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The study focuses on in vitro effect of aqueous tinctures of 48 species of herbaceous, shrub and tree plants on the first-third stage larvae of Strongyloides papillosus (Wedl, 1856) and third-stage larvae of Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi, 1803) Cobb, 1898. The highest level of the effect was exerted by 3% aqueous tinctures of Wisteria sinensis (Sims) DC., Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, Laburnum anagyroides Medik., Quercus petraea subsp. iberica (Steven ex M. Bieb.) Krassiln., Ginkgo biloba L., Colchicum autumnale L., Aristolochia manshuriensis Kom., Celastrus scandens L., Securigera varia (L.) Lassen, Magnolia kobus DC. Over 90% of the first and second non-invasive stage larvae of S. papillosus died at contact with these tinctures. The lowest parameters of LD50 were seen for L. anagyroides, Juniperus sabina L., C. scandens, M. kobus, A. manshuriensis, Wisteria sinensis (Sims) DC. and Securigera varia (L.) Lassen. Invasive larvae of S. papillosus and H. contortus were resistant to the effect of all the 48 surveyed species of plants. Third-stage larvae of H. contortus remained vital when exposed for 24 h to all the studied concentrations up to 3% aqueous tincture of plants. The results of the experiments and also the analysis of the literature indicate the necessity to continue the survey on nematocidial activity of aqueous tinctures and alcveshol extracts of plants.

Daunorubicin was conjugated with spacered N-glycosides of di- and trisaccharides containing terminal α-l-fucopyranose residues. The synthesis was carried out by N-monoalkylation of daunorubicin hydrochloride (1) in aqueous DMF in the presence of NaHCO3 using N-β-glycoside N-bromoacetylglycyl derivatives, namely, α-l-Fucp-(1→2)-β-d-Galp-(1→4)-β-d-Glcp-NHCOCH2NHCOCH2Br (2a), α-l-Fucp-(1→4)-[β-d-Galp-(1→3)]-β-d-GlcpNAc-NHCOCH2NHCOCH2Br (3a), α-l-Fucp-(1→3)-β-d-GlcpNAc-NHCOCH2NHCOCH2Br (4a), and α-l-Fucp-(1→6)-β-d-GlcpNAc-NHCOCH2NHCOCH2Br (5a). The conjugates of daunorubicin were obtained as hydrochlorides (2b-5b) in 40% yield. Their oligosaccharide components are fragments of H type 5, Lea, Lex antigens and N-fucolglycan, respectively. 0(I) Erythrocytes hemagglutination inhibition assay was performed with conjugates 2b–5b and Ulex europaeus (UEA 1), Lotus tetragonolobus (LTA), and Laburnum anagyroides (LAA) plant fucolectins.

We isolated 18 rhizobial strains from root nodules of a leguminous shrub Laburnum anagyroides (common laburnum) grown in Southeast Poland as an exotic plant. With the use of BOX-PCR fingerprinting, the isolates were clustered into 2 main groups and one separate lineage, which was congruent with the ITS-RFLP results. The phylogenetic trees constructed based on 16S rRNA and combined atpD, dnaK, glnA, and recA gene sequence data separated the representative strains into three evolutionary lineages within the Bradyrhizobium jicamae supergroup, with Bradyrhizobium algeriense and Bradyrhizobium valentinum as the closest relatives. The nodA and nifH gene phylogenies proved that the L. anagyroides symbionts carry a symbiotic gene variant known as Clade IV, representing the symbiovar retamae. Phenotypic characteristics of the isolates and reference strains are also reported. Our study of the rhizobia nodulating L. anagyroides growing in Poland complements earlier few findings on the symbiotic associations of this Genisteae species.

Background and objectives: Accidental exposure of children to plants occurs often and results in numerous calls to poison centres. The aim of this study was to identify outdoor plants that led to moderate or severe poisoning after accidental exposure and to identify patterns of paediatric plant exposures. Materials and methods: Human exposure data on accidental exposures provided by two German poison centres were retrospectively evaluated regarding the number and the routes of exposure. Special attention was turned to the kind and severity of symptoms. Based on these data a modified Litovitz factor was calculated. Results: Out of 42,344 confirmed exposures to 227 plant species, 39,346 (93%) were asymptomatic, 2415 (5.7%) experienced minor, 580 (1.3%) moderate and 3 (0.007%) severe symptoms. Twenty-six plant genera were responsible for 70% of all exposures. Only eight of these plants (Arum spec., Laburnum anagyroides, Narcissus spec., Phaseolus vulgaris/coccineus, Prunus laurocerasus, Sambucus spec., Taxus baccata, Thuja spec.) led to at least moderate symptoms. Accidental exposure of children aged 0.5–5 years was mainly by oral ingestion (98%) and involved mostly fruits (60%). Conclusions: Exposure data collected by poison centres are very useful for hazard identification of outdoor plants. The data give a comprehensive overview of observed symptoms, which offers valuable instruments for use in clinical practice.

