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In this study, total phenolic, flavonoid and protein contents, antiradical capacities, antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of five different Salvia species (Salvia macrochlamys Boiss., Salvia kronenburgii Rech.f., Salvia euphratica Montbret. ex Aucher var. euphratica, Salvia huberi Hedge and Salvia kurdica Benth) were investigated. The total phenolic content of the species was in the range of 59.6 ± 20 to 150.1 ± 1.1 mg/g, total flavonoid content in the range of 20.4 ± 2.2 to 38.9 ± 4.1 mg/g, and total protein content in the range of 14.0 ± 0.5 to 22.0 ± 1.1 mg/g. Radical scavenging capacities of the Salvia species were determined in the range of 84.1 ± 4.5 to 96.8 ± 0.1%. Moreover, Salvia extracts showed powerful antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Cytotoxic effects of the samples on human lymphocytes were determined by MTS assay and S. kronenburgii and S. euphratica var. euphratica decreased the harmful effects of 2-hydroperoxy-2-methylpropane (tert-butyl hydroper-oxide, t-BOOH) at all time points tested. The highest amounts of rutin hydrate belong to S. kronenburgii and S. euphratica var. euphratica, and the highest amounts of luteolin-7-glucoside belong to S. huberi and S. kronenburgii. Vanillic acid was present only in S. huberi and S. kurdica.

Origanum is a well-known genus that is widely distributed and comprises many hybrids and endemic species in Turkey. Some morphological and molecular studies in the literature have aimed to clarify infrageneric or sectional classification of the genus. However, studies regarding the shape, size, and color of mericarps of Origanum taxa remain limited. The mericarp micromorphology of 30 taxa, including 7 hybrids of the genus Origanum, were evaluated herein using both stereo microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine some useful features for taxonomical classification of the genus. The shapes of mericarps are usually ellipsoid, rarely ellipsoid-oblong, obovoid, broadly obovoid, while the color of mericarps vary from shades of brown to reddish. A significant variation was observed in the surface ornamentation of mericarps, which was mainly useful at the sectional and species level. Also determined were 2 main types: I and II, and 5 subtypes: pusticulate, reticulate-ruminate, reticulate-foveate, ruminate, and foveate. The micromorphological characters of mericarps, in addition to their morphological features, will contribute taxonomically to the classification of the sections of the genus Origanum and separation of the species within the sections. In addition, these characters will be useful to understand the effect of hybridization on variations in the micromorphological characters. This was the first detailed study on the mericarp micromorphology of the genus Origanum and its taxonomic implications.

In this study, three hybrids of Origanum (Lamiaceae) were examined in detail using morphological, karyological, palynological and molecular approaches. One of the three hybrids, O. × aytacii, is he...

Özcan, Taner (Balikesir Author), Teucrium L. is a well-known and cosmopolitan genus of the Lamiaceae family. In Turkey, the genus is represented by 36 species (48 taxa). Teucrium Sect. Teucrium that this study focuses on comprises around 30 species worldwide and is mainly distributed in countries of the Mediterranean Basin. With 11 species (14 taxa), it is the second-largest section of the genus Teucrium in Turkey. In this study, morphological and molecular findings were evaluated and the phylogeny and biogeographical distribution of Sect. Teucrium were analyzed. Also, five endemic taxa belonging to Sect. Teucrium and which play an informative role in the subsectional classification of the section were analyzed for the first time. A new species of the genus Teucrium from southwest Turkey was described as T. semrae Aksoy, Dirmenci & Özcan and analyzed using different approaches. The infrageneric position of T. semrae in sect. Teucrium and the phylogenetic structure of the section were determined according to morphological and micromorphological features and molecular nrITS and cpDNA data. The phylogenetic position of the new species was argued by comparing the closest members. Comparative figures and illustrations, distribution maps and an updated identification key for the Sect. Teucrium in Turkey are presented, and a new detailed classification is proposed in this study., Balikesir University 2012/8

