Corydalis Cava Research Articles

Synthesis of (2-(4-methylthiazol-5-yl) ethoxy)-substituted silicon phthalocyanine and novel green silver nanoparticles: DSSC targets

ABSTRACT In this study, designed as a dye-sensitive solar cell material which, bis-(2-(4-methylthiazol-5-yl) ethoxy) phthalocyaninato silicon (IV) compound (3) was obtained from the chemical reaction of SiPcCl2 and 4-methyl-5-thiazoleethanol. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using environmentally friendly and cost-effective green methods using leaf and flower extracts of Corydalis cava(CoV) and Nonea pulla(NP) plants. For the characterization of phthalocyanine compound and silver nanoparticles, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), 1H NMR, 13C NMR, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), UV-visible, FT-IR and Mass spectrum devices were used. The power conversion efficiency of without doping compound 3 is 1.20. After doping this compound with CoVAgNPs and NPAgNPs, the power conversion efficiencies increased to 1.74 and 2.10. From this it is clearly seen that silver nanoparticles are effective. It is concluded that better photovoltaic materials can be created by using phthalocyanine and silver nanoparticles together.

A Hanság gyertyános-tölgyesei (Scillo vindobonensi-Carpinetum)

The present study presents the associations of hornbeam-oak forests (Scillo vindobonensi-Carpinetum) in the northwestern part of Hungary based (Hanság) on 50 cenological images. We are faced with an azonal association moderately influenced by groundwater. Some submontane elements are striking in their stocks, which are generally rare in the Great Plains. In particular, Fagetalia elements are common: Actaea spicata, Adoxa moschatellina, Aegopodium podagraria, Allium ursinum, Anemone ranunculoides, Asarum europaeum, Athyrium filix-femina, Carex pilosa, Carex sylvatica, Circaea lutetiana, Corydalis cava, Corydalis pumila, Epipactis helleborine agg., Gagea lutea, Galanthus nivalis, Galeobdolon luteum, Galium odoratum, Hedera helix, Listera ovata, Milium effusum, Pimpinella major, Polygonatum multiflorum, Pulmonaria officinalis, Salvia glutinosa, Sanicula europaea, Scilla vindobonensis, Stachys sylvatica, Vinca minor, Viola reichenbachiana etc. These plants are probably remnants of the former "Beech I period" (2500 BC to 800 BC) with cooler, wetter and more even climates.

The relevance of transition habitats for butterfly conservation

Biodiversity is declining across the globe. Main drivers causing the vanishing of species are habitat destruction and the transformation of former heterogeneous landscapes into homogeneous and intensively used landscapes. Modern land management focuses on the creation of landscape configuration with sharp boundaries between ecosystems. In consequence, transition zones between two ecosystems such as between forest and open grassland are rare, as it counteracts the efficient and commercial use of space. However, there are many species relying on such transition zones between habitats, as the Clouded Apollo butterfly Parnassius mnemosyne. This highly endangered butterfly species occurs in light deciduous forests, interspersed with extensively used grasslands. In our study, we analysed habitat requirements of this butterfly species. We recorded larvae and feeding marks at its primary larval food plant, Corydalis cava, and assessed microhabitat characteristics, including microclimatic conditions. We captured high-resolution multispectral aerial imagery with an unmanned aerial vehicle. We subsequently combined ground-truthing data with information from high resolution aerial pictures to calculate habitat suitability models. We found that P. mnemosyne larvae mainly occur in the transition zone between deciduous light forest and extensively used grasslands with C. cava. Caterpillars of P. mnemosyne are particularly found around trees, basking on foliage and grass to rapidly reach high operation temperatures. Results from Species Distribution Models underline the relevance of transition zones between habitats for P. mnemosyne, and for biodiversity in general. The Clouded Apollo may serve as excellent indicator species for light deciduous forests, and as flagship to promote the conservation and restoration of transition zones between habitats in nature conservation.

Seed Dispersal by Ants in Three Early-Flowering Plants.

