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Six new sesquineolignans (1–6), have been isolated and elucidated from the stems of Akebia quinate together with five known analogues (7–11). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive analysis of UV, IR, NMR, HRESIMS and CD spectroscopy experiments. All the isolates were evaluated for in vitro inhibitory activity against DGAT1 and DGAT2. Among them, compounds 1–11 were found to exhibit selective inhibitory activity on DGAT1 with IC 50 values ranging from 60.4 ± 1.3 to 84.6 ± 1.3 μM. Besides, the potential binding sites of 1 were predicted by molecular docking. [Display omitted] • Six new sesquilignans (1–6) were isolated from the stems of Akebia quinate for the first time. • Structures of the new compounds (1–6) were elucidated by NMR, HRESIMS, and CD spectroscopy experiments. • The relationship between DGAT activity and chemical structure was discussed in detail. • Molecular docking results showed the compound 1 exhibited good binding affinities toward DGAT1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Akebia belongs to the Lardizabalaceae family and comprises five species that are primarily distributed in East Asia. Plants of the Akebia genus comprise deciduous and semi-evergreen perennial twining vines that have been used in Chinese herbal medicine for at least 2000 years. The plants of this genus have the potential to form a novel forest crop with high nutritional and economic value because their fruit has a delicious sweet taste and rich nutrient components. In this study, we organized, analyzed, and evaluated the available published scientific literature on the botanical, ecological, and phytochemical characteristics of Akebia plants. Based on these studies, we briefly introduced botanical and ecological characteristics and focused on reviewing the development and utilization of wild genetic resources in the genus Akebia. We further explored the genus' rich nutritional components, such as triterpenes, flavonoids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, and fatty acids, and their potential use in food and health improvement applications. In addition, several papers describing advances in biotechnological research focusing on micropropagation, nutrient biosynthesis, and fruit ripeness were also included. This review provides comprehensive knowledge of the Akebia genus as a new forest crop for food and fruit utilization, and we also discuss future breeding and research prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Holboellia grandiflora Réaubourg (Lardizabalaceae) is an evergreen twining perennial woody vine. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the complete chloroplast genome sequence of H. grandiflora. The complete chloroplast genome sequence was 157,811 bp in length and contained a large single-copy region of 86,554 bp and a small single-copy region of 18,975 bp. A pair of inverted repeats of 26,141 bp were included. It contained 130 genes, comprising 37 transfer RNA genes, and eight ribosomal RNA genes, as well as 85 coding sequences (CDSs). The GC content of the complete chloroplast genome sequence was 38.7%. The phylogenetic tree showed a close relationship among the three species of Holboellia (H. grandiflora, H. angustifolia, and H. latifolia). These findings provide a reference for phylogenetic relationships and assessment of the genetic structure of the Lardizabalaceae family.

Stauntonia hexaphylla (Lardizabalaceae) is an important medicinal plant in Korea, Japan, and China. Its leaves are used to treat many diseases because of their analgesic, sedative, and diuretic effects; however, there are few reports on their chemical constituents and biological activities. This study divided an ethanol extract into dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and water fractions. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanol extracts led to the isolation of seven compounds (1–7). To our knowledge, this is the first report of 1–7 from S. hexaphylla. The anti-inflammatory effects were investigated by suppressing cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in Western blots. The ethanol extract (20 µg/mL), DCM fraction (20 µg/mL), and compound 1 (10 µM) decreased COX-2 and iNOS expression significantly in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest that S. hexaphylla leaves and compound 1 are useful candidates for treating inflammatory and other diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete chloroplast (cp) genome of Stauntonia hexaphylla, a monotypic genus native to Korea, was determined. The whole cp genome is 158,390 bp in size, containing a large single-copy (LSC) region of 87,115 bp and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 18,928 bp, separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 26,174 bp. The cp genome encodes 117 genes, including 79 protein-coding, 38 tRNA-coding, and 8 rRNA-coding genes. The overall GC content is 37.8%. A phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a close relationship between S. hexaphylla and S. obovatifoliola subsp. urophylla. The cp genome will provide new insight into the evolution of Lardizabalaceae.