Özer, Züleyha (Balikesir Author), Origanum boissieri Ietsw., O. saccatum P.H.Davis, O. solymicum P.H.Davis and O. ayliniae Dirmenci & T.Yazici belonging to sect. Amaracus (Gled.) Vogel, O. sipyleum L. and O. hypericifolium O.Schwarz & P.H.Davis belonging to sect. Anatolicon Ietsw. were analyzed for their chemical composition of essential oil and phenolic components. The essential oil compositions were analysed by using GC-MS and GC-FID. The phenolic contents of the chloroform, acetone, and methanol extracts were analyzed using LC-MS/MS. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were investigated by using three methods; DPPH free radical scavenging activity, beta-carotene linoleic acid assays and CUPRAC assays. The essential oil compositions of the section Amaracus were found to be as carvacrol type (O. ayliniae, O. boissieri) and p-cymene type (O. saccatum, O. solymicum). In the section of Anatolicon, while O. sipyleum was found as gamma-terpinene type, O. hypericifolium was carvacrol type. In the extracts, the most abundant components were determined as flavonoids, coumaric acids and derivatives. Especially rosmarinic acid and penduletin were detected in high amounts. Among the studied species, extracts of O. ayliniae showed quite good activity for all methods. The extracts from all species showed remarkable antioxidant activity. Inhibition capability of the extracts against acetyl and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes (AChE and BChE) were determined. The extracts were found as inactive against AChE. The moderate inhibition capacity observed against BChE. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.

Background and Aims: Origanum × symes was described as a new species by Carlström in 1984 on the Aegean Island of Symi (Dodecanese, Greece). In this work, a taxonomic re-evaluation of O. symes is proposed in light of new findings.Methods: New specimens belonging to Origanum symes from the island of Symi were collected by the first author in 2017. These specimens were carefully examined and compared with the type specimen of O. symes. Also, the new Origanum symes specimen was compared morphologically with O. calcaratum and O. onites, which are possible parents, and their calyces were drawn.Results: The new hybrid was morphologically compared with its putative parents Origanum calcaratum and O. onites (see Table 1). Its diagnostic features, description, figures, and distribution map were provided.Conclusion: It has been determined that O. symes has intermediate characteristics between its two parents in terms of fea- tures such as leaves, calyx, and corolla. These determinations led us to hypothesize that O. symes is a hybrid. As a result, it was concluded that O. symes was a hybrid between O. calcaratum and O. onites, and was re-arranged as Origanum × symes Carlström.

Origanum munzurense Kit Tan & Sorger (Sect. Brevifilamentum Ietsw.) was described by Kit Tan & Sorger in 1984, and it is an accepted species related to O. acutidens (Hand.-Mazz.) Ietsw. belonging t...

Stachys siirtensis (Lamiaceae), a new endemic species from Botan Valley of Siirt province in Turkey, is here described. The species is characterized by having congested verticillasters. Hairiness, calyx and corolla length, as well as nutlet and the arrangement of verticillasters, have been used to distinguish Stachys species. Stachys siirtensis is morphologically similar to S. ballotiformis and S. kurdica. The new species resembles S. ballotiformis, but it can be distinguished by flowering stems with glabrous to sparsely and retrorsely pubescence, longer calyx (8–10 mm long) and corolla (13–15 mm long). It also differs from S. kurdica by stalked glandular flowering stems, congested verticillasters, having pilose and sessile glands on calyx, and oblong-obovoid nutlets. Copyright © 2021 Magnolia Press