Assortment of tree plantations in the Park of Ivanivka was studied. The analysis of the park plantations inventorying revealed that 316 trees and 5 bushes belonging to sixteen species and twelve families grow on the territory. Aesculus hippocastanum L., Acer platanoides L. and Tilia cordata Mill. were the dominant tree species. Phytosanitary state of many wood plants in the park was not satisfactory. Dry trees and trees with dry branches could be observed. Green plantations needed optimization. Paths system was not ramified. Small architectural forms were mostly absent. There was the only sculpture of T. Shevchenko, other sculptures were absent. There were benches only near the building. Reconstruction project of the park was made. It would be necessary to implement hollows conservation, sanitary cutting and chopping, etc. We recommend creating bush layer in phytocenotic structure using Berberis thunbergii D. C. 'Atropurpurea', Rosa robusta F. G‚ rard, Syringa vulgaris L., Forsythia suspense (Thunb.) Vahl, Laburnum anagyroides Medic. and other. Park needed to expand road-path system. There are rockeries with deciduous and coniferous bushes and different flowers in the project. Assortment of plants guaranteed decorative effect all year round. There are compositions of coniferous plants (Juniperus scopulorum 'Skyrocet', J. Sabina L. 'Tamariscifolia', J. horizontalis Moench 'Blue Сhip', Thuja occibentalis L. 'Globosa' etc.) and single plants of Рісеа abies (L.) H. Karst. and Pinus sylvestrys L. in the project. We propose to install elements of public welfare as garden benches, summer house, lanterns and garbage bins. Mixborder with various flowers can be created around a summer house. Elements of topiary art – balls of Buxus sempervirens L., phytoplasty can be used in landscaping. Balls of B. sempervirens L. will be combined with Hosta plantaginea (Lam.) Asch. The project is characterized by regular and landscape park style.

Cytisine, a natural bioactive compound that is mainly isolated from plants of the Leguminosae family (especially the seeds of Laburnum anagyroides), has been marketed in central and eastern Europe as an aid in the clinical management of smoking cessation for more than 50 years. Its main targets are neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), and pre-clinical studies have shown that its interactions with various nAChR subtypes located in different areas of the central and peripheral nervous systems are neuroprotective, have a wide range of biological effects on nicotine and alcohol addiction, regulate mood, food intake and motor activity, and influence the autonomic and cardiovascular systems. Its relatively rigid conformation makes it an attractive template for research of new derivatives. Recent studies of structurally modified cytisine have led to the development of new compounds and for some of them the biological activities are mediated by still unidentified targets other than nAChRs, whose mechanisms of action are still being investigated. The aim of this review is to describe and discuss: 1) the most recent pre-clinical results obtained with cytisine in the fields of neurological and non-neurological diseases; 2) the effects and possible mechanisms of action of the most recent cytisine derivatives; and 3) the main areas warranting further research.

Quinolizidine alkaloids exhibit various forms of biological activity. A lot of them were found in the Leguminosae family, including Laburnum and Genista. The aim of the study was the optimization of a chromatographic system for the analysis of cytisine and N-methylcytisine in various plant extracts as well as an investigation of the cytotoxic activities of selected alkaloids and plant extracts obtained from Laburnum anagyroides, Laburnum anagyroides L. quercifolium, Laburnum alpinum, Laburnum watereri, Genista germanica, and Genista tinctoria against various cancer cell lines. The determination of investigated compounds was performed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detection (HPLC-DAD), while High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Quadrupole Time-of-Flight&ndash, Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF-MS) was applied for the qualitative analysis of plant extracts. The retention, separation selectivity, peaks shape, and systems efficiency obtained for cytisine and N-methylcytisine in different chromatographic systems were compared. The application of columns with alkylbonded and phenyl stationary phases led to a very weak retention of cytisine and N-methylcytisine, even when the mobile phases containing only 5% of organic modifiers were used. The strongest retention was observed when hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) or especially when ion exchange chromatography (IEC) were applied. The most optimal system in terms of alkaloid retention, peak shape, and system efficiency containing an strong cation exchange (SCX) stationary phase and a mobile phase consisted of 25% acetonitrile and formic buffer at pH 4.0 was applied for investigating alkaloids analysis in plant extracts. Cytotoxic properties of the investigated plant extracts as well as cytisine and N-methylcytisine were examined using human tongue squamous carcinoma cells (SCC-25), human pharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells (FaDu), human triple-negative breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MDA-MB-231), and human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7). The highest cytotoxic activity against FaDu, MCF-7, and MDA-MB cancer cell lines was observed after applying the Genista germanica leaves extract. In contrast, the highest cytotoxic activity against SCC-25 cell line was obtained after treating with the seed extract of Laburnum watereri. The investigated plant extracts exhibit significant cytotoxicity against the tested human cancer cell lines and seem to be promising for further research on its anticancer activity.

