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In 2023, two bark beetle species were recorded in Russia for the first time based on findings in Sochi: the cypress bark beetle, Phloeosinus armatus, on Mediterranean cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) and the black twig borer, Xylosandrus compactus, on southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), noble laurel (Laurus nobilis), and cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus). P. armatus is a Mediterranean pest attacking exclusively Cupressaceae. In Sochi, it was recorded on cypress trees in several locations, including on plants for planting imported from Italy. X. compactus is a highly polyphagous pest from East Asia. In Sochi, it has established populations in ornamental planted areas. The paper provides species descriptions with identification keys. One specimen of X. compactus from Sochi was DNA‐barcoded and compared with 31 specimens deposited in the BOLD and GenBank under the name of X. compactus. High genetic variability (>7%) was detected highlighting the difficulty of identifying 'true' X. compactus using DNA data. Genetically, the specimen of X. compactus from Sochi was identical to those from Italy, Spain and France. An accidental introduction with ornamental plants for planting from Italy is considered the most probable pathway of invasion of both bark beetle species into the Russian Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: M. caricifragrans is an endangered tree species. Around 50 isolated trees grow in highly altered landscapes in the cloud forests of the states of Cundinamarca and Tolima (Colombia). Questions: How is the reproductive phenology of M. caricifragans in individuals under ex situ conditions? Can M. caricifragrans produce seeds with the aid of hand pollination? Are seeds issued form hand pollination viable? Who are the flower visitors of M. carcifragans under in situ conditions? What is the survival rate of the plantlets in the field after reintroduction? Sites and years of study: Bogotá Botanical Garden “José Celestino Mutis” from 2019 to 2022 and in the municipalities of San Francisco and Silvania. Methods: We monitored reproductive events one year in ex situ conditions, including manual pollination, fruit development, and seed germination. We also captured floral visitors from wild M. caricifragrans flowers. Seedlings reintroduced into nature reserves and survival was evaluated. Results: Trees ex situ exhibit constant flower bud and flower production throughout the year and do not produce fruit. Fruits with viable seeds that germinated were obtained through hand-pollination. In situ flower visitors consisted mainly of roving beetles; twenty-seven seedlings were successfully reintroduced. Conclusions: A peak of flower production was determined between September and November, successful fruit development by controlled cross-pollination. Seed germination was achieved using a closed container with a substrate with high moisture retention and good drainage. Trees reintroduced in nature present a healthy development and 100 % survival.

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are aggressive and invasive cancers of the brain, associated with high rates of tumour recurrence and poor patient outcomes despite initial treatment. Targeting cell migration is therefore of interest in highly invasive cancers such as GBMs, to prevent tumour dissemination and regrowth. One current aim of GBM research focuses on assessing the anti-migratory properties of novel or repurposed inhibitors, including plant-based drugs which display anti-cancer properties. We investigated the potential anti-migratory activity of plant-based products with known cytotoxic effects in cancers, using a range of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) migration and invasion assays as well as immunofluorescence microscopy to determine the specific anti-migratory and phenotypic effects of three plant-derived compounds, Turmeric, Indigo and Magnolia bark, on established glioma cell lines. Migrastatic activity was observed in all three drugs, with Turmeric exerting the most inhibitory effect on GBM cell migration into scratches and from the spheroid edge at all the timepoints investigated (p < 0.001). We also observed novel cytoskeletal phenotypes affecting actin and the focal adhesion dynamics. As our in vitro results determined that Turmeric, Indigo and Magnolia are promising migrastatic drugs, we suggest additional experimentation at the whole organism level to further validate these novel findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Understanding the capacity of temperate trees to acclimate to limited soil water has become essential in the face of increasing drought risk due to climate change. We documented seasonal – or phenological – patterns in acclimation to water deficit stress in stems and leaves of tree species spanning the angiosperm phylogeny.Over 3 yr of field observations carried out in two US arboreta, we measured stem vulnerability to embolism (36 individuals of 7 Species) and turgor loss point (119 individuals of 27 species) over the growing season. We also conducted a growth chamber experiment on 20 individuals of one species to assess the mechanistic relationship between soil water restriction and acclimation.In three‐quarters of species measured, plants became less vulnerable to embolism and/or loss of turgor over the growing season. We were able to stimulate this acclimatory effect by withholding water in the growth chamber experiment.Temperate angiosperms are capable of acclimation to soil water deficit stress, showing maximum vulnerability to soil water deficits following budbreak and becoming more resilient to damage over the course of the growing season or in response to simulated drought. The species‐specific tempo and extent of this acclimatory potential constitutes preadaptive climate change resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh leaves of four Magnolia species (M. obovata, M. kobus, M. denudata, M. salicifolia) collected from May to October in Ishikawa prefecture were analyzed using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine the composition of volatile compounds and seasonal variations. As a result, caryophyllene, which is bioactive sesquiterpenoids, and those analogs were commonly observed in the four species. α-Asarone was detected in M. salicifolia with a strong peak, and seasonal variation was observed for several volatile compounds. Based on these results, we elucidated the high value of using four Magnolia species fresh leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In traditional Korean medicines, Magnolia officinalis is commonly included for the remedy of atopic dermatitis, and magnolol is a major constituent of Magnolia officinalis. Its pharmacological effects include anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant effects. Using BALB/c mice repeatedly exposed to 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB), magnolol was evaluated in atopic dermatitis-like lesions. Administration of magnolol (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) markedly relieved the skin lesion severity including cracking, edema, erythema, and excoriation, and significantly inhibited the increase in IgE levels in the peripheral blood. A DNCB-induced increase in mast cell accumulation in atopic dermatitis skin lesions was reversed by magnolol administration, as well as a rise in expression levels of pro-inflammatory Th2/Th17/Th1 cytokines' (IL-4, IL-13, IL-17A, IFN-γ, IL-12A, TARC, IL-8, and IL-6) mRNAs in the lymph nodes and skin (n = 5 per group). In lymph nodes, magnolol reversed DNCB's increase in CD4+RORγt+ Th17 cell fraction and decrease in CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T cell fraction. The results also showed that magnolol suppressed T cell differentiation into Th17 and Th2 cells, but not Th1 cells. Magnolol suppresses atopic dermatitis-like responses in the lymph nodes and skin, suggesting that it may be feasible to use it as a treatment for atopic dermatitis through its suppression of Th2/Th17 differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many Asian countries use the bark of the Magnolia for medicinal purposes. Magnolia has many medical uses, including regulating GI motility, treating cough and asthma, preventing cardiovascular disease, and treating mental illness and brain disorders. To date, 118 magnolia species have been discovered. However, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has designated 231 species as vulnerable and critically endangered. Magnolia leaves yielded 20 isolated chemicals, including 16 lignans with 6 distinct structural types, such as honokiol, veraguensin, sitosterol, and magliflonenone. Magnolia species show pharmacological activities like Neuroprotective, anti-cancer, Anti-microbial, Antiplatelets, Anti-asthmatic, Gastrointestinal, and Hormone regulation. Magnolia bark extracts such as honokiol 2',6-di-(5-propenyl)-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diol, have been demonstrated to benefit health. In recent in vitro and preclinical research, honokiol was found to have anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, anti-oxidative, and anti-cancer activities. Honokiol and magnolol prevented the thromboxane B2 synthesis in response to thrombin, arachidonic acid, and collagen. So, soon, if we cultivate and save the endangered magnolia species through biotechnological means, it will be a boon for mankind.