Obesity is a risk factor for metabolic disorders causes serious health problems and economic costs globally. Some Cirsium genus has been reported to possess anti-obesity effect and traditional uses for vascular diseases, anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic value of endemic Cirsium species for obesity treatment. C. balikesirense Yildiz, Arabaci & Dirmenci (CB), C. nerimaniae Yildiz, Dirmenci & Arabaci (CN) and C. sommieri Petr. (CS) were selected for the study. High-fat diet (HFD) induced obese Sprague Dawley rats were employed for in vivo studies. The extract obtained aerial parts of Cirsium species were applied to rats orally for 8 weeks. To interpret the antiobesity activity, body weight of the rats were measured. Also, biochemical, histopathological and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) analysis were performed on rats. Bioactivity-guided fractionation studies were carried out guidance with in vitro lipase enzyme inhibition. The structures of the pure compounds purified using various chromatographic techniques were determined by spectroscopic methods. Oral administration of the extracts and orlistat decreased in body weights, adipocytes size, levels of serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride (TG), leptin levels, lipase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), and increased levels of serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL), adiponectin. According to RT-PCR analysis, the extracts reduced the levels of key transcription factors in adipogenesis and fatty acid synthase (FAS). Bioactivity-guided fractionation studies led to isolation of active compounds as syringin, cimidahurinin, astragalin, afzelin, lupeol, and psi-taraxasterol. In conclusion, CB, CN, CS and their isolated compounds were uncovered to be hopeful as a candidate for antiobesity therapeutics. (C) 2021 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dirmenci, Tuncay (Balikesir Author), Teucrium alyssifolium Stapf (endemic), Teucrium pestalozzae Boiss. (endemic) and Teucrium brevifolium Schreb. are three closely related taxa in Teucrium sect. Teucrium. The obtained data from the anatomical studies revealed that these three taxa represent the general anatomical characteristics of the Lamiaceae family. Leaves, anatomical features such as thick cuticle, abundant trichomes, rich palisade parenchyma layer in the mesophyll provide evidence that these three species are xeromorphic structures. Leaf and stem anatomy showed that the taxa have generally similar anatomical features. However, cuticle layers, epidermis cells size, indumentum density, mesophyll types, palisade parenchyma occupied in the mesophyll, presence of spherocrystals in leaves and parenchyma, collenchyma and sclerenchyma layers in stems show differences amongst the taxa. Anatomical characters of leaf and stem of these taxa are examined for the first time in this study., Istanbul University - 31081 Balikesir University - 2012/8

Generic delimitations within the cosmopolitan Carduus-Cirsium group (i.e., “thistles”) have a long history of taxonomic confusion and debate. We present the most comprehensive molecular phylogeny of the group to date to test generic limits, reconstruct the evolution of pappus type, and elucidate the role of chromosomal evolution. We offer two solutions for the recognition of monophyletic genera: (1) consolidate all taxa into one large genus (Carduus or Cirsium), or (2) recognize each major clade as a genus (Carduus, Cirsium, Eriolepis, Notobasis, Picnomon, Silybum, and Tyrimnus). Under the second proposal, the cryptic genus Eriolepis is segregated from Cirsium, and the African Carduus are included within Cirsium. The best diagnosable morphological character to delimit the genera is pollen type, which is not practical in field-based application. We caution that prior to implementing either solution, a thorough, comprehensive morphological analysis of all current members of Cirsium sect. Epitrachys (= genus Eriolepis) be completed. Future morphological studies may find additional achene or leaf surface characters that could be used for practical field identification of the segregate genera. The data show that the plumose pappus state is symplesiomorphic for the group, with one transition to barbellate pappus, likely followed by a reversal to its ancestral state as the group colonized Eurasia. The data are consistent with a North African origin in the region of the Mediterranean and a single colonization event to North America. An ancestral chromosome state of n = 17 is hypothesized for the group, and a descending dysploidy series in Carduus is hypothesized to correspond with the aridification of the Mediterranean region. The Carduus-Cirsium group highlights the difficulty of delimiting morphologically similar, cryptic genera.

Dirmenci, Tuncay (Balikesir Author), Chromosomal data are valuable and very useful for revealing evolution and speciation processes. Due to its wide distribution throughout the world, morphological differences, and chromosomal alterations, Erodium L'Her. is an important genus for investigating the relationship between chromosomal alterations and karyotype evolution. In the present study, the chromosome records of 15 taxa are provided; three are reported here for the first time (E. birandianum, E. gaillardotii, and E. hendrikii), seven present new chromosome numbers, and five are in agreement with previous reports. Karyotype evolution is summarized in the light of this data, and four different genomes are presented in the genus. Millions of years ago the ancestral karyotype was x = 9 in Asia (Genome I). Then, karyotypes x = 8 (Genome II) and x 10 (Genome III) were shaped through dysploidy in Anatolia and Asia. They were distributed in the Mediterranean Basin through the Anatolian land bridge and in North and South America via the Bering land bridge and the North Atlantic land bridge. Finally, a high proportion of polyploidization was observed in secondary centers, especially the Mediterranean Basin and Australia (Genome IV).

