Phylogenetic analysis of Toxicodendron(Anacardiaceae) and its biogeographic implications on the evolution of north temperate and tropical intercontinental disjunctions

Toxicodendron is a genus in the Rhus complex of Anacardiaceae with a disjunct distribution between eastern Asia and North America, extending to southeastern Asia and the neotropics. Nuclear （internal transcribed spacer, external transcribed spacer, and NIA-i3） and chloroplast （ndhF and trnL-F） sequences were used to construct phylogenetic relationships of Toxicodendron. Phylogenetic analysis of these data strongly support Toxieodendron as a monophyletic group distinct from other genera of the Rhus complex, and the phylogeny does not fully corroborate classification at the sectional level. Two temperate disjunct lineages were detected, one from section Toxicodendron and the other between the eastern North American Toxicodendron vernix and the eastern Asian Toxicodendron vernieifluum. Their divergence times were estimated to be 13.46 （7.95-19.42） and 7.53 （2.76-12.86） mya, respectively. The disjunction between section Griffithii （taxa from warm temperate to tropical Asia） and Toxieodendron striatum （from the neotropics） was supported and their divergence time was estimated to be 20.84 （11.1 6-30.52） mya in the early Miocene. Our biogeographic results and the paleontological data support the Bering land bridge as the most likely route to explain the temperate disjunctions, yet the tropical disjunction in Toxicodendron seems to be best explained by the North Atlantic land bridge hypothesis.

Taxonomic Revision of the Genus <i>Pistacia</i>L. (Anacardiaceae)

Pistacia is an economically important genus because it contains the pistachio crop, P. vera, which has edible seeds of considerable commercial importance whose value has increased over the last two decades reaching an annual value of about $2 billion (harvested crop). The taxonomic relationships among its species are controversial and not well under- stood due to the fact that they have no genetic barriers. The taxonomy of this genus is revised in detail through our re- search. It includes the following taxa: Pistacia atlantica Desf., P. chinensis Bunge subsp. chinensis, P. chinensis subsp. falcata (Bess. ex Martinelli) Rech. f., P. chinensis subsp. integerrima (J.L. Stew. ex Brandis) Rech. f., P. eurycarpa Yalt., P. khinjuk Stocks, P. lentiscus L. subsp. lentiscus, P. lentiscus subsp. emarginata (Engl.) AL-Saghir, P. mexicana Humb., Bonpl., & Kunth, P. X saportae Burnat, P. terebinthus L., P. vera L., and P. weinmannifolia Poiss. ex Franch. The genus is divided into two sections: section Pistacia and section Lentiscella. A key to the 14 taxa that have been recognized by this study is included. The new combination P. lentiscus subsp. emarginata (Engl.) AL-Saghir is made, and the names P. chinensis subsp. integerrima (J. L. Stew. ex Brandis) Rech. F., P. terebinthus L., and P. vera L. are lectotypified.

Comparative Leaves Anatomical Studies of Bouea, Mangifera and Spondias （Anacardiaceae） in Malaysia

Leaves anatomy of two species of Bouea, 11 species of Mangifera and two species of Spondias were studied in order to see the differences in stomata type, petiole, midrib and lamina anatomy and leaf venation. This study aims to use anatomical characters for species and genus identification. Common characters observed were the absence of trichomes, closed vascular bundles, uniseriate epidermal layers, resin canal in parenchyma cells, anticline wall pattems and druses crystals in leaf lamina transverse sections. All species displayed closed vascular bundles except Mangiferapajang which showed a combination of medullary vascular bundles. Uniseriate epidermal layer was observed in all species. All the species showed straight-wavy anticlinal walls. Druses crystals were found in the parenchyma cells of all the species. Four types of stomata were observed namely anomocytic, anisocytic, staurocytic and diacytic. Anomocytic, anisocytic and staurocytic stomata were observed in Mangifera, diacytic in Bouea and anomocytic in Spondias.

Effects of Persian turpentine tree litter and slope aspect on soil chemical properties in a Zagros forest,Iran

For analyzing the effects of forest litter and slope aspect on soil properties eight soil samples were collected at a depth of 0–10 cm near(i.e.,beneath the crown)and away from(i.e.,not influenced by crown)five Persian turpentine trees each on a north and a south slope at the same elevation in a Zagros forest,Iran.The litter beneath tree crowns and slope exposure were found to have significant interactive effects on C,N,P,K,and electrical conductivity of the soils,however,Ca,Mg and the soil pH were not significantly influenced by these factors.The soil beneath the crowns was enriched in cations compared to more distal positions.Generally,Persian turpentine trees have positive impacts on soil properties in the forest.Degrading or killing these trees by sap extraction,extreme grazing,cutting,fire and expansion of agriculture will lead to significant losses in soil fertility and increases in soil erosion.