An in vitro propagation system based on the proliferation of axillary buds has been developed for Laburnum anagyroides. Culture initiation was influenced by explanting season, with the maximum response obtained from explants harvested in spring and autumn while the lowest response was noted in summer explants. The best shoot induction was observed on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with 2.22 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). The basal media, type of cytokinin, and explant type were the most important factors affecting shoot multiplication of L. anagyroides. Medium comprised of ½MS salts was found to be more efficient for axillary shoot multiplication compared to full-strength MS or Wood Plant Medium (WPM) when using identical growth regulators. Shoot tip explants were more responsive than nodal segments of microshoots for micropropagation. In vitro-derived shoots, >10 mm in length, were successfully rooted in medium containing ¼MS salts and 2.68 μM α-naphtalene acetic acid (NAA). In vitro-regenerated plantlets were adapted to ex vitro conditions and transferred to a greenhouse. This is the first report for successful in vitro propagation of L. anagyroides from bud explants of mature trees.

A study on the flowering biology and pollen production of the common laburnum (Laburnum anagyroides Med.) was conducted under the conditions of Lublin during the period 2004 - 2006. The flowering of this species began in the second 10-day period of May and lasted for 2.5 - 4 weeks. The flowers of common laburnum are borne in showy golden-yellow pendulous racemes. They develop successively, starting from the base and moving to the tip of an inflorescence. During the growing season, one shrub produces 800 to 3200 racemes, with 14 to 35 flowers in a single raceme. On average, the flowering duration for a raceme was 12.8 days and 8.7 days for a single flower. Throughout the study years, the shrubs proved to be most attractive in the third 10-day period of May when they reached full bloom. The average weight of pollen produced was 6.08 mg per 10 flowers of Laburnum anagyroides, 14.02 mg per raceme, and 26.0 g per shrub. Pollen grains reached average dimensions of 24.01 μm × 24.26 μm.

Laburnum anagyroides, a small tree or shrub from the Fabaceae family, is a promising object for its use in decorative landscaping and as a source of pharmaceuticals. The conventional propagation methods are not always successful for L. anagyroides. Herein, we describe an approach involving the application of tissue culture techniques for its micropropagation. This approach is based on activation of the pre-existing meristems from the axillary buds taken from a mature tree or seedling explants and includes the following phases: (1) preparation of primary explants and their cultivation on the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.22 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), hot water pretreatment with subsequent cultivation of the seeds on a MS medium used to overcome the physical dormancy of seeds, (2) proliferation of the initiated explants on the full-strength (for seedling explants) or ½ MS medium (for axillary buds) with 2.22 μM BAP, (3) rooting of individual shoots on the ¼ MS medium supplemented with 2.68 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid, and (4) acclimatization of the plants by spraying with the Emistim® elicitor. It was found that the explanting season also affected the initiation frequency from axillary buds but did not influence the culture initiation from seedling explants. In the tissue culture of both buds and seedlings, BAP not only stimulated higher number of shoots but also ensured the development of normal shoots compared with the thidiazuron-containing medium. The results of our study can be used for the mass propagation of L. anagyroides and for obtaining good-quality seedlings suitable for gardening and for pharmaceutical industry.

The formation of the storeyed pattern of cambium in the first two years of cambial activity and the structure of mature cambium was examined in Laburnum anagyroides, a decorative shrub growing in temperate climate. A distinct storeyed pattern was observed in two-year-old stems, despite the presence of tall rays. The heterogeneous nature of storeys was revealed by the analysis of i) the number of fusiform initials forming storeys or groups of packets; and ii) the frequency of anticlinal divisions in the examined years of cambial activity and the calculation of the relative increase of the cambial circumference. The results are discussed on the basis of the recent hypothesis of intrusive growth of fusiform initial, occurring between the tangential walls of its neighbouring initial and its closest derivative.

We investigated whether aphid presence and abundance influence the survival of an endophagous pre-dispersal seed predator of the same host plant. We studied a terrestrial community module consisting of one plant (Laburnum anagyroides) and four insect species/groups (an aphid, Aphis cytisorum, a pre-dispersal seed predator bruchid, Bruchidius villosus, aphid-attending ant species, and parasitoids of the bruchid). Two complementary investigations were carried out in parallel: (a) a plant-aphid-ant complex was experimentally manipulated by excluding aphids, ants, or both for 5 years to assess their impacts on the seed predator’s survival and parasitism rate; and (b) different aphid infestation levels on randomly selected infructescences were correlated with plant traits, nutrient allocation pattern, and variables of seed predator’s survival, such as the number of eggs laid and adults emerged influenced by parasitoid activity, for 7 years. We found that ants did not affect bruchid oviposition negatively, but egg-parasitism was significantly decreased by their presence. Plant traits, such as the number of seeds and seed mass, as well as seed predator performance were negatively affected by heavy aphid infestation. Seed predator -infested seeds had no effect on the mass of remaining seeds in the pods. This study suggests that aphids were nevertheless promoting bruchid abundance and survival, depending on their infestation rate.

