accuracy, stability and robustness. The HPLC analytical method for pattern recognition analysis was validated by repeated analysis of eighteen A. bidentata Blume samples and ten A. japonica Nakai samples. The results indicate that the established HPLC/UV method is suitable for quantitation and pattern recognition analyses for quality evaluation of Achyranthis Radix.

Background Several herbs are traditionally used in the treatment of a variety of ailments particularly in the rural areas of South Africa where herbal medicine is mainly the source of health care system. Many of these herbs have not been assessed for safety or toxicity to tissue or organs of the mammalian recipients. Methods This study evaluated the cytotoxicity of some medicinal plants used, inter alia, in the treatment of diarrhoea, and stomach disorders. Six selected medicinal plants were assessed for their antibacterial activities against ampicillin-resistant and kanamycin-resistant strains of Escherichia coli by the broth micro-dilution methods. The cytotoxicities of methanol extracts and fractions of the six selected plants were determined using a modified tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay). Results The average minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the plants extracts ranged from 0.027 mg/mℓ to 2.5 mg/mℓ after 24 h of incubation. Eucomis autumnalis and Cyathula uncinulata had the most significant biological activity with the least MIC values. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay on human hepatocarcinoma cell line (Huh-7) revealed that the methanol extract of E. autumnalis had the strongest cytotoxicity with IC50 of 7.8 μg/mℓ. Ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of C. uncinulata, Hypoxis latifolia, E. autumnalis and Lantana camara had lower cytotoxic effects on the cancer cell lines tested with IC50 values ranging from 24.8 to 44.1 μg/mℓ; while all the fractions of Aloe arborescens and A. striatula had insignificant or no cytotoxic effects after 72 h of treatment. Conclusions Our results indicate that the methanol fraction of E. autumnalis had a profound cytotoxic effect even though it possessed very significant antibacterial activity. This puts a query on its safety and hence a call for caution in its usage, thus a product being natural is not tantamount to being entirely safe. However, the antibacterial activities and non-cytotoxic effects of A. arborescens and A. striatula validates their continuous usage in ethnomedicine.

Chuanniuxi (Radix Cyathule) is one of the most important geo-herb in Sichuan province, which adulterants are Hongniuxi (Cyathula capitata) and Huainiuxi (Achyranthes bidentata). In this paper Chuanniuxi and its adulterants were identified by SCAR markers. Nineteen populations from Tianquan, Baoxin, Huili and Jinkouhe were collected and their RAPD fingerprints were established. Based on the RAPD patterns, two polymorphic bands F300 and F500 were selected, recycled, cloned and sequenced. According to the sequences two pairs of sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR) primers were designed and used to amplify all materials to prove the efficiency of identification of the different populations. Chuanniuxi and Huiniuxi could be distinguished by the primer SC-320, Chuanniuxi and Hongniuxi could be distinguished by the primer SC-495. Combining the two SCAR markers, Chuanniuxi, Hongniuxi and huainiuxi could be identified effectively and quickly.

Achyranthes prostrata Linnaeus, Species Plantarum, ed. 2, 1: 296. 1762. "Habitat in India." RCN: 1660. Lectotype (Townsend in Dassanayake & Fosberg, Revised Handb. Fl. Ceylon 1: 136. 1980): Herb. Linn. No. 287.13 (LINN). Current name: Cyathula prostrata (L.) Blume (Amaranthaceae). Note: Although Fawcett & Rendle (Fl. Jamaica 3: 134. 1914) indicated material in LINN as type, they did not distinguish between sheets 287.12 and 287.13 (which are evidently not part of a single gathering, so Art. 9.15 does not apply)., Published as part of Jarvis, Charlie, 2007, Chapter 7: Linnaean Plant Names and their Types (part A), pp. 252-342 in Order out of Chaos. Linnaean Plant Types and their Types, London :Linnaean Society of London in association with the Natural History Museum on page 257, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.291971

Antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities and toxicity of different extracts (decoction, petroleum ether, ethanol and aqueous extracts) of : Afrormosia laxiflora (Benth. ex Bak.) Harms (leaves), Cyathula prostrata (L.) Blume (whole plant), Ficus glomerata Roxb. (leaves), Lantana camara L. (leaves), Lippia geminata H.B.K. (leaves), Lippia nodiflora (L.) Michx. (leaves) and Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn. (whole plant), were evaluated in pharmacological tests using rats and mice.

Summary Incorporation of [2-14C, (4R)-4-3H1]-mevalonic acid into the sterols of Cyathula capitata (Amaran-thaceae) showed that the C-24 tritium of cycloartenol is eliminated during side chain alkylation in the formation of 24-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β-ol, (24S) –24-ethyl-cholesta-5,22-dien-3β-ol and 24-ethylcholest-5-en-3β-ol, but is retained probably at C-25 in (24Z)-5α-stigmasta-7,24(28)-dien-3β-ol. Cyasterone formed from the same substrate had a 3H/14C ratio 1 : 5. This tritium atom was retained in the nuclear fragment (probably at C-17) after chemical side chain cleavage of the derived 2-acetoxy-cyasterone. Negligible radioactivity was detected in the side chain fragment. Significant incorporation of [4-14C]-sitosterol and [7-3H2]-fucosterol into cyasterone in C. capitata could not be detected under the conditions employed. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to the stage in phytosterol biosynthesis at which the cyasterone synthetic pathway branches.

