In this study, we provide the first evidence of two pairs of petals of the rapidly expanded and short-lived nocturnal flowers of Capparis spinosa L. （caper） during the prolonged drought period in Eastern Mediterrane...In this study, we provide the first evidence of two pairs of petals of the rapidly expanded and short-lived nocturnal flowers of Capparis spinosa L. （caper） during the prolonged drought period in Eastern Mediterranean region. The corolla of the winter-deciduous, perennial C. spinosa consists of two pairs of petals： a pair of white dis- tinct petals and a pair of connate variegated petals with green basal parts. The results indicated the presence of substantially different amounts of chlorophyll in the two pairs of petals, while their carbohydrates＇ content is com- parable with that of the green sepals. High resolution imaging of petal surfaces of short-lived flowers of C. spinosa, obtained by using scanning electron microscopy, revealed stomata on the adaxial epidermis on both the white and the green parts of the variegated petals; while dense hairs were found on the surface ofthe abaxial green parts of the variegated petals. Adaxial, epidermal cells of the variegated petals, viewed using atomic force microscopy, pos- sess a submicron, cuticular microfolding that differs between the white and the green parts of the petals. It appears that microridges on the adaxial, white parts of petals of C. spinosa compensate for an increase in cell surface area of the short lived petals, while the roughness of the green parts of petals was found to be higher than that of the white parts. Thus, the micromorphology of surfaces of epidermal cells is expected to affect optical properties and wettability of the floral tissues. These findings may be particularly important for understanding the performance of the short-lived petals of C. spinosa, which are exposed to dryland environments.展开更多
This article examines the presence and uses of plants attested in the Chinese medical tradition in the materia medica literature of classical antiquity.It is based on the consultation of the major ancient compilations...This article examines the presence and uses of plants attested in the Chinese medical tradition in the materia medica literature of classical antiquity.It is based on the consultation of the major ancient compilations on materia medica of Chinese medicine and classical antiquity,specifically Bencao Gangmu by Li Shizhen(16th cent.)and De materia medica by Dioscorides(1st cent.A.D.).The article is divided in three major parts:the identification of plants used in the Chinese medical tradition in the medicine of the Mediterranean World in Antiquity;the analysis of the knowledge of these plants and their origin in classical antiquity;a comparison of the uses of these plants in the Bencao Gangmu and De materia medica.It traces the presence of plants of the Chinese medical tradition in Classical antiquity.Although their exact origin was not known,they were reputed at that time to be native to either India or the Black Sea,two areas that correspond to the ending points of the Silk Road.As for their uses in both traditions,they correspond for some plants,whereas they do not for others because either the uses attested in the Chinese tradition were not preserved on the Mediterranean or different uses appeared in the Mediterranean tradition.These differentiated uses hint at both continuities and ruptures,with the latter resulting from the long journey of the plants from the Chinese World to the Mediterranean and,at the same time,attempts aimed to diversify and optimize the applications of non-native medicinal substances.展开更多
Euphorbia factor L2, a lathyrane diterpenoid isolated from caper euphorbia seed(the seeds of Euphorbia lathyris L.), has been traditionally applied to treat cancer. This article focuses on the cytotoxic activity of Eu...Euphorbia factor L2, a lathyrane diterpenoid isolated from caper euphorbia seed(the seeds of Euphorbia lathyris L.), has been traditionally applied to treat cancer. This article focuses on the cytotoxic activity of Euphorbia factor L2 against lung carcinoma A549 cells and the mechanism by which apoptosis is induced. We analyzed the cytotoxicity and related mechanism of Euphorbia factor L2 with an MTT assay, an annexin V-FITC/PI test, a colorimetric assay, and immunoblotting. Euphorbia factor L2 showed potent cytotoxicity to A549 cells. Euphorbia factor L2 led to an increase in reactive oxygen species(ROS) generation,a loss of mitochondrial electrochemical potential, release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, suggesting that Euphorbia factor L2 induced apoptosis through a mitochondrial pathway. The cytotoxic activity of Euphorbia factor L2 in A549 cells and the related mechanisms of apoptotic induction provide support for the further investigation of caper euphorbia seeds.展开更多
基金supported by the research grant PENED 03174co-funded by the European Union(75%) and the Greek General Secretary of Research and Technology and Private Sectors (25%)
文摘In this study, we provide the first evidence of two pairs of petals of the rapidly expanded and short-lived nocturnal flowers of Capparis spinosa L. （caper） during the prolonged drought period in Eastern Mediterranean region. The corolla of the winter-deciduous, perennial C. spinosa consists of two pairs of petals： a pair of white dis- tinct petals and a pair of connate variegated petals with green basal parts. The results indicated the presence of substantially different amounts of chlorophyll in the two pairs of petals, while their carbohydrates＇ content is com- parable with that of the green sepals. High resolution imaging of petal surfaces of short-lived flowers of C. spinosa, obtained by using scanning electron microscopy, revealed stomata on the adaxial epidermis on both the white and the green parts of the variegated petals; while dense hairs were found on the surface ofthe abaxial green parts of the variegated petals. Adaxial, epidermal cells of the variegated petals, viewed using atomic force microscopy, pos- sess a submicron, cuticular microfolding that differs between the white and the green parts of the petals. It appears that microridges on the adaxial, white parts of petals of C. spinosa compensate for an increase in cell surface area of the short lived petals, while the roughness of the green parts of petals was found to be higher than that of the white parts. Thus, the micromorphology of surfaces of epidermal cells is expected to affect optical properties and wettability of the floral tissues. These findings may be particularly important for understanding the performance of the short-lived petals of C. spinosa, which are exposed to dryland environments.
文摘This article examines the presence and uses of plants attested in the Chinese medical tradition in the materia medica literature of classical antiquity.It is based on the consultation of the major ancient compilations on materia medica of Chinese medicine and classical antiquity,specifically Bencao Gangmu by Li Shizhen(16th cent.)and De materia medica by Dioscorides(1st cent.A.D.).The article is divided in three major parts:the identification of plants used in the Chinese medical tradition in the medicine of the Mediterranean World in Antiquity;the analysis of the knowledge of these plants and their origin in classical antiquity;a comparison of the uses of these plants in the Bencao Gangmu and De materia medica.It traces the presence of plants of the Chinese medical tradition in Classical antiquity.Although their exact origin was not known,they were reputed at that time to be native to either India or the Black Sea,two areas that correspond to the ending points of the Silk Road.As for their uses in both traditions,they correspond for some plants,whereas they do not for others because either the uses attested in the Chinese tradition were not preserved on the Mediterranean or different uses appeared in the Mediterranean tradition.These differentiated uses hint at both continuities and ruptures,with the latter resulting from the long journey of the plants from the Chinese World to the Mediterranean and,at the same time,attempts aimed to diversify and optimize the applications of non-native medicinal substances.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81473320)Fund from Guangdong Science and Technology Department & Guangdong Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2016A020226024)+1 种基金Fund of Guangdong Education Department (2015KTSCX112)the Science Fund of the Education Bureau of Guangzhou City (1201410039 and 2012C208)
文摘Euphorbia factor L2, a lathyrane diterpenoid isolated from caper euphorbia seed(the seeds of Euphorbia lathyris L.), has been traditionally applied to treat cancer. This article focuses on the cytotoxic activity of Euphorbia factor L2 against lung carcinoma A549 cells and the mechanism by which apoptosis is induced. We analyzed the cytotoxicity and related mechanism of Euphorbia factor L2 with an MTT assay, an annexin V-FITC/PI test, a colorimetric assay, and immunoblotting. Euphorbia factor L2 showed potent cytotoxicity to A549 cells. Euphorbia factor L2 led to an increase in reactive oxygen species(ROS) generation,a loss of mitochondrial electrochemical potential, release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, suggesting that Euphorbia factor L2 induced apoptosis through a mitochondrial pathway. The cytotoxic activity of Euphorbia factor L2 in A549 cells and the related mechanisms of apoptotic induction provide support for the further investigation of caper euphorbia seeds.