• The high Cu concentrations had negative effect on growth of Magnolia and Paulsen 1103. • Excess Cu altered the functioning of photosynthetic apparatus in grapevine rootstocks. • Grapevine rootstocks showed oxidative stress in solution with high Cu concentration. • The highest Cu concentrations were observed in roots in both grapevine rootstocks. • Magnolia rootstock showed better responses to the Cu excess. Frequent applications of cupric fungicides on grapevines increase copper (Cu) content in vineyard soils, and can lead to phytotoxicity, mainly in young grapevines. Thus, is necessary to identify rootstocks that are tolerant to Cu excess, as well as understanding the mechanisms against high Cu concentrations. The aim of this study was to assess the growth, biochemical and physiological response of grapevine rootstocks to Cu excess in nutrient solution. Two experiments were carried out: Experiment 1 used Vitis rotundifolia cv. Magnolia rootstocks and Experiment 2 used Paulsen 1103 (Vitis berlandieri X Vitis rupestris) rootstocks. The rootstocks were cultivated with different Cu concentrations in nutrient solution (in µM): 0.12; 20; 40 and 80. The high Cu concentrations had negative effect on growth of both grapevine rootstocks. The highest Cu concentrations were observed in roots in both rootstocks. Magnolia rootstock showed the greatest tolerance to Cu excess in nutrient solution, with less absorbed Cu as well as less Cu translocation to shoots. Hydrogen peroxide concentrations and lipid peroxidation increased in shoots and roots of both rootstocks with increased Cu concentrations. The size and rusticity of Magnolia plants may have influenced their response to the excess of Cu in the solution in comparison to Paulsen plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Stomatal area is proportional to the product of stomatal length and width with a proportionality coefficient exceeding π/4 (indicating a deviation from an elliptical shape) for four Magnoliaceae species. Stomatal size is an important factor affecting the photosynthetic and transpiration rates of vascular plants. To examine stomatal morphometrics, we measured the length (L), width (W), and area (A) of 960 stomata from four Magnoliaceae species within two genera (Magnolia and Michelia). Four mathematical models were used to estimate A: (i) A scales as a function of LW, which is referred to as the Montgomery equation (denoted as ME), (ii) A scales as a function of some power of LW, (iii) A scales as a function of L2, and (iv) A scales as some power of L. The data show that ME is the best among the four models based on the trade-off between the goodness of fit and model structural complexity, i.e., A is proportional to LW. The ME was verified at the species level and for the pooled data. The proportionality coefficient of ME was affected by stomatal geometry and exceeded the proportionality coefficient predicted for an elliptical shape of stomata (π/4). This study provides a simple and relatively accurate method for measuring stomatal area (e.g., it decreases by 40.1% the root-mean-square error when calculating A using π/4 × LW). In addition, the proportionality coefficient of ME also provides a useful quantitative taxonomic parameter and a method to gauge the response of plants to environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predictive distribution models are widely used in species conservation planning. However, identifying specific sites for undertaking conservation action such as reintroduction pose a practical challenge for practitioners. We demonstrate that the potential habitat distribution models intersected with existing land use and land cover (LULC) map helped in identifying the specific conservation areas with greater confidence. We used a case of Magnolia punduana Hk. f & Th. (Magnoliaceae)—a threatened and rare tree species distributed in the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills of northeast India at an elevation range of 800–1600 m asl. We modeled the distribution of potential habitats of the species using maximum entropy (Maxent) software, moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) imageries, and ASTER-based digital elevation data. Amongst the environmental variables, elevation and the EVI for the months of May, June and July had a collective contribution of > 70%, indicating their dominant role in determining the potential habitat. The predicted potential habitat of the species covered ~ 2.88% area of the state in the southern part of the Khasi and Jaintia hills with a few patches in Garo hills. However, intersection of the potential distribution area map with the existing forest cover map of the study area showed ~ 3853 ha of the state, has high suitability. The ground-truthing of the high suitability regions revealed that they are similar to the species' original habitat and may support conservation-related activities such as habitat protection, restoration, and species (re)introduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two instantly recognizable structures grace the skyline of Waco, Texas. Rounded, looming, and rusted, the Silos form a geographical indicator of the presence of Chip and Joanna Gaines’ home-centric empire — Magnolia. A brief drive through Waco soon reveals that Magnolia and its distinctive subculture are unlike any other entity within the city. Magnolia is not Waco, yet it defines Waco. Within this project, I seek to better understand the unique subculture of Magnolia juxtaposed against the drastically different environment of Waco. To fully understand the inner workings of this subculture, I compile details from frequent visits to Magnolia occurring over a period of three months, noting everything from the layout of the grounds to the products sold to the people who enter Magnolia’s gates and their tendencies in a field notebook. My studies help me to assemble a comprehensive picture of Magnolia’s unique subculture and its effects, both positive and negative, upon the city it inhabits. In doing so, I hope to contribute to scholarly understandings of the inequitable outcomes resulting from gentrification within Waco, addressing the lack of knowledge within existing literature about Magnolia’s role in this process.

Abstract Background Magnolia, a traditional and important ornamental plant in urban greening, has been cultivated for about 2000 years in China for its elegant flower shape and gorgeous flower color. Most varieties of Magnolia bloom once a year in spring, whereas a few others, such as Magnolia liliiflora Desr. ‘Hongyuanbao’, also bloom for the second time in summer or early autumn. Such a twice flowering trait is desirable for its high ornamental value, while its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Methods Paraffin section was used to show the flowering time and phenotypic changes of M. liliiflora ‘Hongyuanbao’ during the twice flowering periods from March 28 to August 25, 2018. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was then performed to explore the chemical metabolites through the twice flower bud differentiation process in ‘Hongyuanbao’, and the metabolites were screened and identified by orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis (KEGG) was used to reveal the relationship between the sugar metabolites and twice-flowering characteristic. To further investigate the potential role of sucrose and trehalose on flowering regulation of ‘Hongyuanbao’, the plants once finished the spring flowering were regularly sprayed with sucrose and trehalose solutions at 30 mM, 60 mM, and 90 mM concentrations from April 22, 2019. The flower bud differentiation processes of sprayed plants were observed and the expression patterns of the genes involved in sucrose and trehalose metabolic pathways were studied by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Results It showed that ‘Hongyuanbao’ could complete flower bud differentiation twice in a year and flowered in both spring and summer. The metabolites of flower bud differentiation had a significant variation between the first and second flower buds. Compared to the first flower bud differentiation process, the metabolites in the sucrose and trehalose metabolic pathways were significantly up-regulated during the second flower bud differentiation process. Besides that, the expression levels of a number of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) genes including MlTPS1, MlTPS5, MlTPS6, MlTPS7 and MlTPS9 were substantially increased in the second flower differentiation process compared with the first process. Exogenous treatments indicated that compared to the control plants (sprayed with water, CK), all three concentrations of trehalose could accelerate flowering and the effect of 60 mM concentration was the most significant. For the sucrose foliar spray, only the 60 mM concentration accelerated flowering compared with CK. It suggested that different concentration of trehalose and sucrose might have different effects. Expression analysis showed that sucrose treatment increased the transcription levels of MlTPS5 and MlTPS6, whereas trehalose treatment increased MlTPS1, showing that different MlTPS genes took part in sucrose and trehalose metabolic pathways respectively. The expression levels of a number of flowering-related genes, such as MlFT, MlLFY, and MlSPL were also increased in response to the sprays of sucrose and trehalose. Conclusions We provide a novel insight into the effect of sucrose and trehalose on the flowering process in Magnolia. Under the different sugar contents treatments, the time of flower bud differentiation of Magnolia was advanced. Induced and accelerated flowering in response to sucrose and trehalose foliar spray, coupled with elevated expression of trehalose regulatory and response genes, suggests that secondary flower bud formation is a promoted by altered endogenous sucrose and trehalose levels. Those results give a new understanding of sucrose and trehalose on twice-flowering in Magnolia and provide a preliminary speculation for inducing and accelerating the flowering process in Magnolia.