The complete chloroplast genome of Akebia longeracemosa, a monoecious woody vine endemic to China, was determined. The total genome size is 158,020 bp, containing a large single copy region of 86,659 bp, a small single copy region of 19,059 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats of 26,151 bp. The chloroplast genome encodes 113 unique genes, including 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes and 4 rRNA genes. Among them, fifteen genes have one intron each, and three genes contain two introns. The overall GC content is 38.7%, while the corresponding values of LSC, SSC, and IR regions are 37.1, 33.6, and 43.1%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that A. longeracemosa was closely related to A. trifoliata.

Akebia trifoliata, commonly known as ‘Bayuezha’ in China, has been widely used as traditional Chinese medicinal herbs with a long history. In the present study, the complete chloroplast genome of A. trifoliata was sequenced using Illumina high-throughput sequencing approach. The length of the complete chloroplast genome is 157,952 bp with 38.7% GC content. It contains 131 genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that A. trifoliata was closely related to another Lardizabalaceae species, Akebia quinata, which further confirms traditional species classification.

Akebia quinata is an herb medicine plant in traditional oriental medicine in China. In this current study, we had assembled the complete chloroplast genome of A. quinata. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of A. quinata has a total 157,817 bp in size and has a typical quadripartite structure, which is the same as other plant species chloroplast genome. It contained a large single-copy (LSC) region of 86,544 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,989 bp and two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 26,142 bp. The complete chloroplast genome sequence contains 132 genes, including 87 encoding genes, 37 transfer RNA genes, and eight ribosomal RNA genes. One of IR region harbors seven protein encoding genes, seven tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis result showed that A. quinata is closely related to Decaisnea insignis of the family Lardizabalaceae using the maximum-likelihood (ML) method in this study.

Two new noroleanane-type triterpenoid saponins, 3β,20α,24-trihydroxy-29-norolean-12-en-28-oic acid 24-O-β-L-fucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) and 3β,20α,24-trihydroxy-29-norolean-12-en-28-oic acid 24-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (2) were isolated from the stems of Stauntonia chinensis DC., together with three known compounds, brachyantheraoside B2 (3), eupteleasaponin Ⅷ (4) and fargoside B (5). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods. The cytotoxic activities of compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated against five human tumor cell lines (HCT-116, HepG2, BGC-823, NCI-H1650, and A2780). Compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate cytotoxic activities toward the tested cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 12.71 to 32.04 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stauntonia hexaphylla (Lardizabalaceae) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine in Korea and China for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. As part of a bioprospecting program aimed at the discovery of new bioactive compounds from Korean medicinal plants, a phytochemical study of S. hexaphylla leaves was carried out leading to isolation of two oleanane-type triterpene saponins, 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl (1→2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl] oleanolic acid-28-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl (1→6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl] ester (1) and 3-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl oleanolic acid-28-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl (1→6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl] ester (2). Their structures were established unambiguously by spectroscopic methods such as one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopies, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and chemical reactions. Their anti-inflammatory activities were examined for the first time with an animal model for the macrophage-mediated inflammatory response as well as a cell-based assay using an established macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) in vitro. Together, it was concluded that the saponin constituents, when they were orally administered, exerted much more potent activities in vivo than their sapogenin core even though both the saponins and the sapogenin molecule inhibited the RAW 264.7 cell activation comparably well in vitro. These results imply that saponins from S. hexaphylla leaves have a definite advantage in the development of oral medications for the control of inflammatory responses.

The complete chloroplast genome of Archakebia apetala, a monotypic genus endemic to China, was determined. The size of complete chloroplast genome is 157,929 bp, containing a large single copy (LSC) region of 86,630 bp and a small single copy region (SSC) of 19,001 bp, separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 26,149 bp. The chloroplast genome encodes 113 unique genes, including 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. Among them, 15 genes have one intron each and 3 genes contain two introns. The overall GC content is 38.7%, while the corresponding values of LSC, SSC, and IR regions are 37.1, 33.6, and 43.1%, respectively. Phylogenetic relationship analysis showed that Archakebia apetala was closely related to Holboellia latifolia. The complete chloroplast genome could provide new insight into the evolution of Lardizabalaceae.