Dirmenci, Tuncay (Balikesir Author), The aerial parts of Satureja metastasiantha were hydrodistilled for 3 h using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography/flame ionization detector and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, simultaneously, the main compounds of which were characterized as p-cymene (22.3%), thymol (21.0%), carvacrol (18.45%), and gamma-terpinene (12.1%). Antioxidant capacity, acetylcholinesterase and butyryl-cholinesterase inhibition effects, and antimicrobial and antifungal properties of the species were evaluated. The anticholinesterase activity of the essential oil of S. metastasiantha was observed with 30% inhibition at 200 mu g/mL. The essential oil of the species showed activity against Staphylococcus aureus with 128 mu g/mL minimum inhibitory concentration value.

Özer, Züleyha (Balikesir Author), Secondary metabolites of solvent extracts of Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum and O. vulgare subsp. vulgare were determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Curcumin was used as an internal standard. Rosmarinic acid was determined as the main compound of studied extracts together with other phenolic acid derivatives. In LC-MS/MS analyses, relative standard deviations (RSD %) ranged between 0.11-9.47. The correlation values were found to be greater than 0.97 for each investigated analyte.

Two new taxa of Hypericum are described from Turkey — H. cuisinii Barbey subsp. anatolicum Dirmenci & N.Robson from Aydin province and H. kemaliyensis Dirmenci & N.Robson from Erzincan province, and their relationships are discussed.

Dirmenci, Tuncay (Balikesir Author), In this study, three new hybrids from the genus Cirsium are described for the first time. Cirsium xnezaketiae Yildiz, Dirmenci & Arabaci, C. xkelkitensis Yildiz, Arabaci & Dirmenci, and C. xerzincanicum Yildiz, Dirmenci & Arabaci are investigated in detail morphologically, palynologically, and molecularly. The hybrid individuals were detected on field trips due to their intermediate morphological characters. Their morphological properties were analyzed to compare with their parents. The pollen grain morphologies of the hybrids and their allies were investigated using light and a scanning electron microscope. The pollen grains were radially symmetrical, isopolar, trizonocolporate, and with echinate or scabrate sculpturing. The tectum is psilate/punctate, microreticulate, or ornate in sculpture. Dimorphic pollen grains were encountered in C. leucocephalum (Willd.) Spreng. subsp. leucocephalum. Two nuclear DNA regions were used to find single nucleotide polymorphisms. nrITS DNA data gave more information than nrETS data about polymorphism. In conclusion, C. xnezaketiae, C. xkelkitensis, and C. xerzincanicum exhibit some significant morphological, palynological, and molecular differences from their parents and present evidence of potential introgression hybridization. Since the hybrids live in a complex with their parents, and some parents have polymorphic loci like their putative hybrids, it can be presented as evidence for potential introgression since backcrossing may be possible among taxa.

Based on combined results of different approaches we describe two new natural hybrids, Origanum x bilgilii Dirmenci, T. Yazici & Arabaci and O. x dumanii Dirmenci, Arabaci & T. Yazici from southern Turkey (Antalya). They have a common parent, Origanum saccatum. Morphology and pollen micromorphology of the collected plants were studied, and a comparison of one nuclear (nrITS) and one chloroplast (rpl32) DNA marker was performed. The ploidy level of the two hybrids was established by chromosome counts. Both hybrids have some morphological characters in the leaves. bracts, calyces and corollas that are intermediate between those of their parents. Surface sculpturing and pollen grain size and shape of the hybrids vary and differ to a certain degree from those of the parental species. Heterozygous loci were detected in nrITS sequences of both O. x bilgilii and O. x dumanii, while rpl32 sequences were uninformative. Both hybrids and their parents have the same chromosome number of 2n = 30.