Myrmaeciella caraganae was recollected in and around Vienna, Austria and found to be morphologically different generically from the type species of Myrmaeciella, M. endoleuca. We redescribe M. caraganae in the new genus Stromatonectria. Phylogenetic analyses of LSU sequences place the genus in the Bionectriaceae, Hypocreales. S. caraganae occurs on branches of Caragana spp., Colutea arborescens and Laburnum anagyroides of the Fabaceae. It is characterized by spheroid perithecia partly or entirely immersed in a Hypocrea-like stroma, a Nectria-like centrum and bicellular hyaline ascospores. Conidia of S. caraganae are produced in compound pycnidia that are formed prior to or in association with perithecia. Sporodochia but no pycnidia are formed in culture. We discuss the genus Myrmaeciella and compare S. caraganae with species of the Nectriaceae, including Nectria balansae, N. eustromatica and N. paraguayensis.

Ingestions of plants rarely lead to life-threatening intoxications. Highly toxic plants, which can cause death, are monkshood (Aconitum sp.), yew (Taxus sp.) and autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale). Lethal ingestions of monkshood and yew are usually suicides, intoxications with autumn crocus are mostly accidental ingestions of the leaves mistaken for wild garlic (Allium ursinum). Severe intoxications can occur with plants of the nightshade family like deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), angel's trumpet (Datura suaveolens) or jimsonweed (Datura stramonium). These plants are ingested for their psychoactive effects. Ingestion of plant material by children most often only causes minor symptoms or no symptoms at all, as children usually do not eat great quantities of the plants. They are especially attracted by the colorful berries. There are plants with mostly cardiovascular effects like monkshood, yew and Digitalis sp. Some of the most dangerous plants belong to this group. Plants of the nightshade family cause an anticholinergic syndrome. With golden chain (Laburnum anagyroides), castor bean (Ricinus communis) and raw beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) we see severe gastrointestinal effects. Autumn crocus contains a cell toxin, colchicine, which leads to multiorgan failure. Different plants are irritative or even caustic to the skin. Treatment is usually symptomatic. Activated charcoal is administered within one hour after ingestion (1 g/kg). Endoscopic removal of plant material can be considered with ingestions of great quantities of highly toxic plants. Administration of repeated doses of charcoal (1-2 g/h every 2-4 hours) may be effective in case of oleander poisoning. There exist only two antidotes: Anti-digoxin Fab fragments can be used with cardenolide glycoside-containing plants (Digitalis sp., Oleander). Physostigmine is the antidote for severe anticholinergic symptoms of the CNS. Antibodies against colchicine, having been developed in France, are not available at the moment.

A reductive LiBH4-ButOH cleavage of N-glycosylamide carbohydrate-peptide bond allowed splitting off of oligosaccharide chains of the fucolectin, the bark agglutinin from the shrub golden rain Laburnum anagyroides (LABA). Four N-glycans were isolated by HPLC, and their structures were elucidated by monosaccharide analysis and 1H NMR (500 MHz) spectroscopy: Man2Fuc1Xyl1GlcNAc2 (M2FX), Man3Xyl1GlcNAc2 (M3X), Man3Fuc1Xyl1GlcNAc2 (M3FX), and Man3Xyl1Fuc1GlcNAc3 (NM3FX). All the N-glycans contain D-xylose and three of them, L-fucose; they were found to be in a 1:8:3:1 ratio.

We studied interaction of the lectin from the bark of Golden Rain shrub (Laburnum anagyroides, LABA) with a number of basic fucose-containing carbohydrate antigens by changes in its tryptophan fluorescence. The strongest LABA binding was observed for the trisaccharide H of type 6 [α-L-Fucp-(1-2)-β-D-Galp-(1-4)-D-Glc, K a = 4.2 × 103 M−1]. The following antigens were bound with a weaker affinity: H-disaccharide α-L-Fucp-(1-2)-D-Gal, a glucoanalogue of tetrasaccharide Ley α-L-Fucp-(1-2)-β-D-Galp-(1-4)-[α-L-Fucp-(1-3)]-D-Glc, and 6-fucosyl-N-acetylglucosamine, a fragment of core of the N-glycans family (K a 1.1−1.7 × 103 M−1). The lowest binding was observed for L-fucose (K a = 2.7 × 102 M−1) and trisaccharide Lea, (β-Galp-(1-3)-[α-L-Fucp-(1-4)]-GlcNAc (K a = 6.4 × 102 M−1). The Led, Lea, and Lex pentasaccharides and Leb hexasaccharide were not bound to LABA.

