Two new species of Polyalthiopsis(Annonaceae) based on morphological characters and phylogenetic evidence,with a supplementary description of P.chinensis from China

Two new species of Polyalthiopsis(Annonaceae),P.nigra Y.H.Tan & Bin Yang from Guangxi and Yunnan Provinces and P.xui Y.H.Tan & Bin Yang from Yunnan Province,are described and illustrated.P.nigra is morphologically similar to P.chinensis in having narrowly elliptic-oblong,lemon to yellowish green petals,but differs by having obovoid monocarps,a higher number of leaf secondary veins,leaf blades usually widest above the middle,and a lower ratio of leaf blade length to width.P.xui is morphologically similar to P.floribunda in having axillary inflorescences,1-3(-4) flowers,elliptic leaves,and ellipticovate petals,but differs in the numbers of carpels per flower and ovules per carpel.The molecular phylogenetic analysis using five plastid markers confirm that the two new species belong to the genus Polyalthiopsis and show clear interspecific divergences between P.nigra and P.xui and between them and other species in the genus.Detailed descriptions,colored photographs,and habitat and distribution data for the two new species are provided.In addition,the fruit morphology of P.chinensis is described for the first time,based on living collections.Geographical distributions and a diagnostic key for all Polyalthiopsis species are also presented.

Phytochemical Constituents of the Stem Barks of Uvaria tortilis, an Endemic Annonaceae from Côte d’Ivoire

Uvaria tortilis is a lianescent annonaceous species endemic to the C&#244te d’Ivoire where it is used to treat amenorrhea and as uterotonic. Thus, the MeOH crude extract of its stem barks was investigated in order to determine the chemical composition. A new C-benzyl hydroxlated, uvriatortilisin (1), together with six known compounds, dichamanetin (2), β-sitosterol (3), stigmasterol (4), chamanetin (5), uvaretin (6) and (-)-epicatechin (7), were isolated. Structure of these compounds was elucidated using spectroscopic techniques, including IR, UV, MS and NMR (1D and 2D). Certain compounds could be considered to have chemotaxonomic value.

neo-Lignans and Hemiterpenoid from the Seeds of Artabostrys hexapetalus (Annonaceae)

Four neo-lignans: isoamericanin A(1), isoamericanol A(2), americanin B(3), artabotrycinol(4), a hemiterpenoid: (R)-artabotriol(5) and other compounds: palmitic acid(6), β-sitosterol(7) and daucosterol(8) were isolated from the seeds of Artabostrys hexapetalus (L.f.) Bhadari (Annonaceae). Artabotrycinol(4) is a new neo-lignan and (R)-artabotriol(5) is a new hemiterpenoid. Their structures were established by IR, UV, MS, 1D and 2D NMR. Three other neo-lignans 1, 2, 3 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Efficacy of seed extracts of Annona squamosa and Annona muricata(Annonaceae) for the control of Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus(Culicidae)

Objective:To evaluate the potential efficacy of seed extracts of Annona squamosa and Annona muricata used as natural insecticides to control adult and larvae of the vectors Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus under laboratory conditions.Methods:Aqueous and oil extracts of the two plants were prepared from dried seeds.Preliminary identifications of the chemical components of each seed extracts were performed using microreactional and GCP techniques.Larvae and adults of Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus were collected from the breeding sites in coastal and highlands regions of Madagascar.WHO standardized tests of susceptibility for larvae and imaginal stage of mosquitoes were realized to determine mortality and LC_(50) of mosquitoes.Results:Chemical identifications showed that these extracts contain alkaloids and flavonoids compounds that probably confer their biological insecticidal proprieties.CPG analysis showed also the presence of various fatty acids.On adult mosquitoes,significant insecticidal effects were observed with both aqueous and oil extracts of the two plant seeds compared to mortality induced by deltamethrin,an insecticide used as reference.Extracts of Annona muricata induced high mortality rate to both species of mosquito compared to extracts of Annona squamosa at all concentrations tested.The LC_(50) of seed extracts ranged from 1%to 5%for adults and 0.5%to 1%for larvae.Conclusions:The seed extracts of these two plants may be used as mosquito controlling agents and offer a new approach to a less costly,practical and environmentally friendly control of vector borne diseases.

SQUAMOSTATIN-B, A NEW POLYKETIDE FROM ANNONA SQUAMOSA (ANNONACEAE)

Squamostatin-B (1), a new polyketide or acetogenin, has been isolated from Annona squamosa L. (Annonaceae). Its structure and relative atereochemistry were elucidated on the basis of the spectral analyses of 1 and its derivatives, the acetate (2) and mesitoate (3).