Stauntonia obovatifoliola subsp. urophylla belongs to Lardizabalaceae. It is woody vine, with fine lines on its stems, branches, and petioles. In China, they are mainly distributed in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Hunan, and Zhejiang. Here, we report and characterize the complete plastid genome sequence of S. obovatifoliola subsp. urophylla in an effort to provide genomic resources useful for promoting its systematics research. The complete plastome of S. obovatifoliola subsp. urophylla is 158,944 bp in length, including two Inverted Repeat (IR) regions of 26,284 bp, a Large Single-Copy (LSC) region of 87,306 bp and a Small Single-Copy (SSC) region of 19,070 bp. The plastome contains 115 genes, consisting of 80 unique protein-coding genes, 31 unique tRNA genes, and four unique rRNA genes. The overall A/T content in the plastome of S. obovatifoliola subsp. urophylla is 61.40%. The complete plastome sequence of S. obovatifoliola subsp. urophylla will provide a useful resource for the conservation genetics of the species as well as for the phylogenetic studies of the genus Stauntonia.

We explore the use of Stauntonia angustifolia (Wall.) Wall. ex Christenh., and Stauntonia latifolia (Wall.) Wall. ex Christenh. as ethnoveterinary medicines in the greater Himalayan region. This use, while not common and limited to mid-elevation mountain regions, stretches at least 1900 km from the Garwhal Himal in west Himalayan India to the Hengduan Shan in east Himalayan China. We trace the geographic and cultural distribution of the species, their uses, and their names. In sum, these suggest two possible scenarios, both connected to mountain pastoralism: 1) lateral transmission along the Himalayan mountains through seasonal transhumance interactions and 2) convergence on similar animal medical uses driven by use of Stauntonia vines as rope in animal handling. More pan-Himalayan ethnobotanical studies could support these hypotheses with other plant species and uses, and help to understand how knowledge moves in mountains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous phytochemical investigations of Akebiae Caulis resulted in the isolation of triterpenes, triterpene glycosides, phenylethanoid glycosides and megastigmane glycoside. Amyloid beta (Aβ), the main component of the senile plaques detected in Alzheimer's disease, induces cell death. However, only a limited number of studies have addressed the biological and pharmacological effects of Akebiae Caulis. In particular, the inhibitory activity of Akebiae Caulis against Aβ42 fibrillogenesis remains unclear. Herein, a new triterpene glycoside, akequintoside F ( 1), along with nine known compounds pulsatilla saponin A ( 2), collinsonidin ( 3), akebonic acid ( 4), hederagenin ( 5), 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxycinnamoyl) cyclopentane-2,3-diol ( 6), asperosaponin C ( 7), leontoside A ( 8), quinatic acid ( 9), and quinatoside A ( 10) were isolated from Akebiae Caulis using repeated column chromatography with silica gel, LiChroprep RP-18, and MCI gel. The chemical structures of compounds 1- 10 were illustrated based on 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, including H-H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY spectroscopic analyses. Compound 1 a novel compound and known compounds 6 and 7 were isolated for the first time from this plant. Among these compounds, 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 displayed significant inhibitory effects on Aβ42 induced fibrillogenesis. We present the first report of new compound 1 and the inhibitory effects of components from Akebiae Caulis on Aβ42 fibrillogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Holboellia grandiflora Réaubourg (Lardizabalaceae) is an evergreen twining perennial woody vine. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the complete chloroplast genome sequence of H. grandiflora. The complete chloroplast genome sequence was 157,811 bp in length and contained a large single-copy region of 86,554 bp and a small single-copy region of 18,975 bp. A pair of inverted repeats of 26,141 bp were included. It contained 130 genes, comprising 37 transfer RNA genes, and eight ribosomal RNA genes, as well as 85 coding sequences (CDSs). The GC content of the complete chloroplast genome sequence was 38.7%. The phylogenetic tree showed a close relationship among the three species of Holboellia (H. grandiflora, H. angustifolia, and H. latifolia). These findings provide a reference for phylogenetic relationships and assessment of the genetic structure of the Lardizabalaceae family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovules development and structure of 6 species of 5 genera in Lardizabalaceae were studied under SEM and LM. Ovule morphology show diversity in the family: anatropous ( Sinofranchetia and Decaisnea ) or campylotropous ( Sargentodoxa , Akebia and Holboellia ); ovule number