Simple SummaryMyrmecochory is seed dispersal of numerous plant species mediated by ants. We investigate ant–plant interactions under field conditions across two study sites in Central Europe. Three obligatory myrmecocohrous plants are chosen for the experiments: snowdrop Galanthus nivalis, hollow root Corydalis cava and European wild ginger Asarum europaeum. We experimentally alter diaspore morphology and record seed removal rates across five treatments: elaiosomes without seeds, diaspore without elaiosome, 1/2 elaiosome + diaspore, 1/2 diaspore + elaiosome and control. Elaiosomes of European wild ginger constitute about 30% of diaspore weight, elaiosomes of snowdrop constitute 13% and elaiosomes of hollow root constitute only 7.5%. Diaspore/elaiosome removal rates are highest in European wild ginger (34%), followed by hollow root (26%) and snowdrop (10%). Only two ants interact with diaspores, the acorn ant Temnothorax crassispinus and the red ant Myrmica ruginodis. Ants respond to elaiosome/seed ratio by removing elaiosomes without diaspores most frequently, followed by 1/2 diaspore + elaiosome, control, diaspores without elaiosomes and 1/2 elaiosome with diaspore. Plants do not effectively manipulate ant behavior and no dispersal benefits from interactions with ants are observed.Interactions between ants and plants vary from being occasionally beneficial to neutral and negative. Ant-mediated dispersal of obligatory myrmecochorous plants is considered mutualistic interaction, providing benefits to plants in terms of seed dispersal. Ants are rewarded by providing elaiosome, sugar, lipid and protein-rich appendages attached to seeds (diaspores). We experimentally examine rates of diaspore removal rates among three species of plants (snowdrop Galanthus nivalis, hollow root Corydalis cava and European wild ginger Asarum europaeum) under field conditions in two study sites in Central Europe. Diaspore morphology is altered by manipulating both elaiosome and seed size. The small-sized acorn ant Temnothorax crassispinus interacts with the snowdrop and hollow root and the moderately-sized red ant Myrmica ruginodis interacts with European wild ginger. Experimental manipulation with elaiosomes yields largely non-significant results. Diaspore removal rates are generally low (snowdrop 10%, hollow root 26%, European wild ginger 34%) probably due to the small size of ants relative to heavy diaspores. Many ants are observed to consume elaiosomes in situ (cheating). We conclude that ant–plant relationships in this case are not mutualistic but rather neutral/slightly negative, because the plants do not obtain any apparent benefits from their interactions with ants.

Characterization and expression of a novel thaumatin-like protein (CcTLP1) from papaveraceous plant Corydalis cava

Thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs, osmotins) form a protein family which shares a significant sequence homology to the sweet-tasting thaumatin from the plant Thaumatococcus daniellii. TLPs are not sweet-tasting and are involved in response to biotic stresses and developmental processes. Recently it has been shown using a proteomic approach that the tuber extract from Corydalis cava (Papaveraceae) contains a TLP protein. The aim of this work was to characterize the structure and expression of TLP from C. cava tubers. The results obtained using a PCR approach with degenerate primers demonstrated a coding sequence of a novel protein, named CcTLP1. It consists of 225 aa, has a predicted molecular weight of 24.2 kDa (NCBI GenBank accession no. KJ513303) and has 16 strictly conserved cysteine residues, which form 8 disulfide bridges and stabilize the 3D structure. CcTLP1 may be classified into class IX of plant TLPs. The highest CcTLP1 expression levels were shown by qPCR in the stem of the plant compared to other organs and in the medium-size plants compared to other growth phases. The results confirm that CcTLP1 is expressed during plant growth and development until flowering, with a possible defensive function against different stress conditions.

Screening Papaveraceae as Novel Antibiofilm Natural-Based Agents.