In traditional Korean medicines, Magnolia officinalis is commonly included for the remedy of atopic dermatitis, and magnolol is a major constituent of Magnolia officinalis. Its pharmacological effects include anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant effects. Using BALB/c mice repeatedly exposed to 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB), magnolol was evaluated in atopic dermatitis-like lesions. Administration of magnolol (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) markedly relieved the skin lesion severity including cracking, edema, erythema, and excoriation, and significantly inhibited the increase in IgE levels in the peripheral blood. A DNCB-induced increase in mast cell accumulation in atopic dermatitis skin lesions was reversed by magnolol administration, as well as a rise in expression levels of pro-inflammatory Th2/Th17/Th1 cytokines’ (IL-4, IL-13, IL-17A, IFN-γ, IL-12A, TARC, IL-8, and IL-6) mRNAs in the lymph nodes and skin (n = 5 per group). In lymph nodes, magnolol reversed DNCB’s increase in CD4+RORγt+ Th17 cell fraction and decrease in CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T cell fraction. The results also showed that magnolol suppressed T cell differentiation into Th17 and Th2 cells, but not Th1 cells. Magnolol suppresses atopic dermatitis-like responses in the lymph nodes and skin, suggesting that it may be feasible to use it as a treatment for atopic dermatitis through its suppression of Th2/Th17 differentiation.

Magnolias are representative shrub and tree species of the tropical montane cloud forest (TMCF) in Mexico, which is one of the most endangered ecosystems due to anthropogenic landscape degradation and climate change. Magnolia schiedeana is a vulnerable and restricted endemic TMCF species, occurring in scattered TMCF fragments in the Sierra Madre Oriental. In this study, we investigated spatial patterns of genetic diversity across the M. schiedeana species range and assessed whether gene flow was influenced by topographic and environmental factors. We sampled 11 remnant populations across the species range and genotyped 180 individuals at eight nuclear microsatellite loci. Our data showed a strong spatial structure in five genetic clusters, which match the patchy geographic distribution of M. schiedeana. Contemporary migration rates between these genetic clusters were very low. Levels of genetic diversity within populations were moderate to high, and no evidence of inbreeding was found. Our results from landscape genetic analysis showed that isolation by distance, rather than topography or environmental variation, was the main process shaping genetic differentiation. Urgent actions are needed to protect M. schiedeana populations as most of them persist isolated within agricultural and urban landscapes. Ex situ management actions would be crucial to ensure the conservation of genetically diverse germplasm for the in situ propagation where it has gone locally extinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal remedies used in traditional medicine often contain several compounds combined in order to potentiate their own intrinsic properties. However, herbs can sometimes cause serious health troubles. In Belgium, patients who developed severe aristolochic acid nephropathy ingested slimming pills containing root extracts of an Aristolochia species, as well as the bark of Magnolia officinalis. The goal of the study was to evaluate, on a human renal cell line, Aristolochia and Magnolia extracts for their cytotoxicity by a resazurin cell viability assay, and their genotoxicity by immunodetection and quantification of the phosphorylated histone γ-H2AX. The present study also sought to assess the mutagenicity of these extracts, employing an OECD recognized test, the Ames test, using four Salmonella typhimurium strains with and without a microsomial fraction. Based on our results, it has been demonstrated that the Aristolochia–Magnolia combination (aqueous extracts) was more genotoxic to human kidney cells, and that this combination (aqueous and methanolic extracts) was more cytotoxic to human kidney cells after 24 and 48 h. Interestingly, it has also been shown that the Aristolochia–Magnolia combination (aqueous extracts) was mutagenic with a TA98 Salmonella typhimurium strain in the presence of a microsomial liver S9 fraction. This mutagenic effect appears to be dose-dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: In Magnolia polytepala, the formation of floral organization and color was attributed to tissue-dependent differential expression levels of MADS-box genes and anthocyanin biosynthetic genes. In angiosperms, the diversity of floral morphology and organization suggests its value in exploring plant evolution. Magnolia polytepala, an endemic basal angiosperm species in China, possesses three green sepal-like tepals in the outermost whorl and pink petal-like tepals in the inner three whorls, forming unique floral morphology and organization. However, we know little about its underlying molecular regulatory mechanism. Here, we first reported the full-length transcriptome of M. polytepala using PacBio sequencing. A total of 16 MADS-box transcripts were obtained from the transcriptome data, including floral homeotic genes (e.g., MpAPETALA3) and other non-floral homeotic genes (MpAGL6, etc.). Phylogenetic analysis and spatial expression pattern reflected their putative biological function as their homologues in Arabidopsis. In addition, nine structural genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway had been screened out, and tepal color difference was significantly associated with their tissue-dependent differential expression levels. This study provides a relatively comprehensive investigation of the MADS-box family and anthocyanin biosynthetic genes in M. polytepala, and will facilitate our understanding of the regulatory mechanism underlying floral organization and color in basal angiosperms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Magnolia, a traditional and important ornamental plant in urban greening, has been cultivated for about 2000 years in China for its elegant flower shape and gorgeous flower color. Most varieties of Magnolia bloom once a year in spring, whereas a few others, such as Magnolia liliiflora Desr. 'Hongyuanbao', also bloom for the second time in summer or early autumn. Such a twice flowering trait is desirable for its high ornamental value, while its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Methods: Paraffin section was used to show the flowering time and phenotypic changes of M. liliiflora 'Hongyuanbao' during the twice flowering periods from March 28 to August 25, 2018. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was then performed to explore the chemical metabolites through the twice flower bud differentiation process in 'Hongyuanbao', and the metabolites were screened and identified by orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis (KEGG) was used to reveal the relationship between the sugar metabolites and twice-flowering characteristic. To further investigate the potential role of sucrose and trehalose on flowering regulation of 'Hongyuanbao', the plants once finished the spring flowering were regularly sprayed with sucrose and trehalose solutions at 30 mM, 60 mM, and 90 mM concentrations from April 22, 2019. The flower bud differentiation processes of sprayed plants were observed and the expression patterns of the genes involved in sucrose and trehalose metabolic pathways were studied by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Results: It showed that 'Hongyuanbao' could complete flower bud differentiation twice in a year and flowered in both spring and summer. The metabolites of flower bud differentiation had a significant variation between the first and second flower buds. Compared to the first flower bud differentiation process, the metabolites in the sucrose and trehalose metabolic pathways were significantly up-regulated during the second flower bud differentiation process. Besides that, the expression levels of a number of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) genes including MlTPS1, MlTPS5, MlTPS6, MlTPS7 and MlTPS9 were substantially increased in the second flower differentiation process compared with the first process. Exogenous treatments indicated that compared to the control plants (sprayed with water, CK), all three concentrations of trehalose could accelerate flowering and the effect of 60 mM concentration was the most significant. For the sucrose foliar spray, only the 60 mM concentration accelerated flowering compared with CK. It suggested that different concentration of trehalose and sucrose might have different effects. Expression analysis showed that sucrose treatment increased the transcription levels of MlTPS5 and MlTPS6, whereas trehalose treatment increased MlTPS1, showing that different MlTPS genes took part in sucrose and trehalose metabolic pathways respectively. The expression levels of a number of flowering-related genes, such as MlFT, MlLFY, and MlSPL were also increased in response to the sprays of sucrose and trehalose. Conclusions: We provide a novel insight into the effect of sucrose and trehalose on the flowering process in Magnolia. Under the different sugar contents treatments, the time of flower bud differentiation of Magnolia was advanced. Induced and accelerated flowering in response to sucrose and trehalose foliar spray, coupled with elevated expression of trehalose regulatory and response genes, suggests that secondary flower bud formation is a promoted by altered endogenous sucrose and trehalose levels. Those results give a new understanding of sucrose and trehalose on twice-flowering in Magnolia and provide a preliminary speculation for inducing and accelerating the flowering process in Magnolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Magnolia comprises approximately 219 species and is widely distributed in the Asian and American regions. The plants in the Magnolia genus posess unique ornamental values, strong anti-pollution properties, and significant economic and medicinal relevance due to the chemical diversity and biological potentials of their essential oils. The current review includes 24 Magnolia species from around the world and the chemical and biological properties of their essential oils. The data were collected from scientific electronic databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Scielo, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, and Google Scholar. Chemically, major components identified in most Magnolia essential oils were eucalyptol, linalool, limonene, β-eudesmol, β-elemene, β-pinene, and caryophyllene. Additionally, the essential oils displayed various biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiphotoaging, antifungal, cytotoxic, antidermatophytic, and nematocidal properties. The review emphasises Magnolia species’ chemical and biological properties and provides guidance for selecting accessions or species with the best chemical profiles. The review also identifies species that were not yet studied and the potentials of their essential oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variation in resistance of xylem to embolism among flowers, leaves, and stems strongly influences the survival and reproduction of plants. However, little is known about the vulnerability to xylem embolism under drought stress and their relationships to the anatomical traits of pits among reproductive and vegetative organs. In this study, we investigated the variation in xylem vulnerability to embolism in peduncles, petioles, and stems in a woody plant, Magnolia grandiflora. We analyzed the relationships between water potentials that induced 50% embolism (P50) in peduncles, petioles, and stems and the conduit pit traits hypothesized to influence cavitation resistance. We found that peduncles were more vulnerable to cavitation than petioles and stems, supporting the hypothesis of hydraulic vulnerability segmentation that leaves and stems are prioritized over flowers during drought stress. Moreover, P50 was significantly correlated with variation in the dimensions of inter-vessel pit apertures among peduncles, petioles and stems. These findings highlight that measuring xylem vulnerability to embolism in reproductive organs is essential for understanding the effect of drought on plant reproductive success and mortality under drought stress.