The pre-dispersal seed predator, Bruchidius villosus (Coleoptera, Bruchidae) destroyed ca. 8% of seeds of its major host-plant, Laburnum anagyroides (Fabaceae, Genisteae), a tree-like legume, in Hungary. However, almost 40% of the pods were infested by the beetle. Females did not show a resource concentration response: with increasing number of seeds per pod, the number of uninfested seeds also increased. A high seed abortion rate of 75% left an average of two full-grown seeds per pod. Females laid three-four times more eggs on pods than the number of full-grown seeds present in a pod. Despite this, a high level (ca. 15%) of egg parasitism and pod abortion that reached levels up to 50% on pods which already bore bruchid eggs, decreased the infestation level. Larval parasitisation rate of B. villosus by chalcids and braconids exceeded 30%.

Many plant species are known to emit herbivore-induced volatiles in response to herbivory. The spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch is a generalist that can feed on several hundreds of host plant species. Volatiles emitted by T. urticae-infested plants of 11 species were compared: soybean (Glycine max), golden chain (Laburnum anagyroides), black locust (Robinia pseudo-acacia), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), eggplant (Solanum melalonga), thorn apple (Datura stramonium), sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum), hop (Humulus lupulus), grapevine (Vitis vinifera), and ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba). The degree to which the plant species produced novel compounds was analyzed when compared to the odors of mechanically damaged leaves. Almost all of the investigated plant species produced novel compounds that dominated the volatile blend, such as methyl salicylate, terpenes, oximes, and nitriles. Only spider mite-infested eggplant and tobacco emitted a blend that was merely quantitatively different from the blend emitted by mechanically damaged or clean leaves. We hypothesized that plant species with a low degree of direct defense would produce more novel compounds. However, although plant species with a low direct defense level do use indirect defense to defend themselves, they do not always emit novel compounds. Plant species with a high level of direct defense seem to invest in the production of novel compounds. When plant species of the Fabaceae were compared to plant species of the Solanaceae, qualitative differences in spider mite-induced volatile blends seemed to be more prominent in the Fabaceae than in the Solanaceae.

Background and Purpose: Bruchidius villosus feeding in seed of Laburnum anagyroides, and Bruchidius terrenus seed pest of Albizia julibrissin are first recorded and completely new seed-beetle to Serbian Bruchinae fauna. This Chrysomelids which were found in Republic of Serbia during intensive studies from 2012 to 2014 are likely related to a mostly Paleotropical group, including also members of genera Bruchidius, Megabruchidius and Acanthoscellides. These seed-beetles develop in pods of these two woody legumes, widely grown ornamental trees and shrubs. Several recent reports reveal that this species are well established in France, Hungary, and Bulgaria. Materials and Methods: Bruchine and their legume hosts were observed by extensive field sampling throughout Serbia over three years and by rearing the beetles from the samples in the laboratory. Bruchines and the parasitoids were mass-reared in climate controled rooms under conditions close to those of their area of origin: 12:12 L:D, 3-23 °C and ≤80 % RH (depends of host plant ongoing phenology or experimental needs-proof of weevil monophagous feeding preferences). For the purpose of analyzing the observed phenomena (its intensity and relevance), some of the standard methods of statistical analysis and conclusion have been used. Results: Levels of seeds infestation still in the pods were high and comparable to other studies. Bruchine beetle infestation in the dehiscent fruits of host plants may be greater after the seeds and pods drop to the ground, as bivoltine generation occurs, but this has yet to be tested. Hypotheses on the geographic origin of this new species are also discussed. The effect of native parasitoids occurrence could potentially be interesting, given that their appearance suggest their specialization on the Bruchidius beetle species which is a common seed-predator on the leguminous seeds. Conclusions: The establishment of this new species is investigated using both morphological data and idioecological analyses. For this purpose, a methodology was developed to assess weevil field densities in a natural environment. However, this needs to be more carefully tested with a larger sample size and experiments. Significant levels of infested seed, leads to the conclusion that these seed parasites could be an important reducing factor of generative reproducing host plant potential.

(+)-Laburnamine (1), a rare alkaloid extracted from Laburnum anagyroides seeds (∼4 mg from 1 kg), was shown to bind with high affinity (Ki, 293 nM) to the α4β2 nicotinic receptor subtype, which is, respectively, 126 and 136 times higher than to the α3β4 (Ki 37 μM) and α7 subtypes (Ki 40 μM). When its ability to release [(3)H]-dopamine from striatal slices was tested in a functional assay, compound 1 behaved as a partial agonist with an EC50 of 5.8 μM and an Emax that was 43% that of nicotine. When incubated with nicotine in the same assay, 1 prevented a maximal effect from being reached.