is 1 ( Sargentodoxa ) to 20 (even up to 180 in Akebia and Holboellia ); mature ovule size is from 150 μm ( Holboellia ) to 350 μm ( Sinofranchetia and Sargentodoxa ) in length; placenta marginal or laminar-diffuse; bistomic or endostomic, in Decaisnea , the micropyle is formed by inner integument only; and the thickness of outer integument is vary from 2 to 3 to 5–6 cell layers ( Decaisnea ). Akebia and Holboellia had secretory hairs surrounding ovules. While, morphological features common to all species included (1) bitegmic integument, cup-shaped inner integument (consists of 2–3 cell layers) derived from an annular ring, and hood-shaped outer integument developed from semi-annular initiation (except Sargentodoxa , the cup-shaped outer integument with semi-annular initiation); (2) inner integument initiated at the stage of sporogenous cell or megaspore mother cell, while outer integument formed later; (3) crassinucellar, the megaspore mother cell 3–6 cell layer deep within the nucellus; (4) the short funiculus, a vascular bundle reached to the chalazal pole region connecting ovule to placenta, and no funiculus appendage was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new megastigmane glycoside, 8 S*,9 R*-megastigman-3-one-4,6-diene-8,9-diol-9- O-β- d-glucopyranoside, named akequintoside D ( 1), as well as six known compounds, roseoside II ( 2), 3- O-caffeoylquinic acid ( 3), methyl-3- O-caffeoylquinate ( 4), 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-β- d-glucopyranoside ( 5), cuneataside D ( 6), 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl-6- O-(α- l-rhamnopyranosyl)-β- d-glucopyranoside ( 7) were isolated from the stem of Akebia quinata. The structures of compounds ( 1-7) were identified based on 1D and 2D NMR, including H-H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY spectroscopic analyses. The inhibitory activity of these isolated compounds against interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in TNF-α stimulated MG-63 cells was also examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a research carried out on a new triterpene gylcoside and adds that seven known triterpene gylcosides were isolated from n-butanol (n-BuOH) soluble fraction. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is used to determine the structure of triterpene gylcoside that is extracted from Akebiae caulis which is dried stems of the plant Akebia quinata (Lardizabalaceae) and is a drug used as a diuretic agent for the treatment of edema and has anti-inflammatory properties.

A new fossil flower,Kajanthus lusitanicusgen. et sp. nov, is described from the Early Cretaceous (late Aptian–early Albian) Chicalhão site near the village of Juncal, western Portugal, based on a single coalified specimen. The flower is small, actinomorphic, trimerous and bisexual, slightly compressed and with floral organs tightly adhering. The perianth is organised in more than two whorls. The inner two whorls consist of six bulky, apparently fleshy parts. The outer perianth whorls consist of narrow parts. There are six stamens, arranged in two whorls. The filaments are thick and anthers tetrasporangiate. The pollen sacs are protruding with extrorse dehiscence. Pollen observedin situis tricolpate, tectate, finely punctate-perforate, compressed and more or less spherical in polar view with a diameter of about 15 µm. The gynoecium is superior and composed of three free carpels. Non-destructive virtual sectioning of the single flower using synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy revealed the presence of several curved ovules in each carpel, arranged in two longitudinal rows on marginal placentae. The character suite of theKajanthusflower is only found in extant Lardizabalaceae (Ranunculales), where it is particularly close toSinofranchetia, a monotypic genus that is now endemic to China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide the scientific corroboration of the traditional uses of Akebia quinata (Thunb.) Decne., a detailed analytical examination of A. quinata stems was carried out using a reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method coupled to photodiode array detector (PDA) for the simultaneous determination of four phenolic substances; cuneataside D (1), 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), 3-caffeoylquinic acid (3) and calceolarioside B (4). Particular attention was focused on the main compound, 3-caffeoylquinic acid (3), which has a range of biological functions. In addition, 2-(3,4- dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2) was considered as a discernible marker of A. quinata from its easy confuse plants. The contents of compounds 2 and 3 ranged from 0.72 to 2.68 mg/g and from 1.66 to 5.64 mg/g, respectively. The validation data indicated that this HPLC/PDA assay was used successfully to quantify the four phenolic compounds in A. quinata from different locations using relatively