Dirmenci, Tuncay (Balikesir Author), In this study, 14 Turkish Salvia species, 12 of which are endemic, were characterized based on their vitamin B2, mineral, total phenolic contents, and antioxidant activities. Determination of vitamin B2 in Salvia species was achieved by a fast and sensitive capillary electrophoresis technique using a laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detector. All samples contain vitamin B2 ranging from 0.165 to 1.19 mg/100 g. Fifteen elements (Ca, K, Na, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Li, Cu, Co, Al, V, Sr, Sn, and Ni) were determined in each Salvia sample by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Total phenolic contents of the Salvia samples, ranging from 11.8 to 119 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g, were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu's method. The antioxidant activities were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP). Analysis data were evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA) and differentiation among Salvia species was shown., Istanbul University

Dirmenci, Tuncay (Balikesir Author), Herbal medicine has been used worldwide as an alternative treatment. Salvia genus is one of the most remarked herbs which is traditionally used in the treatment of many diseases. Therefore, it is a crucial issue to reveal the chemical and biological profiles of different Salvia species. Rosmarinic and carnosic acid are the most well-known bioactive components generally accepted as the main antioxidant compounds in Salvia. This study firstly aims the determination of rosmarinic and carnosic acid contents of 14 Anatolian Salvia species by a simple and rapid capillary electrophoresis method. Moreover, the antioxidant activities and total phenolic contents of the Salvia samples were investigated. a-Glucosidase enzyme inhibitory effects of the samples were tested concerning their antidiabetic activities. The rosmarinic acid contents in the samples were well-correlated with the bioactivities (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved., Istanbul University

In this study, quantities of some phenolics; caffeic acid, (E)-ferulic acid, rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, fumaric acid, gallic acid, pyrogallol and vanillin in the directly methanol (M1), chloroform (C), acetone (Ac) and methanol (M2) extratcs obtained from Origanum laevigatum Boiss. from Turkey were investigated via liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Curcumin was used as an internal standard. Caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid and gallic acid were determined as the most abundant phenolic acids in the studied extracts using LC-MS/MS. In LC-MS/MS measurements relative standard deviations (RSD %) for caffeic acid, (E)-ferulic acid, rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, fumaric acid, gallic acid, pyrogallol and vanillin were found to be 8.04, 5.21, 5.45, 3.73, 5.44, 4.85, 5.47 and 6.57 % respectively. For the investigated analytes, the correlation coefficient was found in the range of 0.9803 to 0.9981. Furthermore, antioxidant properties of the extracts were determined based on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), beta-carotene linoleic acid and cupric (Cu2+) ion reducing power assay (CUPRAC). Acetone (Ac) and methanol (M2) extracts showed high activity in all test assays due to their high concentration of rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid and gallic acid in the extracts. (C) 2018 ACG Publications. All rights reserved. Türkiye Bilimsel Ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu ( Tübitak )

During the last decade, ursolic and oleanolic acids have been of considerable interest because of their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities and potential effects for treatment of type 2 diabetes. A simple and sensitive reversed-phase HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous determination of ursolic acid and oleanolic acid. The optimal mobile phase was selected as 85% acetonitrile solution. The limit of detection of the method for ursolic acid and oleanolic acid were 14 ng mL−1 and 13 ng mL−1, respectively. The method showed good precision and accuracy with intra-day and inter-day variations of 0.54% and 7.33% for ursolic acid, intra-day and inter-day variations of 0.51% and 5.26% for oleanolic acid, and overall recoveries of 97.8% and 98.5% for ursolic acid and oleanolic acid, respectively. Application of the method to determine the ursolic acid and oleanolic acid contents in the Salvia species revealed both compounds, with varying amounts between 0.21–9.76 mg g−1 ursolic acid and 0.20–12.7 mg g−1 oleanolic acid, respectively, among 14 Salvia species analyzed. Additionally, the plant extracts were analyzed for their inhibitory activities on α-glucosidase. According to the results of this assay, the extracts showed considerable activity on α-glucosidase with IC50 values from 17.6 to 173 μg mL−1. A strong negative correlation was detected between the amounts of both acids and IC50 values of extracts. Anatolian Salvia species have great potential as functional plants in the management of diabetes.