The antimicrobial properties of herbs from Papaveraceae have been used in medicine for centuries. Nevertheless, mutual relationships between the individual bioactive substances contained in these plants remain poorly elucidated. In this work, phytochemical composition of extracts from the aerial and underground parts of five Papaveraceae species (Chelidonium majus L., Corydalis cava (L.) Schweigg. and Körte, C. cheilanthifolia Hemsl., C. pumila (Host) Rchb., and Fumaria vaillantii Loisel.) were examined using LC-ESI-MS/MS with a triple quadrupole analyzer. Large differences in the quality and quantity of all analyzed compounds were observed between species of different genera and also within one genus. Two groups of metabolites predominated in the phytochemical profiles. These were isoquinoline alkaloids and, in smaller amounts, non-phenolic carboxylic acids and phenolic compounds. In aerial and underground parts, 22 and 20 compounds were detected, respectively. These included: seven isoquinoline alkaloids: protopine, allocryptopine, coptisine, berberine, chelidonine, sanguinarine, and chelerythrine; five of their derivatives as well as non-alkaloids: malic acid, trans-aconitic acid, quinic acid, salicylic acid, trans-caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol; and vanillin. The aerial parts were much richer in phenolic compounds regardless of the plant species. Characterized extracts were studied for their antimicrobial potential against planktonic and biofilm-producing cells of S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans. The impact of the extracts on cellular metabolic activity and biofilm biomass production was evaluated. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of the extracts introduced to the polymeric carrier made of bacterial cellulose was assessed. Extracts of C. cheilanthifolia were found to be the most effective against all tested human pathogens. Multiple regression tests indicated a high antimicrobial impact of quercetin in extracts of aerial parts against planktonic cells of S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans, and no direct correlation between the composition of other bioactive substances and the results of antimicrobial activity were found. Conclusively, further investigations are required to identify the relations between recognized and unrecognized compounds within extracts and their biological properties.

ВЕСНЯНА ФЛОРА ЛУЦЬКОГО ТА ПАРТИЗАНСЬКОГО ЛІСНИЦТВ КІВЕРЦІВСЬКОГО НАЦІОНАЛЬНОГО ПРИРОДНОГО ПАРКУ "ЦУМАНСЬКА ПУЩА"

In the frame of identification of the Ukrainian Polissya rare vegetation the most attention is paid to the boreal species and groups. Deciduous forests with sinuses of spring ephemeroids remain unstudied in Polissya that's why the urgency of their research in the forests of Volyn Polissya is important, especially in the Kivertsy National Nature Park "Tsumanska Pushcha". The research of the spring ephemeroids composition and rare plant species identification on the territory of the plots of "Volyn Military Forestry" and "Tsumanske Forestry" within the Kivertsy National Nature Park "Tsumanska Pushcha" were aim of the study. At the beginning of the 2021 vegetation period 16 spring ephemeroids were found in 38 parcel of Lutsk forestry and 41 parcel of the Partisan Forestry (both belong to the Kivertsy NPP "Tsumanska Pushcha") by the employees of the NPP together with the scientists of Volyn National University named after Lesya Ukrainka. There were identified Adoxa moschatellina L., Allium ursinum L., Anemone nemorosa L., A. ranunculoides L., Corydalis cava Schweigg. et. Korte., C. solida (L.) Clairv., Dentaria glandulosa Waldst. & Kit., Ficaria verna Huds., Hepatica nobilis Mill., Isopyrum thalictroides L., Lathraea squamaria L., Lathyrus vernus (L.) Bernh., Mercurialis perennis L., Primula veris L., Pulmonaria obscura Dumort., Ranunculus cassubicus L. The monitoring research was set for populations of Allium ursinum (Ukrainian Red Data Book) and regional rare species in Volyn Region: Corydalis cava, Dentaria glandulosa, Hepatica nobilis, Isopyrum thalictroides, Hepatica nobilis (spring ephemeroids), Vinca minor (spring-flowering species) and Hedera helix (wintergreen species). The studied ephemeroid plants amount 2.52 % of the total number of vascular plants of Tsumanska Pushcha and 1.14 % of the flora of Volyn Polissya. According to the results of monitoring studies for Allium ursinum, the coenopopulation of the species generally has a left-handed spectrum, remains homeostatic, and the number of individuals is maintained by seed and vegetative propagation. Creation of the ecological trail "Spring-flowering plants of Kivertsy NPP "Tsumanska Pushcha" is proposed.

Endopolyploidy pattern in Corydalis early spring geophytes

Endopolyploidy, a condition where the nuclear ploidy level of various cells and tissues of an organism increases, is present in diverse plant species. Endopolyploidy contributes to cell enlargement, increases gene expression, and accelerates growth, hence it is associated with cell differentiation, development, and physiology of plants. However, the occurrence of this phenomenon in plants and the diversity of functional roles of endopolyploidy remains poorly understood. In this study, we have used flow cytometry to perform a detailed survey of the extent and patterns of endopolyploidy in various organs of two early spring geophytes, Corydalis cava and C. solida. We identified between 2C and 32C ploidy classes. Most of the stem samples contained only endopolyploid cells (4C – 32C) in both species. The endoreduplication index varied between 0.34 (leaf lamina) and 2.45 (basal part of the stem). Both species showed a similar level of endopolyploidy, and the endopolyploidy index exceeded 1.5 in the root, tuber, stem, peduncle, petiole, and scale leaf of at least one species. The endopolyploidy index differed in leaf lamina, ovary, style, and stamen between two species. Compared to other angiosperm groups, Corydalis may be included into highly endopolyploid plants. Geophytism is generally associated with high genome size, but this is not the case in Corydalis. We hypothesised that high endopolyploidy level found in Corydalis may compensate for the low genome size and thus help to promote plant growth during the early spring.

Ecological-coenotic features of rare flora species of pine-oak stands of Volyn Polissya

Anthropogenic influence on the natural vegetation of Volyn Polissya threatens the existence of habitats of rare and endangered species of flora. Therefore, the region, unique in botanical and geographical terms, is gradually losing its specific vegetation characteristics. Having analyzed the literature data, herbarium data and materials of our own field studies in 2016-2019, we have compiled a list of rare and endangered species of pine-oak stands. In the habitat of pine-oak stands 89 rare species were found, 29 of which are listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, while Silene lithuanica is included in the European Red List. 3 species (Cypripedium calceolus, Trapa natans та Caldesia parnassifolia) are included into appendices of “The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora”. 10 species are subject to protection according to the appendix of “Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats” 56 species are regionally rare species for the flora of the Volyn region, 4 species are rare species of pine-oak stands. In our research we have analyzed the age range, density and recovery index for the species studied. The study found that for 63 rare species the dynamics of species abundance and distribution are satisfactory. The area of distribution and the number of 7 species is increasing: Allium ursinum, Galanthus nivalis, Platanthera chlorantha, Anemone sylvestris, Campanula persicifolia, Corydalis cava, Isopyrum thalictroides In the study area 14 species grow sporadically: Juniperus communis, Potentilla alba, Digitalis grandiflora, Gymnocarpium dryoptheris, Daphne mezereum, Neottia nidus-avis, Epipactis helleborine, Scorzonera purpurea, Asparagus officinalis, Iris sibirica, Adonis vernalis, Cephalanthera damasonium, Gentiana cruciate, Gentiana pneumonanthe. Dissemination information for Caldesia parnassifolia, Succisella inflexa, Genistella sagittalis, Salix myrtilloides, Ophioglossum vulgatum is insufficient for establishing species dynamics and needs further investigation. The conservation of pine-oak stands in Volyn Polissya will help to create the conditions for the growth of rare and endangered species of flora.

A Kerka-vidék gyertyános-tölgyesei

In this study, the phytosociological characteristics of oak-hornbeam forests in the Kerka valley, sW Hungary are summarized using 50 vegetation samples. These forests grow on alluvial soils affected by high groundwater table, and thus are best regarded as extrazonal communities exhibiting some characteristics of hardwood gallery forests. The high number of submontane elements are particularly typical of them: Aco-nitum vulparia,Adoxa moschatellina, Anemone nemorosa, Anemone ranunculoides, Asarum europaeum, Athyrium filix-femina, Cardamine bulbifera, Cerastium sylvaticum, Coryda-lis cava, Coridalis solida, Euphorbia amygdaloides, Gagea spathacea, Galanthus nivalis, Galeobdolon luteum, Isopyrum thalictroides, Knautia drymeia, Lathyrus vernus, Leucojum vernum, Lilium martagon, Luzula pilosa, Maianthemum bifo-lium, Mercurialis perennis, Milium effusum, Oxalis acetosella, Paris quadrifolia, Pulmonaria officinalis, Ranunculus lanugi-nosus, Sanicula europaea, Scilla drunensis, Stellaria holos-tea, Veronica montana, etc. The high frequency of Fritillaria meleagris is particularly noteworthy. These plants are likely to be relics of the cooler and wetter, and less extreme Beech I. phase of the Holocene. The occurrence of some sub-Med-iterranean species (Carex strigosa, Helleborus dumetorum, Knautia drymeia, Vicia oroboides) suggests some degree of relatedness to the oak-hornbeam forests in the zala Hills (Helleboro dumetorum-Carpinetum). The studied woods are sharply separated from the oak-hornbeam forests of Western Transdanubia (Cyclamini-Carpinetum), and exhibit relatively closer similarity to the oak-hornbeam forests of the Mura and Drava floodplains and the Raba River valley (Veronico montanae-Carpinetum). syntaxonomically, they are best identified with the latter under the name Veronico montanae-Carpinetum scilletosum drunensis.

An Ant-Plant Mesocosm Experiment Reveals Dispersal Patterns of Myrmecochorous Plants

For Central European herbs, ants are one common dispersal vector acting at relatively small spatial scales. Though extensively studied concerning the different benefits to plants, specific dispersal patterns mediated by ants have been reportedly very sparsely and without any validation. Thus, we studied the seed dispersal pattern of a set of myrmecochorous plant species in a novel mesocosm experiment. We examined the seed dispersal distances of four forest herbs (Hollow Root–Corydalis cava (L.) Schweigg. & Körte, Alpine Squill–Scilla bifolia L., and Common Dog-violet–Viola riviniana Rchb. and the annual Ivy-leaved Speedwell–Veronica hederifolia L.) by the red ant Myrmica ruginodis Nylander in 8.25 m² large plots under natural conditions with and without ants. In the presence of Myrmica ants, the bulb geophytes C. cava and S. bifolia showed a significantly higher fraction of dispersed seedlings and a maximum dispersal distance of 322 cm. Estimated by nearest neighbor analyses, distances between single C. cava seedlings were significantly higher in ant plots than in exclosures without ants. The annual species Veronica hederifolia showed a few dispersed seedlings in ant plots only, while the diplochorous hemicryptophyte Viola riviniana germinated in a widely scattered manner with distances up to 241 cm due to ballochorous dispersal in both ant and exclosure plots, but with a maximum of 324 cm only by means of ants. Our results indicate the escape from the mother plant and dispersal for distance as an important benefit for myrmecochorous species, potentially accompanied by benefits through reduced competition.

In Vitro and In Silico Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity of Thalictricavine and Canadine and Their Predicted Penetration across the Blood-Brain Barrier.

In recent studies, several alkaloids acting as cholinesterase inhibitors were isolated from Corydalis cava (Papaveraceae). Inhibitory activities of (+)-thalictricavine (1) and (+)-canadine (2) on human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE) were evaluated with the Ellman’s spectrophotometric method. Molecular modeling was used to inspect the binding mode of compounds into the active site pocket of hAChE. The possible permeability of 1 and 2 through the blood–brain barrier (BBB) was predicted by the parallel artificial permeation assay (PAMPA) and logBB calculation. In vitro, 1 and 2 were found to be selective hAChE inhibitors with IC50 values of 0.38 ± 0.05 µM and 0.70 ± 0.07 µM, respectively, but against hBChE were considered inactive (IC50 values > 100 µM). Furthermore, both alkaloids demonstrated a competitive-type pattern of hAChE inhibition and bind, most probably, in the same AChE sub-site as its substrate. In silico docking experiments allowed us to confirm their binding poses into the active center of hAChE. Based on the PAMPA and logBB calculation, 2 is potentially centrally active, but for 1 BBB crossing is limited. In conclusion, 1 and 2 appear as potential lead compounds for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Особливості сучасної структури насаджень парку села Піківець

Досліджено парк села Піківець Уманського району Черкаської області, якого заклали жителі села та учні школи наприкінці 50-их – початку 60-их років ХХ ст. Площа парку становить 0,89 га. У парку встановлено пам'ятники учасникам війни 1941-1945 років і жертвам Чорнобильської катастрофи та меморіальний комплекс воїнам-односельцям, які загинули під час Великої Вітчизняної війни, з братською могилою, стелою і "вічним вогнем". Парк має недостатньо розвинуту доріжно-стежкову мережу, яка займає 3,5 % від загальної площі. Встановлено, що переважаючі види дерев представлені дубом звичайним (Quercus robur L.), липою серцелистою (Tilia cordata Mill.) та гіркокаштаном звичайним (Aesculus hippocastanum L.). Встановлено середні показники висот, діаметри стовбурів та крон дерев у деревостанах. У насадженні найбільший середній діаметр стовбура на висоті 1,3 м у представників Quercus robur L. – 43 см та Populus piramidalis Rozier – 47,3 см. З найбільшим середнім значенням висоти в парку дерева Q. robur L. – 17,4 м, та Populus piramidalis Rozier – 15,3 м. З'ясовано, що в парку є два типи ландшафтів – парковий (90 %) та регулярний (10 %). Проведено розподіл території за виділами, де у 2-му виділі узлісся сформоване з порід, де переважаючими є карагана деревовидна (Caragana arborescens Lam.) та бузок звичайний (Syringa vulgaris L.). Панівним видом у деревостані є дуб звичайний (Quercus robur L.). У 3-му виділі узлісся сформоване з карагани деревовидної (C. arborescens Lam.) з незначною домішкою інших порід. У деревостані немає одного переважаючого виду. Охарактеризовано трав'яний покрив та квіткове оформлення парку.

UPLC-MS/MS Profile of Alkaloids with Cytotoxic Properties of Selected Medicinal Plants of the Berberidaceae and Papaveraceae Families.

Cancer is one of the most occurring diseases in developed and developing countries. Plant-based compounds are still researched for their anticancer activity and for their quantity in plants. Therefore, the modern chromatographic methods are applied to quantify them in plants, for example, UPLC-MS/MS (ultraperformance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the content of sanguinarine, berberine, protopine, and chelidonine in Dicentra spectabilis (L.) Lem., Fumaria officinalis L., Glaucium flavum Crantz, Corydalis cava L., Berberis thunbergii DC., Meconopsis cambrica (L.) Vig., Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt., Macleaya cordata Willd., and Chelidonium majus L. For the first time, N,N-dimethyl-hernovine was identified in M. cambrica, B. thunbergii, M. aquifolium, C. cava, G. flavum, and C. majus; methyl-hernovine was identified in G. flavum; columbamine was identified in B. thunbergii; and methyl-corypalmine, chelidonine, and sanguinarine were identified in F. officinalis L. The richest source of protopine among all the examined species was M. cordata (5463.64 ± 26.3 μg/g). The highest amounts of chelidonine and sanguinarine were found in C. majus (51,040.0 ± 1.8 μg/g and 7925.8 ± 3.3 μg/g, resp.), while B. thunbergi contained the highest amount of berberine (6358.4 ± 4.2 μg/g).

Multifunctional activity of some isoquinoline alkaloids from Corydalis cava tubers on Alzheimer's disease targets

Multifunctional activity of some isoquinoline alkaloids from Corydalis cava tubers on Alzheimer's disease targets

Seasonal variability of biomass, total leaf area and specific leaf area of forest understory herbs reflects their life strategies

Seasonal variability of forest understory herbs is not well understood and there are almost no data about seasonal changes of individual plant biomass and specific leaf area (SLA) of this functional group, even though they are a crucial element of forest ecosystem plant biodiversity. The aim of the study was to characterize the seasonal variation of individual aboveground standing biomass, total leaf area and SLA of understory herbaceous species during a growing season. The study was conducted in the Czmoń Forest (W Poland; 52°15′N, 17°05′E) and covered 12 plant species, i.e. Aegopodium podagraria, Alliaria petiolata, Anemone nemorosa, Anemone ranunculoides, Asarum europaeum, Corydalis cava, Ficaria verna, Galium aparine, Galeobdolon luteum, Hepatica nobilis, Maianthemum bifolium and Paris quadrifolia. Plants were harvested 14 dates, between the 109th and 287th day of year. In all species there were statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in SLA and total leaf area among harvest dates and in individual plant biomass for all except two species (A. ranunculoides and G. aparine). Changes in SLA and total leaf area were related to changes in light conditions during the growing season. However, responses of the species studied to seasonal changes of light availability were different: those species which persisted through the whole sampling period differed from spring ephemerals, which resulted in different patterns of biomass production and SLA seasonal variation. In most cases, flowering individuals had lower SLA than vegetative plants, which may indicate that light availability is more important than light use efficiency for their generative propagation.

Application of BACE1 immobilized enzyme reactor for the characterization of multifunctional alkaloids from Corydalis cava (Fumariaceae) as Alzheimer's disease targets

In our ongoing study focused on Corydalis cava (Fumariaceae), used in folk medicine in the treatment of memory dysfunctions, we have investigated fifteen previously isolated alkaloids for their potential multifunctional activity on Alzheimer's disease (AD) targets. Determination of ß-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) inhibition was carried out using a BACE1-Immobilized Enzyme Reactor (IMER) by validating the assay with a multi-well plate format Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) assay. Seven alkaloids out of fifteen were found to be active, with (−)-corycavamine (3) and (+)-corynoline (5) demonstrating the highest BACE1 inhibition activity, in the micromolar range, in a concentration dependent manner. BACE1-IMER was found to be a valid device for the fast screening of inhibitors and the determination of their potency. In a permeation assay (PAMPA) for the prediction of blood–brain barrier (BBB) penetration, the most active compounds, (−)-corycavamine (3) and (+)-corynoline (5), were found to be able to cross the BBB. Not all compounds showed activity against glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and casein kinase-1δ (CK-1δ). On the basis of the reported results, we found that some C. cava alkaloids have multifunctional activity against AD targets (prolyl oligopeptidase, cholinesterases and BACE1). Moreover, we tried to elucidate the treatment effectivity (rational use) of its extract in memory dysfunction in folk medicine.

Comparative ecophysiology of seven spring geophytes from an oak-hornbeam forest

The ecophysiological traits of seven spring forest geophytes (Gagea lutea L., Scilla bifolia L., Ficaria verna L., Corydalis cava (L.) Koerte, Arum maculatum L., Dentaria bulbifera L. Crantz, and Ornithogalum pyrenaicum L.) were compared in terms of photosynthetic performance, chlorophyll content, specific leaf area, and relative water content from early spring to summer under field conditions. Light response curves were measured for each species throughout the continuum of its phenological phases to quantify the photosynthetic photon flux density at light saturation, light-saturated photosynthetic rate and light compensation point. All species showed similar seasonal dynamics of the assessed parameters, but the average seasonal values of photosynthesis, dark respiration and maximum efficiency of the photosystem II, as well as light saturation point and light compensation point, differed significantly. From the ecophysiological parameters that were determined it appears that the investigated species can be grouped in two categories: ‘early-flowering’ spring ephemerals (higher P N, I comp, I sat, R d, lower F v/F m, more shade-avoiding strategy): G. lutea, S. bifolia, F. verna, C. cava and ‘later-flowering’ spring ephemerals (lower P N, I comp, I sat, R d, higher F v/F m, more shade-tolerating strategy): A. maculatum, D. bulbifera, and O. pyrenaicum.

Do queens of bumblebee species differ in their choice of flower colour morphs of Corydalis cava (Fumariaceae)?

Bumblebee queens require a continuous supply of flowering food plants from early spring for the successful development of annual colonies. Early in spring, Corydalis cava provides essential nectar and pollen resources and a choice of flower colour. In this paper, we examine flower colour choice (purple or white) in C. cava and verify the hypothesis that bumblebee queens differ in their choice of flower colour. A total of 10,615 observations of flower visits were made in spring 2011 and spring 2014 near Poznan, western Poland. Our results suggest that Bombus lucorum/cryptarum used purple flowers less, while Bombus terrestris used purple flowers more and Bombus hortorum showed no preference. Therefore, the colour morphs of C. cava are probably co-evolutionary adaptations to the development of another part of the insect community which has different colour preferences.

Global proteomic analysis of Chelidonium majus and Corydalis cava (Papaveraceae) extracts revealed similar defense-related protein compositions

Chelidonium majus and Corydalis cava are phylogenetically closely related (Papaveraceae family). The medicinal and pharmaceutical interest in these plants is based on their synthesis of pharmaceutically important compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids and proteins. C. majus shoot and C. cava tuber extracts have been used in traditional folk medicine to treat many diseases, such as fungal, bacterial and viral infections, liver disorders, fever, post-traumatic, colic, abdominal and menstrual pains and even cancer. This study attempts to perform a global comparative proteomic analysis of pharmacologically important extracts from these two closely related unsequenced plant species to gain insights into the protein basis of these plant organs and to compare their common and specific proteomic compositions.We used a shotgun proteomic approach combined with label-free protein quantitation according to the exponentially modified protein abundance index (emPAI). In total, a mean number of 228 protein identification results were recorded in C. cava tuber extracts and about 1240 in C. majus shoot extracts. Comparative analysis revealed a similar stress and defense-related protein composition of pharmacologically active plant species and showed the presence of different pathogenesis-related and low molecular inducible antimicrobial peptides. These findings could form the basis for further elucidation of the mechanism of the strong pharmacological activities of these medicinal plant extracts.