Background: Magnolol is a component of the bark of Magnolia officinalis , which is a traditional herbal remedy used in China. In this study, we investigated whether magnolol can reduce myocardial injury induced by renal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). Methods: Renal I/R was elicited by a 60-minute occlusion of the bilateral renal arteries and a 24-hour reperfusion in Sprague-Dawley rats. Magnolol was administered intravenously 10 minutes before renal I/R to evaluate its effects on myocardial injury induced by renal I/R. Results: Renal I/R significantly increased the serum levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and cardiac troponin I and caused myocardial damage. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling–positive nuclei and caspase-3 activation was significantly increased in the myocardium, indicating increase of apoptosis. Echocardiography revealed left ventricular dysfunction, as evidenced by reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening. Furthermore, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 were significantly elevated, while the IL-10 level was suppressed. However, intravenously, pretreatment with magnolol at doses of 0.003 and 0.006 mg/kg 10 minutes before renal I/R significantly prevented the increases of CPK, LDH, and cardiac troponin I levels, as well as the histological damage and the apoptosis in the myocardium. Echocardiography showed significant improvement of left ventricular function. Furthermore, the increases in TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 and the decrease in IL-10 were significantly limited, while Bcl-2 was increased and Bax was decreased in the myocardium. Phosphorylation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 was increased, while phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase was reduced. Conclusion: Magnolol reduces myocardial injury induced by renal I/R. The underlying mechanisms for this effect might be related to modulation of the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and the limiting of apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Magnolol is a component of the bark of Magnolia officinalis, which is a traditional herbal remedy used in China. In this study, we investigated whether magnolol can reduce myocardial injury induced by renal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). Methods: Renal I/R was elicited by a 60-minute occlusion of the bilateral renal arteries and a 24-hour reperfusion in Sprague-Dawley rats. Magnolol was administered intravenously 10 minutes before renal I/R to evaluate its effects on myocardial injury induced by renal I/R. Results: Renal I/R significantly increased the serum levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and cardiac troponin I and caused myocardial damage. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive nuclei and caspase-3 activation was significantly increased in the myocardium, indicating increase of apoptosis. Echocardiography revealed left ventricular dysfunction, as evidenced by reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening. Furthermore, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 were significantly elevated, while the IL-10 level was suppressed. However, intravenously, pretreatment with magnolol at doses of 0.003 and 0.006 mg/kg 10 minutes before renal I/R significantly prevented the increases of CPK, LDH, and cardiac troponin I levels, as well as the histological damage and the apoptosis in the myocardium. Echocardiography showed significant improvement of left ventricular function. Furthermore, the increases in TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 and the decrease in IL-10 were significantly limited, while Bcl-2 was increased and Bax was decreased in the myocardium. Phosphorylation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 was increased, while phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase was reduced. Conclusion: Magnolol reduces myocardial injury induced by renal I/R. The underlying mechanisms for this effect might be related to modulation of the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and the limiting of apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the long-term effects of a combination of isoflavones, agnus castus and magnolia extracts (combined isoflavone compound [CIC]) on climacteric symptoms and cardiometabolic risk in symptomatic postmenopausal women. This interventional, prospective study evaluated climacteric symptoms, mood and sleep disorders using the 21-item Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) and 7-item Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) questionnaires; and cardiovascular, metabolic and thrombotic risk markers at baseline (T0) and after 12 months of CIC treatment (T1). In healthy postmenopausal women (N = 71), 12-month CIC treatment significantly reduced patient-reported vasomotor symptoms (100% vs. 17%), mood disorders (67% vs. 25%) and sleep disorders (89% vs. 19%%) (all p <.001) compared with baseline; and significantly improved GCS psychological, somatic, and vasomotor domain scores and ISI sleep disturbance scores (all p <.05). CIC significantly reduced systolic (p =.022) and diastolic blood pressure (p <.001), and heart rate (p <.001); glucose concentrations (p =.018), HOMA index (p =.013), and ALT (p =.035), homocysteine (p =.005) and NT-proBNP (p =.003) levels. Long-term CIC therapy improved vasomotor symptoms, mood disorders, sleep disorders, hemodynamic measurements and cardiometabolic risk markers in healthy postmenopausal women. NCT03699150. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Compared with Magnolia biondii, higher anthocyanin content and higher expression level of related structural genes involved in flavonoids biosynthesis were detected in its variety M. biondii var. purpurascens. Magnolia plants are old species and have evolved a variety of flower colors. Color differences occur between Magnolia biondii (MB) and its variety M. biondii var. purpurascens (MBP). MB shows pink at the bottom and white at the top of petals, while MBP shows purple at the bottom and red at the top. To understand the underlying mechanism of color difference between these two Magnolia plants, the petal color phenotypic parameters, the composition and content of flavonoids, and the expression of related structural genes involved in flavonoids biosynthesis were compared and analyzed between MB and MBP. Generally, L* and b* values of MB were higher than those of MBP, and a* and C* values of MB were lower than those of MBP. Four anthocyanins and ten flavonols were identified in both MB and MBP. Total anthocyanin content (TA) in MBP was higher than that in MB at five developmental stages, while total flavonols content (TF) in MBP was higher than that in MB just at the soft bud stage. TA was significantly negatively correlated with L* value, but showed significant positive correlation with a* and C* values. Higher anthocyanin accumulation in MBP was related with high expression of many structural genes, but lower expression level of MbF3'H in MBP from soft bud stage to half blossom stage retards the increase of anthocyanins' accumulation. These results will provide a foundation for revealing the underlying mechanism of color difference between MB and MBP, and understanding flower color evolution in Magnolia plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Dental caries is one of the most common chronic diseases around the world. Inhibitory effects of Magnolia Grandiflora bark extract has been proved on tooth decay both in vitro and by using free sugar chewing gum. This research aimed to examine the effect of Magnolia Grandiflora bark mouth-wash on the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans in dental plaque. Materials and Methods: This crossover, placebo-controlled, clinical trial study, was performed on a total of twenty participants (aged 18 to 35 years) in both control and intervention groups and four phases. The prevalence of S. mutans was measured in a certain volume of volunteer’s dental plaque at the beginning of the project (phase 1), after the first prescription (phase 2), following the washout period (phase 3) and finally after the second prescription (phase 4) by culture on bacteriology medium. Plaque index and saliva sampling were carried out in follow-up visits by a dentist. The data were analyzed using T-Test (paired and independent) quantitatively. Results: There was a significant difference in S. mutans frequency in dental plaque between when the participants used Magnolia mouthwash and when they washed out or used a placebo (p