Dirmenci, Tuncay (Balikesir Author), Origanum ayliniae Dirmenci & Yazici, which differs significantly from O. dictamnus L., is described for the first time in this paper. In addition, a new hybrid, O. x adae Dirmenci & Yazici, between O. ayliniae and O. sipyleum L., is described and investigated in detail. The general morphology, pollen structure, chromosome features, and nuclear (ITS) and chloroplast (rpl32) genomes of collected specimens were studied. O. x adae was determined to have some intermediate properties morphologically and palynologically that place it between the parents. Pollen size and shape were important features in the diagnosis of the hybrid and its parents in this study. The somatic chromosome number of O. ayliniae, O. x adae, and O. sipyleum was counted as 2n = 30. According to the results of these different approaches, O. ayliniae differs significantly from O. dictamnus, which has a close relationship with O. ayliniae, and O. x adae has a hybrid nature. These results support previous reports for the speciation of Origanum members via hybridization. This study aimed to present a new species (O. ayliniae), a new hybrid of O. x adae, and their differences. In conclusion, O. ayliniae, O. x adae, and O. sipyleum provide significant morphological, micromorphological, palynological, cytological, and molecular information about homoploid hybridization., European Community research program - +326+ES-TAF264

In this study, karyotypes of Teucrium sandrasicum O. Schwarz, T. brevifolium Schreb., T. divaricatum Sieber subsp. villosum (Celak.) Rech.f., T. flavum L. subsp. hellenicum Rech.f. and T. kotschyanum Poech taxa growing naturally in Turkey were determined. T. sandrasicum is endemic to Turkey. The squash method for preparation was used for chromosomal investigations. As a result, T. divaricatum subsp. villosum has a somatic chromosome number as 2n = 64 while T. flavum subsp. hellenicum and T. kotschyanum have 2n = 32 chromosomes and also T. sandrasicum and T. brevifolium have 2n = 30 chromosomes. The ideograms and detailed chromosome morphology measurements of the species were performed by the use of Image Analysis System (Bs200Pro). The research has made contribution to the taxonomic revision of the genus Teucrium in Turkey.

The genus Ziziphora L. (Lamiaceae) consists of annual herbs, except Ziziphora clinopodioides, and is represented by six taxa in the flora of Turkey: Z. clinopodioides, Z. capitata, Z. persica, Z. tenuior, Z. taurica subsp. taurica and Z. taurica subsp. cleonioides. They are strong aromatic herbs and important medicinal plants. This study has been conducted to determine the palynological and karyological features of these taxa. The pollen morphology and exine structure of Ziziphora species were investigated by light microscope and scanning electron microscope. Pollen grains were determined as hexacolpate, medium in size and a circular or elliptic amb. The shape of pollen grains varies from oblate to prolate spheroidal. Ornamentation types of pollen grains are bireticulate, microreticulate or perforate. Somatic chromosome number has been determined and counted as 2n = 16, 18. Results indicate that the pollen characters and chromosome numbers of the genus are valuable for taxonomic applications and may be us...

The dichloromethane extract of the aerial parts of Salvia chrysophylla Stapf (Lamiaceae), which is an endemic species to south-western Anatolia, was studied for non-volatile secondary metabolites for the first time in this study. Structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated as sclareol, β-sitosterol, salvigenin, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid. The lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity and the DPPH free radical scavenging activity of the pure isolates were investigated to establish their antioxidant potential. Their anticholinesterase activity was carried out by the Ellman assay against both enzymes, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase, and diterpene sclareol exhibited fairly good activity against both the enzymes while the two triterpenoids oleanolic and ursolic acids exhibited selective activity against AChE.