Muricatenol, a Linear Acetogenin from Annona muricata (Annonaceae)

Muricatenol 1, a new acetogenin, has been isolated from the seeds of Annona muricata L.. Compound 1 is a C-37 acetogenin without any THF rings. with four hydroxyls and one double bond in the long aliphatic chain. The hydroxyls of 1 are located at C-4, C-10, C-18 and C-19. respectively. The vicinal diet at C-18/C-19 is threo-configuration, and the double bond at C-14/C-15 is cis-configuration.

Systematic studies on the neotropical genus Fusaea (Baill.) Saff.(Annonaceae)

Fusaea occurs in Colombia, Venezuela, the three Guianas, Ecuador, Peru, Brazi land Bolivia. It is found in non inundated and inundated rain forest at elevations from sea level to 600(-900)m. It is distinct from other related genera by its conspicuous ring of staminodes formed by the enlarged outer stamens, which is unique in the Annonaceae, and by an entirely fused calyx, combined with the fully syncarpous fruits with a basal collar. The general wood anatomical characters are in line with the very specific wood anatomy of the family, characterized by the tangential, concentric parenchyma bands. There is, however, one very specific feature in Fusaea : the small rhombic crystals in the ray cells. From the combined evidence from flower, fruit and pollen morphology, we can conclude that Fusaea is closely related to Duckeanthus, Duguetia, Pachypodanthium, Letestudoxa and probably Pseudartabotrys . Based on measurements of the diagnostic features on all the 158 available specimens identified either as F.longifolia or F.decurrens , we constructed three scatter diagrams to show the continuous variation of the distinguishing characters previously used. F.decurrens is obviously within the morphological variation range of F.longifolia , and is therefore brought into synonymy with the latter. Two species, i.e., F.longifolia and F.peruviana , are recognized in this genus.

Stigmatic exudate in the Annonaceae:Pollinator reward,pollen germination medium or extragynoecial compitum?

Although ＂dry-type＂ stigmas are widely re- garded as ancestral in angiosperms, the early-divergent family Annonaceae has copious stigmatic exudate. We evaluate three putative functions for this exudate： as a nutritive reward for pollinators; as a pollen germination medium; and as an extragynoecial compitum that enables pollen tube growth between carpels. Stigmatic exudate is fructose dominated （72.2%）, but with high levels of glucose and sucrose; the dominance of hexose sugars and the diversity of amino acids observed, including many that are essential for insects, support a nutritive role for pollinators. Sugar concentration in pre-receptive flowers is high （28.2%）, falling during the peak period of stigmatic receptivity （17.4%）, and then rising again toward the end of the pistillate phase （32.9%）. Pollen germination was highest in sugar concentrations 〈2%. Sugar concentrations during the peak pistillate phase therefore provide optimal osmolarity for pollen hydration and germination; subsequent changes in sugar concentration during anthesis reinforce protogyny （in which carpels mature before stamens）, enabling the retention of concentrated exudate into the staminate phase as a pollinator food reward without the possibility of pollen germination. Intercarpellary growth of pollen tubes was confirmed： the exudate therefore also functions as a suprastylar extragynoecial compitum, overcoming the limitations of apocarpy.

Desmosdumotin B: A New Special Flavone from Desmos dumosus

A new special flavone, named desmosdumotin B, was isolated from the roots of D. dumosus and its chemical structure identified as 5-hydroxy-7-one-6,8,8-trimethylflavone by spectral analysis and X-ray.

Leiocyclocin A and B, Two Cyclopeptides from Goniothalamus leiocarpus

Two new cyclopeptides, leiocyclocin A (1); B (2), were isolated from the seeds of Goniothalanus leiocarpus. Their structures were elucidated by means of spectral and chemical methods.

Calamistrin E, the First Annonaceous Acetogenin with Double Bond in Aliphatic Chain from Genus Uvaria

Calamistrin E, the first Annonaceous acetogenin with C=C bond in the aliphatic chain from the genus Uvaria was isolated from U. calamistrata. Its structure including relative and absolute configurations was determined by chemical derivation and spectral analysis.

Two New Polyoxygenated Cyclohexenes from Uvaria kweichowensis

Two new polyoxygenated cyclohexenes, kweichowenol A and B were isolated from the leaves of Uvaria kweichowensis and their structures were established on the basis of their spectral data.