Depressed fruit and seed production and scant seedling recruitment appear to be imperiling natural populations of Colombian Magnolia species. From February 2015 to April 2017, we recorded data on flowering, pollen limitation, floral visitors, and the reproductive phenology of Magnolia jardinensis and Magnolia yarumalensis, two threatened and endemic species from Colombian Andean cloud forests. Both species are protogynous with anthesis lasting two consecutive days—with M. jardinensis flowers opening in the evening, while M. yarumalensis flowers open early in the morning. Fruit abortion in both bagged flowers and open pollination experiments suggests that both species exhibit considerable reproductive limitations. There was a lower percentage of pollen germination in M. jardinensis (3–26%) than in M. yarumalensis (60–86%), suggesting more limitations in the former species. Magnolia yarumalensis was a prolific fruit producer compared to M. jardinensis, which produced only one ripe fruit during the study, in spite of its high production of floral buds. Despite sharing the same locality, these species did not share pollinators, thus further increasing their vulnerability to extinction. Floral buds in both species were negatively correlated with minimum temperature and precipitation, while ripe fruits in both species were positively correlated with increases in precipitation and temperature. Our results provide information about how climate change could affect the various phenophases of these species. Knowledge about reproductive phenology and life history traits such as flowering and pollinators is crucial for specific and efficient conservation efforts to protect these endangered species under the current climate change scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improving the understand of the accumulation pattern of soluble sugars in Magnolia wufengensis during natural cold acclimation, the dynamics of freezing tolerance, the content of various soluble sugars in the shoots of M. wufengensis seedlings treated with salicylic acid, and the correlation between them were analyzed from September 2017 to March 2018. Salicylic acid advanced the natural cold acclimation and ultimately enhanced mid-winter hardiness by promoting the accumulation of total soluble sugars. Improved freezing tolerance highly correlated with enhanced glucose, fructose, and raffinose accumulation. The enhanced accumulation of these sugars by elevated amylase, sucrose synthase, and sucrose-P-synthase activities may contribute to advanced natural cold acclimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of basal media composition, concentration of plant growth regulators (PGRs), and the developmental stage of primary explants (dormancy, stage of bud opening and fruit ripening) on the initiation phase of nine Magnolia genotypes, including M. stellata /Sieb. & Zucc./Maxim., M. × soulangeana ‘Rustica Rubra’, M. denudata Desr., M. × soulangeana ‘Alexandrina’, M. liliiflora Desr., M. officinalis var. biloba Rehd. & Wils., M. salicifolia Maxim., M. × soulangeana ‘Lennei’, and M. kobus DC, was evaluated. The highest efficiency of primary culture initiation of seven Magnolia genotypes (except for M. liliiflora and M. salicifolia) was achieved from primary explants collected in the bud opening stage. A high positive correlation was found between total tannins and efficiency of the primary culture initiation at the fruit ripening stage (r = 0.833). Standardi and Catalano medium (S2) with 0.5 mg l−1 of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) was the most appropriate for multiplication of M. × soulangeana ‘Alexandrina’, whereas tissue cultures of M. × soulangeana ‘Lennei’ proliferated and grew better on S2 medium with 1.0 mg l−1 of BAP and 1.0 g l−1 of polyvinylpyrrolidone. The requirements for the composition of basal media and concentration of PGRs in the initiation and multiplication stages of micropropagation of various Magnolia species and cultivars are genotype-specific.

