Vincetoxicum Hirundinaria Research Articles

Plants and their uses in dermatological recipes of the Receptarium of Burkhard III von Hallwyl from 16th century Switzerland – Data mining a historical text and preliminary in vitro screening

Ethnopharmacological relevanceHistorical texts on materia medica can be an attractive source of ethnopharmacological information. Various research groups have investigated corresponding resources from Europe and the Mediterranean region, pursuing different objectives. Regardless of the method used, the indexing of textual information and its conversion into data sets useful for further investigations represents a significant challenge. Aim of the studyFirst, this study aims to systematically catalogue pharmaco-botanical information in the Receptarium of Burkhard von Hallwyl (RBH) in order to identify candidate plants in a targeted manner. Secondly, the potential of RBH as a resource for pharmacological investigations will be assessed by means of a preliminary in vitro screening. Materials and methodsWe developed a relational database for the systematic recording of parameters composing the medical recipes contained in the historical text. Focusing on dermatological recipes, we explored the mentioned plants and their uses by drawing on specific literature. The botanical identities (candidate species) suggested in the literature for the historical plant names were rated based on their plausibility of being the correct attribution. The historical uses were interpreted by consulting medical-historical and modern clinical literature. For the subsequent in vitro screening, we selected candidate species used in recipes directed at the treatment of inflammatory or infectious skin disorders and wounds. Plants were collected in Switzerland and their hydroethanolic crude extracts tested for possible cytotoxic effects and for their potential to modulate the release of IL-6 and TNF in PS-stimulated whole blood and PBMCs. ResultsThe historical text analysis points up the challenges associated with the assessment of historical plant names. Often two or more plant species are available as candidates for each of the 161 historical plant names counted in the 200 dermatological recipes in RBH. On the other hand, our method enabled to draw conclusions about the diseases underlying the 56 medical applications mentioned in the text. On this basis, 11 candidate species were selected for in vitro screening, four of which were used in RBH in herbal simple recipes and seven in a herbal compound formulation. None of the extracts tested showed a noteworthy effect on cell viability except for the sample of Sanicula europaea L. Extracts were tested at 50 μg/mL in the whole blood assay, where especially Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Medik. or Solanum nigrum L. showed inhibitory or stimulatory activities. In the PBMC assay, the root of Vincetoxicum hirundinaria revealed a distinct inhibitory effect on IL-6 release (IC50 of 3.6 μg/mL). ConclusionsUsing the example of RBH, this study illustrates a possible ethnopharmacological path from unlocking the historical text and its subsequent analysis, through the selection and collection of plant candidates to their in vitro investigation. Fully documenting our approach to the analysis of historical texts, we hope to contribute to the discussion on solutions for the digital indexing of premodern information on the use of plants or other natural products.

Feeding of lygaeid bugs (Heteroptera, Lygaeidae) on the common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) in Kaniv Nature Reserve

The paper presents data on the feeding of three species of bugs of the Lygaeidae family: Tropidothorax leucopterus (Goeze, 1778), Lygaeus equestris (Linnaeus, 1758) and L. simulans (Deckert, 1985) on common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) in the conditions of Kaniv nature reserve, located in the forest-steppe zone in the central part of Ukraine. Common milkweed is a dangerous invasive species, a transformer of ecosystems, which poses a threat to local plant and animal communities. There is a problem in finding methods of limiting the spread of populations of this species. Among the factors that contribute to its limitation may be the consumption of common milkweed by animals, in particular by phytophagous insects. The study was conducted during the growing seasons of 2022 and 2023 on the grassland area overgrown with tree and shrub vegetation on the hills on the right bank of the Dnipro River. Tropidothorax leucopterus were feeding on sap from the vegetative body of common milkweed plants, being, for the most part, on the lower surface of the leaves. They formed dense groups, and the number of bugs on one plant could reach up to 100 individuals. Both the nymphs (from June to September) and the adults (from August to October) of this species were noted. During the study, it was also observed feeding of this species on the white swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Medik.), which is a traditional food object for this insect. But only single individuals of these bugs were found on the white swallow-wort. The representatives of the other two species, Lygaeus equestris and L. simulans, fed on the content of the common milkweed seeds during the fruit opening period. Separate individuals or small groups (up to 20 individuals) were observed, adults and single nymphs were noted. The transition of native phytophagous species to feeding on the common milkweed can facilitate its inclusion in food chains in local ecosystems and limit the spread of this aggressive introduced plant species

Did White Swallowwort (Vincetoxicum hirundinaria) Exist or Did It not During the Organic Regulations Regime? Notes on some Previously Unknown Documents from Wallachia

The present text is a small commentary on a classic case of cultural conflict that occurred in Wallachia in 1835 under the Organic Regulations regime. Starting from the discovery of some unknown documents in the archives of Romanați county, relating to the public proclamation of the non-existence of the plant iarba fiarelor (white swallowwort), which was made use of by treasure hunters at the time, we have tried to establish what was at stake in this conflict. Popular culture suddenly became a threat to the authorities of a modern state that was operating a real process of socio-cultural dressage in that period, a move that inevitably brought it into a precisely datable conflict with those who still remained faithful to a folklore culture. One of those happy cases in which history comes to the aid of ethnology.

Conservation strategy, phytochemical diversity, and genetic consistency assessment of in vitro propagated perennial herb Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Medik

Conservation strategy, phytochemical diversity, and genetic consistency assessment of in vitro propagated perennial herb Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Medik

Abiotic conditions affect nectar properties and flower visitation in four herbaceous plant species

Both plant nectar production and insect activity are highly dependent on abiotic environmental conditions. Furthermore, the foraging behaviour of insect pollinators can be affected by nectar properties. In the context of climate change, it is important to understand how plant-pollinator interactions respond to temperature and other abiotic factors. We investigated the effect of natural variation in temperature and solar radiation on nectar quantity (nectar volume) and quality (sucrose concentration and sucrose mass) and on flower visitation rates in four herbaceous plant species (Dictamnus albus, Lamium album, Salvia officinalis, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria) in the Botanical Garden Halle (Germany). Temperature affected nectar properties in all four species. Solar radiation affected nectar quantity and quality in two species, most likely by affecting flower temperature. The number of flower visits was unimodally related to temperature for two species and positively related to solar radiation in another. The variable responses across plant species in the effects of abiotic factors on nectar properties and flower visitation patterns may be due to differences in flower shape and colour, to differences in the composition of flower visitors, or due to other unmeasured extrinsic factors that vary across patches where these species occur. Our study highlights the importance of considering direct and indirect effects of climate factors on pollinator visitation in multiple plant species.

Post-glacial colonization of the Fennoscandian coast by a plant parasitic insect with an unusual life history.

Species that exhibit very peculiar ecological traits combined with limited dispersal ability pose a challenge to our understanding of ecological and evolutionary mechanisms. This is especially true when they have managed to spread over long distances, overcome physical barriers, and colonize large areas. Climate and landscape changes, trophic web relations, as well as life history all interact to shape migration routes and present-day species distributions and their population genetic structures. Here we analyzed the post-glacial colonization of northern Europe by the gall midge Contarinia vincetoxici, which is a monophagous parasite on the perennial herb White swallowwort (Vincetoxicum hirundinaria). This insect not only has a narrow feeding niche but also limited dispersal ability and an exceptionally long dormancy. Gall midge larvae (n = 329) were collected from 16 sites along its distribution range in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. Using microsatellite loci and knowledge of the species and the regions' history, we investigated the role of landscape change, host plant distribution, insect population dynamics, and life history in shaping the population genetic structure of the insect. We devoted particular interest to the role of the insect's presumed poor dispersal capacity in combination with its exceptionally extended diapause. We found significant levels of local inbreeding (95% highest posterior density interval = 0.42-0.47), low-level within-population heterozygosity (mean H E = 0.45, range 0.20-0.61) with private alleles in all populations except two. We also found significant (p < .001) regional isolation-by-distance patterns, suggesting regularly recurring mainly short-distance dispersal. According to approximate Bayesian computations, C. vincetoxici appears to have colonized the study area via wind-aided flights from remote areas approximately 4600-700 years before present when the land has gradually risen above the sea level. Extremely long dormancy periods have allowed the species to "disperse in time", thereby aiding population persistence despite generally low census population sizes.

The flora of three islets in the Korčula archipelago (southeastern Adriatic)

The flora of three small islets located in the Korčula Archipelago was investigated on several occasions during 2020. In all, 105 plant taxa were recorded, of which 101 are angiosperms, 3 gymnosperms and with 1 fern. The total flora of the islets is distributed in 48 families. The families with the highest number of taxa are Poaceae (12.38%) and Asteraceae (10.48%), followed by Lamiaceae (7.62%) and Fabaceae (5.71%). The most common life forms are therophytes (31.43%), hemicryptophytes (27.62%) and phanerophytes (19.05%). The largest number of plant taxa is accounted for by the Mediterranean floral element (60.95%), followed by the South European (20.00%) In all, three endemic, four endangered and seven strictly protected taxa were recorded. Endemics are Carduus micropterus (Borbás) Teyber ssp. micropterus, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Medik. ssp. adriaticum (Beck) Markgr and Limonium dictyophorum (Tausch) Degen. All recorded endemic taxa belong to the group Illyrian-Adriatic endemic plants. Endangered taxa are Desmazeria marina (L.) Druce, Elymus pycnathus (Godr.) Melderis and Narcissus tazetta L. Strictly protected taxa include Chenopodium murale L. and Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile. The invasive species Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist and Euphorbia prostrata Aiton have been recorded in the flora of the islet of Majsan.

Vincetoxicum hirundinaria'nın Farklı Kısımlarının Bazı Biyolojik Aktiviteleri

In this study, it was aimed to determine the antimicrobial, antibiofilm activities and synergistic effects of ethanol extracts obtained from above-ground, root, seed and seed coat of Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Medic. Antimicrobial activity was performed against 7 bacterial and 3 fungal standard strains by microdilution method and minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC) were determined. The crystal violet method was applied to determine the prevention of biofilm formation and inhibition of preformed biofilm activities on P. aeruginosa biofilm. In addition, the synergistic effects of aerial part and seed extracts against both E. coli and E. faecalis were examined by the microdilution checkerboard method. According to the antimicrobial test results tested extracts had moderate to low efficacy against studied bacterial and yeast strains. The synergy test showed that the aerial and seed extracts had additive effect against both E. coli and E. faecalis. The extracts also showed the potential to inhibit biofilm formation and inhibit preformed biofilms. Root and seed pod extracts showed the strongest antibiofilm activity, while the aerial part extract was the weakest. In conclusion, our results prove that the tested extracts, especially obtained from root and seed pods and used in the treatment of many diseases, have potential in terms of antibiofilm activity. The literature search indicated that the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of V. hirundinaria was evaluated for the first time in the current study, therefore; our findings provide important preliminary data to the literature in terms of antibiofilm activity of V. hirundinaria

Chromosome numbers in some alien plant species of Novosibirsk Region: post III

This paper presents the chromosome numbers (2n) for 13 alien species (from the families Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Polygonaceae, Solanaceae) in the Novosibirsk Region. For Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Medik. (2n = 22) and Sisymbrium altissimum L. (2n = 14), chromosome numbers were determined for the first time on the material from Russia; for Betonica officinalis L. (2n = 16) – from Asian Russia; for Stachys annua (L.) L. (2n = 34) – from West Siberia. Chromosome numbers on the material from the Novosibirsk Region were revealed for the first time for Cosmos bipinnatus Cav. (2n = 24), Inula helenium L. (2n = 20), Sonchus oleraceus L. (2n = 18), Medicago sativa subsp. varia(Martyn) Arcang. (2n = 32), Rumex obtusifolius L. (2n = 20) and Solanum nigrum L. (2n = 48). For all the species studied, brief notes on their general distribution and dispersal in the Novosibirsk Region are provided, along with literature data on chromosome numbers from other regions of Russia.

Strong gene flow explains lack of mating system variation in the perennial herb, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria, in a fragmented landscape

Fragmented landscapes may have implications for the genetic structure of populations and for the microevolution of plant species. In particular, landscape fragmentation and/or population isolation might affect the evolution of plant mating systems. Here, we study the consequences of landscape fragmentation on the genetic structure of populations of a perennial herb, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria with a mixed mating system. Our study area, the south‐western Finnish archipelago, was formed after the glacial ice sheet started to retreat 12 000 years ago. Due to the isostatic land uplift following the glacial retreat, suitable habitats have been formed gradually, and as a consequence, populations of V. hirundinaria differ in age, size and their degree of isolation in the area. We hypothesized that a mixed‐mating system has been selected for in these populations due to the advantage of self‐fertilization in newly colonized areas and the advantage of outcrossing in adaptation to heterogeneous environments. To test this hypothesis, we collected seeds of open‐pollinated flowers from 13 V. hirundinaria populations differing in size, age and isolation, and used 15 microsatellite markers to perform progeny‐array analysis to estimate population‐level outcrossing rates, population genetic indices and population structure. We found that V. hirundinaria is almost completely outcrossing in the study area with no signs of past self‐fertilization and/or mating among relatives. The overall low inbreeding coefficients indicate that even in small populations mating among relatives is rare. High allelic richness of both maternal and offspring genotypes as well as limited genetic differentiation among the studied populations indicate strong gene flow among them. Our findings suggest that V. hirundinaria has successful seed and pollen dispersal among populations that has allowed colonization of new habitats in this fragmented landscape and led to a genetically well‐mixed group of populations at the scale of the study.

Genetic drift precluded adaptation of an insect seed predator to a novel host plant in a long-term selection experiment.

Host specialization is considered a primary driver of the enormous diversity of herbivorous insects. Trade-offs in host use are hypothesized to promote this specialization, but they have mostly been studied in generalist herbivores. We conducted a multi-generation selection experiment to examine the adaptation of the specialist seed-feeding bug, Lygaeus equestris, to three novel host plants (Helianthus annuus, Verbascum thapsus and Centaurea phrygia) and to test whether trade-offs promote specialization. During the selection experiment, body size of L. equestris increased more on the novel host plant H. annuus compared to the primary host plant, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria, but this effect was not observed in other fitness related traits. In addition to selection, genetic drift caused variation among the experimental herbivore populations in their ability to exploit the host plants. Microsatellite data indicated that the level of within-population genetic variation decreased and population differentiation increased more in the selection line feeding on H. annuus compared to V. hirundinaria. We found a negative correlation between genetic differentiation and heterozygosity at the end of the experiment, suggesting that differentiation was significantly affected by genetic drift. We did not find fitness trade-offs between L. equestris feeding on the four hosts. Thus, trade-offs do not seem to promote specialization in L. equestris. Our results suggest that this insect herbivore is not likely to adapt to a novel host species in a time-scale of 20 generations despite sufficient genetic variation and that genetic drift disrupted the response to selection.

Engystol reduces onset of experimental respiratory syncytial virus-induced respiratory inflammation in mice by modulating macrophage phagocytic capacity

BackgroundRespiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or rhinovirus are one of the major causes for respiratory tract infections causing common cold disease. Respiratory viral infections range from mild symptoms in adults to serious illness especially in the very young or elderly as well as patients suffering from lung diseases or being immunocompromised due to other reasons. Engystol (EGY-2) is a multicomponent, multitarget preparation consisting of Vincetoxicum hirundinaria and Sulfur in various dilutions. The study objective was to test the effect of EGY-2 on the innate immune response during the early onset of respiratory viral infection in vivo as exemplified in a mouse model of RSV-induced respiratory inflammation.MethodsNaïve BALB/c mice were infected with 1x106 infectious units RSV A2 intranasally to cause a mild respiratory infection. EGY-2 was administered daily per oral gavage starting seven days prior to RSV infection at doses of 0.4 to 5.1 tablets/kg. Control groups received placebo treatment. Animals were sacrificed 1 to 3 days post infection (p.i.) to analyse the infection and induced immune response in the lung. Viral load in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung homogenate was determined by TCID50 assay as well as immunofluorescence staining of BALF cells using anti-RSV antibody and microscopic analysis. The RSV induced immune response was assessed by evaluation of BALF differential cell count, BALF cytokine secretion and analysis of the phagocytic capacity of alveolar macrophages.ResultsEGY-2 significantly reduced the RSV induced neutrophil and early lymphocyte influx on day 1 p.i. in BALF. EGY-2 treatment significantly diminished the RSV induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, KC and TNF-α at day 1. EGY-2 treatment was not protective for RSV infection per se, as no alteration in the viral load in lung and BALF was detected. Enhanced numbers of phagocytic-active macrophages were observed in EGY-2 treated animals on day 1 and this macrophage population showed strongly enhanced phagocytic activity on day 1 and day 3.ConclusionThe data suggest a beneficial immunomodulatory effect of EGY-2 during early onset of respiratory viral infection in vivo, mediated by stimulation of macrophage phagocytosis, resulting in a reduced innate inflammatory response in terms of neutrophil and early lymphocyte infiltration as well as reduced inflammatory cytokine secretion.

Sozological peculiarities of the flora of the Desna Plateau (Ukraine)

According to the goals and objectives of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation for 2011–2020 studying and monitoring the rare component of regional floras is highly relevant. This article presents the results of a nature conservation study of the flora of the Desna Plateau (Кrolevets’ and Hlukhiv geobotanic region), situated in the northeast part of Ukraine at the border line of two geomorphological regions (the Central Russian Upland and the Polesia-Dnipro lowland) and of two physical-geographical zones (Novhorod-Sivers`ke Polesia and the Sums`ky forest-steppe. In the orographic aspect, the territory is made up of the western spurs of the Central Russian Upland with the dissectioned forms of the relief. The studied area consists of about 4000 km2. Field route studies aimed at compiling floral lists, geobotanical description and herbarizing were conducted in the period 2002–2016. Separate sites of nature conservation interest were re-examined in different seasonal periods. The basis of the annotated summary of the rare species of vascular plant flora is made up by the materials of original research, as well as herbarium (KW) and literary reviews. The complex floristic analysis of the rare component of the regional flora was carried out in cameral conditions, which made it possible to identify the systematic, geographical, ecological, phytocenological and nature conservation structures of the rare species of vascular plant flora in the investigated area. According to the data received, the total number of species of vascular plants endangered by anthropogenic impact is composed of 85 species belonging to 32 families, 54 genera. Among the families, the following predominate: Orchidaceae (14 genera), Asteraceae, Ranunculaceae (8 genera in each), Iridaceae (5), Aspidiaceae, Cyperaceae (4 genera in each). Among the genera, the following predominate – Carex (4 species); Dryopteris, Orchis, Iris, Jurinea – 3 species in each. It was concluded that among the rare species there are plant species of different physical and geographical zones and this corresponds to the ecotone location of the region. Among species at the edge of their range, 14 are on the extreme northern border of their typical range (Linum flavum L., Carex rhizina Blytt ex Lindb., Centaurea ruthenica Lam., Trinia multicaulis Schishk, Aster amellus L., Galatella linosyris (L.) Rchb. f., Stipa tirsa Steven), 7 species are found on the southern border of their range (Cypripedium calceolus L., Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinum L., Parnassia palustris L., Lycopodium annotinum L., 4 species (Anemone nemorosa L., Salix myrsinifolia Salisb., Galanthus nivalis L., Gladiolus imbricatus L. are found on the eastern border of their distribution. The nature conservation structure includes 4 species from the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Dracocephalum ruyschiana L., Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill s.l., Salvinia natans L., Ostericum palustre (Bess) Bess); 3 species from the supplement to the CITES Convention (Adonis vernalis L., Cypripedium calceolus L., Orchis militaris L.), 27 species from the Red Book of Ukraine (Lilium martagon L., Allium ursinum L., Neottia nidus-avis (L.) Rich, Stipa pennata L.), 49 species from Sumy region rare species list (Clematis recta L., Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill., Eremogone saxatilis (L.) Ikonn., Drosera rotundifolia L., Pedicularis kaufmannii Pinzg., Carex limosa L., C. umbrosa Host.). In addition, we suggest including into this list Sanquisorba officinalis L., Briza media L., Beckmania eruciformis (L.) Host., Melica nutans L., Coronilla varia L., Salvia nutans L., Scilla siberica Haw., Corydalis solida (L.) Clairv., Valeriana officinalis L., Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Medic., Menyanthes trifoliata L., Hesperis matronalis L., Naumburgia thyrsiflora (L.) Rchb., Thalictrum aquilegifolium L., T. minus L., Verbascum nigrum L., Polygonatum multiflorum (L.) All. It was found that among the rare species of the region mesophytes predominate and they are confined to meadow and forest habitats. To a lesser extent, xeromesophytes and xerophytes of meadow-steppe, as well as hygrophytes and hydrophytes of shoreline and water habitats are represented. The nature reserve fund of the region was analyzed according to the methodology of assessing the nature reserves by botanical value priority criteria. To optimize the region's nature reserve fund, a rationale for creating a landscape reserve of local significance “Zvenyhorods'ky” with a total area of 2,000 hectares was compiled, giving it the status of a regional biodiversity centre.

Folk Utilization of Plants in Kugti: An Interior Village of Chamba (Himachal Pradesh)

The study documents plant species used by the residents of Kugti an interior Himalayan village, through observations and interviews. Forty four plant species belonging to 32 families were being used as edible, medicine, dye, magico-religious, socio-cultural, and starter purposes. Use of Plectranthus rugosus, Wikstroemia canescens, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria and Angelica glauca are unique to the area.

Nasa, Nemesia and Euphrasia: new alternate hosts of Cronartium spp.

SummarySusceptibility of 18 alternate host species to Cronartium flaccidum or C. ribicola was tested. Alive test plants were inoculated in the greenhouse and the formation of Cronartium uredinia and telia was followed on the plants for 8 weeks. Cronartium flaccidum formed uredinia and telia on Bartsia alpina and Euphrasia stricta (Orobanchaceae), Nasa triphylla and N. urens (Loasaceae), Nemesia floribunda (Scrophulariaceae), Tropaeolum majus (Tropaeolaceae), Veronica daurica (Plantaginaceae) and Vincetoxicum hirundinaria (Apocynaceae). Single uredinia or telia developed also on N. urens and E. stricta inoculated with C. ribicola. For the first time, Cronartium are reported to sporulate on members of Loasaceae and Scrophulariaceae, N. urens and N. floribunda.

Spatiotemporal variation in local adaptation of a specialist insect herbivore to its long-lived host plant.

Local adaptation of interacting species to one another indicates geographically variable reciprocal selection. This process of adaptation is central in the organization and maintenance of genetic variation across populations. Given that the strength of selection and responses to it often vary in time and space, the strength of local adaptation should in theory vary between generations and among populations. However, such spatiotemporal variation has rarely been explicitly demonstrated in nature and local adaptation is commonly considered to be relatively static. We report persistent local adaptation of the short-lived herbivore Abrostola asclepiadis to its long-lived host plant Vincetoxicum hirundinaria over three successive generations in two studied populations and considerable temporal variation in local adaptation in six populations supporting the geographic mosaic theory. The observed variation in local adaptation among populations was best explained by geographic distance and population isolation, suggesting that gene flow reduces local adaptation. Changes in herbivore population size did not conclusively explain temporal variation in local adaptation. Our results also imply that short-term studies are likely to capture only a part of the existing variation in local adaptation.

Preference for outbred host plants and positive effects of inbreeding on egg survival in a specialist herbivore.

Inbreeding can profoundly affect the interactions of plants with herbivores as well as with the natural enemies of the herbivores. We studied how plant inbreeding affects herbivore oviposition preference, and whether inbreeding of both plants and herbivores alters the probability of predation or parasitism of herbivore eggs. In a laboratory preference test with the specialist herbivore moth Abrostola asclepiadis and inbred and outbred Vincetoxicum hirundinaria plants, we discovered that herbivores preferred to oviposit on outbred plants. A field experiment with inbred and outbred plants that bore inbred or outbred herbivore eggs revealed that the eggs of the outbred herbivores were more likely to be lost by predation, parasitism or plant hypersensitive responses than inbred eggs. This difference did not lead to differences in the realized fecundity as the number of hatched larvae did not differ between inbred and outbred herbivores. Thus, the strength of inbreeding depression in herbivores decreases when their natural enemies are involved. Plant inbreeding did not alter the attraction of natural enemies of the eggs. We conclude that inbreeding can significantly alter the interactions of plants and herbivores at different life-history stages, and that some of these alterations are mediated by the natural enemies of the herbivores.

Natural Products in Cancer Prevention and Therapy, a selection of topics presented in the 2nd Edition PSE Symposium (Naples, Italy, 25th to 28th of June 2013).

Scientists have brought an interesting trend in pharmaceutical development since the beginning of 21 century: return to nature as a source of potential drugs. However, in spite of the advances in the comprehension of benefits of natural products in medicinal applications, only little therapeutic progress was recorded for cancer disease. New strategies related to natural medicines are developing with focus on their possible role in chemoprevention and chemosensitization. This issue has been the focus of the Congress on Natural Products in Cancer Prevention and Therapy, 2 Edition. This meeting hosted by the University of Naples Federico II on behalf of the Phytochemical Society of Europe was held in Naples, Italy from 25th to 28th of June 2013. The aim of this congress was the presentation of recent results, discussion of trends, and exchange of ideas related to the medicinal chemistry aspects of natural products in cancer prevention and therapy. This special issue based on selected contributions of speakers presenting lectures at the symposium will focus on the natural compounds from plants, foods and other natural sources used in cancer therapy and chemoprevention. Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality in the industrialized world, second to lung cancer. Navarra and co-workers reported that the Citrus bergamia juice extract inhibited the proliferation in human colon cancer HT-29 cells. High dose of Citrus bergamia juice extract (2.5 mg/ml) enhanced ROS production, which lead to loss in mitochondrial membrane potential and oxidative DNA damage in HT-29 cells. However, low dose of Citrus bergamia juice extract (1 mg/ml) was found to inhibit ERK and p38 phosphorylation and altering apoptosis-related proteins (p21, Bax, Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL), which in turn reduced cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Lorenzetti and coworkers investigated the effects of several plant bioactive polyphenols, such as apigenin, genistein, luteolin, naringenin, quercetin and resveratrol, on inhibiting DHT-induced prostate-specific antigen secretion on human metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma LNCaP cells. It was found that selected flavonoids could inhibit the secretion of prostate-specific antigen in a wide range of concentrations from 1pM to 100mM. Bour et al. investigated the anti-cancer activities of antofine N-oxide isolated from the the medicinal plant Cynanchum vincetoxicum. Antofine N-oxide showed a significant cytotoxic effect on several solid tumor cell lines (glioblastoma, breast carcinoma and lung carcinoma) and T-cell leukemia. It was interesting to find that a number of genes in TNFα signaling pathway were up-regulated in these three solid tumor cell lines. Natural polyphenols exhibit benefits in a wide variety of pathophysiological settings. Biasutto et al. summarized the development of effective prodrugs of polyphenols. Biomedical applications of polyphenols are severely hindered by their low bioavailability, rapid metabolism, and generally low water solubility. Polyphenols derivatives are under development with the aim of improving their bioavailability and/or bioefficacy. Thus, the drugs are modified by chemical reaction of the hydroxyl groups to not hinder permeation of epithelia, to prevent conjugative modifications during absorption and first-pass through the liver; and to be eliminated with opportune kinetics to regenerate the parent compound.

Differential effects of antofine N-oxide on solid tumor and leukemia cells.

We have studied the anti-cancer activities of antofine N-oxide isolated and purified from the medicinal plant Cynanchum vincetoxicum. Antofine N-oxide displayed a strong inhibitory effect on several solid tumor cell lines (glioblastoma, breast carcinoma and lung carcinoma) and on a T-cell leukemia cell line. Remarkably, its cytotoxic effect was considerably weaker in non-cancer cells. Antofine N-oxide was found to inhibit proliferation of the solid tumor cells whereas it caused apoptotic cell death in the leukemia cells. A microarray analysis after a short treatment revealed that the number of differentially expressed genes was considerably higher in solid tumor than in leukemia cells. Up-regulated genes in the three solid tumor cell lines include genes related to TNFα signaling, of which TNFα was among the most significantly induced. A functional analysis revealed that TNFR1 signaling was most likely activated in the solid tumor cells. The increased mRNA levels of several genes of this pathway (namely TNFα, TNFAIP3 and BIRC3) were confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR after different treatment durations. Finally a slight inhibition of NFκB-mediated transcription was observed in the same cells. Together our results suggest that inhibition of cell proliferation in solid tumor cells essentially occurs through TNFα signaling whereas this pathway is not activated in leukemia cells. Apoptotic cell death in the latter is induced by a distinct yet unknown pathway.

Plant-species diversity correlates with genetic variation of an oligophagous seed predator.

Several characteristics of habitats of herbivores and their food-plant communities, such as plant-species composition and plant quality, influence population genetics of both herbivores and their host plants. We investigated how different ecological and geographic factors affect genetic variation in and differentiation of 23 populations of the oligophagous seed predator Lygaeus equestris (Heteroptera) in southwestern Finland and in eastern Sweden. We tested whether genetic differentiation of the L. equestris populations was related to the similarity of vegetation, and whether there was more within-population genetic variation in habitats with a high number of plant species or in those with a large population of the primary food plant, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria. We also tested whether genetic differentiation of the populations was related to the geographic distance, and whether location of the populations on islands or on mainland, island size, or population size affected within-population genetic variation. Pairwise FST ranged from 0 to 0.1 indicating low to moderate genetic differentiation of populations. Differentiation increased with geographic distance between the populations, but was not related to the similarity of vegetation between the habitats. Genetic variation within the L. equestris populations did not increase with the population size of the primary food plant. However, the more diverse the plant community the higher was the level of genetic variation within the L. equestris population. Furthermore, the level of genetic variation did not vary significantly between island and mainland populations. The effect of the population size on within-population genetic variation was related to island size. Usually small populations are susceptible to loss of genetic variation, but small L. equestris populations on large islands seemed to maintain a relatively high level of within-population genetic variation. Our findings suggest that, in addition to geographic and species-specific ecological factors, the plant community affects population genetic structure of oligophagous herbivores.