The known isoflavones, genistein, 5- O -methylgenistein, wighteone, luteone and alpinumisoflavone, have been isolated from methanol extracts of Laburnum anagyroides pods. The pod extracts also yielded three new isoflavones; anagyroidisoflavone A (5,4′-dihydroxy-(3″,4″-dihydro-3″-hydroxy-4″-methoxy)-2″,2″-dimethylpyrano (5″,6″:6,7)isoflavone), anagyroidisoflavone B (5,4′-dihydroxy-(3″,4″-dihydro-3″,4″-epoxy)-2″,2″-dimethylpyrano (5″,6″:6,7)isoflavone) and laburnetin (5,7,4′-trihydroxy-6-(2″-hydroxy-3″-methyl-3″-butenyl)isoflavone). The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectral analyses.

Whole Genome Sequencing of Laburnum anagyroides fresh leaf tissue.

Whole Genome Sequencing of a Laburnum anagyroides herbarium specimen dating from 1946

The minor veins of small leaf discs, punched out of mature leaves and incubated in 14C-sucrose solution, appear labeled in macro- and microautoradiographs. Discs with a labeled vein pattern and with labeled sieve tubes in microautoradiographs were found in Beta vulgaris, Vicia faba, Gomphrena globosa and Antirrhinum majus. However, in several other plant species, minor veins appeared unlabeled in macroautoradiographs when the discs were incubated in 14C-sucrose. Mesophyll cells (Acer pseudoplatanus, Juglans regia, Fagia, sylvatica, Syringa vulgaris, Laburnum anagyroides), bundle-sheath cells of major veins (Salix viminalis, Robinia pseudoacacia, Commelina communis) or epidermal layers (Ginkgo biloba, Chlorophytum comosum) appeared labeled. Lack of radioactivity in sieve tubes of this latter group was confirmed by microauto-radiography. Using 14C-glucose instead of 14C-sucrose, leaf discs of Beta vulgaris showed no labeled vein pattern and in microautoradiographs the sieve tubes appeared unlabeled. In view of the by-pass phloem loading, this study provides evidence for two pathways of phloem loading.

The quinolizidine alkaloids (QA) of golden rain,Laburnum anagyroides, and those of phytophagous insects associated with the plant, as well as of parasitoids of the latter, were analyzed by capillary GLC and GLC-MS. The alkaloid content in samples of vegetative plant parts was high at the beginning of the season, then decreased, while that of reproductive organs was high throughout flowering, pod formation, and maturation. The analyses showed that the QA of the plant passed through two higher trophic levels (herbivorous insects and their parasitoids) and that the alkaloid pattern changed little during the passage. The alkaloids were present in two phytophagous insect species associated with golden rain: the predispersal seed predator,Bruchidius villosus [5-13μg/g fresh weight (fw)], andAphis cytisorum (182-1012μg/g fw), an aphid that feeds on shoots, leaves, and inflorescences. Braconid and chalcidoid parasitoids emerging from the bruchid host also contained alkaloids (1.3-3μg/g fw), as did three foraging ant species,Lasius niger, Formica rufibarbis, andF. cunicularia (45μg/g fw), that visited the aphid colonies or honeydew-covered leaves of aphid-infested plants. The hypothesis that developing bruchid larvae and/or the plant "manipulate" QA supply to infested seeds was not supported, because QA content of leftover endosperm in seeds after bruchid development was similar to that of uninfested seeds. The frass of developing bruchid larvae was rich in QA (31μg/ g dry weight). While aphids sequestered, the bruchid larvae took up and eliminated QA with the frass without chemical transformation.

Summary The alkaloid pattern of the graft hybrid Laburnocytisus adamii (Laburnum anagyroides + Cytisus purpureus) was analysed by GC and GC-MS. 14 alkaloids (mostly quinolizidine alkaloids, but also bipiperidyl and pyrrolizidine alkaloids) were identified. Interesting seasonal changes of the alkaloid pattern were observed in leaves. Leaf buds accumulate the highest total alkaloid amount with more than 90 % cytisine. During the development of the leaves in spring, a substantial increase of N-methylcytisine was observed. Later in the year, the alkaloid concentration of the leaves strongly declined. The alkaloid pattern did not reflect the hybrid status of Laburnocytisus adamii . It was very close to that of Laburnum anagyroides , while the typical alkaloids of Cytisus purpureus could not be detected. However, remarkable quantitative differences were observed. The alkaloid content of plant parts originating from Laburnum were as high as in Laburnum anagyroides , whereas those originating from Cytisus were rather low. Thus the hybrid status of this plant is both reflected in its morphology and its content of quinolizidine alkaloids.

We report about a fatal cytisine intoxication in a 20-year-old man who, according to his mother, had drunken tea prepared from plant material of Laburnum anagyroides with the toxic pyridine-like alkaloid as ingredient, which exhibits pharmacological effects similar to nicotine. Using a liquid chromatographic–mass spectrometric (LC–MS) procedure cytisine was quantified in post-mortem specimens. By exclusion of other causes of death an intoxication was determined as the cause of death with respiratory failure as the pathophysiological mechanism.