The most sensitive to temperature changes, especially in winter and spring, are annual magnolia shoots, as evidenced by the formation of frost on plants. Therefore, for the successful introduction of magnolia in the temperate climate of Ukraine, it is necessary to select species capable of restructuring their physiological processes in the direction of increasing cold resistance, which will facilitate their adaptation in new conditions. The analysis conducted to determine the features of winter-hardy species of the Magnolia genus in the Vinnitsa conditions shows that not all species of the genus can tolerate the climatic conditions of the region, and especially the winter period. According to the conducted observations, the beginning of shoot growth in the magnolia in the conditions of Vinnitsa is observed during the month of April. In species such as Magnolia kobus D.C., Magnolia obovata Thunb., Magnolia acuminata L., shoot growth begins in the first decade of Аpril. In the second decade of April, the growth of shoots of Magnolia Soulangeanа Soul. begins. In the third decade of April – the first decade of May, shoots begin to grow actively in Magnolia tripetala L. The terms of the end of the growth period and its duration vary greatly and depend on the geographical origin and species-specific features of the species, but, mainly, the magnolias introduced in Vinnitsa, finish their increment in length in the II–III decade of September – Magnolia soulangeanа Soul., Magnolia tripetala L. In the species Magnolia kobus DC, Magnolia obovata Thunb., Magnolia acuminata L. shoot growth ends in the third decade of August and the first decade of September. According to the 7-point Woolf winter hardiness scale, it was found that the highest winter hardiness in the conditions of VNAU biostationary (1 point) is possessed by species such as magnolia (M. obovata Thunb.), Kobus (M. kobus DC) and pointed (M. acuminata L.). Somewhat less winter hardiness is characterized by (2 points) Magnolia Soulange (M. soulangiana Soul.), That is, in winter freezing was less than 50 % of annual shoots, and the damage of annual shoots with low negative temperatures was 3–5 cm. The lowest winter hardiness in biostable conditions UNAU (5 points) is noted magnolia triple (M. tripetala L.), the damage of the plant was up to the level of snow cover (almost 80 % of habitus). Deciduous species of the genus are winter-hardy, but in severe winters, such as Magnolia Sulange (M. soulangiana Soul.), Stellate (M. stellata (Siebold & Zucc.) Maxim.), Flower buds and annual shoots can be damaged. It is also important that with age magnolia increases not only the abundance of flowering, its duration, but also winter hardiness.

Herbal remedies used in traditional medicine often contain several compounds combined in order to potentiate their own intrinsic properties. However, herbs can sometimes cause serious health troubles. In Belgium, patients who developed severe aristolochic acid nephropathy ingested slimming pills containing root extracts of an Aristolochia species, as well as the bark of Magnolia officinalis. The goal of the study was to evaluate, on a human renal cell line, Aristolochia and Magnolia extracts for their cytotoxicity by a resazurin cell viability assay, and their genotoxicity by immunodetection and quantification of the phosphorylated histone γ-H2AX. The present study also sought to assess the mutagenicity of these extracts, employing an OECD recognized test, the Ames test, using four Salmonella typhimurium strains with and without a microsomial fraction. Based on our results, it has been demonstrated that the Aristolochia–Magnolia combination (aqueous extracts) was more genotoxic to human kidney cells, and that this combination (aqueous and methanolic extracts) was more cytotoxic to human kidney cells after 24 and 48 h. Interestingly, it has also been shown that the Aristolochia–Magnolia combination (aqueous extracts) was mutagenic with a TA98 Salmonella typhimurium strain in the presence of a microsomial liver S9 fraction. This mutagenic effect appears to be dose-dependent.

Background and Aims: The Montgomery-Koyama-Smith (MKS) equation predicts that total leaf area per shoot is proportional to the product of the sum of individual leaf widths and maximum individual leaf length, which has been validated for some herbaceous and woody plants. The equation is also predicted to be valid in describing the relationship between the total stomatal area per micrograph (AT) and the product of the sum of individual stomatal widths (denoted as LKS) and maximum individual stomatal length (denoted by WKS) in any particular micrograph., Methods: To test the validity of the MKS equation, 69,931 stomata (from 720 stomatal micrographs from 12 Magnoliaceae species) were examined. The area of each stoma was calculated using empirical measurements of stomatal length and width multiplied by a constant. Six equations describing the relationships among AT, LKS, and WKS were compared. The root-mean-square (RMSE) and the Akaike information criterion (AIC) were used to measure the goodness of fit, and the trade-off between the goodness of fit and the structural complexity of each model, respectively., Key Results: Analyses supported the validity of the MKS equation and the power-law equation AT ∝ (LKS∙WKS)α, where a is a scaling exponent. The estimated values of α at the species level and for the pooled data were all statistically smaller than unity, which did not support the hypothesis that AT ∝ LTS∙WTS. The power-law equation had smaller RMSE and AIC values than the MKS equation for the data from the 12 individual species and the pooled data., Conclusions: These results indicate that AT tends to allometrically scale with LKS∙WKS, and that increases in AT do not keep pace with increases in LTS∙WTS. In addition, using the product of LKS and WKS is better than using only one of the two variables., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Due to its ancient origin in the Permian and the high proportion of beetle-pollinated taxa within ancestral magnoliid lineages, it has been hypothesized that beetles were among the first floral visitors of the proto-angiosperms on Earth. Thus, beetle-pollinated flowers have become important model systems essential for the study of the origin and evolution of angiosperms. Under an evolutionary perspective, in this review we synthesize what is currently known about beetles as floral visitors in the family Magnoliaceae, one of the earliest extant groups of flowering plants. Nitidulidae and Scarabaeidae are the two most common groups of beetles reported in the literature as floral visitors to Magnoliaceae; however, the evidence indicates that most modern families of beetles including all the families with known taxa associated with Magnoliaceae had already originated when the latter first appeared by the end of the early Cretaceous. Hence, Magnoliaceae could have represented a newly opened ecological niche that beetles gradually colonized and exploited, possibly shifting from gymnosperm hosts. By feeding, mating and sheltering in their flower structures, beetles have played a major role in shaping the floral biology and morphology of Magnoliaceae. Protogyny, thermogenesis, floral odors and floral movements are traits that could have evolved in response to selection pressures imposed by beetles. Further studies should assess the possible role of anthophagous scarabs (subfamilies Cetoniinae, Melolonthinae, Dynastinae and Rutelinae) in the diversification of Magnoliaceae, since this event broadly coincides with the origin of those groups of beetles in the Eocene, some of which exhibit very close associations with several Magnoliaceae species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnolia, a basal angiosperm genus important for evolutionary and phylogenetic studies, is known to have male meiotic features not seen in the vast majority of angiosperms. However, knowledge about male meiosis in Magnolia is still fragmentary. Here, we report findings from an extensive investigation into male meiosis in Magnolia denudata using a combination of light and electron microscopy methods. Male meiosis in M. denudata was synchronous in prophase I but asynchronous in subsequent nuclear divisions. The polarized microspore mother cells from late prophase I onward had an elongated cell shape and thickened callose wall areas at the two smaller ends of the cell. The first nuclear division occurred along the long axis of the cell and the first callose furrow formed at the equatorial plane of the first nuclear division at the late telophase I stage. The second equatorial callose furrow formed after telophase II in a plane perpendicular to the first callose furrow. While cytokinesis occurred centripetally from the two furrows, a central callose wall island (CWI) appeared in the center of the cell and dense assemblies of vesicles and short tubules decorated the cytoplasmic regions between the furrows and the CWI. This cytokinesis mode differs from either the centripetal or the centrifugal mode of cytokinesis in microsporogenesis in the vast majority of angiosperms. As a result of this unusual cytokinesis, a large central callose mass remains in the mature tetrads. These observations may be useful to studies of cytokinetic mechanisms, evolution of microsporogenesis, and phylogenetics of angiosperms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Dental caries is one of the most common chronic diseases around the world. Inhibitory effects of Magnolia Grandiflora bark extract has been proved on tooth decay both in vitro and by using free sugar chewing gum. This research aimed to examine the effect of Magnolia Grandiflora bark mouth-wash on the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans in dental plaque. Materials and Methods: This crossover, placebo-controlled, clinical trial study, was performed on a total of twenty participants (aged 18 to 35 years) in both control and intervention groups and four phases. The prevalence of S. mutans was measured in a certain volume of volunteer's dental plaque at the beginning of the project (phase 1), after the first prescription (phase 2), following the washout period (phase 3) and finally after the second prescription (phase 4) by culture on bacteriology medium. Plaque index and saliva sampling were carried out in follow-up visits by a dentist. The data were analyzed using T-Test (paired and independent) quantitatively. Results: There was a significant difference in S. mutans frequency in dental plaque between when the participants used Magnolia mouthwash and when they washed out or used a placebo (p<0.005). Results also showed a significant difference between Magnolia and Placebo groups in the mean count of saliva bacterial colony counts after oral administration in the first and second time (P<0.001 and P<0.004, respectively). Conclusion: The current trial showed that Magnolia Grandiflora %0.3 mouthwash tends to decrease the number of S. mutans in dental plaque significantly. Therefore, its mass production and release to the oral health community are suggested. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and varying treatment are required to substantiate the findings of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf area is an important indicator of photosynthetic capacity in plants. Knowledge of the variation of leaf shape at an individual level or a population level can help by accurately calculate leaf area. Such calculations can help us to understand the life history strategies of plants, and allow us to better understand the influence of climate change on mean leaf area as an indicator of leaf size, which is closely related to stand yields and ecological ecosystem services. The Montgomery equation (ME), which describes a proportional relationship between leaf surface area and the product of leaf length and width, has been demonstrated to hold true for many broad-leaved plants. The Magnoliaceae family has 17 genera covering ca. 300 species, of which some plants play important roles in the landscape. Many Magnoliaceae plants have similar leaf shapes, and little is known about whether ME can act as a general formula to calculate leaf surface area for these plants. This paper provides the evidence that ME can be used to measure the leaf area of Magnoliaceae species. More than 2500 mature leaves of six species within two genera (Magnolia and Michelia) of the Magnoliaceae family were selected as samples. The data of leaf length, width, and area were obtained from the scanned images. We used four models to fit these data, including (1) ME (which is actually a direct proportional function of leaf area vs. the product of leaf length and width), (2) a power-law function between leaf area and the product of leaf length and width, (3) a power function with an exponent of 2 between leaf area and leaf length, and (4) a power function between leaf area and leaf length. We found that ME and the second function have similar root-mean-square error values that are both lower than those of the other two equations. However, ME is better than the second equation because of the simplicity of its structure. We documented the validity of ME for calculating leaf area at a species level, a genus level, and even for the 6-species pooled data set. The estimated Montgomery parameter (i.e., the proportional coefficient in ME) is approximately equal to 0.68, which means that leaf area of the six investigated species can be approximated by 68% of the area of a rectangle with the leaf’s length and width as its sides. This study provides a convenient and fast approach for leaf-area calculation. In addition, we found that the Montgomery parameter can act as an indicator for measuring the similarity of leaves among different species, which provides a measurement standard for leaf morphology.