Two New Bis-tetrahydrofuran Ring Annonaceous Acetogenins from the Roots of Uvaria calamistrata

Two mild-cytotoxic bistetrahydrofuran (THF) ring annonaceous acetogenins named calamistrins F(1) and G(2) were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the roots of U. calamistrata Hance. Their structures including the relative and absolute configurations were determined by chemical derivation and spectral analysis. Calamistrins F and G were a pair of epimers at C-26 which both had THF ring from C-18 to C-25 and three OH groups at C-5, C-17 and C-26.

Three New Styrylpyroncs from Goniothalamus leiocarpus

Three new styrylpyrones. named 7-epi-goniodiol 1. leiocarpin B 2 and leiocarpin C 3.were isolated from the stem barks of Goniothalamus leiocarpus. Their structures were elucidated bymeans of spectral and chemical methods. The relative configuration of 1 and 2 were determined byX-ray crystallographic analysis.

A New Benzosesquiterpenoid Dimer from Polyalthia cheliensis Hu

A new benzosesquiterpenoid dimer, 3 ' ,3 ' ' ' -bispolycerasoidol (1), along with its monomer, polycerasoidol, were isolated from the dried leaves of Polyalthia cheliensis Hu. The structure of 1 was established by spectroscopic methods.

Total Phenols,Flavonoids and Antioxidant Activity in Annona muricata and Annona purpurea Callus Culture

Callus cultures of Annona muricata and Annona purpurea were induced in Murashige and Skoog(MS)medium supplemented with different concentrations of 1-naphthylacetic acid(NAA),6-benzyladenine(BA)and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid(2,4-D)utilized hypocotyls with explant.The highest percentage of callus formation was the treatment supplemented with 3 mg L-1 NAA for A.muricata(100%)while for A.purpurea in lower percentage(75%).BA stimulated the formation of shoots in all the evaluated concentrations,being the concentration of 2 mg L-1 the one that induced the greater formation of shoots for A.muricata(23 shoots/explant)and A.purpurea(28 shoots/explant).The content of total phenols,flavonoids and antioxidant activity was measured in the callus obtained from both species.The results showed that a higher content of total phenols was quantified in callus of A.purpurea(27.8 mg g-1 dw)compared to A.muricata(23.2 mg g-1 dw).The highest content of total flavonoids was observed in the callus of A.purpurea(8.0μg g-1 dw).Antioxidant activity was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydracil radical assay.The concentration required for 50%inhibition(IC50)of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydracil radicals were 4.22μg mL-1 in methanolic extracts of callus of A.muricata,while in extracts of callus of A.purpurea was 2.86μg mL-1,in both cases was greater than that found for leaves.Callus culture of the species studied in this work represents an alternative for the production of natural antioxidants.

DNA Barcoding of Nigeria’s Forest Species Listed in CITES and Other Endangered Plant Species of National Interest

Illegal trade is considered one of the greatest threats to the loss of biodiversity of endangered plants. Some of these plant species are often trafficked in processed forms, making it extremely difficult for taxonomic experts to identify them. In the past, illegal traders of endangered species have been arrested and prosecuted but eventually cleared due to a lack of conclusive evidence. DNA barcoding is a veritable tool to protect these endangered species from illegal trade. It identifies all stages of the species’ life forms including processed products (milled or powdered animal and plant parts). The study utilised the rbcL gene as a single barcode region in the identification/authentication of 19 Nigeria’s endangered forest species legislated under the CITES and other endangered species of national interest. The generated sequence barcodes were used to query NCBI-GenBank and BOLD databases. 57.89% of the samples were identified down to species level and 42.11% to genus level. Amongst the 19 samples, sample (S7) yielded a high-quality sequence for a single sequencing read (forward), sufficient to identify the sample with a 99.81% identity match on NCBI-GenBank and BOLD. The results reveal that the rbcL single barcode efficiently identified most of the sampled plants;this supports the potential utilisation of DNA barcoding in the accurate detection and conservation of CITES-listed plants in Nigeria. The study documented the CITES-listed plants and other essential plants endangered or threatened plants in Nigeria and provided the first chloroplast DNA reference dataset to support the utilisation of DNA barcoding to identify CITES-listed plant species in Nigeria, which is significant for future studies.

Two New Polyoxygenated Cyclohexenes from Uvaria calamistrata

Two new polyoxygenated cyclohexenes, named uvacalolA (1),and B (2) were isolated from the rhizomes of Uvaria calamistrata. On the basis of spectral analysis and chemical derivatization, including preparation of Mosher esters, the structure of 1 to 2 were established.