(–)-Sparteine, a naturally occurring lupin alkaloid, is widely used as a chiral ligand for asymmetric synthesis. To address the limitation that sparteine is only available as its (–)-antipode, our group introduced a family of (+)-sparteine surrogates that are structurally similar to (+)-sparteine but lack the D-ring. After briefly summarising the design aspect, this feature article provides an overview of synthetic routes to the sparteine surrogates and a detailed comparison with (–)-sparteine in a range of asymmetric reactions. The main conclusions are: (i) the (+)-sparteine surrogates are most easily prepared starting from (–)-cytisine extracted from Laburnum anagyroides seeds; (ii) in nearly all examples, use of the (+)-sparteine surrogates produced essentially equal but opposite enantioselectivity compared to (–)-sparteine and (iii) the N-Me-substituted (+)-sparteine surrogate is the most useful and versatile of those investigated.

(–)-Sparteine, a naturally occurring lupin alkaloid, is widely used as a chiral ligand for asymmetric synthesis. To address the limitation that sparteine is only available as its (–)-antipode, our group introduced a family of (+)-sparteine surrogates that are structurally similar to (+)-sparteine but lack the D-ring. After briefly summarising the design aspect, this feature article provides an overview of synthetic routes to the sparteine surrogates and a detailed comparison with (–)-sparteine in a range of asymmetric reactions. The main conclusions are: (i) the (+)-sparteine surrogates are most easily prepared starting from (–)-cytisine extracted from Laburnum anagyroides seeds; (ii) in nearly all examples, use of the (+)-sparteine surrogates produced essentially equal but opposite enantioselectivity compared to (–)-sparteine and (iii) the N-Me-substituted (+)-sparteine surrogate is the most useful and versatile of those investigated.

A purified alkaloid preparation containing N-methylcytisine, cytisine, 5,6-dehydrolupanine, thermopsine and anagyrine from Thermopsis montana induced prolonged recumbency and microscopic acute hyaline skeletal myodegeneration with myofibre regeneration in cattle similar in type and severity to that induced by Thermopsis montanta plant material. This indicates that the alkaloid(s) of Thermopsis montana are responsible for the myopathy caused by the plant. An alkaloid preparation containing mostly anagyrine from a Lupinus sp. and an alkaloid preparation containing only cytisine from Laburnum anagyroides each caused microscopic skeletal muscle degeneration and necrosis similar to, but less severe than, the alkaloid extract from T. montana, but without clinical recumbency. Dosage and severity of response suggest that neither of those two alkaloids alone can account for the effects induced by Thermopsis. The data suggest that quinolizidine alkaloids with a alpha-pyridone A-ring may be responsible for the lesions and that individual alpha-pyridones may have additive effects.

Cytisus laburnum Linnaeus, Species Plantarum 2: 739. 1753. "Habitat in Helvetia, Sabaudia." RCN: 5437. Lectotype (Turland in Turland & Jarvis in Taxon 46: 468. 1997): Herb. Clifford: 354, Cytisus 1 (BM-000646540). Current name: Laburnum anagyroides Medik. (Fabaceae: Faboideae)., Published as part of Jarvis, Charlie, 2007, Chapter 7: Linnaean Plant Names and their Types (part C), pp. 370-473 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 473, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.291971

(−)-Cytisine (−)-Methyl (1R,9R)-6-Oxo-7,11-diazatricyclo[7.3.1.02,7]trideca-2,4-diene-11- carboxylic acid (+)-(1R,2S,9S)-11-Methyl-7,11-diazatricyclo[7.3.1.02,7]tridecane Keywords: (+)-sparteine surrogate; laburnum anagyroides; seeds; diamines; organolithium reagents; magnesium; copper; palladium; asymmetric synthesis; waste disposal

The spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch has a broad range of host plants. However, the spider mite does not accept all plants to the same degree because of differences in nutritive and toxic constituents. Other factors, such as the induction of secondary metabolites, the morphology of a leaf surface and the presence of natural enemies, also play an important role in plant acceptance. We compared plants from various families in their degree of acceptance by the spider mite, to get an indication of the plant's direct defence. Glycine max (soybean), Humulus lupulus (hop), Laburnum anagyroides (golden chain) and Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) were highly accepted by the spider mites. Different glandular hair densities among tobacco cultivars did not affect their suitability towards spider mites significantly. Solanum melalonga (eggplant), Robinia pseudo-acacia (black locust), Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) and Datura stramonium (thorn apple) were accepted by the spider mites to a lesser degree. Vitis vinifera (grapevine) was poorly accepted by the spider mite. It might be that the food quality of the leaves was not high enough to arrest the spider mites. Also, Capsicum annuum (sweet pepper) and especially Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) were poorly accepted by the spider mite, probably because of the presence and concentration of certain of the secondary metabolites in the leaves. The spider mites accepted all the plants belonging to the Fabaceae for feeding, but those belonging to the Solanaceae showed a larger variance in spider mite acceptance varying from well accepted (tobacco) to poorly accepted (sweet pepper).