Çarıkçı, Sema (Balikesir Author), Six Origanum species, Origanum acutidens (Hand. -Mazz.) Ietsw. (OA), Origanum brevidens (Bornm.) Dinsm. (OB), Origanum haussknechtii Boiss. (OC), Origanum husnucan-baseri H.Duman, Aytaç A.Duran (OHB), Origanum leptocladum Boiss. (OL), Origanum rotundifolium Boiss. (OR), belonging to sect. Brevifilamentum were analyzed for their essential oil and phenolic components. For the essential oil analyses, GC-MS and GC-FID were used. Phenolic contents of the aerial parts of the chloroform, acetone, and methanol extracts were analyzed using LC-MS/MS. Antioxidant activity of the species was investigated by three methods; DPPH free radical scavenging activity, ?-carotene linoleic acid assays and CUPRAC assays. Also, acetyl and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition of the extracts were investigated. While the essential oil contents of the section Brevifilamentum showed difference in chemotype, the phenolic contents were found to be coumaric acids and derivatives. These groupswere the most abundant components of the extracts. Especially rosmarinic acid was detected in high amounts in acetone and methanol extracts. OA had the best activity both in antioxidant and anticholinesterase assays

Dirmenci, Tuncay (Balikesir Author), A new species, Micromeria aybalae H. Duman & Dirmenci (Lamiaceae), Micromeria Benth. sect. Micromeria, is described from Mugla Province in southwestern Turkey. A description, taxonomic note, distribution map, habitat, and nrDNA ITS and cpDNA trnL-F based phylogeny are presented. The differences between the new species and its allies, Micromeria cremnophila Boiss. & Heldr. s.l. and M. hispida Benth., are discussed, and an identification key is provided for the Turkish Micromeria., Nature Conservation Center/Ankara TUBITAK 104T293 FP6 (SYNTHESYS Project) "Structuring the uropean Research Area" Program GB-TAF 3087 FP7 (SYNTHESYS Project) "Structuring the European Research Area" Program ES-TAF 264

WOS: 000406931000006, A new species, Cirsium bozkirensis H. Duman, Dirmenci & Tugay (Asteraceae), Cirsium sect. Epitrachys DC, is described from Konya Province, South Anatolia, Turkey. Diagnostic and morphological characteristics that distinguish it from allied species C. cephalotes Boiss. and C. pugnax Sommier & Levier. are provided. A description, distribution map, and taxonomic comments on the new species and allied species are given. SEM photograph about setae, stem indumentum, and achene of new and allied species are obtained and characters are discussed., TUBITAKTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [106T167]; FP6 (SYNTHESYS Project) structuring the European Research Area Program [ES-TAF 264]; FP7 (SYNTHESYS Project) structuring the European Research Area Program [ES-TAF 264], We would like to thank TUBITAK for its financial support of our research (project no. 106T167) and the curators of the following herbaria who gave us permission to examine the specimens: BM, E, G, GAZI, K, KNYA, LE, and W. We also thank Infrastructure Action under the FP6 (SYNTHESYS Project GB-TAF 3087), FP7 (SYNTHESYS Project ES-TAF 264) structuring the European Research Area" Program, the Council of Higher Education of Turkey (YOK), and the Basic Sciences Research and Applied Center of Balikesir University.

WOS: 000287667300006, The genus Cyclotrichium (Boiss.) Manden. & Scheng. is represented by six species in Turkey: C. glabrescens, C. leucotrichum, C. longiflorum, C. niveum, C. origanifolium and C. stamineum. They are aromatic perennial subshrubs used as spices or herbal teas in traditional Turkish medicine. The leaf anatomy and tomentum morphology of leaves and calyces of Cyclotrichium species in Turkey was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy (LM). The investigated species have equifacial (C. niveum, C. origanifolium) or bifacial leaves (C. glabressens, C. leucotrichum, C. longiflorum, C. stamineum). All species have peltate and capitate glandular, and simple (all species) or branched (C. niveum) eglandular trichomes and diacytic stomata. Peltate trichomes consist of a basal cell embedded in the epidermis, a stalk cell, and a broad 12 (-13)-celled secretory head arranged in two concentric circles. The capitate trichomes observed in Cyclotrichium can be grouped into five types, differing in structure and size. They consist of either a pear-shaped or globose unicellular head and uni-or bicellular stalk, or a bicellular head and bicellular stalk. The density of peltate, capitate and eglandular trichomes differs between species. Peltate trichomes are densely spaced only on the calyx and on the leaf surface of C. niveum and C. origanifolium and on the abaxial leaf surface of C. longiflorum and C. stamineum. The significance of trichome architecture for taxonomy in Cyclotrichium and Lamiaceae in general is discussed.