simple conditions and procedures. The pattern-recognition analysis data from 53 samples classified them into two groups, allowing discrimination between A. quinata and comparable herbs. The results suggest that the established HPLC/PDA method is suitable for quantitation and pattern-recognition analyses for a quality evaluation of this medicinal herb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Akebia belongs to the Lardizabalaceae family and comprises five species that are primarily distributed in East Asia. Plants of the Akebia genus comprise deciduous and semi-evergreen perennial twining vines that have been used in Chinese herbal medicine for at least 2000 years. The plants of this genus have the potential to form a novel forest crop with high nutritional and economic value because their fruit has a delicious sweet taste and rich nutrient components. In this study, we organized, analyzed, and evaluated the available published scientific literature on the botanical, ecological, and phytochemical characteristics of Akebia plants. Based on these studies, we briefly introduced botanical and ecological characteristics and focused on reviewing the development and utilization of wild genetic resources in the genus Akebia . We further explored the genus' rich nutritional components, such as triterpenes, flavonoids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, and fatty acids, and their potential use in food and health improvement applications. In addition, several papers describing advances in biotechnological research focusing on micropropagation, nutrient biosynthesis, and fruit ripeness were also included. This review provides comprehensive knowledge of the Akebia genus as a new forest crop for food and fruit utilization, and we also discuss future breeding and research prospects., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Huang, Zang, Li, Lin, Zang, Li and Zheng.)

Background and Aims The perianths of the Lardizabalaceae are diverse. The second-whorl floral organs of Sinofranchetia chinensis (Lardizabalaceae) are nectar leaves. The aim of this study was to explore the nature of this type of floral organ, and to determine its relationship to nectar leaves in other Ranunculales species, and to other floral organs in Sinofranchetia chinensis. Methods Approaches of evolutionary developmental biology were used, including 3′ RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) for isolating floral MADS-box genes, phylogenetic analysis for reconstructing gene evolutionary history, in situ hybridization and tissue-specific RT-PCR for identifying gene expression patterns and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) for observing the epidermal cell morphology of floral organs. Key Results Fourteen new floral MADS-box genes were isolated from Sinofranchetia chinensis and from two other species of Lardizabalaceae, Holboellia grandiflora and Decaisnea insignis. The phylogenetic analysis of AP3-like genes in Ranunculales showed that three AP3 paralogues from Sinofranchetia chinensis belong to the AP3-I, -II and -III lineages. In situ hybridization results showed that SIchAP3-3 is significantly expressed only in nectar leaves at the late stages of floral development, and SIchAG, a C-class MADS-box gene, is expressed not only in stamens and carpels, but also in nectar leaves. SEM observation revealed that the adaxial surface of nectar leaves is covered with conical epidermal cells, a hallmark of petaloidy. Conclusions The gene expression data imply that the nectar leaves in S. chinensis might share a similar genetic regulatory code with other nectar leaves in Ranunculales species. Based on gene expression and morphological evidence, it is considered that the nectar leaves in S. chinensis could be referred to as petals. Furthermore, the study supports the hypothesis that the nectar leaves in some Ranunculales species might be derived from stamens. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Sinofranchetia Hemsl. (Lardizabalaceae) is a monotypic genus endemic to China. A recent combined analysis of molecular sequence data and morphology suggested that Sinofranchetia should be placed in tribe Sinofranchetieae. Embryology of taxa can be complementary to molecular phylogenetics and of special value at the genus level; however, embryological characters are completely unknown in Sinofranchetia. Here we characterize microsporogenesis and megasporogenesis in the male flowers and female flowers of Sinofranchetia, and provide embryological characters of the genus. In microspore development cytokinesis is simultaneous, the tetrads are tetrahedral and isolateral, and the mature pollens are two-celled and tricolpate (sometimes three-celled in the sterile anther of female flowers). Dicotyledonous-type and basic wall formations are found in Sinofranchetia, the tapetum is glandular. Megasporogenesis is successive, the female gametophyte of the Polygonum