Potential in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of Holigarna arnottiana(Hook F)

Objective:To explore the in vitro antimicrobial potential of Holigarna arnottiana(H.arnottiana)against human and shrimp pathogenic bacteria and use GC-MS analysis to elucidate its antimicrobial principles.Methods:In the present study,organic extract of H.arnottiana was examined for in vitro antimicrobial potency against five clinical human pathogens,seven species of human type culture pathogens,six pathogenic Vibrio strains isolated from moribund tiger shrimp(Penaeus monodon)and seven type cultures(Microbial Type Culture Collection,MTCC)of prominent shrimp pathogens.Results:The extraction of H.arnottiana with ethyl acetate yielded bioactive crude extract that efficiently repressed the growth of all tested pathogens.Among the pathogens tested,shrimp pathogens were the most susceptible organisms while clinical pathogens were found to be a little resistant.The chemical constituents of the H.arnottiana were analysed by GC-MS which revealed the presence of major compounds such as 3,7.1 l,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-l-ol(42.1%),l-lodo-2-methylundecane(34.4%)and squalene(11.1%)which might have a functional role in the chemical defence against microbial invasion.Conclusions:Based on the finding it could be inferred that H.arnottiana would be a reliable source for developing shrimp and human bio-therapeutics in future.

A New Antimalarial Noreudesmane Sesquiterpenoid from Dobinea delavayi

One previously undescribed angeloylated noreudesmane sesquiterpenoid,dobinin O(1),along with four known eudesmane sesquiterpenoids(2-5)were isolated from the peeled roots of Dobinea delavayi.Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data analyses.In addition,compound 1 exhibited moderate antimalarial activity against Plasmodium yoelii BY265RFP with the inhibition ratio of 17.8±13.3%at the dose of 30 mg/kg/day.

Plastome phylogenomics of the East Asian endemic genus Dobinea

Dobinea is a dioecious genus endemic to East Asia that consists of two extant species:Dobinea delavayi and Dobinea vulgaris.Although the genus is morphologically distinct,its phylogenetic position remains controversial.In this study,we investigated the phylogenetic relationships between Dobinea and related taxa by sequencing the whole plastome DNA sequences for both extant species of Dobinea and comparing them to published plastomes within Sapindales.The complete plastomes of D.vulgaris and D.delavayi were 160,683 and 160,154 base pairs(bp)in length,including a pair of inverted repeat regions(IRs,26,889 and 26,759 bp)divided by the large single-copy region(LSC,87,962 and 87,555 bp)and small single-copy region(SSC,18,943 and 19,081 bp),and identically encoded 113 unique genes(79 protein-coding genes,30 tRNAs,and 4 rRNA genes).Plastid phylogenomic analyses showed that Dobinea was a well-supported monophyletic unit and sister to the clade including tribes Anacardieae and Rhoideae,which suggests that Dobinea is a member of Anacardiaceae.In addition,molecular dating inferred D.delavayi and D.vulgaris diverged approximately 10.76 Ma,suggesting the divergence between these two species may have been driven by the intensification of the Asian summer monsoon and the establishment of distinct monsoon regimes in East Asia.

Two New Gallotannins from Pistacia weinmannifolia

Two new gallotannins, pistafolins A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the leaf extract of Pistacia weinmannifolia. Their structures were determined by spectral methods.

Antifertility effects of 60-day oral gavage of ethanol extract of Spondias mombin leaves in guinea pigs: A biochemical, reproductive and histological study