Magnolia bark extract administered as a dietary supplement to poultry confers a performance and health benefit, but the mechanisms are unknown. Here, a metabolomics approach was used to identify changes in intestinal metabolite levels in chickens fed an unsupplemented diet or a diet supplemented with magnolia bark extract. Total body weight gains of chickens fed magnolia bark-supplemented diets were increased 2% (from 861 to 878 g/chicken), compared with chickens fed an unsupplemented diet. Compared with unsupplemented controls, the levels of 278 intestinal biochemicals (metabolites) were altered (165 increased, 113 decreased) in chickens given the magnolia-supplemented diet. Data for biochemicals of intestinal contents of chickens fed the unsupplemented diet clustered on the left side of the PCA score plot, while those of the magnolia-supplemented diet were separated and clustered on the right side. The biochemicals included changes in the levels of amino acids, fatty acids, peptides, and nucleosides, which provided a distinctive biochemical signature unique to the magnolia-supplemented group, compared with the unsupplemented group. These results provide the foundation for future studies to identify naturally-produced biochemicals that might be used to improve poultry growth performance.

Se describen dos nuevas especies de Magnolia del norte de la serranía de los Yariguíes, Santander, Colombia: Magnolia resupinatifolia y Magnolia betuliensis. La primera corresponde a la sección Talauma, subsección Talauma y morfológicamente se asemeja a M. sambuensis, de la que se distingue por la yema foliar con indumento seríceo color cobrizo claro, flores con tres brácteas amplectantes, pétalos más pequeños, frutos maduros esferoides, eje del fruto obovoide a esferoide, y carpelos en frutos con la pared externa convexa. La segunda especie se asocia a la sección Talauma, subsección Dugandiodendron, y difiere de M. coronata y M. yarumalensis, principalmente por tener pecíolos de mayor longitud, y menor número de estambres y carpelos. Se excluye para la flora de Colombia a M. chimantensis, originaria del cerro Chimantá en el sureste de Venezuela, la cual fue registrada para el país con base en la identificación errónea de material estéril correspondiente a M. betuliensis.