Non-division walls in petals of the chimera Laburnocytisus adamii (Poit.) Schneid, were screened for the occurrence and distribution of symplasmic connections. The secondary plasmodesmata (PD) between epidermal cells of Cytisus purpureus Scop, and subepidermal cells of Laburnum anagyroides Medik. were compared with the PD of corresponding cell walls in petals of the two parental species. The non-division walls in the petals of L. adamii were traversed mainly by continuous PD and a few half-PD, both being grouped in pit fields. The secondary PD were characterized by a high percentage of branching (82%), with more than 40% consisting of a single strand at the Cytisus cell side interconnected by a median cavity with two strands of the Laburnum subepidermal cell. In addition, more than 30% of all PD showed secondary branching in the subepidermal wall portion. As a consequence, the cross-sectional areas of plasmodesmatal strands on each side of the central cavity differed remarkably in size, representing a “bottleneck” in the epidermal wall portion. In contrast, PD in the petals of the parental species were symmetrically branched. The comparison of cross-sectional areas of PD in the cell wall between the epidermis and subepidermis of petals of L. anagyroides showed a well-tuned system. The occurrence of half-PD in the intraspecific wall indicates a secondary origin. We conclude that, in the chimera, both genotypically different cells take part in the formation of the interspecific PD.

The monomeric composition of the suberins from 16 species of higher plants was determined by chromatographic methods following depolymerization of the isolated extractive-free cork layers with sodium methoxide-methanol. 1-Alkanols (mainly C18C28), alkanoic (mainly C16C30), α,ω-alkanedioic (mainly C16C24), ω-hydroxyalkanoic (mainly C16C21), dihydroxyhexadecanoic (mainly 10,16-dihydroxy- and 16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic), monohydroxyepoxyalkanoic (9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadecanoic), trihydroxyalkanoic (9,10, 18-trihydroxyoctadecanoic), epoxyalkanedioic (9,10-epoxyoctadecane-1,18-dioic) and dihydroxyalkanedioic (9,10-dihydroxyoctadecane-1 18-dioic) acids were detected in all species. The suberins differed from one another mainly in the relative proportions of these monomer classes and in the homologue content of their 1-alkanol, alkanoic, α,ω-alkanedioic and ω-hydroxyalkanoic acid fractions. C18 epoxy and vic-diol monomers were major components (32–59%) of half of the suberins examined (Quercus robur, Q. ilex, Q. suber, Fagus sylvatica, Castanea sativa, Betula pendula, Acer griseum, Fraxinus excelsior) where as ω-hydroxyalkanoic and α,ω-alkanedioic acids predominated in those that contained smaller quantities of such polar C18 monomers (Acer pseudoplatanus, Ribes nigrum, Euonymus alatus, Populus tremula, Solanum tuberosum, Sambucus nigra, Laburnum anagyroides, Cupressus leylandii). All species, however, contained substantial amounts (14–55 %) of ω-hydroxyalkanoic acids, the most common homologues being 18:1 (9) and 22: 0. The dominant α,ω-alkanedioic acid homologues were 16: 0 and 18: 1 (9) whereas 22: 0, 24: 0 and 26: 0, and 20: 0, 22: 0 and 24: 0 were usually the principal homologues in the 1-alkanol and alkanoic acid fractions, respectively. The most diagnostic feature of the suberins examined was the presence of monomers greater than C18 in chain length; most of the C16 and C18 monomers identified in the suberins also occur in plant cutins emphasizing the close chemical similarity between the two anatomical groups of lipid biopolymer.

Summary Research on the photosynthesis in green embryos of Laburnum anagyroides Med. and Lunaria annua L. was conducted. It was found that: a) The developing embryos of both these species were capable of photosynthesis at all applied light intensities. b) The photosynthetic rate in Laburnum (mg C0 2 /h/g dry respectively fresh weight or per embryo) rose with their development and applied increasing light intensity. It attained its saturation at a light intensity 360 Wm -2 . c) The youngest and oldest stages of Lunaria embryos were characterized during their development by reaching saturation of photosynthesis at light intensity 360 Wm -2 . In other embryos of this species, saturation was already found at 170 Wm -2 . d) The photosynthetic rate in young embryos of both species (based upon dry or fresh weight) is higher than this value in older ones.

SUMMARY Bacilliform particles characteristic of plant rhabdoviruses were found in negatively-stained leaf sap and in thin sections of Laburnum anagyroides in England showing vein yellowing. The particles were detected principally in the perinuclear space of parenchyma cells. They were not transmitted by sap inoculation to twelve herbaceous species. The affected trees also showed mosaic symptoms but there was no evidence of an association between these and the bacilliform particles.