Objective:To investigate the impact of ethanol extract of Spondias(S.)mombin leaves on the biochemical parameters of testicular function,hormonal profile,sperm profile and reproductive outcomes of guinea pigs.Methods:Sexually matured male[(1000.40±8.12)g]and female[(810.00±7.09)g]guinea pigs were used.In testicular function study,a total of 24 male guinea pigs were randomised into 4 groups of 6 guinea pigs each.Group A(control)was orally administered 1 mL of physiological saline,once daily for 60 days while groups B,C and D were treated like the control group except that they were orally administered 100,250 and 500 mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of S.mombin leaves.For the fertility study,the same animal groupings and treatments in the testicular function study were adopted.The male guinea pigs were paired with the females(1:1)and afterwards examined for pregnancy outcomes.Results:The ethanol extract of S.mombin leaves contained saponins,alkaloids,flavonoids,tannins,steroids,phenolics,phlobatannins,cardiac glycosides,cardenolides and dienolides with saponins(4.80 mg/mL)occurring the most whilst cardenolides and dienolides(0.08 mg/mL)were the least.The ethanol extract of S.mombin leaves significantly and dose dependently reduced the activities of alkaline phosphatase,glutamate dehydrogenase,3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase,malic enzyme,17-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase,lactate dehydrogenase,catalase and superoxide dismutase as well as levels of testosterone,glycogen,total protein and ascorbic acid in the testes when compared with the control group(P<0.05).All the doses of ethanol extract of S.mombin leaves also reduced the levels of sorbitol dehydrogenase,3-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase,glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and sialic acid whereas the levels of testicular acid phosphatase,gamma glutamyl transferase and cholesterol increased dose dependently(P<0.05).The serum luteinising hormone,testosterone and estradiol were reduced after the administration of ethanol extract of S.mombin leaves whereas levels of serum follicle stimulating hormone increased significantly.The 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of S.mombin leaves increased the testosterone/estradiol ratios whilst the 500 mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of S.mombin leaves decreased it.The sperm motility,sperm count,normal sperm morphology,sperm density,sperm viability and semen viscosity were significantly reduced in the ethanol extract of S.mombin leaves-treated guinea pigs(P<0.05)whereas the head-,tail-and neck-defects increased significantly when compared with the control group(P<0.05).In contrast,the semen volume and pH were not significantly altered by the ethanol extract of S.mombin leaves(P>0.05).The ethanol extract of S.mombin leaves at both 100 and 250 mg/kg body weight significantly reduced the total number,circumference,weight and length of the pups whereas the 500 mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of S.mombin leaves-treated rats did not produce any pup.The 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of S.mombin leaves induced degenerative and necrotic changes in the seminiferous tubules with vacuoles in the germinal epithelium and a few to complete absence of spermatozoa.In all of these,the 500 mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of S.mombin leaves produced the most pronounced alteration on the parameters.Conclusions:S.mombin leaves have induced infertility in the male guinea pigs via endocrine dysregulation,anti-spermatogenic activity,testicular dysfunction and oxidative stress and made possible by the presence of saponins,alkaloids,flavonoids,tannins,steroids,phenolics,and cardiac glycosides.

Radical Scavenging and Antioxidant Potential of Nuts and Leaves Extracts of <i>Semecarpus anacardium</i>(L.)

In the present investigation, antioxidant activity of the crude extracts from nuts and leaves of S. anacardium was carried out. The antioxidant potential of various extracts (ethanol, acetone and aqueous) of S. anacardium was determined by using DPPH assay, ABTS assay and metal chelating activity assay. Among the extracts the ethanol extract of nut showed significant scavenging activity (DPPH-88.73 ± 2.26;ABTS assay-81.65 ± 1.57 and metal chelating activity-72.37 ± 2.26) compared with antioxidant controls, ascorbic acid and BHA respectively. The findings of the present investigation suggest that the S. anacardium extracts can prove to be a potent source of biologically active compounds that can be further subjected to isolation of therapeutic antioxidant agents.

New C-13 Norisoprenoids and Flavonoids from Lannea kerstingii

Lannea kerstingii is known for its multiple therapeutic and biological activities. Despite of many traditional uses of this plant, scientific research on the content of its chemical compounds is still limited. This study aims to isolate the chemical compounds contained in the n-butanol fraction of Lannea kerstingii leaves. The chemical investigation of the leaves of Lannea kerstingii led to isolation of three undescribed C-13 norisoprenoids, lankerstinol A-C (1-3), together with six (4-9) known flavonoid glycosides. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic analyses.

Chemical Constituents from Barks of Lannea coromandelica

Objective To study the chemical constituents from the barks of Lannea coromande/ica. Methods The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by column chromatography on silica gel column. NMR spectra were used for structural identification. Results Thirteen compounds were isolated and identified as quercetin （1）, （2S,3S,4R, lOLg-2-[（2＂R）-2＇-hydroxytetracosanoyl amino]-10-octadecene-l,3,4- triol （2）, aralia cerebroside （3）, 5,5＇-dibuthoxy-2,2＇-bifuran （4）, ^-sitosteryl- 3^-glucopyranoside-6＇-O-palmitate （5）, B-sitosterol palmitate （6）, myricadiol （7）, protocatechuic acid （8）, p-hydroxybenzoic acidethyl ester （9）, isovanillin （10）, trans- cinnamicacid （I 1）, palmiticacid （12）, and stearicacid （13）. Conclusion Compounds 2-13 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

A New Diarylheptanoid from Barks of Mangifera indica

Objective To study the chemical constituents from the barks of Mangifera indica. Methods The constituents were separated and purified by different methods of chromatography, and their structures were elucidated by IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Results Six compounds were isolated from the barks of M. indica. Their structures were identified as mangiferone(1), mangiferin(2), myricetin(3), myricitrin(4), rutin(5), and quercetin(6). Conclusion Mangiferone(1) is a new diarylheptanoid compound isolated from the barks of M. indica.