In connection with global climatic changes, which are accompanied by sharp temperature fluctuations, it is important to study the heat resistance of relict plants in order to improve the understanding of the mechanisms of adaptation and survival of organisms in these conditions. Identification of rare and useful plant species more resistant to high temperatures will make it possible to recommend them for use in landscaping, agriculture, medicine, and the like. The work was carried out on magnolias and ginkgo, since these plants are not only important for landscape design all over the world, but are also valued for the content of biologically active substances that are used in medicine and agriculture. Plants of Ginkgo biloba L., Magnolia obovata Thunb., Magnolia kobus DC. and Magnolia denudata Desr. warmed up for three hours at + 40 ° C, the control group was at + 26 ° C. The stress response was analyzed for the level of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activity, as well as the content of flavonoids and photosynthetic pigments in the studied plants. The photosynthesizing system of all studied species did not undergo any damaging effects due to the action of hyperthermia. Ginkgo biloba plants have shown very high resistance to high temperatures and stability of the antioxidant and pigment systems. Representatives of all the species of magnolia that we have considered can be positioned in the direction of decreasing resistance to sudden increases in temperature: Magnolia kobus → Magnolia obovata → Magnolia denudata. A higher resistance to hyperthermia was found in plants native to Japan. M. denudata was the least resistant species, possibly due to insufficient activity of antioxidant enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With more than 300 species, the Magnoliaceae family represents a major Magnoliid lineage that is disjunctly distributed in Asia and the New World. The classification of Magnolia s.l. has been highly controversial among taxonomists, varying from one genus with several subgenera, sections, and subsections to several (up to 16) genera. We conducted a comprehensive phylogenetic study of Magnoliaceae on the basis of sequences of the complete chloroplast genomes with a broad taxon sampling of 86 species. The phylogenetic analyses strongly support 15 major clades within Magnolia s.l. due to the non‐monophyly of subgen. Magnolia, the previous subgeneric treatment that recognizes three subgenera, is not supported. Based on the phylogenetic, morphological, and geographic evidence, we recognize two subfamilies in Magnoliaceae: Liriodendroideae and Magnolioideae, each with one genus, Liriodendron and Magnolia, respectively. Magnolia is herein classified into 15 sections: sects. Magnolia, Manglietia, Michelia, Gwillimia, Gynopodium, Kmeria, Maingola, Oyama, Rytidospermum, Splendentes, Talauma, Tuliparia, Macrophylla, Tulipastrum, and Yulania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Context: Long-term patient survival in cancer is affected by drug resistance. Honokiol (HNK) is a small-molecule polyphenol isolated from the bark and seed cones of Magnolia officinalis. HNK has been shown to enhance the effects of chemotherapy and inhibit drug resistance in preclinical models. HNK was well tolerated in multiple animal models when administered orally, intravenously (IV), and via intraperitoneal route. However, there are limited human data on the use of HNK in general, and specifically via IV (HNK-IV) in cancer. Objective: We aim to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of HNK-IV in patients with drug-resistant tumors. Methods: This is a case study of 2 cancer patients who utilized HNK-IV as part of their cancer treatment regimen. The initial infusion of HNK was 10 mg/kg body weight, and subsequent treatments were increased up to 50 mg/kg according to individual tolerance, over 2 weeks. Results: Positive clinical response was achieved in both patients, including improved symptoms and quality of life. No serious adverse side effects occurred, and there were no adverse effects on laboratory parameters (complete blood count, kidney, and liver function). Transient sedation and minor nausea were noted and resolved postinfusion. Conclusions: This is the first report of HNK-IV in human patients. Given the positive clinical results, safety, and tolerability, the use of HNK-IV warrants further investigation regarding optimum formulation, and its use as adjunctive therapy in cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Magnolia is a woody ornamental plant, which is widely used in urban landscaping. However, its lengthy juvenile period and recalcitrance to regeneration impedes functional characterization of its genes. Results We developed an efficient protoplast isolation and transient expression system for Magnolia denudata × Magnolia acuminata ‘Yellow River’. The highest yield of protoplasts was obtained from young leaves digested in 3% Cellulase R10, 0.8% Macerozyme R10, 0.04% pectinase and 0.4 M mannitol enzymolysis solution for 6 h. For transfection of protoplasts, 20% PEG4000 for 5 min was optimal. To verify the protoplast system and begin to understand heat tolerance in Magnolia, a heat shock transcription factor MdeHSF1 was cloned from ‘Yellow River’, which belongs to the HSF subfamily A and has significant homology with AtHSFA1A. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that MdeHSF1 was expressed in the cell nucleus. Furthermore, qPCR analysis of the MdeHSF1 transcript level in response to high temperature stress suggested that MdeHSF1 might be involved in regulating heat stress tolerance in ‘Yellow River’. Conclusion The described protocol provides a simple and straightforward method for isolating protoplast and exploring gene subcellular localization of MdeHSF1 in Magnolia. This expands the new research of protoplast isolation and transfection in Magnolia.

The chloroplast genome of the Magnolia species from Central America has never been reported. With its local use for food flavoring, medicine, and wood, M. mexicana has been of good economic importance. In the present study, the complete chloroplast genome of M. mexicana was assembled via the genome skimming data. As a typical quadripartite structure, the plastome of M. mexicana with 159,906 bp in length includes two inverted repeats (26,554 bp) separated by a small single copy region (18,761 bp) as well as a large single copy region (88,037 bp). This chloroplast genome consists of 131 different genes, including 86 protein coding genes (CDS), eight rRNA genes, and 37 tRNA genes. The maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis showed that M. mexicana from Central America was closely related to an evergreen species, M. odoratissima from East Asia.

Premise A new set of primers was developed for sequencing of whole chloroplast genomes of Magnolia species and gap‐filling of unfinished genomes. Methods and Results Two hundred and fifty primers were newly designed based on two previously reported chloroplast genomes from two different genera in Magnoliaceae. A total of 134 primer pairs, including the ones developed in this study and 18 previously reported ones, were enough to cover the entire chloroplast genome sequences in Magnoliaceae. Four species from different sections of Magnolia (M. dealbata, M. fraseri var. pyramidata, M. liliiflora, and M. odora) were used to show the general application of these primers to chloroplast genome sequencing in Magnolia. Conclusions Using the developed primers, four Magnolia chloroplast genomes were successfully assembled. These results show the utility of these primers across Magnolia and their potential use for phylogenetic studies, DNA barcoding, and population genetics in this group.

Based on Sima and Lu's system of the family Magnoliaceae, the genus Lirianthe Spach s. l. includes approximately 25 species, each with exceptional landscaping and horticultural or medical worth. Many of these plants are considered rare and are protected due to their endangered status. The limited knowledge of species within this genus and the absence of research on its chloroplast genome have greatly impeded studies on the relationship between its evolution and systematics. In this study, the chloroplast genomes of eight species from the genus Lirianthe were sequenced and analyzed, and their phylogenetic relationships with other genera of the family Magnoliaceae were also elucidated. The results showed that the chloroplast genome sizes of the eight Lirianthe species ranged from 159,548 to 159,833 bp. The genomes consisted of a large single-copy region, a small single-copy region, and a pair of inverted repeat sequences. The GC content was very similar across species. Gene annotation revealed that the chloroplast genomes contained 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes, totaling 130 genes. Codon usage analysis indicated that codon usage was highly conserved among the eight Lirianthe species. Repeat sequence analysis identified 42-49 microsatellite sequences, 16-18 tandem repeats, and 50 dispersed repeats, with microsatellite sequences being predominantly single-nucleotide repeats. DNA polymorphism analysis revealed 10 highly variable regions located in the large single-copy and small single-copy regions, among which rpl32-trnL , petA-psbJ , and trnH-psbA were the recommended candidate DNA barcodes for the genus Lirianthe species. The inverted repeat boundary regions show little variation between species and are generally conserved. The result of phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the genus Lirianthe s. l. is a monophyletic taxon and the most affinal to the genera, Talauma and Dugandiodendron , in Sima and Lu's system and revealed that the genus Lirianthe s. s. is paraphyletic and the genus Talauma s. l. polyphyletic in Xia's system, while Magnolia subsection Gwillimia is paraphyletic and subsection Blumiana polyphyletic in Figlar and Nooteboom's system. Morphological studies found noticeable differences between Lirianthe species in aspects including leaf indumentum, stipule scars, floral orientation, tepal number, tepal texture, and fruit dehiscence. In summary, this study elucidated the chloroplast genome evolution within Lirianthe and laid a foundation for further systematic and taxonomic research on this genus.