type. Anthers in female flowers degenerate at the tetrad stage, and some anthers produce two-celled or three-celled pollen. The newly revealed embryological characters are the basic type of anther wall formation, isolateral microspore tetrads, and both the epidermis and the parietal cell being involved in the formation of the crassinucellate ovules. The embryological peculiarities in Lardizabalaceae are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new bidesmoside triterpenoid saponin, named stauntoside C1 (1), along with three known saponins (2-4) was isolated from Stauntonia chinensis DC. (Lardizabalaceae). Their structures were established by means of spectral and chemical methods as 3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (1), scabiosaponin E (2), sieboldianoside B (3), and kizutasaponin K12 (4). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Decaisnea insignis, known as ‘dead man's fingers’ (Lardizabalaceae), is widely distributed in China and the Himalayan foothill countries. This economically important plant, which is the only species in the genus, has not been the subject of any embryological studies aside from one brief, older paper that lacks micrographs. Data on Decaisnea are also important because its systematic position has been unstable since the genus was established in 1855. Therefore, the objectives of this study were: (a) to use modern microscopy to document early reproductive anatomical development in Decaisnea; and (b) to compare qualitatively these early embryological characters with allied taxa in a systematic context. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The reproductive morphology of Sargentodoxa cuneata (Oliv) Rehd. et Wils. is investigated through field, herbarium, and laboratory observations. Sargentodoxa may be either dioecious or monoecious. The functionally unisexual flowers are morphologically bisexual, at least developmentally. The anther is tetrasporangiate, and its wall, of which the development follows the basic type, is composed of an epidermis, endothecium, two middle layers, and a tapetum. The tapetum is of the glandular type. Microspore cytokinesis is simultaneous, and the microspore tetrads are tetrahedral. Pollen grains are two-celled when shed. The mature ovule is crassinucellate and bitegmic, and the micropyle is formed only by the inner integument. Megasporocytes undergo meiosis resulting in the formation of four megaspores in a linear tetrad. The functional megaspore develops into an eight-nucleate embryo sac after three rounds of mitosis. The mature embryo sac consists of an egg apparatus (an egg and two synergids), a central cell, and three antipodal cells. The pattern of the embryo sac development follows a monosporic Polygonum type. Comparisons with allied groups show that Sargentodoxa shares more synapomorphies with the Lardizabalaceae than other Ranunculales. Characteristics of its reproductive morphology are consistent with the placement of Sargentodoxa as the sister group of the remaining Lardizabalaceae. It does not possess a sufficient number of apomorphic characters to justify its separation into a separate family or subfamily. It is best retained as a member of the Lardizabalaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ten triterpenoid glycosides, yemuoside YM26–35 (1–9 and 12), were isolated from a traditional Chinese medicine known as “Ye Mu Gua” (Stauntonia chinensis DC.) along with two known ones, kalopanax saponin C (10) and sieboldianoside A (11). Their structures, as elucidated by spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods, were either penta-saccharidic or hexa-saccharidic bidesmoside triterpenoid glycosides. To help explain the clinical applications of “Ye Mu Gua” for its anti-inflammatory effects, the inhibitory activity on the release of inflammatory mediators (nitric oxide, TNF-α and IL-6) of 1–12 and the related aglycone, hederagenin (13), was evaluated in vitro. It was found that compound 13, but not 1–12, exhibited significant inhibitory activity. The abundant triterpenoid glycosides in “Ye Mu Gua” might therefore be transformed into their respective aglycones, and thus inhibit the release of inflammatory factors in vivo. This could then account for the clinical value of “Ye Mu Gua” as regards anti-inflammatory effects. This proposed explanation of how “Ye Mu Gua” may have an effect is similar to the concept of prodrugs for chemical drugs which could be extended to some traditional medicines. That is, the major components might be biologically active not directly, but via biochemical transformation in vivo. Hence, we propose a “traditional medicine’s prodrug characteristic” concept. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The floral morphology and organogenesis of Sargentodoxa cuneata under SEM show that the flowers are polygamous but that early development is bisexual. Although the initiation sequence of sepals and petals is spiral, phyllotaxis is whorled. The initiation and development of stamens and carpels are different in bisexual, male, and female flowers. Six stamens and 10-80 carpels appear in bisexual flowers; few(or no) sterile carpels and six stamens appear in male flowers. In female flowers, stamens develop into petaloid staminodes, and more than 90 free carpels arise successively. Stamens are initiated in a somewhat irregular sequence in both bisexual and female flowers, whereas inmale flowers, they arise in twowhorls, and three stamens in the outerwhorl are delayed in growth .Carpel primordia arise inside the already large stamens. Carpels are ascidiate and have a distinct stalk; the future style is conduplicate, and the stigma is formed around the upper part of the ventral slit. Female flowers have a variable number of sepals, petals, and petaloid staminodes. The flowers of Sargentodoxa are distinguished from those of other Lardizabalaceae in the following ways: (1) numerous floral organs, (2) variable numbers and shapes of petals and staminodes, (3) petaloid staminodes, (4) whorled and unordered carpel phyllotaxis, (5) long temporal gap between stamens and carpel initiation, (6) ascidiate carpels with distinct stalk, and (7) presence of a reduced sepal primordium. The floral development of Sargentodoxa is different fromthat of other families in Ranunculales; thus, on the basis of the evidence of the floral development together with the floral structure, the anatomy of the leaf, palynology, embryology, and molecular data, we suggest that Sargentodoxa should be treated as the sister group of Lardizabalaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Three triterpenoids, 16β-hydroxy-2,3-seco-lup-20(29)-ene-2,3-dioic acid (1), 3β,21β,24-trihydroxy-30-noroleana-12,20(29)-dien-28-oic acid (2) and 16β-hydroxylupane-1,20(29)-dien-3-one (3), along with eleven known triterpenes were isolated from stems of Stauntonia obovatifoliola Hayata subsp. intermedia (Y.C. Wu) T. Chen. Their structures were determined by analysis of HR-EI/FAB-MS and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data and comparison with those in the literature. Ten of the compounds showed inhibitory activity against HIV-1 protease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new triterpenoid saponin, named stauntoside A (1) along with four known saponins (2,3,4,5) was isolated from Stauntonia chinensis DC., (Lardizabalaceae). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods as 3-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-30-norhederagenin -28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (1), 3-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-30- norhederagenin-28-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (2), 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-30-norhederagenin-28-O-α-l- rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (3), 3-O-α-l- arabinopyranosyl-hederagenin-28-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d- glucopyranosyl ester (4), 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-hederagenin -28-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (5). The 1H and 13C NMR data for Glycoside L-G1 or Sinofoside A are paradox in the reported before. Thus, the structure elucidation of saponin 2, known as Glycoside L-G1 or Sinofoside A, was discussed and the unambiguous assignments were given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new triterpenoid saponins, hederagenin 3-O-α- L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→2)-α- L-arabinopyranoside named akeboside La (compound 1), oleanolic acid 3-O-α- L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→2)-(β- D-glucopyranoside named akeboside Lb (compound 2), along with five known saponins, oleanolic acid 3-O-α- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-ot- L-arabinopyranoside (compound 3), hederagenin 3-O-α- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α- L-arabinopyranoside (compound 4), oleanolic acid 3-O-β- D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-α- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α- L-arabinopyranoside (compound 5), 3-O-α- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α- L-arabinopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-α- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-α- D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-(β- D-glucopyranoside (compound 6), 3-O-α- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α- L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin 28-O-α- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β- D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-(β- D-glucopyranoside (compound 7) were isolated from the n-butanol part of the 80% ethanol extracts of the dried stems of Akebia quinata (Thunb.) Decne. Compound 5 was isolated from plants of genus Akebia for the first time. The structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]