Two new hybrids of Origanum, O. ×malyeri and O. ×sevcaniae, are described and illustrated in detail. The general morphology, pollen and chromosome features, and nuclear (ITS) and chloroplast (rpl32) genomes of collected specimens were studied. Origanum ×malyeri is a hybrid between O. boissieri and O. vulgare subsp. hirtum and O. ×sevcaniae is another hybrid between O. vulgare subsp. hirtum and O. vogelii. These two new hybrids have some morphological intermediate characters between their parents. The pollen morphology of O. ×sevcaniae and its parents were studied and documented in detail using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). O. ×sevcaniae pollen is small to medium (P=18.49–21.03 µm, E=22.20–26.63 µm), suboblate (73%) to oblate (22%), the range of P/E ratio is from 0.73 to 0.85. Pollen grains are hexacolpate with granular membranes. Pollen grains were identified as bireticulate exine ornamentation with scanning electron microscopy examinations. The somatic chromosome number of O. boissieri, O. vulgare subsp. hirtum, O. vogelii, and O. ×sevcaniae were counted as 2n = 30. Pollen characters and somatic chromosome numbers of O. ×malyeri could not be examined because it has only female flowers and has not any nutlets. Also, according to molecular results, O. ×malyeri and O. ×sevcaniae have some polymorphic nucleotide regions in their nuclear ITS genomes and which means they have two different DNA dataset belonging to their parents. Also, some individuals of O. ×sevcaniae parents have single nucleotide polymorphism, too. These individuals live together with their hybrids and hybridization is probably a continuing process in that hybrid swarms. These present results support previous reports for the speciation of Origanum members via hybridization.

Cirsium handaniae Yildiz, Dirmenci & Arabaci (Asteraceae) is described as a new species from northeastern Anatolia, Turkey. It belongs to the section Epitrachys and appears to be close to C. macrobotrys and C. lappaceum s. lato. Diagnostic characters, as well as a full description and figures are provided. Its morphological characters are discussed and compared with the related species.

A new species, Pastinaca yildizii T.Dirmenci (Apiaceae), is described from Kazdagi (Ida) in Balikesir province, Turkey. It is distinguished from P. armena by the number of rays, petal colour and mericarp surface features. A description, detailed illustrations and taxonomic comments on the new species are given. An identification key is provided and the distribution of this new and other related species is discussed. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158, 296–300.

Fatty acids composition of seed oil of Salvia viridis, S. hydrangea, S. blepharochleana, S. chianantha, S. staminea, S. hypergeia,, S. cilicica, S. caespitosa, S. sclarea, S. cadmica, S. microstegia, S. pachystachys and S. verticillata were analyzed by GC/MS. The main compound were found to be as linoleic acid (18:2; 12.8 % to 52.2 %), linolenic acid (18:3; 3.2 % to 47.7 %), oleic acid (18:1; 11.3 % to 25.6 %), palmitic acid (16:0; 0.7 % to 16.8 %) and stearic acid (18:0; 1.8 % to 4.8 %). A phylogenetic tree of species of Salvia were reported and compared to 18:3/18:2 ratio of the seed oils. Fatty acid composition of Salvia seed oils could be used as a chemotaxonomical marker.

The new species Salvia hasankeyfense (Lamiaceae) is here described and illustrated. It is confined to Hasankeyf ancient city, Batman, in South-eastern Turkey where it grows in rocky cracks. It is distinguished from the morphologically similar Salvia verbenaca by chiefly basal and stem leaf shape, size and indumentum, stem indumentum, and corolla colour. IUCN red list category, distribution map, notes on biogeography and ecology of the new species are also given.

A new species, Matthiola trojana T. Dirmenci, F. Satil & G. Tumen (Brassicaceae), is described from Turkey. Diagnostic characters, description, detailed illustrations, and taxonomic comments are given. Its characteristics are compared with the related species, M. fruticulosa (L.) Maire. The geographical distribution of the new species is mapped. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) threat category and observations on the population are noted. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 151, 431–435.