The insect-metamorphosing steroids (ecdysterone, inokosterone and cyasterone) and the related substance (rubrosterone) isolated from Achyranthes and Cyathula (Amaranthaceae) were assayed in terms of their ability to stimulate protein synthesis in mouse liver. High stimulation was introduced by all steroids, administered intraperitoneally, in which cyasterone showed the highest activity. Oral administration of ecdysterone produced similar activation. Ecdysterone stimulated protein synthesis not only in male mice but also in female mice.

A novel C29 insect-metamorphosing substance, isocyasterone, has been isolated from Cyathula capitata (Amaranthaceae). Chemical and spectroscopic investigations of isocyasterone and its triacetate (II) have shown that isocyasterone has stereostructure I.

Chemical and physico-chemical studies on cyasterone and its derivatives (IV–VII) have established the stereostructure of cyasterone as shown in formula II.

A novel C29 insect metamorphosing substance, sengosterone, has been isolated from Cyathula capitata (Amaranthaceae) and shown to have structure I by chemical and physico-chemical studies.

A C 21 steroid, poststerone, has been first isolated from Cyathula capitata (Amaranthaceae), and identified as 2β,3β,14α-trihydroxy-5β-pregn-7-ene-6,20-dione (I).

Cancer is one of the most prominent human diseases which has stimulated scientific and commercial interest in the discovery of new anticancer agents from natural sources. The current study investigates the cytotoxic activity of ethanolic extracts of sixteen Nigerian plants the MTT assay on the HeLa cell line. Sapium ellipticum leaves showed activity comparable to the reference compound Cisplatin and greater cytotoxic activity than Combretum paniculatum, Celosia trigyna, Drymaria cordata, Cyathula achyranthoides and Cyathula prostata. Justica extensa, Pupalia lappacea, Hedranthera barteri leaves, Alternanthera sessilis, Ethulia conyzoides leaves, Combretum zenkeri root, Sapium ellipticum stembark and Lannea nigritana stembark showed very low activity while Combretum molle, Adenanthera parvoniana and Lannea acida showed no activity. The results justify the use of Sapium, Combretum, Celosia, Drymaria and Cyathula in traditional treatment of cancer.Keywords: Medicinal plants; Cytotoxicity; Cancer; Sapium; Combretum

Summary. A brief summary of the genus Pupalia has been attempted on a world-wide basis. It is shown that 'typical' P. lappacea (L.) Juss. (which is lectotypified) is the plant frequently known as P. atropurpurea (Lam.) Moq., and that the most common form of P. lappacea must be called var. velutina (Moq.) Hook. f. Four species are recognized in the genus, two new varieties of P. lappacea being described from Africa; principal synonymy and a key to all taxa is given. The plant recorded from the Philippines as P. atropurpurea is referred to P. micrantha Hauman, and three names in Pupalia are disposed in Cyathula and Alternanthera. Pupalia has, somewhat unexpectedly, proved to have given me some of the greatest difficulties in specific delimitation of any genus of Amaranthaceae hitherto dealt with for the 'Flora of Tropical East Africa'. More, these difficulties proved such that the only practical solution seemed to be to examine the genus on a world-wide basis. This survey may of course prove fallible in some ways as being merely an off-shoot of the account of Amaranthaceae for the 'Flora of Tropical East Africa'. It has been based only on the material at Kew plus types of species unrepresented there, kindly loaned from other institutions, and then tested against the collections at the British Museum. All specimens seen are in K unless otherwise stated. Airy Shaw (1973) gives the genus Pupalia as having '10 trop. Afr., Madag., India' species-a number apparently too high even on the most cursory examination of material available. The problems encountered are not unlike those found in Achyranthes-the absence of pseudostaminodes in Pupalia being more than compensated for by the presence of modified sterile flowers forming a 'burr' in the ripe fruit.

Planta c. 40 cm alta, sparse ramosa caule atque ramis ascendentibus teretibus pilis albidis sursum appressis dense obsitis. Folia opposita, linearioblonga, c. 35-65 x 6-10 mm, pilis albidis appressis modice obsita, venis prominentibus. Inflorescentia densa, albido-grisea, mollis, 3-5.5 x 1.8-2.2 cm, breviter (0-5-2 cm) pedunculata, e fasciculis congestis sistens. Fasciculi cymosi cymulis ultimis bracteolatis basaliter floribus tribus fertilibus, duobus exterioribus utrinque flore sterili bracteolato comitatis. Bracteae lanceolatae, c. 6 mm longae, modice pilosae, breviter aristatae. Bracteolae fasciculorum c. 7 mm longae albidae marginibus hyalinis; costa brunnea in aristam 1-5-2 mm longam excurrens, dorso pilis longis ascendentibus obsita. Bracteolae florum sterilium simillimae sed angustiores. Flores steriles e processubus 4-6 mollibus bracteoliformibus sistentes. Tepala florum fertilium omnia trinervia, duo exteriora anguste lanceolato-oblonga, 8-9 mm, dorso pilis sursum appressis dense obsita, coma apicali ornata; tepala tria interiora 7-8 mm longa simillima sed minus dense pilosa. Filamenta gracilia, 4-5 mm longa; pseudostaminodia c. 2-2-5 mm longa, squama interiore dentata atque squama dorsali longe fimbriata instructa. Stylus 3 mm, gracilis; ovarium c. 2 mm, obpyriforme apice firmo. Fructus et semina ignota. (Fig. 1).

When naming some Malesian Amaranthaceae in the herbaria of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the British Museum (Natural History), I came across isotypes of two Philippine taxa described by Merrill in the genus Cyathula. I then realized that Backer, when reducing both taxa to a single variety under C. prostrata, had created an incorrect combination, as Merrill's varietal epithet should have been given priority in that rank (cf. Art. 6o of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature).