Crescentia Research Articles

Anthropogenic dispersion of selected germplasm creates a geographic mosaic of contrasting maternal lineages in Crescentia cujete from Mesoamerica

The modification of the genetic/phenotypic composition of plant populations through artificial selection occurs both through time and space. We analyzed the role of human dispersal on the geographic distribution of maternal lineages of Crescentia cujete in Mesoamerica. We sampled 28 homegarden (224 individuals) and 12 wild populations (159 individuals). Semi-structured interviews provided information on the origin of cultivated trees. Six chloroplast microsatellites allowed for the identification of 21 haplotypes, four of them exclusively in 83% of homegarden trees. Wild haplotypes from local C. cujete and Crescentia alata were found at low frequencies (17%) under cultivation. Cultivated and wild haplotypes constituted two different haplogroups. Accordingly, barriers to seed dispersal were detected among neighboring cultivated and wild populations. Recorded events of human dispersal of cuttings and seeds attaining up to > 200 km agreed with homegardens’ lower diversity (Nei’s h = 0.55, dropping to 0.32 when excluding wild haplotypes). Wild populations displayed high diversity (h = 0.71) and isolation by distance, in agreement with physiographic provinces. Our results support the native status of wild C. cujete and a Pre-Columbian introduction of cultivated lineages that generated a novel genetic mosaic superimposed on native maternal lineages. The results reveal the active role of farmers in maintaining the identity of cultivated lineages through time, while chloroplast capture from local congeners has increased the diversity of maternal lineages under cultivation. Additional data are needed on the origins of cultivated lineages, but our results contribute new insights into tree domestication in this center of crop diversity.

Proximate, phytochemical screening and mineral analysis of <i>Crescentia cujete</i> L. leaves

Background: One of the uses of Crescentia cujete leaves is in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, which necessitated the evaluation of its chemical composition.Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the chemical composition of C. cujete leaves.Setting: Fresh, mature leaves were harvested from the Herbal Garden, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Jericho Hill, Ibadan, Nigeria. The plant samples were identified at Forest Herbarium, Ibadan, Nigeria, sorted to eliminate extraneous matter and then air-dried on a cabinet dryer for five days at ambient temperature and oven-dried at 40°C for five minutes. The dried leaves were milled to powder using a medium-sized milling machine and stored in an air-tight container until needed for analysis.Methods: The proximate composition, phytochemical screening and mineral analysis were determined using standard analytic methods. Minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium, manganese and magnesium were determined by the atomic absorption spectrophotometer; sodium and potassium by the flame photometer and phosphorus by the spectrophotometer.Results: The proximate analysis results revealed that the samples contained carbohydrate (40.46%), crude protein (16.15%), crude fibre (19.71%), crude fat (2.91%), ash (9.77%) and moisture (11.03%), while the phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins, anthraquinones and flavonoids. The mineral compositions (mg/g) decreased in the order Ca (6.0) > K (5.0) > Mg (2.2) > P (1.5) > Na (0.2) > Fe = Zn (0.6) > Cu = Mn (0.03).Conclusion: These results conceivably indicate that C. cujete is a good source of essential minerals and phyto-nutrients which possess strong pharmacological activities, providing scientific credence for its therapeutic usage in folklore medicine.

Diversity of Treegourd (Crescentia cujete) Suggests Introduction and Prehistoric Dispersal Routes into Amazonia

The use and dispersal of domesticated plants may reflect patterns of early human diffusion of technologies and lifestyles. Treegourd (Crescentia cujete) has fruits with ancient utilitarian and symbolic value in the Neotropics. We assessed diversity based on chloroplast (SNPs), nuclear (SSR) markers, and fruit shapes of cultivated treegourds and wild relatives across Amazonia and Mesoamerica in order to discuss hypothesis of dispersal routes and diversification of fruits along its distribution. The haplotype network showed three distinct groups: Crescentia amazonica, wild Mesoamerican C. cujete, and cultivated C. cujete from Brazilian Amazonia and Mexico. Mexico and Brazil shared two haplotypes, with slightly different distributions in Amazonia. The most divergent haplotype is well-represented in Eastern Amazonia. Nuclear differentiation between Mesoamerican wild and cultivated C. cujete is relatively low (FST = 0.35), compared with Amazonian cultivated (FST = 0.45–0.61). Differentiation is also higher between wild C. amazonica and cultivated C. cujete (FST = 0.57), but modest within cultivated C. cujete from Amazonia and Mexico (FST = 0.04), with higher genetic similarity in northwestern Amazonia. Mexico and Amazonia showed similar chloroplast nucleotide diversity (4.66 × 10−2 and 5.31 × 10−2 , respectively), although sample sizes are very different. Except in Northwestern and Eastern Amazonia, we found ample genetic homogeneity of cultivated C. cujete across Amazonia, but highest morphological diversity in the Northwest, with fruit shapes that are absent in Mexico. We conclude that treegourds introduced into the Amazon Basin and Mexico share a common ancestry with a currently unknown origin. The patterns of genetic diversity across Amazonia allow two hypotheses of the routes of introduction: a northwestern introduction into the Negro and Solimoes Rivers, and an eastern introduction from the coastal Guianas into the Amazonas River. The dispersal into Amazonia followed previously proposed routes of human and plant migrations. The contrasting fruit shape diversity suggests different utilitarian demands and cultural preferences for treegourd fruits between Mexico and Amazonia.

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF SOME LESS UTILIZED EDIBLE FRUITS

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid content (TFC) of five less utilized fruits such as Aegle marmelos, Spondias pinnata, Limonia acidissima, Averhoa carambola, Crescentia cujete and was compared with Phyllanthus emblica, (Amla) well known for its antioxidant activities. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of samples were correlated with antioxidant activities like 1,1-Diphenyl-2-Picryl-Hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, Ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) assay and total antioxidant capacity (TAC).Methods: The total phenolic of each fruit extract were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method with some modifications and the total flavonoids were estimated by Aluminum trichloride colourimetric method. The DPPH antioxidant assay, The FRAP assay and TAC were determined spectrophotometrically.Results: The total phenolics were expressed as mg/100g Gallic acid equivalent (mg GAE/100 gm) and the total flavonoids were expressed as mg/100g Quercetin equivalent (mg QE/100 gm). TPC was found to be maximum in Spondias pinnata with 142.16 mg GAE/100 gm where as TFC was maximum in Phyllanthus emblica with 91.1 mgQE/100 gm. DPPH radical scavenging activity was expressed n percentage(%), FRAP values expressed as mg/100g Ascorbic equivalent (AAE) and the total antioxidant activity was expressed as mg/100g Ascorbic equivalent. Maximum DPPH radical scavenging activity was shown by Spondias pinnata (93.75%), FRAP values were maximum in Phyllanthus emblica with 72.6 mg AAE/100 gm and total antioxidant capacity was found to be highest in Spondias pinnata (50.1 mg AAE/100 gm).Conclusion: Spondias pinnata, an underutilized fruit, was found to be promising with antioxidant activities comparable to Phyllanthus emblica.

In vitro and in vivo hypoglycemic and colorimetric determination of glucose concentration of the different solvent extracts of Crescentia cujete Linn. fruit

In vitro and in vivo hypoglycemic and colorimetric determination of glucose concentration of the different solvent extracts of Crescentia cujete Linn. fruit

English

Anthocleista djalonensis A. Chev. (stem bark), Azadirachta indica A. Juss (stem bark and leaf), Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth. (leaf), Crescentia cujete L. (stem bark), Lawsonia inermis L. (leaf), Lophira alata Banks ex C.F. Gaertn. (stem bark), Myrianthus pruessii Engl. (leaf), Nauclea latifolia Sm. (stem bark), Olax subscorpioidea Oliv. (root), and Terminalia glaucescens Planch ex Benth. (stem bark and root) are combined for use in the treatment of malaria in Akure, Southwestern Nigeria. The powdered plant samples were screened for phytochemical constituents, proximate composition and mineral elements according to standard protocols. Plasmodium berghei infected mice were screened for parasitemia and administered with water and ethanol extracts of the combined plant sample. Toxicity and histopathological studies were carried out on the liver and kidney sections of the mice. Data were statistically analyzed. The powdered herbal recipe contained appreciable phytochemicals and important minerals. The concentrations administered for LD50 did not elicit adverse reactions in the experimental animals, and no mortality was recorded. Histological studies revealed some pathology caused by the malaria parasite, as well as side effects of the extracts administered. This is discussed in relation to safety considerations. Key words: Malaria, herbs, phytochemical, histopathology, Nigeria.

Biogenic gold nanoparticles synthesized using Crescentia cujete L. and evaluation of their different biological activities

Abstract Crescentia cujete L. (Calabash tree) is a common tree distributed throughout the world. The tree and its fruit have high ethnobotanical value and practiced in Indian folk medicine. Nanotechnology is gaining more importance due to its myriad of application in physical, chemical and biological sciences. Herewith we present a comprehensive study on the benign synthesis of gold nanoparticles using an aqueous leaf extract of Crescentia cujete L. (CCAuNPs). In a shorter period of time, the reaction completed when an aqueous extract of Crescentia cujete was employed as a reducing agent to reduce Au 3+ ions into nanoparticles. Generated CCAuNPs generates a shift in the reaction medium due to the excitation of surface Plasmon resonance (SPR) which produces an intense absorbance peak at 560 nm in UV–Vis spectroscopy. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) reveals the functional group moieties involved in reduction and stabilization of CCAuNPs. Transmissions Electron Microscope (TEM) studies depict the anisotropic shape of CCAuNPs with mean size 32.89 mm. Additionally, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) study depicts face centered cubic crystalline structure and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) revealed that synthesized CCAuNPs were stable with highly negatively charged. CCAuNPs exhibited extraordinary bactericidal activity against the tested pathogens. 3-(4, 5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2H tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay determined that CCAuNPS conferred strong cytotoxicity against the HeLa cell line. Therefore, the present study shows the utility in synthesizing gold nanoparticles with Phytoconstituents and having a wide range of applications in medical science.

Human management and hybridization shape treegourd fruits in the Brazilian Amazon Basin.

Local people's perceptions of cultivated and wild agrobiodiversity, as well as their management of hybridization are still understudied in Amazonia. Here we analyze domesticated treegourd (Crescentia cujete), whose versatile fruits have technological, symbolic, and medicinal uses. A wild relative (C. amazonica) of the cultivated species grows spontaneously in Amazonian flooded forests. We demonstrated, using whole chloroplast sequences and nuclear microsatellites, that the two species are strongly differentiated. Nonetheless, they hybridize readily throughout Amazonia and the proportions of admixture correlate with fruit size variation of cultivated trees. New morphotypes arise from hybridization, which are recognized by people and named as local varieties. Small hybrid fruits are used to make the important symbolic rattle (maracá), suggesting that management of hybrid trees is an ancient human practice in Amazonia. Effective conservation of Amazonian agrobiodiversity needs to incorporate this interaction between wild and cultivated populations that is managed by smallholder families. Beyond treegourd, our study clearly shows that hybridization plays an important role in tree crop phenotypic diversification and that the integration of molecular analyses and farmers’ perceptions of diversity help disentangle crop domestication history.

Diversidad, estructura y afinidades florísticas de un bosque temporalmente inundable de la Península de Yucatán

Temporarily flooded forests (TFF’s) are among the most endangered tree communities in Southeast Mexico and in a contradictory way among the least known in terms of their diversity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the richness, diversity (Shannon-Wiener) and dominance (relative importance value; RIV) of a TFF of the Yucatan Peninsula, and evaluate its floristic affinities with other TFF’s and upland forests (UF’s) of Southeast Mexico. A sampling method based on 10 quadrants of 10 x 20 m (2 000 m2) was used to record all woody individuals with diameter ≥ 1 cm and height ≥ 1.5 m. A floristic similarity analysis was used including 192 genera of woody plants belonging to TFF’s and UF’s of the Yucatan and Tabasco TFF’s. A Mantel correlation test was performed to determine if the geographic distance has effect on the floristic similarities between TFF’s and UF´s of the Yucatan peninsula. The TFF under study was characterized with a low level of diversity (2.79) and species richness (56), and a high dominance level (52.3 % of RIV in five species). Dominant species such as Haematoxylum campechianum, Dalbergia glabra, Cameraria latifolia, Byrsonima crassifolia, Crescentia cujete and Terminalia buceras showed a floristic neotropical affinity typical of floodable habitats. The structure of the community was characterized by an inverted "J" pattern for the distribution of individuals in the diametric and height classes. The high density of woody lianas, mainly of Dalbergia glabra (22 % of the recorded individuals) suggested an optimal state of conservation of the studied area. The floristic similarity analysis revealed that most of TFF’s in Yucatan Peninsula were grouped with high similarity (55 %) independently of the adjacent UF’s; however, TFF´s resulted similar among them (36 % similarity) when compared with TFF’s from other regions (16 % similarity). According to the Mantel test, the similarity between sites is not influenced by its geographical proximity (r = -0.098, p>0.05). This emphasizes the need to generate conservation strategies for the TFF's of the Yucatan peninsula independently from other regions of Southeast Mexico. Our results suggest that the TFF of the studied region has a similar diversity from other TFF’s in Southeast Mexico, a different floristic composition compared with adjacent UF’s and a structure with an optimal conservation status, characteristics that indicate their importance for the regional flora conservation. Further ecological studies are needed to build a solid foundation for management and conservation for the TFF’s.

In vitro acaricidal activity of Crescentia cujete L. fruit pulp against Rhipicephalus microplus.

Cattle tick (Rhipicephalus microplus) is an important constraint on livestock production, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas. Synthetic acaricides are the primary method of control this thick. Resistance of R. microplus to synthetic acaricides has given rise to the need of new scientific investigations on alternative ways to control it. The objective of this work was to conduct a chemical investigation of Crescentia cujete L. fruit pulp and to evaluate the acaricide effect on R. microplus larvae of extracts, fractions, and isolated substances from this species. Crescentia cujete is a Bignoniaceae and it is characteristic of tropical climates. Its most distinctive feature is its fruit, which is spherical and gourd-like, with a hard woody shell and gelatinous pulp. The fruit pulp of C. cujete was extracted with ethanol by maceration yielding an extract and a residue. The extract was partitioned giving an ethyl acetate phase (EAF) that was fractionated by chromatographic procedures yielding cinnamic acid and benzoic acid. The remained botanic material from the ethanol extraction was further and successively extracted with ethyl ether and methanol under reflux. The acaricide effect of all extracts and fractions was evaluated against R. microplus using the larval packet test. The best result was observed for the EAF that caused 100% of mortality when a 10% solution was used and with LC50 of 5.9%. Cinnamic acid was also tested showing 63.0% of mortality with LC50 of 6.6% at the same concentrations and time of the experiment. The data obtained in this study provides information related to the chemical nature and the acaricide activity of the C. cujete epicarp that has not been previously reported. This study shows that the ethyl acetate phase of the ethanol extract of C. cujete fruit pulp is a potential alternative control for R. microplus and its activity is in part associated to cinnamic acid, its major compound.

Antibacterial Activity of Ethanol Extract from Stem Bark and Leaves of ­Berenuk (<i>Crescentia cujete</i> L.)

Crescentia cujete L. (C. cujete) has been known as a medicine for various diseases that caused by microorganisms. This research was aimed to identify the phytochemical compounds and to determine the antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts from stem bark and leaves of C. cujete. The phytochemical compounds in both extracts were identified by Harborne method, while antibacterial activity assay was performed by disc diffusion method with the concentration of bacteria 106 cfu/mL. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were used in antibacterial assay. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was obtained by using contact method. The phytochemical compounds analysis showed that ethanol extracts of C. cujete stem bark and leaves contained alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and steroids. The results of antibacterial activity test showed that both extracts have antibacterial activity with the highest inhibition showed by extracts with concentration of 100 %(w/v). The decreased percentage in the number of bacterial colonies on the extracts was less than 90 % so that the MIC value of both extracts against S. aureus could not be determined.

Antimicrobial Activity of Crescentia Cujete

The Philippines is known for being an agricultural country with different varieties of plants that have medicinal potential. This study focused on the antimicrobial potential of the fruit of Crescentia cujete or Calabash tree against common infections Staphylococcus aureus, a gram-positive bacteria, and Escherichia coli which is a gram-negative bacterium. Fruit extracts were obtained by maceration with ethanol for 24 hours at room temperature. The experimental research design was used through disc diffusion method. Findings of this study, however, revealed no antibacterial effect of the fruit extract against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Keywords: Crescentia cujete , antimicrobial, Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli

Chloroplast sequence of treegourd (Crescentia cujete, Bignoniaceae) to study phylogeography and domestication.

Premise of the study:Crescentia cujete (Bignoniaceae) fruit rinds are traditionally used for storage vessels and handicrafts. We assembled its chloroplast genome and identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).Methods and Results:Using a genome skimming approach, the whole chloroplast of C. cujete was assembled using 3,106,928 sequence reads of 150 bp. The chloroplast is 154,662 bp in length, structurally divided into a large single copy region (84,788 bp), a small single copy region (18,299 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (51,575 bp) with 88 genes annotated. By resequencing the whole chloroplast, we identified 66 SNPs in C. cujete (N = 30) and 68 SNPs in C. amazonica (N = 6). Nucleotide diversity was estimated at 1.1 × 10−3 and 3.5 × 10−3 for C. cujete and C. amazonica, respectively.Conclusions:This broadened C. cujete genetic toolkit will be important to study the origin, domestication, diversity, and phylogeography of treegourds in the Neotropics.

Comparative Ovule Ontogeny in Some Members of theTabebuiaAlliance (Bignoniaceae)

Premise of research. Recent phylogenetic studies placed nearly all Neotropical arboreal and shrubby species of the Bignoniaceae (excluding Jacaranda) in the Tabebuia alliance, a clade that includes all of the woody species in this family with palmately compound leaves. However, the taxa assigned to this clade have appeared in these studies as an unresolved trichotomy with Sparattosperma as its sister group. Considering the diversity and taxonomic significance of ovule morphogenesis in the extant angiosperms, this study aimed to contribute to the systematics of the Bignoniaceae by investigating ovule ontogeny in one representative of each clade of the Tabebuia alliance trichotomy: Crescentia cujete, Cybistax antisyphilitica, and Tabebuia roseoalba.Methodology. The analysis is based on light microscopy observations of microtome semiserial sections of ovaries and ovules at several stages of development.Pivotal results. The ovules are anatropous, unitegmic, and tenuinucellate and originate from trizonate ovul...

EXPLORATION OF POTENTIAL PLANTS AS A BIO-INSECTICIDE AT ITS SURABAYA CAMPUS

<p>ITS Surabaya campus has a biodiversity potential, especially plants that can be utilized. Different types of plants have been known as a potential insecticide because they contain bioactive compounds, such as essential oils, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, alkenes and these terpenoids. This research was a descriptive experimental, which aimed to explore the vegetation potential as plant-based insecticide or bio-insecticide. Tracking method to obtain plant leaves samples in ITS campus was used in this study. Leaf extracts were obtained using methanol solvents after the freeze-drying method that will change leaf into powder form. The extracts were then stored in the refrigerator and ready to be applied. Leaf dipping method was used as biological test. The test conducted on Spodoptera litura larvae that obtained from Balittas Malang. Larvae rearing trials were carried out in the Laboratory of Botany, Department of Biology ITS. The larvae examined were the third instar fed on fodder greens of leaf mustard. Toxicity effects of extract were observed from mortality of Spodoptera litura during 5 days. Ten plants species with bio-insecticide potential in this study were Ageratum conyzoides L., Crynum asiaticum L., Calotropis gigantea R., Eugenia cumini Merr., Eichornia crassipes, Crescentia cujete L., Nothopanax scutellarium Merr., Morinda citrifolia L., Azadirachta indica, and Lantana camara L. <br /><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Keywords</strong> : Bio-insecticide, potential plants, Spodoptera litura</p>

Evaluation of in vitro anti-inflammatory and antibacterial potential of Crescentia cujete leaves and stem bark.

BackgroundThe various parts of Cresecentia cujete have some important biological activities. In folklore medicine leaves are used to treat hematomas, tumors and hypertension. Fruit decoction is used to treat diarrhea, stomachaches, cold, bronchitis, cough, asthma, and urethritis. The present study was designed to explore the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial potential of C. cujete leaves and stem bark. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by in vitro human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization method and antibacterial activity by disc diffusion method.MethodsIn vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization method while in vitro antibacterial activity was evaluated using cultures of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by disc diffusion method. Total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) of the crude extract and fractions were also determined by Folin–Ciocalteu’s phenol reagent and by aluminium chloride method, respectively.ResultsThe crude ethanol extract (CEE) of leaves and bark (concentration of each 1.0 mg/ml) demonstrated strong membrane stabilizing activity (53.86 and 61.85 % protection, respectively), whereas their chloroform fractions (CHF) revealed moderate activity (48.74 ± 0.56 and 43.55 ± 6.20 %, respectively) compared with standard aspirin (concentration 0.10 mg/ml) which showed 75.81 % protection in this test. All the samples showed a dose dependent anti-inflammatory activity in HRBC membrane stabilization test. Total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) of the crude extract and fractions were also determined. Again, in in vitro antibacterial study, the extractives exhibited potent antibacterial activity.ConclusionResults from this study showed that the leaves and bark of C. cujete possessed anti-inflammatory as well as antibacterial activities indicating that the plant extract has therapeutic potential against the bacterial infection and also have effect on disease processes by causing destabilization of biological membranes.

Secondary metabolites isolated from Rhigozum madagascariensis rhizome with antituberculosis properties

Rhigozum madagascariensis Drake is an endemic plant from the Toliara region of Madagascar [1], which belongs to the Bignoniaceae family or Trumpet Creeper Family. The Bignoniaceae family comprising about 650 – 750 species in 116 – 120 genera. Members of the family are mostly trees and lianas, shrubs and more rarely herbaceous plants, some of them are used as ornamental plants due to their large and often colourful flowers, and others in horticulture as the calabash tree (Crescentia cujete). The family has a cosmopolitan distribution and is present in both the Old World and the New World, with Catalpa the only genus common to both. Members are distributed mostly in the tropics and subtropics, with a great diversity in South America. Thirteen species in eight genera are present in Southern Africa, of which ten species from five genera are particularly found in Madagascar. Only few phytochemical studies from Madagascar Bignoniaceae have been reported until now. Air-dried and finely powdered Rhigozum madagascariensis rhizome (2.17 kg) was extracted with n-hexane in a Söxhlet system for 8h to yield 12.9 g of extract. The extract was kept at -20 °C for 24h and the soluble fraction concentrated under vacuum (˜ 4.9 g) re-dissolved in MeOH and kept at -20 ° C for 48h, to remove waxes. The methanol soluble part after concentration (˜ 4.6 g) was treated with hexane/acetone (2:1) and kept at 5 °C during one week to remove chlorophylls yielding a final residue of 3.2 g. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel with hexane/ethyl acetate (8:2) and ethyl acetate to yield eight fractions. Fractions were re-chromatographed and/or crystallized to isolated and identified the naphtoquinone: dehydro-a-lapachone [2], and dimeric quinones: tecomaquinone I [3], II – V, in addition to fatty acids (palmitic, oleic, linoleic and myristic acids) and the sterols stigmasterol and β-sitosterol.

Ultra-Structure of the Leaf Surfaces of the Family Bignoniaceae Juss. in Nigeria

The leaf surfaces of the Nigerian Bignoniaceae were studied using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The species in this study were: Crescentia cujete Linn. Jacaranda mimosifolia D. Don., Kigelia africana (Lam) Benth. Markhamia tomentosa (Benth) K. Schum., Newbuldia laevis (P. Beauv.) Seemann ex Bureau. Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv. Stereospermum acuminatissimum K. Schum. Stereospermum kunthianum Cham. Tabebuia rosea (Berthol) D. C. Tecoma stans (Linn) H, B &K. and Tecoma capensis. The study was conducted using anatomical characters to identify and delimit the Nigerian taxa at the tribal level. Stomata were observed on the abaxial surfaces of all the species studied. Sunken stomata were found in K. africana while the others had raised stomata. Peltate trichomes were found on some species like the abaxial surfaces of C. cujete, J. mimosifolia, M. tomentosa, N. laevis T. stans and T. rosea and on the adaxial surfaces of C. cujete, M. tomentosa, N. laevis, S.acuminatissimum and T. rosea. M. tomentosa had both glandular and non-glandular trichomes on the abaxial surface while T. capensis had only non-glandular trichome on the adaxial surface. The non-glandular trichomes of M. tomentosa were long and with blunt tip while those of T. capensis were short and with pointed tips. Striae were found on the abaxial surfaces of J. mimosifolia and T. stans and on both the abaxial and adaxial surfaces of T. capensis. The genera Tabebuia and Tecoma are suggested to be retained in the tribe Tecomeae based on striations on their epidermal cells. While other members be assigned to a new tribe ‘Spathodeae’.

Antioxidant activities of ethanol extracts and fractions of Crescentia cujete leaves and stem bark and the involvement of phenolic compounds

BackgroundAntioxidant compounds like phenols and flavonoids scavenge free radicals and thus inhibit the oxidative mechanisms that lead to control degenerative and other diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity in vitro, total phenolic and flavonoid contents in ethanol extracts and fractions of Crescentia cujete leaves and stem bark.MethodsCrescentia cujete leaves and bark crude ethanol extract (CEE) and their partitionates petroleum ether (PEF), chloroform (CHF), ethyl acetate (EAF) and aqueous (AQF) were firstly prepared. Different established testing methods, such as 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical, ferric reducing power (FRP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assays were used to detect the antioxidant activity. Further, the total yield, total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) of CEE and all the fractions were determined. Ethanol extracts of both leaves and stem bark were also subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening to detect the presence of secondary metabolites, using standard phytochemical methods (Thin layer chromatography and spray reagents).ResultsPhytochemical screening of crude ethanol extract of both leaves and stem bark revealed the presence of steroids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides and terpenoids. All the fractions and CEE of leaves and bark exhibited antioxidant activities, however, EAF of leaves showing the highest antioxidant activity based on the results of DPPH, FRP and TAC assay tests. The above fraction has shown the significant DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 = 8.78 μg/ml) when compared with standard ascorbic acid (IC50 =7.68 μg/ml). The TAC and FRP activities increased with increasing crude extract/fractions content. The TPC (371.23 ± 15.77 mg GAE/g extract) and TFC (144.64 ± 5.82 mg QE/g extract) of EAF of leaves were found significantly higher as compared to other solvent fractions for both leaves and bark. TPC were highly correlated with the antioxidant activity (R2 = 0.9268 and 0.8515 in DPPH test for leaves and bark, respectively).ConclusionThe results of the study show that leaves of C. cujete possesses significant free radical scavenging properties compared with stem bark and a clear correlation exists between the antioxidant activity and phenolic content.

Phenotypic differentiation between wild and domesticated varieties of Crescentia cujeteL. and culturally relevant uses of their fruits as bowls in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

BackgroundSelection criteria are important for analyzing domestication of perennial plant species, which experience a selection pressure throughout several human generations. We analyze the preferred morphological characteristics of Crescentia cujete fruits, which are used as bowls by the Maya of Yucatan, according to the uses they are given and the phenotypic consequences of artificial selection between one wild and three domesticated varieties.MethodsWe performed 40 semi-structured interviews in seven communities. We calculated Sutrop’s salience index (S) of five classes of ceremonial and daily life uses, and of each item from the two most salient classes. We sampled 238 bowls at homes of people interviewed and compared their shape, volume and thickness with 139 fruits collected in homegardens and 179 from the wild. Morphology of varieties was assessed in fruit (n = 114 trees) and vegetative characters (n = 136 trees). Differences between varieties were evaluated through linear discriminant analysis (LDA).ResultsUse of bowls as containers for the Day of the Dead offerings was the most salient class (S = 0.489) with chocolate as its most salient beverage (S = 0.491), followed by consumption of daily beverages (S = 0.423), especially maize-based pozol (S = 0.412). The sacred saka’ and balche' are offered in different sized bowls during agricultural and domestic rituals. Roundness was the most relevant character for these uses, as bowls from households showed a strong selection towards round shapes compared with wild and homegarden fruits. Larger fruits from domesticated varieties were also preferred over small wild fruits, although in the household different sizes of the domesticated varieties are useful. LDA separated wild from domesticated trees (p < 0.001) according to both fruit and vegetative variables, but domesticated varieties were not different among themselves.ConclusionsThe association between C. cujete bowls and traditional beverages in ritual and daily life situations has driven for centuries the selection of preferred fruit morphology in this tree. Selection of fruit roundness and volume has allowed for the differentiation between the wild variety and the three domesticated ones, counteracting gene flow among them. By choosing the best fruits from domesticated varieties propagated in homegardens, the Maya people model the domestication process of this important tree in their culture.